MINUTESTOWN BOARD MEETING

DATE: July 14, 2021 AT 6:30 PMLOCATION: WILLSBORO TOWN HALL

Present: Supervisor, Shaun Gillilland, Councilors: Steve Benway, Lane Sayward, Lorilee Sheehan, Charles Lustig

Guests: Terry Pulsifer, Travis Crowningshield, Win Belanger, Polly Belanger, Amy Knickerbocker, Fred Knickerbocker, Erik Duff, Herb Longware, Kevin Egan, Shai Walker, Scott Christian.

Supervisor, Shaun Gillilland called the meeting to order at 6:30pm

Call to Order

Review of Minutes June 9 2021 Regular Town Board meeting: Charles Lustig moved. Steve Benway seconded. All in favor and the motion carried.

Guest: Kevin Egan, director of government affairs, Charter Spectrum. Herb and Kevin discussed the process and what Spectrum has to offer to our community. Shaun will work on the packet and get it back to Kevin.

Public Comment: None

Reports: Supervisor

Correspondence: Charter Spectrum franchise transferal: we will get this signed and back to Charter. Omitted and Prorated taxes notification this is the first step in the budget process. Makers Guild response: this is in your packets from the letter we sent for placing the old IGA back on the tax rolls because it has not been used for what it was supposed to be. This will be up to us over the next two months or so to decide what we want to do.

Town: WWTP inspection was completed in June. We received the report and there were not any hits and we received an overall satisfactory rating. ARPA payment stats: this is the confirmation we will be getting this. We are getting $201,000 which will be split in two deposits. We will get ½ this year ½ next year. It will be held once it is spent then we have to justify it to the state to get reimbursed. The most cost effective was the infrastructure and water or broad band all has to be complete by 2024. Summer activities program is going very well. We had a learning process but we have it down. All the meals have been getting delivered to the

T O W N O F W I L L S B O R OO F F I C E O F T H E T O W N C L E R K

activities and all the businesses are being positive. REDC grant applications: Salt Shed, Noblewood Lake bank subsidence engineering, Buena Vista community septic, wastewater plant screen, clean energy community program (NYSERDA)- LED streetlights, CEO training, EC charging stations, Unified Solar building permit we will pass this one tonight to allow us to streamline for solar for houses. Once we are done that we will be awarded $5,000.00 grant from NYSERDA. The more we do the more we will get. There is about 13-14 new ones. Codia is leaving and we have appointed Morgan Denton. We will have a few weeks of turn over.

County: personnel shortages: this is all over unfortunately we are 45 people down. DSS is down 15 social workers. We are encouraging anyone to please apply. Emergency Services Director hire, Max Twaitts was appointed on Monday and has been acting for a few months. Emergency medical services director retirement: Patty Bashaw is retiring we are looking to find a replacement for her. decision of allocating county ARPA forthcoming the auditors came in and one of the rules was if you can show you had lost revenue during Covid then the funds could be used for daily operations. The County had about 7 million in lost funds. Drug addiction & overdoses spiking: we have had a lot of deaths coming out of Covid. We are looking at how we can help deal with this. Delta Variant causing spikes in Covid rates. When we get the next report we had 7 in the county mostly from south. These are all non-vaccinated people. It will be a danger as this Delta is much more dangerous.

Motion to accept warrant: Lorilee moved Lorilee Sheehan seconded. Roll Call: Benway, Sheehan, Lustig, Gillilland. All in favor and the motion carried.

Town Clerk: Your monthly report is in your packet. Everything with Golf Course has been going well. I will be putting together another newsletter to go out in the mail tomorrow. Worked on Summer activities to get the packets put together. 4 th of July is coming together great. I did all the permitting paperwork for the church meals for the summer. Supervisor Gillilland called for a motion accept the Town Clerk’s report. Steve Benway moved. Charles Lustig seconded. All in favor and the motion carried.

DPW Report: they pushed the paving out to the 26th. We have been cutting the brush and the road trimming is looking a lot better. Fixing little water leaks here and there. We are working on where homeowners are turning their own water on and off. Steve said maybe we put an article on access channel and the press. After we notify people and they do it themselves and there is repairs that need to be done. Steve said we should pass this cost onto the homeowners. Travis will have to keep a log as who we turn on and off. Lane asked if we charge for them to be turned on and off. No we don’t charge the homeowners. We do make sure someone is there to turn them on so we

don’t flood their house if there is an issue. But don’t require them to be there when we shut it off.

Water Sewer: written report in your box. Congratulations to Justin Drinkwine on passing his exam. They have been installing the pressure release valves. So if we get water hammer then we won’t have the damage. We did get the stickers for the hydrants that are out of service.

Ambulance: out call volume is up 30 percent from last year. A couple new members. The new one’s have been very active. We will be renewing our contract with the county the cost to the department will be about $50,000. We do have money set aside for now. That won’t cause any tax increase for 2 years. After that, we will have to have an increase probably to cover those costs. They are working on replacing their oldest ambulance so that will be about 1 year out. We may cut down to two ambulances to reduce the cost. We never have three rigs out. Any more word on the new station Shaun asked? The land by the highway department is going to be too small. Ron spoke with George Sayward the farm by Coonrod that maybe a little far to the Essex side but there is something this side of Coonrod that maybe coming up. We are still actively looking.

Youth Commission Report: emailed in your packet.

Golf Course: absent

Old Business:1. Resolution to adopt Employee Manual as amended: changes have been entered

as previously discussed. We made the union contract and manual the same. This manual of course at any time can be changed if we need to.

RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE UPDATED EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK

WHEREAS the Town Board of the Town of Willsboro is desirous of maintaining an up-to-date Employee Handbook which details current and accurate personnel policies and procedures, employee benefits, compliance policies, and other pertinent information governing employment related matters; and

WHEREAS the Town Board has retained Public Sector HR Consultants LLC to prepare a revised and updated version of the Town’s Employee Handbook that accomplishes the foregoing objectives; and

WHEREAS the Town Board has reviewed draft versions of said updated Employee Handbook and has made determinations as to appropriate content; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED this 14th day of July, 2021 that the attached document be adopted as the official Employee Handbook of the Town of Willsboro.

Charles Lustig moved. Lorilee Sheehan seconded. Roll Call: Benway, Sayward, Sheehan, Lustig, Gillilland. All in favor and the motion carried.

2. Golf Course irrigation pumps way ahead: we need to look at these and the electrical issues. We need some BFD’s these are very expensive. Shaun doesn’t think that we can go that far. Shaun would like to get the hired staff together and walk the system Steve feels we need to check the electrical to make sure we have electricity and check the pump that is underwater. We need to see if we can fix it underwater. If we can’t then we would have to take it out and then the golf course would have no water. Steve thought maybe we could talk to Mark Buckley and see if we can go back to two pumps. We will get Steve, Justin, Pat, Travis and John to walk the system sometime next week or this week.

3. Resolution to award cemeteries custodial maintenance and caretaker services: We had Otis Gay who did this for years. With him passing away, unfortunatly, we needed to find someone else to do this. Otis did a lot of work on his own. We are missing him dearly. We have found one individual. We asked the one that has been there if they wanted to do the maintenance mowing and coordinate the family burial digging and all that he said is they don’t want to do it all. We have Shawn Hart who does this as a business. He is interested in doing it all for the season for $1,100.00 a month. This price is for both cemeteries. Charles Lustig moved to hire Shawn Hart. Lane Sayward seconded. Roll Call: Benway, Sayward, Sheehan, Lustig, Gillilland. All in favor and the motion carried.

New BusinessRESOLUTION OF CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT OF FRANCHISE FOR CHARTER SPECTRUM:

CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT OF FRANCHISE

WHEREAS, CABLE COMMUNICATIONS OF WILLSBORO, INC. ("FRANCHISEE") IS THE DULY AUTHORIZED HOLDER OF A FRANCHISE, AS AMENDED TO DATE (THE "FRANCHISE"), AUTHORIZING FRANCHISEE TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A CABLE SYSTEM TO SERVE THE TOWN OF WILLSBORO, NY (THE "FRANCHISE AUTHORITY"); AND

WHEREAS, ON MAY 27, 2021, SPECTRUM NORTHEAST, LLC ("SPECTRUM"), A SUBSIDIARY OF CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. ("CHARTER"), ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH FRANCHISEE TO ACQUIRE OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF FRANCHISEE'S ASSETS, INCLUDING CABLE SYSTEMS CURRENTLY OPERATED BY FRANCHISEE (THE "TRANSACTION"); AND

WHEREAS, SPECTRUM HAS FILED AN FCC FORM 394 WITH THE FRANCHISE AUTHORITY (THE "APPLICATION"); AND

WHEREAS, THE FRANCHISE AUTHORITY HAS CONSIDERED THE APPLICATION AND APPROVES OF THE TRANSACTION.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FRANCHISE AUTHORITY AS FOLLOWS:

THE FOREGOING RECITALS ARE APPROVED AND INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.

THE FRANCHISE AUTHORITY CONSENTS TO THE TRANSACTION.

THE FRANCHISE AUTHORITY CONFIRMS THAT THE FRANCHISE IS VALID AND OUTSTANDING AND IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AND THERE ARE NO DEFAULTS UNDER THE FRANCHISE. SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THIS RESOLUTION, ALL ACTION NECESSARY TO APPROVE THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE FRANCHISE TO SPECTRUM HAS BEEN DULY AND VALIDLY TAKEN.

SPECTRUM OR CHARTER MAY (A) ASSIGN, TRANSFER, OR TRANSFER CONTROL OF ITS ASSETS, INCLUDING THE FRANCHISE, PROVIDED THAT SUCH ASSIGNMENT, TRANSFER OR TRANSFER OF CONTROL IS TO AN ENTITY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY CONTROLLING, CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH CHARTER;

(B) RESTRUCTURE DEBT OR CHANGE THE OWNERSHIP INTERESTS AMONG EXISTING EQUITY PARTICIPANTS IN CHARTER; (C) PLEDGE OR GRANT A SECURITY INTEREST TO ANY LENDER(S) OF CHARTER'S ASSETS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FRANCHISE, OR OF INTEREST IN CHARTER, FOR PURPOSES OF SECURING ANY INDEBTEDNESS; AND (D) SELL EQUITY INTERESTS IN CHARTER OR ANY OF CHARTER'S AFFILIATES.

UPON CLOSING OF THE TRANSACTION, SPECTRUM SHALL REMAIN BOUND BY THE LAWFUL TENNS AND CONDITIONS OF THE FRANCHISE. SPECTRUM SHALL HAVE A CONTINUED RIGHT TO OPERATE UNDER THE FRANCHISE PENDING COMPLETION OF THE RENEWAL PROCESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH 47 U.S.C. § 546.

THIS RESOLUTION SHALL BE DEEMED EFFECTIVE UPON ADOPTION.

THIS RESOLUTION SHALL HAVE THE FORCE OF A CONTINUING AGREEMENT WITH SPECTRUM, AND THE FRANCHISE AUTHORITY SHALL NOT AMEND OR OTHERWISE ALTER THIS RESOLUTION WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF SPECTRUM.

PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS 14TH DAY OF JULY 2021

CHARLES LUSTIG MOVED STEVE BENWAY SECONDED

ROLL CALL: BENWAY, SAYWARD, SHEEHAN, LUSTIG, GILLILLAND. ALL IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

1. Supervisor Gillilland called for a resolution of thanks to Herb Longware for his dedication to the town as owner and operator of CCW. Unanimous second.

2. Resolution to apply for Salt Sand Shed grant from NYSDEC WQIP program

WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has made grant funds available in 2021 through the Water Quality Improvement Project program, which provides grant funds on a competitive, statewide reimbursement program open to local governments and non-profit corporations to implement projects that directly address documented water quality impairments, improve aquatic habitat, or protect a drinking source, including projects to construct a permanent structure to cover a salt or a salt/sand mixture storage pile; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Willsboro intends to submit a grant application for funding in an amount not to exceed $450,000, with a local match requirement not to exceed 50% of the total award amount, to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation 2021 Water Quality Improvement Project program for the purposes of constructing a permanent salt storage structure.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Willsboro Town Board hereby authorizes the submission of a grant application on behalf of the Town of Willsboro, including provision of the required local match, to request NYS DEC WQIP grant funding; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if awarded, the Town Supervisor of the Town of Willsboro is hereby authorized to execute all necessary documents relating to the NYS DEC Water Quality Improvement Project grant application.

Lane Sayward moved. Charles Lustig seconded. All in favor and the motion carried.

3. Resolution to introduce amendment to Willsboro Local Law NR2 of 2010 “Dog Control Law for the Town of Willsboro”, r.e. changes in fees for seizure of dogs: we had our annual meeting the one recommendation was this fee. What we are proposing is a $25 dollars $50 dollars and $75.00 fee for seizure and impoundment of your dog this will be a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd offence then $3.00 per day after 24 hours. We will hold a public hearing at 6:30 on the 2nd Wednesday of August, the 11th, for the proposed changes to local law. Charles Lustig moved. Steve Benway seconded all in favor and the motion carried.

4. Resolution to approve sealing and striping of Town Hall parking lot in conjunction with WFD driveway work $1,400. The Fire department is redoing the sealing of the black top. We piggy backed on them a few years ago. The cost to us is $1,400.00. It is cheaper if we do it at the same time. Steve Benway moved to proceed to hire Big Al’s Blacktop sealing for $1400.00 Lane Sayward seconded. Roll Call: Benway, Sayward, Sheehan, Lustig, Gillilland. All in favor and the motion carried.

5. Noblewood Pavilion cleaning and floor improvement: after each one we have issues on getting things cleaned up when it is rented back to back. We have trash removal and all that we will need to re look at the pavilion contract. We offer a lot now for a very low price. Lorilee was involved with the initial cleanup for summer activates and we discussed at length she provided a check list that will need to be returned to the Town letting us know that they have done them and that they can get their deposit back. We will then just have to do a quick inspection to approve or deny. Also, another issue we have down there, because it is in the woods, we have a lot of smaller wildlife that can get in there and it can get dirty. We need to do a deep cleaning. We did look at professional cleaning and the floor is concrete. It was never supposed to be heated so it is hard to clean it. We may have to look at doing something different with the floor now that it is heated. Shaun would like to get a laminate down there now or something. We will look for bids. Terry has agreed to get some quotes and do the measurements. Steve feels that we need a higher deposit and then when it isn’t clean then we get that back. Shaun feels we should change into next year’s season. Inspection after every event. Then we call them back. Lorilee wanted to thank the highway department for helping getting it cleaned. Lorilee thoughts were down the line look at the contract no one wants to clean up after their event. If we are leaving it to the person renting, then we need to get it more organized. It is a general pick up. Everyone does it different even the bathrooms Lorilee feels we should hire someone and it is in the fee. Everyone’s standard is different. It was hard after being closed up.

6. Adoption of NYS solar process:

ADOPTION OF THE NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED SOLAR PERMITWHEREAS, The Town of Willsboro duly adopted the "NYS Fire Prevention and Building Construction" code to provide minimum requirements to safeguard the public safety; and

WHEREAS, The Willsboro Code Enforcement Officer, who administers and enforces all provisions of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, the New York State Energy Code, and the Willsboro Code; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Willsboro requires the issuance of a building permit for the construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, removal or demolition of any

building or other structure; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code regulates the design, construction, installation, alteration and repair of equipment and systems using solar systems; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has developed a New York State Unified Solar Permit that reduces the cost for solar projects by streamlining municipal permitting processes: and

WHEREAS, The Town of Willsboro desires to promote the streamlining of the application process for small-scale photovoltaic system installations under 25 kW in size by adopting the New York State Unified Solar Permit application form and implementing the new procedures,

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Willsboro adopts the New York State Unified Solar Permit application form and procedures for the installation of small scale photovoltaic systems; and it is further

RESOLVED, The Willsboro Code Enforcement Officer is hereby directed to use said New York State Unified Solar Permit application for and procedures in the issuance of building permits for the installation of small-scale photovoltaic systems; and it is further

RESOLVED, Any further actions required of the Town of Willsboro to effect the foregoing are hereby authorized and the Supervisor Shaun Gillilland is hereby authorized to execute and deliver any instruments, documents or the like as required to effect the same.

Charles Lustig moved to approve. Steve Benway seconded.

The vote on the foregoing resolution was as follows:

Steve Benway, Councilman _AYE_Lane Sayward, Councilwoman _AYE_Lorilee Sheehan, Councilwoman _AYE_Shaun Gillilland, Supervisor _AYE_Charles Lustig, Councilman _AYE_

This resolution was adopted.

Resolution / discussion from the Board:

Resolution/ discussion from the public: Win asked for clarification on Noblewood cleaning. Travis feels we need pest control down there.

ADJOURNMENT – Supervisor Gillilland adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully Submitted,

Bridget Brown Town Clerk