Minutes of 01.17.2022
A regular meeting of the Town of Denmark Town Board was held on January 17, 2022, at the Town of Denmark Municipal Building. A Zoom meeting connection was provided for the interested public to attend the meeting remotely if they wished. The NYS Tug Hill Commission offered their assistance and expertise to set up the meeting for the Town of Denmark Town Board. The link for the meeting was posted on the Town of Denmark website, the three US Post Offices located in the Town and was provided to the media.
The meeting was opened by Supervisor Doyle at 6:00pm. Councilman Wadsworth led those in attendance in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
| In attendance were the following officials:
Councilman Fred Wadsworth Councilman Frank Fazio Supervisor Scott Doyle Councilman Peter Jones Councilwoman Darlene Rowsam Town Clerk Prudence Greene Supt. of Highways Patrick Mahar Assessor William Vargulick, exits meeting at 6:19pm
|
Also in attendance:
Justice Thomas Kiernan, enters at 6:27pm, exits at 6:42pm Raymond Taylor, exits at 6:02pm Deputy Supt. James Der Cindy Doyle
Attending remotely: Kim Vogt, Trustee Village of Copenhagen Mickey Dietrich, Tug Hill Nicholas Astafan, Town of Denmark Dog Control Officer Deputy Town Clerk Susan Kirch-Corey Sandra Jones |
Clerk Greene conducted a roll call of the Town of Denmark Town Board. All members were present.
Public Comment: None
Retired Justice Raymond Taylor was presented with a plaque, purchased with personal contributions from the elected officials of the town, to commemorate his 30 years of service as a Justice for the Denmark Town Court.
Councilman Fazio made a motion to accept the agenda for the meeting. His motion was seconded by Councilman Wadsworth.
Roll Call Vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye
Councilman Wadsworth made a motion, seconded by Councilman Jones to accept the minutes of December 20, 2021, as prepared by Deputy Town Clerk Susan Kirch-Corey.
Roll Call Vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye
Councilman Fazio made a motion, seconded by Councilman Wadsworth to accept the minutes of the January 1, 2022, Organizational meeting.
Roll Call Vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye
Abstracts of bills:
Councilman Fazio offered a resolution, seconded for adoption by Councilman Jones as follows:
Resolution 23 0f 2022: Town of Denmark Town Board approves payments of General Fund Abstract # 651, dated January 17, 2022, claim #’s 1-26, Total of all claims $17,128.81
Roll call vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye Resolution 23 adopted 01/17/2022.
Councilman Wadsworth offered a resolution, seconded for adoption by Councilwoman Rowsam as follows:
Resolution 24 0f 2022: Town of Denmark Town Board approves payments of Water District 1 Abstract #76, dated January 17, 2022, claim # 1, Total of all claims $25.00.
Roll call vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye Resolution 24 adopted 01/17/2022.
Councilman Wadsworth offered a resolution, seconded for adoption by Councilwoman Rowsam as follows:
Resolution 25 Of 2022: Town of Denmark Town Board approves payments Highway Department Abstract #693, dated January 17, 2022, claim #’s 1-26, total of all claims $34,714.53.
Roll call vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye Resolution 25 adopted 01/17/2022.
Discussion was held on the Workers Compensation bill payable to Lewis County.
Department Reports:
Dog Control: DCO Astafan provided the Town Board with his report of activity from December 2021 and a report showing all his 2021 activity.
He also spoke to the Town Board about the contract the Town has with the Lewis County Humane Society for the boarding of dogs that are found in Denmark. Currently the contract allows for dogs to be held 10 days at the facility with the Town being charged $10.00 per day. If the dog is claimed by an owner, they pay the $10.00 per day fee. If no one claims the dog after 10 days, the dog becomes available for adoption. NYS only requires the dog be held for 5 days. Discussion was held. DCO Astafan will discuss this potential change in the contract with the Lewis County Humane Society on behalf of the Town.
Zoning and Planning: ZEO Woodruff provided his December 2021 report to the Town Board. The minutes of the Planning Board meeting held on 01.04.2022 were also provided.
Assessor: Assessor Vargulick attended the meeting and discussed possible changes coming to the special assessment of solar projects with the Town Board.
Clerk: Town Clerk Greene provided the Town Board with a copy of her December 2021 report. She also provided copies of the following correspondence:
- Missing Link Snowmobile Club Insurance Policy
- Mortgage Tax Report 2021, Town received $64,823.82
- RACOG Report for January 2022 submitted by Mickey Dietrich.
Clerk Greene spoke to the Town Board about a server that is required to run the scanning / filing system she was authorized to purchase in the 2022 budget. Discussion was held. A server is also needed for the possible technology upgrades to the meeting room. Clerk Greene was asked to have someone from Advanced Business Systems attend the next regular monthly meeting on 02.21.2022 to discuss the potential purchase and installation of a server.
Assessor Vargulick exited the meeting at 6:19pm.
Discussion was held on the new website (denmark.racog.org). The site went live on December 28, 2021, and Mr. Dietrich continues to work on it. Clerk Greene will be trained soon on the administration of the site. All of the 2022 tax bills included the new website, and it has been reported to Lewis County, the NYS Association of Towns and local media.
The search feature on this site is set up differently than the former website hosted by Digital Towpath. Discussion held on potential to search documents from home screen. Mr. Dietrich will see if it can be set up so the entire site can be searched instead of individual documents.
Justice Thomas Kiernan entered the meeting at 6:27pm.
Highway Department: Supt. Mahar updated the Board on the activities of his department including work done on plow blades, the rebuild of the sand screener, and assistance provided to the Town of Osceola after a snowstorm. He also provided a voucher report and budget report.
Supt. Mahar reported that he has been contacted by the Jefferson County Highway Department about a project for summer 2022. Jefferson County would like the assistance of Denmark when they repave County Route 47.
Supt Mahar reported that Deputy Supt. Der completed payroll today and would be doing it again for the 02/03/2022 payroll in the absence of Supt. Mahar.
The Gradall will be posted on Auctions International later this month and he will have information for the Town Board at the February 21st meeting.
Court: Justice Kiernan spoke to the Town Board about the vacancy in the second justice position. At this time the vacancy has been reported to the Board of Elections, NYS Comptroller, and Unified Court System by Clerk Greene. The position will be on the ballot in November 2022. Justice Hancock resigned when he was in the midst of his initial training and he became aware that his involvement with a local Elks lodge was a conflict of interest due to the fundraising activity associated with the lodge. He was the only town resident who responded to the advertisement for the position. Justice Kiernan is willing to take on the additional duties of civil matters if he can receive a portion of the salary earmarked for the second justice. Discussion was held.
Councilman Fazio offered a resolution, seconded for adoption by Councilman Jones as follows:
Resolution 26 Of 2022: Town of Denmark Town Board hereby resolves and directs that Justice Thomas Kiernan be paid a total of $20,326.00 for the year 2022 which includes a portion of the salary budgeted for a second Town of Denmark Justice position that is vacant. Justice Kiernan is to be paid $1,693.83 per month from budget code A1110.11.
Roll call vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye Resolution 26 adopted 01/17/2022.
A discussion was held between the Town Board and Justice Kiernan about technology upgrades in the meeting / courtroom. Justice Kiernan will contact the State Court system to get information on what is required.
Councilman Fazio exited the meeting at 6:38pm.
Discussion was held on the audit of the Court for 2021. Councilman Jones and Councilwoman Rowsam will conduct the audit and report their findings to the rest of the Town Board in February.
Councilman Fazio reentered the meeting at 6:41pm.
Discussion was held on the appointment of a Town Attorney. Atty Burrows has left Conboy, McKay, Bachman & Kendall and has established a new practice. Discussion was held.
Councilman Jones offered a resolution, seconded for adoption by Councilwoman Rowsam as follows: Resolution 27 Of 2022 to authorize the Town of Denmark’s hiring of Law Firm Kendall, Walton & Burrows to handle the Towns legal matters.
Roll call vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye Resolution 27 adopted 01/17/2022.
Justice Kiernan exited the meeting at 6:42pm.
Supervisors Report: Supervisor’s Report
Supervisor Doyle asked for volunteers from the Town Board to serve as the RACOG representatives. Discussion was held. Councilman Wadsworth and Councilman Fazio will serve as the RACOG representatives for the town.
Supervisor Doyle advised the Town Board that he has completed the submission of AUD Worksheet to the accountant. He noted that he has added the Town of Denmark Water District 1 on the infrastructure line.
Town Board members were supplied with select financial information from December 31, 2021, and the reconciliation report December 2021. 2021 budget overages were discussed.
Councilman Wadsworth offered a resolution, seconded for adoption by Councilman Jones as follows:
Resolution 28 of 2022: Town of Denmark Town Board approves the budget transfers listed below to balance the 2021 budget.
| From | To Budget Code | Amount to transfer | Description |
| Fund Balance | A1910.4 | 24,449.04 | Insurance (was paid in January 2021 for 2021 and December 2021 for 2022) |
| Fund Balance | A3510.4 | 8.21 | Contractual – Dog Control |
| Fund Balance | A5010.4 | 125.79 | Contractual – Highway Super |
| SW18310 | SW19030.8 | 11.56 | Social Security |
Roll call vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye Resolution 28 adopted 01/17/2022.
Supervisor Doyle discussed a letter he received asking for the Town Board to issue a proclamation in support of National School Choice Week Letter. No action taken.
Supervisor Doyle asked the Town Board for permission to pursue early payoff of the remaining building and highway garage construction bond. Discussion held.
Councilman Jones offered a motion, seconded for adoption by Councilwoman Rowsam the Supervisor Doyle be authorized to contact the Depository Trust Company to see if the bond can be paid off sooner than the July 2022 maturation date.
Roll call vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye
Supervisor Doyle spoke to the Town Board about the land owned by Douglas and Carolyn Carlson that has been used in the change of the curve on Roberts Road. The driveway requested by the Carlson’s has been installed by the highway department and the land has been subdivided. Atty. Burrows will work on getting the map recorded with the County.
Discussion was held on the Tug Hill Conference to be held at Turning Stone on April 19, 2022. Clerk Greene will contact Town Board members, Planning Board members, Zoning Board of Appeals members, the Zoning Officer, and Assessor to see who would like to attend and include those registration fees on the February general fund abstract so the town can take advantage of the lower registration fee (savings of $75.00 per registration if postmarked by 3.18.2022).
Old Business:
Copenhagen Wind – Supervisor Doyle reported that no new complaints have come in about the Copenhagen Wind Farm at this time.
Technology Upgrade Update – Councilman Wadsworth has reached out to Advanced Business Systems. ABS will be asked to attend the February 21, 2022, meeting to discuss future needs.
ARPA funding – Discussion was held on newly released rule that allows towns of our classification to elect to take the money as a “Standard Allowance”. Under this option, the Treasury presumes that up to $10 Million in revenue has been lost to the public lost health emergency. ARPA recipients are permitted to use the monies received to fund “government services”. Supervisor Doyle consulted the towns accountant Scott Lawrence at North Country CPAs about the change. The Town Board had begun using the funds received in the fall of 2021. In order to now take the money as a standard allowance those resolutions dealing with the expenditure of funds must be changed. Supervisor Doyle has also spoken to the Village of Castorland Fire Department and informed them of the potential change.
Councilman Jones offered a resolution, seconded for adoption by Councilwoman Rowsam as follows:
Resolution 29 Of 2022 to rescind resolution 105-2021 (adopted October 18, 2021) that directed a check be issued to the Castorland Fire Department in the amount of $10,200 for the purchase of a Tate Radio system for their newly purchased ladder truck and four (4) handheld radio units. Further directing the returned $10,200 be deposited back in ARPA Account ending in 4777.
Roll call vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye Resolution 29 adopted 01/17/2022.
Councilwoman Rowsam offered a resolution, seconded for adoption by Councilman Jones as follows:
Resolution 30 Of 2022 to rescind resolution 104- 2021 (made in October 2021) that directed Supervisor Jim Der to transfer of $14563.00 to the General Fund 0048 from the ARPA Fund 4777 to offset lost revenue.
Roll call vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye Resolution adopted 01/17/2022.
Councilman Jones offered a resolution, seconded for adoption by Councilwoman Rowsam as follows:
Resolution 31 Of 2022 authorizing the Town of Denmark to issue a check in the amount of $10,200 from the General Fund 0048 for Fire Radio Equipment to the Castorland Fire Company after the funds are received and deposited from the Castorland Fire Company.
Roll call vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye Resolution adopted 01/17/2022.
Councilman Wadsworth offered a resolution, seconded for adoption by Councilwoman Rowsam as follows:
Resolution 32 Of 2022 authorizing Supervisor Scott M Doyle to select the “Standard Allowance” on the American Rescue Plan Act for The Town of Denmark, transferring the initial payment of the main allocation of $85,591.75 and the second allocation $348.02 to the General Fund. This selection cannot be changed for any additional funding received.
Roll call vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye Resolution adopted 01/17/2022.
New Business:
ARPA funding use ideas were discussed including the following:
- Handicap Access Ramp in front, including engineering, heated ramp, railings
- Replacement of lower-level exterior door and heated sidewalk between office building and highway garage.
- Technology upgrades to allow the Town to have remote access to meetings and court sessions if permitted by the unified court system.
Discussion on sending letter to County Buildings & Codes regarding resident concerns about permitted junk yards on the Roberts Road.
Councilman Fazio offered a motion, seconded for adoption by Councilwoman Rowsam that Supervisor Doyle be authorized to contact the Lewis County Building & Codes Department Sr. Officer Ward Dailey about the concerns.
Roll call vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye
Discussion was held about having Supervisor Doyle contact NYSERDA regarding design, availability of grant funding and payback analysis to install solar panels on town property to help offset electrical costs for the offices, highway garage and any heated sidewalks that are installed.
Councilman Wadsworth offered a motion, seconded for adoption by Councilman Fazio that Supervisor Doyle be authorized to contact NYSERDA to discuss the potential for solar power at the site of the offices and highway garage (3707 and 3709 Roberts Road).
Roll call vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye
Supervisor Doyle informed the Board that AES Energy reached out to him regarding a potential large solar interest in Denmark. He will forward the information to the Lewis County IDA.
Discussion was held on the towns Ethics Board. Councilwoman Rowsam asked if the ole of the Ethics Bard is outlined anywhere. Councilman Wadsworth pointed out that a description of ethics boards is in the Town Law book published by the Association of Towns. Discussion was held.
Supervisor Doyle would like to hold a work session later this winter to discuss long term capital planning for the highway department and town offices. Discussion was held.
Supervisor Doyle advised the Town Board that he has spoken to Atty. Burrows about a proposal received from an out of area attorney for PFAS Representation. Attorney Burrows does not feel the Town needs this additional council at this time.
Public Comment: Supt. Mahar asked Village of Copenhagen Trustee Kim Vogt about the new lighting the town is purchasing through the Village of Copenhagen. Mrs. Vogt is unsure of when the Town should expect the lights.
Councilman Jones expressed his appreciation for the replacement of a resident mailbox on Stoddard Road that was hit by a plow. Supt. Mahar explained that it has been his policy that mailboxes destroyed by town snowplows plowing roads are replaced.
Being as there was no further business before the Board Councilman Wadsworth made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Doyle to adjourn the meeting.
Roll call vote recorded as:
Councilman Wadsworth Aye
Councilman Fazio Aye
Councilman Jones Aye
Councilwoman Rowsam Aye
Supervisor Doyle Aye
Meeting adjourned at 7:27pm.
Prudence Greene
Town of Denmark Town Clerk