Wells TB July 8 2019.
Wells plans for hydro
plant work
By Pete Klein
At
the July 8 meeting of the Wells Town Board, Supervisor
Donald Beach reviewed cost and duration of estimates from Adirondack Mechanical
Services, LLC, Gansevoort, at the Hydro Plant to disassemble, inspect wear
parts, replace seal material and clean remaining parts for 1.
Existing Hydraulic Power
Units (HPU) only and Existing HPU and turbine components. The proposal include
labor, procurement of material,
lifts, equipment and tools to complete the work.
HPU Only Pricing $5,766. HPU Turbine Components $24,947.
A complete cleaning is
recommended every 5 to 6 years for the safety of the plant. The last time full maintenance
was done was in 2005. Councilperson Saltis feels that FERC will require this
for the re-licensing, and we should look to include in next year’s budget.
MONTHLY HYDROELECTRIC
REPORT
Beach reported on the Lake
Algonquin Hydroelectric Plant for June 2019. Revenues totaled $14,354.38;
expenditures totaled $199.76.
SUPERVISOR MONTHLY REPORT
Councilperson Andrew Lauria
questioned why there is such a high balance in the checking account, shouldn’t
funds be in the Money Market earning a higher rate of interest. Supervisor
Beach said the interest rate is the same for the checking and money market and
it’s easier for him to manage the money going into one account. Councilperson
Lauria would like to know what the interest rate is in both accounts.
BUILDING
INSPECTOR REPORT
The Board reviewed the
Building Code Enforcement Officer’s report for June 2019. Mike McElroy gave
each Board Member his letter of resignation effective September 30, 2019.
COMMITTEES ROUNDTABLE
Highway Superintendent Clay
Earley reported that Craig Rd. paving is almost complete. Due to National Grid
working on the Windfall, it has delayed the paving work to be done there.
Councilperson Tim Hunt
asked about the pond at the lower end of Town. Supervisor Beach explained that
in 2017 it was dug up for the purpose of finding a culvert which could not be
located. It was left open and in 2018 the property owner filled it in. Beach
would now like to purchase a new 100 ft. 15-inch culvert at a cost of $659 and
three couplings at $6.59 each. The County will let us use their small
excavator. Early added it will take about two weeks to order the culvert. The
Board agreed to move forward with the project.
Hunt asked about problems
with the magnetic switch at the dam. Beach explained it is tripping after he
and Dave Brenan inspected the problems. He has taken pictures and forwarded
them to the electrical contractor, Rob Simpson who will order parts and do the
necessary repairs.
Councilperson Vanessa Saltis
reported the Summer Rec is in its second week. During the first week, 31 to 34
children attended and the second week with slightly less due to a basketball
camp in Speculator. Some activities planned are visiting the Historical Society
Museum and Perry Lanes. Swimming lessons will begin this Friday from 1 to 3 and
a second afternoon may be added if there are enough participants.
Councilperson Andrew Lauria
reported on moving ahead on what’s best for our Lake as the first
organizational meeting of the group formed should take place before the next
board meeting.
Councilperson Bill Stuart
said new outlets have been installed in the pavilion. He has received good
reports regarding this year’s lifeguards and the geese are less of an issue
this year. Supervisor Beach added the ribbon/strip that is set up along the
shoreline is working well to keep the geese off the beach.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jean Frederick asked if
there were certain requirements for individuals running for Town Supervisor.
Beach said as far as he knew, anyone could run for Supervisor. She then asked
if other Towns had requirements and if so, could we. Councilperson Lauria added
that Towns do have the right to define requirements for their elected positions
but would require a referendum and public vote. Currently the State Public
Officers Law has no requirements.
Marlene Rust said if a
person is convicted of a misdemeanor, they may not be able to hold the Office
of District Attorney.
Marlene Rust said a
pontoon boat has been parked at the beach for over a week. Kids have been seen
on it and she feels if something happens the Town will be liable. Supervisor
Beach knows the owner who lost their dock and will speak to the them and ask
that it be removed.
Holly Hite said we cannot
choose to ignore the State Law where a motorized watercraft cannot be within
100 feet of a designated swimming area which clearly the Town beach is.
Keith Lauria introduced
himself as a representative of the Fire Company and asked for help regarding
the dry hydrants that aren’t working. Is it a Water Department issue?
Supervisor Beach will tell George Paige that the dry hydrant by the dam is a
priority and needs to be fixed. Keith offered manpower from the Fire Company if
needed, Superintendent Earley said his crew can assist if needed. Councilperson
Hunt asked if that’s the only one not working, the one in front of the Welch
residence. Supervisor Beach said that is working at a minimum and should be
replaced also.
Vince Abbott-Forgione
would like to know the entire costs of the dam repairs recently done by Herm
Busse as it does not seem to be listed in the monthly Hydro Report. Supervisor
Beach said he could not to give him an accurate number right now, but it is
under disbursements in the General Fund and he will get back to him with that
number. Councilperson Saltis believes it not one bill but multiple. Supervisor
Beach said that is the case and he will need to go back to the individual
invoices and add them up.
Roy Grisenthwaite
commented that for 6 months income on the dam is approximately $71,000 plus and
therefore should finish the year at approximately $142,000 plus. He suggested a
dedicated fund to report repairs and expenses. Supervisor Beach explained there
is a separate line item in the budget under the General Fund.
Dee Parker recalled 25 to
30 years ago when the dam became operational the Town Board decided it would be
part of the general fund to help keep taxes down.
Rebekah Crewell thanked
Superintendent Earley and the Highway Department for the new sand at the beach.
She was recently at the Speculator Town Beach which was a nice experience but
how proud she is that Wells Town Beach is much nicer.
She said she is hearing
scuttlebutt, gossip that the Board may have concerns regarding the Towns
finances and budget. At what point would the Board talk about this publicly or
in Executive Session. Councilperson Lauria responded that the budget and
financials are all public information. Executive Sessions are typically held
for employee related issues. There are checks and balances currently in place
and Jen Woodward did a great job explaining the error with last month’s
abstract. Supervisor Beach explained that he pulled a report sooner than he
should have that caused the error on the abstract. He sees no problem with the
current finances. He filed the annual AUD report in March after receiving an
extension from the Comptroller’s office and has not received an email that
anything is incorrect. He added it’s a learning process. Councilperson Lauria
reviewed the AUD just last week and Don and Jen were able to answer questions
he had. Crewell asked if the State or an Attorney has been contacted to
complete an audit. No, that is not the case. Councilperson Lauria said an
option is for the Board to contact the Comptroller’s Office requesting an audit
as a proactive measure. Supervisor Beach suggested if that is what the Board wants,
they should request the audit beginning from the time the last audit was done.
He also added the fact that he is
glad he ran for the supervisor’s office and has decided not to seek reelection
due to health issues only.
Highway Superintendent
Earley suggested the Supervisor prepare a quarterly/year to date financial
report compared against the budget for next month’s meeting. Supervisor Beach
said he would do that.
John Margies wanted to
clarify the State Comptroller’s office has not come to the Town to require an
audit.
Betty Lou Orr commented on
the fact that she went to the dump last Saturday and everything was full. She
went back Sunday, and everything was emptied and is thanking the Town for that.
Editor’s note: This story is
based upon the minutes of Town Clerk Maryellen Stofelano.
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