Town of Olive
County of Ulster
State of New York
June 5, 2001

Minutes of the monthly meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Olive held at 8:30 pm, Tuesday, June 5, 2001, at the Town Meeting Hall in Shokan. The meeting started one hour later than normal due to a 6:00 pm previous meeting conducted by Ulster County Legislature Chairman Ward Todd. 

Members Present: 

Berndt Leifeld, Supervisor
Cindy Johansen, Council Member
Helen Chase, Council Member
Bruce La Monda, Council Member
Linda Burkhardt, Council Member
Recording Secretary: Sylvia Rozzelle, Town Clerk

On a La Monda/Chase motion the Town Board approved the minutes of the May meetings as submitted by the Town Clerk.

Supervisor Leifeld introduced Joe Boek, D. E. for the City of New York DEP who addressed the residents regarding the closing of the Bushkill Bridge on June 1st. Mr. Boek stated the pier of the Bushkill Bridge has shifted and the NYS DOT ordered the bridge closed on Friday evening. He stated he will be meeting on June 6th with the NYS DEC and will then have a better idea what direction the City of New York will take. 

James Sofranko of West Shokan stated there is a tremendous increase in traffic at Winchell’s Corners and asked if the City of New York could assist in helping improve this dangerous intersection. 

In response to questions about better directions on the detour, Mr. Boek stated the City is in the process of getting variable message machines for posting along Route 28. Mr. Boek also responded to questions by stating the bridge cannot be opened to one-lane traffic since the situation is very serious. 

William Lohrer of Boiceville stated the bridge being closed is upsetting the local economy. 

Council Member La Monda asked about the feasibility of an emergency bridge or having engineers install a Bailey bridge. 

Jay Braman of the WOODSTOCK TIMES stated he thought the NY City DEP had an open permit to work in the streams. Mr. Boek stated that the City does have an open permit; however, it only goes 100 ft. above the bridge and 50 ft. below. He stated they must go further upstream to divert the water away from the closed bridge and into the other channel. He stated as soon as the DEC gives permission to divert the stream they are ready to move on the issue. He noted the City of New York will be doing an emergency bid process and hopes the roadway will be open within four weeks.

Chet Scofield asked when the new pad was put in. Mr. Boek stated in 1956 after the last major flood. Cindy Johansen asked why the first pier disappeared. Mr. Boek stated it was before his time and simply disappeared. 

Council Member Burkhardt asked when the City would go into the mindset of installing a temporary bridge. Mr. Boek stated that he would know more tomorrow and can not answer that. 

Chet Scofield asked what the NYS DOT bridge notations were in last year’s inspection report. Mr. Boek stated there was some movement measured but not to the manner in which it is now. Mr. Boek stated the twin bridges in West Shokan are on the schedule to be rebuilt further stating these bridges will now take top priority. 

Council Member La Monda requested Mr. Boek reiterate that when all bridges undergo repair they will be kept open to traffic. Mr. Boek stated the City agreed to take a longer period of time to repair the bridges in order to alleviate the twelve (12) mile detour for travelers.

Anne Altshuler asked if it is safe to assume that only one bridge will be worked on at a time. Mr. Boek introduced Jeff Helmuth who stated the bridges are being bid as packages. He noted there would be instances where three or four bridges will be worked on at the same time as certain bridges are grouped together for repair. 

Chet Scofield asked that since there was movement noted on that specific pier during a previous inspection did anyone address that issue? Mr. Helmuth stated that there was no flag on the last inspection and they simply got hit with the red flag last Friday, June 1st. Mr. Scofield readdressed his concern by questioning the fact that there was movement determined on the pier and that no flag was issued.

Kevin Scanlan stated he would be willing to open his property through the old Singer Denman facility so that people can have access via the old route to Burgher Road.

Mary Ann Mays stated the emergency services should be approached directly to see if they could reconfigure their services noting this issue is not a DEP problem but something the town should address. 

Supervisor Leifeld asked Mr. Boek if there is someone in New York City that could be talked to directly who would be helpful and who would at least know where Olive is so the town could approach them regarding this issue. He also noted that delivery trucks for milk and soda, for example, will not deliver to the West Shokan Store and would appreciate people in the City understanding that this man could be out of business in two or three weeks. 

Mr. Boek and Mr. Helmuth left the meeting at 9:10 pm.

On a La Monda/Chase motion the Town Board approved payment of the following preaudited bills: Prepaid Vouchers #196-#200, $1,389.29; General Fund Vouchers #201-#275, $50,663.02; Highway Vouchers #119-#155, $22,564.36; and Special Lighting Voucher #5, $34.35.

Under Old Business: Supervisor Leifeld stated that Masterpage’s application is to a point where they are ready to set a public hearing. He noted the public hearing would be Thursday, June 21st, 7:30 pm. Council Member Chase asked if any further correspondence has been received.

On a Leifeld/Chase motion the Town Board unanimously passed Resolution #2 of 2001 setting a public hearing on the Town of Olive Codification of Laws for June 19th at 7:30 pm. Roll vote being: Johansen, yes; Chase, yes; La Monda, yes; Burkhardt, yes; and Leifeld, yes.

Supervisor Leifeld stated that a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the Junkyard law would be held on June 19th at 8:00 pm

Supervisor Leifeld noted the monthly income for April 2001, as $15,134.95 and the interest through April as $31,580.15. 

Due to the length of the meeting Supervisor Leifeld dispensed with the Committee Reports.

On a Leifeld/La Monda motion the Town Board approved the transfer of $6,564.08 from Contingency A1990.4 to Town Board A1010.4.

On a Leifeld/La Monda motion the Town Board approved the transfer of $830.00 from Contingency A1990.4 to Recycling A8189.4.

On a Leifeld/La Monda motion the Town Board approved the transfer of $655.56 from Wireless Telecommunications Escrow Account to the General Fund. 

Supervisor Leifeld introduced correspondence #30-01 outlining the Davis Park project bids as opened on May 31st and discussed at the June 4th audit meeting. He stated the town has approximately $700,000.00 in capital reserve funds available to put towards this project. He stated the Town Board would send a questionnaire to the voters to receive the public’s opinion on the town acquiring a $300,000.00 bond to complete the project. He stated this poll would assist the Town Board in their decision-making. Town Clerk Rozzelle read the wording on the postcard with the question to the voters being: “What is your opinion? Should the Town of Olive Town Board secure a $300,000.00 bond for a six (6) year capital improvement project for the Lester S. Davis Park in West Shokan?”

Anne Marie Johansen stated the town has already voted on this issue. Council Member Chase stated the referendum was slightly different wording. Council Member Johansen stated the referendum was to include a grant but noted this would be coming out of the town’s money. 

Charlie Davis asked why the town is depleting the entire capital reserves. The Town Board stated the use of the $700,000.00 is not depleting the capital reserves. 

Mary Ann Mays stated that the pool is one of the most binding things this community has, besides the library, which brings this community together. The pool is currently inadequate and is in decay. She stated that from her viewpoint this money is being put back into the community and this is the appropriate application of town’s money to the people themselves and their families. She noted this is a family oriented thing for the community.

Council Member Chase stated if the town didn’t have the capital reserve accounts then the town would be faced with closing down the pool and a real burden in increased taxes would be seen when any improvements were done. 

Anne Altshuler suggested that people come regularly to Town Board meetings since a lot of background information on these issues can be obtained in an effort to keep up with developing projects.

Council Member La Monda stated it just doesn’t make sense to allow infrastructure of the town to fall down.

Chris Johansen asked if there would be a public hearing on this pool.

Supervisor Leifeld stated we’ve had this discussion many, many times for many years and everyone on the Town Board agreed that the post card would be the quickest way to get an idea of the opinion of the people. He stated the Town Board has to move within forty-five days if they are going with this bid. He stated this project is not simply a pool. 

Erin Allison stated this is her eleventh year involved with the summer recreation program. She stated she is planning to get married and would like her children to have the same opportunities.

James Sofranko stated his children have been waiting for three years for this pool and feels the swimming pool is good for the children in this community and also improves the property values in our town. 

Carole Davis stated that no one here questioning the finances is saying they don’t want their children to use the pool. Council Member La Monda stated he would welcome a solution to the situation that doesn’t involve spending money. 

Council Member Burkhardt stated this is a process that has been going on for many years and the project is not an overnight proposal. 

Council Member La Monda stated the town investigated having the pool fixed and all pool consultants said to not do it as it would end up costing too much in the long run. 

Shirley Fischler stated that by the year 2002 any state recreational program is mandated to have water that is both chlorinated and filtered. 

Supervisor Leifeld stated the longer the town waits the more it is going to cost. He reviewed the capital reserve accounts noting that having surplus funds has been a practice in this town. He additionally explained the town budget process and the use of capital reserve accounts. He noted the funds they are talking about are only from the General Fund and not the Highway Fund. He stated that the budget that is in place allows the town to do this type of project. Supervisor Leifeld stated that the outcome of the City of New York assessment challenge could affect the town; however, none of the money in capital reserve accounts can be used to offset taxes. Reserve funds must be used for capital improvement projects as outlined when the specific reserve account was established. Supervisor Leifeld stated both republicans and democrats have put the Olive recreation program together and it works great. He stated there are a lot of towns that wish they had it. He stated the town hires around 30-40 kids for the season, gives our youths something to do and a little money to go with it. He stated the program promotes the kids in this community and for the town as a whole this project is a good thing just as the one that was built 35 years ago was. He stated he feels that this whole program has a good affect on the kids in this town. He stated that no one can say the town doesn’t need the new toilets and noted that for any major park function the bathrooms are simply not adequate. He stated he doesn’t like doing this but feels that the town really has to. 

Charlie Davis stated he has lived here all his life and in giving land to his son he now finds that his son can’t afford to build a house here. He stated the school taxes went up 9% and now another proposal for a bond issue is at the school and his son is inundated with taxes. He further noted we all want a pool but what about the people unemployed, the young people, and the seniors paying taxes. 

Mary Ann Mays stated that school taxes are based on an antiquated system of property values and the state is trying to change that. She noted that the school has nothing to do with town taxes. 

Bill McCarthy stated the pool is long overdue to be done noting there have been times the current pool has been shut down because you can’t see the bottom of it. He noted it shouldn’t be pushed off and it shouldn’t be confused with the school issues. He noted that seniors would receive as much benefit from the swimming pool as the youth recreational program. 

On a Leifeld/Chase motion and unanimous roll vote the Town Board approved sending out the non-binding opinion survey to registered voters as read by Town Clerk Rozzelle. Roll vote being: Johansen, yes; Chase, yes; La Monda, yes; Burkhardt, yes; and Leifeld, yes.

Supervisor Leifeld noted the Tongore Pines Senior Housing facility dedication will be Wednesday, July 25th, 2:00 pm.

He noted the Town Board will have a meeting with the Kingston Ulster Empire Zone, June 6, 2001, at 1 pm at the Town Meeting Hall.

All business pertinent having been discussed the Town Board adjourned at 10:10 pm on a Leifeld/Johansen motion in memory of Elsie R. Hollender, Dorothy Dean Nichols, and Violet L. Peck. 

Sylvia Rozzelle, Town Clerk