A special meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Moreau was held on May 15, 2003 in the Town Office Building, 61 Hudson Street, South Glens Falls, New York, for the purpose of discussing Personnel, Niagara Mohawk, Erie Blvd., Reliant, and National Grid.

Supervisor Gutheil called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

The Town Clerk called the roll, which resulted in the following Town Board Members being present or absent:

Harry G. Gutheil, Jr. Supervisor

Rich Hewlett Councilman

Bob Prendergast Councilman

Niki Baker Councilwoman

Todd Kusnierz Councilman

None

Also Present: Jeanne Fleury, Town Clerk; Martin D. Auffredou, Attorney for the Town (arrived just after meeting was adjourned to Executive Session); and guests.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Baker and seconded by Councilman Prendergast to adjourn to Executive Session at 6:05 p.m. to discuss Personnel, Niagara Mohawk, Erie Blvd., Reliant and National Grid.

Roll call vote resulted as follows:

Councilman Hewlett Aye

Councilman Prendergast Aye

Councilwoman Baker Aye

Councilman Kusnierz Aye

Supervisor Gutheil Aye

The Town Clerk did not sit in on the Executive Session.

Attorney Auffredou entered the Executive Session shortly after it commenced.

A motion was made by Councilman Kusnierz and seconded by Councilman Hewlett to adjourn the Executive Session and re-open the Special Meeting at 6:42 p.m.

Roll call vote resulted as follows:

Councilman Hewlett Aye

Councilman Prendergast Aye

Councilwoman Baker Aye

Councilman Kusnierz Aye

Supervisor Gutheil Aye

A motion was made by Councilman Kusneirz and seconded by Councilman Prendergast to engage Kurt Kirk Betts of Betts & Holt, as a special counsel to represent the Town, on matters as requested, when needed, at his hourly rate of $270.00 per hour. [amended 5/27/03 jf]

Discussion: Supervisor Gutheil stated for the record that they will play a significant part of the team the Town is putting together. We will use different experts from time to time on a limited role or for any role that is necessary. Certain ones will probably carry different roles.

Roll call vote resulted as follows:

Councilman Hewlett Aye

Councilman Prendergast Aye

Councilwoman Baker Aye

Councilman Kusnierz Aye

Supervisor Gutheil Aye

Supervisor Gutheil stated Betts & Holt is a firm that brings a lot of expertise with them and they are an A-Rated Martindale and Hubbell Firm. They will play a very important role.

Carl Corpus asked if they would be under a casual retainer or contract?

Supervisor Gutheil replied we are bringing them on at their hourly rate.

Carla Corpus asked if it was a written retainer?

Attorney Auffredou stated that we may formalize that at some point in time, but at this point the Board had indicated that they would bring that firm on at the hourly rate indicated. It may be at some point that there will be a more formal arrangement. That will be between Mr. Betts and the Town Board.

A motion was made Councilwoman Baker and seconded by Councilman Prendergast to adjourn the Special Meeting for the evening at 6:45 p.m.

Roll call vote resulted as follows:

Councilman Hewlett Aye

Councilman Prendergast Aye

Councilwoman Baker Aye

Councilman Kusnierz Aye

Supervisor Gutheil Aye

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanne Fleury

Town Clerk