IMPORTANT 2011 TAX ROLL INFORMATION - Click below for the St. Lawrence County Real Property Office FINAL Tax Roll Document (a pdf document) Tentative Tax Roll Document (a pdf document) Town of Lisbon, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
•This website was designed and implemented by Josh Earl and is maintained by Josephine Skiff Changes or additions should be directed to the Town Clerk. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Check out these other North Country sites! |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TOWN OF LISBON BOARD MEETING JANUARY 14, 2009LISBON TOWN HALL Present: Supervisor Don Strader, Councilman C. Joseph Collins, Highway Superintendent Timothy Dow, Councilman Tom Schneller, Town Clerk Donna McBath, Councilman C. Roger Shoen, Attorney Charles Nash, esq., Councilman Vincent Winters Guest: Larry Trombley, Jonathan Teele, Jimmy Lawton - Ogdensburg Journal, Kenneth Putney, Steve Teele, Glendon Poore, Deborah Dixon, Patrick Green, Jim Monroe 1. Meeting Called to Order Supervisor Don Strader called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. Pledge Allegiance 3. New Organizational approval by the board A. Board of Assessment Review Board - No new member was chosen at this time. B. Health Dept Officer Councilman Schneller made a motion, seconded by Councilman Collins to approve the renewal of Alan Winney as the Health Dept Officer for another four years. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 C. Library Board Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Schneller to reappoint Carroll Roy and Barbara Shoemaker for another 4-year term. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 D. Planning Board Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Schneller to reappoint William Leary to the Planning Board from 2009 to 2015. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 E. Appointment for Linda McQuinn as AMP Alternate Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Winters to appointment Linda McQuinn as AMP Alternate. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 F. Appointment for representative for NYS Association of Towns - No appointment was made as no one is going to New York City. 4. Approval of Designations A. Banks - Upstate and Key Banks Official Newspaper - Ogdensburg Journal and Advance Official Meeting Date - 2 nd Wednesday each month Official Meeting Time - 6:00 PM Official Mileage - Stated as Fortyeight and Half Cents per mile as County. Change to: Mileage rate per mile as County Rate. Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Winters to approve as stated with correction on Mileage Rate. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Appointments 2009 Supervisor Strader asked if there was any discussion on the list as given. Councilman Shoen commented that he opposed Mike O'Neil as Campground Ground Director. He stated that we were paying him way too much money. Also Code Enforcement, he would like to see it open up for applications. Town Attorney - Charles Nash Code Enforcement Officer - Raymond LaRock Water Superintendent - Douglas Smith Sewer Superintendent - Douglas Smith Water/Sewer Assistant - Scott Skiff Secretary/Bookkeeper - Nicole Barr Animal Control Officer - Susan Siedlecki Historian - Nancy LaFaver Court Clerk - Nicole Barr Youth Sports Coordinator - Sheila Mehaffy Librarian - Gabrielle McBath Library Substitute - Julie Adams Health Officer - Alan Winney Campground Director - (Mike O'Neil was removed from list) Association of Towns Rep. Assessor - Bruce Green Councilman Collins made a motion, seconded by Councilman Winters to approve the appointments as stated. Ayes - 4 Nays - 1 The appointments list was reopened for discussion concerning the Campground Director. It was decided to leave the position open at this time. Therefore, Mike O'Neil's name was removed from the list. Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Schneller to approve the appointment list as stated with the correction of removing Mike O'Neil's name for Campground Director. This would leave the position opened. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 A. Appointment Planning Board Dr. Glen Harris - Chairman - Expires 12/31/2009 Lester Martin - Expires 12/31/10 Donald Merkley - Expires 12/31/11 Patrick Madlin - Secretary - Expires 12/31/2012 Dalton Miller - Expires 12/31/2013 David Smith - Expires 12/31/2014 William O'Leary - Expires 12/31/2015 Councilman Winters made a motion, seconded by Councilman Schneller to re-appoint the Planning Board as stated. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 B. Campground Committee and Beach - No one was appointed at this time. C. Recreation Committee Sheila Mehaffy - Sports Coord., Larry Mehaffy - Chairman, Jeff Houmiel, Larry Felt, Patricia Fletcher, Christine Hammond, Randy Teele, Dickie Marcellus, Ernie Fields, Rhonda Fletcher, Councilman Schneller made a motion, seconded by Councilman Shoen to appoint the Recreation Committee as stated. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 D. Grievance Committee Mark Ginn - Expired 9/30/09 Newell Martin - Expired 9/30/10 Unknown - Will Expired 9/30/11 Councilman Schneller made a motion, seconded by Councilman Winters to appoint the Grievance Committee as stated. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 E. Library Board Barbara Shoemaker - Expire 12/31/2012 Sherry Dawley - Expire 12/31/2009 Josephine Skiff - Expire 12/31/2010 Carroll Roy - Expire 12/31/2012 Richard Barkley - Expire 12/31/2010 Betty Smith - Expire 12/31/2009 Councilman Collins made a motion, seconded by Councilman Schneller to appoint the Library Board Members as stated. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 F. Homecoming Committee Linda Hicks, Tina Washburn, Ed Knight, Cathy Marcellus, Bob Palmer from Fire Dept, Arlene Middlemiss Councilman Schneller made a motion, seconded by Councilman Shoen to appoint the Homecoming Committee as stated. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 G. Museum Committee Nancy LaFaver - Chairman, Roger Watters, Lois Glass, Stella Nelson, Edward Alfonsin, Eugene Jones, Stephen Jemison, Walter Smith, Patrick Huot, Irene Armstrong, Bruce Wood, Verna Winters Councilman Shoen made a motion, seconded by Councilman Schneller to approve the Museum Committee as stated. Ayes - 4 Nay - 0, Abstained - Councilman Winters H. Lisbon Housing Authorities Hollis McBath - Expire 2010, Scott Walker - Expire 2012, Mike Duprey - Expire 2011, Margaret Backus - Expire 2009, Bruce Green - Expire 2012 Councilman Collins made a motion, seconded by Councilman Winters to approve the Lisbon Housing Authorities Committee as stated. Ayes - 5 Nay - 0 I. Liason Appointments Camp Grounds - Supervisor Strader Municipal Power - Steve Jemison and Linda McQuinn Planning Board - Supervisor Strader Library Board - Councilman Shoen Economic Development - Supervisor Strader Museum - Councilman Winters Buildings and Grounds - Councilman Schneller Joint Water & Sewer - Councilman Collins Recreation, NYPA, Homecoming, was not filled Councilman Collins made a motion, seconded by Councilman Winters to approve the Liason appointments as stated. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 J. Salaries
Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Collins to approve the salaries with the exception of removing Municipal Executive title and wage and the second line for Assessor, Bruce Green for $27,360.00 as stated. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 K. Procurement Policy Councilman Schneller made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Strader to approve the procurement policy with the correction to insert item 11 - a $50.00 limit for purchasing except for Highway Department with approval of a board member. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 L. Work Place Violence Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Schneller to accept the Work Place Violence policy as is. Ayes - 5 - Nays - 0
5. Approval of the Meeting Minutes A. December 10, 2008 Patrick Green stated that last month he had stated that the town was living beyond their means. It was stated in the minutes "living beyond their needs." The board asked for that to be corrected. He also had a request for a resolution, just in case the Highway Department had to lay off people, that if the Federal Laws were enforced on immigration many jobs would open up on the Cruikshank plantation. He thought maybe that would be in the record. He is also still waiting for what percentage concentrate on Federal Tax that runs the town. Supervisor Strader stated that he would get back to him on that figure. Councilman Winters made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Strader to approve the meeting minutes December 14, 2008 with the correction of the statement of "living beyond their means." Ayes - 5 Nays - 0
6. Approval of Town Clerks Report Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Collins to approve the Town Clerk's Report for the month of December 2008. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 7. Approval of Town Justice Reports Councilman Schneller made a motion, seconded by Councilman Winters to accept the Justice Reports for the month of December 2008. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0
8. Recognition of Guess Jimmy Lawton - Ogdensburg Journal - No Comments Pat Madlin - Inquired about solar heating. He is investigating the possibility of installing solar heating. By doing this, he would receive a 15-year tax property exemption on the equipment. He stated that he looked into a site and discovered that if the town needed to buy into it. The Town of Lisbon is the only town that has not bought into this agreement. If he installed solar on his house and found that his taxes went up, he would be paying taxes on the equipment. It would be a losing composition. He requested the board to adopt a resolution for the 15-year agreement exemption on the property tax. The board informed him that they are setting up a local law for the exemption at this time. Steve Teele - Was here on a request from Mr. Clements concerning the adjoining property from his to the Power Authority. The request to the Power Authority was to transfer the property from the Power Authority to the Clements Agricultural Research Institute for a nominal fee. Mr. Teele was present in support of the letter. Jim Monroe - Stated that he was there to support the Clements Agricultural Research Institute resolution. As you know that land was part of the original Iroquois farm, which has now become the Clements Agricultural Research Institute. The resolution is requesting that the Power Authority give back the land at no charge to the Clements Agricultural Research Institute. He is asking for the Town to support them on this resolution. It is not costing the town anything as it is just a transfer from the Power Authority to Clements Agricultural Research Institute. Deborah Dixon - Stated she was here to support the Clements Agricultural Research Institute resolution. She also wanted to inform the board of what had been happening at the Clements Agricultural Research Institute in the past and what the institute plans to do in the future. She also handed out pamphlets and literature. Patrick Green - Concerning Land and County Taxes - Asked what are charge backs that are on the tax invoices to the people. Supervisor Strader stated that one part of the money is paid to a Community College outside of St. Lawrence County for part of student's tuition that attends the college. The reason for this is that St. Lawrence County is mandated to help with part of the tuition, since it is cheaper to pay part than building a community college. Attorney Nash stated that one part goes to the Board of Election to pay for any election that is held in the township. One part is for workmen's compensation. Anything that the county provides for the township is a back charge to the taxpayers The Sheriff had an article in the paper informing people to be aware of our surroundings while being on the roads during this winter. He felt that the town was overworking our equipment to keep the roads bare. He stated that the County was way-overworking equipment on county roads. Mr. Green would like to know why Lisbon Highway doesn't plow county roads when they have to cross over them like our neighboring towns do? He assumed that the county pays for the other towns to plow the county roads by the mile. Superintendent Dow informed Mr. Green that Lisbon gave up county roads. There was a lot more to it than just plowing the roads. The county has stricter policy than what the town has. There are some years you might make money in plowing the roads, but in most past years we would be losing money by using the equipment more, putting more hours on the men, and everything else. We depleted our work force when we gave up the county roads. If we took county roads back we would probably be hired more men and purchasing more machinery. Pat Madlin asked if the town ever received the money from the New York Power Authority. Councilman Collins informed him approximately $160,000 will be returned to the town. The town has received a payment to build a new bathhouse for the beach. In order to receive any money, the town has to have a project all designed and approved by the Power Authority to receive it. The town is going to build another new bathhouse at the beach. Since the plans for the bathhouse has been approved. The town has the money to start this spring. The money is set aside for this project only. When other monies come, it can be requested, if needed. Mrs. Dixon asked if the board agreed with their resolution. Then the Town of Lisbon would loose $70,000. Councilman Collins agreed with her. If any of the land is not bought back from the Power Authority, then the town won't receive any money. Steve Teele asked every bit of money that the Power Authority received, would the Town of Lisbon receive back for public project? Jonathan Teele - No comments Town Clerk McBath asked if there was a time limit to spend that money. Councilman Collins stated that no there was no limit of time. The town must only spend the money for a project for the public use. Calvin Putney - Mr. Putney wanted to speak concerning the land from the Power Authority. He stated that he did not know that the Town of Lisbon was receiving the money back from the Power Authority. There was an 18-acre parcel that went back to the Town of Lisbon as obtained, that should have gone with his farm. There is also a 15-acre parcel that the Putney Farm hopes to obtain, but it was hard to come up with that much money. He felt it is an unreasonable amount of money for agriculture land. It is his cows' night pasture. He stated if they don't get it back he didn't know if he could remain in milking cows. He wanted to know if the town could write a letter to help support in lowering that price. Steve Teele asked if the land does not go back to the adjacent landowners, does it stay with the Power Authority or does it got to the town? Councilman Collins stated that if the landowners didn't want the land the town had first chance at purchasing the land for a $1.00. Then the town can put it up for auction. Mr. Teele asked if it stated that it had to be put up for auction? Councilman Collins stated that it did not stated that, and it did not say that the town had to purchase the land. Mr. Putney asked since the Seaway forced the people to sell their land and now they didn't need it, why was there such an increase in the price? Supervisor Strader stated that he was questioning the wrong board. Mr. Putney stated that what he heard tonight was that the board could state what that land can be purchased for. Councilman Collins stated that was not true. Power Authority hired outside appraisers. They put all the numbers together. The town had nothing to do with it. Mr. Putney asked if the town had first bids on it before the landowners. Councilman Collins replied that "no the town did not have first bids on the land, the landowners had first bids." Mr. Putney asked if the Town of Lisbon had obtained the 18 acres parcel at Sparrow Hawk. Councilman Collins replied yes Town of Lisbon had obtained that land, as there was no adjacent landowner next to it. Mr. Putney said they had land across the road from it. Councilman Collins stated that south side of the road does not count. Glendon Poore - commented on the Campground Director. He wanted to know how the board could justify Mr. O'Neil getting such a high raise. He was not saying that Mr. O'Neil doesn't do a good job. Can Supervisor Strader justify such a big raise during these hard times? Supervisor Strader informed him of the work hours Mr. O'Neil put in and the board felt they could justify it by the raise. Mr. Poore felt that it was too much of an extreme raise. He knew when he applied for the position and the pay rate. Doesn't the board think that someone else would be just as capable to do the job for the pay that Mr. O'Neil was receiving at this time? Larry Trompley - no comments 10. Approval of Transfers Councilman Schneller made a motion, seconded by Councilman Shoen to accept the Transfer for December 2008. Transfer $102.72
Transfer $51,090.50
Transfer $13,905.86
Transfer $15,003.64
Transfer $9060.8
Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Abstained - Councilman Collins 11. Approval of Abstracts Councilman Schneller made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Strader to approve the abstracts from December 2008,
Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Councilman Schneller made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Strader to approve the abstracts from January 2009.
Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 12. Approval of Supervisor Report No report was given, as December 2008 was not completed yet. 13. Highway Superintendent Report A. Resolution # 1 of 2009 RESOLUTION # 1 of 2009 HOLDING HARMLESS THE COUNTY OF ST. LAWRENCE FOR PROVIDING SERVICE FOR THE TOWN OF LISBON WHEREAS, the Town of Lisbon is desirous of St. Lawrence County Department Highways providing shared services such as paving, shoulder widening, signage, road stripping, blasting and other routine maintenance actives to the Town, and WHEREAS, both the Town of Lisbon and the County of St. Lawrence are desirous of promoting partnering efforts for the safety of the traveling public in St. Lawrence County, and WHEREAS, in this joint cooperative endeavor, the Town of Lisbon and the County of St. Lawrence desires to be reimbursed for their expenditures, and WHEREAS, the Town is aware that the County may incur liability in the providing of the services and wishes to indemnify the County in this regard, WHEREAS, the Town has indicated an interest to participate in such an effort, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOVLED that the Town of Lisbon hereby agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the County of St. Lawrence from and against liability, loss, damage, claim or action resulting from the work performed by St. Lawrence County Department of Highways. The Town of Lisbon does not indemnify and hold harmless the County for any liability, loss, damage, claim, or action, which arises during actual performance of services by the St. Lawrence County Department of Highways. Said St. Lawrence County Department of Highways and the County of St. Lawrence assumes the liability for losses, and claims for the actual physical performance of the work, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following request for General Liability (GL) coverage is as follows: General Liability Insurance On an "Occurrence" basis, with the following limits: $1,000,000 Each Occurrence $2,000,000 General Aggregate $1,000,000 Aggregate $1,000,000 Personal Injury $ 50,000 Fire Damage Legal Liability $ 5,000 Medical Payment Expense BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that St. Lawrence County shall be an additional insured on the GL Policy, via ISO endorsement CG 2026. Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Collins to approve Resolution # 1 of 2009 Holding Harmless The County of St. Lawrence for Providing Service for the Town of Lisbon. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 B. Smoking in the Town Barns Highway Superintendent Dow stated that the Department of Health had notified him that someone had reported again that someone is smoking in the Town Barns, where there is a NO SMOKING BAN. Highway Superintendent Dow informed the board that he had questioned each person who smoked, if they had been smoking in the building again. Each one stated that they had not. They only smoke outside now. Highway Superintendent Dow felt that the Board of Health will make a surprise visit to the site. C. Fuel Prices Supervisor Strader stated that the town should get 10,000 gals. of Diesel Fuel as he feels the price will be going up. Highway Superintendent informed him that he didn't think the tank will hold it. Diesel Fuel 5,000 gals Kunoco Oil - Canton Was not able to bid at this time MX Petroleum - Massena Was not able to bid at this time Griffith Energy - Rochester NYS Pricing $2.1055 Base Price Valero Energy Corporation No reply Lowest Bid for Diesel - Griffith Energy - $2.1055 Base Price Gasoline 1,000 gals Kunoco Oil - Canton Was not able to bid at this time MX Petroleum - Massena Was not able to bid at this time Griffith Energy - Rochester NYS Pricing $1.5515 Base Price Valero Energy Corporation No Reply Lowest Bid for Gas - $1.5515 Base Price Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Winters to approve purchasing Diesel Fuel from Griffith Energy for $2.1055/gallon for 5,000 gallons, and purchasing Gasoline from Griffith Energy for $1.5515/gallon for 1,000 gallons. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 14. Report from Legislator Forsythe Legislator Forsythe did not attend the meeting. 15. Report from Historian Historian Nancy LaFaver did not attend the meeting. 16. Old Business Councilman Collins stated that since he has been friend of the Clements family for years and currently a customer of his, that he would abstain from the decision of the resolution. A. RESOLUTION #3 of 2009, Town of Lisbon, Map 1136C, Parcel 8702, Map 1136C, 8104, Map 1136C, Parcel 8708 RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Lisbon having been made aware of the petition and application by Clements Agricultural Research Institute to the Power Authority of the State of New York requesting that the above described property which had been appropriated from the Clements Family for the Development of the Seaway and Power Project about 1950 be returned to the Clements Agricultural Research Institute, as successor to the Clements Family now that it has been determined that the property is no longer needed by the State. and it is further RESOLVED, that the Power Authority of the State of New York transfer the property to Clements Agricultural Research Institute without charge, as Clements Agricultural Research Institute is a IRS Sec. 501 (c) (3) Not For Profit Institute, and as such conducts educational programs for the public related to Organic and Sustainable gardening, farming and living. It conducts programs for school children and also maintains an organic Food Bank during the growing season. It also provides information, books, and periodicals relating to sustainability. Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Shoen to direct our councilor to send a letter to the Power Authority denying Mahlon Clements his request to give the land back. Also in that letter, request that Mahlon Clements pay for it. This is to include all land that is coming from the Power Authority to be paid for by all owners. Ayes - 4 Nays - 0 Abstain Councilman Collins Jim Monroe asked to speak. He asked for the board to keep an open mind on this matter and think about a negotiations with the Clements Agricultural Research Institute, as maybe pay in over time as they have no money. He felt it would be a win - win for both the Town of Lisbon and the Clements Agricultural Research Institute. 17. New Business A. Assessor Bruce Green - The reval is proceeding ahead. The final figures will be done next month and to be turned in the Real Property office. He wanted to inform the board that some parcel would have a 20 to 40% increase. The people of Lisbon will be notified of the assessment change in March. Councilman Collins asked with the real estate values being down around the entire country, and with the economics conditions that we are in with a 40% increase, wouldn't it be better to have a 20 to 40% decrease? Assessor Green stated that they are using the values of property from the year of July 2008 and not currently. They are always in arrears in value. Assessor Green also informed the board that in this area we are not seeing the drastic change as in other parts of the county. This area doesn't feel those drastic cycles. Director Jane Power from Real Property Office - Discussed with the board the 2009 Lisbon Revaluation Schedule and what the board can be looking for. Councilman Collins asked her if the value of the land is changing for those people that have homes or camps on land that is leased. She informed him that yes the landowner will see and increase of their assessment. She express to the board that the board needs to back the assessor in all ways. B. Resolution # 2 for Maple Traditions Scenic Byway RESOLUTION #2 of 2009 Maple traditions scenic byway WHEREAS, The Black River Trail Scenic Byway, as currently defined in New York State Legislation, runs from the City of Rome to the City of Ogdensburg, and; WHEREAS, State Highway 812 from Lowville to Ogdensburg departs from the Black River, thereby having no connection to the resource that defines the theme for this Scenic Byway, and; WHEREAS, it is important for Scenic Byways and other tourism programs to have a theme with which local communities can identity and that presents and authentic image and experience for the Byway traveler; and WHEREAS, Maple Traditions communicates a theme with which our community can identify, is authentic to tourists, and has received public support throughout the corridor management planning process; and WHEREAS, such a change requires the passage of State legislation; NOW, THEREFORE, the Town of Lisbon
Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Winters to approve Resolution # 2 of Maple Traditions Scenic Byway Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 16. Executive Session No Executive Session 17. Adjournment Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Winters to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 PM. Ayes 5 Nays 0 Respectfully Submitted, Donna D. McBath, Town Clerk Gouverneur |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the latest news, go to |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||