Indian Lake Citizen of The Year - Terry DeArmas

ILTB July 8 2019

Citizen of The Year - Terry DeArmas

By Pete Klein

Indian Lake Supervisor Brian Wells started the July 8 meeting of the Indian Lake Town Board by saying it was an honor to announce the Citizen of the Year Award to Terry DeArmas.

He asked Terry to come before the Board to accept her plaque and offered the Resolution for Citizen of The Year 2019 to Terry DeArmas.

It was Seconded by, Councilman Richard Clawson, Councilwoman Sally Stanton, Councilwoman Patricia Ryan Curry and Councilman John Rathbun.

The resolution reads as follows: “WHEREAS; The Town Board of the Town of Indian Lake wish to recognize and thank "Terry DeArmas" for her service and dedication to the Town of Indian Lake, AND WHEREAS; Terry has been involved in numerous organizations, AND WHEREAS; Terry has been an active member of the North Country Crafters for many years, AND WHEREAS; Terry has been the past President and now current Secretary of the Indian Lake Garden Club, a Club that is instrumental in the beautification of the town center, AND WHEREAS; Terry is part of the Steering Committee for the Country Christmas Tour and Co-Chair of the bake sale held annually for the Tour, AND WHEREAS; Terry has also been the Invasive Species Coordinator for the Town of Indian Lake, AND WHEREAS; Terry is the President of the Indian Lake Theater Board as well as an active member of the Indian Lake Community Development Corporation, “THEREFORE BE IT RESOLOVED; that on this day of July 8, 2019 the Town Board of the Town of Indian Lake do hereby recognize, thank and commend "Terry DeArmas" for her dedication, commitment and service to the Town of Indian Lake, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLOVED; that this Resolution# 6 in the year 2019 be put in the Official Minutes and Official Resolution Book of the Town of Indian Lake.”

Supervisor Wells thanked Terry for her service to the Town stating it was well deserved.

ABANAKEE DAM QUESTION

Meade Hutchins questioned the Abanakee Dam. Supervisor Wells stated that he had a meeting last week with Laberge, Rozell and John Smith, PE of NYS Dam safety. He stated they all went over what we would be doing this year with the Abanakee Dam and how long this would take. Supervisor Wells stated that this was like a broken record. He stated they would be starting this week. They plan on two weeks with good weather, not a lot of high water and they plan on getting it done. After all is completed there will be three to ten days of curing time. At that time, they will pull the steel plates they had made to cover up the patches and will pump the grout in. This will be filmed by the diver and reviewed. He told the Board he would like a separate Engineering Firm to review the film as it is being shown, before the Town does any sign off. He stated that before we do that, he would be talking to our Attorneys, he will be talking to Pam Howard, Senior Account Clerk about how much extra this cost us and how much of a hold back we will be entitled too. He stated that if that does not cover it all, there are fines of $250 a day since the deadline. He stated that it was about two years over the deadline so this could be substantial. He also stated he was not looking to put anyone out of business however Indian Lake is not going to pay for the mistakes.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS

Supervisor Wells thanked Josselyn Bennett for the 4th of July parade. Councilwoman Stanton questioned if there was any room left in the upcoming Youth program. Josselyn stated there was not, but she does have a late list of kids in case a spot open. Anyone who would like to be placed on the list should call her. Josselyn reported to the Board that she is working with the Trail Blazers at the County and she would be working with them to put together more events for kids, as she has more resources and space.

PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR JUNE 2019

Bill LaPrairie reported the following

Beach season is here! In Blue Mountain Lake we put out our first beach of the season, new dock ropes and corner anchors were needed, and minor repairs were made to the lifeguard guard chair. The two refurbished speed signs went up and seem to be working well. We did our garbage runs and dam check as usual, regulating as needed. We mowed all town properties and put up tent on Durant Road. Some repairs were made to tennis court fence. We cleaned up two trees that fell in cemetery and a few at the transfer site. The shed at the cemetery was taken down and removed.

In Indian lake we mowed all town properties including the shooting range. At the former Townsend property, we finished grading and mowed the field. Chain lakes beach was put out and volleyball nets were put up.

At Byron park we had a sewer problem and found we must replace the two pumps in the pit. The rear pump lost a float and was dug up and replaced. Plans are under way to upgrade the system out front, a new style pump will have to be used because the ones there are no longer available.

In the building we replaced the meeting room lights with the new style LED bulbs getting away from the expensive ballasts and saving energy. We rebuilt two broken picnic tables and took down extra power after events.

The Black Fly Challenge started here this year and all cones, banners and signs were put out and set up

on Friday before event. Bill Zellner was there to help with parking and cleanup. When event was over, we did a cleanup and took down all banners and returned cones to DOT.

At the Health Center we worked on the ac unit, replaced filters in air handler unit after ice forced it to shut down. Installed a lock box on Meal Site for deliveries, replaced a rubber gasket on sink faucet, ordered replacement and will install when we find time.

At the Ski Hut we changed all the lights in the garage to LED, still must do office and storeroom. Serviced all mowers made repairs to decks and mule drives, changed blades. Worked on brakes on 2010 Chevy and plugged a tire on GMC.

Parks dept helped during town trash days, two guys went with the highway dept and one guy manned the transfer site.

Many signs have been rebuilt and repainted.

A camera was installed at the Ski Hut for Josselyn so she could see when someone pulls in, the camera gives a beep to let you know you have someone approaching the building.

BTI season has ended, we used about 60 gallons of product during the program. The wet spring has produced a lot of insects this year and unfortunately made for a bad fly year. The streams we treat were done 2-3 times and dams were done as needed.

WATER AND WASTEWATER REPORT FOR JUNE 2019

Kevin King, Water/Sewer Superintendent, reported on the following.

Testing was completed at all plants daily.

Samples required by DEC and DOH were submitted to the lab.

There was a new water hookup on Adirondack Lake Rd. There was already a two-inch line that ran up the opposite side of the road as the water main. This line had never been turned on. When we found the shutoffs and turned it on there was a leak in the two-inch line that we had to dig up and fix.

We have had to do a lot of marking for both the road project up in Blue Mt, and the fiber optic that is going underground in Indian Lake.

The sewer pump at Byron Park stopped working. We worked with Parks and Rec to get it temporarily working, and we are trying to get two new pumps to have a backup. We are working with Emerick Associates to see if we can get a drop-in replacement or if we must change the slide rail system that holds the pumps.

Sienna Fence was here to fix the chain link fence at the Sewer Plant. During the winter a tree had fallen and smashed part of the fence.

The U.V. lights at the Sewer Plant require cleaning about once a week.

We had Hometown Sewer come up because we needed some sludge hauled. We sucked out the holding tank at the East Plant, the sewer pit at Byron Park, and had a load of backwash sludge from the Water Plant hauled away.

The hydrants were weed whacked in both Indian Lake and Blue Mt. Lake.

P & T Supply came back up to replace the drive at the Indian Lake Water plant that was damaged when they were working on the wells. They did replace the drive, but we are having some programming issues and are waiting for our computer guy to come up to get it straightened out.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Brenda Valentine reported that the Farmers Market has started. Councilwoman Curry stated that there was a nice article featuring Brenda Valentine concerning the Farmers Market stating that our market is a model program.

Brenda also stated that the CDC are all ready for the Adirondack Challenge and gave an overview of one of their new activities, Stamp Around. Supervisor Wells stated that this is a program of all the events Brenda mentioned. He stated that the committee is trying to bring more people down to Byron Park.

The way it works is the patrons will go around Town, get a stamp from each business they went to and bring the stamps down to Byron Park to be entered a drawing. He stated that a big thank you goes out to Adventure Sports Rafting Company for giving the Grand Prize of a rafting trip down the Hudson for two.

Terry DeArmas told all present that the Theater would be holding their Blue Jean Barbeque on August 4th at the Byron Park Pavilion.

Darrin Harr, Director of the Chamber, gave the Chamber report.

BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW

Supervisor Wells reported that Bill Murphy resigned from the Board of Assessment Review. Supervisor Wells thanked Bill for his service.

SUPERVISOR COMMENTS

Supervisor Wells announced that the Adirondack Dam project would not be happening this year. He stated that he had received a report from DEC stating there was roughly 30 problems they found with the paperwork and procedure. He reported there was one issue that will take some negotiations concerning a difference of opinion on spill way design. Chazen will be handling this.

He stated that we will now be reopening the Byron Park Building for use.

Supervisor Wells reported to the Board that paperwork needed to be finished to close out the abandonment of property from the State to Indian Lake. Papers now needed to be signed to give the slice of land over to Donald Liddle. He reported to all this was a sliver of land that the Liddle's have a drilled well on and have been renting from the State. This needed to be turned over to the Town first, then the Town could turn over to the Liddle's.

Supervisor Wells proposed to the Board to set up and hold another Carp Tournament.

The ADHOC (Adirondack Home Owners Committee) Committee will put the proposal together and get the information to the Board. This will be a two-night event. Supervisor Wells will check with the Towns Insurance to see if this is possible.

Supervisor Wells made a motion to open Lake Adirondack for a Carp Fishing Tournament, date and time to be determined by the ADHOC Committee and to be approved by the Board. Seconded by, Councilman Rathbun.

Councilwoman Curry questioned the ADHOC Committee as it is in transition. Supervisor Wells stated the ADHOC Committee is not in transition now, the Weed District Advisory Board was. He stated that the ADHOC Committee started this so he thought we could use their help with it.

Councilwoman Curry asked when the new Board takes over how will the Town Board transition that. Supervisor Wells stated that the Town Board is ultimately responsible for Weed District and the Town Board will be holding the tournament. Supervisor Wells stated the deadline for nominations is July 31 but reiterated that the Town Board is ultimately responsible and will be holding the tournament with the help of the ADHOC Committee. Councilwoman Curry reiterated that she is hoping for a smooth transition between the ADHOC Committee and the newly appointed Weed District Advisory Board.

The board approved.

Supervisor Wells reported to the Board that he had a request from CAP 21 for the Town to become a member. Supervisor Wells feels that the Board hired Chazen to do Grant writing for the Town so feels this is a duplication of services.

Supervisor Wells reported that the Library has many events over the summer, and all should check them out.

He also reported that the Have a Seat program is up and running.

He reported to all that he had sent a letter of support to D.O.T for the annual Peaks and Brew Race that goes through Blue Mt. Lake.

Supervisor Wells reported to all that he had updated the flow chart for the Dam certification form

Supervisor Wells reported that Chazen is working with D.E.C. for the Adirondack Dam permit. Supervisor Wells reported to all that he is getting a proposal from Trampoline concerning a new Web site for the Town. The Town Board already received and heard a proposal from Tom Williams from Paradox Consulting Group, and he is working on another.

Supervisor Wells reported to the Board that there is a grant coming up that could be used to develop a Web site. Supervisor Wells offered Resolution# 9, Resolution authorizing submission of a NYS Empire State Development Market NY Consolidated Funding Application. Seconded by, Councilwoman Stanton. The board approved

Supervisor Wells reported all that Hamilton County is working on a recyclable Grant at this time. This is a shared services grant. This could be used for equipment for the transfer station. Councilwoman Stanton questioned how the recycling was going at the transfer station. Supervisor Wells stated this is being worked on. Councilwoman Stanton also asked if there was money available to dispose of liquid material such as paint or oil? Supervisor Wells stated that there use to be days that a vehicle would come up and take all this stuff, but it is very, very expensive. Supervisor Wells stated that he would investigate it again.

Councilwoman Stanton had heard that there was a grant that would pay for this one day. Supervisor Wells stated that if it is available that should be being developed in Hamilton County. He stated he would ask. Councilman Rathbun questioned if we were going to do a shredding day. It was discussed that the school has a shred day.

Supervisor Wells reported to the Board that D.E.C. had approached him concerning the Eastern end of old Rte. 30, stating it was rough. They told him if we couldn't fix it, they could. James Roblee, Highway Superintendent, stated that it is used for hiking and walking and if it was fixed nice the cars would be driving fast on it. Supervisor Wells will tell D.E.C. no thank you.

Supervisor Wells offered Resolution # 10, Resolution authorizing the submission of an application for EFC Engineering Planning Grant to evaluate sewer collection. Seconded by, Councilwoman Stanton.

The board approved.

Supervisor Wells reported to all that the Branding Logo that Trampoline had done for the Town had received many positive remarks.

Supervisor Wells made a motion to adopt the new branding and marketing logo. Seconded by, Councilwoman Stanton. Councilwoman Curry questioned if there had been anything done with the 4-season winter logo that had been questioned at the last meeting. Supervisor Wells stated they have talked about it; they know about it but have not come up with anything specific at this time.

Councilwoman Curry asked if there was a way to hold payment until they incorporate that. Supervisor Wells stated that there is more to the contract than just this part of the logo.

The board approved

Supervisor Wells reported to the Board that he had been invited to the Governors Challenge in the Catskills and he would be attending. He stated that he is hoping to talk to some D.E.C. personal at this event.

Supervisor Wells told all that he had been working with Essex County Roost on a separate promotion of the 5 Towns in Hamilton County.

Supervisor Wells told all that he had attended the Frontier Towns Camp Ground grand opening on June 26. He told all its beautiful. He stated this is all a part of the plans started a long time ago to connect the 5 Towns and if we can get the people off the Northway into that campground and get the community connector trails, we can get them to Indian Lake.

Councilwoman Curry stated that the Appellate Court sided with the Environmentalist on the tree cutting lawsuit. She asked what this means for the connector bridge. Supervisor Wells stated that was a separate lawsuit, but they do intertwine. Supervisor Wells stated that he had met with the Lawyer that the 5 Towns hired as well as AATV and the Local Government Review Board. Supervisor Wells stated that D.E.C. has a right to appeal and the 5 Towns feel that they should. If it had been a three to two vote it would have been an automatic appeal, since it was a four to one vote it may not get appealed. Supervisor Wells stated this is so disheartening but he feels this decision as it stands now and until it gets appealed and gets decided, there is going to be a lot of people who don't enjoy snowmobiling that are going to be heard, because with this ruling, there is no tree cutting at all! So all the new hiking trails they have been promoting, all the reroutes they were proposing for the damaged trails for all the miss­ use of the hiking trails will now be put on hold or should be put on hold because that is how it reads. He stated this does not specifically state snowmobile trails, it states trails period. Councilwoman Curry stated that they are focusing on snowmobile trails when they are multi use trails.

Supervisor Wells stated that on July 19 there is supposed to be a decision on the Cedar River Bridge Lawsuit. He stated the general feeling of the 5 Towns Lawyer is that the Judge will hold off on the decision, keeping the restraining order in place, until the tree cutting Lawsuit goes to the Board of Appeals. Once they decide on that Lawsuit, then the Judge will decide on the Cedar River Bridge Lawsuit. Supervisor Wells stated unfortunately this will mean another lost season of building.

Supervisor Wells reported to the Board that he had received a call from a senior citizen asking for a ride to get groceries. He asked the Board how they felt about starting up the Van again to take seniors down for medicine and groceries.

This had been done in years past however it was not utilized enough by the seniors, so it was stopped. Councilwoman Curry questioned if there was anything like this offered by the Office of the Aging or the County Public Health. Supervisor Wells said yes, they do, however it doesn't always work out. Councilwoman Curry felt that the Town should investigate these services first. She stated that there are a lot more laws and programs for the seniors  now, to  improve  the quality of life for elderly, so she is wondering from the last time we did that until now, there be more programs available through the Office of the Aging and with Public Health on the County level. She stated she would like to check them first before utilizing Town resources as there may be already something in place. Councilwoman Stanton stated they may have someone all ready and they could utilize the Town van.

OTHER TOWN BUSINESS

Councilman Rathbun reported to all that he is looking into starting a car show in Indian Lake again. Discussion held. He stated that he is working on this now and will have more information at the next meeting.

Councilwoman Stanton stated that Lou Spada a few years ago had a proposal to revitalize the Gooley Farm on Chain Lakes Road. He approached her stating that he would like to re-start the effort to rehabilitate that building for the purposes of maybe having an Interpretive Center, first aid station or just a place for people to rest when their hiking. She told all that he will be at the annual meeting of the Indian Lake Community Development Corporation. The date is July 17 at the Ski Hut. He will be explaining his efforts in restarting this. She stated if anyone interested, please come.

Editor’s note: This story is based upon the minutes provided by Indian Lake Town Clerk Julie Clawson