MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE RAMAPO TOWN BOARD HELD ON JULY 11, 2007

 

The Town Board of the Town of Ramapo convened in Regular Session on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 in the Edwin Wallace Auditorium of Ramapo Town Hall, 237 Route 59, Suffern, New York.

 

Supervisor Christopher P. St. Lawrence called the meeting to order and Town Clerk, Christian G. Sampson called the roll.  The following board members were present and answered to their names:

 

          Present:          Supervisor               Christopher P. St. Lawrence

                                   Councilwoman        Frances M. Hunter

                                   Councilman             Edward Friedman

                                   Councilman             David J. Stein

 

                                   Town Attorney        Michael L. Klein

                                   Town Clerk             Christian G. Sampson

 

          Absent:           Councilman             Harry Reiss

 

Councilman David J. Stein led the assembled group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT: APPOINTMENT OF POLICE CHIEF

The following resolution was moved by Councilman Friedman, seconded by Councilwoman Hunter and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007-415

     WHEREAS, Peter F. Brower has been Acting Police Chief at the Town of Ramapo Police Department, and

     WHEREAS, Peter F. Brower’s name is on Civil Service List No. 03036, and

     WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to appoint Peter F. Brower Permanent Police Chief,

     WHEREAS the terms of employment are hereby contained in a Memorandum of Agreement dated July, 2007, a copy of which is on file in the Town Clerk’s office, and

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that the Board does hereby appoint Peter F. Brower, 237 Route 59 Suffern, New York Permanent Police Chief,  effective July 12, 2007 at the annual salary of $180,754, and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute the above referenced Memorandum of Agreement.

SOURCE OF FUNDS: OPERATING BUDGET 3120AB:3100

 

 

RECLASSIFY GROUNDSWORKER TO ASSISTANT MAINTENANCE MECHANIC – PARKS & RECREATION

The following resolution was moved by Councilman Stein, seconded by Councilman Friedman and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

 

Resolution No.  2007-416

     WHEREAS, the Director of Parks & Recreation has recommended the re-classification of the position of Groundsworker  to Assistant Maintenance Mechanic at the Town of Ramapo Department of  Parks & Recreation, and

     WHEREAS, the Rockland County Personnel Office has classified the position of Assistant Maintenance Mechanic,

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that the Board authorizes the establishment of the position of Assistant Maintenance Mechanic.

SOURCE OF FUNDS:   OPERATING BUDGET 7110A.3100

 

 

 

 

APPOINT ASSISTANT MAINTENANCE MECHANIC – PARKS & RECREATION

The following resolution was moved by Councilwoman Hunter, seconded by Councilman Stein and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007-417

     WHEREAS, there is a vacancy in the position of Assistant Maintenance Mechanic at the Town of Ramapo Parks and Recreation Department, and

     WHEREAS, The Director of Parks and Recreation has made the following recommendation,

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that the Board does hereby appoint John Belowch, Suffern, New York, Assistant Maintenance Mechanic effective July 16, 2007 at the annual salary of $47,310.

SOURCE OF FUNDS: 7110A:3100 OPERATING BUDGET

 

 

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES

The following resolution was moved by Councilwoman Hunter, seconded by Councilman Friedman and unanimously adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

                                                Resolution No. 2007-418

     RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that the following Minutes of the Ramapo Town Board be hereby approved, adopted and recorded in the Minute Book:

June 27, 2007 – Regular

 

 

ACCEPTANCE OF JUSTICE COURT AUDIT – 2006

The following resolution was moved by Councilman Friedman, seconded by Councilwoman Hunter and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007 –419

     WHEREAS, Section 2019-a of the Uniform Justice Court Act requires that Town Justices annually provide their court records and dockets to the Town Board and that such records be audited by the Town Board and the audit be entered into the minutes of the Board, and

     WHEREAS, the Town Board retained O’Connor Davies Munns & Dobbins, LLP by its Bennett Kielson Storch DeSantis Division to perform an audit of the Town Justice Court as well as the entire Town, and

     WHEREAS, said audit, dated April 20, 2007, was presented to the Town Board for its review and acceptance,

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that it hereby accepts for filing the audit of the Town, dated April 20, 2007, for the year ending December 31, 2006.

 

 

RESCISSION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2006-576: REVIEW OF TRAFFIC STUDY FOR PALISADES RIDGE SUBDIVISION

At the regular meeting of the Ramapo Town Board held on July 11, 2007, the following resolution was moved by Councilman Stein, seconded by Councilman Friedman and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

 

Resolution No. 2007 –420

     WHEREAS, the Town Board, by Resolution No. 2006-576, retained Vollmer Associates, LLP to review the traffic study submitted by Toll Brothers with respect to the Palisades Ridge Subdivision, and

     WHEREAS, Frederick P. Clarke Associates reviewed the above traffic study on behalf of the Town,

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that Resolution No. 2006-576 is hereby rescinded.

 

 

APPOINTMENT OF VILLAGE CLERK OF SLOATSBURG AS MARRIAGE OFFICER

The following resolution was moved by Councilwoman Hunter, seconded by Councilman Stein and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007-421

     WHEREAS, Chapter 49 of the Laws of 1988 amended the New York State Domestic Relations Law to permit the governing body of a town, commencing January 1, 1989, to appoint one (1) or more marriage officers, who would have the authority to solemnize marriages within the territory of the town which makes the appointment.

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that the Board does hereby appoint Sloatsburg Village Clerk, Thomas Bollatto, Jr. to serve as a marriage officer in the Town of Ramapo for Saturday, October 20, 2007.

 

 

MARRIAGE OFFICER FEE

The following resolution was moved by Councilman Friedman, seconded by Councilman Stein and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007 -422

     WHEREAS, the Town Board by previous resolutions, has established a marriage

ceremony fee in the amount of $60 for all persons who use Marriage Officers appointed by the Town Board, with said fees to be allocated to the Town’s Commemoration Fund

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that effective July 11, 2007, the marriage ceremony fee shall apply only to those marriages performed during the Town’s regular business hours, and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any fee charged for marriages performed by Town Marriage Officers outside of regular Town business hours shall be subject to the provisions of the New York State Domestic Relations Law and, if assessed, shall be retainable by the marriage officer.

 

 

SETTLEMENT OF CERTIORARI ACTION: ASSOCIATION OF PROPERTY OWNERS AT PINE GROVE LAKES, INC.

The following resolution was moved by Councilman Stein, seconded by Councilman Friedman and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

 

Resolution No. 2007 –423

     WHEREAS, the Town Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Assessor have recommended that the following certiorari matter be settled:

 

ASSOCIATION OF PROPERTY OWNERS AT PINE GROVE LAKES, INC.

                                                                        Original                       Corrected

Tax Year                     Section/Lot                 Assessment                Assessment

2005/06                       30.78-2-41                  $2,600                         $   290

2005/06                       39.22-1-9                    $1,500                         $   172

2005/06                       39.22-1-10                  $7,500                         $   862

2005/06                       39.31-1-9                    $9,500                         $1,092

2005/06                       39.29-2-15                  $4,600                         $   529

2005/06                       39.29-2-3                    $9,100                         $1,046

 

     WHEREAS, Scott Shedler, the Town Assessor, concurs with the above recommendation,

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that the Town Attorney be hereby authorized to settle the above matter, and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that settlement is subject to approval by the Ramapo Central School District, and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that refunds can only be made when the Petitioner is current on all tax liability.

 

 


SETTLEMENT OF CERTIORARI ACTION: CONGREGATION KOLEL BNEI BRAK

The following resolution was moved by Councilman Friedman, seconded by Councilwoman Hunter and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007 – 424

     WHEREAS, the Town Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Assessor have recommended that the following certiorari matter be settled:

 

CONGREGATION KOLEL BNEI BRAK

                                                                        Original                       Corrected

Tax Year                     Section/Lot                 Assessment                Assessment

2005/06                       50.70-1-29                  $64,900                       $64,900*

 

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that the Town Attorney be hereby authorized to settle the above matter, and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that refunds can only be made when the Petitioner is current on all tax liability.

* Property shall be 67% exempt

 

 

SETTLEMENT OF CERTIORARI ACTION: CONGREGATON TIFERETH ISRAEL

The following resolution was moved by Councilman Stein, seconded by Councilwoman Hunter and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007 – 425

     WHEREAS, the Town Attorney’s Office has recommended that the following certiorari matter be settled:

 

CONGREGATION TIFERETH ISRAEL

                                                                        Original                       Corrected

Tax Year                     Section/Lot                 Assessment                Assessment

2006/07                       56.14-2-3                    $52,700                       $52,700*

 

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that the Town Attorney be hereby authorized to settle the above matter, and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that refunds can only be made when the Petitioner is current on all tax liability.

* Property shall be 100% exempt

 

 

SETTLEMENT OF CERTIORARI ACTION: CONGREGATION CHASDEI AVOS, INC.

The following resolution was moved by Councilman Friedman, seconded by Councilman Stein and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007 – 426

     WHEREAS, the Town Attorney’s Office has recommended that the following certiorari matter be settled:

CONGREGATION CHASDEI AVOS, INC.

                                                                        Original                       Corrected

Tax Year                     Section/Lot                 Assessment                Assessment

2004/05                       56.11-1-35                  $42,700                       $42,700*

2004/05                       56.11-2-44                  $58,500                       $58,500*

2004/05                       56.5-2-43                    $30,600                       $30,600*

 

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that the Town Attorney be hereby authorized to settle the above matter, and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that refunds can only be made when the Petitioner is current on all tax liability.

* Property shall be 50% exempt

EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT: BUILDING PLANS REVIEW SERVICES

The following resolution was moved by Councilman Stein, seconded by Councilwoman Hunter and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007 –427

     WHEREAS, the Town Board, by Resolution No. 2007-104, retained Lee Derario, 1 Wilbur Road, Suffern, New York, to assist the Building Department in its review of building plans, and

     WHEREAS, the Town Board, by Resolution No. 2007-264, extended the above agreement to July 31, 2007, and

     WHEREAS, the Town Board, by Resolution No. 2007-333, amended the above agreement by increasing the number of permissible hours from twenty to thirty hours per week at a fee of $100 per hour,

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that it hereby extends the agreement with Lee Derario to assist the Building Department in its review of building plans for the period August 1, 2007 through August 31, 2007 for up to thirty hours per week at $100 per hour, and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute an extension agreement with Lee Derario in a form approved by the Town Attorney’s Office.

Source of Funds:  3620B.3452

 

 

ACCEPTANCE OF BID – PURCHASE OF CLOCKS

The following resolution was moved by Supervisor St. Lawrence, seconded by Councilman Friedman and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007-428

     WHEREAS, the Town Attorney’s Office of the Town of Ramapo has solicited bids for the Purchase and Installation of Six Four-Sided Clocks, and

     WHEREAS, these bids were received by the Town Clerk of the Town of Ramapo and opened on July 10, 2007, in accordance with the provisions of the law, and

     WHEREAS, the Town Attorney’s Office recommends the acceptance of the bid submitted by The I. T. Verdin Company,

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that the bid submitted by The I.T. Verdin Company of 444 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45202 for:

            Quantity: Six (6) 16’ x 7 3/16”              $173,050.00

            4-Sided Street Clocks, Installed

 

            Add Alternate 1: Maintenance               $10,650.00

be hereby approved and accepted, and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that the Supervisor is hereby authorized to sign an agreement with The I.T. Verdin Company in a form approved by the Town Attorney’s Office.

SOURCE OE FUNDS: CAPITAL  5197H33.3240

 

 

APPOINTMENT OF TOWN CSEA NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE

The following resolution was moved by Councilwoman Hunter, seconded by Councilman Stein and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007 –429

     WHEREAS,  the Town of Ramapo has been advised by the Town of Ramapo Unit #8358 of the Civil Service Employment Association that it wishes to commence negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement with the Town of Ramapo,

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that it hereby appoints the following persons to the Town of Ramapo’s CSEA contract negotiations committee:

 

                                    Jack Schloss, Esq., Chairperson

                                    Ilan Schoenberger, Esq.

                                    Nat Oberman

                                    Linda Condon

                                    Tony Sharan

                                    All Department Heads, as needed

 

 

DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY: REPAIR OF EQUESTRIAN CENTER BRIDGE

The following resolution was moved by Councilman Friedman, seconded by Councilwoman Hunter and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007 –430

     WHEREAS, Edward P. Dzurinko, Director of The Department of Public Works, has advised the Town Board that the decking on the bridge at the Ramapo Equestrian Center is in poor condition and needs to be immediately repaired, and

     WHEREAS, failure to repair said bridge immediately would result in a hazardous condition to persons and vehicles utilizing the bridge for access to the Center,

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that pursuant to Section 103 of the General Municipal Law, the Town Board hereby declares an emergency necessitating the immediate repair of the Equestrian Center bridge without compliance with the bidding requirements of the above Section, and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby accepts the proposal of E. Daskal Corp., 15 Washington Avenue, Suffern, New York, to provide for the emergency repair of the above bridge in the amount of $22,800 together with $7,000 for the cost of the rental of steel plates, total cost of $29,800.

Source of Funds:  5197H36.34460

 

 

APPROVAL OF REQUEST FOR REFUND OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW FEE

The following resolution was moved by Councilwoman Hunter, seconded by Councilman Friedman and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007 – 431

     WHEREAS, Cheskel Landau, by letter dated May 30, 2007, has requested a refund of an architectural review fee with respect to 37 Decatur Avenue, Monsey, New York, and

     WHEREAS, Richard Ackerson, Deputy Town Attorney – Planning and Zoning, has reviewed the request and recommends that $96.00 of the above fee not be refunded,

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that it hereby authorizes Ilan Schoenberger, the Director of Finance, to refund the $404.00 of the above fee.

 

 

APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT: COUNTYWIDE INTEROPERABLE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM – COUNTY OF ROCKLAND

At the regular meeting of the Ramapo Town Board held on July 11, 2007, the following resolution was moved by Councilwoman Hunter, seconded by Councilman Friedman and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

 

Resolution No. 2007 – 432

     WHEREAS, the County of Rockland wishes to establish a County-wide Public Safety Communications System, which would allow public safety personnel of the County, Towns, Villages, fire districts and ambulance corps in Rockland County to communicate directly with each other during County-wide public safety incidences and during cross-jurisdictional incidences, and

     WHEREAS, in order to implement and deploy such a County-wide Interoperable Public Safety Communications System, it is necessary that the County of Rockland purchase and pay the full cost of the infrastructure of the System as well as the full cost of the System’s subscriber equipment, and

     WHEREAS, it will be necessary that the County and the Towns, Villages and fire districts in Rockland County enter into Intermunicipal Agreements for the County of Rockland to provide the aforementioned equipment and the for Towns, Village and fire districts to undertake certain obligations and commitments towards the County of Rockland,

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that it hereby agrees to enter into an Intermunicipal Agreement with a fifteen- year (15) term with the County of Rockland for the purchase of equipment by the County for the Town in order for the implementation of a County-wide Interoperable Public Safety Communication System, and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute an Agreement with the County of Rockland in a form approved by the Town Attorney’s Office.

 

 

APPROVAL OF HYDRANT

The following resolution was moved by Councilman Friedman, seconded by Councilwoman Hunter and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007 - 433

                  Whereas, Tom Buckley, the Fire Inspector of the Town of Ramapo, is in receipt of a proposal from United Water New York for the installation of one (1) hydrant in the Village of Wesley Hills, Town of Ramapo, New York  as listed below:

           

Hydrant # X11132 – south side of Pomona Lane, corner of McNamara  Road

 

     Whereas, Tom Buckley, Ramapo Fire Inspector and Chris Kear, Wesley Hills Fire                       Inspector, recommend that said proposal be accepted,

     Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that Tom                   Buckley, the Fire Inspector, is hereby authorized to accept the proposal of United Water New York to install the above fire hydrant with respect to the above location.

 

 

APPROVAL OF HYDRANT

The following resolution was moved by Councilman Stein, seconded by Councilwoman Hunter and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007 - 434

                  Whereas, Tom Buckley, the Fire Inspector of the Town of Ramapo, is in receipt of a proposal from United Water New York for the installation of one (1) hydrant in the Village of Wesley Hills, Town of Ramapo, New York  as listed below:

           

Hydrant #X11142 – north side of Sherri Lane approx. 50’ east of Plank Road

 

      Whereas, Tom Buckley, the Fire Inspector, and Chris Kear, Wesley Hills Fire Inspector, recommend that said proposal be accepted,

       Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that Tom                  Buckley, the Fire Inspector, is hereby authorized to accept the proposal of United Water New York to install the above fire hydrant with respect to the above location.

 

 

APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING BOARD MEMBER

The following resolution was moved by Councilwoman Hunter, seconded by Councilman Stein and adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007-435

     Resolved by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that the following named person be hereby appointed to serve as a member of the TOWN OF RAMAPO PLANNING BOARD, such term to expire July 18, 2014:

 

                                                    BRENDEL LOGAN

                                                HILLCREST, NEW YORK

 

 

OPEN PERIOD FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

No one wished to address the Town Board this evening.

The following resolution was moved by Councilwoman Hunter, seconded by Councilman Friedman and unanimously adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

Resolution No. 2007-436

     RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that the Open Period for Public Participation held this evening, July 11, 2007, be hereby closed at 10:10 PM.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

The following resolution was moved and seconded by the entire Town Board and unanimously adopted by those board members present, with Councilman Reiss absent:

                                                           

                                                Resolution No. 2007-437

     RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo that the Regular Meeting was adjourned in memory of Lillian Klein, mother of Ramapo Town Attorney, Michael Klein, who passed away on July 2, 2007.  Mrs. Klein, a resident of the Town of Ramapo for more than four decades, was dedicated to serving her community. She was a long time member and Past-President of the National Council of Jewish Women and was an active member of Temple Beth El in Spring Valley.

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                Christian G. Sampson

                                                                                                Town Clerk