by David Flint
The Stephentown Town Board has agreed to recognize the new Highway Department employees’ union. At their meeting on Monday, following a discussion period in which some misgivings and qualms were expressed, Town Supervisor Tom Sherman signed a document stating that the Town “recognizes United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU) as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for all Highway Department employees.” Before signing it Sherman indicated that the agreement would mean that the Board would have to deal with employees only through a union representative. Councilman PJ Roder disagreed saying that the Town would still control its workers, but, “We should talk with them, not just ignore them.” He noted that though all of the Highway Department employees elected to join the union, the Town was in a good position because he felt they already had a good employment package. As a union member himself, Roder said there are pros and cons with any union, but he felt the Highway Department employees were just looking for some security, especially with health and medical issues, and he advised the Board to “just relax” and talk with the union.
Joan MacVeigh said it was Sherman’s fault for having forced the employees last month to sign on to a change in health insurance involving higher co-pays. Sherman rejected this criticism saying that he had discussed the change with the employees, a change that included reimbursement of the higher co-pays up to $500 per year, and told them he would not make the change unless all of them agreed to it in writing. All of them, he said, signed the agreement with no protest.
Councilman Larry Eckhardt said it was important that the employees make known to the union representative what their needs and wants are because he did not want “a strange face” showing up and telling the Board what the Town’s workers demand. Joel Hunt spoke up saying that the employees would have their own steward and that they, as well as the Town Board, would have their own negotiating committee. He said times have changed and Town workers are having to deal with new Town Boards telling them that there are no longer any guarantees. Cindy Rayman agreed saying that unions are not a bad thing for either side and that most of us would not be as well off as we are had not the unions earlier fought for workers’ rights. “What’s the problem,” she asked, “Our country was built on unions.”
Cormier Finally To Be Paid For His Sand
The Board finally voted to pay Tony Cormier for sand taken from his property back in 2005. The vote was unanimous but contingent on a document to be drafted by a lawyer and signed by Cormier relieving the Town of any legal liability should the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) take action against Cormier for illegal mining. Although former Highway Superintendent Neil Gardner was convicted of possession and filing of forged documents, he was found not guilty on the misdemeanor count of operating an illegal mine at the Cormier site. But DEC never retracted their charge that the mining there was illegal. However, Sherman said he has been advised now by several lawyers that the Building Permit issued by the Town would suffice as a mining claim form and the State Comptroller’s Office has said they would have no problem with the Town paying for the sand. The Town earlier paid one half of the bill received from Russ Freeman, stating that it was for use of Freeman’s equipment only, and they have recently received a document from the Freeman company relinquishing any further claim. Councilman Roder said he would prefer to see the signed document from Cormier first, but he agreed to go along with the resolution to pay the bill contingent on it being properly worded and signed. Sherman told Cormier he should get his check by May 12.
Workshop Meetings
Taking a cue from the Town Board of Berlin, the Board decided to start meeting twice a month. The first meeting of the month will be on the second Monday at 8 pm, and it will be a workshop meeting. Normally there will be no public input at these meetings, and the Board will not pass any resolutions. Councilman Eckhardt introduced the resolution to establish these meetings saying that communication among Board members between meetings had become more necessary but it was difficult because the law restricts a quorum of members from getting together except at an open announced meeting. This, he said, has resulted at times in a communications breakdown with members being “left out of the loop.” One of the Board members will take minutes at these meetings as the Town Clerk will not be required to attend.
Recycling The Stephentown School Building
Sherman reported that a committee including School District and Town officials and residents continues to meet to make provisions for keeping the Stephentown Elementary School building in use after June when it will cease to be a school. Some of the uses being looked at include a Head Start program, a medical clinic, an after school program, a meeting place for senior citizens, an adult learning center, a farmers market, a theater and an arts & crafts center. The goal is to have a mix of activities producing income or grant money so that the building is self sustaining. Continued involvement of the School District, he said, is critical since much of the available grant money is tied to education. A survey was completed recently asking what uses people thought should be made of the school. The number one interest was for a medical facility, but Sherman said the committee would still welcome suggestions from residents. The committee will meet on May 29 to develop a budget for next year projecting costs and anticipated revenue.
Cold War Veterans
Exemptions Revisited
The local law passed in February establishing new property tax exemptions for Cold War veterans needs to be revised. Sherman said the intent of the Board was that the exemptions would take effect immediately but State law requires that this local legislation be passed 90 days before it takes effect, which would mean that the Cold War veterans would have to wait until next year. To correct this the Board must revise the law, inserting three Latin words ą “nunc pro tunc” – so that the dating is retroactive. Changing the law requires a public hearing which the Board proceeded to authorize for Monday, May 18, at 6:45 pm, preceding the next regular Town Board meeting.
Cutback In State Park Hours Protested
Sherman announced that he had received a letter from County Executive Kathy Jimino expressing her displeasure with the State Parks Office decision to close Grafton Lakes and Cherry Plain State Parks two days a week. Board members added their own criticism of the move that appeared to them as a short sighted choice that would limit further local kids’ opportunities without really saving any money. They decided that Sherman would draft a letter to the Office of Parks & Recreation expressing their collective opinion of the cutback and requesting that it be reconsidered.
Deferred Compensation
Sherman reported that the State has offered to make available to employees of municipalities a deferred compensation plan whereby anyone who gets a pay check can save money tax free until it is withdrawn. He asked that anyone interested let him know and he will arrange an information session.
Fuel Pump System
The new fuel pump key system has been installed at the Town Garage. Sherman reported that the system ties a number to each piece of Town equipment and to the drivers. One benefit is that it becomes easy to see the usage of each piece of equipment each month. In a shared services arrangement the system will also be used by the Stephentown Fire Department. Councilman Roder said that at the request of the Fire Department the reporting will be changed to a weekly basis. Five keys have been issued to Fire Chief Rich Burgess, he said, and the Town Clerk has backup keys.
Historical Society Presents Plaques
Pat Flint, President of the Stephentown Historical Society presented the Board with a framed copy of the Act of the New York State Legislature signed by Governor Clinton on March 29, 1784, that established “Stephen Town” as a separate and distinct district, setting it off from Rensselaerwyck. She presented also the framed resolution of the Rensselaer County Legislature “honoring the Town of Stephentown upon the occasion of its 225th Anniversary” that Lester Goodermote presented to the Historical Society on Charter day, March 29.
Sherman and Councilman Eckhardt praised the Historical Society for the Charter Day celebration, noting in particular the superb job that the second and third-graders did in the skit re-enacting the signing of the charter and the Power Point presentation that Society members put together showing historical features of the Town. Sherman said the Board would like to partner with the Society in promoting the history of Stephentown, and he offered monetary assistance in having the Power Point presentation reproduced on DVD.
Flint noted that the Society’s Calendar Contest is ongoing and pictures of historical people, places and things around town are still being solicited. Pictures submitted so far are on display at the Stephentown Library. Twelve pictures will be selected for use in a town calendar. The deadline for submission was May 1 but has now been extended to May 15.
Use The Transfer Station, Not The Road Banks!
Councilman Eckhardt expressed disgust at the amount of trash dumped on the roadsides that has become visible now that the snow is gone. He encouraged people to use the Transfer Station; it’s a lot cheaper than if you are caught littering. He said the Transfer Station will still accept television sets and computer monitors but it will cost you, $25 for a TV set and $15 for a monitor. A better way, he said, is to take most electronics to Best Buy for recycling. They charge a fee of $10 but in return they give you a gift certificate for $10. They don’t accept hard drives, however, and will charge $20 to remove one from a computer.
Chittenden Mine
Jim Cummings asked if anyone knew how much gravel is being taken out of the Chittenden gravel bank on West Road. Code Enforcement Officer Dean Herrick said he did not know how much but that Chittenden had a mining exemption from the Department of Agriculture & Markets and did not need a mining permit. He said anyone could remove “something like 720 yards of material” from their land without a mining permit and those who have an agricultural exemption can remove more, but he was not sure of the amount. Herrick said he would check with Chittenden and the gravel hauler to make sure they are adhering to the agricultural plan.
Deposits & Spending
The Town Clerk reported she had turned over to the Supervisor the sum of $960.09 for the month of March. The distribution from the Office of the State Comptroller, Justice Court Fund to the Town was $3,045. The Transfer Station deposited a total of $4,097.
The Board audited and approved claims in the amount of $14,775.15 from the General Account and $19,297.83 from the Highway Account.
The Board set their first Workshop meeting for Monday, May 11, at 8 pm and their next regular meeting for Monday, May 18, at 7 pm, to be preceded by a public hearing at 6:45 pm on a change in the Cold War Veterans Exemption law.