Board of Trustees

. Village of Walden Board of Trustees Regular Meeting October 16, 2018 Mayor Rumbold called the regular meeting of the Village of Walden Board of Trustees to order at 6:30pm. On roll call the following were: Present: Mayor Sue Rumbold Deputy Mayor Faith Moore Trustees Brian B. Sebring Larry Kraus Dan Svarczkopf Lynn E. Thompson Absent: John Ramos Also Present: John Revella, Village Manager Marisa Kraus, Deputy Clerk Dave Donovan, Village Attorney Presentation Mike Bliss presented a plaque to 2 students from the Fox Hill Community. Village Manager’s Report  Had a few meetings with the Village Engineer and Superintendent. Preparation work for the gas line, some fence posts at DPW. The paving will happen next week. Superintendent is out this week.  Met with the local Ambulance Corp regarding with some concerns with financing and work on some budgeting issues.  Went to the County HR Commissioner and went over some forms, filing things. Having county wide training session coming up.  Went over soccer program with the Rec Coordinator. Unfortunately, field conditions have been poor. Have some muddy soccer games coming up to make sure it ends on time for next program.  Upcoming football game and senior trip look good.  Went over hiring process with Chief Holmes. Have negotiations next week with PBA.  CSEA negotiations next week so the executive session will be tabled.  Went over plans for village with the Deputy Mayor. Spruce Up went very well.  Went over some items with the Treasurer from the last negotiations for financial impact.  Went over sidewalks and trees with the Superintendent. Couple projects he’d like to have finished before winter.  Met with the Commissioner of Economic Development from the county. Went over some potential projects for the Village October 16, 2018 1  .  Went over shared services with the Town Supervisor and with the Treasurer over finalizing of the audit, bonds and fiscal stress report. Deputy Mayor Moore asked if there were any issues or concerns with the sprinklers at Veteran’s Memorial Park. Manager Revella said that it was just the year end work to drain for winterization. Deputy Mayor Moore said that there’s a tiny bit of money from left from the Spruce Up Event, that we could use for something at Veteran’s Memorial Park for that. Manager Revella responded; definitely. Deputy Mayor Moore brought up that at the last meeting there was a suggested change on the village policies. Manager Revella said that we still have a lot of comments coming in from the Dept. Heads and the unions. We’re not going to do another version until we have those back. Deputy Mayor Moore mentioned that there’s a stop work order issued for 12 Pond Hill Ln. Asked if they stopped working. Manager Revella said that they tried to get a permit and they were talking to the Building Inspector about it. Approval of October 2, 2018 Minutes Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to approve the October 2, 2018 Minutes. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried. Trustee’s Committee Reports Village Offices Liaison – Trustee Svarczkopf Trustee Svarczkopf reported that there was no word on the Cyber Security Grant. Audit should be done soon. The disconnect notices went out today for Water and Sewer. Manager Revella added that it’s only for people that owe more than $400. Town of Montgomery & Library Board liaison – Trustee Kraus Trustee Kraus reported that the library finally got 2 bids in. Will go in front of their board. Trustee Thompson asked if she had better luck because she separated out to 2 jobs. Trustee Kraus said that she didn’t say. Planning and Zoning Boards as well as the Building Department Liaison – Trustee Thompson Trustee Thompson said that she was on vacation and had difficulties scheduling with everyone when she returned and doesn’t have anything to report. Police Department and Justice Department Liaison – Deputy Mayor Moore October 16, 2018 2  . Deputy Mayor Moore reported that she reviewed the fuel and mileage reports and didn’t see anything. There was active shooter training last week and next week for the police dept. All officers will be trained. The Police Dept. received their DWI reimbursement. They are ready for Halloween and would like to thank the board for their continued support. Manager Revella added that they also did alert training, which we get reimbursed for and we have received a grant for the vests. Recreation & Parks Department and Valley Central School Board Liaison – Trustee Ramos Trustee Ramos was absent. DPW Liaison– Trustee Sebring Trustee Sebring reported that Fred is at a conference this week. Water Dept. installed 7 new meters. Between the Village of Walden, Village of Montgomery and Town of Highland, they blacktopped a short section at the end of Capron St and a short section across from the ice cream stand on 52, so when a vacuum truck goes in there, they won’t get stuck. They’ve done some sweeping, patched where they had previous digs. Done some clean up around the garage. Mechanic has been busy. Manager Revella added that they are flushing hydrants this month. Mayor Rumbold read community events into minutes. Public Comment on Business of the Board Manager Revella noted for the public that there’s no executive session tonight. Becky Pearson, 167 Walnut, questioned why the Boulevard was paved. Trustee Sebring explained that when they pull the truck on grass, it made ruts. Manager Revella added that there’s a sewer syphon. The only trucks that can do that are the vac trucks and they are heavy. Becky asked about the possible annexation. Manager Revella said that 2 developers came and were looking for potential properties outside of the Village to annex. They didn’t specify areas. Mary Ellen Matise, 54 Gladstone, questioned how 305.44 will effect commercial uses that may be non-conforming. Becky added that she had a question about 305.44, she read through the first part and it seemed fine. When she read through the next one, second section, 305.54(D), she’s confused on section A. 7-712B-2, use variance and at the end of that, you can plan approval for the Planning Board. Is the Zoning Board out of it? Attorney Donovan said the idea was to address conforming uses in non-conforming buildings. October 16, 2018 3  . Becky said that the first 2 sections A and B address the use variance and letter C addresses the area variance. Attorney Donovan said that letter D address the area variance. A, B and C are similar to what you have now. Taken out the references subsection C-1, replace that with NYS Village Law 7-712B2 and B3. We left in, if Planning Board approval was required. This is essential to what you had before. If you were granted a variance from the Zoning Board, if it was a 1 or 2 family, it would be a Planning Board approval as well. Dean Stickles added that you were gonna exempt the 1 and 2 family homes because weren’t for the Planning Board anyway. Becky said that in the regular law, you would go to the Zoning Board. Attorney Donovan said that this is in 305.54 variances. This only applies when you go to the Zoning Board. Action Items County Resolution – Village Property in the Town Manager Revella said that the county has advised us that we need to pass a resolution to exempt our property from due taxes. Trustee Sebring made a motion to adopt the resolution. Seconded by Trustee Thompson. All ayes. Motion carried. Zoning Code Introductory Local Law #7 of 2018 Manager Revella said that if there were no other comments or discussion on the revisions that Attorney Donovan made, can set a public hearing for the next meeting. Attorney Donovan clarified that he did 2 separate local laws, they are both zoning, but one is modifying section 305.54 and the other is 305.44. Should be 7 & 8. Deputy Mayor Moore wanted to make sure that we address Mary Ellen’s questions. Attorney Donovan said that what’s covered before is what’s covered now. If you’re not happy with it now, then something else needs to be done. Manager Revella added that in regards to the questions, he didn’t change anything. Trustee Sebring made a motion to set Public Hearing for November 20, 2018 at 6:30pm or soon thereafter. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Moore. All ayes. Motion carried. Sexual Harassment Policy Manager Revella said that the state decided that every employer in the State of NY needs to pass their sexual harassment policy. Sexual harassment changes every day in its terms of what’s accepted and what’s not based on the court’s decision and it changes constantly. It’s required and every employee and official needs to be trained by 10-9-19. Trustee Svarczkopf asked if they set us up with videos or anything. October 16, 2018 4  . Manager Revella replied; no. Our insurance company won’t give us training because it changes so much. Trustee Thompson asked how we get trained. Manager Revella said already had our official policy book draft amended to approve this. Trustee Thompson doesn’t understand why it’s different across the board. Manager Revella said that this is the standard across the board that the state wants. Every employer in the State of NY, not just Villages and Towns. Trustee Thompson wondered if county would put something together. Manager Revella said that they talked about regional trainings with the state. Not sure if they will come out, but also talked to NYCOM, but they haven’t seen anything yet but they believe something will come out. Deputy Mayor Moore confirmed that it was put in its entirety in the policies. Trustee Thompson asked how we can it when it changes constantly. Mayor Rumbold said that they can always amend their policy. Deputy Mayor Moore added that we would amend it as it changes and then vote on the change. Trustee Svarczkopf asked where it came from. Manager Revella said that NYCOM let us know because the state didn’t. Attorney Donovan said that he represents 2 other municipalities and at their next meeting, they’re going to accept the same policy. Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to adopt the sexual harassment policy. Seconded by Trustee Kraus. All ayes. Motion carried. Discussion – Bucket Truck Manager Revella said that the board is aware that we’ve been using lifts for maintenance in the Village. The company is no longer renting them. Every year it’s thousands of dollars. We priced out some used trucks that seem to cost about the same as it costs us to rent one over the next 3 years but has the potential to last about 7-8 years. Reasonable price up to 26-27k that would benefit us to do banners, signs, light bulbs, tree limbs. Trustee Svarczkopf confirmed that we looked but don’t have anything yet. Manager Revella said that the Super Intendent said that he would forgo buying a curber this year for this. Trustee Svarczkopf questioned the reason that we’re not sharing is because it takes October 16, 2018 5  . forever to get truck. Manager Revella said that theirs isn’t the exact style that is beneficial to us. It helps us to do the banner and lights around the bridge, but that’s it and it’s a wait to get it. Trustee Thompson asked if there were any other municipalities to do a shared service with. Manager Revella said that we would love to do a shared service with others in the same area. The ones that we’ve been using is from Montgomery and theirs is usually out when we need it. They don’t have cameras and we rent lifts for the cameras. Trustee Sebring added that this has been an item that Fred has wanted for a long time. It’s a necessity at this point. Trustee Thompson stated that she remembered discussing it at budget time. Deputy Mayor Moore asked if it was possible to look at forgoing the curber and take a look at budget lines. Manager Revella said that Kelly has looked at some. Village Treasurer, Kelly A Kelly, said that there are a couple different lines. It was within reason. There are several lines that we could adjust to make it work. Manager Revella added that we would be able to use it to clean tanks and not hire someone, which can be expensive. Deputy Mayor Moore said that she would like to see it. Mayor Rumbold said to move this to next meeting. Edmunds Software Agreement – Review and Possible Approval Manager Revella said that we have gotten down to the final list for the Edmunds Software and drafted a contract. Attorney Donovan said that he reviewed the contract and it’s a standard form. He is satisfied with it. Trustee Sebring asked if this was going to be beneficial for all the departments. Manger Revella replied; yes. It’s for all departments. There’s certain sections that will go first, like payroll and the general ledger. Then will start the rest. It will probably take up to a year to implement. Trustee Svarczkopf asked that for the year will be both KVS and Edmunds. Kelly said that around 6k for the year for KVS. Trustee Svarczkopf asked if that will keep us going until June. October 16, 2018 6  . Manager Revella said yes, until June. Deputy Mayor Moore confirmed that everything will be switched over before KVS and the other ones expire. Manager Revella said yes, we have to. Trustee Sebring asked how the payment was going to be made. Manager Revella said that we bonded for the initial. Then it’s just the maintenance cost annually that we budget for. Trustee Svarczkopf made a motion to approve Edmunds Software Agreement. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried. Taylor Contract Extension Manager Revella said that a few meetings ago, distributed a copy of the proposed extension agreement. It keeps our price locked in. Trustee Svarczkopf confirmed that there were no changes. Manager Revella said that’s correct. It will be pushed out a little longer. Attorney Donovan wanted to give a partial disclosure. One of his clients contacted him about 6 weeks ago indicating that he had been asked to work for Taylor on this project, Doesn’t know if he went to work for him or not. Trustee Thompson asked if there was any disadvantage to not extending it. Manager Revella said that the county is raising the tipping fees. If this comes online, we will save money and this will be locked in for 10 years. Trustee Svarczkopf mentioned that it says 20 years. Manager Revella said that it will be 20 years when it’s implemented. Trustee Svarczkopf confirmed that this contract locks them in to a price until 2021 and then 20 years later if they come online. Manager Revella said that if they’re not online by 2021, they will have to ask for another extension. Trustee Thompson made a motion to accept Taylor Contract Extension. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried. Public Comment Brenda Adams, 31 Valley Ave, said that she was not at the last meeting, but asked about it and was disappointed that the board didn’t revisit the water law. Saw a blurb on the calendar, but it’s not as forthcoming as it could have been. There has been a lot of October 16, 2018 7  . conversation about it. Believe that infrastructure is the government’s job. The Manager said that it’s already in there from the sewer from a previous time. Thought that it might have been considered to reverse that portion instead. Her perception of what costs a large portion of homeowners in the Village can afford is different than the boards. Affordable housing doesn’t stop a purchase. It has to continue to affordable living. If you can’t keep up with all of these things, you still lose your home even if it was bought at the right price. Attorney Donovan mentioned in September meeting at the public hearing, some municipalities charge and some do not. It was quoted that Montgomery did and Goshen did not. Why does Walden feel it’s necessary to follow those that do? Also, in the minutes where I spoke about the VFW, it said state law and it was the village law that had to open the street and not the state law. Wants it on record that it wasn’t quoted as state law. Mayor Rumbold said that it was mentioned in the minutes that we talked to Mickey Millspaugh to try to research this issue. As far as he can remember, the water and sewer laterals from the home to the main was always the responsibility of the homeowner. Started to read the minutes up to 1982. Did find an entry where if your line froze from the main to the curb box, the Village would come and thaw it for you at the cost to the homeowner. There are records that the homeowner did maintain those laterals. Continuing to read to see where it changed. But the laterals were always the responsibility of the homeowner. Brenda commented obviously not a law. Mayor Rumbold said that she hadn’t gotten there yet. We did have a Water Board at one time, they may have done something. Haven’t found it yet. Will continue to read and research, but so far everything that has been found indicates that the homeowner is responsible for the laterals from their home to the main. Brenda said that she still feels that you have to pass a law, there wasn’t one in effect. Manager Revella added that there was a change in the code. Mayor Rumbold hasn’t gone beyond that point in 1982 where there was a change in the code. Mickey Millspaugh is correct. Brenda stated that she still feels until it’s in writing and put into the code, it’s not a law. Mayor Rumbold said that when the houses were built, Village only put the mains in, water line and sewer line, for delivery to houses and businesses. The contractor had to take laterals from the house/business and hook it into the service, which were the 2 mains. They put in a curb box so the water could be turned off in case of a break. The homeowners paid for laterals from the main to the curb box. The homeowners paid from the laterals from the house to the curb box to the main. They had to hook into the service. The homeowners paid for them, they belong to the homeowners. The Village didn’t install the laterals. Brenda asked if the lateral is still working and the problem is on the homeowners property where they have to pay, if that lateral is still working why does the Village require it to be dug up and replaced with copper. October 16, 2018 8  . Mayor Rumbold said that you have to find good pipe. Brenda said that if it’s not there. You have to dig it up and if it’s lead, it needs to be replaced at the homeowner’s expense. Manager Revella said that there’s the Lead Law that a certain pipe needs to be replaced. That’s not our law. We just require to find good pipe to connect to. Otherwise it won’t connect properly. So, if they’re digging and they try to connect to it and it breaks again, they have to keep going until it stops. Brenda said that she gets that but still thinks that part of the structure and that’s the government’s job. If there’s nothing wrong and the pipe is broken on the shut off side, on the property and there’s no reason to dig up the street. You told the VFW they had to. Manager Revella said he did not. Deputy Mayor Moore added that when Brenda made the comment about the VFW, she researched it and the curb box was shut off and that’s how they knew the leak was on the side that went from the curb to the VFW. Their own reasons, were slow getting it done, that’s why the water leak happened. But there is not a stress on them for the loan because as a board and because it’s the VFW, voted in this situation that there’s no interest and no payments until when and if they sell the building. The total loan is $5653.00. Brenda asked what happens if they replace the furnace. And they go to the bank to get money and the bank sees an outstanding loan on books. How are they going to get money? They have to come back to the Village and ask for more money? What happens if they don’t qualify? Deputy Mayor Moore mentioned that she was on the board and went back into the minutes from when we voted on it. There was some concern whether this was an appropriate loan to be giving and we all voted that it was. And because of who they are, I would entertain a conversation about whether or not we should forgive it just because it’s the VFW. However, when you go for a loan with the bank, they are going to look at the total value of property. For example, if the property is 150k and you have a 5k loan, that ratio is not going to stop them from getting a loan for something else. Manager Revella added that forgiving it would be an illegal gift. Deputy Mayor Moore just wanted to say that we did go back and take a look into it. Brenda said that they had to dig up street, which cost more money and were told by the Village. Deputy Mayor Moore said that she couldn’t find proof of that. Find an email that the Village Manager said that. Brenda said that they got pinched into that they were forced to open the street to find good pipe but there was good pipe in there and Village records were wrong. Deputy Mayor Moore said that the Village records were wrong, there were no records. October 16, 2018 9  . Manager Revella said that the Superintendent recalls that he told them that they had to dig until they found good pipe, not that they had to dig in any specific spot. Had they found good pipe right there, they would have stopped. But they had to go into the road to find good pipe. Deputy Mayor Moore said that if there’s a break and/or leak on my property happens from the curb to the dwelling, I’m required to fix it. Or if there’s a leak from the curb to the main, I’m responsible for that. You don’t automatically have to replace the whole line. Brenda commented that she didn’t think it was in the minutes. It was indicated that they had to dig up street. Didn’t really say until they find good pipe. Manager Revella said that it depends on where the leak is and how good the pipe is. Don’t want to leave the old one in the road. Brenda said that if they can hook up to the pipe, there is no reason to open the street. Still feels that’s infrastructure to the Village. Manager Revella stated that it’s the resident’s infrastructure. As long as you repair the section to where it’s usable. You can make a connection without the leak still being there. Brenda questioned if it’s lead, you’re allowed to leave it. Manager Revella said that he’s not sure if you’re allowed to because of the Lead Law. Brenda said that she knows many people who can’t afford this. To have the insurance or to get a loan and in the meantime, you don’t have water and sewer while waiting for a loan. It’s a safety issue. Seems that the Village can take care of so much quicker. Mayor Rumbold stated that the procedure hasn’t changed, it’s just who’s paying for it. I’m a widow and live by myself. There’s many months where I don’t meet the minimum for my water usage, but I pay the surcharge and subsiding for other people in the Village who does use the water. So, I pay for something that I don’t get. I understand what you’re saying, it would be a hardship for me. I look at my pipes and it’s something that I’ll have to deal with if the day comes and it happens. That’s why I’m researching it. I spend my Fridays off to sit and read the minutes to see if I can find a resolution or something. All I can do is verify what Mickey said; the laterals always belonged to the homeowner. When it changed hasn’t been found yet, but so far up to 1982, he’s correct. The laterals from the house to the main, belongs to the homeowner. If the pipe froze from the main to the curb box, you can have someone come out and thaw it or the Village will thaw it at your expense. So, if that was portion belonged to the Village and it was their infrastructure, why would they be able to charge the homeowner? I will keep reading, but up until 1982, so far, those laterals from the house to the main belong to the homeowner. Trustee Thompson said she knows it a contentious topic and people are upset by it. I’m upset about it, I wouldn’t want to pay more money. These things don’t last forever. These infrastructure problems are plaguing Villages and Cities all over the country. Things just don’t last forever, people don’t have any money, Municipalities don’t have money. Almost every single place that I’ve looked through, water and sewer, both, are on the homeowner October 16, 2018 10  . from the home to the main. Outside of a few local municipalities, most of them are doing what we’re proposing to do now. The sewer line is already that way. To me it makes sense to keep everything the same. I found one place in Canada that still does the curb box. In Maryland, their DPW could not keep up with the amount of the pipes that were breaking. They contacted a company that has a good standing and does service plans for 2.3 million people in the country and in Baltimore. There’s no cost to the municipality. The cost to the homeowner is relatively low, $3.99 a month for water line protection. $5.49 for sewer line and for both, you are billed $8.49 per month. Would be happy to do further research on that. I voted yes, but not with a happy heart. I do believe it’s something that we need to take care of. I agree with Mayor Rumbold and Trustee Sebring, when our homes were built, the Village did not lay those lateral lines down. They are ours. They belong to us. I realize that it could be a lot of money for some families. We can try and find solution for that. Brenda commented that it’s infrastructure and that’s the Village’s job. And going through what the other places do, it’s still about the residents here. Have to think about the demographics here. Trustee Thompson responded that it’s the same demographics in a lot of communities. Brenda said that you’re representing the people here. Whoever is in Baltimore, they have a government there to take care of them. I can pick out 5 houses that if this happens to them, their house is going to be closed down. They are having a hard time with their taxes, their water bill is high. Everything is difficult. There’s a lot of people just holding on to their houses. Older people who lived in these homes for years. Behind in taxes. Just a shame. Mayor Rumbold said that it is a shame. Have no problem with the Village taking care of their infrastructure. Since sitting on this board, we have been dealing with infrastructure. We had a major problem with the digester. Dealt with the DEC consent order for years. We finally got rid of that and now we have another one. Have no problem paying into and taking care of the Village infrastructure. But these laterals were not always Village infrastructure. Brenda said that it should be clear to the public. Deputy Mayor Moore stated that we discussed at the last meeting and agreed as a board that there was going to be something put on to the next water bill that went out, directing people to the local law to read. I do agree that there are some protections out there. Trustee Thompson agreed to find the information. Trustee Svarczkopf did some investigation on some insurances. Besides from the fact that the Village has low interest rate loans, there are other programs out there. NYS Grant offers people over the age of 62 up to $10k on emergency repairs on homes. And it must be responded to within 72 hours. I voted yes for all the reasons spoken about tonight, but in addition to other research, based on the cost of approximate of $130k that we spent on 18 of these breaks in 2017. Divide that by the number of people getting water service, I wasn’t comfortable charging 99% of the people in the Village receiving water for less than the 1% of the people that receive breaks in a year. On a professional basis outside of this board, I deal with people every day in our entire county that are struggling. Everybody is just one devastation from not being able to pay their mortgage. That’s the nature of how we’re all struggling. I voted yes October 16, 2018 11  . on the majority of the residents in the Village. I agree, people need help and there is help out there. Brenda said that they have to know help is there. What happens to the person who draws short straw? Deputy Mayor Moore said that she is hoping that when people read the notice, they will check out the law. We will continue to tell people that there is protection out there. Becky Pearson, said that when a developer buys a piece of property, for example, Beazer Homes. The streets are built, the infrastructure is put in, they have a bond, the only way to get the bond back is the Village makes sure everything is right and they take over the lines and the roads. So, when that happens, the Village is not responsible for the infrastructure that’s underneath that developed piece of property that you’ve taken and maintained those roads, now? Trustee Sebring said that the contractor has to pay for tax rights to the main. Becky said that’s done and the project is done and he wants the Village to take over the roads. But the laterals from the house from the curb box in is still the homeowners. Deputy Mayor Moore responded; everything. From the house to the main is the homeowner’s. Becky added that with the VFW, this was not a law when they had an issue. So, the law was something that make it say that they had to go out to the box and get it fixed. Manager Revella said correct, because the leak was on the building side of the curb box. Becky said that her problem is that the Village didn’t know what was underneath. Mayor Rumbold stated that we had no database. And now when we do a water main break, we photograph the break, count what materials we used to fix and create a database so down the line someone can look at the VFW lines and see what was used, where the break was and the depth. We still have wooden pipes in the village. We had a break and when we opened it up there was a piece of 2x4 in between the 2 pipes and that’s what was holding it together. Becky still thinks it’s the responsibility of the Village for them to maintain those lines. Make sure it’s done properly. Mayor Rumbold said that it’s under the clerk of the works. Becky mentioned that she talked to Mickey Millspaugh and didn’t understand it to be the same way. Manager Revella said that he has the emails and will ask him if he can show Becky. Mayor Rumbold said that she did find an entry that if your pipes froze from the curb to the main, you could have any contractor or the Village to come to thaw the line out. But if the October 16, 2018 12  . Village did it, it was at the cost of the homeowner. Now if the Village owned that line from the main to the curb, why would they charge someone for it? Becky said she understands, but it’s been done this way for so long and now all of a sudden you guys are changing it. The homeowner has not been paying for that service. They have been paying through their water bill. Trustee Sebring said no, you’re buying the distribution of the water. When you buy the house, you pay someone to bore the shut off at main. That belongs to the homeowner. Becky said that she doesn’t have a problem with that. If the person that built my house in 1908, put that pipe from that to the cutoff and then someone else put a pipe from there to the street. Mayor Rumbold said that the Village didn’t install that. We supply the sewer and water line. Becky added that you are the voting property here and don’t have to follow whwat other communities are doing. Trustee Thompson said that she is looking out for the tax payers. Becky doesn’t think they are. Mayor Rumbold asked how we are not looking after tax payers of the Village of Walden. Becky said because you already raised water rate for a surcharge. Mayor Rumbold stated that you were the mayor when the digester was in horrible condition. And now years of neglect for the infrastructure, we are now paying for it. Becky added that that’s your job as well. Have a plan. What about the Amthor’s building? Who’s gonna maintain it? Don’t think for 5 or 10 years. Think long term. Mayor Rumbold said that we do have a plan. Most of it comes from the DEC. We have projects in this Village that are gonna cost a lot of money. Becky said that the board has to be responsible for 50 years down the road. Mayor Rumbold said that’s why we’re working so hard on the infrastructure. Trustee Sebring said that it’s adding an over percent on your taxes by us fixing them. You get a bad year and the temperature goes 20 below zero for 2 weeks and then you have water mains up the ying-yang that’s broken. That maybe adds 2-2.5% and that’s going on your taxes. And then you’re gonna have to be paying for the 2% and everyone’s complaining. Mary Ellen Matise, said historically the water went in 1893. Don’t know what it said, there are minutes here, historically we don’t where anything goes. No one knows anything. There was no mapping that was done. It’s a find out as you go procedure. October 16, 2018 13  . Manager Revella stated that we’re starting through the county program. Mary Ellen asked how do we even know what these builders in 1908 did? The Village might have been promoting the sale of water. There might now be a law. Might have been taken over as common usage. There was a Community Development Board and maybe it was during the tenure of that board. Maybe homeowner someone can challenge it. It’s not on here, but on Nov 17th at the Walden House, there’s going to be a WWI slide show presentation. This will be our WWI tribute from 1918-2018. There’s a guy that was from Walden. Payment of the Audited Bills Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to pay the Audited Bills. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried. Correspondence Deputy Mayor Moore mentioned an invitation to OC pfc fall courses all day this Friday. There’s an evening class on 11/1 and 11/26. Mayor Rumbold said there’s a forestry program in the Town of Monroe at the Senior Center. Friends of the Tree City USA membership dues as a member. Senator Larkin read the Wallkill Valley Times about Harvest Fest and thought it was wonderful and congratulated the Village on the lovely event. Miscellaneous Comments from the Board of Trustees Deputy Mayor Moore wanted to say congratulations to the Trustees and Village Treasurer. We will no longer be susceptible to fiscal stress. Job well done. From the 2 budget sessions that I’ve been involved in, we have come a long way. Also wanted to say the Halloween parade was beautiful and a great turnout. Trustee Thompson wanted to make a comment about something that was in last week’s Wallkill Valley Times. Titled, Building Business in a Small Town. She read the section from the end of the article. I have been approached several times about the Wallkill River. I came to a presentation at the Walden Women’s Club, the speaker was Mallarkey form the Scenic Hudson. They’re involved with the River Keeper and Wallkill Rivershed Alliance Group. What is happening with the grant for the water front park? Manager Revella said that the Engineering firm had to get a special Engineer to do the plan to design the riverfront park, so we can build it in the spring. We’re waiting for the Pine St Pump Station first. Trustee Thompson said that she wished more people would come to these presentations. The community really wants the river to get cleaned up. Would really improve our business. When there are presentations, hope people come out and listen. I know there’s mixed feelings on the board about hearing someone speak from the Wallkill River alliance. There are communities on the river, which our participation would empower them to help clean up the river. The laws in NY do not carry over. Yes we have pollutants in the river from NY, but they are finding out that the biggest source of pollutants is coming from NJ. So, why is Walden not getting on board with something that is really wonderful? I’m willing to put in time to try n get something presented to us. October 16, 2018 14  . Manager Revella added that Trustee Thompson has been to the last 2 meetings and I have been corresponding with Jason West. He was head of Alliance regarding improvements. They made sure we got alerts out where they need to be. It will help us in funding, grants and loans to improve along the Wallkill River all the way up to the border. Mayor Rumbold said that’s why we’re being mandated by DEC to do these projects that are going to cost millions of dollars. Trustee Thompson added that there’s power in presence and ways to get the money if a lot of communities are involved. Meeting Adjourned October 16, 2018 15  . Village of Walden Board of Trustees Regular Meeting October 16, 2018 Motions & Resolutions Approval of October 2, 2018 Minutes Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to approve the October 2, 2018 Minutes. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried. County Resolution – Village Property in the Town Trustee Sebring made a motion to adopt the resolution. Seconded by Trustee Thompson. All ayes. Motion carried. Zoning Code Introductory Local Law #7 of 2018 Trustee Sebring made a motion to set Public Hearing for November 20, 2018 at 6:30pm or soon thereafter. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Moore. All ayes. Motion carried. Sexual Harassment Policy Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to adopt the sexual harassment policy. Seconded by Trustee Kraus. All ayes. Motion carried. Edmunds Software Agreement – Review and Possible Approval Trustee Svarczkopf made a motion to approve Edmunds Software Agreement. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried. Taylor Contract Extension Trustee Thompson made a motion to accept Taylor Contract Extension. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried. Payment of the Audited Bills Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to pay the Audited Bills. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried. October 16, 2018 16