Organizational Meeting Minutes

Members Present: Mayor Alan Higgins, Trustee Geri Marino and Trustee Ben Sommers

Also Present: Village Attorney Larry Gardner, Public Works Superintendent Charles Sweet and Clerk/Treasurer Kathleen Hilbert

Absent: Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Wade Spanhake, Fire Company Representative

Public Present: Jodi Larison, Tom Larison, JD, Harold Goldberg and Dave Cashman

Call to Order: 8:00PM. Pledge of Allegiance

Welcome to The Village of Hunter’s New Official Year!

Newly elected officials were sworn in.

Organizational Meeting:

Appointments: Mayor Higgins made the following appointments:

Deputy Mayor – Geraldine M. Marino (Term Expiration – 04/01/2019)
Village Attorney – Larry F. Gardner, Esq. (Term Expiration – 04/01/2019) Resolution 2018-

Organizational Meeting Business:

1. The Daily Mail was designated as The Village’s official newspaper. Resolution 2018-

2. The Regular Meeting Schedule was established. Resolution 2018-

3. Procedure for calling special meetings was set forth. Resolution 2018-

4. The next Organizational Meeting will be held April 8, 2019. Resolution 2018-

5. Rules of Procedure and Guidelines for Public Comment were read by the Mayor and reviewed by the Board. Resolution 2018-

6. The Board of Trustees reviewed The Village’s Local Code of Ethics. No changes were made. Mayor Higgins: I want to point out that a Municipal Officer or Employee means an officer or employee of The Village of Hunter, whether paid or unpaid, including members of any administrative board, commission or other agency thereof. No person shall be deemed to be a municipal officer or employee solely by reason of being a volunteer fireman or civil defense volunteer, except a chief engineer or assistant chief engineer, meaning the fire chief and assistant chiefs are deemed to be Municipal Officers or Employees. Resolution 2018-

7. The Board of Trustees reviewed The Village’s Procurement Policy as amended March 12, 2018. No changes were made. Resolution 2018-

8. The Board of Trustees reviewed The Village’s Workplace Violence Prevention Policy and Incident Reporting. No changes were made. Resolution 2018-

9. The Board of Trustees reviewed The Village’s Sexual Harassment Policy. No changes were made. Resolution 2018-

10. The Board of Trustees reviewed The Village’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Employment Policy. No changes were made. Resolution 2018-

11. The Board of Trustees reviewed The Village’s Equal Employment Opportunity Policy. No changes were made. Resolution 2018-

12. The Board of Trustees reviewed The Village’s Cell Phone Use Policy. Mayor Higgins: The way it stands right now, cell phone use including texting is prohibited. Cell phones should not be brought into the office. Charlie Sweet: Could we have that policy cover the Department of Public Works employees? Mayor Higgins: It can be. Cell phone use should be on the employees’ own time? Trustee Sommers: Unless it’s Village business. Charlie Sweet: Yes, and it really should not cover my phone. Mayor Higgins: Are we in agreement that this should

Organizational Meeting Business (continued:)

also be in the DPW Policy? So, do I hear a motion to add that terminology into the DPW Employee Policy? Motion was made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers. Mayor Higgins: All in favor? All were in favor. Motion was carried unanimously. Resolution 2018-0

13. The Board of Trustees established a Computer and Internet Use Policy. Mayor Higgins: I make a motion that Computer and internet use is only for official village business. Trustee Marino: I second that motion. Mayor Higgins: All in favor? All were in favor. Motion was carried unanimously. Resolution 2018-0

Attorney Gardner: These new policies should be distributed to all employees.

14. Establishment of a fixed asset policy was tabled.

15. Establishment of a vehicle use policy was tabled.

Annual Resolutions:

1. Advance approval of claims. Resolution 2018-0
2. Mileage allowance. Resolution 2018-0
3. Attendance at Schools and Conferences. Resolution 2018-0
4. Meal allowance. Resolution 2018-0
5. Designate Depositories. Attorney Gardner is going to check to make sure the bank is providing us with proof of collateralization. Resolution 2018-0

Privilege of the Floor: No public comment.

New Business:

1. Adopted Local Law No. 3 of 2018 increasing the maximum income limit amount of “The Village of Hunter Senior Citizens Exemption Law” to $27,500 for a fifty percent exemption. Local Law No. 3 of 2018

2. Adopted Local Law No. 4 of 2018 increasing the maximum income limit amount of “Exemption from Real Property Taxes of Property owned by Persons with Disabilities and Limited Incomes” to $27,500 for a fifty-percent exemption. Local Law No. 4 of 2018

3. Fire Company Accident and Sickness Policy – VFIS came back with a reduced annual premium from $2,506 to $2,387 with all policy limits remaining the same. If we switch to Provident we would still save $414 this year and obtain many increased benefits for the annual premium of $1,973. Trustee Marino made a motion to switch insurance coverage to Provident. Trustee Sommers seconded this motion. All were in favor. The motion was carried.

4. Village has received $6,922.25 from FEMA – Winter Storm Stella. Authorization requested to establish General Fund Revenue Account A4961 FEMA-Winter Storm Stella for this unbudgeted revenue. Resolution 2018-0

5. Expected Revenues: Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) – $29,349.42
PAVE-NY Program – $6,697.86
Extreme Winter Recovery Program – $4,818.79
Mayor Higgins: Charlie, if you do not think they are going to pave Glen Avenue before June 1 then make sure you put that amount into the June budget along with Garfield Avenue.

Charles Sweet: On May 7th I get this hand operated on and will have stitches and can’t do anything for 10 days and two to three weeks after that I will not be able to use it at all. I will be

New Business (continued:)

at work using my left hand. We are doing the water service on April 17. Mayor Higgins: Check the budget and see what we have left.

6. Authorization requested to establish General Fund Revenue Account A2131 Bulk Refuse Fees. Resolution 2018-0

7. Notice of Public Hearings – March 2018 Winter Storms and Related Power Outages
Monday, April 16, 2018 Athens Volunteer Fire Department 2PM 6PM
Tuesday, April 17, 2018 Columbia-Greene Community College 2PM 6PM
Sixteen other dates and locations are posted outside on the bulletin board and on the inside door of the office.

8. Greene County Council on the Arts (GCCA) Sprouts Program requesting support in the amount of $100. Mayor Higgins: Larry, we will need a contract in order to do so. Attorney Gardner: You need to adopt a resolution now authorizing you to sign that contract. Resolution 2018-0
9. Fire Protection – Authorize Clerk to move more funds from accounts with excess to cover accounts that are over budget. Resolution 2018-0

10. Bulk garbage pick-up day will be May 1, 2018 with the same restrictions and prices as last year. Attorney Gardner will notify them and they will give us a break on the tipping fees.

Motion made by Trustee Marino, seconded by Trustee Sommers. All in favor. Motion carried.

11. Summer Camp – Mayor Higgins: Trustee Sommers has interest in continuing our summer day camp as it is. We are going to try and work out the shortfalls we have had in the past. The Board will become more active. We will not be combining our camp with the Village of Tannersville but we thank you, Dave, for the work that you did. The town-wide makes sense but the town has to come on board with some of these ideas as well. All we hear is they have no money. Sometimes you have to give back to the taxpayers. The Village of Tannersville and The Village of Hunter gives back to their youth and the Town of Jewett gives to their seniors with their senior center.

12. Records Storage – Mayor Higgins: I believe the Bridge Street of our building would be ideal for records storage as no one wants the fire house there except for me. This building was never approved for the storage of block dance supplies. It would be far better suited for records storage. Trustee Sommers: Everything has to get moved out of there anyway.

Cement pad on Bridge street – Trustee Sommers: All the electric has to be moved. The main overhead has to be totally re-routed because it will not be up to code. The main feed that comes across the building is going to have to be moved because it is too close to the roof. Mayor Higgins: This has definitely been determined? This is not a guess or speculation? Trustee Sommers: Yes. We need to get rid of the wooden building. It is falling apart and is a money pit. I think we could put a bump out on the old Pete’s Mobile and put the big truck in there with electric and heat. Mayor Higgins: But all that work would go to waste if we want to build a new firehouse. Do we want to entertain a new firehouse? The plan was for a shed at the firehouse to put the fire truck in at the firehouse instead of the garage. Trustee Sommers: It has to be a two-story addition and that is not warranted. The slab is already cracked. The truck may or may not fit. Mayor Higgins: You are going with a fourteen-foot door. That is bigger than any other door in the Village including the garage it is in now. Trustee Sommers: The fire company is not going to build it. Mayor Higgins: I think you are mistaken. They said they would. Trustee Sommers: They can’t. They do not have anyone qualified to do it. Mayor Higgins: What qualifications are necessary? Trustee Sommers: You have to be a builder. Mayor Higgins: Are there certain qualifications needed to be a builder in Greene County? Trustee Sommers: You have to be in fair market value. Mayor Higgins: Did they have a builder for the Haines Fall Fire Department when they put the addition on it? Trustee Sommers: That didn’t make it right.

New Business (continued:)

Mayor Higgins: But it made it work and it got the trucks under cover. Do you want us to stop this project? Trustee Sommers: You have to hire a qualified builder. Mayor Higgins: Are you telling me that the fire company is not going to build it? Trustee Sommers: I don’t see that they are qualified to build it. Mayor Higgins: Are you speaking for the fire company? Trustee Sommers: I am not. Mayor Higgins: Then we will continue to move forward. Trustee Sommers: No one is qualified. Mayor Higgins: Can you qualify them or disqualify them? Trustee Sommers: We’ll find out then. Mayor Higgins: At this point we will move forward with the resolution that was passed to put the shed there for the fire truck. If the fire company said that they are not going to build it, then they will not have a place for their fire truck.

Mayor Higgins: Now back to records storage. We need a place to store our records and I move that we have the fire company move their stuff out of the office of the old Pete’s Mobile building so that we can utilize it for something that is good for the Village. We need to clean up our Village Hall. Is there a second? Trustee Sommers suggested using one of the bays. I am not looking to make the fire company move anything, if there is already a spot that we can store our records and they do not have to move anything, then I am in. Trustee Sommers: You could use the old bathroom – you could gut that out. Mayor Higgins: I make a motion that we use some portion of the old Pete’s Mobile building for record storage. Trustee Marino seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion was carried.

13. Town of Jewett Notice of Public Hearing to enact amendments to the Town Zoning and Town Code. This is posted. Copy of the proposed zoning law amendment is available upon request or for public viewing in the office of the Clerk of the Town of Jewett. Trustee Sommers will document the current condition of our roads before the expansion project starts.

14. Fire Company newly elected and appointed fire company officers. Mayor Higgins: The Chief and Assistant Chiefs are subject to Board approvals. Resolution-2018-0

15. Local Flood Analysis – Mayor Higgins: Request authorization to allow Delaware Engineering to provide info to LFA. Motion made by Trustee Marino, seconded by Trustee Sommers. All were in favor. Motion carried.

16. Northeast Off-Road Adventures – Mayor Higgins discussed the Village’s interest in allowing the use of our logging trails. They are losing four miles of trails this year due to the expansion. Trustee Sommers: I want to see the whole trail system to see if they are crossing any waterways. Is there any benefit to the Village? Mayor Higgins: It brings people here. I will speak with them tomorrow, see what they want to use and we will make a decision based on that. Action tabled for now.

17. Dolan’s Lake – Hunter Mountain wants to use June 29th and 30th and July 1st for standup paddle boarding for a new camping event. Mayor Higgins: I make a motion that we allow them to use Dolan’s Lake Park for that time period. Seconded by Trustee Marino. All were in favor. Motion carried.

18. PESH Annual Training for Greene County Administrative Employees June 18, 2018 between 8AM and 12Noon at Greene County Training Center, 25 Volunteer Drive, Cairo, NY 12413. Mayor Higgins: I am appointing Geri Marino as Safety Coordinator and she and Kathleen will attend this class.

Old Business:

1. Fire Company – Still has not submitted membership list including their interior class A firefighters. Mayor Higgins: We are trying to work towards the insurance requirement as set forth by the Governer’s Office. Ben will you please see that we receive that list.

Old Business (continued:)

Mayor Higgins: We asked for an accounting for the funds received from the Town of Hunter and we asked for their budget requirements so we know how much money to budget for the fire company this year. We have received nothing so if there is any money left over when we do the general fund budget we will put some into the fire company budget.

Trustee Sommers: They say they do not know what their numbers are. Clerk Hilbert: I have given the fire company a complete list of what they have spent this year. Mayor Higgins: They are subject to our procurement policy. Clerk Hilbert: By law, the person who makes a purchase without first budgeting it and obtaining approval is liable for that purchase. Mayor Higgins: By law. Clerk Hilbert: $1,300 worth of tires were purchased for the new fire truck. The board was never advised that the newly purchased fire truck needed new tires. They did not come to the board. They did not provide the board with the required number of bids. Trustee Sommers: They do not know what they need. You do not know what is coming up or what needs to be replaced. Clerk Hilbert: Are you saying that they do not know they need to have their vehicles inspected or gasoline for those vehicles so they can go to a fire or that if tires are bald that they need to be replaced, that the vehicles need annual maintenance? They need to budget for these expenses. Trustee Marino: You do not go over your trucks to see what you need? There has to be a check sheet so that they know what is coming up. They need to be organized and be ahead of the curve. Mayor Higgins: If it comes down to Hunter Fire Co. No. 1 money, they know exactly what they have and what they spend but when it comes to the Village’s taxpayers’ money they are completely unaccountable. They are not going to be able to spend what we haven’t budgeted. We cannot budget monies if we do not know what they need. Attorney Gardner: This should not be a controversy. Clerk Hilbert: Ben, do you think you can get the fire company to give us their budgetary needs: Trustee Sommers: Murphy has everything on his computer.

2. Charles Sweet will get together with the Mayor or bench locations.

3. Fire Protection Agreement with the Town of Hunter expired December 14, 2014. Mayor Higgins: We have not negotiated with the Town in four years. We have no contract for fire protection. Larry, since I have never sat with the Town and discussed any contract and none of us have, how has that worked in the past? Do they just tell us what they are going to give us because that is not how it works. When you are contracting services from someone you usually have a discussion. When do we need to have this discussion for it to work for the budget? We have to have a discussion with the Town Board. I’ll talk to Daryl. We need to negotiate. We need to have a contract to make this legal. I will get back to the board with that information.

4. Mayor Higgins – The fire company minutes are public information and they are not posted to the public. Trustee Sommers: They say is not public. Mayor Higgins: How they spend the 35% of the Town of Hunter’s taxpayers’ fire protection money is definitely public information. They wanted to have private meetings with the Board. We have advised them that they cannot be private meetings. All meetings are open to the public.

Superintendent of Public Works Report:

1. Rich Bepler will be on vacation April 27 to May 4.

2. Oshkosh will be back on Friday.

3. Property sold across the street from Harold Goldberg’s. They have not put in a request yet but they want to make a driveway onto Riverside across from John Hamm’s property and we do not have anything on Riverside. Mayor Higgins: It has to pitch away from Riverside toward their property.

4. Rich Bepler will be retiring in August. Charles Sweet will prepare a job description. Mayor Higgins: I make a motion that we put an ad in the newspaper for a highway employee as soon as we receive the job description. Seconded by Trustee Marino. All were in favor. Motion

Superintendent of Public Works Report (continued:)

was carried. Mayor Higgins: We must receive the job description, Charlie. Include knowledge and operation experience of heavy equipment, CDL, plowing experience preferred, must be able to lift at least 100 pounds.

Correspondence:

1. Summary of Key Proposals in the 2018-2019 Adopted State Budget. Clerk Hilbert: Can we task someone with trying to get grant money for water meters. Trustee Marino will follow-up in this.
2. SPDES Facility Compliance Inspection conducted March 23, 2018.
3. Catskill Watershed Corporation Notice of Preliminary Decisions of CWC Board of Directors on April 3, 2018.
4. Annual Fathers’ Day Cruisin on the Mountaintop Antique and Classic Car Show – Sponsor options posted.

Bills:

Account Voucher Nos. Abstract Nos.

General Fund V367 – V405 V11
Sewer Operating G213 – G229 G11
Water Abstract F172 – F187 F11

The above vouchers were audited and ordered paid.

Financial Reports:

1. Profit and Loss/Budget vs. Actual – General Fund
2. Profit and Loss/Budget vs. Actual – Sewer Operating
3. Profit and Loss/Budget vs. Actual – Water Operating

Mayor Higgins: At this time, we will go into executive session to discuss pending litigation and employee matters.

Mayor Higgins: We have reconvened the regular meeting.

Regarding the agreement proposed by Hunter Highlands Phase I, we have come to an agreement on the six-inch watermains that we are willing to assume responsibility of. Larry has that written down on a map. Do I hear a motion to authorize Larry to contact John Greco? Attorney Gardner: We will meld together the terms of that most recent attorney’s letter with this map and assume responsibility for those lines on this map that are six-inch lines, incorporated into the terms of that letter, with the intention of carrying the very same terms forward for agreements with the other entities/customers up there through their boards. There is the Trailside board and the Hunter Highlands II board and whoever will be on top. Resolution 2018-0

Mayor Higgins: I would like to hear a motion to hire Sara Camillo for the position of part-time Deputy Clerk/Treasurer at a salary of $16.00 an hour. Resolution 2018-0

Resolutions:

Resolution 2018-0__
Appointment

The following appointment was made by Mayor Alan Higgins:

Larry F. Gardner, Village Attorney (Term Expiration – 04/01/2019)

Motion made to approve appointment made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

The foregoing appointment was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The Mayor’s appointment was thereupon declared duly approved.

Resolution 2018-0__
Official Newspaper

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

BE IT RESOLVED that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees hereby designates The Daily Mail as the official newspaper for The Village of Hunter.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Regular Meeting Schedule

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

BE IT RESOLVED that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees hereby establishes that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees regular monthly meetings will be held on the second Monday of each month at 8PM except for the month of October which will be held on the second Tuesday of the month. All meetings will be held in the Hunter Village Hall.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Special Meeting Procedures

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

WHEREAS an emergency may require the Board of Trustees to call a special meeting on short notice;

BE IT RESOLVED that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees hereby establishes that the procedure for notifying Board Members of the special meeting should be flexible (e.g., by e-mail or telephone) without any requirements which might delay the meeting.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Next Organizational Meeting

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

BE IT RESOLVED that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees hereby establishes that the next Organizational Meeting will be held on April 8, 2019.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Rules of Procedure and Guidelines for Public Comment

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Section 1. That the Village of Hunter Board of Trustees has reviewed Resolution 2017-016, Rules of Procedure and Guidelines for Public Comment approved April 10, 2017.

Section 2. That said Rules of Procedure and Guidelines for Public Comment remains in full force and effect.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Code of Ethics

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Section 1. That the Village of Hunter Board of Trustees has reviewed the resolution, “Establishing Code of Ethics for The Village of Hunter” approved April 5, 1976.

Section 2. That said Code of Ethics remains in full force and effect.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Procurement Policy

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Section 1. That the Village of Hunter Board of Trustees has reviewed Resolution #26-91, Procurement Policy as amended on March 12, 2018 by Resolution 2018-0

Section 2. That said Procurement Policy remains in full force and effect.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Workplace Violence Prevention Policy

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Section 1. That the Village of Hunter Board of Trustees has reviewed Resolution #32-10, “Village of Hunter’s Workplace Violence Prevention Policy and Incident Reporting” approved May 10, 2010.

Section 2. That said Workplace Violence Prevention Policy and Incident Reporting remains in full force and effect.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Sexual Harassment Policy

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Section 1. That the Village of Hunter Board of Trustees has reviewed Resolution #49-99, “Village of Hunter Sexual Harassment Policy approved May 8, 2000.

Section 2. That said Sexual Harassment Policy remains in full force and effect.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Employment Policy

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Section 1. That the Village of Hunter Board of Trustees has reviewed Resolution #50-99, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Employment Policy approved May 8, 2000.

Section 2. That said Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Employment Policy remains in full force and effect.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Section 1. That the Village of Hunter Board of Trustees has reviewed Resolution #51-99, Equal Employment Opportunity Policy approved May 8, 2000.

Section 2. That said Equal Employment Opportunity Policy remains in full force and effect.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-__
Supersedes Resolution 2017-008

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Village Office Staff

The Village Office will be open Monday through Friday between the hours of 9AM and 5PM.

Regular full-time Village Office employees are scheduled to work a standard 35-hour week. Standard work day for the Village Office Staff – 9AM to 5PM with a one-hour lunch break scheduled between the hours of 11AM and 2PM. Changes to scheduled lunch breaks to be approved by Clerk/Treasurer. Employees are not permitted to forego the lunch period to shorten the work day. Employees are expected to begin work on time and continue to work until the end of the work day.

Holidays

Holidays for full-time office staff are as follows:

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Day
President’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veteran’s Day
Election Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Should a holiday fall on a Saturday, it will be observed on Friday; should a holiday fall on Sunday, it will be observed on Monday.

Vacation

Vacation time for full-time office staff is ten (10) days after one year of employment with an additional five (5) days after five years of employment. Request for vacation time must be made in writing and approved by the Clerk/Treasurer.

Vacation time will be pro-rated should employee be out on unpaid leave. Earned vacation time must be used during the fiscal year and cannot be accrued.

Personal Time

Personal time for full-time office staff is five (5) days per year. Newly hired employees shall be entitled to personal days as follows: One day after the first month of employment; one additional day after two months of employment; one additional day after three months of employment; one additional day after four months of employment; and one additional day after the fifth month of employment.

Personal time may be used at any time for any purpose at employee’s discretion.

Personal time will be pro-rated should employee be out on unpaid leave. Earned personal time must be used during the fiscal year and cannot be accrued.

Sick Leave

Sick time for full-time office staff is five (5) days per year. Newly hired employees shall be entitled to sick days as follows: One day after the first month of employment; one additional day after two months of employment; one additional day after three months of employment; one additional day after four months of employment; and one additional day after the fifth month of employment.

Sick leave should be used only for days you are unable to work. If accumulated, it will provide you with income protection when you are ill or injured. Any sick days not taken by the end of the fiscal year (May 31) will be carried into the next fiscal year. Upon termination of employment, all unused sick days will be paid at the employee’s then existing rate of pay.

Absence of individuals can interrupt the continuity of services and place additional responsibility on other employees in the work place. If you are absent due to illness or injury, notify the Village Clerk/Treasurer prior to the start of your work day, if possible. The Village Clerk/Treasurer must be contacted on each additional day of absence. If you are on sick leave for three calendar days, you must provide The Village with a Doctor’s statement at that time. When absenteeism or lateness becomes excessive, regardless of the reason, it may become grounds for disciplinary action. In this case, disciplinary action is based on the Village’s need to ensure continuity of staffing. Employees should view any action taken in this situation as an attempt to advise you that a problem is noted which is causing concern and not as punitive in nature.

All time off must be designated as Vacation, Personal or Sick time at the time taken.

Medical Coverage

All full-time employees are eligible for paid medical coverage after the first ninety days of employment. If the employee would like coverage for their spouse or dependent children, the employee will be required to pay The Village the full price of the additional premiums which will be a payroll deduction. Medical coverage will be pro-rated should employee be out on unpaid leave.

Cell Phones

Cell Phone use, including texting, is prohibited. Cell phones should not be brought into the office.

Computer/Internet

Computer and internet use is only for official Village business.

Department of Public Works

The Village Highway Garage will be open Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00AM and 3:30PM.

Regular full-time Village Highway Department employees are scheduled to work a standard 40-hour week. Standard work day for the Village Highway Department employees –7:00AM to 3:30PM with a one-half hour lunch break. Employees are expected to begin work on time and continue to work until the end of the work day.

Holidays

Holidays for full-time highway staff are as follows:

New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Should a holiday fall on a Saturday, it will be observed on Friday; should a holiday fall on Sunday, it will be observed on Monday.

Vacation

Vacation time for full-time highway staff is ten (10) days after one year of employment with an additional five (5) days after five years of employment. Request for vacation time must be made in writing and approved by the Public Works Superintendent.

Vacation time will be pro-rated should employee be out on unpaid leave. Earned vacation time must be used during the fiscal year and cannot be accrued.

Personal Time

Personal time for full-time highway staff is ten (10) days per year. Newly hired employees shall be entitled to one personal day after the first month of employment and one additional day after each month of employment for the next nine (9) months.

Personal time may be used at any time for any purpose at employee’s discretion. Earned personal time must be used during the fiscal year and cannot be accrued.

Sick Leave

Sick time for full-time highway staff is five (5) days per year. Newly hired employees shall be entitled to sick days as follows: One day after the first month of employment; one additional day after two months of employment; one additional day after three months of employment; one additional day after four months of employment; and one additional day after the fifth month of employment.

Sick leave should be used only for days you are unable to work. If accumulated, it will provide you with income protection when you are ill or injured. Any sick days not taken by the end of the fiscal year (May 31) will be carried into the next fiscal year. Upon termination of employment, all unused sick days will be paid at the employee’s then existing rate of pay.

Absence of individuals can interrupt the continuity of services and place additional responsibility on other employees in the work place. If you are absent due to illness or injury, notify the Superintendent of Highways and the Village Clerk’s Office prior to the start of your work day, if possible. The Superintendent of Highways must be contacted on each additional day of absence. If you are on sick leave for three calendar days, you must provide The Village with a Doctor’s statement at that time. When absenteeism or lateness becomes excessive, regardless of the reason, it may become grounds for disciplinary action. In this case, disciplinary action is based on the Village’s need to ensure continuity of staffing. Employees should view any action taken in this situation as an attempt to advise you that a problem is noted which is causing concern and not as punitive in nature.

All time off must be designated as Vacation, Personal or Sick time at the time taken.

Medical Coverage

All full-time employees are eligible for paid medical coverage after the first ninety days of employment. If the employee would like coverage for their spouse or dependent children, the employee will be required to pay The Village the full price of the additional premiums which will be a payroll deduction. Medical coverage will be pro-rated should employee be out on unpaid leave.

Cell Phones

Cell phone use, including texting, should be on the employees’ own time, unless it is Village business.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Advance Approval of Claims

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

WHEREAS the Board of Trustees has determined to authorize payment in advance of audit of claims for public utility services, postage, freight and express charges; and

WHEREAS all such claims must be presented at the next regular meeting for audit; and

WHEREAS the claimant and the officer incurring or approving the claim are jointly and severally liable for any amount the Board of Trustees disallows.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Section 1. That the Board of Trustees authorizes payment in advance of audit claims for public utility services, postage, freight and express charges. All such claims must be presented at the next regular meeting for audit and the claimant and the officer incurring or approving the claim are jointly and severally liable for any amount the Board of Trustees disallows.

Section 2. That this resolution is effective immediately.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018
Mileage Allowance

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

WHEREAS the Board of Trustees has determined to pay a fixed rate for mileage as reimbursement to Village Officers and employees who use their personal automobiles while performing their official Village duties;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Section 1. That the Board of Trustees will approve reimbursement to such Village Officers and employees at the rate of 54.5 cents per mile.

Section 2. That this resolution is effective immediately.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Attendance at Schools and Conferences

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

WHEREAS there are to be held during the coming official year, training schools hosted by NYCOM, OSC and PERMA and certain conferences and association meetings; and

WHEREAS attendance by certain municipal officials and employees at one or more of these meetings, conferences or schools benefits the municipality;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Section 1. That the following Officers and employees are authorized to attend the appropriate schools and conferences:

Mayor Alan W. Higgins
Kathleen M. Hilbert, Clerk/Treasurer

Section 2. That this resolution is effective immediately.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-___
Meal Allowance

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

WHEREAS General Municipal Law § 77-c authorizes villages to determine by resolution to pay meal expenses of their officers and employees on a per diem basis in conjunction with travel on official village business;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Section 1. That the Village of Hunter Board of Trustees authorizes reimbursement of actual and necessary meal and incidental expenses to employee and officers in conjunction with the attendance of approved conferences, not to exceed the standard meal allowance for business-related travel prescribed for federal income tax purposes. See attached schedules “Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE) Breakdown” and “FY 2018 Per Diem Rates for New York.”

Section 2. That is resolution is effective immediately.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Official Bank Designation

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

WHEREAS the Board of Trustees has determined that Village Law § 4-412(3)(2) requires the designation of banks or trust companies for the deposit of all Village monies;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Section 1. That the Board of Trustees designates The Bank of Greene County as depository of all moneys received by the Village Clerk/Treasurer and Receiver of Taxes.

Section 2. That this resolution is effective immediately.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Establish General Fund Revenue Account A4961 FEMA-Winter Storm Stella

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

RESOLVED that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees authorizes the Clerk/Treasurer to establish a new General Fund Revenue Account A4961 FEMA-Winter Storm Stella.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Establish General Fund Revenue Account A2131 Bulk Refuse Fees

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

RESOLVED that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees authorizes the Clerk/Treasurer to establish a new General Fund Revenue Account A2131 Bulk Refuse Fees.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Authorize Mayor to Sign Agreement between The Village of Hunter and Greene County Council on the Arts

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

RESOLVED that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees authorizes Mayor Alan Higgins to sign the Agreement between The Village of Hunter and Greene County Council on the Arts for the purpose of paying $100 in support of the Sprouts Program.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Fire Protection Budget Modification – General Fund
Appropriate Funds from Line Items with an Excess to Line Items with a Shortfall for General Fund/Fire Protection for Fiscal Year 2017/2018

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

RESOLVED that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees authorizes the Clerk/Treasurer to move $300 from A341048 Fire Prevention/Contractual/Gasoline to A341042 Fire Protection/Contractual/Electric.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Approve Elected/Appointed Officials of Hunter Fire Co. No. 1, Inc.

Motion made by Trustee Marino; Seconded by Trustee Sommers.

RESOLVED that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees hereby approves the individuals elected/appointed to the following positions at the Hunter Fire Co. No. 1, Inc.’s Annual Meeting held April 3, 2018:

Chief:                                     John LaVeglia
First Assistant Chief:          Anthony Figiel
Second Assistant Chief:     Dave Hartman
Third Assistant Chief:        Gary Slutzky
Fourth Assistant Chief:      Gary Goodrich

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried by a majority vote.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – nay
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__
Hunter Highlands I vs. The Village of Hunter
Authorize Attorney Gardner to Contact Attorney John Greco

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

RESOLVED that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees authorizes Attorney Gardner to meld together the terms of the most recent letter with map and state that we will assume responsibility for those lines on specified map that are six-inch lines, incorporated into the terms of that letter, with the intention of carrying the very same terms forward for agreements with the other entities/customers, through their boards.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried by a majority vote.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Resolution 2018-0__

Motion made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

RESOLVED that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees authorizes the hiring of Sara Camillo for the position of part-time Deputy Clerk/Treasurer at a salary of $16.00 an hour.

The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Local Laws:

Local Law No. 3 of 2018
Amending The Village of Hunter Senior Citizens Exemption Law

Motion to adopt made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

WHEREAS, the purpose of Local Law No. 3 of the year 2018 is to amend Local Law No. 7 of the year 1993 “The Village of Hunter Senior Citizens Exemption Law;” and

WHEREAS, Local Law No. 7 of the year 1993 has been previously amended by Local Law No. 1 of the year 2017 to revoke the “Sliding Scale” and increase the maximum income limit amount to $26,500 for a fifty-percent (50%) exemption; and

WHEREAS, Local Law No. 3 of the year 2018 is to further increase the maximum limit from $26,700 to $27,500 for a fifty-percent (50%) exemption;

BE IT ENACTED by the Board of Trustees of The Village of Hunter, as follows:

SECTION 1. That Local Law No. 7 of the year 1993 as amended by Local Law No. 1 of the year 2017 is hereby amended to increase the maximum income limit amount of “The Village of Hunter Senior Citizens Exemption Law” to $27,500 for a fifty-percent (50%) exemption.

SECTION 2. This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State.

The foregoing local law was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

Local Law No. 3 of 2018 was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Local Law No. 4 of 2018
Amending Exemption from Real Property Taxes of Property owned by Persons with Disabilities and Limited Incomes

Motion to adopt made by Trustee Marino; seconded by Trustee Sommers.

WHEREAS, the purpose of Local Law No. 4 of the year 2018 is to amend Local Law No. 2 of the year 2004 “Exemption from Real Property Taxes of Property owned by Persons with Disabilities and Limited Incomes;” and

WHEREAS, Local Law No. 2 of the year 2004 has been previously amended by Local Law No. 2 of the year 2017 to revoke the “Sliding Scale” and increase the maximum income limit amount to $26,500 for a fifty-percent (50%) exemption; and

WHEREAS, Local Law No. 4 of the year 2018 is to further increase the maximum limit from $26,700 to $27,500 for a fifty-percent (50%) exemption;

BE IT ENACTED by the Board of Trustees of The Village of Hunter, as follows:

SECTION 1. That Local Law No. 2 of the year 2004 as amended by Local Law No. 2 of the year 2017 is hereby amended to increase the maximum income limit amount of “Exemption from Real Property Taxes of Property owned by Persons with Disabilities and Limited Incomes” to $27,500 for a fifty-percent (50%) exemption.

SECTION 2. This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State.

The foregoing local law was put to a vote and was carried unanimously.

Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Geri Marino voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea

Local Law No. 4 of 2018 was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Adjournment:

Motion to adjourn the meeting made by Trustee Marino, seconded by Trustee Sommers.

Meeting adjourned at 11:15PM.