VILLAGE OF HOBART BOARD MEETING MINUTES APRIL 19, 2021
The public hearing was opened at 6 p.m. by Mayor Kaufman for the proposed 2021-2022 Village of Hobart Budget. Those present were Mayor Kaufman, Clerk-Treasurer Kellee Estus, Trustee Jim Quarino, Village Attorney John Hubbard, Trustee Amy Reinshagen, Trustee Gordy Key, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne, Chris Gilch, Robert Gilch, Don Thomases, Donna Muthig, Cody Hager, Daisy, Lily and Jack McMullen, Christine Kaufman, Brooke Wood and Kristina Zill. The public hearing was closed at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Kaufman with no questions from the public.
The regular meeting was opened by Mayor Kaufman at 6:30 p.m. Those present were the same present for the public hearing. Superintendent Lucas McMullen reported that the sander has been taken off for the season and the zero turns have been serviced. He announced that Tuesday April 27th will be Trash Day. Chief Operator of Waste Water Richi Horne reported that the press air compressor and sand filter were serviced. She is spending budget items to get them used up and scheduling projects with DEP. There was a power blip that caused an issue at the plant but it has been resolved.
Don Thomases reported to the Board that there is a new business called Level Up Tech Support that is located in the office part of the old funeral home. Regarding the holiday lights, he said they were generating a lot of funds from many people and organizations including the Civic Association and Hobart Community Foundation. There is now over $4000 for the project. Regarding the footbridge project, a grant was applied for at the O’Connor Foundation and they will let us know in June if we will receive it. Mr. Thomases stated he contacted Delgado’s office regarding the post office fire. He also stated there was a Community Clean Up Day last Saturday held by Rotary. They did roadside and rail trail clean up. A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report with the following changes was made by Trustee Key with a second from Trustee Reinshagen with all in favor, carried. In the General Fund, transfer $208.39 from 1620.4-1 to 1325.4; transfer $1564.85 from 1620.4 to 1620.1-3; transfer $23.20 from 1620.4-2 to 1620.4-2A; transfer $941.56 from 1620.4 to 1620.4(HAC); transfer $458.66 from 5110.2 to 4540.2. In the Water Fund, transfer $495.00 from 8340.4-10 to 8340.4-2; transfer $16.00 from 9060.2 to 9060.1. A motion to accept the minutes of last month’s meeting was made by Trustee Reinshagen with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried.
Mayor Kaufman gave the floor to Chris and Robert Gilch. Chris Gilch explained to the Board the business that he would like to run out of his father’s house. Kristina Zill asked the Board to run a clean energy community action campaign that would get the Village of $5000 check. It would be a solar campaign that requires 10 people to sign up. Someone on the Board would have to be the point person but she would do the work. The campaign would give points towards larger grants. She stated the charging station is broken and she is applying for a NYSERDA grant for replacement. Another lease and site agreement will need to be signed. The Board made a motion to pass Resolution No. 4 of 2021 titled Conducting a Community Solar Campaign with all ayes and no nays.
WHEREAS the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) allows communities to earn credit for the Community Campaigns High-Impact Action under NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities Program; and
WHEREAS the Village of Hobart wants to support clean energy initiatives that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while simultaneously reducing expenses for the Village and its residents; and
WHEREAS a Community Solar campaign is an effective way to educate the public about the benefits of solar energy;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village of Hobart will undertake a Community Solar Campaign in accordance with NYSERDA guidelines.
In old business, Mayor Kaufman stated the well at the water plant was drilled to 245 feet and there was a question of doing a pump test to see if it would produce more water per minute. Jason Priesner of Lamont Engineers doesn’t recommend digging deeper. The Maple Avenue culvert issue sits stagnant as the homeowner still has not responded to Delaware County Soil and Water. Donna Muthig stated she measured from the property she would like to purchase to the wells and it is 120 feet. The next step would be to contact Department of Health to ask if the Village could sell it with a stipulation.
In new business, Mayor Kaufman announced that oaths of offices had taken place. Amy Reinshagen and Jim Quarino, both incumbents, for a 4 year term and Mayor Kaufman, incumbent for another four year term as well. As part of the organizational meeting, Mayor Kaufman appointed the following positions: Kellee Estus as Clerk-Treasurer, John Hubbard as Village Attorney and Deputy Mayor as Jim Quarino. Trustee Quarino asked for someone else to take the Deputy Mayor position. Trustee Key said he would take the position. Sewer plant: Jim Quarino and Gordy Key, Water Plant: Amy Reinshagen, Streets: Aaron Kaufman, Buildings and Grounds: Kayla Mason, official newspapers: The Reporter and the Mountain Eagle, petty cash: $50. He stated a resolution to make the mileage rate the same as the 2021 IRS mileage rate which is 56 cents per mile. The resolution was passed with all ayes and no nays. A resolution to designate the Delaware National Bank of Delhi and the NBT Bank – both Hobart branches, as the Village’s depositories was also passed with all ayes and no nays. The board agreed to set the chicken permit fee at $25. This is an annual fee. The board agreed to allow the Catskill Mt. Little League use the field at the park with the clarification of what days they wanted to use it. 2 days during the week and one day on the weekend. The 2021-2022 Village of Hobart budget was passed unanimously with 4 ayes and no nays. A motion to approve the following bills on Abstract No. 11 was made by Trustee Quarino with a second from Trustee Key. \
General Fund Voucher No. 315-351 $29,932.66
Water Fund Voucher No. 161-177 $ 4,692.95
Sewer Fund Voucher No. 181-204 $ 5,964.83
NYC Fund Voucher No. 210-234 $ 7,080.87
After an inquiry was made regarding the fitness room, the Board decided to allow a $5.00/day pass to use the fitness room as long as they were accompanied with an active member. A motion to close the meeting at 8:58 p.m. was made by Trustee Quarino with a second from Trustee Reinshagen, with all in favor, carried. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee J. Estus
Clerk-Treasurer
