Town of Ashland

12094 State Route 23

Ashland, New York 12407

Town Board Meeting

December 9, 2024

Attendance:

Supervisor Richard E Tompkins

Councilperson Scott Tuttle

Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez

Councilperson James Garraghan

Councilperson John Mattice

Town Clerk Dawn Thorp

Highway Superintendent Larry Tompkins

Attending: Barbara Cooke Co-Chair Planning Board, Howard Devennish

1-4] Supervisor Tompkins opened the Public Hearing with the Pledge to the American Flag at 7:32PM. He asked the Town Clerk to read the Hearing notice for the proposed Variance;

TOWN OF ASHLAND Notice is hereby Given: A Public Hearing will be held to consider a proposed variance of 30 feet, in a southern direction for a septic replacement, regarding set back in the Town of Ashland. The proposed variance is for Howard Devennish & Jordan Church,126 North Settlement Road (County Route 19), Town of Ashland. The hearing will be scheduled December 9, 2024, 7:30PM at the Ashland Town Hall, 12094 State Route 23, Ashland, New York 12407.  All parties will be heard at that time. By Order of the Town Board, Dawn Thorp Town Clerk Dated: November 25, 2024.

Mr. Devennish gave the Town clerk the mailings to the neighboring property owners. He gave the board the engineering plans, and the DEP septic approval. The board members reviewed the plans – asked a few questions- Motion made by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice to close the Public Hearing and open the regular meeting at 7:37pm. All in favor.

 

Supervisor Tompkins asked the Board and the floor if there were any questions or concerns. There were none. Supervisor Tompkins asked the board what they wanted to do regarding the Variance. Motion By Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez to grant the 30-foot variance in the southern direction as per the engineering plans, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice, motion, Adopted:  4 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan   0 Nay   1 Absent Tuttle.

5] Comments from the floor- There were none.

6] Tim Gonzalez Resignation: Motion to accept the resignation made by Councilperson Jim Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice, motion was Adopted: 3 Aye Tompkins-Garraghan- Mattice- 1 abstained Jeff Gonzalez   0 Nay 1 Absent Tuttle.

7:39pm Councilperson Scott Tuttle arrived

7] Notice to the board- Robert Myers Code Enforcement Officer is not seeking reappointment in 2025. He will be available to assist a new person in the position. He is keeping his credentials and will be available, should he be needed.  

8] Certificate of Residency Emma Drum: Motion by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle to approve the affidavit, and have Dawn, Town Clerk process it and return to the county. Motion, Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins-Tuttle-Gonzalez-Mattice-Garraghan-

0 Nay.

9] LVDV Operations, Inc.-Contract for Operator & Engineering Services Ashland Water District 2024-2025: The board reviewed the information, Councilperson Tuttle asked for clarification on the amounts in the columns involving extension, hourly and up to amount. Motion by Councilperson James Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, to stay with the hourly. Supervisor Tompkins will contact Henry to get clarification.  

10] Review the Mowing rates for sewer plant: tabled

11] Unknown email from rebkr84@aol.com: The board read the email regarding a property on County Route 4: It stated tons of garbage, truck load of garbage, mattress, and other debris. The board will investigate and visit this location, it is a fine line, but the board will see if it warrants the Code Enforcement officer to check it. 

12] Town Clerk’s November 2024 Report: After review by the board- Motion by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, seconded by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez to authorized the Supervisor to sign the report, motion, Adopted:  5 Aye Tompkins-Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

13] Ambulance Fees: The Board members reviewed the report, after reviewing the board members signed the report.

14- 20] Resolutions: All resolutions are signed and sealed in the office.

Town Board Resolutions:

TB#56 Sewer District delinquent 14 properties in the amount of $1,874.04, Motion made by Councilperson Jim Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle to authorize the list of properties. Adopted: Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins-Tuttle-Gonzalez-Mattice-Garraghan-0 Nay.

TB#57 Water Usage Properties 15 are delinquent in the amount of $4,183.60, Motion made by Councilperson Jim Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle to authorize the list of properties. Adopted: Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins-Tuttle-Gonzalez-Mattice-Garraghan-0 Nay.

TB#58 Water Debt Service Properties 15 are delinquent in the amount of $6,083.10, Motion made by Councilperson Jim Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle to authorize the list of properties. Adopted: Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins-Tuttle-Gonzalez-Mattice-Garraghan-0 Nay.

TB#59 Motion by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice to authorize the Supervisor to use $1666,61 from Highway unappropriated fund balance to balance 2024 accounts. Motion was; Adopted:  5 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

TB#60 Motion by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, seconded by Councilperson James Garraghan to authorize the Supervisor to use $8,182.47 from Water District unappropriated fund balance to balance 2024 accounts. Motion was; Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

TB#61 Motion by Councilperson James Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice to authorize the Supervisor to use $101.30 from St. Light District unappropriated fund balance to balance 2024 accounts. Motion, Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

TB#62 Motion by Councilperson James Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez to authorize the Supervisor to use $10,864.88 from General Fund unappropriated fund balance to balance 2024 accounts. Motion, Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

15] General Fund Resolution#13 Motion by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, seconded by Councilperson James Garraghan to authorize the Supervisor to balance 2024 accounts.  Motion, Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

16] Highway Fund Resolution#8 Motion by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle to authorize the Supervisor to balance 2024 accounts.  Motion, Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

17] Street Light Fund Resolution#2 Motion by Councilperson James Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice to authorize the Supervisor to balance 2024 accounts.  Motion, Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

18] Water District Resolution#10 Motion by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle to authorize the Supervisor to balance 2024 accounts.  Motion, Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

19] Sewer District Resolution#10 Motion by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice to authorize the Supervisor to balance 2024 accounts.  Motion, Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

20] Ambulance District Resolution#8 Motion by Councilperson Jeff Gonzalez, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice, to authorize the Supervisor to balance 2024 accounts.  Motion, Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

21] Grant for Veteran’s/Youth Update: Supervisor Tompkins advised the board the time limit was close, he spoke to the County administrator, since we are doing this in house, we will with their permission use the funds for all the equipment we need, he will work on that for tomorrow. Motion to agree to the equipment, by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice, motion, Adopted:  5 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

22] Records room Update:  Supervisor Tompkins reported to the board he received a quote of $5,000.00 To insulate.

For Information:

23] Peckham Industries, Inc. sent the anticipated 1/1/2025 pricing Increase of 10% for purchases in 2025.

24]Greene County Legislators Resolution: This is for Mortgage Tax to each of the towns in Greene County: The Board reviewed the resolution.

25]Windham Rotary- The town received a Thank you from the Windham Rotary for the 12th Annual Cancer Aide Car Show that took place in August at Ashland Town Park. They are including others to help them, they do not have enough

26] Columbia Greene Humane Society-Annual Contract: Motion by Councilperson Jim Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice to authorize the Supervisor to sign the contract, motion, Adopted:  5 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

27] Water Extension Pressure &Chlorine testing: Supervisor Tompkins said he was informed the testing will be done this week possibly Thursday.

For review by the Board: WWTP Monthly Report- Water District Reports- Planning Board minutes and Town Board minutes.

Motion to go into Executive Session regarding personnel at 8:14pm by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, seconded by Councilperson Jim Garraghan, all in favor motion carried.

Motion to go out of Executive Session at 8:36pm and return to the regular town board meeting by Councilman Jim Garraghan, seconded Councilperson John Mattice, all in favor motion carried.

Motion by Councilperson seconded by Councilperson to the following rates for hourly employees for the first payroll in 2025: The Ambulance hourly people will be rated at $22.00 per hour. Court Clerk will receive $1.00 per hour increase. All other hourly people will receive an increase of $1.00 per hour; Diane Cross, Heather Younes, Jordan Braren, Tom Mattice, Roseanne Cross, and Joe Stern, motion was; Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice-Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

Pay Warrant Bills:

Motion by Councilperson James Garraghan, seconded by Councilperson Scott Tuttle to accept and pay the bills as written- motion, Adopted: 5 Aye Tompkins- Gonzalez-Mattice- Garraghan-Tuttle 0 Nay

General Fund Warrant #12- 45 Claims $24,183.91, Highway Fund Warrant #12-13 Claims $ 6,847.13,

Streetlight Fund Warrant#12-1 Claim-$190.60, Ambulance Fund Warrant#12-14 Claims $4,925.97 

Water District Fund Warrant#12-11 Claims-$8,493.35, and WWTP District Fund Warrant#12-14 Claims $48,494.73.

No further business, Motion by Councilperson Scott Tuttle, seconded by Councilperson John Mattice to close the meeting at 8:55PM, all in favor, motion carried.

 

Dawn J Thorp,

Town Clerk

Dated: December 9, 2024