Town Board organizes for 2015

WASHINGTON — The annual organizational meeting for the town of Washington was held Thursday, Jan. 8, at Town Hall on Reservoir Drive. The purpose of the “reorg” meeting  is to set the town’s operational policies for the year.  

Regular Town Board meetings will be held on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. with the following dates upcoming in 2015: Feb. 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, and Dec. 10. Those meetings will be held at Town Hall, 10 Reservoir Drive, Millbrook.

The Bank of Millbrook was named as the official depository.

The Millerton News, The Poughkeepsie Journal and The Millbrook Independent were named official newspapers of the town. Legal notices will be published dependent upon publication needs. 

The law firm of Van de Water & Van de Water was named as attorney for the town.

Supervisor Gary Ciferri was authorized to invest town funds in time or authorized investments as approved by the Town Board.

A rate of 50 cents per mile was established as the official rate of mileage for reimbursement to employees and elected officials while on official town business.

Attorney Jeffrey Battustibu administered the oath of office to Michael Llanes, Highway Department superintendent.

A procurement policy was established to authorize the highway superintendent to spend up to $3,500 to buy additional equipment and highway materials without prior approval, $3,500.01 to $5,000 with prior approval and $5,000.01 to $10,000 with approval and quotes from at least two vendors.

Elected officials were authorized to attend the New York State Association of Towns meeting in New York City, from Feb. 15 to 18.

The procurement of a blanket undertaking from a duly authorized corporate surety covering the officers, clerks and employees of the town was approved. Any such blanket undertaking entered into must indemnify against losses caused by the failure of the officers or employees to faithfully perform their duties or by their fraudulent or dishonest acts.

Rates of compensation for all officials and employees were established as indicated in the 2015 budget without a previous audit from the Town Board. All non-salaried employees are to receive time-and-a-half for hours worked over 40 hours per week. The schedule of salaries of elected and appointed officials for 2015 is available on the town’s website and in the  town clerk’s office.

Appointments and designations

Dana Sukow was named Justice Court clerk.

Nikki Caul was appointed secretary to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.

Laura Hurley was named bookkeeper to the supervisor.

Warren McMillan was named recreation director. Kelly Cassenelli was named assistant recreation director.

John “Jack” Neubauer was appointed building inspector and zoning administrator. Nancy Patrick was named building inspector and zoning administrator clerk.

Judy Malstrom was named clerk of the assessor.

Louis Spagnola Jr. was named constable. Louis Spagnola III was named deputy constable.

Anthony DeBonis was named dog control officer.

David Greenwood was named town historian.

Laura Briggs was appointed a seven-year term on the Planning Board.

John Parisi was appointed an additional five-year term with the Zoning Board of Appeals as well as  appointed the chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Jeff Feigelson was appointed to the Board of Assessment Review for five years.

Reminders

Supervisor Ciferri said the annual statement of disclosure must be adhered to by any elected official, employee or volunteer with an interest in a business, corporation or entity that the town has business dealings with.

Ciferri reminded elected officials participating in the state retirement system that they are required to keep a three-month log that must be completed by May 30 and submitted to the town clerk by June 29.

A complete list of town committees and Planning and Zoning boards is available in the town clerk’s office and on the town’s website: www.washingtonny.org/boards.html.