New Lebanon Moves To Dissolve Ethics Committee

by David Flint
After hearing members of the Ethics Board arguing among themselves at a number of recent Town Board meetings, the New Lebanon Town Board at their meeting this past Tuesday took steps to dissolve that Board and move the task of monitoring the Town’s ethics to the County.
[private]Councilman Doug Clark said he didn’t want to continue to hear two halves of the Ethics Board debate each other at every Town Board meeting. He thought there would be advantages to having their function carried out instead by the Columbia County Ethics Board. “Less of a local agenda and more of a neutral bystander,” he said. He then made a motion to have the Town Attorney prepare the law to that effect, which the Town Board would review at their August meeting. At that time they would schedule a public hearing on the matter for September. Councilman Matt Larabee seconded the motion, and it passed 4-1 with Councilman K.B. Chittenden dissenting. Chittenden said he thought it was better to keep these things local.
Benson Under Fire
Town Supervisor Michael Benson came under fire from fellow Board Members for making appointments without Board authorization. Matt Larabee started the grilling by asking about the hiring of Don Sears to paint the pavilion in Shatford Park. Benson responded that before the last Board meeting he had solicited bids for the job from four people. Two responded with bids of about $5,600 and $11,780. Benson then spoke with Sears who said he could do it for about $1,200, and Benson hired him. It was discussed with the Town Attorney, he said, and paid out of a budgeted line item, all in accord with the Town’s procurement policy, he believed.
Neither Larabee nor Councilman Bruce Baldwin was satisfied with that answer, saying that hiring must be approved by the Board. Baldwin said the Board now needed to authorize the appointments after the fact and set hourly rates of pay. Councilman Chittenden recalled a conversation in which Benson said he would check with Sears about doing the job, but Chittenden said the hiring should have gone through the Park Supervisor, Scott Larabee.
Councilman Doug Clark defended Benson asserting that the Board shouldn’t have to approve every dollar in a budgeted line item. Should all progress be halted over every little thing so that nothing gets done or should we rather use the budget to make the park again something people can be proud of and saving a lot of money in the process? “It’s called managing things and getting ‘em done,” he said.
Board Members were also concerned about three other appointments or transfers of current staff, apparently without Board approval. They involved two staff members who are being paid to put in additional hours to help out the Assessor on an as needed basis and one employee from Human Resources given additional duties.
Benson said he was not trying to circumvent due process or exclude Board Members from decisions but just wanted to move things forward when they were not getting done.
Following this discussion there appeared to be consensus that the Board would have to bless these appointments, but the whole matter was tabled until the proper hourly pay rates can be figured out.
Town Hall Project On Schedule
Baldwin, who was officially appointed liaison for the Town Hall construction project at this meeting, reported that the project is proceeding on schedule. The contractor has met with the architect and will continue to meet every other Thursday. A major portion of the work has already been done in-house by the Highway Department. The site has been cleaned up – including the removal of some antique beer bottles – and footings constructed. Soil samples have been taken and compaction tests completed. The water line has been installed under ground and provision made for under ground power lines as well. The pouring of concrete for the walls will probably take place on Thursday of this week. Early next week material will be brought in and compacted for the sub-floor. In-house expenses, he said, are running at about $17,000. Baldwin said there had been no real problems so far and everything has been documented with a diary and photos.
Portion Of Hill Road To Be Abandoned
At the request of the one landowner on the upper portion of Hill Road running south off of Route 20 in West Lebanon, the Board passed a resolution notifying him that the Town will abandon 250 feet of the road at that end and no longer maintain it. The Board will make it official at their August meeting, and no public hearing is required.
Concern About Pedestrian Safety At The Speedway
The Board has for some time been concerned about pedestrian safety on Route 20 by the Lebanon Valley Speedway. Following an accident that occurred on May 12 in which a man crossing the road was hit by a car, concerns have been heightened. Clark said that a campground permit awarded to the Speedway was contingent on certain conditions which have not been met and much of that, such as modifications to the crosswalk and lighting, has to be approved by the State Department of Transportation. DOT has not been very cooperative on this matter, however, and Clark said that an inquiry about the status of the requested modifications went unanswered.
Benson, who was on the scene the night of the accident, noted that at other such venues where parking is across a highway, pedestrian bridges have been installed, and he wondered why we can’t have people safe at the Lebanon Valley Speedway. In any case, he said the Town would be remiss in not dealing with this issue.
To get feedback from residents and to bring DOT to the table, the Board scheduled a public hearing to precede the next regular Board meeting on Tuesday, September 11. Benson will send letters out to DOT, the State Police and the Columbia County Sheriff, with copies to appropriate elected officials and legislators.
Cemetery Of The Evergreens Seeking Help
A representative of the Board of the Cemetery of the Evergreens reported that the Cemetery has been suffering a loss in the past four years and is in dire need of funds. The only income they get is when people die – “And you thought we could help out?” cracked Benson – or from donations. The Cemetery Board has asked to meet with Town officials to see what assistance might be had. Supervisor Benson said he could attend a meeting with them on July 31.
Larry Benson also reported that on Monday, August 13, the Theater Barn will host a Cabaret Night with all proceeds, including concessions, going to benefit the Cemetery of the Evergreens. Tickets cost $25. For reservations call the Theater Barn at 794-8989
Forgotten In Brainard
Elizabeth Bingham complained that she lives in Brainard, “And we’re forgotten down there.” She said she lives on a road that is so dusty they can’t open the windows and calls to Highway Superintendent Jeff Winestock have not produced any help. Bink noted that Benson had stood on her deck last fall, shook her hand and pledged to get things done.
Benson said he would speak with Winestock and ensure that some calcium is spread on her road. And, pleased that someone had recognized his passion for getting things done after the scolding he took earlier in the meeting, he said he might even come down and spread the calcium himself – maybe even that very night![/private]