HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-2015 Town Board Meeting Minutes ApprovedTown of Virgil Regular Meeting 05/14/2015
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TOWN OF VIRGIL REGULAR MEETING
May 14thTH 2015
PRESENT: Supervisor John Kaminski, Board Members Dale Taylor, Eric Snow, Jereme Stiles and Matthew Denniston,
Attorney Patrick Snyder Esq., Town Clerk/Collector Alane Van Donsel, Doug and Derek Withy W20perators, David Coish
Yaws Environmental, Craig Umbehauer (Did not Sign Attendance Sheet) John Morse Highway Superintendent, Rick
Horner Asst. Highway Superintendant, Wes Kryger Greek Peak, Christine Applegate, Judith Hope-Klessig.
7:00 PM – TOWN HALL MEETING No comments were made.
7:30 PM – THE REGULAR MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER
Supervisor Kaminski called the meeting to order, followed by the salute to the flag.
RESOLUTION# 15-061 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Draft of Town Board Regular Meeting Minutes dated April 09th, 2015: Board member Taylor moved to approve the
minutes of the April 09th 2015. The motion was seconded by Member Snow. Taylor mentioned a slight correction on
page 5 regarding terminology, in which the clerk will correct. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Stiles, Denniston and
Kaminski. Nays-None
RESOLUTION# 15-062 AUTHORIZATION TO PAY BILLS
GENERAL FUND: Member Taylor moved to approve payment of the General Fund audited vouchers numbered 85-114 in
the amended amount of $26,165.32 removing voucher # 71 for American Bankers Insurance Company for flood
insurance for the maintenance building that Greek Peak is renting. Member Taylor said that he checked with the
insurance company and they said as long as there isn’t a mortgage on the property, it is not required to hold insurance.
The motion was seconded by Member Snow. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Stiles, Denniston and Kaminski. Nays-
None
HIGHWAY FUND: Member Taylor questioned Superintendent John Morse regarding some bills. Member Taylor moved
to approve payment of the Highway Fund audited vouchers numbered 1107-1133, in the amount of $25,963.63. The
motion was seconded by Member Snow. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Stiles and Denniston Kaminski. Nays-None.
SEWER DISTRICT #1: Member Taylor moved to approve payment of the Sewer District #1 audited vouchers numbered
2041-2054 in the amended amount of $ 13,743.58, removing voucher #2050 in the amount of $297.29. Sewer operator
David Coish from Yaws Environmental wanted to check to see if the item is covered under warranty. The motion was
seconded by Member Snow. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Stiles, Denniston and Kaminski. Nays-None
WATER DISTRICT #1: Member Taylor moved to approve payment of the Water District #1 audited vouchers numbered
3024-3031, In the Amount of $5,920.10. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Stiles
and Denniston Kaminski. Nays-None
MONTHLY REPORT
SUPERVISOR’S MONTHLY REPORT: Member Stiles moved to accept the Supervisor’s Monthly Report in long form for
April 2015. Member Denniston seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and
Kaminski. Nays-None
SUPERVISOR’S MONTHLY REPORTS IN LONG FORM FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2015: Member Stiles made
a motion to accept the Supervisor’s monthly reports for January, February and March in long form. The motion was
seconded by Member Snow. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
TOWN CLERK’S MONTHLY REPORT: Member Stiles moved to accept the Town Clerk’s Monthly Report as presented for
April 2015. The motion was seconded by Member Denniston. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and
Kaminski. Nays-None
SEWER DISTRICT OPERATIONS REPORT: David Coish of Yaws Environmental Process Control, Inc. submitted a written
report and reported that everything was running beautifully at the sewer plant. Member Taylor asked Coish if the bugs
were doing their job to keep down the foam from grease. Taylor also wondered if there were anymore concerns about
the beavers in the creek. Coish said the bugs were doing their job and that the beavers were gone. Member Stiles made
a motion to accept the Sewer Districts report. The motion was seconded by Member Snow. Vote: Ayes-Members
Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
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WATER DISTRICT OPERATIONS REPORT: A written report was submitted for W2Operators. Doug Withy reported that
everything was running smoothly. Withy reported that his son Brain would no longer be working with the company, as
he has gotten a job elsewhere. Withy said that his son Derek would be coming on board. Withy said he was looking
forward to an uneventful turnover. Member Taylor made a motion to accept the Water Districts report. The motion was
seconded by Member Snow. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER’S REPORT: A written report was submitted by Lindsay Anderson of Country Acres Pet
Services from Homer, NY. Member Stiles motioned to accept the Animal control Officers report. Member Denniston
seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
CODE ENFORCEMENT AND ZONING OFFICERS REPORT: A written codes report was submitted by Code and Zoning
Officer Craig Umbehauer. Member Stiles motioned to accept the Code and Zoning Officers report. The motion was
seconded by Member Snow. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
COUNTY LEGISLATOR’S REPORT & VIRGIL YOUTH COMMISSION REPORT: No reports were submitted this month. There
was some discussion regarding the fact that Virgil/Hartford County Legislator Sandy Price was unable to attend meetings
lately due to illness. There were some concerns that the town did not have representation from Member Taylor and
Stiles. Member Taylor said that there was nothing that they can do about it. Member Stiles said that he was concerned
that the Town wasn’t having any say in what was going on at the county level and that for every vote that was cast
without representation counts as a “no” vote. Stiles said he certainly hopes that Price would get better. He felt that
there should be a procedure in place to allow someone to temporarily fill in at times like this. Community member
Christine Applegate said that anyone is welcome to go to the meetings and that they have the ability to ask questions
during the comment period of the meetings.
RESOLUTION#15-1063 HOPE LAKE 2015 HOURS OF OPERATION AND FEE SCHEDULE AND MONTLY REPORT: Wes Kryger
said that he presented the board with the 2015 proposed hours of operation and fee schedule. Kryger said there are
some slight changes from last year. He said there is a slight increase in price and they plan on opening and closing an
hour early. Supervisor Kaminski asked how the fish count was. Kryger said that people who fish there usually catch and
release, he said they stocked the lake with grass carp last year to keep the algae down. Member Taylor said that he
noticed that a lot of silt is being washed into the lake. He was wondering if at some point they may want to drain the
lake dig it out. Member Stiles motioned to accept the Hope Lake Operations proposed hours of operations and fee
schedule for 2015. Member Denniston seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and
Kaminski. Nays-None
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT: Superintendent John Morse submitted a written report. He said that the
Highway department plans on redoing half of Bleck Road and that would take care of three quarters of the construction
costs for the year. He said they need to replace a big pipe on West River Road. He said that the pipe has a 30 year
expectancy. Member Taylor asked if they would be doing any cold patching. Morse said yes they took a whole day on
Carson Road filling holes with gravel, tiles and shimmed up the road. Taylor wondered if he takes into consideration
how much a road is used before doing the work. Morse said that Clute Road has the most money spent on it. He said
that Hauck Hill gets oil and stone every six years. Member Stiles wanted to know how the CHIPS money was spent.
Morse said for oil and stone and cold patch and pipe. Taylor asked about a bridge on Francis Road. Morse said that it
would cost approximately $10,000 for an engineer and an additional fifteen to thirty thousand to fix. Morse said the
DOT wants it posted. Discussion continued on Virgil Roads. Member Stiles Motioned to accept the Highway
Superintendents report. The motion was seconded by Member Snow. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston,
Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
OLD BUSINESS
EXPANSION TO TOWN HALL: Supervisor Kaminski said that there were no petitions submitted, so he was wondering
how the board wanted to proceed with the Town Hall expansion. He was wondering if there were any prints that the
board was interested in. Member Taylor mentioned that the engineer was concerned about timing and he was
wondering if the season was missed. Taylor also said that if the board waits, then the cost might go up, but he is also
concerned that they may not be able to get more than just a shell up. Supervisor Kaminski asked if the board wanted to
know if they were going to proceed and have they addition built this year as a turnkey project or if they were planning
on having community involvement to finish the project. Member Stiles said he didn’t feel it would take long to get the
project done this year. He said if the bid packages are prepared now, then they would be awarded sometime in July. He
didn’t feel it would be a problem to get the job done. Member Taylors were wondering if there were contractors out
there that would bid on the project this late in the season. Stiles said there are and they would want to get in and get it
done. Kaminski said it should be a 60 to 80 day building project. Kaminski wanted to know what direction they are
going. He said the roof at the Highway garage should last another three to four years. Kaminski wanted to know if the
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board wanted to shift the project 90 degrees, so the walking trail wouldn’t have to be moved. Stiles felt it was going to
cost a lot more to do that. Kaminski said that if they shift the building there would be room to add on the end if a
community room was to be added. There was some discussion as if a community room was needed. Member Snow was
asked how many people attended the senior luncheon last month. Member Snow said approximately 80 people. Taylor
felt that if the building was shifted it would cost around $500,000. He said there would be a lot more valleys and ridges
on the roof. There was some discussion regarding having community members work on the project. Attorney Pat
Snyder felt that depending on the insurance policy, the Town might have to take out more insurance for liability. Taylor
felt that they should just go with the original design and reconfigure the inside to what is needed. There was some
discussion on looking into grants to cover some of the work. Kaminski said there are some grants out there for the court
and some for the Town Clerks’ Storage. Member Denniston said he felt to would be a good idea to keep as much open
space as possible. That way changes can be made down the road and it gives the Town more flexibility. Denniston
wanted to know if the space that Craig Umbehauer was in now, would be big enough for his office. Umbehauer said yes.
RESOLUTION #15- 1064 EXPANSON TO THE TOWN HALL: Member Stiles made a motion to add on to the Town Hall with
the spending limit of $300,000, with the engineering fees not to exceed $18,000. The Motion was seconded by Member
Snow. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
GRANT UPDATE, MIKE O’REILLY: Supervisor Kaminski said that he spoke with Mike O’Reilly from Cedarwood
Engineering. He said there is a letter going out, but it doesn’t look good to receive the grant money this year.
RESOLUTION #15-1065 EASTERN ENERGY SOLUTIONS LIGHTING UPGRADE PROPOSAL: Eastern Energy Solutions
proposed lighting upgrades for the Town Hall and the Virgil Highway garage. Member Taylor said he didn’t feel the
payback time was that good on the garage, but the Town Hall was three years. Member Denniston wanted to make sure
that the new addition is retro fitted with LED lights as well. Member Taylor made a motion to upgrade the Virgil Town
Hall as presented from Eastern Energy Solutions in the mount of $2019.40. The motion was seconded by Member Snow.
Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
RESOLUTION # 15-1066 APPROVAL OF ASSESSOR AGREEMENT: Member Stiles made a motion to accept the assessor’s
agreement between the Town of Homer, City of Cortland and Town of Virgil. The motion was seconded by Member
Taylor. The share of the cost for Virgil will be $17,500. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and
Kaminski. Nays-None
RESOLUTION # 15-1067 PURCHASE OF TRASH COMPACTOR: Member Taylor said this was discussed in last year’s
budget. Member Denniston wanted to know what the life span of an ejector is. Superintendent Morse said that they
usually last about eight years. Morse said by the tenth year you have to replace the floor. Member Stiles made a motion
to purchase a 75 Cubic yard Ejection Trailer from the only bidder Tracey Road Equipment for the total amount of
$97,836.00. The motion was seconded by Member Snow. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and
Kaminski. Nays-None The money to pay for the ejection trailer is to come from the Transfer Station Reserve Fund.
RESOLUTION # 15-1068 APPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING BOARD: Member Stiles made a motion to accept Carole
Lathrop’s request to remain on the Virgil Planning Board. The motion was seconded by Member Snow. Vote: Ayes-
Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
AUDIT UPDATE: Supervisor Kaminski said that he and Dale Taylor were having a mandatory meeting with the NYS
Comptrollers on Monday. He said once the State publishes it, the audit will then be made known to the public.
HIGHWAY SWEEPER: Superintendent Morse said that the Town needs either a skid steer or a tractor. He is thinking
about selling the little mowing tractor and buying something that can have a sweeper put on it. Member Stiles said he is
not in favor of a skid steer. He felt that a tractor would have a lot more uses. Supervisor Kaminski reminded the board
and Morse that they have to follow the procurement policy. Member Taylor said he likes the idea of buying equipment
that has multiple uses. Discussion continued. There was a question regarding the procurement policy. Attorney Snyder
said that any purchase between $4,000 and $20,000 needs a written Request for Proposal from three or more vendors.
No decision was made on buying a new sweeper.
TOWN HALL’S FLAG POLE: Supervisor Kaminski said that the Flagpole at the Town Hall has been broken for a while.
Member Stiles said that the pulley at the top broke. He said that someone has to go up there and take the
measurements. Kaminski asked if it could please be fixed.
AQUIFER DISTRICT PROTECTION PERMIT: Code and Zoning Officer Craig Umbehauer gave the board a packet to look
over. He said that there will have to be a public hearing set up before this is approved.
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RESOLUTION #15-1069 SET UP A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE APPLICATION FOR AQUIFER PROTECTION DISTRICT:
Member Stiles made a motion to set the date for a Public Hearing to be held on June 11th at 7:00 PM at the Virgil Town
Hall regarding an Application for an Aquifer Protection District Special Permit for Ron’s Body Shop. The motion was
seconded by Member Denniston. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
APPROVAL TO HIRE HEAVY MACHINE OPERATOR: Highway Superintendent John Morse said that this position will
replace Ron Stanley who is due to retire by the end of next week. Member Taylor asked if the person Morse has in mind
can run all the same machinery as Stanley. Morse said he is not able to run the grater. He said right now Ron Stanley
and Demont Lang are able to run the grater. Taylor asked if Ron Stanley was all done, or if he is willing to come in part-
time in the future. Morse said that right now he wants to take off all of June and then perhaps he might be willing to
come in for 20 hours a week to mow the edges of roads until Wayne Eastman’s’ year is up. Taylor wanted to know if the
new hire will want health insurance. Taylor wanted to know if the board has a policy in place for new hires and the
amount of contribution for new hires. There was discussion about health insurance and the different percentages the
neighboring towns pay. It was stated that the board would have to go through and look at the minutes from the January
reorganizational meeting to see what percentage employees have to pay. Member Taylor said that he felt new hires
should pay 30% for their health insurance.
Member Taylor made a motion that new hires pay 30%. Supervisor Kaminski asked for a second three times, there was
no second. Motion denied.
Member Denniston said it’s really a moot point until they get the numbers. Denniston said he doesn’t feel comfortable
making a decision without knowing what percentage employees are paying now. Attorney Snyder said that what they
really need to do right now is set an hourly wage.
Superintendent Kaminski made a motion that new employees should pay 20% of their health insurance. He asked for a
second three times, there was no second made. Motion denied.
Supervisor Kaminski said they needed to move on.
NEW BUSINESS
TRUCK BID AUCTIONS INTERNATIONAL:
HOPE LAKE PARK PLAN 2015: This was discussed earlier in the meeting.
RESOLUTION #15-1070 TRANSFER STATION ATTENDANT RATE OF PAY: the new hire at the transfer Station has his CDL
license and is able to hauling the trash to the landfill. The new hire George Bonham would like to get $12.00 an hour.
Superintendent Morse said that he is doing a really good job and gets along with Bo really well. Member Taylor was
wondering how many hours Bonham was getting. Morse said over 20 hours which included training. Member Stiles
asked if hid DOT physical was up to date. Morse said that Bonham is saving money as Bo will no longer have to work
overtime. Member Stiles made a motion to raise George Bonham’s Salary to $12.00 and hour. The Motion was
seconded by Member Denniston. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
RESOLUTION #15-1071 BOUNDARY LINE AGGREEMENT: Attorney Pat Snyder said that there was a mistake made in the
survey at the water tower at Greek Peak. Snyder said that the town would be gaining more land. Member Taylor made
a motion to approve the Boundary Line Agreement as presented. The motion was seconded by Denniston. Vote: Ayes-
Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
NOTICE OF INCOMPLETE MINING APPLICATION FROM DEC: Superintendent Kaminski wanted to make the board aware
that there has been a Notice of Incomplete mining application form the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation regarding the Carpenter Pit.
284 AGGREMENT: Supervisor Kaminski’ wanted to make sure that the Virgil Highway department was in compliance
with submitting a 284 agreement every year. Superintendent Morse said he files one every year. He said that the Town
Clerk has it. He said that the Town Board and he signed it at the Organizational Meeting. Morse said that 90,000 dollars
was allocated for the highway fund for 58.23 miles of road. He said it was very difficult to give an exact list of roads,
because it changes so quickly. Morse said the agreement covers every road, so every road is covered.
COUNTY AMNESTY DAY: Supervisor Kaminski said there will be an amnesty day held from May 18-22. He said they don’t
take tires anymore.
PA SYSYEM FOR THE BOARD ROOM: Supervisor Kaminski asked Town Clerk Van Donsel to have someone come in and
evaluate the sound system of the board room. Van Donsel contacted two vendors. One company out of Freeville, NY
stopped in, but did not come back with a quote. Another company out of Syracuse, Francis Audio-Visual did come out
and submited a quote. Francis Audio-Visual said that the sound system that is in place should be sufficient for the space.
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What the real concern is the acoustics of the room. He suggested that acoustic panels be installed, along with installing
a few more microphones and a mixer. The board agreed that something needed to be done, but was concerned with
the $8,827.78. Van Donsel said that Bill Francis the owner of Francis Audio-Visual said that it would probably be ok to
scale it down a bit. The board asked Van Donsel to look into getting two more quotes prepared for the next meeting.
Discussion continued with Supervisor Kaminski saying that Judge Elston was looking at contracting with the County to
secure a Bailiff for court. He said the court is going to pay for it out of their funds and the Bailiff will be under the
Counties insurance. Kaminski said the Bailiff will be armed and that sometimes the court gets a little rough.
Member Denniston asked what was going on with FEHER Trash Removal. Attorney Snyder said that he will write them
another letter, but that he didn’t think there was anything to worry about. Denniston was concerned because the bill
keeps going up.
Member Taylor asked what happened with the bill from Fiscal advisors. Supervisor Kaminski said that Attorney Snyder
looked into it and said they can’t hold the Town to a contract that is 10 to 12 years old. Taylor also asked about an Email
that was sent by Town Clerk Van Donsel regarding property on RTE 292. Kaminski said that the property isn’t being
taken care of and is banked owned. He said they a courtesy message was sent, but the next step is to have the Code and
Zoning Officer involved, if they property is no cleaned up.
RESOLUTION #15-1072 APPROVAL TO HIRE HEAVY MACHINE OPERATOR RATE OF EMPLYEE CONTRIBUTION OF
INSURANCE: Attorney Snyder reminded the board that they did not act on the approval of hiring the heavy machine
operator. The discussion came back to the hiring of the Heavy machine operator. Member Taylor said that the board can
always crate a new policy changing the rate of insurance for new hires. The new policy would be something similar to a
tier 6. Member Stiles made a motion to set the rate of employee contribution for new hires at 20%. Member Snow
seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-Denniston
RESOLUTION 15-1073 RATE OF PAY FOR HEAVY MACHINE OPERAOTR: Member Stiles made a motion to set the rate of
pay for the Heavy Machine Operator at $16.00 an hour. The motion was seconded by member Denniston. Vote: Ayes-
Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None
With no further business to discuss, Member Stiles moved to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:50 P.M., Member Snow
seconded the Motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Taylor, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Alane Van Donsel, Virgil Town Clerk