Stephentown Town Board Action – June 2010

by David Flint
Stephentown Town Board meetings are getting shorter. Maybe that’s a good thing, indicating that everything is running smoothly. The meeting on Monday evening, June 21, was very sparsely attended and wrapped up within forty minutes.
Zoning Board Appointment
Aside from approving the minutes of previous meetings and current bills, the Board passed only one resolution – to fill a vacant position on the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Board accepted an application from Roland Barth of Sutherland Road and appointed him to the ZBA with his term to expire on December 31, 2011. The position was advertised in newspapers and Barth’s was the only application received. Code Enforcement Officer Dean Herrick noted that Barth had worked with the New York Planning Federation in Columbia County.
Revenues Dropping
Town Supervisor Larry Eckhardt reported that the Town will be receiving $57,395 from the County in sales tax revenue and $15,365 in mortgage tax revenue. Both of these are down a bit from last year when Stephentown received $58,693 from the sales tax and $20,630 from the mortgage tax.
Eckhardt said it also looks likely that CHIPS (Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program) money will be forthcoming from the state at close to $100,000. Last year it was $97,000. With the addition of Nora Way, now Nora Lane, to the Town roads, the highway aid should be a little bit more this year.
Town Assessor Tom MacVeigh said that activity in property sales was a little bit better than last year, although still slower than a few years ago. Prices have been holding, he said, with most sales going for more than estimated full value.
Energy Code
Herrick reported that the new version of the New York Energy Conservation Construction Code will take effect as soon as it comes out, and the books are expected in August. The Code will bring New York up to date with the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). According the federal Department of Energy’s website, the most notable changes for New York are improved duct sealing and efficient lighting requirements. Regarding swimming pools, Herrick said there will be no changes except in wording.
Consultation With ERCWSMA
Councilman PJ Roder reported that Matt Curley, the new Executive Director of ERCSWMA (Eastern Rensselaer County Solid Waste Management Authority), will attend the next Town Board Workshop meeting on July 12. The Board has been considering whether trash disposal might be more cost effective if the Town were to opt out of their contract with ERCSWMA. This meeting will give Curley a chance to explain what changes might be made of benefit to the Town if they were to remain with the Authority.
Dog Report
Councilman Chris Demick reported that the Dog Control Officer had reported three calls for stray dogs and one cat bite incident.
Deposits & Spending
The Town Clerk reported she had turned over the sum of $642.03 to the Supervisor for the month of May. The distribution from the office of the State Comptroller, Justice Court Fund to the town for the month of April was $1,670 and $2,455 for the month of May.
The Board audited and approved claims in the amount of $30,476.92 from the General Account and $29,325.72 from the Highway Account.
The Board set their next Workshop meeting for Monday, July 12, at 7 pm and the next regular Town Board meeting for Monday, July 19, at 7 pm.