The current Town Board has a habit of holding a 30 - 35 minute Town Board meeting and then excusing the press and public to go into executive session. When they come out of executive session, they further discuss town business. We are going to start bringing these items to the attention of our residents.

We will start with a current Town Board Meeting---November 15, 2006. The meeting started at 6:00 p.m.--the public portion of the meeting lasted until 6:34 p.m. when they went into executive session.  Executive session lasted until 8:27 p.m. when they voted to end executive session and reconvene the regular portion of the meeting.  They talked about 3 more topics, passed a resolution and adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m.  All that in 1 minute!  You don't suppose these items were talked about in executive session do you?  They were supposed to be talking about Highway Dept. union negotiations.

So that equates to a 34 minute meeting for the public, a two hour executive session followed by a 1 minute public meeting when no one was left to hear what they were doing!  I have highlighted the times and subjects talked about after the meeting!  This excerpt starts with the executive session, for the complete minutes of November 15, 2006 or any other meeting, please use the buttons on the menu at the left.

REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
November 15, 2006

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Councilman Reynolds presented the following Resolution for adoption; seconded by Councilman Waszkiewicz:

(RESOLUTION NO. 343 OF 2006)

RESOLVED that the New Hartford Town Board does hereby move to enter into an Executive Session to discuss Highway Department union negotiations and the acquisition of real property.

A roll call vote ensued:

Councilman Waszkiewicz      -        Aye
Councilman Reynolds      -               Aye
Councilman Woodland       -           Aye
Councilman Payne           -            Aye
Supervisor Reed      -                  Aye.

This Resolution was declared unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED. All persons present, including the news media, were then excused from the meeting at 6:34 P.M.   The Town Clerk and Attorney Green remained.

END OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

Councilman Reynolds offered the following Resolution for adoption and Councilman Waszkiewicz seconded same:

(RESOLUTION NO. 344 OF 2006)

RESOLVED that the New Hartford Town Board does hereby move to end its Executive Session and to reconvene the regular portion of the Town Board meeting.

The Board members voted upon roll call that resulted as follows:

Councilman Waszkiewicz      -        Aye
Councilman Reynolds      -               Aye
Councilman Woodland       -           Aye
Councilman Payne           -            Aye
Supervisor Reed      -                  Aye.

This Resolution was declared unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED; the Executive Session ended at 8:27 P.M. The regular portion of the Town Board meeting was immediately reconvened.

Acquisition of Real Property - One Oxford Crossing

The Town Board authorized Attorney Gerald Green to tender a purchase offer of Nine Hundred Ninety-Eight Thousand Dollars ($998,000) to the owner of 1 Oxford Crossing, New Hartford.

Preswick Glen Development

The Town Board authorized Attorney Gerald Green to contact outside Counsel with regards to the Preswick Glen development being constructed on Clinton Road (aka NYS Route 12B).

Highway Department – Stipend Pay

Upon the recommendation of the Highway Superintendent, Councilman Reynolds presented the following Resolution for adoption; seconded by Councilman Waszkiewicz:

(RESOLUTION NO. OF 2006)

RESOLVED that the New Hartford Town Board does hereby authorize Bookkeeper Carol Fairbrother to pay Joseph Fletcher and John Kelly the amounts of Two Hundred Fifty-Five Dollars and Fifty Cents ($255.50) and One Hundred Ninety-One Dollars ($191.00), respectively, which amounts the Highway Superintendent said was for lack of payment for snow plowing during the 2005-06 winter season.

The Board members voted as follows:

Councilman Waszkiewicz      -        Aye
Councilman Reynolds      -               Aye
Councilman Woodland       -           Aye
Councilman Payne           -            Aye
Supervisor Reed      -                  Aye.

This Resolution was declared unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Town Board, upon motion duly made by Councilman Reynolds and seconded by Councilman Woodland, the meeting was adjourned at 8:28 P.M.

Notice the executive session ended at 8:27 p.m.  They were able to have a discussion on 3 topics and vote on a resolution and motion to adjourn at 8:28 p.m.  All this in one (1) minute!