July 2020 Board Meeting Minutes

by | Oct 21, 2020 | Town Minutes | 0 comments

 

MINUTES OF TOWN OF NORTH SALEM COUNCIL MEETING JULY 2, 2020

  1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER:  The July 2, 2020, Council Meeting was called to order by Council President Becky Fancher at 6:08 pm.
  2. ROLL CALL:  Becky Fancher, President – Present, Jimmy Roberts, Vice President – Present, Mike Russell, Member – Present
  3. MINUTES:  Becky asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the Public Hearing held on May 21st.  There being none, the minutes were approved as written.  Becky then asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the June 4th Board Meeting.  There being none, the minutes were approved as written.
  4. OLD ITEMS:  Ray’s Trash Service Rate Increase Proposal – We received the proposal for rate increases from Ray’s Trash Service. They are proposing to increase our rate per household beginning September 1st; then increase again beginning January 1, 2020; then each year after that the price will not exceed an increase of 3%.  Harold Blake stated that we will not need to amend the Ordinance; Council can set new rates by Resolution.  Beth pointed out that in addition to the fee charged by Ray’s, there is also a monthly fuel surcharge which will need to be taken into consideration.
  5. NEW ITEMS:  a) RQAW Invoices to be paid – Beth presented Council with seven invoices from RQAW for Engineering Fees associated with our Water project. These invoices total $147,165.00.  Per Mike Kleinpeter, our Grant Administrator, Council is to approve and Beth is to pay from the Bond Anticipation Note.  Becky made the motion to approve; Mike seconded; motion passed unanimously. b) Kleinpeter Consulting Invoice (to be paid once OCRA releases grant funds) – Beth presented Council with an invoice from Kleinpeter Consulting (Grant Admin) in the amount of $36,600.00. Becky made a motion to approve; Jimmy seconded; motion passed unanimously.  c) Quote for Radar Signs – NSPD – Beth presented Council with a quote submitted to the North Salem Police Dept. for new radar signs to be placed around town. The quote was in the amount of $17,000 for four units.  Several residents were in attendance to ask why we had no police presence in town and the speeding through town, especially by the elementary school, is ongoing.  Becky stated that these issues would be addressed.  After much discussion, it was decided that Marshal Kneeland should pursue some sort of grant to purchase these.  d) NuMedia Marketing Quote on updated Town website – Beth presented Council with a quote from NuMedia Marketing. Our website is out of date and needs refreshing.  It also needs to be more interactive.    Becky made a motion to approve their proposal; Mike R. seconded; motion passed unanimously.
  6. REPORTS:  a) Mark – let Council know that he repaired a water main break in an alley off of Pearl Street.  Nancy Bruner, who lives on State Road 75 by the school, asked if we could take a look at the sidewalk that runs along the west side of the road.  It looks as if there is a sidewalk just passed the bridge heading south, but it’s covered up with stone and grass.  Mark said he could take the bobcat down there and scrape to see what kind of shape it’s in. Mark also addressed the Council on those boring companies that come into town and want to purchase water from us for their projects.  Mark has them pull their water from hydrants on the outskirts of town, but it still stirs the water and causes issues.  All of Council agreed that we should stop providing water for these projects because it causes too many problems.  b) NSPD – No report as Marshal Kneeland is currently in quarantine. c) Council Members – Becky would like to schedule an Executive Session for July 13, 2020 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. This meeting will be to discuss the 2021 budget and also an annual employee review for Marshal Kneeland.  Becky made a motion to schedule this meeting; Jimmy seconded; motion passed unanimously.  Jimmy wanted to let Mark know that there are some tree limbs overhanging the road on West Street near Pearl Street; Mark knows what tree he is referring to and this is not a Town Tree.  He will take a look at it.  Mike Russell also wanted to go on record that he has received complaints about no police presence in town.  d) Harold Blake – None.  e) Beth – asked Harold if we could utilize our CEDIT fund to help with the loan payment once this water project is complete.  Per our Resolution 2012-15 it states that expenditures from this fund can cover infrastructure improvements.  Harold stated “absolutely”……which is great news for us if we do not receive some kind (or any kind) of forgiveness on our loan from the State.
  7. PUBLIC  Bill Compton asked the Council if it was okay for him to spray for bugs where they set up for the Farmer’s Market each week.  Council stated that was fine.  Also, he wanted to know what opinion Council had regarding Old Fashion Days considering we are still in the midst of a pandemic.  After much discussion, Becky asked Harold what he thought.  Harold stated that North Salem has many elderly residents.  With people coming from out of town and us not really being able to “enforce” safety precautions with regard to the virus, we should error on the side of safety.  Bill thanked the Council and Harold for their opinions and will relay to the Old Fashion Days Committee.  Nancy Bruner asked about having chickens in town; Beth explained what the current ordinance states.
  8. ADJOURNMENT:  There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:02 pm.  The next Council Meeting will be August 6th at 6:00 pm.                          Attest:  Beth Russell, Clerk-Treasurer

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