HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-14-2017 Town Board Meeting Minutes ApprovedVirgil Town Board Meeting September 14th, 2017
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TOWN OF VIRGIL REGULAR MEETING
September 14th, 2017
PRESENT: Supervisor John Kaminski, Board Members Eric Snow, Jereme Stiles, Matt Denniston and Gary Pelton, Attorney for the Town
Pat Snyder, Town Clerk/Collector Alane Van Donsel, Craig Umbehauer Code and Zoning Officer, Ken Scherrieble & David Coish Camden
Group, Dereck & Jenae Withey W2Operators, Sandy Price County Legislator, Britt Morse Deputy Highway Superintendent, Teri Pelton
Virgil Youth Commission, Wes Kryger Greek Peak, Carol Rehkugler and Peggy Ivie.
6:30PM –THE REGULAR MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER
Supervisor Kaminski called the meeting to order, followed by the salute to the flag.
RESOLUTION# 17-093 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Draft of the Regular Board Meeting Minutes dated August 10th, 2017: Member Stiles moved to approve the minutes for Aug. 10th,
2017. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
Draft of the Special Meeting Minutes dated August 29th, 2017: Member Stiles moved to approve the minutes for Aug. 29th, 2017.
Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Stiles and Kaminski. Abstain: Denniston Nays-None
RESOLUTION# 17-094 AUTHORIZATION TO PAY BILLS
GENERAL FUND FOR JULY NUMBER 09: Member Denniston moved to approve payment of the General Fund’s audited vouchers
numbered 190- 214 in the amount of $15,047.54. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow,
Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None.
HIGHWAY FUND FOR JULY NUMBER 09: Member Denniston moved to approve payment of the Highway Fund audited vouchers
numbered 1145-1159 in the amount of $11,376.24. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow,
Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None Supervisor Kaminski said that vouchers 1145 and 1146 were pulled last month. Kaminski
spoke to the Attorney General and to the New York State C omptroller about the concern. Attorney Snyder said that the board was
worried about the appearance of the charges. Snyder said that in General Law there would be a conflict. Snyder said that they
explained the situation to the Comptroller and they said under the circumstances where the charges were made, it was ok. The town
was under a state of emergency at the time.
RECREATIONAL AREA CAPITAL PROJECT FUND NUMBER 09: Member Stiles moved to approve payment of the Recreational Area
Capital Project Fund audited voucher’s numbered 5000-5001 in the amount of $5,825.00. Member Denniston seconded the motion.
Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None There was some discussion regarding these vouchers.
Some of the payments were for the painting at Hope Lake Park and the other charges was for the grant work done by Cedarwood.
Member Stiles said that it’s not the full amount, they billed for time they have invested. Member Pelton said that he is satisfied with
the painting that has been done at Hope Lake. He felt it was a good job for the cost.
SEWER DISTRICT #1 FUND FOR JULY NUMBER 09: Member Denniston moved to approve payment of the Sewer District #1 audited
voucher’s numbered 2073-2085 in the amount of $9,459.43. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton,
Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None
WATER DISTRICT #1 Fund FOR JUNE NUMBER 09: Member Denniston moved to approve payment of the Water District #1 audited
vouchers 3036-3040 in the amount of $5,130.56. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow,
Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
MONTHLY REPORTS
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SUPERVISOR’S MONTHLY REPORT FOR AUGUST 2017: Member Stiles moved to accept the Supervisor’s Monthly Report in Long
form for August 2017. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays
–None Still in good shape ¾ way through the year accts look healthy
TOWN CLERK’S MONTHLY REPORT AUGUST 2017: Member Stiles moved to accept the Town Clerks Monthly Report for August
2017. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None
SEWER DISTRICT OPERATIONS REPORT: Representatives Ken Scherrieble and Dave Coish were present from the Camden Group.
Member Snow asked Camden about a failure on a test. Owner Scherrieble said one item failed the 7-day GTO test, but they pasted
the 30-day test. Scherrieble said that the chlorine was low during the 7-day period. He said that Sometimes there can be a high residual
that fails-. He said that they found out that the chlorinator wasn’t preforming correctly, but it has all been taken care of. There was
some discussion on the dumpster. Member Stiles said it is still there. The boar d asked if a letter had been sent to the company.
Attorney Snyder said yes. The board told the Britt Morse to go pick it up and Bring it to the Highway garage. Member Stiles moved to
accept the Sewer Districts Report. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and
Kaminski. Nays- None
WATER DISTRICT OPERATIONS REPORT: Dereck Withey reported that there was an issue with a control value leaking. He said it
had been leaking for a while. Withey said that the grooves inside the valve were all pitted. Withey said that they had the nut
replaced and there is no more leaking. Withey said it took five weeks to get the new nut. Member Stiles moved to accept the Water
Districts Report. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-
None
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER’S REPORT: Member Stiles moved to accept the Animal Control Officer’s Report. Member Snow
seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None There was some questions
regarding a charge for euthanasia from the Animal Shelter. Supervisor Kaminski said he was going to look inti it.
CODE ENFORCEMENT AND ZONING OFFICERS REPORT: A written report was submitted by Code and Zoning Officer Craig
Umbehauer. Member Stiles asked Code and Zoning Officer Umbehauer how many hours a week he works. Umbehauer said that he
doesn’t know, as he doesn’t keep track. Stiles asked for a ball park figure. Umbehauer said maybe 15 hours a week. Stiles asked
Umbehauer if he has been doing fire inspections. Umbehauer said that he has done a couple throughout the year. Member Snow
asked about a report about stone on Route 11. Umbehauer said that the residents name is Stone and if has to do with the vehicles
that were parked on route 11. Umbehauer said that the town was going to take him to court, be he got rid of the vehicles the day
before the court date. Member Denniston motioned to accept the Code and Zoning Officers report. The motion was seconded
Member Snow. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None
COUNTY LEGISLATOR’S REPORT: County Legislator Sandy Price submitted a written report. Price thanked board member Matt
Denniston for joining the workers compensation board. Price said that they are waiting for Cortlandville, Solon and McGraw. She is
hoping that they can meet in October. Price said that they are working on the biggest document that they work on all year, the budget.
Price asked the board if they have any thoughts on the budget. Member Stiles asked how the budget process is going to go without
having Peggy Mousaw. He is wondering how things stand. Price said that the county treasurer with take a large role and that the
legislature will have to be active participants. Price said that she finds budget time an exciting time of year, but that others don’t. Price
said that she likes it because she learns a lot. She said that it is Evident that they will have to make cuts. She said that something is
important to someone, so that makes it hard. Stiles said that the County can’t keep spending money. Price agreed and said th e tax
payers can’t afford it. Supervisor Kaminski said he would like to have a discussion on where the county is going without Mousaw? Price
said that at this point there is no money in next year’s budget for a county administrator or for a budget officer. She said that a lot of
time and decisions have to be made before the budget is done. Stiles said that the county keeps cutting that position and they keep
spending money, he feels it’s a key factor to have someone in that leadership role. Price said that having someone on top of the
finances is important. Kaminski said that he is concerned that not all of the legislators know what is being spent. Member Pelton said
they need the right person in that position. Member Denniston asked if the county has any long-range plans? Price said that long range
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planning is continuous and it is built into the budget. She is fearful that road construction and maintenance might be cut. She said that
is why the roads are in the condition they now, because they have been cut in the past. Price said that buildings and grounds, the
sheriff and planning department are all funded by a 100% of county taxes. Stiles asked where the 10% increase come from. Price said
they have it down now, but it’s still high. She said that they need to maximize revenue and they need to be smart about expenses. She
said that they don’t want to over budget or under budget. She said this has happened in years past she said that the boarding out of
prisoners was under budgeted. Price said they always have a contingency that gets replenished every year. Supervisor Kaminski said
that the board will not be able to make the meeting next Tuesday, as they have their first budget meeting. Member Stiles stated that
he feels a lot of money has been put into South Cortland Virgil Road and West State Rd. he said at least $750,000. Which is almost a
million in the last five years to band aid the road. He was wondering how much it would cost to black top the road which woul d be a
long-term fix. Deputy Highway Superintendent Britt Morse said that with all drainage that is ne eded, it would be really expensive.
Stiles said that it is too bad that the road is still in poor shape. Morse said that they need to think of how many roads the county has
maintain. Stiles feels that the process doesn’t make sense.
There was a question about flow control. Price said that it has been researched and refined by Greg Ern. Stiles said that he thinks that
the numbers are inflated. He wanted to know how they know how much is dumped outside the county. Price said that the budget
committee hasn’t reviewed that line yet. Supervisor Kaminski said that the board will not be able to make the meeting next Tuesday,
as they have their first budget meeting.
Member Stiles motioned to accept the County Legislators report. The motion was seconded Member Snow. Vote: Ayes-Members
Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None
VIRGIL YOUTH COMMISSION REPORT: Teri Pelton of the Youth Commission submitted a written report. Supervisor Kaminski asked
Pelton if she had read the emailed he sent her. Pelton said yes, but that the article didn’t give her much information. She went to the
New York State childcare website and found out that as long as the summer program and be fore and After School Program is
considered a drop-in center the program is ok for school aged kids. Kaminski said that he is going to verify the information. He said
that the numbers were down for the summer program and it might not happen next year. Pelton said that one of the issues is that it
is only a six weeks program. She said that most parents need it to run all summer. Kaminski said that he needs to meet with Stacey
regarding one parent that is not keeping up on payments. Member Stiles motioned to accept the Virgil Youth Commissions report.
The motion was seconded Member Snow. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None
HOPE LAKE OPERATIONS REPORT: Wes Kryger reported that Greek Peak submitted a letter to extend the park agreement contract.
Kaminski asked if the ruts in overflow have been fixed. Kryger said that is pending what is going to happen with cleaning up of the
lake. Kaminski said that needs to be fixed now. Kryger said that it will be done tomorrow or Monday. Kaminski said that a couple town
board members want to discuss the contract. Member Pelton would like to allow town residents to have access to the cross-country
skiing area that runs on town trails. Pelton can’t see why residents can’t use the town path. The board would also like to make it a 2-
year contract instead of three. Kryger said that he didn’t know how they would police the Nordic Center. Pelton said that residents
would be informed that they can only ski on the town trails. Kryger said that the board is saying that town residents will be able to use
the Nordic center for free? Kryger said that as the operator they still have payroll and maintenance costs. Kaminski said they will look
at it next month.
HIGHWAY DEPT. SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT: Deputy Highway Superintendent Britt Morse was present and submitted a written
report. Supervisor Kaminski praised B. Morse for the reports that he has been presenting. There was a comment about the 2007
international costing a lot in repair fees. B. Morse said that there is a truck that has an oil problem. Morse said that most of the debris
from the flood has been cleaned up. He said there is still some on Pauderbaugh Road and on Artimis Drive. Member Stiles asked if the
1994 truck can be put on auctions with a plow attached to see what the town can get out of it. Kaminski said that one of the town
trucks had a stone kick up and hit a windshield. Supervisor John Morse took the call. The owner of the car said it hit the windshield
and she wants the town to pay for it. A representative of the town will be calling her. Attorney Snyder said that the board can approve
a payment up to a certain amount. B. Morse was wondering if the town wants to pay out of the budget or to turn it into insurance.
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The board will have to decide what is more cost effective. Member Stiles motioned to accept the Highway Supervisor report. Member
Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None.
RESOLUTION #17-095 APPROVE PAYMENT FOR WINDSHIELD DAMAGE: Member Stiles made a motion to approve paying for a
damaged windshield provided the cost to fix it is under $500. Member Denniston seconded the motion. MJS under 500. Take care
of it. . Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None.
OLD BUSINESS
UPDATE ON STORM DAMAGE- DREDGING HOPE LAKE: Supervisor Kaminski said that the town received a price on dredging the lake.
He said that he was hoping for confirmation from the State. Kaminski’s said that since the Virgil flood there has been two major floods
in United States. Kaminski said that if don’t hear back with a confirmation letter by Oct. 12th the board will order the valve closed and
allow the lake to fill back up. He is hoping then that dredging will take place in the spring. Wes Kryger said that the valve will have to
be closed by end of October to have it filled back up and be clear enough to make snow. Kaminski said that the bids are only good for
30 days. Member Stiles said that there is a fine window of time. He said he didn’t foresee it happening this year. Kryger is concerned.
He said that the clarity of the water has a major impact on making snow. He said it takes a long time to fill up and then it must settle.
Kryger said that If they don’t start digging in the next week or two Greek Peak is done for this year. Attorney Snyder said that the
board would have to have a special meeting to approve the contract. He said that the board must come up with a plan.
NEW BUSINESS
PENN POWER AGREEMENT: This item was tabled as the Member Stiles said he would like to talk to Camden Group first.
SOME FURTHER DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE: It was discussed that the phone company needed to fix a line at the highway garage in
order to be able to get 911 calls there. Member Stiles said that Frontier has taken care of.
Supervisor Kaminski said that he has been approached to have the Town Board write 3-4 paragraphs for the Virgil Newsletter. He
would like to see a member of the town board write something about what has been happening on the board this year.
Member Stiles would like to get the boards opinion on amending the zoning law to go from 350 feet or road frontage to 250 feet. He
said that the 350 feet requirement is a discouragement for people who look to move here. He would like to see the law state not
less than 4 times the width. Stiles said he would have something for the next meeting. Attorney Snyder said that it would be a good
idea to consult with the planning board. He said any changes should get their opinion. Stiles said that he is willing to talk to them.
He said that they are going through a lot of variances. Member Denniston said it is ok with him if it’s ok with it rest of the board ok.
There was some discussion regarding a Political sign issue. Attorney Snyder said there is a publication that is 50 pages long and it’s
complicated. Member Stiles wanted to know if the board could specify to exclude certain signs. Stiles feels that it violates freedom of
speech. There was some discussion about the Town of Groton and concerns with political signs. Snyder said that the size is the concern.
Member Denniston asked if our law discriminates against the type of signs. Snyder said no. Further discussion took place. Supervisor
Kaminski said that he law does say political signs. He feels that freedom of speech trumps that. Stiles said that they need to look at
the law to make sure our language is correct. Snyder said that he will work on it.
With no further business to discuss, Member Stiles moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:18 PM. Member Denniston seconded the
Motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None.
Respectfully Submitted by,
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Alane Van Donsel, Virgil Town Clerk