Jerusalem town board 01/21/09

Meeting: The Jerusalem town board met for approximately two hours Jan. 21 followed by an executive session to discuss personnel matters. 

Attendance: All town council members were present. Ten members of the public were in the audience.

Action:  Approved signing an engagement letter for the worn audit with Raymond Wager CPA. The board discussed the possibility of putting the next audit out to bid. Simmons said, “It’s a $12,740 item. I’m not challenging that it’s not a good audit. After 10 years I’d like to see a new look at it. “ He said he was n ot in any way concern that something is being done wrong.

• Voted to put the 2009 audit out to bid.

• Approved an application from Doug Nichols for an Open Development area development off Sid White Road with the understanding that the private road must meet town requirements. The State Environmental Quality Review was also adopted for the project noting that based on the information there is no significant environmental impact on the town.

• Adopted the town investment policy. 

Discussion without action: Councilman Neil Simmons commended the highway department for their work during the recent ice storm. He said, “With 100  miles of road, all the hills and ice all over they kept all the trucks on the road. With the hazardous conditions they did a good job.” Prior to Simmons comments, highway superintendent Bob Payne reported his crews had mixed another 100 tons of salt and said. He said, “We had 1,000 tons mixed and used it all, but we got through the ice storm.”

• Heard a report on water and sewer from engineer for the town Wayne Ackart who noted the weather is the coldest in years and a few things may freeze up. Ackart said the Keuka Park system is 11 years old and the town will have to look at replacing the electronic control system. It was rebuilt in July 2008 at a cost of about $800, but parts are not available. Ackart also encouraged the town to make sure their insurance policy covers grinder pumps. 

• A list of projects has been prepared for President Obama’s stimulus program with a salt barn the number one priority.

• Supervisor Daryl Jones said he had spoken to Veterans Service Agency director Earle Gleason regarding a proposed tax exemption for Cold War veterans. After discussion the board agreed a survey would be the best way to determine how many veterans would be involved as well as the potential financial impact on the town.

• Subdivision subcommittee chairman Tom Close reported the group will meet in a couple of weeks to finalize details and a public meeting on the topic will be scheduled after that.

• Address Committee member Alice Hunt asked the board to confirm that addresses are a situation they would like to have pursued. She said she would like to see more people involved and wants people from Emergency Services at all meetings. Hunt said she would also like minutes to be taken at each meeting, concluding,, “I really want the public and the town board to say it’s something they want to see happen.” Councilman Ray Stewart said, “I still think it’s doable. We have spent too much time to just walk away. We need to sit down and work  out problems.” Jones added, “We have duplicate numbers and we can’t have that. We must have negotiations. My concern is that it is creating a lot of work for the town and emergency Services.” Simmons suggested a facilitator would assist in moving the project forward.

Bids/Purchases over $1,000: None

Appointments/Resignations: None

Upcoming meetings: The next regular meeting will be Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. in the town hall on Italy Hill in Branchport