by Thaddeus Flint
The two “big” items on the agenda of the December 2014 New Lebanon Town Board meeting, the appraisal of the Town Gravel Pit and the latest on Covenant Circle, were big letdowns for all those who are interested in such things as neither saw any new action Tuesday night.
[private]Gravel Pit
According to notes prepared by New Lebanon Town Clerk, Colleen Teal, a decision to accept an appraisal by Holden and Associates from East Greenbush for the value of the gravel pit on West Hill was tabled until the January meeting. This was because there were only three Board members present, New Lebanon Town Supervisor Mike Benson and Councilmen Bruce Baldwin and Chuck Geraldi. Councilmen Dan Evans and Matt Larabee were absent.
Covenant Circle
Covenant Circle’s endless road to nowhere was also pulled from the agenda, apparently at the request of the homeowners’ association. The group’s request that the Town take over their road has been on and off the agendas of various administrations in New Lebanon for years now. The year 2015 looks like it will be no different.
Public Hearings Scheduled
Two public hearings were also scheduled for 2015. On January 13 the Lebanon Valley Protective Association not-for-profit status change will be discussed at 6:30 pm, followed by a proposed local law on Court Clerks at 6:45 pm.
Meetings
Three other meetings were also planned. The Year End meeting will be held a day before the year ends, December 30, at 6:30 pm. The Town’s Organizational meeting will be held on January 5 at 6 pm. The Year End audits, always an exciting affair, will be held January 13 at 5:30 pm.
Reports
During the liaison reports there was little to report. Councilman Baldwin brought up a proposal to have the Town fund the health insurance deductibles. Supervisor Benson said he would check with the Town’s accounting firm to see if this is allowable, and the matter will be discussed again later.
Councilman Geraldi pointed out that the printed Human Resources Manual the Town spent several years preparing is not exactly the same one that the Town Board finally adopted. Geraldi and Teal now get to go through the whole thing again to look for inaccuracies. Teal said it is hoped that a proper version will be ready for re-adoption at the Organizational Meeting.
Geraldi also pointed out that the Town might save some money by having the firm PayChex do the payroll. Further discussion on that will also take place at the Year End meeting.
Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline
The night ended with Resident and Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline (SNYFGP) Member Judy Zimmer discussing an article that was recently in the Berkshire Eagle on the high pressure gas line that was proposed to go through part of New Lebanon. The company planning the pipeline, Kinder Morgan, is now saying that New Lebanon may no longer be on that proposed route and instead the National Grid power line right of way running through Stephentown is now being considered. SNYFGP is offering their support to residents in the newly targeted areas.
For more information, SNYFGP is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stopnyfrackedgaspipeline.[/private]