Call to Order:
The Meeting was called to order at 7:30pm.

Public Comment:
One resident commented on the generally improved state of the Town’s official web site, but made a strong request for more current and detailed updates and information, particularly as regards the site’s Calendar of Events. The Board responded by acknowledging the request.

Acceptance of Minutes:
The following minutes were accepted by the Board: Public Hearing of 12/14/09; Regular Meeting of 12/14/09; Special Meeting of 12/18/09; Year End Meeting of 12/28/09; Re-organization Meeting of 1/1/10.

Correspondence:
No correspondence was read and/or recorded in the official minutes.

Monthly Financial Report:
Motion made: To accept the Monthly Financial Report.
Discussion: None.
Vote: Motion passed.

Business:
Motion made: To rescind the appointment of Catherine Gill, Town Clerk, as emergency contact for the Highway Department; and to appoint Ms. Gill as emergency contact for the Town Hall following William Gallagher, Supervisor.
Discussion: None.
Vote: Motion passed.

Motion made: To re-appoint Barbara Haack to the Town’s Ethics Committee, term to expire on 12/31/14.
Discussion: Council Byrne commented on Ms. Haack’s character and her long-standing residence in the Town, and his belief that her appointment was well advised.
Vote: Motion passed.

Appointment made:  By Supervisor Gallagher of Council Jack Campisi as liaison to the Town Justices.
Comments/discussion: None.

Motion made: Pursuant to the provisions of Section 284 of the Highway Law, to expend highway funds as follows: $201,337 for general repairs, per signed agreement between the Highway Department and the Town Board. The Town Clerk distributed copies of this agreement to each Board member for signature; signatures were executed.
Discussion: None.
Vote: Motion passed.

Motion made: To renew the Gen-Plus service contract for the Town Hall generator at a cost of $325.00.
Discussion: Council Campisi requested to know the term of the contract, which was stated by Supervisor Gallagher as 1 year.
Vote: Motion passed.

Motion made: To apply for the State Energy Program and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (RFP-10) for funding for a new solar energy system for the Highway Department Garage.
Discussion: Council Mathison stated that this application was due for submission by February 17th. Council Mathison further stated that this application was being made based on the NYSERDA energy audit conducted some time ago of the Town Hall and Highway Department garage. Council Campisi questioned the specifications needed for applying for this solar energy system, as well as the possibility of the existing spec’s being proprietary in nature. Council Mathison responded that she did not believe the existing spec’s were proprietary, but that she would check into the matter. Council Byrne commented that, given his employment by a solar energy company and its potential for bidding on this contract, he would abstain from the voting. Council Byrne further claimed that, should his company win the procurement bid, he would not benefit.
Vote: Motion passed.

(MI Comments: The above-mentioned NYSERDA energy audit, completed over two years ago during the Talmage administration, was quite comprehensive and pointed to several other areas that would benefit more meaningfully from a renovation (i.e. at Town Hall) than a solar energy installation at the Highway Department’s garage. In applying for these grant funds, we would hope that the Town Board consider optimum use of this money more carefully.

Further, we agree with Council Campisi’s concern that the existing spec’s for the solar design of the Highway Department garage might very well be proprietary in nature, as they likely were determined by one of the solar energy companies interested in bidding on the project. In order to level the bidding field, it would therefore seem appropriate for the Town to proceed in one of the following two ways: 1) Hire an independent consultant/agent, i.e. one that is not involved in the bidding process and has no vested interest in its outcome, to determine design spec’s, and then have each of the bidding companies respond to this design; or 2) Have each of the bidding companies derive its own design spec’s as it deems appropriate, and then bid based on these. If the second option were pursued, it seems an independent consultant/agency would still need to be engaged to best assess the appropriateness of each bidding company’s design spec’s as well make its recommendations regarding those companies’ subsequent bids.)

Motion made: To appoint the Milan Planning Board as lead agency on the ODA for the Oyen Sub-division.
Discussion: None.
Vote: Motion passed.

Motion made: To appoint Special Prosecutor, Kelley Flood-Myers, to handle traffic court cases for the Park Police.
Discussion: None.
Vote: Motion passed.

Motion made: To accept the year-end Board of Assessors and Recreation Department reports.
Discussion: None.
Vote: Motion passed.
In a separate but related discussion: Council Byrne advised the Board that the Milan Youth Group, currently operating under the auspices of the Town’s Rec Department, would be seeking to sever its relationship from the Rec Department and heretofore conduct its affairs as an entity separate from the Town. Council Byrne claimed that the reason for this action was to enable the Youth Group to apply for additional grants and funding that would be unavailable were the Group to retain its position “under the Town’s umbrella.” Council Campisi questioned Council Byrne as to whether this advantage might be negated by the need for the Group to secure its own liability insurance. Council Byrne responded that he had considered this, and would still like to proceed as stated.

Public Comment:
One resident questioned the need for the Town to hire a Special Prosecutor vis à vis the Park Police. The Board (aided by a comment from another resident in the audience) responded that this Police agency was separate from the County Sheriff’s Office and the NYS Troopers, covered different territory, and that the hiring of the Special Prosecutor to execute this additional function was therefore appropriate.

One resident questioned why the Board did not address the following appointments, either at the January 1st Re-org Meeting or tonight’s Meeting, and further questioned the possible proscription by law for these appointments: The Assessment Review Board and its members; the Conservation Advisory Council and its members; a representative to the Wappingers Creek Watershed Intermunicipal Council. The Board responded that the Assessment Review Board had no openings to address. The Board further responded that, at present, there were no candidates for the CAC or the Wappingers Creek Watershed representative; and that it was not certain whether any of these appointments was required by law.

(MI Comments: We believe that the term of at least one member of the Assessment Review Board expired on 12/31/09.

We further believe that, whether proscribed by law or not, it is critical for this administration to appoint a CAC and a Wappingers Creek Watershed representative to help ensure the preservation of Milan’s natural resources.

In addition [and though it was not raised in the course of this Meeting], the position of Bookkeeper seems to remain unfilled. Since Pattison Koskey Howe and Bucci CPAs P.C. have clearly stated that they will not fill the bookkeeping need, we therefore question how the Town Board plans to complete the Monthly Financial Reports going forward if this position is not filled promptly.)

Approve Bills for Payment:
The Bills were approved for payment.

Adjournment:
The Meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm.