Mohawk Valley Water Authority – November 21, 2011
Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:02 PM and opened with the Pledge
of Allegiance.
Roll Call:
Present: Rocco Arcuri, Bruce Brodsky,
Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, Mitch Ford, Luke Lewis, Michel Wicks and Scott
Williams. Absent: Mark Ford, George
Gaston, Steven Smith and Bette Szesny.
Also Present: Edward Earl, Connie Schreppel, Scott Gorgas, James
Korfonta, Dick Goodney, Jim Mack and Anne Milograno.
Chairman DeLia presided and Suzanne Harmon took the minutes.
Approval of the September 19, 2011 Minutes
Motion made by Dr. Wicks to approve the minutes.
Seconded by: Mr. Coyne
Vote: (8) Ayes
(0) Nays (0) Abstain
(4) Absent Motion
Carried.
Demonstration of the Delinquent Property Search
Jim Mack and Anne Milograno gave a presentation of the on-line property search
that is on the MVWA website at www.mvwa.us. A
landlord can go on the website and click property search, enter the house number
and street name and if there were/are penalties on that property they will
appear along with the transaction type.
If there are no delinquent penalties or fees nothing will show up under
that address. This tool will help
landlords screen tenants.
Approval of the 2nd Quarter Investment Statement Ending September 30,
2011
Mr. Korfonta stated that this is an investment statement of the MVWA trust
funds. The Board has been presented
with these statements every quarter for approval.
Moved by Mr. Coyne to approve.
Seconded by Mr. Williams.
Vote: (8) Ayes
(0) Nays (0) Abstain
(4) Absent
Motion Carried.
Committee Reports:
Capital Projects:
The committee did not meet this month
but there is a report in your packet.
Budget and Finance:
Mr. Korfonta stated that the committee met on November 1st.
The committee continues to review the MVWA fees and the reduction in
water consumption. There will be a
report coming in detail.
Consumption continues to go down but cash flow is good.
The retirement payment is due in December 2011.
Executive Director’s Report:
·
Litigation Update – Oral arguments were held on October 18 for the Court of
Claims case at the Appellate Division in Albany.
No decision on that yet.
·
On December 8th the MVWA attorneys will be meeting at the Attorney
General’s office with Judge Hester to discuss a trial date and whether it will
be a bench or jury trial.
·
Strategic planning update – The first version was written in 1999 and updated in
2004. The MVWA went to court
shortly after that and therefore many things in the plan were put on hold.
There have been a series of planning workshops recently which some of the
Board members attended. The updated
strategic plan will be put in draft form and handed out at the December Board
meeting. It will be on the agenda for
adoption at the February Board meeting.
·
Mr. Becher stated that based on the Chairman’s request he is presenting the
following resolution:
Resolution: Request to the State of
New York to Ban the Practice of Hydraulic Fracturing for Natural Gas Extraction
in and around the Hinckley Watershed
The watershed for Hinckley Reservoir lies almost exclusively within the
Adirondack Park and encompasses approximately 375 square miles.
The reservoir is the source of drinking water for approximately 130,000
customers. A variety of chemicals
are used in hydraulic fracturing that could pose a threat to underground
aquifers and surface supplies of drinking water.
The State of NY is in the process of studying and determining whether
hydraulic fracturing can be done safely with minimal risk to water supplies.
The DEC has not yet set guidelines, rules, and regulations governing the
safe use of hydraulic fracturing.
The MVWA is hereby calling upon the NYS DEC and the Governor of NY to forbid the
practice of hydraulic fracturing within the Hinckley watershed or any
surrounding area from which fracturing chemicals could enter the Hinckley
watershed.
Dr. Wicks requested that we attached documentation to this resolution and mail
it to our elected officials.
Moved by Mr. Ford to approve.
Seconded by Mr. Brodsky.
Vote: (8) Ayes
(0) Nays (0) Abstain
(4) Absent
Motion Carried.
Old Business:
Harden Right of Way Indemnification
Mr. Goodney presented a Right of Way Indemnification for Harden Furniture.
The MVWA agrees to grant use to Harden of the road way owned by MVWA off
Black Creek Road in the township of Norway.
This agreement will expire 18 months after date of signature.
Harden agrees to repair and restore roadways, structures at watercourses
and any other damage to MVWA lands and property.
Moved by Mr. Arcuri to approve.
Seconded by Mr. Brodsky.
Vote: (8) Ayes
(0) Nays (0) Abstain
(4) Absent
Motion Carried
Mr. Korfonta would like to have a budget workshop meeting within the next few
weeks. Chairman DeLia stated that
Suzanne will canvas the board for available dates.
Mr. Brodsky would like to have an updated capital project plan prior to the
budget workshop meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:38 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority
