Town Council

ATHENS TOWN COUNCIL Regular Session – January 20, 2015 Athens Town Hall The Athens Town Council met in regular session at 7:10 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 in the Athens Town Hall. Members present were Roger Lokay, Timothy Pike, Lynne White, and Mayor Carol Bard. Scott Inghram, Joseph Manzo, and John David Smith were absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Council approved the December 16, 2014 minutes without objection. CITIZENS INPUT None. EMPLOYEE REPORTS QUARTERLY DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS Maintenance Mark Parsell presented the Maintenance Department report, a copy of which is attached. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Arts and Beautification (Information – No Action Required) No report. Economic Development (Information – No Action Required) No report. Website Committee (Information – No Action Required) No report. Structural Engineer’s Report (Information – No Action Required) Mark Parsell reported the following improvements to the Town Hall have been made by the maintenance crew:  Repaired rotted area in bathroom;  Painted in office, bathroom, and hallway;  Installed two structural supports to restore some strength from cutout area in upstairs and doorway to steps;  Removed all loose wiring upstairs; left light at bottom of stairs. In addition, Robert Richardson has calculated material requirements based on snow load to provide additional awning support; cabling will be added In near future. Work to upgrade electrical will continue. The town maintenance crew cannot address roof improvements. Athens Town Council Minutes 01-20-2015 Town Garbage Receptacles Possibilities (Information – No Action Required) No report. NEW BUSINESS Water/PSD matters (Information – No Action Required) Mayor Bard reported that she and Mark Parsell met with the Town attorney and the PSC regarding three matters:  Howerton potentially laying pipe without permission; attorney is following up;  209 Burch Street converted garage into apartment without building permit; water not metered properly; attorney is following up;  Customer water heater damage claim following October water discoloration; PSC recommended Town file claim with insurance; claim was denied and insurance company has informed customer. Rent increase for utility services paid to the town Mayor Bard asked Council to consider two options for water and sewer rent increase:  COLA increase; or  Maximum recommended by accountant Feamster. 3% Increase Added Curren 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% t 2006 $1,314 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Water $657 $677 $697 $718 $739 $762 $784 $808 $832 $857 Serwarag $657 $677 $697 $718 $739 $762 $784 $808 $832 $857 e $1,39 $1,43 $1,47 $1,52 $1,56 $1,61 $1,66 $1,71 $1,314 $1,353 Total 4 6 9 3 9 6 5 4 Difference Earned Monthly $400 Yearly $4,806 Feamster Max Curren Propose t d 2006 $1,314 $2,000 Water $657 $1,000 Sewerage $657 $1,000 Total $1,314 $2,000 The Council will discuss these options as part of the upcoming annual budget process. Athens Town Council Minutes 01-20-2015 Town Hall requirements (Information – No Action Required) At the Town Hall Adhoc Committee meeting at 6:00 p.m., committee members developed a list of mandatory, important, and nice to have requirements if a new town hall were constructed. For the next meeting, Mayor Bard asked committee members to consider floor plan options for a 45 foot by 45 foot structure which could fit on the town-owned property adjacent to the Post Office. Approval of Current Bills On motion by Pike, seconded by Lokay, and by 4-0 vote, the Council approved the current bills, which are available for review in the Town Hall. MAYORAL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS Mayor Bard reported to the Council that the water and maintenance departments have received two inquiries regarding new water and sewer requirements for possible additional residential units within the water service area (but outside the town limits):  Developing 7 apartments where the feed store and Trading Journal are currently located would require a larger sewer line (current 4-inch line would not be sufficient).  Water plant has sufficient capacity to supply an increase of Gardner Estate Mobile Home Park from 177 permits to 203 permits. EXECUTIVE SESSION On motion by White, seconded by Lokay, the Council went into Executive Session at 8:05 p.m. to discuss one personnel matter. The Council returned to Regular Session at 8:15 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Nothing further appearing, Pike made a motion to adjourn, White seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m. __________________________________ __________________________________ Carol Bard, Mayor Lynne White, Acting Recorder Athens Town Council Minutes 01-20-2015