Note to readers: The Town of Rockland Town Board and Livingston Manor School Board meeting reports for the month of December 2023 will not appear in the paper, but will be published here.
Buildings at 549 Old Rte. 17 to be demolished
By Marge Feuerstein | Manor Ink Mentor
Town Board meeting of Dec. 7
Absent: Councilman Andrew McRell
Hearing on Unsafe Buildings: The board appointed Peter DeVantier hearing officer for the structure at 549 Old Rte. 17. Owners of this property were on site at the time of the meeting. Kenneth Klein, attorney for the Town of Rockland, will compile all information about the property and will give it to the hearing officer who will decide what will happen with this extremely unsafe structure. A second structure behind Peck’s, at 18 Meadow Street, was discussed. The owner was not present for the inspection meeting. Permits were taken out to reroof the structure and more work than was permitted was done, so the building’s safety is unknown. The board decided to move forward with the unsafe building proceedings, and the hearing was closed at 7:30 p.m.
Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were passed.
Correspondence: Homeland Security and Emergency Services is offering an eight-hour course for tornado awareness. Details can be found at OEM.Trainig@dhses.ny.gov or by calling 518-292-2351. The county treasurers’ office has issued a list of properties that are up for foreclosure.
Old Business
A meeting was held with the Mike Preis Agency to review the town’s MVP or minimum-viable-product health plans. The town is looking at an 80/20 percent contribution. Under the new plan there would be no out-of-pocket cost to the employees due to proposed HRA funding. To retain employees the town will need to offer post-retirement health coverage after ten years of employment. The New York State Health Insurance Program offers dual coverage for both union and non-union employees. The town’s personnel policy will need to be changed at the board’s reorganizational meeting.
Resolutions Required: The following resolutions were required and were passed by the board.
Change the Town of Rockland’s health insurance to an MVP Insurance Policy.
Change the Town of Rockland’s personnel policy, effective Jan. 1, 2024, regarding health benefits for active and retired employees.
Pay Water and Sewer Dept. employee Devon Pagan an increase of $1.25 per hour, retroactive from Oct. 3, 2023.
New Business
The “request for a quote” or RFQ process has been completed and the board has decided to hire the civil engineering firm HVEA Engineers of Beacon, NY.
Two modifications to the highway budget were required.
Resolutions Required: The following resolutions were required and were passed by the board.
Award engineering services to HVEA Engineers.
Make two modifications to the highway budget.
Draft a letter to all Town of Rockland water-and-sewer customers with broken meters about estimated readings.
Department Heads: Chris Bury Water and Sewer: Minor repairs were made to the Roscoe sewage treat plant The department is considering replacing the whole system and is talking to a number of new vendors. Roger Decker, Highway: A demonstration of the new hotbox machine will take place on Dec. 28, turning old asphalt into usable blacktop again. The grizzly bars have been finished at a huge saving; they will help prevent employee injuries. Glenn Gabbard, Code Enforcement: Fire inspections on 85 percent of the town’s commercial buildings have been completed. Roscoe’s IGA grocery store has about 20 fire violations.
Resolution Required: The following resolution was passed by the board by roll-call vote.
Authorize the payment rate based on centerline miles for the contract year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, for the Town of Rockland.
Approval of Bills: The bills on Abstract #23 were approved.
Details of all dollar amounts, etc., can be found on the town’s website, townofrocklandny.com, under the minutes of Dec. 7.
Town Board Meeting of Dec. 21
Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Correspondence: A Christmas card was received from Sullivan 180. Catskill Art Society is having an open house on Dec. 29.
Old Business
At the previous board meeting, a hearing was held on two unsafe buildings in the town. Peter DeVantier was appointed hearing officer in charge of both locations. The owners of the home at 549 Old Rte. 17 met with Devantier and town attorney Kevin Klein at the property. After a review of the buildings, grounds and trash in the lot, it was determined that the property is a public hazard and nuisance, and that demolition would be required.
Eddie Doran, the owner of the structure at 18 Meadow St. did not appear at an earlier scheduled meeting but did attend the board meeting via Zoom. He explained that he had secured the building and most of the damage making it unsafe had been done by vandals. He claimed he was unaware that changes to its roof such as dormers would have required permits. He also agreed to submit plans for the work done without a permit and would allow an inspection of the interior after the first of the year. A determination on this property will wait until that review.
Resolution Required: The following resolution was required and passed by roll-call vote.
Demolish and remove all the buildings on the site at 549 Old Rte. 17 and clear all debris.
The town will continue researching a new site for the Roscoe water system. Five sites are under consideration. The Supervisor will meet with Bill Brown to discuss the options.
New Business
Kevin Cooke and Robyn Almquist have expressed interest in a position on the Zoning Board. The MVP insurance plan has been set up and employees should fill out applications with the town bookkeeper before the first of the year. The last board meeting of the year has been set for Dec. 28, at 9 a.m. The holiday party for the town employees will be held at town hall at noon on that day. A modification to the town budget is required.
Resolution Required: The following resolution was required and was passed by the board.
Modify the town budget to transfer funds from the general fund to allow payment of $13,800 for the replacement of ceiling tiles in town hall.
Public Comment: John Hendrix of Roscoe wanted to know why the lights off Rte. 17 still have not been fixed. Supervisor Rob Eggleton said they are trying to get answers from the state and NYSEG.
Department Heads: Chris Bury Water/Sewer: The department is ooking for new vendors for meters and software. Roger Decker, Highway: The new roller and hot box are in use. The department will probably need a new chipper next year, and may sell several old trucks to acquire a new one-ton vehicle. Glenn Gabbard, Code Enforcement:2023 has been the town’s busiest year ever, making it financially very good for the building department.
Approval of Bills: The bills on abstract #24 were approved.
Executive Session: At 7:30 p.m., the board went into executive session.
Details of all dollar amounts etc. can be found on the town’s website townofrocklandny.com under the minutes of Dec. 21.
LMCS and RCS sports merger to proceed
By Marge Feuerstein | Manor Ink Mentor
School Board Meeting of Dec. 20
Administrative Reports: Reports were given by Adam Larson, high school principal; Chris Hubert, elementary principal; Lauren Marrero, director of special services; David Eggleton, director of physical education; and Jeff Froehlich, business administrator. Specifics of these reports can be found in the minutes of the Dec. 20 meeting online.
Superintendent’s Presentation: The members of the award-winning LMCS combined girls soccer team received recognition for their first place in the OCIAA division. Director Eggleton presented each team member a certificate and a patch. Mr. Dahlmar, Roscoe board president, also congratulated the team and thanked the LMCS board for the opportunity afforded the girls. After a short break for refreshments, the regular board meeting resumed.
Supt. Evans then spoke to the board about the steps that will be necessary to allow for a full merger of sports with the Roscoe Central School. He requested the board take action that will direct him to approach Section IX and the OCIAA, requesting a policy change to allow the permanent merger. The Roscoe board has already voted on thi, but the Manor board must do so before they can proceed. A resolution by the board is required.
Public Comment: There were no comments from the public.
Action Items: The following items were unanimously passed by the board.
Minutes of the previous meeting, treasurer’s report, revenue status and budget appropriation reports.
Warrant, CSE-CPSE and Section 504 recommendations.
Ballot destruction, calendar change ( half-day for students on Dec. 22), budget calendar, Policy #6190 on workplace violence prevention, and apay raise for substitutes.
Vendor termination: Home Town Distribution, a purveyor of milk.
Acceptance of a number of donations.
Consent Agenda: The consent agenda was approved as presented.
The specifics of all action items and those in the consent agenda are not read aloud at meetings. However, all dollar amounts and specific details of action. items and the consent agenda can be found at lmcs.k12.ny.us under the minutes of Dec. 20.