Category: Local

The text version of the minutes in this post was created with optical character recognition (OCR) software. While every attempt has been made to verify the text, accuracy is not guaranteed. Please refer to the PDF version of the minutes in the link below to see an exact version as received from the Town of Franklin.

Download PDF copy of Franklin NY Town Board Minutes – March 2013

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The regular monthly meeting of the Franklin Town board meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Supervisor Don Smith. Present were Arthur Swenson, Jeff Taggart, Don Smith, Highway Superintendent Mark Laing and Paul Warner. Also present were William Young, Jamie Archibald, Pete Bevilacqua, Linda Bevilacqua, Dwight Bruno, Gene Marner and Carole Marner. Absent were Garrett Sitts and Susan Fairbairn.

The minutes from the February 5, 2013 meeting were read. Jeff Taggart made a motion to approve, Arthur Swenson seconded the motion and all present agreed.

Highway Superintendent Mark Laing opened bids on a stainless steel box. Four companies bid as follows:

1. Tracey Road Equipment…..$39,558
2. Viking Caves USA ………$43,50l.16
3. Wayne’s Welding ……….$40,426
4. Oneida County …………$39,409

Jeff Taggart made a motion to accept Oneida County’s bid, Arthur Swenson seconded it and all present agreed.

Mark Laing continued with his report noting a need to remove trees that snapped off on the cemetery property next to the school bus garage. He would like to contract this work out. The board agreed this would be a good idea.

Mark discussed the roads will once again need to be broomed in April and therefore the department needs to rent a broom for $2,250 for a month. Jeff Taggart made a motion to approve renting the broom, Arthur Swenson seconded it and all present agreed.

Mark mentioned the last 3 projects for FEMA were in the final stages and CHIPs funding is now in place with small redaction (a couple hundred dollars). Highway employees will be attending safety training April 9th in Walton.

There have been a number of blackouts in recent years. When the electric is off, it is impossible to use the fuel pumps, the radios do not work and lighting is a problem in the town building. Mark requested an estimate from Trimbell Electric to address these issues. The estimate included he following:

1. Generator transfer Switch for old shop….$975
2. Install new circuits from existing generator to break room to power lights, base station for radios and chargers for handheld radios…..$250
3. Replace existing exit lights with LED exit/emergency light combination fixtures with battery backup. . . .$475
4. Rewire existing outside wall pack lights to accept compact fluorescent bulbs…$375 After discussion, Jeff Taggart made a motion to approve all but (#1) the generator. transfer switch for the old shop. Arthur Swenson seconded the motion and all present agreed. It was agreed that Mark get more information on the future needs for a generator and come back with more information.

Next month (April 2nd) there will be bids on many items for the highway department.

Mark also discussed Lifescience will be testing the landfill next week. This is required every 5th quarter. There was a small price increase on this process.

Arthur Swenson reported on the December 12th water testing done. Spectrum Analytical used the wrong bottle for testing. Therefore the State is giving Franklin a monitoring violation. There is no fine attached to this violation and the fault lies with the company who did the testing for the town.

Arthur also reported about the AL Kellogg School property in Treadwell. In the next two weeks, the transfer request will be sent to Otsego County judge to make a decision regarding the transfer of land and funds from Delaware Academy to the town of Franklin.

Jeff Taggart reported on the Planning board. He discussed the wind farm proposal, the Herklotz tower needed a $10,000 tear down bond. A special use permit is contingent on the bonds being in place. Town clerk will need to keep two separate files, one for Pesout and one for Herklotz.

Vouchers #59 — #115 were submitted for audit and payment.

There being no further business at 9:05 p.m. Jeff Taggart made a motion to adjourn, Arthur Swenson seconded and all present agreed.

Respectfully Submitted,
Cindy Pinney
Deputy Town Clerk

The text version of the minutes in this post was created with optical character recognition (OCR) software. While every attempt has been made to verify the text, accuracy is not guaranteed. Please refer to the PDF version of the minutes in the link below to see an exact version as received from the Town of Franklin.

Download PDF copy of  Franklin NY Town Board Minutes – February 2013

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The public hearing for the approval of the Cable Television Agreement between Time Warner Cable and the Town of Franklin opened at 3:00 p.m. Present were Jeff Taggart, Susan Fairbairn, Arthur Swenson, Supervisor Don Smith, Highway Superintendent Mark Laing and Paul Warner. Also present were William Young, Gene Marner, Ralph Barlow, Jamie Archibald, Pete Bevilacqua, Linda Bevilacqua, Jim Basile and reporter Lillian Browne. Absent was Garret Sitts.

Mr. Young wanted to know what PEG referred to in section 5.2. Also in section, 14.8, Service to Public Facilities, it did not indicate that we would continue with the three free service drops that we presently receive. The resolution also needed to be corrected to show 10 years for the length of the contract. Supervisor Don Smith closed the hearing at 3:10 p.m.

The regular monthly meeting of the Franklin Town Board was called to order by Supervisor Don Smith.

The minutes from the December 28, 2012 meeting were read. A correction was made to indicate that the truck box should be replaced now and that the 2 year estimate to replace the box had expired. With that correction Jeff Taggart made a motion to accept the.minutes as corrected. Susan Fairbairn seconded the motion and all present agreed.

Due to comments made in the public hearing regarding the renewal of the Cable Television Agreement, the Agreement would not be approved at this time.

The starting time for the March 5th meeting will be changed to 7:30 p.m.

Ralph Barlow inquired about the ground maintenance around the Kellogg School property as he would like to continue mowing the grounds this year. At this time the grounds are still owned by the Delhi School District and he needs to contact the school district regarding the grounds.

Jeff Taggart reported no news for the Planning Board.

Susan Fairbairn reported for the Recreation Committee. There will be a chicken and biscuit dinner on February 9th starting at 4:00 held at the Franklin school. The Fire Department and the Recreation Committee are the sponsors of the dinner. The Recreation Committee is taking applications for lifeguards for this summer.

Arthur Swenson reported no news for the Treadwell Water District.

Mark Laing reported for the Highway Department. The final payment for the 2012 CHIPS funds has been received. To date we have used approximately 175 tons of salt for this winter. Mark had researched prices for a stainless steel box. Oneida County had a bid price for a stainless steel box of approximately $39,000.00. Wayne’s Welding provided an estimate of approximately $38,000.00. Mark will advertise for bids for the box.

Mark indicated he would like to advertise for bids in April. One of the bids will be for the crushing of bank run gravel to get a minimum of 5000 yards of gravel.

Jim Basile spoke to the Board about the effects of doing a Town wide reappraisal of properties in Franklin. On the most recent roll filed in 2012 we are currently at 94% of full value. The reason to do a reappraisal would be to restore equity to taxpayers in the Town. A discussion followed regarding the possible benefits and negative effects from doing a town wide reappraisal. Jeff Taggart made a motion to not do a town wide reappraisal. Arthur Swenson seconded the motion and all present agreed.

Linda Bevilacqua wanted to know what Jim Carey was able to obtain for Franklin from the Constitution Pipeline Company. Jim was not appointed to the county wide committee that awards any grant funds.

Vouchers #1 – #58 were submitted for audit and payment.

With no further business to come before the Board Don Smith moved for adjournment at 4:30 p.m. Jeff Taggart seconded the motion and all present agreed.