New Lebanon Town Board Action

by Phillip Zema
At the March 8 New Lebanon Town Board meeting, the Board was asked to help expedite the Midtown Mall project. Deputy Supervisor Monte Wasch was adamant that the Midtown Mall project get underway as soon as possible. The project requires a professional grant writer, which will cost nearly $3,000.
There was discussion about why the Town should cover this cost. After all, the mall’s owners can afford it. Wasch claimed that the $400,000 grant cannot go directly to private entities; federal law mandates that it must first pass through the local government. Accordingly, the Town must cover the transaction costs necessary to receive the grant. While Midtown’s owners will reimburse the $3,000 (and other possible transaction costs), the Board preferred that they put the money into an escrow account. Councilman Doug Clark claimed that this procedure would prevent the Town from having to spend its own money.
Darrow School is hoping to receive federal funding for a storm drainage project. If granted, state and federal governments would pay 75% of the costs, and Darrow would cover the remaining 25%. The grant requires the local government to approve the project, and so Darrow requested that the Board submit a one-page letter to the necessary agency. The Board passed a motion to accept Darrow School’s request, and Town Attorney Jason Shaw will write the letter.
Once again, Rocky Brown brought up the issue of time clocks. Time clocks, he argued, would help the Town avoid possible liability issues. Having repeatedly discussed this issue, he wanted the Board to make a final decision. Councilman Bruce Baldwin wanted closure as well, and he said that repeatedly bringing this topic up was “wasting time.” While Baldwin was not intending to sound condescending, Brown took insult at his response and shouted “don’t talk down to me!” The argument quickly subsided, as both men turned to joking with each other.
The Board decided to vote on the issue. It was stated that from an insurance standpoint the Town is not any better off if it implements time clocks. Moreover, the only non-elected employees who might need a time clock are in the Highway Department; other Town employees do not work on an hourly basis. Highway Superintendant Jeff Winestock claimed that since he holds his employees accountable, a time clock is unnecessary. Ultimately, the Board voted against Brown’s request.
Brown was also concerned about the skilled laborers who volunteered to work on the Town Hall. He wondered whether these workers were under contract to properly complete the work assigned to them. Brown also asked if there would be a clerk of the works to oversee the project. The Board’s response was that the workers must sign a contract and that a clerk would supervise the work. Supervisor Meg Robertson added that the volunteers are enthusiastic about this opportunity and sincerely want to do a good job.
Nancy Wolf, the Head of Darrow School, said that the school will likely receive four wind turbines. The turbines, which are seven feet in diameter, will serve multiple educational purposes and help the school save on energy costs. The zoning law, however, mandates that the school notify its neighbors and the Town. A public hearing will be scheduled in the near future.
Robertson reported that the Town will receive $3,500 from New York State. The money, which will be used by the Highway Department for road maintenance, was granted by State Assemblyman Tim Gordon. Winestock was cynical about the award, however, for Gordon is up for reelection, and it probably cost the taxpayers more just to pay for the grant’s transaction costs (e.g. application fees). The Town may also be eligible for a federal appropriation grant. Baldwin claimed that the Town could be awarded several hundred thousand dollars, which would help fund the $500k necessary for the Town hall renovation project. The application for this grant goes through Congressman Scott Murphy (who is also up for re-election).
There was also discussion about the landfill on Old Post Road. The Board is still working to resolve this issue; either the Town or Columbia County must pay the $1.5m necessary to close the landfill. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) may impose fines as well. It was claimed that, during the 80s, the County closed 10 of 11 landfills and New Lebanon, via taxes, helped fund the closing costs. Unfortunately, the County claims it is not responsible for cleaning this landfill. If the Town is liable, each taxpayer must contribute $976. If the County is liable the cost would only amount to $40 per taxpayer. The Supervisor was adamant that the Town will, if necessary, take legal action, and Clark entertained the idea of starting an aggressive media campaign against the County.
Charlie Sears was awarded the Park Maintenance Superintendent position, and the Town is now looking for someone to mow at the West Lebanon Cemetery and American Legion building. Because the Town Court’s work has increased, the Board talked about extending the Court Clerk’s hours. The Board will discuss this issue at its April meeting. There will be a public hearing on the Midtown Mall community block grant at 6:45 on April 12. The hearing precedes the regularly scheduled Town Board meeting.