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TOWN BOARD OF ULYSSES
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
FEBRUARY 08 , 2000
PRESENT: Supervisor Doug Austic, Councilpeople Sue Poelvoorde , and
Andrew Hillman . Town Clerk Marsha Georgia and Highway Superintendent
James Meeker. Councilpeople absent: Carolyn Duddleston and Robert
Weatherby .
Others Present: Steve Whicher, Director of Tompkins County Assessment,
County Board Representative , Peter Penniman , Matt Rapbroth , Joleen Uticone
and Tim Reap of Ulysses Youth Development , and Catherine Stover.
Supervisor Austic called the meeting to order at 7 : 30 pm and led those
assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of
America .
APPROVAL OF MINUTES : Regular Town Board Meeting , 01 /11 /2000
The minutes of the January 11 , 2000 Town Board Meeting were reviewed . Ms .
Poelvoorde moved , seconded by Mr. Hillman to approve the minutes as
presented .
Mr. Austic aye
Ms . Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Adopted .
APPROVAL OF MONTHLY CLAIMS
Mr. Austic introduced a motion to approve 2000 claims 16-60 in the amount of
$56 , 765 . 30 . Mr. Hillman moved for the Board to accept the reviewed claims as
presented , Ms . Poelvoorde seconded .
Mr. Austic aye
Ms . Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Adopted
REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
County Representative Peter Penniman was not present at the start of the
meeting , but delivered his report after Town Reports were delivered and before
Old Business was handled . Mr. Penniman brought the Board of Representatives
proceedings from 1985 , 1986 , 1987 , and 1998 .
He commented that the Town might have been affected by the shortage at the
Planning Department . There has been a lot of turnover in help and they are
trying to increase some of the positions from 35 to 40 hours . The increase in
hours may be more cost-effective than hiring more employees . Doug stated that
the Town does have a new circuit rider, but it is working out okay.
The County plans to go ahead with the purchase of land for a new
communications tower. The County is continuing to work with their consultant on
the cost, location , and height of the tower.
Trumansburq Fire Department had no representatives present. No report was
presented .
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Town of Ulysses 2 602,
Regular Town Board Meeting
02/08/2000
Tompkins County Assessment Director Steve Whicher reported on the
reassessment of Tompkins County . Mr. Whicher noted little change in the Town
since 1990 . Town and County agriculture , commercial and residential property
values have remained quite static throughout the last decade . Consequently
County reassessment was minimal . A notice for reassessment hearings will be
sent out to Town property owners on March 17 , 2000 for hearings running from
March 27th to April 7m of the same year. Response of property owners is not
expected to be dramatic: of some 5 , 500 notices sent for the City of Ithaca ,
responses were limited to about 150 calls .
The town 's tax rate did get raised , though it was a moderate increase .
Mr. Whicher wrapped up his report by fielding questions from the Board .
Supervisor Austic brought up the STAR Program . Mrs . Georgia requested
information concerning applications on the program . Mr. Whicher clarified
information on the STAR Program .
U lysses EMC Representative Jean Foley was not present to make a report.
N o report was presented .
TOWN REPORTS :
H ighway Superintendent James Meeker reported that they have been plowing
and salting as needed . Diesel fuel prices have been skyrocketing and for the
month of January 2600 gallons of diesel fuel were used for the trucks . He has
just ordered a tankful ! . Mr. Meeker asked the hauler that delivers the price of fuel
but the hauler could not say.
The door project that relative lack of snow allowed work on has been put on hold
because of the strong appearance of snow throughout January .
Mr. Meeker noted that he has one more delivery of salt available for Town use
under state contract. _ The haulers told him if there was one more increase in fuel
prices they might not make a delivery . Salt is the same price per ton delivered as
it would be picked up .
Mr. Meeker requested approval to purchase a new plow for the Town 's ten-
wheeler. The new plow is needed because of the dilapidated condition of the
plows currently used by the highway department . The new plow will cost around
$4000 for a Frink plow, which is of higher quality and will last longer. The Board
approved the purchase .
Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun was not present . No report was
presented .
Town Clerk Marsha Georgia reported total fees for the month of January at
$ 1 , 013 . 00 . $791 . 95 of these fees was turned over to the Supervisor. The largest
source of fee collection was dog licenses .
To date : $ 1 , 344 , 189 . have been collected in taxes . The Town is fully paid off with
a total payment of $475 , 046 . The first installment payments will be turned over
to Tompkins County Budget/Finance this week along with the first payment to
them of $800 , 000 .
Board Members and Committees had no reports to present.
Supervisor Douglas Austic reviewed the financial report and no questions were
heard . He elected to discuss his budget modifications under the heading of
Budget Modifications .
Youth/ Community Center: Mr. Austic reported on the possibility of using the
former Post Office , located on Elm Street, as a community center. Mr. Austic
Town of Ulysses 3
Regular Town Board Meeting
02/08/2000
met with James Stevenson the owner, to discuss this matter. Although there are
obstacles to get around , this option is worth looking into more .
Joleen Uticone and Tim Reap presented a tentative plan that could work for a
community center.
The general consensus of the Board was to look further into this matter.
OLD BUSINESS
Local Law #1 : was not reported on .
1999 Final Budget Modifications : Ms . Poelvoorde moved , seconded by Mr.
Hillman the following budget modifications :
INCREASE AFUND DECREASE
A1010 . 1 . 12 A7310 .4 516 . 69
A1010.4 26 . 39 A1410. 1 5303.82
A1110. 1 60 . 20 A1220 .4 244. 79
A1110 .4 152 . 91 A1450 .4 1702 . 52
A1220 . 1 . 12 A1990 .4 2242 . 29
A1410.4 417 .87 A7550 .4 700 .00
A1620 .4 5163 .49 A9010 .8 2957.63
A1670 .4 3205.40 A1420 .4 221 .56
A5132 .4 2574. 98 R2350 8169 . 15
A7310 .4 9902 .61
A9030 .8 308 .00
A9055 . 8 24.80
A5182 .4 221 .56
TOTAL 22058 .45 TOTAL 22058 .45
B FUND
B3620 . 1 15 .42 B3620 .4 236 .03
B8010. 1 40 . 20 B9010 . 8 546 . 93
B8010 .4 449. 21 R 3089 6850 . 32
B8020 . 1 257 .86
B9030 .8 20 . 27
B8020 .4 6850 .32
TOTAL 7633 . 28 TOTAL 7633 . 28
DA FUND
DA5130 . 1 11360 .54 DA9040 . 8 205.88
DA5140 . 1 2789 .84 DA9030.8 850 .89
DA5148 . 1 1182. 31 DA9010 .8 1875. 15
DA9060 . 8 872 . 32 DA5142 .4 12231 . 96
DA9055 .8 7 . 38 DA5148 . 1 1048 .52
TOTAL 16212 . 39 TOTAL 16212 . 39
DB FUND
DB5110 . 1 3193 .97 DB5112 . 2 6194. 88
DB5110.4 4458 .45 DB9010 .8 952 .25
DB9030 .8 333 .96 DB9040 . 8 374.80
DB9055 .8 7 . 37
DB9060 .8 767 . 92 R 1120 1239 .74
TOTAL 8761 . 67 TOTAL 8761 . 67
Mr. Austic suggested putting the 1999 budget leftovers from account DA5130 of
$9 , 630 . 00 and DA5130 . 4 of $ 17 , 514 . 83 for a total of $27 , 000 into a machinery
reserve account. This money could be used to purchase new equipment for the
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Regular Town Board Meeting
02/08/2000
highway department. Of account leftovers from DA5148 . 1 of $S11 , 183 .44 ,
$ 10 , 000 will be set-aside in a building reserve fund .
Mr. Hillman moved , seconded by Ms . Poelvoorde to authorifn the Supervisor to
make the 1999 budget modifications . . ,
Mr. Austic aye
Ms . Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Hillman. , aye
Adopted .
Additional $30 ,000 in account DB1120 was received frornsalestax and in B1120
an additional amount was received .
Mr. Austic suggests that the $ 30 , 000 be transferred for bridliework, that will be
coming up .
Mr. Austic did suggest that $5500 be encumbered to pay fo.r the GSI Program
($ 1500) that County Planning has that would aid the Town • iin making maps , etc .
The hardware ! to run this program would be around $4000 .
Ms . Poelvoorde moved , seconded by Mr. Hillman. to approve encumbering
$5500 .
. :
Mr. Austic aye
Ms . Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Adopted .
Permissive Referendum Report: no report was made . The Board accepted
this to mean that the referendum had passed .:.
Other: Mr. Austic brought up the need for a modification 'of the 2000 budget. ,
Item A5132 . 4 needs to be increased by $ 13 , 773 . 57 to cover the bills that were
approved tonight" on the building addition . The money:.will come from A9950. 9
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Capital Projects .
Mr. Hillman moved , seconded by Ms . Poelvoorde to approve :the in_crease ._to
A5132 . 4 of $ 13 , 773 . 57 and decrease A9950 . 9 by $ 13 , 77:3 : 57 . ` Y f
Mr. Austic aye
Ms . Poelvoorde aye -
Mr. Hillman aye .
ll,
Adopted .
ShurSave Street Lighting
. �
Mr. Austic ;shared with the Board that Mr. Seafuse has inquired - about the'tbWn
•7 fi
paying for the streetlights . Mr. Austic is investigating the bill for;:the streetlights : :
There is a lifetime yearly charge for the pole , brackets etc. Mr. Austic called :
NYSEG and they say that charge will stay . They did suggest that the 400-watt
mercury vapor be changed to another style light that would be about half as
expensive to run . The point is there are five in Jacksonville and one down at the
intersection of Rt. 96 and VanDorns Corners Road that are a Town expense . Mr.
Austic noted , "these lights are for public safety" . Mr. Hillman asked if there was
an agreement that Mr. Seafuse would pay . Mr. Austic !stated yes . Mr. Hillman
wondered the lights were switched to a more efficient light would there need to
be the sarne number of lights . Ms : Poelvoorde asked if the three lights came
from a State regulation ? Mr. Austic feels that the two lights on the fairgrounds
side are for the safety of the people and one lighting his driveway . Mr. Hillman
15
Town of Ulysses 5
Regular Town Board Meeting
02/08/2000
stated just off the top of his head the Town might go to a more efficient light on
the right-of-way and may pay for this .
It was decided to table this discussion until the two absent council people are
present.
Mr. Austic will look into this .
Discussion of Trumansburq Ambulance from Village Meeting : Mr. Austic
shared with the Board the issue concerning the Village of Trumansburg to
respond to ambulance calls more efficiently . Trumansburg is interested in
forming a full ambulance squad . Costs to staff the ambulance would increase
spending by about $ 100 , 000 . The Village formed a committee to handle the
issue .
Possible Water Grant: Senator Moynihan responded to Mr. Austic' s letter
concerning grants for water. One grant is available to help form water and
sewage districts for small villages . The grant is being looked into , but official
action cannot be taken until the Town sees definite interest from the community
of Jacksonville . Mr. Austic did contact Christian Nill to look into this .
Update on Jacksonville Situation : Mr. Austic received a call from an attorney
at the Attorney General 's Office and he states that Mobil Station has fulfilled the
requirements for environmental clean up as established in their agreement. They
further stated that they now are after Blue Ox . The representative from NYSDEC
also is positive that it is the responsibility of Blue Ox. Both DEC and the Attorney
General 's office agree that the best solution would be a municipal water system .
However, the Board is concerned about new contamination in additional houses .
The concern is the leak affects not only the groundwater, . but Cayuga Lake as
well .
Hearings from Groups and Individuals
No one present that wished to address the Board .
Adjournment
Hearing no further business Mr. Hillman moved , seconded by Ms . Poelvoorde to
adjourn the meeting . Unanimously approved .
Meeting adjourned at 9 : 45 PM .
Respectfully submitted ,
Marsha L . Georgia
Ulysses Town Clerk