The Town Board of the Town of Clayton met at the Depauville Community Center with the following present:

Robert W. Cantwell Jr., George Kittle, Justin Taylor, Donald Turcotte, Bonnie Rose, Bob Boulton, Kathy LaClair, Nicole Cornaire , Paul E. Heckmann, Connie Haver, Sheila E. Reff, Reba Cervantez, Neil Habig (PPM), Dan Murdie (PPM), Bill Moore (PPM), Jenny Burke (PPM), Cornie Schnauber, Darlene Bush

Supervisor Cantwell opened the workshop meeting at 5:00 PM.

Town Clerk:

Minutes: 

Motion by Bonnie Rose, 2^nd by George Kittle, to approve the amended minutes of 8/24/06.  Motion carried.

Set budget meetings:

Motion by George Kittle, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte, to set budget meetings for 9/20 at 5:00 PM and 9/27 after the workshop meeting if needed.  Motion carried.

Rec. Park employee:

Motion by Bonnie Rose, 2^nd by Donald Turcotte, to approve R.J. Sherman as part-time at Recreation Park, starting 8/25 at a rate of $8.00 per hour.  Motion carried.

Public:

Bill Moore, PPM Atlantic Renewable introduced Jenny Burke, Neil Habig and Dan Murdie.  Mr. Moore stated that they were almost done with 195 wind towers at Maple Ridge.  PPM Atlantic Renewable took three (3) seasons looking at the bird and bat transit by-ways at Clayton.  There is limited transmission capability in this region.  His company is looking to complete an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to install wind towers in the Town of Clayton.  He explained that his company is in direct competition with the company looking to install wind towers at Cape Vincent.  There is a March 1^st deadline for acceptance of the EIS draft.  The draft plan would indicate where the towers would go and essentially kick off the public review process.  The long form EIS would take as long as a year to complete.  The company is looking at the southern end of the Town of Clayton from the Orleans line to the Brownville Line, which would comprise the Hart, Miller and Lowe Roads.  Mr. Moore indicated the 1^st phase of the project would start in the Town of Clayton.  Mr. Moore indicated that in some instances, it isn’t unheard of that one town could be the main host as Lead Agency for all surrounding towns in regards to the SEQRA  process.  Further discussion indicated that 80-125 mega watts is needed to transmit.  Each unit takes approximately 1.5-2 mega watts per tower.

Mr. Moore explained that timing is important due to competitive business.  If the firm looking at Cape Vincent is given the go ahead, the transmission capacity would be gone.

Donald Turcotte inquired if he or a representative had spoken with the Chaumont Barrens to see if they had any problems with the proposed.

Mr. Moore indicated that they have been in direct contact with and that a couple of things had come up and they’re looking for solutions.       

Paul Heckmann, Chairman to the Wind Tower Advisory Committee, inquired if PPM was involved in anyway with the Cape Vincent proposed project.

Mr. Moore stated six (6) years ago, his company had looked at Cape Vincent, but after doing some initial study, had concluded that Cape Vincent was not a good place due to prime migratory flight paths, from both the lake and river, for a variety of birds.

Supervisor:

Town/TIPAF Opera House Renovation Agreement:

Supervisor Cantwell discussed and reviewed changes to the Agreement and from those changes Atty. Joe Russell has produced a Final Draft of the Agreement that binds together both parties for the Opera House Renovation.

Motion by Donald Turcotte, 2^nd by Bonnie Rose, for the Supervisor to sign this Final Agreement.  Motion carried.

ZEO Intermunicipal Agreement:

Supervisor Cantwell stated that each board member had been supplied with an adjustment and tracking of changes to the agreement.  Further discussion and consensus that there are still enough questions so as not to take action at this time.

Councilman Taylor indicated that the first to “whereas” were not pertinent.  This is a revision.

Also in question, were the stipends from both municipalities, including health insurance and did this proposed agreement indicate that the Village was willing to pay half of this.

Councilman Taylor indicated that these questions needed to be cleared up and that the board should leave no room for interpretation.  All items need to be clarified.

GIS:

Supervisor Cantwell stated that we had received 50% of the grant  ($21,075.).

Councilman Taylor indicated that he is looking to form a working group, for guidance only, to identify what needs to be completed.  Either the 1^st or 2^nd week of September the group will get the together.  He has spoken with Jefferson County and they have indicated that we can utilize what they already have.  This will be available on the internet.

EPA Brownfield Conference:

Supervisor Cantwell indicated that this years EPA Brownfield conference will be held in Boston, Ma on November 12,13,14,&15.

Consensus of the Board that Supervisor Cantwell should attend.

Workshop:

Depauville Street lights & Gazebo:

Supervisor Cantwell expressed there had been a request for payment from National Grid for the Christmas lights on NYS Rte. 12 for this past season.  Town Clerk LaClair wrote National Grid to inform them that location had not been used as the tree had died and the lights were removed.   That location and the gazebo was thought to have been incorporated in the lighting district.

Proposed Water District:

A water testing program will be conducted by Jefferson County Soil & Water of 100 wells in Depauville and Route 12.  They will be testing for bacteria and nitrates in the water.  Dustin Frost, Water Quality Technician had been contacted by residents who are in favor of the water district.  Jefferson County Soil & Water is offering their assistance in improving water quality for the town and have offered to do this at a reduced cost.  Mr. Frost indicated that normally testing fees would cost $2,200 and is offering to split the costs, $1,100 each.  The Board agreed to pay their half.

Depauville Community Center:

Committee is looking at re-doing the bathrooms at the community center.  Piping is in need of re-doing and currently the piping is rapped in asbestos.  An analysis will need to be completed on how much asbestos will be disturbed during the construction.  Connie Haver, Librarian, is working on a grant to help defray expenses.

Bob Boulton, Highway Superintendent stated that there is much wasted space as downstairs is not handicapped assessable.  We should consider in the near future working on making this assessable.

Depauville Sewer District:

One (1) sand bed has been dug up and is ready for replacement of filter sand, this year.  Hwy. Supt. Boulton stated that 375-400 yds. Of material is needed to do each.

Several complaints have been received concerning the odors emitted, especially when it rains.

Hwy. Supt. Boulton stated they’re currently getting ready to flush the system.

Depauville Playground:

Inspection of the playground shows that swings are missing, the slides are cracked and climbing boards are missing.  There is approximately $2,500 in funds left to help fix up the playground.

Consensus of the board that this needs to be fixed up, durable and maintained.  Buildings and grounds would go to Syracuse to pick up and install items.

Other:

Wood Burning Stoves:

Reba Cervantez inquired concerning “wood burning” stoves.  She had read an article in the WDT that several locations including the Town of Clayton had established a ban on instillation.  She was wondering if that was accurate.

Board response indicated that was not accurate, however the Town had made several person who had installed recently, come into compliance in getting their Zoning permits.

Ms. Cervantez indicated that regulations are needed.  During the winter months, windows are closed and it is not as noticeable.  However during the summer months, it is pungent, heavy odors, having a stove running with people burning garbage.  The wood stoves should not be permitted during the summer months.  People need to have their windows open for air and they don’t want this obtrusive and offensive odor.

Roads Torn Up:

Reba Cervantez stated she feels the Amish buggy wheels are tearing up the roads as they use metal rims.

Hwy. Supt. Boulton indicated that the buggy wheels are scratching the roads only, then it goes away.  He has looked at cold mix roads and they’re rough, but mostly we have hot mix roads and there is no problems.

Motion by George Kittle, 2^nd by Bonnie Rose, to adjourn this workshop meeting at 6:30 PM.  Motion Carried.

 Kathleen E. LaClair, Town Clerk