Special meeting planned for Golf Course Rd

LPTB Aug 5 2019

Special meeting planned for Golf Course Rd.

By Pete Klein

LAKE PLEASANT—When the Lake Pleasant Town Board met on Aug 5, the town board agreed to invite the deeded right of way owners, new owners of 175 Golf Course Road and the new owner of the former Intemann property to a special meeting.

Councilperson Nancy Seifts proposed the following resolution: Be it resolved until such time as the Town of Lake Pleasant no longer owns the Right of Way at 175 Golf Course Road, the property owners with a deeded Right of Way over this property must abide by the terms of their deed and the Town signage pertaining to this property. Be if further resolved that personal property must be removed within 30 days, or it will be removed by the Town of Lake Pleasant.

Robert Peck 2^nd so the resolution could come to the floor.

Councilperson Seifts feels it is a liability issue and that people are ignoring the Town sign, Councilperson Christine Meixner agreed with Seifts.

Councilperson Meixner moved to table the Resolution until the next Town Board meeting on August 19, 2019.

Town Supervisor Dan Wilt will send a letter to the ROW owners about the Special meeting that will take place before the regular Town Board meeting.

The board approved.

HIGHWAY

Highway Superintendent Randy Lavarnway reported the brush pile in Speculator has been chipped. This was done in one day, so there is a large pile of chips if anyone wants them.

His crew has been working on Long View Drive getting ready to pave. Black top is not for another 2-3 weeks. The Crew has also been ditching Gilmantown Road with the rented excavator equipment. The last air-conditioner in the Primary Care has been updated so all three conditioners have been done.

Lavarnway is waiting on permits to extend the parking lot at Perkins Clearing. Randy received the snowmobile map from Lyme that has a bypass trail around Carpenter Hill. The Town and DEC will be reviewing this.

Councilperson Seifts asked if there could be something done about the sidewalks in front of the Town Municipal Center.

Lavarnway doesn’t know if there is money in the budget, he will look. Councilperson Seifts feels there is a liability issue.

The new tandem truck is going back to the dealer under warranty to do some minor body work and details that were missed at the dealership.

SEWAGE TREATMENT LAW

Supervisor Wilt asked the Board if they were interested in a local law requiring septic systems to be inspected before a property is sold between the owner and buyer. The Town of Inlet has a local law.  Supervisor Wilt will get a copy of the Town of Inlets local law. Councilperson Meixner was familiar with Inlet’s local law and that it has been effective in addressing septic issues. Lake Pleasant Zoning Officer Bob Benkovich thinks it a good idea especially in keeping our lakes clean. Bob Benkovich said the septic service firms would to the inspections and a copy would be sent to the Town.

OTHER BUSINESS

There was an email sent from Chris Turner asking the Town to pay for a new UV light for his water system. After much discussion the Board felt that they are only liable for the salt removal from the water system not the removal of bacteria.

The board agreed that the town is liable for the r/o systems only and turner’s bulb was not part of the salt removal system.

The board passed a resolution stating the board will not pay for the UV light at requested by Chris Turner as it is not part of the R/O system that removes the sodium chloride from their water.

The 2019 2^nd Quarterly report was handed out by Donna Benkovich Director of Adirondack Speculator Region Chamber of Commerce. Donna also attached copies of the ads that were printed for various activities in the area.

Councilperson Meixner commended Donna on her expertise and energy; she is an asset to the Chamber.

The Board agreed to send someone to a Cyber Security seminar that is be given by NYMIR Aug 21 from 9-11 a.m. in Johnstown Supervisor Wilt will see if Account Clerk Kathy Aird will attend.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Joy Eliezer, who owns a deeded ROW to 175 Golf Course Rd., wants the property closed to all who do not have deeded ROW’s. She feels that she and other ROW holders are pay double taxes on the ROW property. She would like a sign saying, “For Use by ROW Owners Only.”

Councilperson Meixner feels it was an oversight by the previous Board decision to “No Trespassing” to be added. Superintendent Lavarnway does not think the Town can forbid trespassing on land it owns. Supervisor Wilt will investigate this further by contacting the legal firm that originally did the wording.

ROW owner Stephanie Smith, speaking for some of the ROW owners that want to acquire the property, said she agreed there are canoes and other stuff on the ROW that no one knows who owns them.

ROW owner Ed Schwann said his deeded ROW no longer feels the ROW adds value to his property so his property taxes should go down.

Neil McGovern feels the ROW should be in executive session with an attorney for the Town present. McGovern also feels the septic local law is way overdue. He asked Supervisor Wilt if the County is acting on his proposal to stop health insurance for all County officials including the 9 Supervisors.

Supervisor Wilt said it had been tabled. Neil McGovern said the Town Board should put the Town paid health insurance back in the 2020 budget if the County decides to do away with it.

Robert Hoffman said that the Town Museum had had 25 visitors one day between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and that the book “The Quiet Years” by Minnie Patterson Stanyon has been reprinted. William Paestella said the septic system inspections are a good idea and asked Supervisor Wilt to send the information to the Village Mayor.

Assemblyman Robert Smullen was present to let the public know the NYS Assembly is in session from January to June and from July to December he will be getting out to all the different towns in the district. If anyone wants to talk to him, he has an office in Johnstown, Herkimer and Albany.

ROUNDTABLE

Town Clerk Deborah O’Rourke reported Town employees were given a sexual harassment and discrimination training on Thursday.

Councilperson Cris Meixner asked if the Town has hired an auditor yet. There has been no quote yet but hopefully by the next meeting they should have someone.

Betsy Bain asked Donna Benkovich how much money was raised at the memorial service for Genevieve Zeiser; she believes that $600 went to Speculator Ambulance, $600 to Mountain Valley Hospice and $450 to Albany Medical Center’s Anatomical Gift Program.

Lavarnway said there were complaints from some people because the garbage pickup was changed a little due to training that was being given in the afternoon. The recyclable paper says that all garbage should be put out by 7 a.m. People are still putting garbage out in black bags and recyclables need to be separated. Lavarnway would like to see the Town go to a Single stream system so much easier for everyone.

Editor’s note: This story is based upon the minutes of Deborah O’Rourke, Town Clerk.