Town Board - Regular Meeting

All right, got all my shuffling of papers. I lost my agenda.

All right, I'm calling the meeting to order. Uh, attendance, please. Supervisor Holddrich here. Council member Becker here. Council member Casara here. Council member Corte 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. Yes. All right. Um, the town will be paying bills in the amount of uh $172,64859 today. Uh, did everybody get a chance to read over the March 25th meeting minutes? Yes. Yes. Yes. Were there any suggestions or uh debate points on them? No. No.

No. Is there a Excuse me. Is there a uh motion to accept the minutes? I'll make the motion. I'll second. All those in favor? I I All right. Is there a motion to move the proclamation honoring Kathy Moran up on the agenda? I had made a mistake. It should be before the executive session. Yeah, I'll make a motion. I'll second it. All those in favor? I I All right. Is the honored here today? Yes, there she is. Right behind the podium. Very good. All right. Here goes nothing. Everything.

Yeah. Everything. That's That's another word for All right. A proclamation honoring Kathleen Moran on the occasion of her retirement. Whereas Kathleen Moran has dedicated 34 years of exemplary service as a court clerk during which time she witnessed and adapted to significant changes in the court procedures, technology and case management. Whereas throughout her distinguished career, Kathleen Moran remained a constant and reliable source of knowledge, guidance, and support for her colleagues and members of the public, demonstrating exceptional professionalism and integrity. Whereas her extensive experience and invaluable institutional knowledge made her an indispensable asset to the town and the community it serves. Whereas it in her role as court clerk, Kathleen Moran played a critical role in assisting attorneys, members of the public, and the five justices with whom she has worked during her tenure, ensuring that all matters were handled with efficiency, care, and professionalism. whereas her unwavering dedication contributing contributed significantly to making the court more accessible, effective, and responsive to the needs of the Chester community. Whereas after 34 years of committed and distinguished service, Kathleen Moran now retires, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, dedication, and public service. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that we do hereby recognize and honor Kathleen Moran for her outstanding service, extend our deepest gratitude for her many contributions, and wish her a happy, healthy, and well-deserved retirement. Thank you. And while I sign this, I' I'd just say um you definitely deserve it. All the uh praise and thanks. And um just as a

personal note, you were always very kind to me whenever I came in and decided to talk to you and say hi and everything throughout my time here. So, thank you for being kind and being the person that you were that you are.

How you holding up during this uh retirement, Bob? both of us. Do we want to uh the town board file down and we'll present it to you? We'll take a picture. I have to add to that Kathleen had a very good teacher and uh this young lady right here. Okay.

Very good. Are you following guys? All right. Family and then uh court justice maybe colleagues. Good.

Actually, we're not here anyway. You have a picture with us.

Yes. This one first.

Okay,

sure. Can everybody hear me? Yes. So, it is said for decades and decades that behind every good man is a woman. Everyone's heard that, right?

Well, let me just tell you this. Behind every good judge is a really good clerk. And in this case, behind this judge is an excellent clerk. And I'm going to miss her. Um, I didn't know what I was doing. I was a practicing attorney for 30 years, but civil, so I had never really done criminal law except that I represented so Kathy really really helped me at Kathy really kept me in line. She was she helped me at 2 o'clock in the morning. That's no joke. I'm sure you can attest to that. I would call the phone at 3:00 a.m. because back then we had to rain in the middle of the night and I would say, "Oh my gosh, it's a DWI and paper it was or it's an assault and never got she never once complained. He always answered the phone and she even came in. And there were many nights until even within the last year that when I work at CAP, CAP is central arraignment party when all the judges have to go into the jail and arign at night time and it has to be filed within 24 hours. Well, I'm really not computer savvy, but Kathy is. So, I would go in on a Friday night from home at 11 o'clock in the morning. At 7 o'clock in the morning, she would be here and that paperwork would be fine. Timely. I can't thank you enough. I don't know what other clerks do. I certainly don't know what other judges do without a clerk, but I know that I would have been lost. So, I'm very sorry to see you, though. I'm so happy for you to go. I can't tell you. But I'm sorry to see you go. Enjoy your life. Be nice to Bob. I'll see you tomorrow.

Well, I worked with you for in 26 years.

So, while you were never officially my clerk, you were Barbara of course was my right-hand person, you were my lefthand person. And anytime there was an issue, I just knew I could call you, you come in here. How many times one time I think I did that and you had to come in and let me in for a midnight morning. It was usually 2 or 3 in the morning. So I could go on and on and on, but you know, just when you know, when you have a small claim or something like that, I used to say there's no walk. That's what I did with Judge County. I was his law. And um so we go in, we take a little research, we chat about stuff and I make my decision. And so you're not just court clerks. You just don't do paperwork or answer the phones, you know, take things in and do the scheduling. I mean, you really know everything. You know, it's all four corners of everything. And Sharon's right. you know, we wouldn't be as successful as we are. You soon um without the two of you, Patty, now I know Patty is wonderful.

And Arlene, of course, who was ill so she couldn't be here and she's really sorry. All I can say is thank you. Thank you for your service. Thank you. And we will use it. Did you take her off the call list? I don't know. I mean, she could still be on there. Let's see if we got something we haven't had in 10 years. I'm calling.

We're going to call you and say, "Uh, how did we do that we did 10 years ago?" Anyway, thank you so much. Oh, it's mandatory to stay for the rest of the meeting. Yes. Let's hope it stays that way.

Is there a motion to head into executive session for contract negotiations? I make the motion. Is there There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Hi. Hi. Tom,

uh the county uh Paul Paul Wy who will be joining us in those um as well as our town assessor and our controller.

Did you solve? No. No. All right. It's a motion to come out of executive session. I'll make that motion. Second. Second. All those in favor? I I All right. Is there public comment tonight? Anything here? Anything online? Nope. Once, twice, three times. Go.

Sold. All right. We will move forward. Uh reports. I'm going to try to skim through this very quickly in the interest of time as we took quite a bit in executive session. EMS uh just the I'll just go over the averages. A dedicated unit in Chester was 8 minutes and 22 seconds. Uh the additional empty units was 15 minutes and 14 seconds for a grand total of 9 minutes and 7 seconds. The rest of the info can be found online in the minutes and such um on the website. Sorry. historian's report is lengthy uh and he is very active town historian. Uh he's been taking part in a couple different uh events and researches and such uh research projects. So please uh read over his report. He does very good work as our historian. I just realized my thing is on. So, please read through the full report online. For the building department, we had 25 new building permits, 23 closed building permits, 249 total open, 41 inspections, two complaints, four municipal searches, and that is it for the building department. for MUNA. Uh it is a detailed report as usual from uh our friends over at Muna and this was provided by Tom Becker. Tom, is there anything out of the ordinary that should be reported otherwise I'll move on?

No, that report comes from Brian Smith. No, it's all just yes. Things that we've discussed before and just update on what they've been doing. Okay. Please read the full report online if anybody is interested. Uh parks and wreck. Um this is I didn't get that. There you go. Okay, it's we're talking about parks and just for anybody who did not get that.

Uh we had we uh Michelle and Kristen had weekly meetings with the crew. Uh Carpenter Field is being prepared for opening day, which is this Saturday, the 11th. Hurn Field is ready for our daily practices. Tarp pulled off from the Chester Commons field, which I posted about earlier this week. Um it is a wonderful uh improvement in the middle of the field with where the grass was covered. So that was money well spent and I hope that everybody enjoys it this year. Um congregate dining continues to go very well averaging 27 to 30 uh members. Um a new oven has been ordered by the Orange County Office of the Aging. Uh Radio City Christmas Spectal Spectacular Trip has been put together and it's open to the public. Um they supported the PBA with the annual Easter egg hunt. Uh they're finalizing stuff for the fireworks uh event and they are processing permits uh for parks and pavilions while crew opens up for the season for the ZBA and P ZBA and the planning board. Uh it is a pretty lengthy reports. Uh the next planning board meeting is May 6th. Uh what's it called here? Final conditional approval was granted to Bell Station Corporation. Uh they also need to go back to the town board with regards to the sewer hookup. Um the town board under the previous supervisor gave authorization for a sewer connection at the town board meeting on March 10th, 2021. The proposed project was originally for an inflat park and proposed project was then changed to a warehouse space at that time. It is direct it is direct it was directed by the town attorney to prepare an agreement. No agreement has been received to date. Jackie uh is getting with Liz about the agreement

which might be new news to Liz right now. Uh, quas uh ZBA the next ZBA meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 12th um at 7 p.m. Um there's more to the report, but please look online for more information.

Are there any other reports uh town clerk or announcements?

Uh just a couple of reminders. coming up this weekend. Kowanas has their cleanup and they are looking for more volunteers. So, if you're interested in helping us make Chester Beautiful, uh 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., just a couple of hours with lunch to follow, meet at Wendy's parking lot. Also, our uh CAC will be conducting their coolest recycling drive right here in the parking lot from 10 to 2. Um, small appliances with refrigerants are being collected free of charge to anyone who has something to rid themselves of. So, take advantage of that. Along with on the 25th, they have their repair cafe scheduled over at the senior center um, free of charge for all types of repair and that information has been posted online. Orange County Office of the Aging has a caregiver program this spring. There are different events through April and May and that has also been posted different locations, but the one at the town of Chester is on May 5th from noon uh 12:30 to 2. Mind and music is being presented by Debbie Major. Um, it's an early announcement, but Kowanis is also planning their 5K race on Memorial Day weekend. So, it'll be Saturday, May 23rd at 8:45 at uh Chester uh Community Park and registration is open and that information is also posted. And even though it's not until June, I'd like to just announce once again the shred event. It's very popular. And if you want to mark your calendars, June 12th,

Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon here in our parking lot.

That all? That's all. All right. Um, are there any reports from the council members today? We'll start with Jeppi. No report, Tom.

Uh, yes. Just let everybody know the county has taken down the main building over Camp Aguardia. So the only buildings that are left now are the pump house and the craft building down by the trail. Uh also met with Keith Chris and John Queen out at site at the crossing to the by the school for the access to the wells. Uh we need to have some new covert pipe installed there. So something we'll be discussing in the future. Uh it is a safety concern because it's all washed out right now. Uh do do you want to do any discussion on the botchi court ball courts? Are we going to have them removed or taken out? I did reach out to the village in regards to this. I'm not sure if anybody answered the email.

I had just one other councilman answer saying that if they're not being used then there's no reason to keep them. I did reach out to the village and they've not noticed anybody using them either. So and our park and wreck. I talked to them also. They said they haven't seen anybody using them several years. Does that since uh he since he just brought it up, is that good with everybody? Are we all on the same page there? Quick question. Yeah. Um in order to keep the courts, they need to be renovated. Is that correct? Yeah. Most likely they need a big if they're not being used. Yeah. I mean, if all process could have been uh horseshoes or something like that been utilized, but then you got sting. It's a liability, you know. So,

it's it's just something that's it's not being maintained properly right now. in deteriorated condition. So, I feel probably best to get rid of it. Is everybody good with that? I'm good with that. I'm good. So, back now. Yeah. Okay.

And um also, uh so a letter went out in regards to our opt out and we had a couple people actually do an opt out. I think one from Siri or two from Suriri possibly. But right now, we have two districts. We have Lake Hill Farms has about 30 meters that have not been installed and they're in the process of doing that in Siri Meadows. And I'll just read what the what the letter said. Opt out of you know opt out of installing a cellular endpoint in at my property. understand that my by opting out I am agreeing to all terms, conditions and fees as stated in local law one of 2026 a local law of to opt out of installation of the cellular endpoints and water meters. The problem with this is we have not you know as much as it says go to that law we have not adopted a number associated with the opt out. Are we going to do that for these two districts so that so they're aware of, you know, what the fee is going to be when they go to our code and say, "Okay, what is it?" And there's nothing there.

Yes. So there I believe there was language there saying that the town would uh the town may change the number at any time uh in the future if I'm not mistaken. It's not in this letter. Liz had provided language to the clerk's office. There's there's there's two letters. I provided a recommendation um to those who have not had their systems installed yet. Um that you know you're going to effect to the effective you're going to get notice that we need to install um and then opt out and that the fee was effectively zero at this time but that could that could change uh subject to resolution of the board. Was that not included in

Okay. So it's not in this it's not in this letter but it's in another letter that went out. I think that's posted on our out here on the in the hallway. We still do need to have that discussion like we Yeah, we need to get that done because now we're going to get in a position for the 30 homes down at Lake Hill Farms if they do not respond to these letters as some sir Meadows have about getting the meters installed, then we're in a position where we're going to send a violation notice. you know, you haven't referenced over to us to allow us to install the meters. We're going to have to send a notice and I just feel we need an opt out number in there

for right now. Clarify it.

I put um I I recommended putting in zero. Um so the recommended bill insert reads um please be advised the town of Chester is transitioning to cellular and point technology to read water meters. This technology allows the town to read water meters uh more cost-effectively and more accurately. In the coming months, and this is for residents who don't have it, you'll receive a request to schedule an appointment to install new meter reading equipment pursuant to local law 1 of 2026. Residents may opt out of installation by submitting a written request to the town clerk's office. Residents who fail to make an appointment for installation or alternatively do not opt to out of cellular endpoint technology may be subject to penalties uh pursuant to chapter 95 of the town of Chester Cove. We thank residents for their cooperation as we transition our technology. Um and then the recommendation for letter acknowledging opt out. This letter is to acknowledge receipt of your request for our opt out cellular endpoint technology pursuant to local law. This is if we receive an opt out

pursuant to local law one of 2026. The opt out the fee to opt out is $0 per quarter. This fee is subject to change upon resolution of the town board. So those two those were the two recommendations. I think we I think again, as I said last meeting, and I'm going to bring it up again, I think we need to assess that fee for the districts that we're involved with right now installing meters. I think we shouldn't never have a, you know, it's part of our job to come up with a number. I'm not sure if anybody'd be interested in a motion, but I'd like to make a motion that we uh make the fee $20 per quarter.

I Well, right now it's not new business. Um certainly bring that up in new business. I still personally feel that we need, like you said, assessment. Um, I'm willing to have that discussion, but I think the town board needs more information before they pass a resolution like that. I'm not opposed. I think we have two weeks to think about it. So, I haven't I Yeah, I mean, that's up to the town board, but I hadn't gotten anything back from anybody else in terms of the email. Well, I'd like to put it out there when we get into new business to see where everybody's at. And another discussion or another thought process we have to take cons take into consideration now is sidewalk cleaning and sugar loaf.

It's kind of a dead issue now, but you know, before you know it, snow is going to be flying again and we need to get the uh something in line on how we're going to take care of this in the future and shoveling it by hand is not an answer. All right. Something we nearly really got to move forward on. Okay, that's it. Thank you. Thank you, Bob. No, I don't have anything, Stephen. Um, no, I don't.

All right. Um, in the last two weeks, I was uh communicating with the Sugarloaf Community Foundation and the Sugarloaf Chamber of Commerce about uh planning for their 5K later this year and the the upcoming festival um as as well as DGM uh the Sugar Arts Collective. Uh I already talked about the tarps. Those were a huge success. So, uh, good job to everybody that was involved in that. And a special thank you to the, um, like I said in my post, a, uh, school district and Joe Bro, Chester resident Joe Bro for, uh, advice and guidance on, on that, um, school, the school district as well. Uh, I had a meeting, productive meeting with the highway department. Um, Golden Age Club was nice to visit. We had a meeting between myself, Liz, and uh our planner that we just recently uh got um a contract with Kristen O'Donnell uh regarding the preservation plan. Um so there that's being worked on and uh we are going to do something tonight to get that committee going so we can move forward. Uh the Easter egg hunt from the PBA and the police department was a huge success. Thank you to everybody who made that happen. Um it was really nice to see. Uh, and then Linda already talked about the Kuanas cleanup. I'm not going to be able to go there, as well as the Little League opening day, which is also on the 11th. I'm not going to be there um in in town on on the 11th, but if anybody is available, please go out and help the uh Kuanas to clean up the town and also go out and support the uh the kids on opening day. And then also, we have a local Girl Scout troop here in Chester. Um I think it's 3:25 if I'm not mistaken. So uh they are going to have stands out I think every weekend um and near Tractor

Supply and Shopright and the Hamiltonian Auto Spa. It's in a different spot every weekend I believe. So uh just be on the lookout for them and support them if you can. Um you know they're they're local girls so it's important to support them and thin mints are the best girl scout cookie. So, um, just wanted to put that out there

officially. All right. Um, moving forward, resolution to authorize supervisor holders to sign a $6,000 window replacement contract for highway department. Uh, this item was budgeted at 10,000, so it's 4,000 below. Uh, it's from the same company uh that did the other windows, Paul Davis. So, we're just sticking with the same one. Are there any questions or debate points on this? No, I'm good. I'll make the motion. Nope. Second. All those in favor? I I approved. Uh speaking of which, um Michelle, did you get earlier that we're good to go with the uh the botchi court? Did you make a note of that? I did make a note.

Okay, good. Um resolution to direct town clerk Linda Sapala to release uh notice for open preservation plan committee seats. Committee will work to work with recently contracted planner to update the preservation plan. uh I believe as a draft plan for 2019 and educate the public on the open space preservation fund referendum which will which we will need to get on the ballot this year um you know in order to make the most out of this. The committee also has advising recommendations on how if if you were successful in implementing the tax committee advises you how to spend that money.

Yes. The uh committee doesn't just end after the referendum passes. they continue to do work to help the town uh you know help them make decisions about the money and properties and such. Are there any questions or debate points? I have some. Sure. Uh the member makeup, please. And the number of members. Oh, I believe it's five. Uh Linda, I will confirm that with you offline, but I I do know as I was looking this up, you need at least one farmer. I'm sorry. Have a farm. One farmer. Yes, I will get I will confirm in the statute. Yeah, we're not going to have any dairy farms because there's no active dairy farms. But there there are a lot of farms in Chester. It doesn't matter what it just has to be a farmer. I don't care.

It could be produce. It could be any any type of farmer. It's a shame we just don't have dairy farms anymore. Let me know the particulars. I will. Thank you. I'll get that to you. Is there a deadline on the return of interest? I would say uh two weeks. Is that enough from the day of the notice? A week for me, right? Yeah. Two weeks from the notice date. Not not from today. Very good. Is everybody good with two weeks? Yes. Yes, sir. Okay. Um, are there any questions or debate points? Nope. Nope. Is there a motion to uh to uh pass the resolution? I'll make the motion. I'll second.

All those in favor?

I. Resolution to grandfather uh Andrew Conorino uh and Kayla Light into employee handbook provisions 701 803 and 804 prior to July 1st, 2024. I have some language on this. Just want to check. Yeah. All right. Whereas employees Kayla Light and Andrew Conorino uh were hired and started with the town on or around September 3rd, 2024. Whereas the employee handbook was modified shortly after on or about September 19th, 2024 and the modifications altered the benefits that the employees received and the employees may not have agreed to positions with the town in and if they knew such charges changes were set to to occur. Whereas due to the short duration of time between the date of hire and the date of the handbook changes were made, town board is agreeable to on a nonp precedent setting basis to change some of the benefits for these employees only effective March 26. I'm sorry, no effective uh April, what would this be? Yes, effective April 9th. So tomorrow effect of April 9th, 2026 and shall be applied prospectively only meaning that is not um

retroactive. Uh now therefore be it resolved that the town is agreeable to grandfather the employees into certain provisions of the handbook as follows. The employee employees shall be grandfathered into the following provisions only. Provision 701 longevity increases. Provision 803, sick leave accumulation. Provision 8004, per personal leave policy. The employees actual dates of hire shall be the basis of all other handbook benefits. Are there any questions or debate points on this? No. No. I do have a question. Sure.

Um, the second person I understand those are added days. Now, when does the longevity start? at the longevity as I said in the in the uh in the um resolution it's everything starts tomorrow but when do these two employees start getting longevity because they've been here what two years so when does longevity start after five years 10 years five years so and do we know how much longevity we pay these two employees starting fivey year mark $350 for so 700 $50 both of them. Okay.

Anything else? No, I I'm I'm just not um on board with the longevity part 7 provision 701. I think that this is uh kind of unfair to uh the other employees in the town that we're going to give them this provision. I I I okay with the sick and personal, but not the longevity. Okay. Are there any other debate points or questions on this? Seeing none, is there a motion to accept the resolution? I'll make the motion. Is there a second? I'll second. All those in favor? I. All those opposed? No. Extensions?

No. Extensions? Seeing none, the motion passes. Yes. Yeah. All right. Resolution to authorize return of 57,122 tree cutting escrow uh Davidson Drive project at SPL44-1-25.12 under the under EZ development inc. Uh, this was explained in full, I think, over an email or two from Andrew and Neil. Are there any questions or debate points on this?

No. Is there a motion to uh accept the res uh to pass the resolution? I'll make the motion. I'll second it. All those in favor? I.

All right. Motion passes. Budget modifications. Uh so this is in response to the uh MUN collab thing that we just uh contracted with. This is just to make sure that the money is set up in the budget to pay for it. So we're just switching some things around. We're not adding anything to it. Uh zoning IT services will be increased by $3,000. Planning IT services will be increased by $8,000. And the part town appropriated fund balance will be increased by $11,000. And that is a revenue uh line. Um so are there any questions or debate points on this? Good. Nope. Nope. Is there a motion to approve the budget modification? I'll make the motion. I'll second it.

All those in favor? I I resolution to approve $200 refund request for Washington DC trip. Edward and Jean Mos uh could not make it after paying deposit. Are there any questions at bay points? No. Uh, is there a motion to approve the resolution? I'll make the motion. Is there a second? I'll second. All those in favor? I I. Preservation Collective Incorporated request to dedicate a tree and plaque for former Councilman Larry Dyinger at town hall. Did everybody receive the email on this? Yes. Are there any questions or debate points? Do they have a location for this tree or

I think they were going to work with an arborist to find the best location and best type of tree if that if I'm not mistaken. Is that Yes. Okay. Okay, very good. Um, so we're not deciding that tonight, but Okay, I'll make the motion. I'll second it. There's a motion in a second. All those in favor? I I Very good. Uh, resolution accepting $24,500 fireworks and drone show contract with Starflight Drone Shows. This was the Everybody got the email from Kristen. This is the lowest uh um contract that would have been found. Um, the other two that she found were both at $27,000 each. Um, are there any questions or debate points on this? This item was budgeted. Yes.

And what was budgeted for the full amount? I believe and I think there's a good chance, yeah, there's a good chance we may get a partial on back on this from uh Suburban also. I've already Yeah, that that is being handled and discussed. Okay. But we've annually gotten it. So, we're hoping we're hoping that that continues. Are there any questions or debate points? Nope. Nope. Is there actually have a quick question? Sure. Is Is this the company we've used in the past? This is the company that we used last year. Yes. Okay.

We had a different company uh two years ago and we had that company working with us for a very long time. But, uh this company came in uh and gave us a better uh price. Um whereas the other company was the other company two years ago. I'm sorry. Last year was already above this price this year, 24,500. They were coming in at a price above that two years ago now. So, we we decided to make the switch last year um to save the town the taxpayers money. And uh you know, now we're still below where that other company was two years ago now.

And we're getting the same exact show as last year. I would say that we're getting a better show um to uh per the uh agreement um language. We had upped the amount of fireworks and I think we're having a better drone uh uh you're having more drones added to the show. Correct. I'm sorry. You're having more drones added to the show. Okay. I believe right Michelle or is it I believe I thought there was more time being added to it. Yeah, I thought I had read there was added to it. That's what I had read as well. But that that that contract is open to everybody. So, please feel free to Are there any other questions or bay points? No.

No. No. Is there a motion to uh accept the contract? I'll make a motion. Is there a second? I'll second. All those in favor? I I resolution to extend building moratorum. Uh this is the first extension allowed from our local law that we passed. Uh it is from March 22nd to June 22nd. However, we are very hopeful that this will be the last time as we are trying to get a public hearing on the books uh later in the early summer uh of which that will be hopefully the last public hearing and then we can adopt finally the comprehensive plan and the uh zoning amendments. Are there any questions or debate points on this? No.

No. Nope. Is there a uh motion to uh accept the resolution? I'll make the motion. Is there a second? I'll second. All those in favor? I I American Red Cross blood drive. So Michelle had brought this to our attention. They had paid a rental fee last year. Is there any um you know there is a large need for um blood donations and uh it had been posed to us that we may want to uh wave the fee but keep you know continue to make them pay the cleaning fee but not the rental fee. Is there any um uh desire to do that or or do we want to just um

I have no issue with it. Are there any other opinions? That's it. It's it's a great benefit for the community and the state as long as we have the cleaning fee, which we'll need that with the traffic with the building, but as long as it doesn't interfere with anything else. Insurance? Yes, the insurance is already Go ahead. All right. Are there any questions or debate points? No. Go. Is there a motion to uh grant a a rental fee waiver for the American Red Cross for a blood drive on June 13th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the senior center? I'll make that motion. Second. All those in favor?

I I resolution to authorize supervisor holders to sign uh energy purchase withdrawal letter from NG Resources and American Energy Partners LLC. So this is in line with the uh the these are the companies that we kind of contracted with uh to deliver our energy to us through ONR um to you know to negotiate the rates and such. Um Liz, do you want to take it from here?

So back in September um the board approved um to with to sign a contract uh for a uh fixed energy rate through uh NG Resources. Uh the supervisor signed a contract in accordance with that. Um and then nothing happened with the contract. It is unsigned. Uh they didn't reach out to Orange and Rockland. Uh Neil Neil has confirmed. So effectively it it

it in my mind it's not a contract unless it's signed. Um I think at this point uh the controller is recommending that we move on, but we'd like to just make sure that um we we close up this loose end. So, what we're asking the board is for a resolution um to withdraw your authorization for that contract. I've provided uh Controller Meyer with an appropriate letter to to both the broker and as well as the energy company um essentially that they're no longer authorized to act on our behalf. Uh he's going to notify Orange and Rottland of the same. So, I just ask for that resolution. Are there any debate points or questions? No.

Are we going to look to contract with different companies for energy delivery? Yeah, we already have um had discussions with one. I just before I enter a second contract, I want to make sure the first contract I understand. We just we need to make sure the first company we believe that we can get a better rate through this um second second company. We believe we can get service. Uh we haven't we haven't gotten we haven't gotten what we contracted for. So, and it's it's unsigned. So, the contract is dead. That would be good as well. Service. Um are there any qu other questions or debate points on this? No. Nope. Seeing none, is there a motion to authorize me to sign the uh withdrawal letter? I'll make the motion. I'll second. All those in favor? I

I All right. Is there any new business tonight? Liz. Um,

so as the board uh is aware at your last meeting, you adopted an order um setting the district creating the district for the Greens at Chester uh uh in coordination with Clerk Aala uh who uh went to file it with the county. The CL county has asked us to revise that resolution to clarify um a couple of things particularly with the debt service as well as um how it how the district is going to be taxed. Um I have drafted a modified resolution. I apologize you don't see it but I will read it as a very short. Um the addition is going to be two whereas clauses whereas the town of Chester will not incur any debt or expend any public funds in connection with the development and construction of the proposed water district. And whereas the initial tax levied against the district will be on an advalorum basis will be be $0 per thousand of assessed value. So that it's a Z tax rate. Um water usage will be build individ to individual property owners at an initial rate of 1425 per thousand gallons. And that's just to clarify that the district will be have an advalor basis. Should 30 years from now something break, you need to have a capital project and you need to assess against the district, you may do so. Um but that um the the principle the the day-to-day operation will be based on water usage rates. Um and this is just an initial rate is set in forth in the petition. That is always subject to change based on um the board's usual.

We could reset that number when it actually comes to us for billing. Correct. Okay. You can always adjust that number in accordance with your code. You probably have to provide some notice, but there is a procedure to adjust that number. then but we still have to clarify exactly who's billing how how we're billing and that would be outside of this that would be outside of that document but I I'll touch base okay but I just um

because my concern the clarification I need to get because the village of Chester is going to build the greens of Chester for usage off their master meter and I'm assuming that they're going to use a lot more water than the residents you know for flushing and other things during construction uction then they're going to get revenues in from metered sales from the residences. So we have to be very careful with what happens there and and how when it becomes our issue to have to pay them bills. Okay. I can what I can do is coordinate with you is also um with the applicants council um as well as the village on the coordination.

Okay. I have to really sit down with Neil also. We're going to try to come up with a number for the billing number. But again, I think that based on the village contract, I think this is a decent start because this is higher than the village contract. So, I know what the village number is. So, you can you'll see it. It's in your Yeah, I've seen the number, but I I don't agree with that number. Okay, we can. But I just what I'm asking for is um within what I just to cl is authorization to clarify and finalize the form. Okay. You need a motion on that? Yes, please. I will make a motion. I'll second.

All those in favor? I I Thank you. All right. Are there any other new business today? The only other new business I would like to do is uh I'd like to entertain a motion to set a $20 opt out fee for per quarter for well for Lake Hill Farms and Siri Meadows at this for those two districts at this time. There's a motion on the floor. Is there a second to that motion? I'll second that. There's a second to the motion. Um, is there any bay points or questions on that motion?

I guess I'm just I just a comment I guess is we had talked about we were going to do it at some point. I didn't know we were putting something up on the floor tonight based on you know having a number. I don't even know where we got the number from. I'm not in I'm not in disagreement with the number because we've talked about it but and it has to be a number and I'm in agreement but I thought we were going to kind of go back and forth on this a little further before we made a decision. I also thought that would be the case and again I I'm not sure I'm in I'm in disagreement with the number either. I think it'd be I think it would do well for us to come back here um with it on the regular part of the agenda and have a full explanation um from you Tom be willing to listen to that uh as to where the $20 number came from. uh so then we can uh communicate that to the public uh before we make that vote. I I I would be I would be open to that and if the number makes sense, I will be supportive.

Well, the number is the number is out there because we've we've looked into other municipalities that build by annually or maybe quarterly and they have fees of between 50 and $75. So, we're just looking to cover some of the cost of the extra re, you know, right now with the new system, you have meters being read via text messages, a four text message a day come in and it brings all the information from that meter to a database and we build off of that. So there's no need for a uh employee to go out into that district other than for there to be issues with the meters or if they're seeing an issue because of the high flows or you know because they get warnings from this system if there's an excessive amount of water being used in a residence that's outside of their normal use. So just the $20 is basically just a fee to cover their necessary for them to have to travel down which they wouldn't have to do if the system was fully in operation.

I think that's I I think that's possibly reasonable. I think it'd be better for of us as a whole for you to you prepare that in a written format to be able to explain that in full in detail to the public. Doing it right now. that I I think it should be a little bit more uh uh detailed out is all and I think I'd be willing to put that on the next agenda uh which would be uh April 25th and I think that would be I think that'd be a better way of doing this. I think be better form of doing this instead of putting it you know in new business. Okay then I personally that's where I'm coming from

and everybody has you know at this point two weeks to think about it. There's still emotional. No, I I didn't hear what Tom said. What did you just said? No, that and if we'll put it off till then, but you know, it gives everybody two weeks to think about it. Okay. Can you in that case, would you be willing to withdraw your motion? I'll withdraw my motion. Thank you. Now, we're going to have that on the agenda, right? So, sort of public. That will be in regular business. There will be more than enough time for everybody to think about it. Tom, I believe, will hopefully send us something ahead of time so the town board members can think about it. Um and then Tom can present it in full at the next meeting and we can uh have a full discussion in front of the public and then we can move forward with the vote. Okay.

Sound good? Yep. All right. Are there any other new business tonight? Um I would like to ask uh our attorney to go over this multihazard mitigation plan. Oh yes. Thank you for reminding me that needs to be adopted.

Yes. You want me to read? So, um this is also a clarification. Um we do need a certified for the purposes of the hazard mitigation plan. I believe at the last meeting you authorized the supervisor to um sign the plan. Uh but we do need a formal resolution just read into the record. Uh whereas the town of Chester recognizes the threat that natural hazards pose to people and property within the town. And whereas the town of Chester has participated in the preparation of the multi-hazard mitigation plan including a jurisdictional annex relating specifically to the town appended here too. There too excuse me hereby collectively known as the 2025 multi-jurisdictional multihazard mitigation plan in accordance with the disaster mitigation act of 2000. And whereas the town of Chester identifies mitigation goals and actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property in the town from impacts of future hazards and disasters. And whereas adoption by the town of Chester demonstrates their commitment to hazard mitigation in achieving the goals outlined in the 2025 multi-jurisdictional multi-hazard mitigation plan. Now therefore be it resolved by the town board that section one in accordance with the town of Chester uh meeting rules the town of Chester town board as participating jurisdiction adopts the Orange County 2025 multi-jurisdictional multihazard mitigation plan. This plan approved by the community may be edited or amended after submission for review, but will not require the community to readt any future further iterations. This only applies to this specific plan and does not absolve the community from updating the plan in five years. So that's just the formality of what you've already authorized the supervisor to sign last meeting.

All right. Are there any questions or debate points? No. Nope. All right. Is there a motion to uh would be authorizing to sign or adopt the resolution? adopt the resolution. I'll make the motion. Is there a second? I'll second. All those in favor? I I thank you for my besides that. I'm just checking real quick. We go.

All right. Is there any other new business? Seeing none, is there any public comment? Yes. Yes, please. Hi, Tracy Shu. I just want to thank you for your approval to plant the memorial tree in honor of Larry um who passed away while faithfully serving his term. Um we all know his commitment never wavered and um he worked to the end and he remains a source of inspiration. Um so this would be a nice lasting tribute um for his years of public service. Um, I just wanted some clarity. Um, since I kind of want to coincide it as AR for Arbor Day. Um, do I have the was that approval so that I once I get um,

expert advice and can I plan can we can I talk to your park and recre your highway? Do I have like I just want to know how I can proceed to Once you once you once you have all the details, come to me and you know, Linda and I can work it out with the parks and recck department and uh, we'll we'll set a date. Okay. I just want to make sure I didn't have to come back. Okay. Yes. Perfect. Thank you all very much. Y

any other new uh public comment in the room. Why do budget budget only voted on by homeowners that ultimately have to pay the extra tax? What what I'm sorry I just budget items. I Okay, Liz, do you want to take this one? All registered voters in the town are entitled to to vote in within the town. I think that's what the the requesttor is regardless of ownership or rental.

All right. Um just like renters can vote in national elections um in every election. Well, they didn't vote on the budget. Only the town board votes on the budget. I think they're trying to get at something else a little bit more macro. Um but uh they vote for the people that vote for the budget now. Yeah. All right. Any other new uh public comment? Seeing none, is there a motion to adjourn the meeting? I'll make the motion. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor? I. We are journed.