Fill positions, keeping everyone in the loop in Lumberland

By GREG HATTON
Posted 1/6/21

GLEN SPEY, NY — The year’s final Town of Lumberland Board meeting began with yet another reminder of the importance of smooth transitions as public servants come and go. Michael Summa and …

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Fill positions, keeping everyone in the loop in Lumberland

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GLEN SPEY, NY — The year’s final Town of Lumberland Board meeting began with yet another reminder of the importance of smooth transitions as public servants come and go. Michael Summa and Angelo Vellake tendered their resignations from the constable’s office. Supervisor Jenny Mellan indicated that neither had logged any hours during the past year, both having had other jobs that kept them occupied. Although their service was appreciated, their departure was not critical. It was anticipated that attorney for the town Jose-Decker would depart; her successor, Michael Mednick, has already been approved. 

However, the code enforcer’s position and the clerk for code, planning and zoning board remain open. Councilman Leah Sherman detailed the ongoing pursuit of qualified applicants for both positions. “At this time, we have no applicants. We did have a person we all liked for the clerk’s job and asked her if she would take the job. Initially, we got a positive response, but ultimately, she did not accept.” Mellan had indicated at the previous meeting that the clerk’s position would be a good fit for a local person with a child in the elementary school. Currently, that pool is impacted by parents needing to be at home supervising remote learning. Mellan raised the possibility of seeking a high school senior who is getting ready to graduate. Sherman made a further suggestion: “Building inspectors have a [trade] group and I think we should make sure that they get our advertisements. Perhaps they could help us get a clerk, too.”

“The building department remains very busy. Town clerk Laurie Terry and assessor Judi Flieger have taken on a big task. They are not only running their own departments, but they are keeping the building code and zoning offices open. I want to thank them and get them relief ASAP. James Crowley, NY state licensed code enforcement officer for the towns of Tusten and Cochecton, has filled in as the building inspector. He’s a capable guy and has agreed to help us through the winter,” Sherman said.

Toward that end, the board passed a resolution to revise the Municipal Employee Health Insurance Policy. The code enforcer’s position is now qualified for benefits.

The board approved the re-appointment of deputy town clerk Michele Degroat. The town clerk is an elected position, serving a four-year term. Degroat will hold her position through December 31, 2021. Reliability and continuity in these pivotal positions provide the stable platform a town needs to function.

Councilwoman Zoriana Gingold proposed that board members be provided with Quicken software. “It’s user friendly, we could download reports from the bank and each other,” she said.

Supervisor Mellan and the other board members agreed that communications would become clearer and more uniform. Quicken is a personal financial management tool that can record bank transactions, offers tools for planning and budgeting, and can measure progress. The issue of support was touched on by Mellan. “Sometimes our system goes down and you lose access. We need to have good backup. I also think it’s a good idea to upgrade because all of the town’s other work is done digitally.”

In an item of note, the contract with Catskill Animal Rescue, Inc. (CARE) was approved. The town had been seeking a flat-fee arrangement, which was achieved at $300. Dogs who are “running at large,” exhibiting “uncontrolled behavior” or “creating a nuisance in the town” can be apprehended by the dog control office. Tamara Depaolo, of CARE, described the arrangement prescribed by state law. They have seven days to assess the dog for severe aggression, terminal illness and adoptability. The dog control officer decides whether the dog can be returned to the owner or adopted. CARE is a no-kill shelter and does not participate in euthanizing animals.

Lumberland, town board, Catskill animal rescue,

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