Regular meeting of the Otselic Town Board on May 9, 2023, 7:00 p.m., Town Hall, South Otselic, New York
Present: Marjorie Davis, Supervisor; Sadie Allen, Charles Bishop, Jr., Darryl Fox and Jay Graham, Town Council; Louise Perry, Town Clerk
Also present: Sarah Hite; Allison Miller; Dan Grady, NBT Bank Insurance
Minutes from the April 11, 2023 meeting were distributed. Motion by C. Bishop, Jr. and seconded by S. Allen to approve the minutes with the correction that some of the16 water meters stated as not working may have not been read because the reader wasn’t working, and the full text of Local Law #1-2023 will be included in the permanent minutes book. CARRIED
A. Miller asked if there was any progress on establishing a planning board. D. Fox plans on inviting someone from the County Planning Board to discuss this at a future meeting.
D. Grady reviewed the insurance coverage for 5/1/23-5/1/24 with the board. He will check into the cost of flood insurance. He suggested written mutual agreements when the area highway departments work together. Cyber coverage is also available. D. Grady will also get a quote for coverage of the water tank.
Clerk Perry reported that there will not be a Primary Election in Otselic in June as previously reported. Notification was received from the NYS Department of State that Local Law #1-2023 has been filed.
The Valley View Cemetery has requested use of the Town Hall for an annual meeting on May 24, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. There were no objections from the board to this request.
D. Fox should have more information from the Town of Georgetown’s Comprehensive Plan progress in June. He thinks the Town of Otselic should join the Association of Towns.
S. Allen has spoken with someone who may be interested in the Dog Control Officer position. Clerk Perry has not received the resignation from Joshua Kisner yet.
J. Graham has received concerns about the teenagers playing basketball in the street on Maple Avenue.
A letter of resignation was received from Town Justice Kelly Moyer, effective May 31, 2023. Motion by C. Bishop, Jr. and seconded by J. Graham to accept this resignation. CARRIED
Motion by J. Graham and seconded by D. Fox to appoint Henry Moore of Earlville to the unexpired term of Town Justice. CARRIED
The Board reviewed the books of Justice Kelly Moyer but were not able to complete an audit without her present to answer questions.
Both Darryl Fox and Christopher Freeman may be interested in attending the water superintendent training course.
South Otselic Water District Advisory Committee meetings were held on April 19, 2023 with Candace Balmer of RCAP Solutions (Resources for Communities and People) and May 3, 2023. Discussions took place regarding how to pay for the bond portion of the water project, a cost of $42,500/year. It was recommended that $80 be charged per Equivalent Dwelling Unit/quarter.
A. Miller suggested that it was important that water district residents are aware the debt service will continue for 30 years. She questioned the cost for the homeowner to provide service from the curb to their house.
Motion by S. Allen and seconded by J. Graham to schedule an informational meeting to discuss the upcoming water improvement project for the South Otselic Water District on May 23, 2023, 6:00 p.m., location to be determined*. CARRIED
*location determined later to be Otselic Valley Central School
Resolution #7-2023 ORDER CALLING PUBLIC HEARING Offered by C. Bishop, Jr.
In the Matter of The Increase and Improvement of the Facilities of the South
Otselic Water District, in the Town of Otselic, Chenango County, New York
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Otselic, Chenango County, New York, has caused to be prepared a map, plan and report, including an estimate of cost, pursuant to Section 202-b of the Town Law, relating to the increase and improvement of the facilities of the South Otselic Water District, in the Town of Otselic, Chenango County, New York (the “Water District”), being water system improvement upgrades consisting of water supply and water storage facilities improvements, recnstruction of water mains and installation of water meters, including original equipment, machinery, apparatus, appurtenances and incidental improvements and expenses in connection therewith, at a maximum estimated cost of $4,300,000; and
WHEREAS, said project has been determined to be a “Type I Action” pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation promulgated pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”), the implementation of which as proposed, it has been determined will not result in any significant adverse environmental impact; and
WHEREAS, it is now desired to call a public hearing on the question of the increase and improvement of the facilities of said Water District, in the matter described above, and to hear all persons interested in the subject thereof, concerning the same, in accordance with the provisions of Section 202-b of the Town Law; NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY
ORDERED, by the Town Board of the Town of Otselic, Chenango County, New York, as follows:
Section 1. A public hearing will be held at the location to be determined*, in said Town, on May 23, 2023, following an informational meeting at the same location beginning at 6:00 p.m., Prevailing Time, on the question of the increase and improvement of the facilities of the South Otselic Water District, in the Town of Otselic, Chenango County, New York, in the manner described in the preambles hereof, and to hear all persons interested in the subject thereof, concerning the same, and to take action thereon as is required or authorized by law.
Section 2. The Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause a copy of the Notice of Public Hearing hereinafter provided to be published once in the official newspaper, and also to cause a copy thereof to be posted on the sign board of the Town, such publication and posting to be made not less than ten, nor more than twenty, days before the date designated for the hearing.
Section 3. The notice of public hearing shall be in substantially the form attached hereto in Exhibit A and hereby made a part hereof.
Section 4. This Order shall take effect immediately. Seconded by J. Graham.
The question of the adoption of the foregoing order was duly put to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows: Aye votes: M. Davis, S. Allen, C. Bishop, Jr., D. Fox, J Graham
The order was thereupon declared duly adopted.
*location later determined to be Otselic Valley Central School
Motion by C. Bishop, Jr. and seconded by J. Graham to approve $284. for the Town Historian to advertise the July 8 Dedication Ceremony in the Hi Neighbor, The Evening Sun and the Sherburne News. CARRIED Refreshments for this event will be provided by donations.
Motion by S. Allen and seconded by J. Graham to appoint Stephen Clark of Beaver Meadow to mow the Cole Hill Cemetery this year at a cost of $800. CARRIED
Motion by S. Allen and seconded by D. Fox to hire Joshua Brown of Otselic to build a handicapped ramp at the Town Hall at a cost of $2,157.40. CARRIED
D. Fox asked if the ARPA funds could be used to pay for water connections to the residences.
Motion by D. Fox and seconded by S. Allen to mail letters to all water district customers and property owners regarding the informational meeting and public hearing on May 23, 2023. CARRIED
Supv. Davis provided her financial reports.
Bills read for approval:
General Fund Abstract# 039-051 $18,959.97
Highway Fund Abstract# 026-036 $34,745.27
SOWD Fund Abstract# 021-024 $ 1,664.82
Total $55,370.06
Motion by J. Graham and seconded by S. Allen to approve payment of these bills except Highway Fund bill #036 for K5 Truck Parts for $242.70. CARRIED
Motion by D. Fox and seconded by S. Allen to pay Highway Fund bill #036 for K5 Truck Parts for $242.70. CARRIED 4-0, 1 abstain C. Bishop, Jr.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
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