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. A video recording of this meeting is below.
Download PDF copy of Franklin NY Town Board Minutes – October 6, 2015
The regular monthly meeting of the Franklin Town Board was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Supervisor Jeff Taggart. Present were Garret Sitts, David Grant, Lisa Huyck, Supervisor Jeff Taggart, Deputy Highway Superintendent Jamie Archibald, and Paul Warner. Also present Melvin Ogden, Turner Thies, Derek Beers, Courtney Vaccaro, Elina Martinez, Danielle Morrell, Michael Wallace, Tim Robinson, Elwood Weerheim, William Degenhardt, Robin Costabile, Don Hebbard, Tony Breuer, Jessica Reed, Bill Young, Ken Walter, Pete Nero, Roger Reed, Louise Corsover, Brian Brock, Liz Serrao, Thomas Collier, Donald Smith, Pete Bevilacqua and Linda Bevilacqua.
The minutes from the September 1st were read. Don Smith made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Garret Sitts seconded the motion and all agreed.
Ken Walter read the report from the Kellogg Franklin Trust Board of Director’s meeting. The financial audit done on September 15, 2015 went well, there was no evidence of fraud or embezzlement.
Paul Warner went over the changes to the Budget for 2016. The budgets overall increase was .45%, it could go to.7%. Don Smith suggested that they increase the town machinery repairs budget by $5000.00 The Board discussed it and Jeff Taggart suggested that they split the money between repairs and new equipment purchases. Garret Sitts made a motion that they split the money, $2500.00 for equipment repairs and $2500.00 for new equipment purchases. David Grant seconded the motion and all agreed. Don Smith made a motion to accept the tentative budget. David Grant seconded the motion and all agreed.
There was nothing new to report from the Rec. Committee.
Regarding the cemetery for the Russian Orthodox Church, they will mark the grave sites and have it put into the deed.
Jamie Archibald reported for the Highway Department that they have finished chip sealing 8 miles of roads including West Platner, Snake Hill, Tupper Hill, Carey, East Handsome Brook, Christian Hill and Otego. Calcium chloride is done. There is still some brush trimming to do before winter. The new truck is on schedule.
Jeff Taggart requested that there be a disclaimer put on the Franklin Local Website that it is not the official Town of Franklin website.
Jeff Taggart brought up the issue of how many miles of roads Were going to be used in Franklin. It will be approximately 8 miles. The trucks are to use the same roads coming in and going out of town. The town is seeking a $2,000,000 bond for the road use. They will stand behind the road cuttings and borings for 2 years. Jeff has also requested $60,000 for an engineering/ lawyer fund. Tim Robinson asked if the town had to refund any unused money from the fund. Jeff Taggart said that they do not have return the money.
Concerns were again raised about the pipeline and compressor station with regards to health issues. Also, what the construction hours of operation will be. Jeff Taggart will look into the hours of operation.
Don Smith made a motion at 8:50 p.m. to go into executive session. Garret Sitts seconded the motion. The Board returned from executive session at 9:25 p.m. Garret Sitts made a motion to return the excavator on October 26th. David Grant seconded the motion and all agreed.
Garret Sitts made a motion to sell the 2006 Chevy 1-ton pick-up truck and Autocar miscellaneous parts. David Grant seconded the motion and all agreed.
With no further business to come before the Board, Garret Sitts made a motion to adjourn the meeting. David Grant seconded the motion and all agreed. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.