Village of Hobart Board Meeting Minutes November 16, 2015
A Public Hearing on the proposed amendment of the 1985 Law to Prevent Disturbance of Peace was held prior to the Board meeting at 6 p.m. A new law titled “Local Law No. 1 of 2015 Law to Prevent Disturbance of Peace, Quiet and Comfort of Residents of the Village of Hobart was open for review of the public that if passed, would supersede the 1985 law. The hearing was opened by Mayor Aaron Kaufman at 6:00 p.m. Those present were Mayor Kaufman, Trustees David Hotaling, Gordy Key, Jim Quarino and Charlie Reinshagen, Village Attorney John Hubbard, Clerk-Treasurer Kellee Estus, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, and Donna Houghton. The proposed changes to the current law included time restraints on certain noise. Time limits and specific noises were discussed. The Public Hearing was closed by Mayor Kaufman at 6:26 p.m.
The regular monthly meeting of the Village of Hobart Board of Trustees was called to order by Mayor Kaufman at 6:26 p.m. Those present were all that were present from the Public Hearing and Andrew Flach and Kelly Chien. The Board reviewed the Treasurer’s Report. A motion to approve the report with the following changes was made by Trustee Hotaling with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried. In the General Fund, transfer $25.94 from 5142.4-2 to 5110.4-3; transfer $28.63 from 5110.4-1 to 7110.4. In the Water Fund, transfer $289.72 from 8320.4-1A to 8320.4-1; transfer $4000 from 8340.4.2 to 8340.4; transfer $5781.75 from 1990 to 8340.4. In the Sewer Fund, transfer $ 15.35 from 1990 to 8130.4-13; transfer $75.38 from 8130.4-2 to 8130.4-6. A motion to approve the minutes of last month’s meeting was made by Trustee Quarino with a second from Trustee Key with all in favor, carried.
Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen began with the water report for the Board. He said the filter pumps were cleaned and running better. Layne Christensen Company cleaned them and said the next time they need cleaning they recommend getting new shafts and shaft housing for the three pumps. In his report, Superintendent McMullen reported to the Board that the crew was pretty much done with leaf clean up. This would be the last week. The sewer plant building is cleaned out and the crew has installed 41 new cellular read water meters to date. McMullen stated they are now gearing up for winter.
Andrew Flach reported to the Board that the bench donated by Rotary has arrived and is ready to be assembled and installed. Mayor Kaufman stated due to weather, it would be installed in the spring. Flach also stated a collaboration of the Farmer’s Market and Rotary would be hosting a Holiday Fair at the Community Center on December 5th. He stated the insurance was provided and asked the Board if the use of the center could be at no charge. The fee would instead be used to purchase refreshments for the public. The Board agreed to waive the fee.
Mayor Kaufman continued the meeting with old business. The SK project is still moving forward. The restoration of laterals will be handled with supporting letters from the contractor and subcontractor that the work will be completed to the Village’s satisfaction in the spring. In regard to the cellular read meters, Mayor Kaufman questioned Village Attorney Hubbard what the consequences would be to a property owner who refused to allow the Village access to change out their meter. Village Attorney Hubbard recommended a water shut off notice. A letter would be sent to the owner stating they have 30 days to have the meter replaced or their water will be shut off until the meter is replaced. A motion to approve this procedure was made by Trustee Key with a second from Trustee Reinshagen with all in favor, carried. In regard to the uniform policy, Mayor Kaufman stated he adjusted the policy for the safety toe boot requirement that was discussed at the last Board meeting. He stated a Workplace Violence policy has been put into place as well.
In new business, Mayor Kaufman stated he needed a motion to approve and sign the Pay Application No. 7 (final) from Vacri Construction Corporation in the amount of $128.377.68. A motion was made by Trustee Hotaling with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried. In regard to paper ballots vs. voting machine, Mayor Kaufman stated the Village received notice that December 2015 is the deadline for using lever voting machines for schools and Villages. Three options are using paper ballots and count them by hand, purchase a voting machine and election system of our own of borrow the County’s voting machine. The cost of a voting machine is $12,000.00. Borrowing the machine from the County would cost approximately $250. A motion to use paper ballots was made by Trustee Key with a second from Trustee Quarino with all in favor, carried.
In regard to the proposed new law titled “Local Law No. 1 of 2015 Law to Prevent Disturbance of the Peace, Quiet and Comfort of Resident of the Village of Hobart.” which would supersede the 1985 Law, Trustee Hotaling suggested adding a waiver in the law that people could apply for in specific situations. Other Board members didn’t feel it necessary. A vote to approve and implement the new law as written was passed by Trustee Quarino, Reinshagen and Key; all ayes and Trustee Hotaling, nay.
The Board discussed the new LVDV contract that would increase each year for the next three years at 3%. Trustee Hotaling made a motion to not sign the contract and proceed on a month to month basis for now with a second from Trustee Quarino, with all in favor, carried. Kelly Chien stated the new Village website is up and running and the domain needs to be acquired from Mr. Barr. Chien also stated many locals in the community are banding together in an organization calling themselves “All around Hobart” to have events to promote businesses in the area.
A proposal of having Village employees rent the Community Center for free was brought to the Board. The Board unanimously agreed that it could not be done. Where would they draw the line? A motion to approve the following bills on Abstract No. 6 was made by Trustee Hotaling with a second from Trustee Key with all in favor, carried.
General Fund Voucher #s 141-171 $30,998.79
Water Fund Voucher #s 87-105 $10,383.15
Sewer Fund Voucher #s 126-149 $43,709.15
NYC Fund Voucher #s 107-126 $25,771.95
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:29 p.m. was made by Trustee Hotaling with a second from Trustee Key, with all in favor, carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellee J. Estus
Clerk-Treasurer
