By CHRISSY PRICHARD

Express News Staff

The Webb town board held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 14. Board members present were Councilwoman Mary Brophy-Moore, Councilwoman Kate Russell, Councilman J.B. Herron, Councilman Mike Ross, and Town Supervisor Ted Riehle. Also in attendance were Town Clerk Nanci Russell and Town Attorney Richard Frye.

Riehle announced that the town board has received a recommendation from the planning board to approve a change of zone to allow for a planned district. The district would be located at the property owned by Adirondack Homes/Mike Mitchell, situated between the Strand Theatre and the Adirondack Pizzeria in Old Forge.

The change of zone has to be approved by the town board, although it still requires full planning board review.

The zoning board of appeals has already granted a variance for the acreage requirements for the planned district, allowing 3.74 acres instead of the required 5 acres usually needed for this type of district.

The property owner has also submitted a jurisdictional inquiry form to the Adirondack Park Agency to determine if the APA has any permit requirements or conditions that would relate to the application.

Riehle said he would be scheduling a public hearing in the near future so the public can comment on the application made by the property owner. The town board will take information from the public hearing into consideration to determine if they will approve the property owner’s request.

Bids were opened by the Town Clerk for two vendor leases at McCauley Mountain. One bid was received for the operation of the ski shop and ski school. The bid was submitted by Ted Christodaro, who has been running the ski shop and ski school in recent years. The board voted unanimously to accept Christodaro’s bid of $2,000 plus 10 percent of gross receipts in excess of $10,000.

One bid was received for the operation of the cafeteria and lounge. Nick Bankert, who has been running the concessions at McCauley for many years, was the only bidder. The board voted unanimously to accept Bankert’s bid of 13 percent of the gross receipts of sales in the bar and concession stand. The lease terms for both Christodaro and Bankert will run from November 2012 through April 2015. At the end of the three year term, both lease agreements will be eligible for a two-year renewal.

The board received a request from Barry Miller on behalf of BCJ Enterprises, DBA Beaver River Lodge, to allow for a barge service to utilize the landing at the end of Six Mile Road on the Stillwater Reservoir. He asked permission to use the landing for launching and mooring the barge, that will transport people, vehicles and gear from Stillwater to the landing. On a motion made by Brophy-Moore and seconded by Ross, the board voted to enter in to a 10-year license agreement to allow Miller to use the landing for his barge. The license agreement is subject to a 30-day permissive referendum.

The board authorized the Town Clerk to advertise for bids for the replacement of the emergency generator at the wastewater treatment plant. Bids will be opened at the next regular meeting of the board. The old generator will be sold to offset the cost of the new one, which is estimated to cost around $40,000.

CASART (Central Adirondack Search and Rescue Team) made a request to the board to renew their yearly contract with the town. The contract costs the town $500 each year, and in return, CASART provides their search and rescue services when needed within the Town of Webb. A motion was made by Brophy-Moore and seconded by Herron to renew the contract, and passed by unanimous vote.

The Town of Inlet has requested the use of the Town of Webb’s bandshell trailer for their annual Fall Festival, to be held on Sept. 15 and 16. Employees of the Town of Inlet will transport the trailer, set it up, and return it to the Town of Webb afterwards. This has been done in many years past for the festival. The board voted unanimously to allow the use of the trailer.

John Nemjo sent a letter to the board, thanking them for allowing him to use a portion of the town waterfront for a stand-up-paddleboard (SUP) festival earlier this summer. He requested using the same area, at the end of the boardwalk near the Pied Piper for another SUP festival next summer, to take place on July 20, 2013. He would like preliminary permission so he can begin planning and marketing next year’s event. On a motion made by Russell and seconded by Herron, the board voted to grant him permission to use the space. Nemjo will submit a detailed plan to the board for their approval before the event takes place.

A request was received from Mark Hudon at the Department of Public Works to declare the town’s 2002 recycling truck as surplus. The truck is not needed now that the town has switched to single-stream recycling. On a motion by made Herron and seconded by Brophy-Moore, the board voted to allow for advertisements to be placed to sell the truck “as is”.

Riehle proposed some budget transfers, to allow funding to be moved within the town’s accounts to cover various expenses. Transfers were made to allow for the replacement of the overhead door at the transfer station, to cover costs associated with the Board of Assessment Review for reviewing grievances during this year’s reassessment project, and to cover final invoices for the KLW Group, who provided revaluation services for the town. Funds to cover these expenses are available in the budget, they just needed to be shifted to be made available for spending. In addition, grant funds needed to be transferred to be made available for the new playground going in at the lakefront, and to pay Elan Design Group so they can continue their work in creating plans for the redesign of the entire lakefront. On a motion made by Ross and seconded by Russell, the board voted unanimously to approve the budget transfers.

Riehle asked the board to consider a resolution that the town board adopt a statement of management safety policy in order to meet a requirement of the town’s worker’s compensation insurance provider. A safety committee has been formed, which will assist in the implementation of the policy, which is designed to enhance workplace safety for all town employees. The committee is comprised of Riehle and the heads of each of the town’s departments. On a motion made by Herron and seconded by Ross, the board voted to adopt the policy.

Riehle offered an update on the Lock and Dam project. The plans to repair the deteriorating structure have been submitted to the state for review. Riehle said he has received verbal approval of the design, but not an official approval. He is hoping to hear back from the state soon, in order for construction to begin this fall rather than waiting until next year.

Riehle mentioned that all the wooden garbage cans that the town had placed on Main Street, the lakefront and North Street have been removed, since bears have been getting into them this summer. The metal bear-proof garbage cans are still in place and have not been a problem this summer even with the increased bear activity. Riehle suggested the board consider the purchase of additional metal bear-proof cans, and asked the board to keep this in mind as budget season approaches.

Herron discussed preliminary plans to make the restrooms at the Park Avenue Building handicap accessible. The physical therapy offices, currently located at the Town of Webb Professional Offices, will be moving to the Park Avenue Building, creating a need to make these changes to the restrooms. Herron will work on coming up with a more complete plan and cost estimates for the next regular meeting. He will also be checking with department heads and town employees to determine if the work could be accomplished without having to hire outside help.

Paul Dawicki of Okara Lakes expressed a desire to make a portion of Trail 6 suitable for bicyclists to use to ride between Thendara and Okara Lakes. He said he would approach the DOT about the necessary engineering, if the town would consider completing the work on the trail. Riehle said the board would consider doing the work, but it depends on the cost involved. He encouraged Dawicki to take the next step, which is contacting the DOT about the project to find out what they would be willing to do.

Dennis Michael of Adirondack Special Events thanked the board and all the departments who helped with Forgefest, held on Aug. 11. He said the event was a success and that the help from the town was instrumental. Board members also said that they had heard a lot of positive comments about this year’s event, and that those who had complaints about the noise last year were satisfied with noise levels this year.

The board discussed health insurance coverage for the full time employees at the Town of Webb Professional Offices. When the transition to St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center takes place, there will be a short waiting period during which these employees will not be insured. The board agreed to cover their insurance during this waiting period.

The next regular meeting of the town board will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11, in the town meeting room. All meetings of the town board are open to the public, with exception of executive session.