The Town Board of the Town of Clayton met
at the Grindstone Island Schoolhouse with the following present:
Robert W. Cantwell Jr., George Kittle,
Justin Ta, Donald Turcotte, Bonnie Rose, Bob Boulton, Kathy
LaClair, Denise Trudell (Assessor), Norman Wagner (Historian),
Nicole Cornaire, Sharie Derrickson, (TI Sun), Kelly Vadney (WDT),
Vivian F. Black, Sylvia Anderson-Shoultes, Peter Rossmassler,
Janice McPhail, Sue Smith, Frances Rossmassler, Candie Pecor,
John Pecor, Tom Tinney, Bill Sherman, Mary Turcotte, Chester
Taylor, Henry Custis, Michael Docteur (Co. Leg.), Philip Marra,
Ada Bazinet, Yuvon Marra, Skip Tolette, Doreen Meeks, Mary
Prichert, Debbie Taylor, Bob Baum, Bruce Faust, Carol Faust,
Debbie Donaldson
The meeting was opened at 5:00 PM by
Supervisor Cantwell.
Introductions:
Supervisor Cantwell introduced the Town
Board and other Town Officials along with Co. Leg. Mike Docteur
and the press.
Minutes:
Motion by George Kittle, 2nd
by Bonnie Rose, to approve the minutes of July 12, 2006
as written. Motion carried.
T.I.E.R.S. Report:
Distribution and discussion of Thousand
Islands Emergency Rescue Service Inc. quarterly report for the
first quarter of 2006, January – March. (See attached.)
Temporary Office Space Status:
1)
Still looking for permanent space for the three (3)
Justices.
2)
Other offices tentatively scheduled to move on or about
October 1st until on or about June 1st,
2007. There have been 2 or 3 meetings concerning space
availability at the Village Municipal Building.
Joint Zoning Status:
Councilman Kittle reported that the
committee had their second meeting last Thursday at which time
they composed a Planning, ZBA, and ZEO IMA changes. Discussion
followed about moving the Zoning Board of Appeals to a five (5)
member board and keeping the Planning Board with seven (7)
members. Some discussion was done concerning a ZEO Assistant.
Supervisor Cantwell indicated that both the
Village & Town Boards need to have copies of the proposed
changes so they can see what’s being removed, added and or
changed.
Workshop: Grindstone Island:
1)
Upper Town Landing – New dock is completed; steel
pipe piling, fixed with concrete top. Pat Patch International
completed the dock. Conduit was run down to the end before
putting the top on and will be used for future lighting. A
bolster was added to obstruct any cars or trucks from running
out on the dock. Highway Superintendent Boulton started
discussion concerning the placement of signage for keeping the
end of the dock open for emergency vehicles only. Ada Bazinet
inquired if it would be alright to use it for unloading
purposes. Supervisor Cantwell indicated that the Town would
need to keep the end open. Also Supervisor Cantwell indicated
that now may be a good time to form a dock district whereas, say
.01 might be added per thousand to the island residents.
Discussion on a Dock District Board that would be advisory only
and would report to the Town Board on other things needing to be
completed on Grindstone Island.
A resident inquired as to how many
properties were on Grindstone. Approx. 182 parcels.
What is the total assessment for the
island? Grindstone comprises about 9% of the total town.
Equalization is currently at 64%, previously was at 77%. In
2008 the entire township will be at 100% by way of a reval
starting in 2006.
Councilman Taylor indicated that taxpayers
in the township of Clayton pay $2.00 per $1000 of assessed value
for taxes. Whereas the County line is approximately $11.96 per
$1,000 and the School is at $18.00 per $1,000.
Roads:
Hwy. Supt. Boulton indicated he had put
down two (2) loads of Calcium Chloride and had covered a good
share of the roads. Also he put down a cool mix on a hill and
that appears to be holding up. Next year we will add on to the
cool mix section, this is especially helpful in the runoff
areas.
A resident inquired as to why all the roads
were not done with the calcium chloride. Hwy. Supt. Boulton
explained that the costs would be too high.
Mary Prichard inquired if a culvert could
be considered between the Old Garnsey & New Garnsey dwellings,
as it washes out very frequently.
Supt. Boulton indicated he hopes to be
bring the Brush hog over this fall. It was scheduled to come
over before that, however the transmission went out.
Abandoned Floating Cottage:
Several residents complained about an
abandoned floating cottage in Flynn Bay. It is built on two (2)
tanks and it is not known what is in the tanks.
Cemeteries:
Several residents expressed that the
cemeteries look better than ever this year. Councilman Turcotte
stated he had been contacted about possibly restoring the
monuments however there are not enough funds available.
Councilman Turcotte expressed his gratitude to the Islanders for
helping his grandson work toward the rank off Eagle Scout with
his project at the cemeteries.
Grindstone Island Schoolhouse Research &
Heritage Center:
Janice McPhail stated they had four (4)
areas of programming:
1)
Scholarship thru TI Foundation
2)
Summer Youth program – Working on Skills & Produce Garden
3)
Adult Program – Slide Show on climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro
- Cheese making
In
August - CPR Classes, 1st Aid Classes & Boater
Safety.
4)
Heritage & Research – an oral history with Rex Ennis &
PBS
Mrs. McPhail stated upcoming events:
Sunday, 8/13 –
Annual Picnic
Tonight – hoped
everyone would stay for refreshments after the Town Board
meeting.
Selling Grindstone
Island Calendars – they’re community themed 19-month calendars.
Fundraiser –
painting of the Church; has been displayed at KeyBank & Chamber
of Commerce. Drawing will be on Labor Day.
Other:
Mary Prichard stated
there should be better communication between Grindstone & the
Town Board. Also looking for a bathroom at the new dock and a
better recycling program for the island residents.
Tom Tinney complimented that
the roads were the best that they had ever been.
Motion by George Kittle, 2nd
by Bonnie Rose, to adjourn this workshop meeting at 6:20.
Motion carried.
Kathleen E. LaClair, Town Clerk
