The Town Board of the Town of Clayton held a regular meeting at the Village Municipal Building with the following present:

 Justin Taylor, George Kittle, Donald Turcotte, Robert Boulton, Kathy LaClair, Bonnie Rose (Absent), Jim Yuhas, Nicole Cornaire, William Udart Jr., Sharie Derrickson (TI Sun)

The Board meeting was opened at 5:00 PM by Supervisor Taylor.

Public:

Supervisor Taylor indicated that Co. Leg. Mike Docteur had called and was unable to make the meeting today.  Mr. Docteur had indicated that the talks concerning jail expansion and compensation were ongoing.

William Udart Jr. stated he had nothing for the board and was just attending the meeting.

Minutes:

Motion by George Kittle, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte, to approve the minutes of 4/25/07.  Motion carried.  (Rose – absent).

Correspondence:

-                  Justice Clarence Giles April 2007 report.  (See attached.)

-                  Justice Clifford James April 2007 report.  (See attached.)

-                  Depauville Sewer District minutes for 5/3/07.  (See attached.)

-                  Northern Regional Center for Independent Living May issue of Focusability.  (See attached.)

-                  Youth Commission meeting minutes from 3/19/07.  (See attached.)

-                  Received: SUEZ Energy Resources Gross Receipt Tax reimbursement on 4/27. (See attached.)

-                  Received a “thank you” from the American Cancer Society for participating in their 2007 Daffodil Days Campaign.  (See attached.)

-                  Received an inquiry from Justice Giles concerning expenditure of funds for dinner, for jurors and attendant, if a trial goes long.  (See attached.)  Discussion followed and it was determined that funds are available out of the Justice Contractual line.

-                  Received a notice from Jeff. Co. Clerks & Collectors will hold their dinner meeting on Tuesday, 5/15 at the Adam’s Country Club.  (See attached.)  Consensus of the Board that the Town Clerk should attend.

-                  Received notice today from the US Postal Service of the price change effective on Monday, 5/14 concerning rental of PO boxes.  To renew at the current price of $144 annual would need to be paid by this Friday.  This will be a pre-pay on the next abstract.  Consensus of the Board to renew the PO Box at this time for the year.

Resolutions:

RESOLUTION # 34 OF 2007 offered by George Kittle, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte, to support the continuation of the three (300 hundred) year tradition of both lawyer and non-lawyer or lay justices presiding in Town Courts, and oppose any requirement that Town Justices be attorneys, and oppose any efforts to eliminate efforts local and convenient access to justice and find the local presence of Town Court provides a meaningful and necessary presence within the community for judicial resolution of conflicts, continued public safety of our citizens and the protection of constitutional guarantees for all of our citizens.  Justin Taylor aye; George Kittle aye; Donald Turcotte aye; and Bonnie Rose absent.  Carried.  (See Resolution Book).

Supervisor’s Report:

Motion by George Kittle, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte, to approve the Supervisor’s April 2007 Report as presented.  Motion carried.  (Rose – absent.)

Motion by George Kittle, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte, to approve and sign the previous Supervisor’s reports of January 1^st through March 31^st, 2007.  Motion carried.  Rose – absent.)

Bills:

Motion by George Kittle, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte, to pay Abstract #5, in the amount of $642,588.76, for Vouchers #515 through #671.  Motion carried.  (Rose – absent).

Signing Vouchers:

Supervisor Taylor indicated that several vouchers had not been signed by Dept. Heads prior to submitting for payment.  After discussion, the Supervisor stated he will make a listing of what should be signed by Dept. Heads and what should be signed by him.

Lift Usage of Parking:

Supervisor Taylor discussed the parking area at the former Town Offices.  The Opera House renovations are just about complete and several businesses are reading to open.  He would like to see the Town pave the parking area to replace the damage done by construction crews.

Councilman Kittle stated he didn’t have a problem with this however he would like the business owners to sign a statement that no monetary amounts changed hands.

Councilman Turcotte inquired when the construction crews and materials would be leaving that area.

Response was the area would be cleared the week of 5/19 – 5/25.

CLDC/Frink:

Supervisor Taylor stated the CLDC had discussions with the DEC on standards and how they affect the Frink project.  The DEC is recommending clean up of the site to residential standard with an environmental easement.  To clean up to “residential no restrictions” (another classification) is 2 to 3 times the quantities and cost then the environmental easement level.  There is no guarantee the “no restriction” level can be obtained.  An “environmental easement” means no single family housing and no vegetable gardens are allowed.

Supervisor Taylor indicated that at the CLDC meeting last week, they voted to clean to “Residential with an Environmental Easement.”

Recreation Park:

Supervisor Taylor stated he had been talking with Keith Wood about getting him a computer, internet access and e-mail capabilities.  We could put in dial-up from Westelcom.  Supervisor Taylor stated he does a lot of communication by e-mail and this would make things easier.

Consensus of the Board is to go ahead and do this.

ZEO Assistant:

Councilman Kittle stated that it was the consensus of the committee after interviewing three of the six applicants, to recommend Steve Dorr for the position of part time ZEO.  The Town has discussed the possibility of flexible hours for Steve and also conferred with Highway Supt. Boulton in regards to this matter.

The committee also discussed consideration in the future of using Mr. Dorr in the capacity of a Buildings Code Officer in lieu of using Jefferson County.  This will require study to determine the viability of this position.

Municipal Building Usage:

Supervisor Taylor indicated that the office personnel, Councilman Turcotte and himself had a meeting last Friday afternoon to review the conceptual drawings for future consolidation of offices.  The Justices and Assessor had submitted written comments.  Supervisor Taylor presented notes he has taken from that meeting.

Supervisor Taylor indicated he would like both entities to do a conceptual drawing.

We would need to move back to the Opera House while construction of these offices are being done.  Supervisor Taylor has spoken with Amy Flack of TIPAF about a phone system.  She has indicated that the system being used currently by town offices would fit in very well at the Opera House.

Rte. 12 Sewer District Evaluation:

Supervisor Taylor stated he had discussion with Rob Campany, of Bernier Carr & Associates about a proposal for engineering services relative to evaluation of providing sewer service for the Route 12 corridor between the Village of Clayton and the Town of Orleans town line. 

Mr. Campany has provided the Town of Clayton with an estimate for services on an hourly basis with an estimated fee of $7,000 including reimbursable expenses.  This amount would be totally reimbursable from the funding agencies.  This report will be suitable for submission to funding agencies, including USDA Rural Development and the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation.  If the project moves forward, services for preliminary and final design bidding and construction phase services would be determined upon finalization of the scope.  Mr. Campany sent two (2) Authorization for Professional Engineering Services Forms.  Should the proposal be acceptable to the Town all we need to do is sign and return one (1) form.

Motion by George Kittle, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte, to authorize Supervisor Taylor to sign the documentation to move the feasibility study forward.  Motion carried.  (Rose – Absent.)

Wind Power Meeting:

Supervisor Taylor stated he had attended the public hearing held by the Joint T/V Planning Board for Wind Power.  He stated another public hearing will be held on 5/31 and the Town Board should attend if possible.  Supervisor Taylor indicated that the public hearing was very informational.

Also, yesterday there was a phone conference here, attended by PPM, ZEO Henry LaClair, Atty. Joe Russell, Paul Heckmann, Larry Aubertine, Bud Baril, and Alicia Dewey.  The conference reviewed the previous public hearing and the upcoming public hearing.  Ms. Dewey took minutes for Supervisor Taylor.

Wine Tour, Fort Drum Invitations, Depauville Fire Dept Dinner, Watertown Chamber of Commerce Luncheon : 

Supervisor Taylor stated the Town had received several invitations and has made them available for any Council Member or Staff that wanted to attend.

Invitations:

Watertown Chamber of Commerce is having a Luncheon on 5/16; Depauville Fire Dept is having their annual banquet on 5/19.

Transfer Site Bags:

Discussion by the Board as to whether to continue with the imprinted bag system at the Transfer Site.  

It’s time to re-order bags.  Keith Wood had asked for several quotes; only one quote from Gray’s Wholesale came in.  The quote has come in at $50.50 per case of 250.  We will order 160 cases for a total of $8,080.

Consensus of the Board that we need to continue with the bag system even though we’re taking in more bulk trash.

Replace Broken Windows at Rec. Park:

Keith Wood asked for quotes.  He received two (2):  (1) Northern Class Co. - $6,876.96 & Sampson Glass - $3,567.14 (Tax included).

Motion by Donald Turcotte, 2^nd by George Kittle, to approve Sampson Glass with the omitting of sales tax and sending a tax exempt certificate.  Motion carried.  Rose – absent.

Annual Reports for those receiving Support with Tax Money:

Supervisor Taylor stated he would like to see in the future any agencies that receive support of tax moneys from the Town of Clayton, be required to furnish the Town with an Annual Report prior to receiving the check.

Consensus of the Board this should be required so we can substantiate money given.

Tefft Abandoned Property:

Supervisor Taylor indicated that remarks concerning this property had transpired on the Road Tour this year.  He expressed this should now be taken to the next level to get the property cleaned up.

Hwy. Supt. Boulton stated he had talked with Gerry Kostyk, Bernier Carr Surveyor, would had surveyed the transfer site area in 2001.  Mr. Kostyk will check all his measurements to make sure they’re accurate before we take any further action.

Board consensus is when we are sure we need to move forward to the next level.

Town Justice Court:

Justice Clarence Giles has an inquiry in concerning a couple trials being held this week.  His question is if the jury goes from afternoon into evening, is there any provisions for feeding the jury.

Consensus of the Board, they could order out and the Justices have enough money in their contractual account to take care of the amount.

Eagle Scout Award:

Supervisor Taylor stated that Matthew Turcotte, grandson of Councilman Turcotte, is being bestowed the Eagle Scout Award at St. Mary’s on Sunday afternoon at 2:00PM.  Supervisor Taylor indicated the town should do a resolution or proclamation of support of encouragement for any and all persons now and in the future.  Such proclamation would contain signatures of all the Board members.

Highway Report:

-                  Strawberry Lane/Brooks Drive: Meet with Jeff. Co. Engineers, Mayor Kenyon, Dana Pledger (Village DPW Chief), and Candie Pecor (Hwy. Clerk) on 5/16.  The Village has ordered materials, some are here, Village will do sewer & water; Town will do storm water drains and road work.  Village hasn’t secured the easements as yet.  Anticipate this project will start soon.

-                  Pelo Road:  This project of base coat will be done first, then to Strawberry Lane.

-                  Frink Development:  Hwy. Supt. Boulton stated he had missed a couple of copies of check payments from LU Engineers.  Need to let Jim Yuhas know to copy him on these.

-                  Dugouts:  Just about done.  Have a couple left to do.

-                  Cathy Moore- Co-operative Extension Dietitian, was at the Joint Highway Facility for a workshop class.  Several employees had had heart attacks and various other problems so Supt. Boulton felt this was a good workshop to have.  Because of being called out at all times of the day or night they’re eating wrong.  The guys put together a program of what and how to eat.

-                  Trucks:  Most trucks have now been turned over for summer work.

Councilman Kittle stated he had attended the Samaritan Medical meeting the other night and the topic of paving their new parking area was discussed.  The road project for Strawberry Lane should consider heights of the road in that area.

Committee Reports:

George Kittle:
-  Tar Paper on front of Town Offices is not acceptable. This needs to be finished.

-  Cemetery:  Received call from Buffalo; Still working on this.

-   Résumé:  If advertised now, it’s possible to make an appointment at the next meeting.

-   Booster Club Bill: Discussion of how we pay bills.  Youth Commission members are ordering on line then submitting the bills for payment to them.  Trouble with that is we pay vendors and send tax exempt certificates.  We do not reimburse individuals for paying the sales tax.  We need to write a letter to the president of the Youth Commission letting him know how we pay bills and when the bills have to be submitted.  Town Clerk will write explanation of how bills are paid and send to Youth  Commission.  Meanwhile this bill will be paid as a pre-paid on the next abstract.

Donald Turcotte:
-   Community Center Grants:  Augusta Withington is now working with Bernier, Carr & Associates.  There are some funding agencies that we will apply for grants from using Mrs. Withington to write these request.  Several agencies will be asked:  USDA, North Country Library  System & Northern New York Community Fund. We do have money available for fixtures.

-   Depauville Paving:  Upstate Construction has quoted $7,000 for the Community Center paving.

-   Community Center Playground:  Needs wood chips.  No figures available at this time.  Wood chips will compact and will need to be replaced every couple of years.

-   TIPAF Minutes:  Minutes of the 4/19 meeting were distributed.  Councilman Turcotte stated that everything seems on schedule, with the exception of the sprinkler contractor.  

-   Recreation Park Light:  The money meters for the lights at Rec. Park were vandalized.  It will cost $1400 to replace them.

Next Meeting:  The 5/23 Town Board meeting will be held at the Fire Station on Graves Street in the meeting room at 5:00 PM.

Supervisor Taylor expressed that another proclamation should go to Sharie Derrickson, TI Sun reporter.  This is Ms. Derrickson’s last board meeting before her move to Florida. Ms. Derrickson has been very fair and accurate with her reporting of the Town Board sessions.  Everyone wished her well.

Motion by Donald Turcotte, 2^nd by George Kittle, to adjourn this regular meeting at 6:30 PM.  Motion carried.  Rose – absent.

Kathleen E. LaClair, Town Clerk