Highway Issues Highlight Town Board Meeting
by Doug La Rocque
At a November 20 special meeting of the Town Board, it voted 4 to 1 to refuse to pay a voucher for a 2020 payload, purchased by Town Highway Superintendent Jeff Winestock, made without explicit board approval. The deal included the trade in of the town’s 2015 payload, which they asked for back. At the time, Mr. Winestock argued he had been able to purchase such materials as sand and salt for highway use, and felt the inclusion of $50,000 in the 2020 Highway budget for the purchase of a new loader, was tantamount to approval. The board disagreed, noting it had decided not to purchase the new loader at this time in light of possible revenue reductions caused by COVID-19. Town Attorney John Tingley also advised the board that NYS Highway Law precluded any purchase of highway equipment for road construction, snow removal and the like, without explicit board approval. At its Tuesday, December 8 meeting, the board approved a resolution that allows the town to seek remedies, including civil recoveries and to seek removal from office, for any such violations by a town employee. The vote was 4 to 0, with Councilman Jessie Newton absent. Mr. Newton was the board member who voted no on refusing payment of the loader, stating he was not trying to condone any bad action, but felt the loader would still need replacement soon and would likely cost the town more money at that time.
Part of the Highway law allows a board to set a threshold each year that the Highway Superintendent may spend without coming back to the board for approval (many municipalities do this), but Town Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling said that was not included in the new resolution, because Highway Superintendent Winestock has not asked the board to do so. She said “the ball is in his court.”
How Long Should a Piece of Equipment Last
The town is also looking at how longer neighboring municipalities of a similar size and with like amount of road inventory, plan to keep some of its highway equipment, and found it was much longer than New Lebanon’s past practice. Councilman Norman Rasmussen said it appeared to him, New Lebanon was turning over equipment in about half the time Copake and Ancram usually do. Supervisor Houghtling said she and Councilwoman Deb Gordon, are trying to compile budgetary figures from several Columbia County towns, to expand this comparison.
Looking For Bad Water
The town is working with the NYS Department of Health to find homeowners that are downward in elevation of the old Fire Pond and Bouchard Junk Yard, as these two locations are labeled as areas of concern for possible contamination. Supervisor Houghtling indicated any testing of wells will probably take place in the spring, and that the Board is looking for homeowners who would be willing to share their test results with the town. Legally, they do not have to.
Pavilion Bathrooms
After some discussion, the board agreed to extend the contract for renovations to the pavilion bathrooms at Shatford Park to January 31 of 2021. The previous extension expired December 11. The contractor states he is having problems with obtaining supplies and labor because of COVID-19. Supervisor Houghtling says she understands, but also would really like the bathrooms back on line by spring. The board would like to meet the contractor at its next meeting to discuss how to remedy the delays.
Going Solar
The board gave Supervisor Houghtling permission to sign a contract with Ampion Renewable Energy to look into providing solar power to the town and its residents, through a community solar plan. Residents who sign up could receive up to a 10% reduction in their electric bills, and Ampion would pay the town $100 for each new customer.
Other Action
The board plans to become a Purple Heart Community, joining many others such as the Town of Hoosick and the Village of East Nassau. It hopes to make the proclamation official at its year end meeting on December 29 at 6 pm. The lawmakers extended the regulation allowing temporary additional business signs because of the pandemic until February 15 and set its annual organizational meeting for 10 am on Friday, January 1.