Board of Trustees
VILLAGE OF MILLERTON
Regular Meeting
September 27, 2010
The regular meeting of the Village of Millerton Board of Trustees was held on Monday,
September 27, 2010 at 7:00pm at the Village Hall, 21 Dutchess Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546
with Mayor John Scutieri presiding. Trustees present: Marty Markonic, Debra Middlebrook,
Yosh Schulman and Jay Reynolds. Also present: Karen P. McLaughlin - Treasurer/Deputy
Clerk, Amber Jordan - Clerk, Richard Howard – Police Chief, Larry Merwin – Highway/Water,
Ray Jurkowski – Morris Associates and Michael Hayes – Village Attorney with Daniels and
Porco. Also present: Betsey McCall, Eugene DeFlories, Nicki Russell, Cathy Fenn, Jan Gilmor
and Marty Reynolds.
Treasurer’s Report (Period Ending August 31, 2010)
BALANCE BALANCE
08/01/10 RECEIPTS DISBURSED 08/31/10
General Fund Savings $254,637.59 $39,479.35 $70,383.04 $223,733.90
Capital Reserve Fund 34,446.61 14.16 0.00 34,460.77
Water Fund Savings 38,705.58 21,911.54 16,723.18 43,893.94
Planning Board Escrow 6,752.88 0.00 0.00 6,752.88
Trust 4,880.51 45,898.04 46,869.26 3,909.29
Accounts Payable 2,481.38 40,428.18 42,369.37 540.19
TOTAL $341,904.55 $147,731.27 $176,344.85 $313,290.97
EXPENSE CONTROL REPORT
An Expense Control Report has been submitted to include expenses
through this meeting dated September 27, 2010.
QUARTERLY WATER BILLING
The 3rd quarter water bills will be sent out the first week in October.
FYE 5-31-2010
The BAN for the Waterline Project debt was more than anticipated.
$72,087.32 BAN for 5 years $14,407.20
Meter Installation BAN in the amount of $12,142 will be paid off this year.
Suggestions for sidewalk on Fish Street
ANNUAL REPORT
The Annual Report has been filed with the NYS Comptrollers.
The major points are as follows:
Debt from Water to General over the last 3 years
2008 -$72,120 2009 -$42,555 2010 -$8909
Fund Balance
General Fund $203,391 Water Fund $10,249
Motion made to go out to BAN for Waterline Project debt of $87,087.32 to include
$15,000.00 for Sidewalk Replacement by Trustee Reynolds, second by Trustee
Schulman, all were in favor and motion was passed.
Motion made to move the revenue received from the Verizon Water Tower Contract of
four (4) payments to the F Fund and deposit future payments in the Water Fund by
Trustee Markonic, second by Trustee Schulman, all were in favor and motion was passed.
Minute for Approval – Motion made by Trustee Markonic approving the minutes of June 21,
2010 and July 19, 2010 as presented by clerk, second by Trustee Middlebrook, all were in favor
and motion was passed.
Morris Associates Engineer Ray Jurkowski – CDBG 2010 Sidewalk BID’s
Mr. Ray Jurkowski with Morris Associates presented to the Village Board the results of Bid’s
opened on September 17, 2010 for the 2010 Community Development Block Grant Sidewalk
received. (Bid list attached). The Board discussed in detail different sidewalks to be included
Photo Voltaic Solar Installation DRAFT document for system to be installed for the ground up
structure, under ground conduit to the building and panels placed as illustrated. Motion made to
allow the Bid’s to be approved by Trustee Schulman, second by Trustee Reynolds, all were in
favor and motion was passed.
CDBG (Community Development Block Grant)
RESOLUTION 2010-23
AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2010 DUTCHESS
COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
APPLICATION
PROJECT: Sidewalk Replacement
WHEREAS, the Village of Millerton is participating in the Dutchess County Community
Development Consortium for Fiscal Year 2011, and
WHEREAS, input from citizens and groups has been received and considered, and
WHEREAS, an application has been prepared, which addresses our community
concerns.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Dutchess County Community
Development Consortium Facial Year 2011 application for the Village of Millerton including the
certifications included therein by and hereby is approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the submission of said application to the Dutchess
County Department of Planning and Development be and hereby is authorized.
MOTION MADE BY: Trustee Marty Markonic
SECONDED BY: Trustee Debra Middlebrook
Reports from Department Heads
Highway/Water Larry Merwin reported that the upgrade for a water line at John
Street (M&T Bank) and Ray Nelson of Simmons Street. The Board discussed the
reason for the change and who pays for the improvement. Mayor Scutieri expressed
that the Water Committee should review and discuss the possibility of updating or
adding to the Village Code. The leaves appear to be falling early and the Board
discussed placing the box on the Truck for leaf pick-up. Highway crew will move
forward on the installation once it appears necessary.
Police – Motion made to re-appointed Chief Richard Howard as of September 29,
2010 by Trustee Middlebrook, second by Trustee Reynolds, all were in favor and
motion was passed. Halloween curfew was discussed. Motion made setting a curfew
on October 31, 2010 of 9:00pm for the ages of 16 years of age and younger by
Trustee Reynolds, second by Trustee Markonic, all were in favor and motion was
passed.
Planning Board – No one present.
Recreation – No one present.
Committee Reports
Marty Markonic reported that he was going to move forward on plugging the pool
and finding where the leaks may be.
Yosh Schulman discussed with the foundation of Community Health out of Sharon,
Connecticut addressing the transportation issue and how the loop has been cut off to
our area. There will be a 2 year phase of a program being implemented to inform
people of what is available and make official vehicle routes.
Debra Middlebrook nothing to report.
Jay Reynolds – Prevent Blindness would like to do a vision screening in conjunction
with the “Fall for Arts” event on October 23, 2010 in the Village Park. Motion made
allowing Prevent Blindness to hold a vision screening test with naming the Village of
Millerton Additional Insurance for $1,000,000.00 being met by Trustee Markonic,
second by Trustee Middlebrook, all were in favor and motion was passed.
Attorney’s Report
Worked jointly with Treasurer Karen McLaughlin and Clerk Amber Jordan on BAN
documents.
Worked jointly with Police Chief Howard about returning guns from a request.
Sidewalks Code and the process of which a problem is to be addressed by
maintenance, such as snow and ice, dirt and filth, and any other obstruction can be
contacted and given a thirty (30) notice. Trustee Middlebrook is looking for guidance
on the damage that is done to the sidewalk in front of Kamilla’s. Attorney Hayes
stated that if the property is in foreclosure, you would charge back to the new owner.
Unsafe Building Law – Village Code Chapter 72 states that the property owner has to
be notified and the chance to due process.
Town of North East Contracts
Police
Recreation
Village committees for Police and Recreations will review and discuss any changes that may
need to be addressed.
Abstract 2010-2011: Vouchers #2011126 to #2011177
General Fund $ 55,421.13
Water Fund $ 18,552.35
CD $ 217.60
H $ 7,279.80
Motion made approving the bills of Abstract 2010-2011: Vouchers #2011126 to #2011177
General Fund $55,421.13, Water Fund $18,552.35, CD Fund $217.60 and H Fund $7,279.80 by
Trustee Markonic, second by Trustee Schulman, all were in favor and motion was passed.
Visitor – Wakeman Road issue…
Resident Nicki Russell presented to the Village Board pictures of a possible drainage issue
starting on Reservoir Road and ending on Wakeman Road were her driveway is. The board
discussed with the Village Attorney. Clerk Jordan will assist by providing deeds/titles of parcels
adjacent to the roads to have the Attorney review for possible owner of issue presented.
Assessor’s Report to Village Board as reported by Katherine Johnson -
September 2010
As I reported in June, there have been several updates to the current exemption laws that you can
adopt for the Village. Any change this Board makes would only affect the Village tax bill.
NYS Real Property Tax Law §467 - Senior Citizen Exemption
This law allows municipalities, by local law, ordinance or resolution, to increase the maximum
income level allowed to qualify for the exemption by $1,000. Currently, a senior’s total income
must be less than $36,400 to qualify. We may increase this to $37,400.
The Town Board adopted the increase to the proposed levels below.
Current Levels:
Annual Income Percentage of Exemption
Less Than $ 28,000 50%
Between $ 28,000 And $ 29,000 45%
Between $ 29,000 And $ 30,000 40%
Between $ 30,000 And $ 31,000 35%
Between $ 31,000 And $ 31,900 30%
Between $ 31,900 And $ 32,800 25%
Between $ 32,800 And $ 33,700 20%
Between $ 33,700 And $ 34,600 15%
Between $ 34,600 And $ 35,500 10%
Between $ 35,500 And $ 36,400 5%
$ 36,400 Or More No Exemption
Proposed increase:
Annual Income Percentage of Exemption
Less Than $ 29,000 50%
Between $ 29,000 And $ 30,000 45%
Between $ 30,000 And $ 31,000 40%
Between $ 31,000 And $ 32,000 35%
Between $ 32,000 And $ 32,900 30%
Between $ 32,900 And $ 33,800 25%
Between $ 33,800 And $ 34,700 20%
Between $ 34,700 And $ 35,600 15%
Between $ 35,600 And $ 36,500 10%
Between $ 36,500 And $ 37,400 5%
$ 37,400 Or More No Exemption
We currently have 20 properties that qualify for the Senior Exemption. Increasing the levels on
this exemption would have moved each senior into a higher percentage on the scale. The saving
would be an additional 5% off their assessed value for an average savings of about $45 per
senior (based on the 2010 tax rate).
NYS Real Property Tax Law §458-b - Cold War Veterans
The state legislature has passed a law increasing the options for this exemption. By local law,
we may increase the value of the exemption from the levels we have originally chosen (15% of
assessed value to a maximum of $12,000/$40,000 for disabled veterans) all the way to the levels
we have chosen for the Alternative Veterans exemption ($27,000/$90,000).
The Town Board adopted the change to the Cold War Veterans exemption to increase the
maximum value of the exemption to that of the Alternate Veterans exemption.
Current Levels:
Percentage off Assessed Value To a Maximum of
Basic 15% $ 12,000
Disability 50% of the Disability Rating $ 40,000
Can increase to levels of the Alternate Veterans Exemption or anywhere in between:
Percentage off Assessed Value To a Maximum of
Basic 15% $ 27,000
Disability 50% of the Disability Rating $ 90,000
We currently have 3 properties that have applied for and receive the basic Cold War Veterans
Exemption. There are none that receive the disabled Cold War Veterans Exemption. Increasing
the levels on this exemption would have resulted in each exemption holder paying about $70 less
on their Village taxes (based on the 2010 tax rate).
I ask that you adopt these two changes to the exemption laws as proposed. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Katherine Johnson
Assessor
Motion made to hold a public hearing October 18, 2010 @ 7:05pm for NYS Real Property Tax
Law §467 - Senior Citizen Exemption to be amended by local law to increase the maximum
income level allowed to qualify for the exemption by $1,000 and NYS Real Property Tax Law
§458-b - Cold War Veterans increasing the value of the exemption from the levels we have
originally chosen (15% of assessed value to a maximum of $12,000/$40,000 for disabled
veterans) all the way to the levels we have chosen for the Alternative Veterans exemption
($27,000/$90,000) by Trustee Reynolds, second by Trustee Markonic, all were in favor and
motion was passed.
Alcohol Chapter 57 – Amendment
Mayor Scutieri stated that the “Fall for Arts” is coming up as stated by Jan Gilmor. The Village
of Millerton does have the right to lift the open container law for the event. This would be
accomplished by Local Law. Motion made to hold a Public Hearing to Amending Chapter 57 -
Alcohol at 7:10pm on October 18, 2010 by Trustee Markonic, second by Trustee Schulman, all
were in favor and motion was passed.
Other
Resident Jan Gilmor stated that the Rail Trail Parking sign needs to be relocated and/or more
signage for the Rail Trail Parking or Public Parking. The board discussed the option of placing a
sign on the Rail Trail informing the public of the new parking on South Center Street.
Adjourn
Motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:44pm by Trustee Markonic, second by Trustee
Schulman, all board members approved and motion was passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Amber Jordan
Clerk
Next Meeting: Regular Meeting October 18, 2010 at 7:00pm.