HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-13-RTB TOWN OF ULYSSES REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING JULY 13, 2010 Present; Supervisor Roxanne Marino (Attended via telephone), Councilpersons Kevin Romer, Elizabeth Thomas and Lucia Tyler; Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia; Highway Superintendent James Meeker; Deputy Supervisor Sue Poelvoorde ; Attorney Mariette Geldenhuys . Absent : Councilperson David Kerness Ms. Poelvoorde called Ms . Marino so that she could participate in the Boards discussions . Ms . Marino was out of town . Deputy Supervisor Sue Poelvoorde presided over the meeting in the absence of Supervisor Marino and called the meeting to order at 7 : 30 p .m . and lead those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms . Tyler moved, seconded by Ms . Thomas the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the minutes of the May 25 , 2010, Special Town Board meeting with the corrections and changes . Ms . Thomas aye Ms. Tyler aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted. The minutes for the June 8 , 2010, Regular Town Board meeting were tabled because Ms . Tyler was absent and there was not a quorum to vote. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Romer the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the previous examined vouchers #275 through 307 in the amount of $ 11 ,626 . 61 . Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR - No one from the public wished to speak. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES Tompkins County Legislator Jim Dennis reported briefly on the Health Care Consortium which is not yet off the ground . They are still in discussion with how much reserve they have to have. Mr. Dennis said that the County has accepted a grant from the Park Foundation for $50,000, which will be used to hire a person for one year in the Planning Department to work on the implication of Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling in Tompkins County. Additional funds of approximately $22,000 will also have to be secured by the County and some other Tompkins County Council of Government (TCCOG) members to totally fund the position . Mr. Dennis said that we are three and a half months without a New York State budget and the State is behind by almost a million dollars in payments to the County. The only area held Regular Town Board Meeting 2 7- 13 -2010 harmless has been the Department of Social Services (DSS .) In the whole discussion of the state budget, they have not discussed the revenue side yet. To cover the backlog of payments, the County is talking about a 7% cut in the departments . Sheriff's Department — No one in attendance from the Sheriff' s Department . Trumansburg Fire Department — No one in attendance and no written report. Trumansburg Village Representative Christopher Thomas reminded everyone that Grassroots is next week and said that the Village has been preparing. The Village had a conversation with the Boy Scouts about planning a second well at the Camp Barton site and it looks like a test well will likely be done in September or October. The outcome of that will determine the next decision phase on going forward with the water system upgrade. TOWN REPORTS Highway Superintendent James Meeker reported his activities through the month. They helped several other Towns with projects, mowed roadsides, and hauled hot mix . Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia reported that for the month of June a total of $ 1418 . 00 was collected and of that $468 . 70 was turned over to the Supervisor. On the dog licensing situation there is a draft of the process the clerks will do and that is still being worked on. Copies can be provided if requested. Ms . Georgia has a couple of leads on a person to complete the dog enumeration. Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun was absent tonight and no report. Planning Board — no one in attendance. Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan — no one in attendance . Citizens Advisory Board on Gas Drilling — Ms. Thomas reported that there are many meetings per month on gas drilling impacts and things are starting to come together. The Town of Ithaca is passing their first road regulations, which will be the first one passed in the County. The Delta Engineering group is still being considered with the question remaining what the Towns will get for the legal portion of the project proposal . There is a meeting on the July 23 , 2010, which will focus on this question. Supervisor Roxanne Marino reported that there are new regulations governing fireworks that pass the responsibility for issuing permits to the Town level . . Permit procedures will need to be put in place prior to the Trumansburg Fair. Ms . Geldenhuys was asked to look into this . Ms . Marino said that municipalities are working to provide a template on new laws relating to cell towers . The Town ' s cell tower ordinance needs to be reviewed and updated. At the meeting scheduled for July 29, 2010, the Board will continue to discuss the Water District #3 issues and discuss the cost of leak detection. The Town is waiting for a written quote from a company that provides the service . Bergmann Associates is going to submit a quote to review and comment on the draft Lakeshore Zone document. The Board previously received the monthly operating statement. Mr. Dennis asked about septic testing and the Board discussed this . Deputy Supervisor Sue Poelvoorde reported that the Town has purchased a new desk top computer that will go in her office for her use and will also be available for the intern when she works . At the last meeting, it was discussed what computer needs there are for the Town Regular Town Board Meeting 3 7- 13 -2010 office; Ms. Thomas suggested a lap-top , Mr. Burns said that a new computer to serve as our server is needed. The Town needs to develop a plan for this . TOWN BOARD COUNCILPERSONS AND COMMITTEES Councilperson Elizabeth Thomas Local Emergency Medical Services The EMS advisory committee recommended that the Village use MedEx as the billing company if the billing policy is accepted by the Village Board. They discussed only collecting deductibles, not co-pays . They also discussed waivers for volunteer fire and EMS members and waiving fees for community events . The Towns of Hector and Covert are making plans for their referendum to establish an ambulance district. Ms . Geldenhuys reviewed the process for the Town of Ulysses being involved in ambulance billing. Black Diamond Trail Representatives from Tompkins County (transportation and planning), City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Town of Ulysses, State Parks, and Black Diamond Trail Enthusiasts Network convened to discuss the feasibility of assisting State Parks build the Black Diamond Trail . using some municipal labor and equipment. Fernando de Aragon will coordinate a meeting with the Public Works and Highway Supervisors to examine the trail and discuss how a cooperative effort could move forward. TCCOG Gas Drilling Task Force The TCCOG gas drilling task force is meeting twice monthly. A template on how to designate CEA ' s is nearly complete . The road focus group is presenting on July 23 , 2010. Professor Susan Christopherson is expected to address the group in August about her research on the impacts of drilling on communities . Dr. Them is speaking on Wednesday, June 14, 2010, about the health impacts . EPA is holding a hearing on August 12, 2010, in Binghamton to hear concerns over health and safety surrounding horizontal hydrofracturing. TCCOG Wind Energy Enfield Energy inquired if municipalities are interested in investing in wind energy in Enfield. Contact : Eric Banfield eft13 (aicornell . edu or Marguerite Wells (project manager) . Projecting to construct 12-20 turbines . They would like a non-binding letter of interest from municipalities . Fireworks The State no longer will issue fireworks permits . Permitting regulations are being passed down to the town level . Herb Engman has more information. A licensed fireworks professional needs to inspect the display. Private fireworks will ,now be allowed. Previously only public fireworks were allowed. Planning Consortium Joan Jurkowich asked TCCOG is there was interest in a Planning Consortium where municipalities could meet informally, possibly quarterly, to discuss planning ideas and procedures . The County could also facilitate an electronic discussion board to allow planning boards to benefit from the experiences within multiple municipalities as they address planning questions . Cell Towers The Town of Ithaca is putting together a model contract that municipalities can use for siting cell towers . Councilperson Lucia Tyler Health Care Consortium- A recent letter from the Ithaca Firefighters to the NY Insurance Dept. strongly opposed the agreement on the basis of no dialogue from the start. They will pursue their opposition in the courts if necessary. EMC Regular Town Board Meeting 4 7- 13 -2010 The environmental group will meet Wednesday at the new E-Reuse center in the Triphammer Mall . This is a great place to donate computer equipment when you are upgrading since they clean off all personal information. You can also pick up all sorts of equipment at a reasonable price. OLD BUSINESS Adoption of 2009-2010 Stormwater Annual Report Mr. Romer moved seconded by Ms . Thomas the following: WHEREAS , the Town of Ulysses is required by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to file an Annual Report on the Town' s compliance with SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer Systems (MS4s), Permit No . GP-0- 10-002, Minimum Control Measures for the area of the Town covered by the General Permit, and WHEREAS , the Town of Ulysses is required to provide the public the opportunity to review and provide comments on the Annual Report, and WHEREAS , the Town of Ulysses held a public hearing on July 13 , 2010, 7 : 00 p .m. to hear public comment, and WHEREAS , no comments were received on the report posted to the Town' s Web site on July 5 , 2010, and submitted to the MS4 Permit Coordinator of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, New York. Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted NYSLRS Resolution on Workday Reporting Ms . Tyler moved seconded by Ms . Thomas the following : Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolution BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town of Ulysses hereby establishes the following as standard work days for elected and appointed officials and will report the following days worked to the New York State and Local Employees ' Retirement System based on the record of activities maintained and submitted by these officials to the clerk of this body: „T -< .- ter , articipates <a .. .,Ow; % ';:. \ \, \ \ spa S 5 a wn\ ` �° 4 Y q i . s Em "30 .• e S= (based On Y . i A V v. Standard kTme < Recod of '. ;.S e �; . a. � a �OCk Day ; ,' - ,A v Keening ,ACtI�'It1 .. a � «� .. .//.4.- I a t mx S a q 3-nM Tgtle L Names (Hrs/Day) 3 Term Begins/Ends System Elected Official `� _ _ y . ,, � rEf p � f £ �' 'Ti` ': 01 /01 /2010 — No 23 . 18 Town Clerk Marsha Georgia 12/31 /2013 Superintendent of 01 /01 /2010 - No 24 . 86 James Meeker 8 12/31 /2013 Highways 01 /01 /2009— No 18 . 67 Town Justice Thomas Schlee 6 12/31 /2012 tt 3g \ ` 3 01 /01 /2010 — No 9 . 17 Deputy Supervisor Sue Poelvoorde 6 12/31 /2010 Patricia 01 /01 /2010 — Yes 20. 65 Deputy Town Clerk Halloran 7 12/31 /2010 _ Michelle 01 /01 /2010 — Yes 21 .93 Court Clerk Townley 12/31 /2010 01 /01 /2010 — No 10.3 Bookkeeper Mary Bouchard 6 12/31 /2010 Regular Town Board Meeting 5 7- 13 -2010 01 /01 /2010 — Code Enforcement Alex Rachun 7 12/31 /2010 Yes 23 .02 Officer Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted Town Website Ms . Thomas prepared a demonstration of the Town ' s new website and this will demonstrate it to the Board at the end of the meeting. Critical Environmental Areas Ms . Thomas said that Mr. Rachun, Ms . Marino and she have been working on designating CEA' s as another tool to protect sensitive areas in the Town from inappropriate land use, such as gas drilling using the hydrofracking method. Ms . Thomas distributed a draft of the steps to take to designate CEAs . Ms . Thomas reviewed a map (the map of Natural Features taken from the Town of Ulysses ' s Comprehensive Plan) and asked the Board to review and come up with their thoughts as what would be included in the CEA designated. Ms . Thomas is suggesting all of the parts that are indicted as Natural features on the map . Ms . Thomas will continue to move ahead. Resolution to Hire Summer Intern Ms . Thomas moved seconded by Ms . Tyler the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses hire Maya Weltman Fahs as a Project Assistant to assist in a mapping project for the Planning Board, Town Board, and Zoning Officer for the summer at $ 18 per hour and not to exceed $ 1800. Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Romer aye . Adopted This assistant can also help map the CEA ' s and the Conservation Zone. Final Schedule of summer Meetings July 29th Special Town Board meeting August 18th Regular Town Board meeting August 31St Special Town Board meeting September 14th Regular Town Board meeting WebSite Demonstration Ms . Thomas demonstrated the new web site for the Board and the Board shared their thoughts . NEW BUSINESS Community Science Institute Request The discussion on the Institute ' s funding request was tabled because the Board had not received the resolution prior to the meeting. Hearing no further business Ms . Thomas moved seconded by Ms. Tyler to adjourn the meeting. Unanimously approved; meeting adjourned at 9 : 41p .m . Regular Town Board Meeting 6 7- 13 -2010 Respectfully submitted, Marsha L. Georgia Ulysses Town Clerk Town of Ulysses Public Hearing Storm Water July 13 , 2010 Present : Supervisor Roxanne Marino, absent; Deputy Supervisor Sue Poelvoorde (acting Supervisor) ; Council persons David Kerness absent, Kevin Romer, Elizabeth Thomas and Lucia Tyler; Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia; . Others Present : Jim Dennis . Deputy Supervisor called the Public Hearing to order at 7PM and provided proof of publication. Ms. Poelvoorde reviewed the Annual Stormwater Report that she had submitted. No comments were heard from the public . Haring no comments, Ms . Poelvoorde closed the hearing at 7 : 06 pm. Respectfully submitted, Marsha L. Georgia Ulysses Town Clerk 1 Mir