Call to Order: 7:00PM. Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Mayor Alan Higgins, Trustee Benjamin Sommers
Absent: Trustee Jason DiLeo
Also Present: Kathleen Hilbert, Clerk/Treasurer, Scott Rynard, DPW, Joe Myers, Water Department and Marc Czermerys, IT
Public Present: Rich Volpe and Joe Jove
Privilege of the Floor:
Rich Volpe presented pictures of flooding on Gabi Road and expressed his concerns regarding the possible loss of the road. Mayor Higgins advised that this is private property. Maybe DEP could get involved with the runoff. This is out of The Village’s jurisdiction but we could certainly contact those, whose jurisdiction it is in, to go over this. Mayor will speak to Carl Giangrande and Joel from Greene County Soil and Water.
Joe Jove requested we provide garbage cans near the pavilion for pet excrement.
New Business:
Mayor Higgins advised we are contracted with Peckham Materials to do the pickleball court.
Board agreed to extend the term of the Snowbird et al LAP contracts to May 31, 2024 and authorized Mayor Higgins to execute the time-extension letters – Resolution 2024-0001.
Board identified polling place and hours of The Village’s General Election to be held March 19, 2024 – Resolution 2024-0002.
Board appointed Election Inspectors – Resolution 2024-0003.
The head of each unit must submit an estimate of revenues and expenditures including schedules and statements for the ensuing fiscal year to Mayor Higgins/Budget Officer by March 1, 2024. The estimate should show the sources of all revenue, itemize the character and object of each expenditure, as defined in Village Law § 5-500(7), and contain such additional information as the Mayor may prescribe. If the head of a unit fails to submit an estimate by March 1, 2024, the Mayor will prepare an estimate for such unit.
Mayor Higgins read and made a motion, seconded by Trustee Sommers, that the Board authorize him to sign the letter cancelling the services of Digital Towpath Cooperative. Mayor Higgins and Trustee Sommers voted yea. Motion was carried.
Discussed Cyber Security Insurance. Mayor will discuss with Jean Valk of Marshall & Sterling. Marc will respond to any survey they provide.
Building Department:
November and December monthly reports submitted to the Board.
Department of Public Works:
Hunter Mountain is allowing cars to park surrounding our pump station and on the helipad. Trustee Sommers stated Hunter Mountain should notify the Fire Company and Rescue Squad should they allow parking on helipad.
Fire Company:
Mayor Higgins made a motion, seconded by Trustee Sommers, to approve the application of Elide Bell for active membership in the Hunter Fire Co. No. 1, Inc. Mayor Higgins and Trustee Sommers voted yea. Motion and was carried.
Cancer Policy Renewal was sent to Gary Slutzky for review. Waiting for response.
Sewer Department:
Discussion of Actual to Budget report. Treasurer seeking approval to remove $9,833.33 Capital Outlay from Sewer Operating Account as this was a General Fund expenditure. Clerk stated $160,075.14 in unclassified income is actually Liftside and Village sewer rents. Accountant did not make entries. Treasurer seeking approval to remove $589.13 G90308 Social Security entry made by accountant and correct payroll entries accountant made into accounts G811011 and G813011 as entries are incorrect.
Todd Murphy will suggest which account the Board should transfer money from to cover the overbudget amount of $212.30 G811051 Insurance.
Discussed DPW charging labor to Sewer and Water Operating.
Water Department:
Assigned new Appropriation Code for Lamont Engineering and transferred funds – Resolution 2024-0004.
Transferred funds to cover budget overage – Resolution 2024-0005.
Joe Myers reported Les Jardins de Hunter performed their hydrant flow testing today and the electrician has our third highlift pump back on line, controls are up and running so we are whole again with our pumping system.
Discussed information required for meter project.
Correspondence:
Letter from the Clarks requesting late penalty be removed and postmark be honored. Denied. Postmark has never been accepted as a timely water payment. “Must be received by date” written in two places on the water bill.
Financial Reports:
General Fund – Actual report for period June 1 to December 31, 2023
Sewer Operating Account – Actual to Budget report for period June 1 to December 31, 2023
Water Operating Account – Actual to Budget report for period June 1 to December 31, 2023
Bills:
Account — Voucher Nos. — Check No. — Abstract
General Fund — V242 to V268 — 021832-021851 — V8
Sewer Operating — G97 to G110 — 004948, 004951-004962 — G8
Water Abstract — F68 to F82 — 3892-3900 — F8
Resolution 2024-0001
Resolution Authorizing Mayor Higgins to Execute Time-Extension Letters pertaining to Land Acquisition Projects 9621 Snowbird Ski Shop, Inc., 9622 Snowbird Ski Shop, Inc. and 9623 Meatballs and Marinara, LLC
WHEREAS, the Purchase Contracts dated January 6, 2023 pertaining to the above-mentioned properties will expire on March 6, 2024; and
WHEREAS, a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment completed by DEP consultant, LaBella, has recommended a Phase II investigation for all three properties currently in the New York City Funded Flood Buyout Program in contract to be conveyed to The Village of Hunter to resolve the outstanding recognized environmental conditions (RECs) and significant data gaps (SDGs) found in their initial report; and
WHEREAS, the need to complete these Phase II investigations will result in a delay of the closings; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is requesting an extension of the contracts to allow time to complete this;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees of The Village of Hunter agrees to extend the term of the contracts through May 31, 2024; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees of The Village of Hunter authorize Mayor Alan Higgins to execute the Time Extension Letters.
The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried by a majority vote.
Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Ben Sommers voting – yea
Trustee Jason DiLeo Absent
The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted on January 8, 2024.
Resolution 2024 – 0002
Resolution Identifying Polling Place and Hours of March 19, 2024 Election
Motion made by Mayor Higgins; seconded by Trustee Sommers.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Election Law § 15-104(1)(b) and § 15-104(3)(b), The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees must adopt a resolution identifying the polling place in each district and the hours the polls will be open;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the polling place for The Village of Hunter March 19, 2024 General Election is the Hunter Fire House located at 17 Bridge Street, Hunter, New York 12442.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the polls will be open between the hours of 12:00Noon and 9:00PM.
The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried by a majority vote.
Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Benjamin Sommers voting – yea
Trustee Jason DiLeo Absent
The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted on January 8, 2024.
Resolution 2024 – 0003
Appointment of Village Election Inspectors
Motion made by Mayor Higgins; seconded by Trustee Sommers.
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Election Law § 15-116, The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees must, forty days prior to the election, adopt a resolution appointing either two or four election inspectors for each election district in The Village; and
WHEREAS, the resolution must establish the inspectors’ compensation and appoint one inspector as chairperson; and
WHEREAS, The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees may also provide for alternate election inspectors who will assume the office of inspector upon the inability or refusal of an inspector to assume or perform their duties or take and file an oath of office;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees appoints Minnetta M. Garrison as Village Election Inspector Chairperson at the rate of $175.00 per day, appoints Joan M. Angle as Village Election Inspector at the rate of $175.00 per day and an Alternate Village Election Inspector to be named at a later date at the rate of $175.00 per day for The Village of Hunter General Election to be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 between the hours of 12:00Noon and 9:00PM at the Hunter Fire House located at 17 Bridge Street, Hunter, New York 12442.
The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried by a majority vote.
Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Benjamin Sommers voting – yea
Trustee Jason DiLeo Absent
The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted on January 8, 2024.
Resolution 2024 – 0004
Water Budget Modification for Fiscal Year 2023/2024
Assign Appropriation Code for Lamont Engineers, PC and Transfer Funds within Water Operating Account
Motion made by Mayor Higgins; seconded by Trustee Sommers.
WHEREAS, The Village has hired Lamont Engineers, PC for plant upgrades; and
WHEREAS, The Board did not previously budget for this expense;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees assigns Appropriation Code F831032 for expenses submitted by Lamont Engineers, PC; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees transfers
$10,000 from Appropriation Code F831042 Electric to Appropriation Code F831032 Lamont Engineers, PC to cover said expenses.
The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried by a majority vote.
Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Benjamin Sommers voting – yea
Trustee Jason DiLeo Absent
The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted on January 8, 2024.
Resolution 2024 – 0005
Water Budget Modification for Fiscal Year 2023/2024
Transfer Funds from Line Items with an Excess to Line Items with a Shortfall
Motion made by Mayor Higgins; seconded by Trustee Sommers.
WHEREAS, Appropriation Code F831043 Insurance is overbudget by $136.90;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Village of Hunter Board of Trustees transfers $136.90 from Appropriation Code F831042 Electric to Appropriation Code F831043 Insurance to cover the overage.
The foregoing resolution was put to a vote and was carried by a majority vote.
Mayor Alan Higgins voting – yea
Trustee Benjamin Sommers voting – yea
Trustee Jason DiLeo Absent
The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted on January 8, 2024.
Executive Session: Mayor Higgins made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss an applicant for the Department of Public Works. Hilbert and Rynard were also present at the executive session.
Mayor Higgins reconvened the regular meeting. No action was taken in the executive session.
Adjournment: Mayor Higgins made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Trustee Sommers. Meeting was adjourned at 8:40PM.
Transcribed by:
_______________________
Kathleen M. Hilbert
Clerk/Treasurer
