Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Ranger Report June 30

Ranger Report June 30

Town of Lake Pleasant



Storm Damage Response: On June 21, Forest Rangers Nally, Thompson, and Kerr responded to a call for Forest Ranger assistance from the caretaker at Moffitt Beach State Campground. The caretaker reported several impassable roadways, downed trees and phone lines, and power outages in the area. Rangers helped clear storm damage in and around the campground and assisted local fire departments, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, and highway officials with localized storm impacts.

Rangers, working through Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Dispatch, also responded to 911 calls, supplementing local resources. Rangers checked on campers at undeveloped and isolated State Land campsites in areas without cell service. On Powley Road in the town of Stratford, Ranger Thompson discovered the road impassable. The Ranger began cutting his way down the road where he made contact and assisted stranded campers. 

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Accident and arrest on Big Brook Road

 State Police Report June 23



On June 23, 2021, at approximately 10:36 p.m., State Police responded to Big Brook Road in the town of Indian Lake for a report of a motor vehicle crash. An investigation at the scene revealed that a 2016 Ford F350 operated by 42-year-old Andrew B. Lewis of Indian Lake, struck a utility pole. He was found unconscious in his vehicle. Lewis was subsequently placed under arrest for DWI. He refused to submit to a test to determine his blood alcohol content. Lewis was charged with DWI and released with tickets for the Indian Lake Court


Tuesday, June 22, 2021

New fire tower for hikers in Hamilton County

 

Supervisors June 21 2021

 


 

New fire tower for hikers in Hamilton County

By PETE KLEIN

LAKE PLEASANT—When the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors met on June 21, they approved a group of resolutions that will provider hikers with a new fire tower to hike up to and climb up for the view.

HAMILTON COUNTY FIRE TOWER CHALLENGE

WHEREAS, in the Town of Long Lake, on lands owned by Cedar Heights Timber, LLC (CHT) exists the Buck Mt. Fire Tower owned by Cedar Heights Timber, LLC, and

WHEREAS, Hamilton County has a very successful Fire Tower Challenge, and WHEREAS, the Town of Long Lake wants to add this Fire Tower to the existing Fire Tower Challenge, and

WHEREAS, Cedar Heights Timber, LLC is willing to enter into a 10 year agreement to open the Fire Tower to the public, and

WHEREAS, Hamilton County possesses or has access to the resources and partners to implement this project, now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors is hereby authorized to enter into a 10 year access agreement with Cedar Heights Timber, LLC with the approval of the County Attorney, and based on the following: Cedar Heights Timber, LLC/Finch Forest Management will have proposed South Sabattis Road Parking Area cleared and stumped (Tom Donnelly Logging of Long Lake to do the job).

Hamilton County will assist with trucking of gravel from CHT-Grampus Pit to cover Parking Area (Tom Donnelly to grade).

Hamilton County will assist with trucking of Cobb rock from Mitchell’s Tahawus Mine to Parking Area for top cover (Tom Donnelly to grade).

Hamilton County will coordinate/contract with Adirondack Mountain Club and Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation Crew to brush, sign and construct 1.2 mile of hiking trail from Parking Area to Buck Mt. Fire Tower.

The Town of Long Lake will contract with Michael Vilegi to paint, replace steps, replace landings, replace Cab roof as well as install safety fencing on the stairs and landing areas on Buck Mt. Fire Tower.

Town of Long Lake will provide the seasonal porta-john, monitor Parking Area for litter/trash and do light trail maintenance. Any major trail repair necessary will be the responsibility of Hamilton County.

Town of Long Lake is to provide roadside signage at Parking Area for Buck Mt. Fire Tower Trail, No Camping signage and Trail Head Kiosk.

Hamilton County will provide enforcement of the No Overnight Parking and No Camping provisions of the agreement.

Cedar Heights Timber, LLC (CHT) will agree to a 10 year, no fee, and recreational access lease with Hamilton County for the Parking Area, Hiking Trail and Fire Tower. The Parking Area, Hiking Trail and Fire Tower will remain in the ownership of CHT.

Hamilton County and the Town of Long Lake will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CHT free and harmless from any loss, injury, damage, claim, lien, cost or expense, including without limitation attorney’s fees and costs that result in exercise of lease, breach of Agreement, or lack or compliance with laws of the State of New York.

Hamilton County and the Town of Long Lake shall maintain General Liability Insurance which policy shall have minimum limits of $1,000,000 combined single limit and $2,000,000 general aggregate and shall name CHT as Certificate Holder and Additional Insured. The County will also provide coverage under their Umbrella Liability at $5,000,000 per occurrence and $10,000,000 Aggregate.

and be it also

RESOLVED, that the Town of Long Lake and Cedar Heights Timber, LLC be so notified.

MOUNTAIN CLUB AND HAMILTON COUNTY PARTNERSHIP

WHEREAS, Hamilton County and the Adirondack Mountain Club began to partner together around our two Fire Tower Challenges several years ago, and

WHEREAS, the parties expanded that partnership, looking at opportunities to collaborate on trail work, and

WHEREAS, that has prompted joint review of several trails, and the exploration of training opportunities for our Soil and Water team and volunteers, and

WHEREAS, these partnerships have involved the exchange of many hours of partnership on the Buck Mt. and other trails, working to combine our effort to enhance trail work capacity in Hamilton County, and

WHEREAS, this partnership has been dramatically enhanced through the County contract with Hamilton County Soil and Water, and

WHEREAS, specific to the Buck Mt. Fire Tower project, this partnership has already had the County, Soil and Water, and the Adirondack Mountain Club investing many hours of combined time, and

WHEREAS, we are now at the point where we have to define and complete the more intensive work of getting a trail built on a tight timeline, and

WHEREAS, Soil and Water has been on site several times with the Adirondack Mountain Club to define the specific areas of trail work for Soil and Water, as well as the Adirondack Mt. Club, now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors hereby determines the following: Neither Hamilton County, nor Hamilton County Soil and Water have the technical expertise to build the steepest part of the Buck Mt. Fire Tower Trail

The Adirondack Mt. Club has the technical expertise to do this work, and has proposed a design/build model for same in an amount not to exceed $31,500.

Hamilton County wants to codify the existing partnership in a more formal agreement.

The Adirondack Mt. Club is the sole source for this work, on this particular trail project because of their expertise, but also because of the current and existing partnership on this trail, where they have provided significant volunteer work and where we also have integrated their training of Soil and Water, with both portions of the trail work and also be it

RESOLVED, that based on the determinations above, that the Chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisor is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the Adirondack Mountain Club to both formalize our partnership and contract for the one specific portion of the Buck Mt. Trail in an amount not to exceed $31,500.00, with the approval of the County Attorney.

BUCK MT. RIGHT OF ENTRY AGREEMENT

WHEREAS, the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors has authorized a 10 year agreement which will open the Buck Mt. Fire Tower owned by Cedar Heights Timber, LLC and a trail across lands owned by Cedar Heights, LLC, and

WHEREAS, the project is proceeding ahead of schedule, and

WHEREAS, the teams representing Hamilton County (Soil and Water, as well as ADK) need immediate access to begin the trail work, and

WHEREAS, the Hamilton County Highway Department would benefit significantly from the flexibility to get the hauling of materials for the parking lot done at their convenience, without delay, now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors is hereby authorized to execute the Buck Mt. Right of Entry agreement with Cedar Heights Timber, LLC on behalf of Hamilton County with the approval of the County Attorney.

Saturday, June 5, 2021

County plans bridge work

Supervisors June 4 2021



County plans bridge work

By PETE KLEIN

LAKE PLEASANT—When the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors met on June 4, it passed resolutions to work on a bridge in the Town of Wells.

CONSTRUCTION OF COUNTY ROAD BRIDGE PROJECT

WHEREAS there has been appropriated in the 2021 highway budget the sum of

$125,000 for the Bridge Repair Projects for 2021, and

WHEREAS, the DPW Superintendent has met with the Public Works Committee and recommends the rehabilitation of County owned Burnham Mill Bridge on Old Route 8B in the Town of Wells, and

WHEREAS, the County Highway Superintendent has recommended the initial appropriation of $100,000 for the rehabilitation of the following bridge project:

COUNTY BRIDGE PROJECT NO. 1 Town of Wells

Burnham Mill Bridge, BIN3307510, Old Route 8B $100,000; Account No. D5120.2008 and

WHEREAS, the above designated bridge is owned by Hamilton County, be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Hamilton does allot and appropriate from Account No. D5112.0203 Bridge Projects, the sum of $100,000 for the rehabilitation of the above designated project as recommended by the County Highway Superintendent and the County Treasurer and Clerk of the Board be so advised.

MAPPING & BOUNDARY WORK FOR PROPOSED BIG BROOK BRIDGE 

WHEREAS Resolution No. 115-21 Authorized the DPW Superintendent to have Fisher Associates provide ROW Topographic Survey and mapping for the proposed County Route 4, Big Brook Road Over Big Brook Bridge replacement, and

WHEREAS originally the Superintendent estimated we only needed to get permanent easements on the West side of the current bridge, and

WHEREAS, after the initial survey and pre-design engineering work up with staged construction it will be required to have permanent easements on the East side of the bridge also, and

WHEREAS, the Superintendent has received a written quote for the additional survey and mapping for the East side easements from Fisher Associates for $7,900 and

WHEREAS, the Superintendent recommends the additional survey work and mapping be completed for the proposed bridge project, be it

RESOLVED, the Superintendent is hereby authorized to hire Fisher Associates for the additional ROW Survey and Mapping work as stated herein and it will be a charge to Account No. D5112.203 Bridges and the DPW Superintendent, County Treasurer and the Clerk of the Board be so notified.

In addition to the above resolution, the Board also approved the following resolutions.

PROMOTION OF DPW EMPLOYEE FROM MEO TO HEO

WHEREAS, the DPW Superintendent has met with the Internal Management Committee to recommend the promotion of the following employee: William Rehm, Jr. – MEO to HEO and

WHEREAS, the DPW Superintendent recommends this promotion, be it

RESOLVED, that hereby the DPW Superintendent is authorized to promote the above mentioned employee from MEO to HEO at Step 4 at $20.859 per hour, effective June 10, 2021 and the Personnel Officer, County Treasurer and Clerk of the Board be so notified.

CHEVROLET FOR 2021 SHERIFF VEHICLE 

WHEREAS Resolution No. 346-21 authorizes the County Fleet Coordinator to purchase a one (1) 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe for use by the Sheriff’s Office, and 

WHEREAS the vehicle ordered was delivered, and 

WHEREAS, the County Fleet Coordinator has inspected the said vehicle and confirms it is accepted and meets specifications and recommends payment of said vehicle, be it 

RESOLVED, the County Treasurer is hereby authorized to make payment to Carbone Chevrolet, Yorkville, NY 13495 in the amount of $38,039 and the funds to be taken out of Account No. A3110.0202 Automobile and the Sheriff, Fleet Coordinator and the Clerk of the Board be so notified.  

ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT FOR SHERIFF VEHICLE

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 346-20 authorizes the purchase of a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe for the Sheriff’s Office, and 

WHEREAS the said vehicle needs to have ancillary equipment installed such as but not limited to 2 way radio’s, emergency lights, sirens, K-9 cage, etc., and 

WHEREAS, the County has received a written quote for the installation of the ancillary equipment from JPJ Electronics, Yorkville, NY in the amount of $16,979.05, and 

WHEREAS this quote is based on pricing discounts on equipment under a contract JPJ currently has with Otsego County, and  

WHEREAS, because of the electronics that new vehicles have from the factory such as air bag components and computer controlled factory equipment the Superintendent recommends waiving the County’s procurement for three written quotes and recommends that JPJ Electronics complete the installation of the ancillary equipment, be it.  

RESOLVED, the Fleet Coordinator is authorized to purchase the Ancillary Equipment from JPJ Electronics installed at a cost of $16,979.05 and be it further.  

RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer is hereby authorized to transfer $3,018.05 from Account No. A3170.0401 Other Corrections to Account No. A3110.0202 Automobile to cover said purchase and the Clerk of the Board, County Sheriff and Fleet Coordinator be so notified.

FUNDING NYS CDBG

WHEREAS Hamilton County was awarded NYS Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Project # 500HR345-18 in the amount of $240,000, and

WHEREAS, this grant has not been fully expended, be it

RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer is hereby authorized to fund the following accounts: Revenue: CD.4089 Federal Aid, CDBG-Housing Rehab Grant #500HR345-18 - $76,990.37; Expenditure: CD.8668.401 Community Development, Rehab Loans and Grants$76,990.37.

WIC CONTRACT

WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Health, Agency # 12000, requests the renewal of the Contract No. DOH01-C35458GG-3450000 with Hamilton County Public Health Nursing Service to provide Women, Infant and Children Program (WIC) Services, for the period of October 1, 2021– September 30, 2022, and

WHEREAS the grant year overlaps the 2021- 2022 County Budgeted fiscal year, and WHEREAS, the total grant contract is for Fifty One Thousand Four Hundred Forty Six Dollars ($51,446), and

WHEREAS the necessary funds have been appropriated in the 2021 Municipal Budget and the remainder will be proposed for the 2022 Municipal Budget, be it.

RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors be authorized to sign the Contract with the NYS WIC Program, and the County Treasurer be so notified.

SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM BUDGET

WHEREAS, the Hamilton County Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), administered by the Hamilton County Department of Social Services, has been awarded the amount of Eleven Thousand Six Hundred Fourteen Dollars ($11,614) for the administration of the 2021 SYEP, and

WHEREAS the amount to be awarded for SYEP was not known at the time the 2021 budget was adopted and no amount was put in the 2021 Hamilton County budget for Account No. A6290.103, Job Training Participating Summer Youth, therefore, be it.

RESOLVED, that Account No. A6290.103, Job Training Participating Summer Youth, be increased by Eleven Thousand Six Hundred and Fourteen Dollars ($11,614) to be totally offset by increasing Revenue Account No. A4089.100, Federal Aid, WIA, by same amount and the County Treasurer be so authorized.

NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM 

WHEREAS, Hamilton County has a 5-year agreement with the Unified Court System for security services to the courts of Hamilton, and 

WHEREAS, the contract begins on April 1, 2019 and ends on March 31, 2024, and

WHEREAS, the contract stated in pertinent part, “All subsequent periods of the contract, the maximum compensation and where necessary new staffing schedule for that period are to be established by mutual written agreement of the parties.” and 

WHEREAS, the State Unified Court System has provided a proposal wherein the period of the contract begins on April 1, 2021 and ends on March 31, 2022, the maximum compensation for the period is Twenty-six Thousand Dollars ($26,000) and the Hamilton County Sheriff provides an attendant staffing schedule, and 

WHEREAS, the Hamilton County Sheriff has provided an Attendant Staffing Schedule to the State Court System, 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors is authorized to execute an agreement with the New York State Unified Court System to provide Court Attendant Staffing by the Hamilton County Sheriff for the maximum compensation of Twenty-six Thousand Dollars ($26,000) for the period beginning on April 1, 2021 and ending on March 31, 2022. 

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE GRANT

WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Health through Health Research, Inc. (HRI) has offered renewal of Contract No. 1611-15 with Hamilton County Public Health Nursing Service for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response for the period July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, and 

WHEREAS, the total grant contract is for $50,099, be it 

RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors be authorized to sign Contract No. 1611-15 with the NYS Department of Health through Health Research Inc., pending approval by the County Attorney and the County Treasurer be so advised. 

COVID-19 ENHANCED DETECTION GRANT 

WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Health through Health Research, Inc. (HRI) has been awarded a grant from the Center Disease Control Prevent and would like to contract with Hamilton County Public Health Nursing Service for ELC COVID-19 Enhanced Detection for the period 7/1/20-6/30/22, and  

WHEREAS, the total grant contract is for $163,390, therefore, be it 

RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors be authorized to sign Contract No. 6448-01 with the New York State Department of Health through Health Research, Inc. (HRI), and be it further. 

RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer is hereby authorized to create and fund the following accounts: A4189.1103 – HRI COVID ELC 6448-01 Personal Service $77,621 A4189.8710 – HRI COVID ELC 6448-01 Fringe $42,769 A4189.4104 – HRI COVID ELC 6448-01 Supplies& Miscellaneous $43,000; To be totally offset by creating and funding Revenue Account No. A4401.0200 HRI COVID ELC  6448-01 in the amount of $163,390.

PAYMENT TO DEERE AND COMPANY 

WHEREAS Resolution No. 88-21 authorizes the County Fleet Coordinator to purchase a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) in the amount of $17,794.11, and 

WHEREAS, the UTV has been received and the Superintendent recommends payment for the said UTV, be it 

RESOLVED, the County Treasurer is hereby authorized to make payment to Deere & Company, Government Sales, Chicago, IL 60673-1217 in the amount of $17,794.11 and the funds to be taken out of Account No. A1620.0202 Equipment for the Buildings Division and the County Highway Superintendent and the Clerk of the Board be so notified.