Village of Fleischmanns

Village Board Meeting

April 13, 2015
The Village of Fleischmanns Board of Trustees held their regular Village Board meeting
on Monday, April 13, 2015 at the Skene Memorial Library at 6:00 p.m. Present were:
Mayor Donald E. Kearney, Benjamin Fenton, Harriet L. Grossman, Lewis Grocholl and
David Yates.
Mark Project, Inc./Peggy Ellsworth
Peggy Ellsworth of the Mark Project, Inc. gave a presentation on the Fleischmanns
Theatre advising that contractors will begin restoration work this summer. There will be
a complete brick by brick faade restoration. All funding for the work will come from a
grant secured by the Mark Project. The marquee will be inspected and removed from the
building to avoid further deterioration until additional funds are received to repair and
reattach it. New lighting will be installed on the front of the building to showcase the
storefronts, and new windows will be installed.
Peggy Ellsworth answered all questions from the public & the Village Board.
Delaware Operations/Jim Buchan
Monthly Report/March 2015
At this time the WWTP is running through most of the month at a reduced rate of flow
and discharges effluent flow from the facility every day of the week. Operators continue
to monitor the pump station and the collection system on a daily basis.
Purchase Orders
Motion made by Harriet L. Grossman to approve the following purchase orders for
Delaware Operations for April, 2015: Slack Chemical, chlorine bleach, 55 gal. drums,
110 gal. @ $2.66/gal, total cost of request: $292.00, reason for purchase: chemicals used
n the treatment process, Slack Chemical, bulk coagulant (PAC), gal. 300 gal. @
$2.85/gal., total cost of request $855.00; Vellano Bros., water meters & accessories, 12
5/8 x meters $1572.00, 12 remotes @ $480.00, tailpiece adapters, one box $145.00,
total cost of request $2197.00 plus tax, reason for purchase: replace broken meters and
install new ones.
Water Meters
Jim Buchan advised he installed 2 remote water meter readers today. He should have six
more in by the end of this week. Discussion was made as to the maintenance of the land
at the springs. Trustee Ben Fenton requested Jim Buchan get a new quote from John
Blish to clear the land at the springs and also what the cost would be for monthly
maintenance.
Athanasakes/507 Main St.
Jim Buchan updated the Board as issues with the amount due for water on property
located at 507 Main St.
Motion made by Donald E. Kearney to table any decision until the following month in
order to allow more time to go over the matter. Motion seconded by Harriet L.
Grossman. Donald E. Kearney-Aye. Harriet L. Grossman-Aye. Lewis Grocholl-Aye.
Ben Fenton-Aye. David Yates-Aye. Motion so carried.
Delaware Engineering
John Brust advised that rebuilding the Playground has been a priority. As soon as the
asphalt plants open up, we will have asphalt placed for the playground and get that
project going. Hopefully, they will be open in the next two weeks and we can have them
down here. A layer of blacktop is placed and then above that a rubberized surface & then
the playground equipment itself. All has been previously approved & reimbursable by
FEMA.

Resolution/Joint Sale of Tax-Acquired Properties

By the Village of Fleischmanns &
County of Delaware
At the Village Board Meeting
Of the Village of Fleischmanns, New York
Held at the Skene Memorial Library on
Monday, April 13, 2015 and
Upon motion made by Harriet L. Grossman and seconded by David Yates, the following
resolution was duly adopted:
Whereas the County of Delaware has proceeded to foreclose on the following properties
in the Village of Fleischmanns; and
Whereas it is in the best interest of the Village and the County of Delaware to work
together to protect the Village tax lien;
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the County of Delaware sell the interest of both
municipalities. The proceeds from said sale shall be divided in proportion to the taxes
owned each entity for the years 2013-2014 & 2014-2015. Each parcel to be treated
individually.
287.17-2-10
926 Main Street Corp.
287.13-1-7
Conrad Donna J.
287.17-3-25
Finch Brad
287.17-3-24
Finch Bradley F.
286.20-2-3.41 HD Construction
286.20-2-11
Hasay George S
286.20-2-13.1 Hasay George
286.20-2-13.2 Hasay George
287.18-6-21
Hasay George & Michael
286.20-2-14
Hasay George
287.17-1-26
Mendlowitz Abraham
287.13-2-26
Morales Martin & Veronica
287.14-3-10.1 Slavin Jeffrey
287.14-2-10
Yarot Devash LLC
287.14-3-3
Yarot Devash LLC

$1767.70
1890.54
1008.92
882.19
00.00
5611.18
3042.79
829.18
5052.92
5713.14
1639.79
974.49
634.92
4558.15
3.44
--------------------------------------------Lorraine DeMarfio, Village Clerk
Village of Fleischmanns

April 13, 2015

State of New York

)
)ss:
County of Delaware )
I, Lorraine DeMarfio, Village Clerk of the Village of Fleischmanns, New York do hereby
certify that the foregoing is a true and correct transcript of a resolution adopted by the
Board of Trustees of the Village of Fleischmanns, New York on April 13, 2015 and the
whole thereof.
--------------------------------------------Lorraine DeMarfio, Village Clerk
Village of Fleischmanns
Motion made by Harriet L. Grossman to approve the above resolution. Motion seconded
by David Yates. Harriet L. Grossman-Aye. David Yates-Aye. Donald E. Kearney-Aye.
Lewis Grocholl-Aye. Benjamin Fenton-Aye. All in favor. Motion so carried.

Snack Shack/Bids
Motion made by David Yates to put the snack shack out for bids. Motion seconded by
Harriet L. Grossman. David Yates-Aye. Harriet L. Grossman-Aye. Donald E. KearneyAye. Ben Fenton-Aye. Lewis Grocholl-Abstained. Motion so carried.
717 Wagner Avenue/Burned Out Bldg.
Mayor Kearney announced that the issue of the clean up of this burned out property was
due in court Monday morning. Mayor Kearney stated there was no desire on the part of
the Village Board of Trustees give any stay or grant any further extension of time for the
clean up of the property.
Public Hearing/Tentative Budget-2015-2016
Motion made by Benjamin Fenton to hold a Public Hearing on the Tentative Budget on
Monday, April 27, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Skene Memorial Library. Motion seconded
by Lewis Grocholl. Benjamin Fenton-Aye. Lewis Grocholl-Aye. Donald E. KearneyAye. Harriet L. Grossman-Aye. David Yates-Aye. Motion so carried.
Proposed Water Use Law
Motion made by Donald E. Kearney to hold a Public Hearing on the proposed Local Law
to Amend the Water Rates on April 27, 2015 opening at the close of the Public Hearing
on the Budget. Motion seconded by Benjamin Fenton. Donald E. Kearney-Aye.
Benjamin Fenton-Aye. Harriet L. Grossman-Aye. Lewis Grocholl-Aye. David YatesAye. All in favor. Motion so carried.
Village Clean Up
Motion made by Donald E. Kearney authorizing the Village Laborer, Corky Johnson
along with the Villages dump truck to take part in the Village clean up day on Saturday,
May 2, 2015. Motion seconded by Benjamin Fenton. Donald Kearney-Aye. Benjamin
Fenton-Aye. Harriet L. Grossman-Aye. David Yates-Aye. Lewis Grocholl-Aye. All in
favor. Motion so carried.
Part Time Account Clerk
Motion made by Benjamin Fenton to hire Winifred Zubin as the Part Time Account Clerk
for the Village of Fleischmanns. Motion seconded by David Yates. Benjamin FentonAye. David Yates-Aye. Donald E. Kearney-Nay. Harriet L. Grossman-Nay, Lewis
Grocholl-Nay. Motion not carried.
Part Time Account Clerk
Motion made by Ben Fenton to advertise the position of Part Time Account Clerk in the
Catskill Mt. News requesting that someone with Quick Books knowledge would be
preferred and municipal accounting a plus. Resumes must be received by May 22, 2015.
Motion seconded by David Yates-Aye. Ben Fenton-Aye. David Yates-Aye. Donald E.
Kearney-Aye. Harriet L. Grossman-Aye. Lewis Grocholl-Aye. Motion so carried.
Organizational Appointments
Chief Fiscal Officer: Donald E. Kearney
Deputy Mayor: Mayor Kearney appointed Harriet L. Grossman as Deputy Mayor of
the Village of Fleischmanns
Village Clerk/Treasurer, Tax, Water & Sewer Rent Collector: Lorraine DeMarfio
Village Attorney: Carey Wagner, Esq.
Bond Counsel: Paul Riechel, Esq. of Bond, Schoeneck & King
Highway Superintendent: Lewis Grocholl
Water Operator: Delaware Operations, Inc.
CEO/Zoning & Flood Administrator: Carl Patrick Davis
CEO Liaison: Harriet L. Grossman
Fair Housing Officer: David Yates
Village Pool Administrator/Manager: Harriet L. Grossman
Flood Commission: Donald E. Kearney
Signatories: Donald E. Kearney, Harriet L. Grossman & Lorraine DeMarfio
Official Bank: Community Bank

Official Newspaper: Catskill Mountain News

Monthly Meeting: 2nd Monday of Month @ 6:00 p.m.
Mileage/Reimbursement: Current State rate
Review Auditor: Village Board of Trustees
Park Commissioner: Ben Fenton
Prepayment Authorization: Utilities, Electric, Phones, Heating
Planning Board Chairman- Donald E. Kearney
Fire Department/Liaison: Donald E. Kearney
Scenic By-Way: John Duda
FEMA Liaison: Ben Fenton
Motion made by Harriet L. Grossman to approve the above appointments. Motion
seconded by Lewis Grocholl. Harriet L. Grossman-Aye. Lewis Grocholl-Aye. Donald
E. Kearney-Aye. Ben Fenton-Aye. David Yates-Aye. Motion so carried.
Public Input
The following letter was read aloud by Todd Pascarella:
I would like to offer a list of items that during my term in office I was working on with
the board, and the status of each in hopes that it assists you in your role as Village
officials moving forward, and that these items critical to the future of the Village receive
the attention they need.
Playground Project-The Village is currently in contract for construction of a new
playground in the park. The funding includes private donations being held at the Mark
Project and by the Village, grant funds procured from the State on behalf of the Village
by Mark, which will come as a reimbursement for part of the cost, and FEMA
reimbursement funds as well. In addition, to keep the cost of the project down, the
Village agreed to have the playground contractor supervise a community build which
means volunteers will assemble the equipment. Jeanine and I are still very much
intending to help with this effort and you can count on us to organize the volunteers if
you wish. Please continue to work closely with Mark and Delaware Engineering to
complete this project and keep Jeanine and I posted on how we can help.
Water Use Law
The Board and I had worked for many months with both Delaware Engineering and
Delaware Operations on appropriate updates to our water use law and rates. I
recommend holding a hearing and passing the new law as soon as possible to enable the
collection of increased fees from summer-only water users necessary to keep the water
fund healthy.
Firehouse Relocation-The CWC is now accepting applications for funding to relocate
critical municipal facilities out of the floodplain. This is a golden opportunity that we
were working toward for many years for Fleischmanns to build a new firehouse next to
the sewer plant, away from the floodplain so that our first responders are in a better
position to respond to the next flood, and are not instead victims of it. The Local Flood
Analysis (LFA) currently being performed for the Village is a prerequisite for the CWC
funds to be allocated. I recommend finishing the LFA and applying to the CWC.
FEMA-Finish the flood recovery projects in their entirety, all of them. Larry Reilly, Ben
Fenton, and I led the Village through 3 of the 4 years necessary to complete the process,
and would have done the work to complete year 4 if re-elected. As Larry advised based
on the recent letter from Homeland Security, failure to complete the projects could
jeopardize all of the funding that FEMA has paid and is obligated to pay the Village to
cover the hundreds of thousands of dollars that it will cost to fully recover from the flood.
Working with FEMA has been one of the most difficult and demanding things the Village
Board has ever had to do, but you are in the home stretch now. Please get the remaining
projects over the finish line so that the Village can be made whole by FEMA. Failure to
get this done would be catastrophic for the Village taxpayers, as it would then put us all
on the hook for enormous sums of money that Larry, Ben, and I had gotten FEMA to
commit to repaying us. I CAN NOT OVERSTATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS
ITEM.
Village Finances-Rumors that the Village is in financial dire straits are overwrought and
simply not true. According to Winifred Zubin, who stepped in to handle the books in
March after Russell Schebestas departure, the Village has experienced a surplus of
almost $114,000 so far this fiscal year all tolled in the general fund. This is despite the
fact that $62K in current taxes due out of the total levy of $282K have not been paid, and

are now delinquent. The draft budget presented in March balances with no increase in
tax rate. The budget needs work and several minor adjustments are probably necessary.
Winifred has many good suggestions about the long overdue modernization of the
Villages bookkeeping and I suggest following as much as you can of the advice she
offers.
If you have any questions about this list of Village business items or anything else, let me
know. I offer to you any information I may know, or contacts I have made that will assist
you in doing your jobs. I will attend the board meeting so that I will be available for
questions or to help in any way I can. If there is anything you need to know about
Village business in recent years, I am only an email or phone call away so please do not
hesitate to reach out.
My hopes and expectations for Fleischmanns are still very high, as are those of many,
many Village residents and business owners. I look forward to the future success of the
Village.
Todd Pascarella, Former Mayor
Public Input
VWP Correction Deed, the wells at the old Bailey Mill property, water rates, sweeper for
streets, CHIPS, security cameras, theatre, bridges, time frame for playground, Lake
Switzerland Dam, etc.
Mayor Kearney gave an up date on the Village finances: There is $114,987.43 in the
General fund, and there is $4583.53 in the Trust & Agency fund. Those are our usable
operating Village funds. All the other 18 accounts are encumbered funds. They can only
be used for what they are designated for. $70,658.00 is obligated to the Fire Department
which should be going in their Cap. Res. Fund and their operating fund now. The Village
owes $17,550.86 to Delaware Engineering for Water Project work. The invoices for
March 2015 just went out totaling $14,323.05. The Village owes Tweedie Construction
$53,450.04 for which they are demanding payment. If the Village can get that paid by
May 7, 2015 we may get that money back in June, 2015 from CHIPS. The April, 2015
invoices are going to total $17,963.34 from the General Fund which does not include
$9,333.00 due to the Mark Project, Inc. Mayor Kearney commented that the Mark
Project might possibly waive the two $3,000.00 administration fees on the grant funds.
Additionally, the Village owes $44,794.28 to Delaware Engineering for preliminary
planning, storm water, storage tank, water mains, water rate analysis, Main St. drainage,
etc.
Vouchers
Motion made by Harriet L. Grossman to pay the following vouchers for the month of
April, 2015: General Fund, Abstract # 46, Vouchers # 261 through 272 totaling
$63,328.58; General Fund, Abstract # 47 Vouchers # 273 through 274 totaling $891.41;
Water Department Fund, Abstract # 11, Vouchers # 62 through 66 totaling $4,001.44;
Sewer Department Fund, Abstract # 11, Vouchers # 112 through 123 totaling $36,696.15;
Motion seconded by David Yates. Harriet L. Grossman-Aye. David Yates-Aye. Donald
E. Kearney-Aye. Lewis Grocholl-Aye. Ben Fenton-Aye. Motion so carried.
Adjourn
Motion made by David Yates to adjourn. Motion seconded by Harriet L. Grossman.
David Yates-Aye. Harriet L. Grossman-Aye. Donald E. Kearney-Aye. Ben Fenton-Aye.
Lewis Grocholl-Aye. All in favor. Motion so carried.