Town Board - Regular Meeting

Order. Attendance, please. Supervisor Holdridge here. Council member Becker here. Council member Courtney here. Council member Casaro here. Council member Dipley here. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Please stay standing uh in a moment of silence for uh the tragedy on Tulip Lane earlier this weekend. Um there was a passing and of course a terrible fire. So uh just a moment of respect for them. Thank you.

All right. Was everybody able to read the March 11th meeting minutes? Yes. Is there any questions or debate points on them? Nope. Nope. See none. Is there a motion to adopt them? I'll make the motion. Is there a second? I'll second. All those in favor? I I I All right. Summary bills. The town will be paying bills in the amount of $382,415.33 cents this month. I'm sorry, this abstract. Public comment. Is there anybody signed up for public comment? Is there any public comment in the audience? Is there any public comment online? No.

Once, twice. Sold. Okay. Uh we will move on to reports. I'll start off. Um the highway department is going to be doing some tree trimming uh specifically in Sugarloaf along the uh main stretch there between March 30th and 31st. And that's going to be between 7 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. I believe 7:30 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Uh so please do not park on the roads during those times uh out in the uh in the hamlet there so we can get through the trimming easily and uh no damage to any private property. Uh we have good news. We have been awarded again uh a $5,000 municipal tourism grant. Uh and this we are going to again use it for uh the field day event that we started last year uh for the for the kids. So that's a really nice little gift there. It's going to help us get that thing uh funded um from the county from Orange County. So thank you Orange County for granting us the award again. Uh a slide was repaired by the parks department um over at the Oak Park uh yeah the Oak Drive Park over in Malton Lake Estates. So that is nice right in time for spring. And also uh the security camera o over there is operational and ready to go to hopefully uh prevent or deter what happened to the slide and other prop you know other property damage uh that uh recently happened there last year. Uh so that is good. Uh these last two weeks I participated in a meals on wheels program today uh where I went around

with a volunteer and we handed out um meals to those in need around Chester and I think one in Warwick as well. It was a really nice program. If anybody has free time out there uh please if you are one for volunteering meals on wheels is a really nice way to give back to your community. Um and that's through the department of aging I believe. Uh I met with the parks advisory board. We talked about a few things. We're getting some things off the ground. Uh she's not technically a Chester employee, but she uh worked in the town of Chester uh under the opaces of the uh of the county. Uh Agnes, I just wanted to say thank you to Agnes for her years um working in Chester. Um congratulations on your retirement and uh thank you for your service here. Uh, I want to congratulate the Chester School District uh, theater program on their Little Mermaid uh, show. I heard it went really well. I uh, I took part in sponsoring it, but uh, I wasn't I was unfortunately too sick to to attend it this last weekend. So, um, I'm sorry about that, but I heard it went really well. So, congratulations to everybody. I'm sure it was a wonderful performance. Um, and then yesterday I attended the high school government classes, spoke to the kids as I usually do every semester about local government um, and my experiences being somebody who was younger on the younger side uh, in government. So that was fun. They always have really interesting questions for me every year, every semester. So um, I hope somebody learned something from it. And then finally today we started I started a uh what's it called? Contract negotiations with the uh county uh about the um uh assessor services for for the town. So I had the first meeting today

with the county um regarding our contract. I'm going to report some back to the town board about that um you know uh in private about what's going on with that and then we will really start the process. But, you know, I heard the uh the first shot across the bow to today. Um it's very combative way of putting it, but it it was really a nice meeting. I heard the first uh you know, the first offers and such. So, uh it went well. It was a nice meeting. Um I'll talk to the board about it later, but uh yeah, that's it for me. Um, I don't believe I have any reports from the departments here. Not that I see. So, we'll start uh with um Councilman Diffy this time. Any reports?

No reports. All right. Councilman Courtney. Nope. I have nothing tonight. Deputy Supervisor Becker.

Okay. I've been in contact with our water department in regards to uh the need for a 72-hour pump test at Walt Lake Estates. Chris is going to reach out to the hydro geologist again. He's done it in the past. He has not got numbers yet to get that work done. And I think we need to get it done. Also, we need to get the new well at Sugarloaf that was also discussed. And once that new well is in place, uh, to basically replace the well that we're having issues with, the discolored water that's close to the plant, we'll need to do a 70 two-hour pump test and go through everything with DEC and the health department to get that in place. Uh, also talking with Chris and talking with Keith over at the highway department. They have something they would like to purchase in the future that they'll bring during budget time, but they're considering a hydro back truck that are used basically for uh cleaning sewer line stuff, but they're also used for excavation where uh you don't have to dig with equipment, you dig with high water pressure, and it's much safer. So, that's something we'll be looking at in the future. And that's it for now. Thank you, Tom. Yeah, that uh those water tests will be important. We need to get those off the ground. Uh before I forget, um what's it called? I I believe we have an Easter egg hunt uh PBA Easter egg hunt on April 4th. Is that correct?

Yeah. Chester Commons are What time is that kickoff? What time is that? 10 a.m. 10 a.m. 10 a.m. So, Easter egg hunt, uh PBA, April 4th at Chester Commons. And then uh Councilman Casara, I have no report. All right. Wonderful. Um All right. So, we will head into our public hearings. Is there a motion to open the public hearing on the creation of a water district for the Greens of Chester Development? I'll make the motion. Is there a second? Second. Second. All those in favor? I

I have now have a public hearing open. And Tom, if you want to give a little Yeah. description of what it is and what's going on.

No, she has put it on the record. Order by the town board for a hearing on establishment of the Greens at Chester Water District was published in the Times Herald's record on March 11th, 2026 to our U website as well as my sign board here in town hall. Thank you.

Yeah, go ahead. Uh the purpose of this public hearing is to establish the water district for the greens at Chester which is the formal process of creating a essentially a billing mechanism. The source of water is going to be from the village of Chester. Um the developer will be installing the infrastructure. Uh the village has received a petition together with a map plan and report. I spoke to engineer John Quinnan this afternoon. uh he confirmed that um from an uh petition standpoint and from a design standpoint uh that the the documents are acceptable. Uh so at this point pursuant to article 12 of the town law that it is subject to a public hearing I will offer uh Tom Becker who is far more versed in water issues uh if he wants to add anything on that.

Okay. So there was a some questions that came from the preservation collection here in Chester. So, uh, as far as the water district goes, it's being formed for the purposes of what Liz just spoke of. Uh, we will not be taking this district over in, as far as I know, it will not be done in stages. It will be done when the complete project is finished. So, on complete build out, when everything is in place, when we take over roads and sewer and anything else that might be there, at that point, that's when we would take over the project. As far as the the amount of water that the village is serving them, I don't have the particular number. I had it, but I forgot what it may be. 150,000 a day.

Give me a second. I'll tell you.

But that is up to the village. So, that's questions possibly for the village. Any anything that in regards to that contract because it's not a contract we drafted, but I did talk with the village during that process when it was taking place. Uh they do have the water to supply them. They also took over a well that was drilled by the greens at Chester near their existing source that could be used for servicing that project in the future. So the water is available to the village to supply the greens of Chester and they have built into the contract a certain amount of gallons for a certain amount of water. after they exceed that particular amount the the rate in will increase considerably to deter that from taking place. Uh so they did put a lot into the contract. I had done contracts prior to this when I was water commissioner and a lot of thought went into it. So the villages put a lot of things in to protect themselves and it's going to be up to that district because that district will solely it will not be from tax dollars. It would not be from any other districts in the town. It will be solely that district that pays for what is necessary for that district. Any repairs, any billing that has to go to the village, it's all going to be covered by that district. So, there should be no concern from residents that tax dollars are going to go into that. So, it'll be just like every other district in the town of Chester. You cover your own expenses.

I don't know if there's any other questions from anybody. had a just uh Councilman Becker, the um contract that I was provided from the village has a um range of 145 145,000 gallons per day to um 200 242 and 50,000 gallons because that's a range that they have right now from beginning to end. Okay. And that's 24250. Yeah. Tracy, I saw that you um signed up. Did that answer anything? Yeah, if you have any questions about

Thank you. I do appreciate all those um responses because that that answered just about everything I had. Um I guess my question because it's it has changed where they're going to get water from whereas before they were going to be drilling. So in the settlement it was the town that was going to be looking at this petition. Um and I guess what did you say the map the plan and the report um so you said that the village is looking at that. So I guess my my question is just is once the infrastructure is there do do you as a town is this all in the village or is it in the town and then who is really overseeing the infrastructure itself?

So so I can answer that. So um once the infrastructure so the town will be responsible for the district, the town board will be responsible for the district. Um the infrastructure will eventually become town infrastructure. The village of Chester is the source of the water. So the village of Chester is effectively selling as an out of out of village user. Okay. To so the village other than the piece of the small piece of the line that lies within the village of Chester. They do not oversee the infrastructure. They are simply providing the wa the water to a master meter and then it gets distributed out to all the residences with submeters.

Y what they what they basically have is a valve out by the street because that main has run from Whispering Hills up into the development. Now they have a valve at the street that's the end point for the village. The only other concern to the village is going to be the pump station with the meter and backflow prevention in it. And as much as that's going to belong to the town, that's going to be their only concern that that meter is accurate and the backflip prevent is tested yearly. Perfect. Okay. All right. Well, that answers all my questions. I much appreciate it. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. Did you have a hand up earlier? Yeah, but you kind of answered my question. I was just Yes.

I wasn't clear on the breakdown of the town versus the village, like who's doing what, but you kind of answered everything. Are there any other comments on this? I actually have a question. Um, so when the town establishes this water district, uh, the town will handle the billing. So the town would then remit to the village.

So the village is going to send the town a bill for whatever is goes through that master meter. We would then pay the bill and we would pass through the the one of the things that this board will need to do after this district is created is set a rate um taking in account the the rate that the village is charging us plus operation and maintenance plus administration costs. We will set a rate and then we will charge that out to the individual um property owners based on their meters. So every every house in there will have its own separate meter um so that we can um identify who's using what. Will that take place after we take it over or there's there's still a consideration that we may do that prior what

the billing and stuff for the greens of Chester prior to us once it's a district.

So So I guess I guess I'm probably going to piggy back on Tom I'm guessing. So we're not going to take that district over till it's it's completely the buildout is done and it's operational. So there's once we create the district, the district is created. It's the So there's the pipes. I'll call them the pipes, right? When they're accepted, when they're offered for dedication, there will be a point at which they're offered for dedication. My understanding is the intent is is till the end because it needs to go through final inspections. One of the things our engineer is doing right now is they're undergoing a pressure test because we'll inspect the system before we we would accept the system to make sure it is up to. Now the project itself is being built out in phases. So there will be water usage. So we will be doing the billing for that prior probably prior to the dedication because at that point from from a legal perspective pillars to the district district to the district to the residents who are in place because there are homes that are going to be coming online before the full the first phase is going to be before the full system

and that that's where kind of leads into my question. So, how are we going to if phase one is built out and we're charging X amount and now when now the project's built out and now we have all this other all these other costs that are going to come into this district. How are we going to do an estimate on the on phase one two or we going to just

that's part of the map planning report does contain some estimates but also remember that with any um water district you would evaluate your your costs on a case by case basis and establishing your rates. If there was a cost that was unexpected you would assess that against the property owners. So it's not a you're stuck with the numbers that are in the petition. The petition is a good faith estimate of what they think it will be. And that should be re-evaluated every year as part of as you do all of

I'm actually going to sit down with Neil and do an evaluation because I don't believe they're giving a number of like $42,000 as the amount that they feel is running that district. I don't feel that number is adequate and that would put you know that the villages charging $10 a thousand. I think they estimated $14 a thousand. We may want to go beyond that because I have consideration concerns once they are up and running and they're doing additional work. They're going to they could theoretically do a lot of flushing and everything else within that district. So that's water usage that's going to be build by the village and we have to make sure that the few residences that are there are going to cover that or like most of districts right now in the town of Chester the tax base for that district are covered and we want to avoid the tax base covering it. We want it covered by water.

So that's a number we have to try to come up with. Now I guess the other thing this this takes us back in time a little bit. I remember there was an issue with the water saddles. So are we as we move forward into these different phases as I believe John that's a question for John Quinn but I believe so that's something I don't I think that's something that we're stuck with because our prior engineer had approved that style of saddle but I thought we changed we changed we we did change our code to reflect all bronze saddles that's the only thing that could be used in there now our our engineer is aware of that so anything that goes in the ground now is going to be the first two phases are

are from what I was told years ago that there may have been a number of 150 of those saddles installed and they're the same thing that we had an issue with on Pewer Circle where they were rotten off the main within 15 years. Yeah. Yeah. And it should never take place. And so our engineer at that time did not protect the town of Chester. I just want to make sure that we're just uh we're just because so we're kind of stuck with that and that in in relationship to that is another thought process on what we're going to charge for water because in years to come when they start to leak or blow off the main and we know the life expectancy is less and you know it's critical right now that we make sure that

and I've been in involved with this with John and our engineer and with the inspection person out there they are going through the process right now section by section and pressure testing. They actually had six leaks from what I heard on the first section that they installed within the village street. So they had to repair all of those to get a good pressure test. And now they went to pump up pressure test obviously the Mon I think was Monday and that also failed but they found a problem with that. So that's been fixed and they passed that today. So they may find issues with every section that they go in. That's probably and I I'm not an expert at water obviously. That's why I'm talking referring it to you, but that's probably from sitting. They've

no has nothing to do it has to do with installation and the way it was instal installed or damage took place after install. Got it.

So, it's critical for that district to make sure that all that piping is pressure tested correctly and before they go online, we're going to have to install meters in each facility as it get just before it gets a CO. And you know, we have to make sure that they have done the proper chlorination also. And we're going to do that just prior to each section being turned on because you don't want to do a chlorination then to let it sit for several weeks with unused water, you know, because then all your chlorination dissipates. So just days prior to that initiation of that water mane, it should be chlorinated and that certification has to be given to the health department before it can get turned on.

So that's something I'll be following up with our engineer to make sure everything's done right. Okay. Yeah. I have a question. Is the water mine online right now? There's nothing. There's no water. So is the road paved? They just patched in in the area that they did in the village. If you go on west, how long have we known these saddles are not good? Since they were installed back in 2020,

when I questioned when I questioned the engineer on it, he gave me the documentation. They're already in the ground for four years. So, would it be more cost effective to dig them out now since the road's not complete and the line is not active than to do it down the road and make Swiss cheese out of a road? The problem is that we can't develop. We can't compel them to do it because our engineer approved it. We can't go on private property and do work that's unauthorized or whatever. The saddles are not in the road. The road is not turned over to us until this project's done. It's not our road because it's private property. But we know that there's a problem with the saddles. Wouldn't it be a problem to attack it now and then later? Tom has mentioned this to the developer multiple times, but this is not something that we can compel them to.

They have paved everything. The only thing they haven't done is their top coat. That's usually what every project they do their paving, but they do the final coat when everything's built out. They'll do their final coat and bring everything up to grade to satisfy the highway department. It's kind of a catch 22 for us. What happens in 2040 when 15 or 20 of those saddles blow at the same time? That's that was my argument back in the day to the engineer. It's going to be a huge problem. Well, that's the concern I had and I took it out with the engineer. I said you've just put our employees in danger for what you did. Problem is is that the previous engineer under the previous No, I understand. Yeah.

Approved this. And I back then I also said I I want our engineer because if he approving something that shouldn't have been approved I want him to post a bond to cover the No, we can't do that. Those are all things I brought. I wasn't happy about it. I'm still not happy about it. Ryan, is it problematic to I'm sorry. Is it problematic to create the district before the initial rate is established? Like I hear that you are really No, we have to do it in the opposite order. You have to do it in the opposite order. You have to create the district and then establish the rate, right?

At risk that I guess. Yeah. Is there risk there that like this district gets established? We are responsible for it and then the rate is way different than what they are anticipating. We can adjust we can adjust the rate and given the timing of the construction, I don't anticipate houses being online before we establish the rate. The rate's going to be we're just because we establish the district doesn't mean we take over the administration and maintenance of the district. I thought that you just said that we do as soon as we'll be taking the billing. Yes. But not the maintenance of the still they still have several months. They have a pump station they're building right now. The tie-ins are not made to that build to that building. So they have but we have to build them as soon as someone is getting water. We are responsible for dealing with the administration of the building as soon as someone's getting water there until

at a rate. Yes. But until the pipes and and the petition does suggest a rate of 1425 per thousand which that's what Tom is comfortable with or not we're we're we're evaluating it. Okay. Does that get like is it a negotiation or we just establish what we just know? Yeah. Thank so there's just a lot of things to consider a lot of moving parts and a lot of thought and I would refer I would prefer like I said to get the income from the water rates rather than from the taxes for this district. Bottom line is that we're putting Tom to work and that's

so I don't know who's best to answer this Liz or Tom guys but um the agreement is between the village of Chester and the Greens of Chester correct for the for the supply of water. Yes. And they are establishing a rate.

No. So the vi so the greens of Chester and the village of Chester have entered into a an agreement um outside user agreement for the village to provide uh water service. The village of uh Chester's uh water fee schedule is a rate of $10 per thousand gallons for any users outside of the village jurisdiction. So that's the the the base rate. If you look in the um map plan and report, the map plan acknowledges that $10 plus some operating expenses subject to change of course by review of the town board and suggests a rate of $14.25 per thousand. So that's the rate that the town would charge the property owner, the users. Yes.

Okay. Thank you. And just to be clear, right now the the district is um covering phase one. Additional district work will have to happen as the remaining phases come on board. So just this is just phase one for now. Okay. Okay. Are there any other comments points or questions on this? Anything on the Is there a motion to close the public hearing? I'll make the motion. Is there a second? All those in favor? I I

Yes. What happens when a sample? Um I did prepare a uh resolution in order a a draft uh for your consideration. I'll read it now. um establishing the greens at Chester Water District. Whereas a written petition dated uh as of October 30th has been held at the town clerk of the town of Chester, New York, requesting the creation of the Greens at Chester Water District in the town of Chester with boundaries as here and after described. And whereas on the 25th day of February 2026, the town board of the town of Chester, New York, duly adopted an order calling a calling a public hearing to be held at town hall in said town on the 25th day of March 2026 at 6:45 p.m. to consider said petition and to hear all persons on the subject thereof concerning the same and for such action on the bar part of the said town board with relation to said petition as may be authorized and required by law. And whereas notice of such public hearing was duly published and posted in manner required by law. Whereas the proposed improvements consist of items specified in the map plan and report prepared by John Petraini uh PE professional engineer last revised January 10th, 2026 and on file with the town clerk. Improvements will include the construction of an on-site booster pumping station and distribution system including approximately 6,500 feet of 8 in diameter mains, hydrants, valves, meters, and associated fixtures. And whereas the maximum amount proposed to be expended as stated in the petition is 1,210,000 which will be the responsibility of the project sponsored. Whereas the town will not incur debt to finance the proposed improvements and approval of the New York State Controller for the creation of saidwater district is not required. See town law section 194-6 subsection 6. Whereas a public hearing was held on the ma uh on said matter was held by the

town board on March 25th, 2026 at 6:45 p.m. And a full discussion of the matter having being had and all persons desiring to be heard having been heard and after due consideration. Now therefore be it resolved, determined and ordered. A and these are statutory findings by the way. Um you have to make these that said petition is signed, acknowledged and approved as required by law and is otherwise satisfactory. Uh the petition uh for the board's information uh was signed by the record property owner of the all of the affected parcels because it's still with the developer. So uh we only needed uh the two signatures for those that all property and property owners within the proposed district will will benefit thereby. um all the property and property owners benefit that are benefited are included within the limits of the proposed district or extension that it is in the public um interest to establish the greens at Chester Water District. The proposed action is a type two action pursuant to 6NYCR 675C13 and that's extension of utility distribution facilities including gas, electric, telephone, cable, water and sewer connections to render service and approved subdivisions. The proposed water district is part and parcel of a subdivision was reviewed and ultimately approved by the town of Chester planning board in 1998 as amended in 2007 and 2014. The proposed infrastructure is consistent with the finding statement previously adopted by the planning board. Uh so long story short, you don't have to do your own environmental review. um resolved, determined and ordered that the water district as requested and said petition be and the same is hereby established and the boundaries are hereby established and are uh to be all those lands situated in the town of Chester, county of Orange, state of New York, bounded and described on exhibit A attached here too and made a part hereof. further resolved and ordered that the town clerk shall within 10 days um file a certified copy of such resolution in duplicate in the office of state

department of audit and control the controllers's office uh in Albany, New York. further resolved and ordered that said town board hereby delegates um the conduct of all future further proceedings in the matter pursuant to article 12 and sections 237 238 and 239 of the town law to the town board of the town of Chester acting as the commissioners of the water district and um any and all authorizations of all funds for the payment of all costs the same shall be done only by the resolution of the town board.

Got a question for you. Sure. So, you mentioned a footage of 65 or 6,800 square uh linear feet of water man. Mhm. That's what straight from the petition. Okay. That's from the petition. So, I have a concern with that for the fact that until we take all this infrastructure over, if we have this written in, does that make mean that we have to take over all of that footage? No. So the district itself is separate and distinct. It's just explaining what the district I just have to describe in the order what the rough

and I don't have to give specific details but a general description of the of the proposed improvements. Um the formation of the district and the dedication are two separate and distinct things. Yes. Okay. Okay. Because where my concern comes in where I was involved with Whispering Hills and when that was brought to the village of Chester, we took the main feed of water from the entrance to the tank. We didn't take any of the side streets or anything else because they literally had water manes underneath Gabon walls, right? And that's something we did not want to have to deal with. So I just want to make sure by us no adopting this that's not saying that we're taking over the entire footage of

it's okay at this present moment the extent of this is to provide a billing me mechanism for the water that comes in that you can build the end user um in accordance um it's literally creating the boundaries yeah because if you do not have to the acceptance of the infrastructure obviously is is while it's anticipated it is subject to inspection, review, sign off, whole nine yards. Um,

yeah, because there may be there may be streets within this because I'm I'm looking at summer streets that kind of come off the trunk line. They're very narrow, twisty. What the highway department may not have the capability of being able to plow, collect. So that in the future, maybe that's something they may not take over. And if it's not turned over, this the water man and sewer lines that are in those streets would also not be turned over to us. Most people don't like when I say this, but with respect to streets and infrastructure, it is not automatic that you take it over. Okay. Nope. I agree. So, um, just because a road is shown on a proposed subdivision or infrastructure shown on a proposed plan does not obligate the town to take it over. Just want to make sure if we're approving something that it doesn't do that to us.

Well, if you don't take it over, then it remains private. Correct. So, but then the homeowners on that road would have to know that that's a private sewer, private water, and they would have to if there is a break, they're responsible for it because most people won't know that there on a private main. So, that has to be kind of told to them. But that's not going to we're not going to know that till the end of this project either. Yeah. When you get to the end, you have to say we're going to take this or we're not going to take that. Because you have 15 houses on that road and you have a break and it cost you 100 grand that gets divided by 15. Some folks might not have the money to to pay for that water break. That's why like Whispering Hills, they have I think they have four different uh HOAs. Yeah, I get it. No, I

It's complicated for them, too, because each one of the HOAs now has Want to bring that up. Yeah. Has taken insurance from different insurance companies and that's created complications. Yeah. Thank you. Are there any other questions or points? I'm good. I'm good. See none. Is there a motion to uh say adopt the foregoing resolution in order? And if I may have a roll call vote, please. Roll call vote, please. You want to make the motion first? Oh, yes. I'll make the motion. I'll second. Vote. Supervisor Holdridge. Hi. Council member Becker. I. Council member. I. Council member Corte. I. Council member Dipley. Hi.

Passes. Linda. Council typos and I'll fix this and get it off to you. Thank you, Liz. All right. Um, we'll move on. Is there a motion to open the public hearing on the entity disclosure introductory local law? I'll make the motion. I'll second it. All those in favor? I. I.

So, uh, in a nutshell, um, I did describe it pretty length, uh, with lengthy or however you want to put it. Uh basic analogy is when you get onto this board, we have to disclose anything that would be a conflict of interest or something like that. This is what we're just asking the same basically of those who are uh making applications in front of our planning and zoning boards and town

and the town board. Uh so anybody would have to disclose any sort of connections or conflicts of interests or anything that would have to do uh with the uh the application that they are submitting in in the municipality that they are submitting it in which is in this case Chester. Um that's what it is in a nutshell. It's just more transparency and accountability for those who are trying to do stuff in Chester. And just to be clear, the biggest component is um a lot of on the larger scale projects are typically owned by private entities where you may not know who the principles are. The entity disclosure law requires that the principles of of those entities be disclosed um because you may not realize you have a conflict or there's a um connection with an entity, but you might have a connection with the individual who is a principal member. So that's really the the crux of that local law.

This will this have anything to do with the use of the facilities. Would that have to be No, that that would be again subjects to planning board and site plan. That would be your your planning board ZVA is what what they're doing. Has nothing to do with that.

This is purely any application and I'm just pulling it up now. um uh any application whether it be to the town board, Linda's office, um there would be a form that would an entity disclosure form, planning board, ZBA that would have to be um completed by the applicant. Um so that we understood who who those parties um are that it's also consistent with general municipal law 809 which is where we if if somebody has a relationship uh with one of the town officers or employees they have to you know they have to disclose it. Um if Brandon's cousin comes for site plan approval he has to disclose that he's Brandon's cousin that um supervisor Holrich's cousin. Um, so, uh, it's just to make that more clear.

Sounds good. Are there any, uh, comments today from the public on this? Can you just provide like an illustrative example of what this protects against or like what action you would take by? So,

ABC LLC um, is owned by Joe Schmo and Jane Doe. uh Jane Doe's married to a member of the planning board, but nobody knows that they're related by ABC LLC. By identifying that Jane Doe is a is an entity, we go, "Oh, that's so and so's wife. They have a conflict. That person has to recuse themselves or we have to disclose it or and sometimes it's just disclosure. Sometimes it's um triggers recusal, whatever is appropriate. But a lot of times you get these LLC's for uh development, which is not uncommon at all. Um and you simply just don't know who they are because it is some some name. There's a development in Warwick that was called A LLC. I am a LLC. Um so you don't know who owns that. Um and it's pretty hard to find. You can find snippets online of who owns LLC's. Um but they're really for private purposes. So, it's hard to identify who those individuals are.

Another analogy would be um super PACs in American politics. People with a bunch of money put a bunch of money into this entity and organization that then pays for a commercial for a political candidate. You don't you see that the organiz you see that the super PAC paid for it, but you don't know who's funding the super PAC. Doesn't New York have an LLC loophole or do they close that? What do you Well, we have an LLC disclosure, but it's not publicly available. So, it prevents preferial treatment, but does it allow the board to say, "Oh, now we know who you are." Like, can can you discriminate based on Well, you can't discriminate regard You can't discriminate under under currently

prevents conflicts of interest. If somebody need then it could help us compel maybe somebody that would need to recuse himself to otherwise. The second thing it does on a on a secondary basis is um using that same analogy, ABC um LLC comes and I've had this actually happen on an application not in front of Chester but on another municipality and Jane Doe comes and says, "Well, I'm the owner of ABC LLC." Turns out Jane Doe isn't the owner and isn't the authorized representative. Somebody else is. Um, so once we have that information and that disclosure, we can rely on as a town, we can rely on that information.

Um, but sometimes you're you're trying to figure out who are we who's authorized to speak on behalf of the company. Um, and sometimes that's easier said than done to figure out who that is. Thank you. Does that um carry forward for um title transfer stuff when um the LLC is purchasing, right? No. So there's no disclosure at that level. The the disclosure would only be

the title transfer. um they're required to identify the principles on the TP584 uh transfer tax return except that's not publicly available um to to to you know folks to you know I can't go look up who filed on that form. So for your purposes if you get a municipal search when it you're still going to be processing to that entity. Again it's more for conflicts of interest and making sure the town is dealing with an authorized representative when there's an application before the town. If you're just simply registering a transfer of title, you would use the LLC's name. All right. Are there any other questions? That's

all right. Seeing none, is there uh a motion to close the public hearing? I'll make the motion. Is there a second? All those in favor? I I resolution.

Okay. probably typo. Um whereas the town board finds and determines that there is a critical and compelling need in the public interest as set forth herein to provide for full and fair disclosure of the person or persons substantively involved in the entities making land use applications. And whereas the town board to the extent possible wants to ensure that any and all potential conflicts of interest or other ethical concerns are properly disclosed and addressed by any and all affected parties and to further ensure individuals appearing on behalf of such entities are authorized representatives. And whereas the town board introduced introductory local law 2 of 2026 entitled a local law to add a new chapter entitled entity disclosure to the town code on February 25th, 2026. Whereas a duly noticed public hearing was held on March 25th, 2026. And whereas by letter dated March 11th, 2026, the Orange County Department of Planning provided comment pursuant to GML section 239 and sequential indicating the matter was one of for local determination. Now therefore, be it resolved that the town board hereby adopts introductory local law 2 of 2026 entitled a local law to add a new chapter entitled entity disclosure as local law 4 of 2026. All right. I will make a motion to adopt the local law.

I'll second. All those in favor? I I Thank you. And I will create a form. I'd like to thank uh Tracy Shu for working with us on this since uh the year of 2023 when we first started talking about it. So, it's been a long time coming. So, thank you, Tracy. Sorry. Council member, who was the second That was I think it was Sorry. All right, moving forward. Uh stop DWI uh 2026 IMA at with Orange County. Uh this is normal. Um we do this I believe every every year or so. Are there any questions or debate points on it?

Nope. Seeing none, is there a motion to um accept the agreement with the county? I make the motion. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor? I

I All right. Uh there is a education request. Uh the police department would like to send officer Centusky right to the legal updates for SRO's course. Uh there is no fee associated with this course. Um it's a three-hour training being presented by the district attorney's office. It's designed specifically for SRO's. Um talks about juvenile offenders and juvenile delinquents as well as a comprehensive review of pre and post arrest detention procedures involving juveniles. Are there any questions or way points on this?

No. Yeah. No. Seeing none, is there a motion to approve the request? M the motion. I'll second. All those in favor? I I All right. Uh the hazard mitigation plan uh Orange County 2025 hazard mitigation plan. Everybody received a email on this. We've been added into the plan um based on some work being that was done by our uh engineers office or and and other departments. Are there any questions or debate points on any of that? No. Is there a motion to authorize me to sign uh the plan? I'll make the motion. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor? I call on this. Roll call vote, please.

Supervisor Holdridge. I. Council member Becker. I. Council member Cara. I. Council member Courtney. I. Council member Dipley. Hi.

Thank you. All right. Resolution to approve uh $6,44141 uh purchase of a 48 in tilting grade buckets for the highway department excavator budgeted item. So, it came in about 2500 or 2,600 bucks short of the uh budget, which was 10,000 for this item. Um, it w this was the lowest bid by about $545. Um, everybody received the email on this. Are there any questions or debate points on it?

No, I'm good. No, I'm good. Seeing none, is there a motion to approve uh the request? Make the motion. I'll second it. All those in favor? I I

Yes. All right. All right. Uh preservation plan update proposals. Everybody received the email I sent earlier this week um regarding the two proposals from uh Nelson uh Pope and Borheis and then also Lincoln Tully regarding our preservation plan update. We need to update we need to adopt a plan. There was a draft plan back in 2019 that was never adopted apparently. Um, we need to update that draft plan and then formally adopt it uh in order to move move the ball forward on our open space uh preservation fund uh which we were able to uh convince Albany to finally pass and sign into law. Uh we will once we have a planner uh hired for this, we will start the process with them. Uh they will start going through the document and updating it. We will then have a group of uh people in the community to form a advisory committee for it. Uh they will work with the planner and then we will move forward with getting a referendum on the ballot uh this year in order to uh formally approve the transfer tax um for the purchases of new properties um in order to finally have our open space preservation fund. So this needs to be done prior to

Yes. Let me

So um there are a lot of moving parts um to uh the legislation that was authorized by the state legislature. So there's actually you have to adopt three local laws in connection with this in various orders. Some of them can be done simultaneously. Some of them has to be a a staggered start so to speak. So, the first local law you're going to adopt is local law one is to establish the community preservation fund. Okay, that can establish a fund. Um, there wouldn't be any source of revenue other than potential donations into that fund, but you can establish the fund. Second local law is to adopt that community preservation project plan that we're talking about. That's why we've asked you um you do have a plan. Unfortunately, the planner that prepared the plan is now the Orange County Commissioner of Planning. So he is not in a position to modify or comment on that plan because

he has moved on.

Um and then the third local law is the local law that would actually impose the tax and that um and then there's timing implications of that and that has to be adopted um subject to a mandatory referendum. So, and your local your project preservation plan has to be adopted um at least 60 days before the mandatory referendum. So, there are timing issues. I have a whole timeline out. But the first step now is to um appoint a planner. Um and then we can get a committee in place. Um you do need an advisory board. There cannot be a town board member on this. Um there should be somebody with an experience in conservation and this is in the statute. And there has to be at least one active farmer.

All right. Are there any from Chester? Should be somebody from Chester. I think you have any farmers left in Chester. I don't think that's turned on. There's there's farms in Chester, but they're operated by farmers outside of Chester. I will I will double I will double check the residency requirement or if a property

that could be a concern. I'm sure somebody will be able to fit the bill. Um, all right. Are there any other questions or data points on this? Oh, well, first of all, everybody got the uh proposals. What did everybody think? And um for I believe the lower of the two in terms of amounts was Lincoln Tully, which came in at about $8,000. Nelson Pope and Boris was around $14,000 if Montgomery is 14,500

14,500. Um I believe from what it from what it looked like Nelson of hope and board he's had uh probably a little bit of a better presentation. Um you know but I'm not sure that counts for everything. But what did everybody think um about the two proposals? Well, you've already had Latin Tully working for you. You also had Kristen go through the has worked with the uh comprehensive plan. Comprehensive plan. So they have a a lot of background information right now that somebody coming in fresh may not have.

I I agree with Councilman Becker. I think Lankully would be the best choice just from a you know they know the town. They've, you know, they've been boots on the ground for us from time to time on on different issues when we had issues with the building department and whatnot. And they are and they were involved in in redoing the comprehensive plan. So, they have a good understanding of our of our landscape and our and our footprint. So, uh I believe uh Liz had some part to play in all this. Did Did you I So, I've worked with both um entities. I simply requested prop I simply uh she got us pricing.

I got your pricing. Um it's it's not subject to your procurement because it's considered professional service. So you're welcome. You're not subject to lowest bidder. But um again certainly that's a business decision for the board. Okay. Are there any other thoughts or debate points? I guess the only other thought would be cany handle it. I don't think they would have put a proposal in if they could. Okay. Perfect. Yeah, I spoke to uh Kristen about this um when I told her that she needed to have her proposal in by this today. Yep. Um about a week or so ago. And uh

yeah, no, she uh she's had some uh what's it called? Experience with this. Obviously, it's uh a lot of the work. I don't know if I can say a lot, but some of the work has already been done since there is a draft plan already in existence. So, hopefully it's not too long of a uh process. I made it clear that, you know, this is something that I would want done sooner rather than later so we can get the referendum on the ballot this year. Um so, yeah. Okay. Are there any thought other thoughts or uh debate points? Nope. Is there a motion to approve one of the proposals?

I make a motion to approve Lincoln and Tully. Is there a second to that motion? There needs to be a second in order to move forward. I will second it. Uh, is there all those in favor? I I I extensions. I'm going to abstain. I haven't seen the closes.

Okay. Thank you. All right, that finishes our regular business. We will move into executive session now once we pass a uh motion. Uh but first before we do that, uh there will be new business on the uh agenda afterwards and there may be a vote with that new business and of course there's public comment as always afterwards. So

before you do that, may I just read off a couple of announcements since they're timely? Sure.

Thank you. Uh Bellevale is having their him sing on the 28th. Uh doors open 6:30. Please join them. It's always a great event. Uh, as you mentioned, PBA has their Easter egg hunt on the 4th at 10:00 a.m. The Sugarloaf Engine has their blood drive for uh, Red Cross on the 9th from 1 to 7:00 p.m. And as we all know, Kowanas has their cleanup. It's really a great event. Please uh, consider volunteering for it. And if you're interested, you can reach out to Tom Flynn at 7822345. It will be held on the 11th of April from 9 to 11:30 as well as the cooling recycling drive which is held on the same day between 10 and 2 here in our parking lot. That's it for now. Thank you.

Thank you, Town Clerk Sapala. All right. Is there a motion to head into executive session for personnel and um contract negotiation? I'll make the motion. I'll second. All those in favor? I I just I'm sorry, Linda. I should have called on you. That's right. I'm going to go make copies of this. Yeah.

Michelle, are you ready? All right. Is there a motion to come out of executive session? I'll make the motion. Is there a second? I'll second. All those in favor? Hi. Hi. We are now in new business. I believe uh Deputy Supervisor Becker would like to bring something up in new business.

Okay. So, uh I had spoken uh a month or so ago about cellular end points and holding off on creating a fee for that. Uh from that point on the high order department and the building department and clerk's offices, you know, basically mentioned that that really doesn't work to how they need to perform their work and everything with this opt out. So they have asked that we apply an amount to the opt out fee. And basically this this only affects right now Lake Hill Farms. There's about 30 meters that are not installed in Lake Hill Farms. Most your other meters have all been installed. And if we don't have an opt out and we wait till the end, there's probably a possibility that we're not going to have an opt out because if you have people now that are opting out and they're not paying, there's no way you're going to make them pay in the future. And you have to look at it from the aspect of if there is an opt out, do we have 500 people opt out or do we have, you know, you can have half your district opting out, half of them in. So you're going to be running two billing systems throughout this process. Uh, I know I brought that information to you, but so, so maybe Linda, you can from your office just so I understand it because I mean the the water department, I don't know why they wouldn't have sent us any, you know, it's not, this is not like this was top secret. This is something we've been talking about. So now,

you know, after we passed something two weeks ago, well, they've been asking us for about eight months to get something done. We passed we did the opt out, but we have never applied a dollar amount to it.

Right. you you adopted the local law, but the fee for the opt out would be set by resolution and then you determined at that point last meeting um to wait until right until the end, but we're anticipating it going on for at least two to three years before everyone has the new technology. And the problem that from a billing point of view, the problem that we're we're seeing is there are members of the community that technically haven't opted out, but they haven't yet agreed or made an appointment to get the um endpoint on their meters. And so we don't have a mechanism by which to get them to do that unless we establish this opt out. You know, you have it but we have no

fee

enforcement, right? So if there was a number that was provided for opt out, certain people might then determine that they don't want to opt out because they don't want to pay the fee. they're just procrastinating about updating, you know, their meters. And then there are others that would choose to opt out, but we need to be able to communicate with people because when they call um in in response to the inquiry to have the endpoint installed and they say, "Well, what happens if I don't want it?" The answer is, well, the town board has passed a law to allow an opt out, but we don't have an amount associated. So, they might opt out while we're waiting to have a fee, which may be years from now. So it it seems it seems ineffective in the way that it's it exists currently

from Go ahead.

That's that's basically it. From what I gathered from the uh emails from the water department and the water the water billing clerk uh they believe that they think that it would not be as effective and efficient to not establish a fee at this time because there will be people that in the future had opted out previously. And you know mo most people don't watch these meetings. Most people are not as educated on what everybody's saying up here. Uh I guess their point is that there are going to be people who are going to be surprised in the future when an opt- out fee is uh adopted uh years from now um two years or three years from now whenever it is. Um that that is the point that they are making from what I gather in these emails. And the fact is nobody has an opt out unless they physically have written a letter or adopted something in writing that they are accepting an opt out.

Yeah. So technically and if we're going to accept that, why wouldn't we apply a fee to that? And right now they are in violation of of the code that requires that they allow the water department to um access access their meters for our code. Our code actually basically reads notices have gone out multiple times to uh residents and they've been non-compliant. So our code reads they have five days in which to notify us that you know make make themselves available or at least contact us in reference to our asking them for information.

I just want to be clear that the codes access requirement is not just for cellular endpoint technology. It is for repairs or anything else. Absolutely. It's for repairs or anything else. So, they are two discreet issues. Right now, folks are getting notices for cellular endpoints, but that doesn't necessarily mean that's the only reason a resident would get a notice saying we need access to your meter. And you do have to you do have to provide it. Um, if we getting a fault faulty reading, if there's something broken meter, whatever, we need to be able to have access. And that's that's in your code.

And that and that's in the code. And I'm I'm also working with the build building inspector to send out a separate notice that's not with water billing because sometimes when people get water bills, they look at the water bill, pay the bill, but they never look at the other documents that come with it. That's a So, and I've I've seen that when I work for the village, we we send our drink and water quality reports to everybody and those same quality reports would come back to us in the envelope with the bill. Exactly. So, it has to be a separate when we're doing trying to get into people's homes that have not responded to us, we have to do it in a way that's separate from billing. So, it's going to be through the building department in the form of, you know, this is part of our code. It's a violation. Please,

please contact us, right? But the opts violation, right? the violation, I think, is like $250 a day and and even I think the term is uh 15 days in jail. So, I mean, we don't want to go down that path for people that maybe aren't paying attention to uh the notice that's inserted with the bill, right? It's a matter of, you know, being aware of what's going on and the majority of people are complying, I think.

Yeah. But as you said, 30 people may not have the end points yet installed in the ones that we've already accomplished, but we have hundreds yet to do. And then of course the greens will be added. We have to kind of consider each district a separate district and they're all going to be treated, you know, as they come online with the new technology. That's when the op the opt out would actually you know at the end of

at the end of each district's installation of the end points when it reaches the end and that's when you're going to get to the point of people opting out. So again you know this is going to be done under under several years they're only doing so many meters each year because of the cost. devil's advocate to all this is people are adults if we put it in a letter um with their bill that there is no opt- out fee that's been adopted as of yet but there will be one adopted at a specific date you know in a specific year going to have a battle you're never going to see it

it again it it is up to people to be responsible enough to read the the letter I'm just I'm sating a devil's advocate point I think we just need to do our job and and do what we said we were going to do. And we said we're going to apply a a cost to the end point. Either we're going to do it or we're not going to do it. Now's the time to do it. And we did tell people that we're not going to put a fee for another two years until the end points were complete discussion. And now we're going to go back in our work change continually just like we vote on things and you could change your vote on things in the future.

Yeah. Because I my my understanding was we were going to we're going to want I'm I think we have to apply a fee. That's and I've and been I've said that from day one what that number is and I thought part of why we were waiting was to try to figure out how we were going to come up with a number. I mean we've all bounce numbers off each other but well we looked at numbers at other places. Some some charge $75 per reading. Some charge 50. We were looking at a number of possibly 20 per quarter. That's a number that's been tossed out there. That's a $100 a year for an opt out. How many endpoints do you think we're going to be installing townwide? And how many how many people do you predict will opt out?

How many What's the percentage you think will opt out? Less than 10%. Maybe three people. So for three people, we're going to charge them x amount of dollars when it takes only a few minutes to read a meter. Well, you can't just say it's it's not just the meter. It's it's the travel time to get there. It's the the billing software. You're you're going to be running two separate softwares. There's a cost to each one. I I don't think it I don't I think and and again, if we don't have a cost with the ops out and we're going to send a letter out saying there is an opt out, that could be a number that could increase.

I don't think there should be an opt out fee. If it's only three houses in the townwide, it's not that big of a deal to read three meters. There's other municipalities that don't that don't have But they might have they might have more than Well, I'm not worried about other towns, but that I I will say hypothetical. We're we're talking about hypotheticals right now with how many we we do not know how many um that are going to opt out. So,

I think yeah, I I think uh Tom has some valid points, but I I I would be remiss not to state that it it is kind of difficult that we, you know, discussed at the last meeting that we are going to not put something in place for another couple years and then go back on that a little bit. I think if we don't listen to the people that work for us, meaning the border department and our billing department, that we're remiss in doing our job if we don't listen to what they're telling us. I'll leave it at that.

My my question is, does this decision have to be made today? If we if we want to redis the the discussion on this again and and maybe adopt a fee, not two years from now, why does it have to be done today? Well, I think it came up because it's a billing period and so she's sending out the notices and she is anticipating what's going to come back to her which is I don't want I don't want to change.

Okay. So you can opt out but I think the board has not determined what you can do in the interim is what when you because under the law they have to provide what I would recommend to the board is under the law a resident if they want to opt out has to provide something in writing to to your office right I want to opt out when you get that this is to acknowledge receipt of your opt out at present this the fee for such opt out under the code is $0 please be advised that in the future the fee may be altered based some resolution of the board and that so you just send an acknowledgement to when you receive an opt out um if the board's decision is ultimately for right this moment to effectively it's a it's a fee of zero

right you're saying we've acknowledged your opt out your fee is presently zero this fee is subject to change upon resolution of the board and then they're on notice that the fee is subject to change I think that residents are still required to provide us that documentation residents are still required to allow the entry um regard regardless of whether it's for cellular endpoint because we need to have the access to the meters. Um so that way there's some written communication that the town has provided. Yes, we acknowledge it and um we're puts the resident on notice that that fee could change. So that's

great. Is there um a timeline that can be a fix to that? Because if they don't respond if they don't respond at all, aren't they subject to the other regulation which requires that they allow the water department in correct? They are still subjects, right? They're they have to respond in some way. Date, you know, like how much time do we give them once we've asked please respond and you know, notify us whether you intend to opt out.

Like what is a reasonable amount of time? your code your code says five days, right? Um the the practical reality is there's some enforcement level there and and certainly um and we can talk in an attorney client not necessarily this evening but talk about the the appropriate um timeline. There is a difference between again the fee issue and then the folks not responding to hey we want to install the endpoint and you're not getting any response. So I think what what Linda was trying to do though is because we have adopted an opt out. Correct.

They as we're trying to be transparent to residents. We She wants to send a letter out stating that okay we have an opt out. By saying that there's no fee on that opt out right now. Everybody's going to think well there's never going to you know there's not going to be the fee is $0. The fee is $0 and is subject to change upon the resolution of the town board. But that was that was the letter that was going to go to people that are asking for the opat once they send a letter to you can send the same letter to folks. Okay. So that's we have to put if we're going to do it that's the way we have to do it. I think that's I think that's perfectly reasonable and I think it follows that everybody is an adult. if they they need to read the letter. If they don't read the letter, that is on them.

And Steve Steve's got something to I I want to establish first of all, I I wasn't on the board when this decision was made to wait however many more. So from my understanding, was this just a discussion that the board had or did was there a vote on a resolution to wait until all the end points? The vote was on the vote was on the local law that that established an opt out. We were also supposed to that night establish a fee and then after comments made by deputy uh this was meetings later after that was done.

Yeah. No, I'm saying yeah after comments made by deputy supervisor Becker we decided to not establish a fee. Okay. There was an actual just a discussion and not so if there's a discussion then and not a resolution made. So if we decided to implement this by district, which I think makes the most sense, not waiting for the entire town to to have everything installed. We wouldn't be going against the resolution that was made. Correct. No,

that that we would be going against what was no not yes not a resolution but a a verbal agreement up here on it was a discussion. We all walked out of that meeting with a discussion. We walked out of a lot of meetings with discussion. Doesn't mean we can't change our minds.

That that's not I I completely agree with that statement Tom. I completely but in that meeting we had agreed at in a discussion yes not in a vote that we were going to wait a couple years. Now that that is that you're absolutely right. does not mean that we can't change our minds. However, if we are going to change our minds, we have to do it the right way. I don't know if doing it, you know, without any sort of notice or without any sort of fleshed out discussion or uh, you know, back up to the number of which you are pursuing.

We certainly don't have to do a public hearing when we left. We we basically said at some point in time we are going to apply a fee. We're going to do it sooner than later. I think that we should have a discussion about what the fee should be and what and what goes into that fee before we decide on the fee. I I I I I do agree with Steve. I mean, I think you have to do it by district because if you have absolutely meadows district does it and nobody opts out. That's why we're looking at do it now because we're at we're at a district right now at which Lake Hill Farms which is almost completed. We got 30 more meters. So, we need to adopt something for that district.

Then it might not be it might not have nothing in that district. I think the reason it was just brought up currently is because the bills are about to go out and Heidi was asking for what correspondence can she send along with the bill. So, I appreciate Liz's um instruction to send out the letter and request a response to whether or not you want to opt out, but I'm going to fall back on the and I understand it doesn't have to be decided today, but the bills go out next Monday or Tuesday. So, we do need some kind of guidance as far as if people do not reply to that request, are they then subject to the other regulation that requires that they they're allowed in?

Yes. So, can that be imparted in that same letter? Yes, I will follow up with I will give you Thank you. That would be helpful. And then you you can continue your discussion on the fee amount. That gets us gets us done for next week and we'll we'll continue our conversation. That would be great. That's fine. Thank you. I'll get you. Thank you. And that will be going out to all districts, Linda, or just Yeah. Well, only those that are right now being set up to have end points installed. Yeah. So, that is that going to Suriri now? Siri and Lake Hill, I would believe. Okay. Lake Hills been under this for about a year. Yeah. And they've received several of those. So, the next notice will go out to serve.

Well, they haven't received notices, but they've received um you know, request for it'll be included with their bill. Now, this notice, okay, if they haven't already um received an employment, he knows which do and which do not have. So, we'll follow up with the building inspector, too, and in gaining access beyond just sending this. We can also do a forward notice to get access. Or you think this will incorporate everything?

Look, you are going to have folks who are going to send two, three notices and they won't do it. And then you're going to have to say two, three notices. On the third notice, you're going to go last step. Here's your order to remedy. Um here's your summon court. And then all of a sudden, somebody's going to come running in. Um I didn't know. I didn't know. Yeah. Here's our here's letter one. Here's letter two. Here's letter three. We can we can Well, we already have that with two with two letters now, I think, with walls. Do we after we we Linda's office does his correspondence and we get no we get if we get the same result I mean I know there's a cost to it but I mean do you send a registered letter you start you start escalating you start certified letter I'm sorry

you you start escalating general letters and then you you kind of send a a certified letter and then you send one final with big red writing and all sorts of you know order to remedy um and if we don't hear from you within such and such Then you're going to get a from code enforcement officer, you're going to get a summoned complaint in the justice court and then all of a sudden they get that and they go, "Oh, I didn't know." It happens the same thing with like rental registry. Do we put our building inspector's name on these notices as code enforcement for this particular letter or because it is part of our code?

The beginning of it. Uh, I will double check who's got the authority, but I believe I believe it's of those two where we're going to start. I have a question. So, Lake Hill Farms, right? Each unit has their own water meter, right? I know a couple people that live in Windridge, right? That's an HOA, correct? Some Do they h Does each unit have their own water meter? And how does that work in the HOA? Most of them do. Most of them do. And then there's certain buildings in there that have um master meter, right? So how does each unit pay a fee based on what HOA determines that master whoever's charge that master? So if there's four units in that master meter,

they split it evenly. No, because so because the usage is different. Our because our responsibility stops at the meter. So once we once we build that meter, so it's it gets the HOA the HOA then passes that are whether it's through the association dues or a separate fee the the person responsible would be the HOA for the fee that's how whispering all of whispering hills that's how whispering you only go to you only stop master meter okay

I just want to state for the record that I I'm genuinely torn I I I completely agree with wanting to do this by district I just uh I'm torn due to our previous discussion and everything, but uh like I I don't think there's any bad actor here. I just want to state that for the record. I think everybody's opinions on this is valid, but um I think I just want to make sure we do this the right way. And my staff tells me that I'm crazy for trying to do this all the time, but I I just want to make the most people the least amount of unhappy. And um I just want to make sure that we do this the right way and the most transparent way. So, long as we're moving in the right direction, I think we are. That's agreeable.

Try to get you something. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for your time. Um, is there any other new business tonight? No. Is there any Is there any new business? No. No. Is there any public comment? Yes. Everybody, I just have some questions regarding the special counsel that was hired by the town. What is the status of the work being done by them? Wrapping it up now. Yeah,

sending you um something shortly. There should be a a packet or memo or some sort of document from the special count council imminently to town board and we will be moving forward with the comprehensive plan process. uh once we have that information um we we are very close that's good news. What was the assignment for them?

So the assignment for them was to um one uh evaluate um the re my recommendations uh to the uh town uh board with respects to uh state and federal law u regarding religious uses generally. And the second assignment was to review the proposed um zoning amendments uh for any further recommendations. They have provided some recommendations uh in draft form. Uh I've seen those. I'll be presenting those to the uh town board separately in work session. Um but the the council will be also issuing a memo as to their findings on state and local state and federal law.

Um when can we receive the status report on the zoning laws being reviewed? that be publicly at a work session. No, we're going to have a discussion on a couple of zoning topics at our work session uh which is being held tomorrow um so that I can get final direction from you. I'm hoping but not promising to wrap that draft up fairly quickly and I would anticipate end of April, beginning of May. Yes. And then we would try to set a public hearing for May. End of May. end of May, beginning uh probably not the end of May because I won't be here. Um beginning of June, beginning of June, but we would post those uh all those documents,

all those documents well before that date, so it would be public for a long enough time for everybody to review them on the website. Okay. Um what litigation, if any, has been filed against the town or by the town about the zoning laws? No, there's nothing to file litigation against. We haven't adopted it. Yes. Has there been any threats? No, we can't we can't discuss we can't discuss that publicly. Okay. Um, what is the status of review by the building inspector of the properties that we're concerned about? Can you repeat that? What is the status of review by the building inspector of the properties that we're discussing right now?

We're not discussing any properties right now. Um, the reason why Harris Beach and Mr. was hired, Camp Monroe Properties, oh, the building inspector, I don't believe, hasn't been like part of we we had done an a review uh at your requests a while ago, but that review has been completed. There's nothing new to review at this point, right? So, nothing's happened. They weren't involved with the special counsel or if that's what you're asking. Not exactly, but um I know I was just there last weekend and they're there. So, they're still continuing to break the law. What is the building inspector? That's not they've filed an appeal with the zoning board of appeals and under New York state law that stays any enforcement. Yeah. So what does that mean exactly?

There is no determination of whether or not a law has been broken or not. Basically it goes through the process. Yes. What's the process? The zoning board of appeals and the zoning board of appeals is waiting on the zoning changes from the comprehensive plan to be able to determine on the consent on the consent of the applicant, right? on whether or not there is a breach. So, so we have to get our work done before they could do their work. Yes. Okay. And when will a full update be given to the town residents? The the timeline I just presented. Can you tell me again?

I anticipate having a final draft to the board hopefully at the end of April, beginning of May. I will not guarantee that, but I will do my best. I would hope that we would be able that it would be in a position for the board to set a public hearing on the new material for sometime uh probably in June. I will not be here for the last uh May meeting. Hopefully with that public hearing, if there is no major uh disruption or change that's proposed, we could possibly even adopt that day. Don't get too far ahead of yourself. want this thing to be alive. No, you do. As do I. But no,

we would like to adopt as soon as possible. So then we can adopt the zoning changes that go along with the comprehensive plan and then we can lift the building moratorum and we can move forward with life. So you're assuming that the special counsel is going to approve the zoning changes. We have no information. Uh the town board has not received information. I just want to be clear, the special counsel does not approve. They make recommendations to the board. the board ultimately is the entity that ultimately adopts but the board has received no information on whether what their recommendation is as of right now. So there is no anticipation of what happened yet. We're we're still waiting that document from the special counsel and then once we get that then we can ruminate over it and decide for ourselves what we need to do.

So what if the special counsel does not approve or does not recommend what the board is that's hypothetical. We can't we can't that's it's subjective and hypothetical. We're not going to know until we get that recommendation. We're not going to know until we have a meeting to discuss it. So, you'll have a meeting, a public meeting to discuss the recommendation. No attorney client privilege. It's subject to attorney client privilege. I I think the overall question is we're going to have a public hearing. We're going to have work sessions to discuss everything that goes along with the conference plan. But when it comes to the special counsel, yes, the attorney is correct. Specific recommendations are that's in attorney client privilege. There was one more question in here. Um,

so basically what you're saying, we wanted to know what part, if any, does the town attorney have in the work of the special counsel? I have none. And special counsel is other than reviewing with him his recommendations, I have no no sway on his work. So you don't you don't you don't work today? No independence strictly independent. She all all the all the attorney did was present all the documents and all the pertinent information and details procedural history. She handed it off like a baton and the special counsel took the baton and went running. So they're currently just reviewing everything. No, they're I think they're at the end of their review. They're going to present us a document imminently. Okay. All right. Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any other public comment tonight? Yes. Chris Mau, Sugarloaf. I find it very disappointing that despite the fact that we presented the council with health and privacy objections to this cellular endpoints, which I I'm going to, Councilman Dipley, you were not here for it. So, I'm going to send you a letter with everything that our concerns are. We elected you guys to represent us and I feel like you're representing the water company and not the constituents. I find it so disturbing. What I also find disturbing is the fact that you're planning on charging us. And as I said, there was a resolution a few years ago by the council who did represent us to that they had asked Owen for no opt out fee. All of a sudden now you people who are representing us are now proposing an opt- out fee. Now you want to do it by districts. Well, what about the people who in Lake Hill Farms who are first? So they're going to have to pay an opt- out fee. And then the people who are last in a couple years, they don't have to pay for a couple years. So meanwhile, the people in Lake Hill Farms have paid 2 years of worth of optout fees. I think what um Councilman Casara had brought up was very good. There's going to be very few people who are going to opt out. Why have an opt out fee period? Is it to raise money? It's not going to be enough money to raise for there's going to be

so few people. I just I can't even discuss how disappointed I am in the council discussing this today. This there should be no out opt out fee and if anything at least we had a couple years to discuss it and to mull it over. I just I'm appalled at at this meeting. Thank you. Are there any other public comment at this time? Anything online? Seeing none, is there a motion to adjurnn? I'll make the motion. There's a motion in a second. All those in favor? I We are adjourned.