Town of Pittsford Select Board Meeting September 16, 2015
The meeting was called to order at 6:30PM by Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Chairman.
Select Board members present: Jane Cornell, W. Joseph Gagnon, David Trombley, Thomas Hooker and Thomas “Hank” Pelkey. Also present: Mike Warfle, Nicholas Michael, Andy Guyette, Kevin Blow, Trish Lewis (6:43 PM), Cristina Kumka (6:53 PM), Dan Colton, Ann Rademacher, Dave Soulia, John Haverstock, and Kelly Giard – Recording Secretary.
T. Pelkey stated that there is no need for Executive Session.
T. Pelkey made a motion to amend the agenda to include Planning Commission comments and discussion of Police presence at Lothrop School. T. Hooker seconded to amend the agenda and accept the agenda as amended. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
MINUTES
The Select Board minutes from the September 21, 2015 Select Board meeting were signed, with no corrections.
ORDERS
The orders, in the amount $65,954.39 and $10,579.54 (Payroll) were approved, with no discussion.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
J. Haverstock reported on the following:
Pittsford firefighter and former Chief Harry McKinlay passed away. Mr. McKinlay also served as a Selectman for a number of years.
The Hazard Mitigation Plan Committee met on September 10. The final draft is expected to be discussed at the October 7 Select Board meeting.
The annual external audit has been postponed and a new date has not been set.
The Red Cross Shelter Initiative training will be conducted on Monday, September 21, 2015 at the Municipal Office Conference Room.
Pike Industries is expected to begin paving on September 18 and will return following the completion of the West Creek Road reconstruction project to pave.
The West Creek Road reconstruction project began on September 8 and is expected to be completed on schedule.
Countryside Glass is expected to install handicapped accessible doors on September 18.
A railroad contractor has contacted the Town indicating plans to upgrade the Kendall Hill crossing during the fall.
Linda Trask has returned to work following her injury. Thank you to Barb Pierce for covering Linda’s duties.
The Staff picnic has been rescheduled to October 2 at the Rec Area.
T. Hooker inquired if there would be any paving at the intersection of Plains and Terounzo Road where the culvert “dips”. J. Haverstock indicated that he will request Pike Industries check the area. The Arch Street sinkholes will receive pavement.
D. Trombley inquired if the Railroad contractor will be using the cement at the crossing on Kendall Hill. J. Haverstock will check into this concern.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Andy Guyette, a resident of Depot Hill was present to discuss the Blanchard property and read section 1118 of the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Guyette stated that when the Town did their project, that fill was dumped on the Blanchard property. Now there is more fill being dumped consisting of rocks, parts of roads, etc. The Zoning Administrator contacted Mr. Blanchard and issued a permit. However, he did not contact Mr. Guyette and there is still more fill being dumped at the area.
J. Haverstock read a cover letter to the permit stating that the permit sign must be displayed at the project site for 15 days. J. Haverstock explained that the permit expires 2 years after issue and would expire on October 23, 2015.
Mr. Guyette would like Zoning Ordinance section 1118 changed to state what fill can contain.
J. Cornell inquired if debris is included in the current section. J. Haverstock stated that the section is not specific. T. Lewis stated that debris is included. D. Trombley inquired how the 12% grade is determined, as well as the 30 yard limit, as stated in the Zoning Ordinance section 1118. J. Haverstock stated that there is no yard limit stated in the permit. J. Haverstock will discuss this with Jeff Biasuzzi, the current Zoning Administrator.
Mr. Guyette showed before and after pictures that showed claimed “adverse effects” on his property. Mr. Guyette is also concerned with potential erosion.
Mr. Guyette exited at 6:51 PM.
Trish Lewis, Pittsford representative to the Rutland Regional Planning Commission stated that she attended the recent RRPC meeting held on September 15 and updated the Select Board. The RRPC discussed the safety issues with phone landlines. Currently, if there are power outages, the landlines can be used. However, in the future, the batteries will only have an 8 hour lifespan.
Dave Soulia stated concern over the Oxbow Road and stated that folks who walk in that area are not seen well as the sun is blinding at sundown. Mr. Soulia would like to see a “walking lane” made for these folks who walk. J. Haverstock will forward this request to the Highway Foreman.
OLD BUSINESS
ZBA Application:
J. Haverstock stated that Nicholas Michael has expressed interest in serving on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The letter of request was forwarded to the Chair and Vice Chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, with no objection having been received.
Motion by D. Trombley to appoint Mr. Michael to the position of Zoning Board of Adjustment as an Alternate. Motion seconded by T. Hooker. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Signatures Needed for Planning Grant Application:
J. Haverstock stated that the application for a Planning Grant was included in the packets for review and explained that there is no matching funds requirement. Trish Lewis will be submitting the application on line, following Select Board approval.
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by J. Cornell to approve the application as presented. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Planning Commission Statements:
Kevin Blow, member of the Planning Commission stated that the Planning Commission has been working on recommended changes to the Zoning Ordinances and has “run out of time” to complete this. Mr. Blow stated that the Planning Commission members were not aware of the exact date of necessary completion. Ms. Lewis stated that discussion on this concern is planned for the next meeting and the possibilities were discussed at the last meeting.
Dave Soulia stated that he has spoken with VLCT with regard to this issue. The last hearing closed in August 2014 the proposed Amendment and was sent to the Select Board in January 2015 and was returned for changes. The VLCT has recommended new hearings be held by the Planning Commission before the Select Board hearings.
T. Pelkey stated that the Select Board needs information verified and discussion was tabled until process and information is confirmed.
T. Lewis and C. Kumka exited at 7:24 PM.
NEW BUSINESS
School Policing at Lothrop:
J. Haverstock stated that he received a call from Erik Pearsons who is filling in as the crossing guard at the elementary school and was nearly struck by a truck at the Route 7 crossing. Mr. Pearsons would like police presence for 30 – 40 minutes per day. Chief Warfle stated that it is not possible to provide coverage daily. The Select Board recommended that the school hire their own staff to monitor the crossings.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None necessary at this time.
The meeting adjourned at 7:27 PM.
The next regular meeting of the Select Board will be held on October 7, 2015.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kelly Giard, Recording Secretary
_________________________________
Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Chairman
_________________________________
Thomas Hooker, Vice Chairman
_________________________________
Jane Cornell, Selectman
_________________________________
W. Joseph Gagnon, Selectman
_________________________________
David Trombley, Selectman