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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-26-TB-FINAL-minutesTOWN BOARD MEETING Town of Ulysses Sept. 26, 2023 The meeting was held in person at the Town Hall at 10 Elm St., Trumansburg NY as well as via Zoom videoconference. Notice of Town Board meetings are posted on the Town's website and Clerk's board. Video recordings of meetings are available on Youtube at https://www. voutube.com/channel/UCWV/s--cl9Cj)Hlxdk9YxZvPw. CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Olson called the meeting to order at 7:08pm. ATTENDANCE: TOWN OFFICIALS: Supervisor- Katelin Olson Board members- Mary Bouchard, Liz Weatherby, Rich Goldman Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato Second Deputy Supervisor/Budget Officer- Michelle E. Wright Absent: Board member- Michael Boggs Town Committee members: Linda Liddle (Planning Board & Water Source Protection Plan Committee) Roxanne Marino (Conservation & Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC) & Water Source Protection Plan Committee (WSPPC)) Liz Thomas WSPPC WSPPC- Amy Panek, Tim Martinson Tompkins County Legislator- Anne Koreman Via Zoom: In -person: Nancy Cusumano, Liz Thomas, Roxanne Marino, Maureen Shallish, Michael Cohen, Vivien Rose Via Zoom: Rebecca Schneider, Amy Panek, Becky Sims (RCAP Solutions (Rural Assistance Community Partnership)), Bridget, Dale Strok, David Durrett, Linda Liddle, Tim Martinson APPROVAL OF AGENDA: 1 Ms. Olson said that Budget Modifications could be stricken from the agenda, and noted that the Three Falls LDC meeting location was moved to the Village Hall. Ms. Bouchard suggested discussion of a sign for the Bee Committee. Motion: Mr. Goldman moved to approve the agenda as amended. This was seconded by Ms. Weatherby and passed unanimously. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Ms. Cusumano- see (attached). Liz Thomas • CWIO- has great candidates • WSPPC- on that committee • Re- rec land: TCR is an advisory committee. Protocol is that the town should do a survey first and then develop its own plans. Salo funding was free. The funds used for rec land could be spent in other ways • Like DPW idea • A referendum is expensive so please consider -maybe rescind the offer? PRESENTATION: Water Source Protection Plan Committee (WSPPC): Ms. Schneider shared a power point presentation on the WSPPC's upcoming survey, highlighting the following items: • Drought map • Aquifer depletion & overuse & mismanagement • Increase in frequency & magnitude of torrential storms combined with poor land use mgmt. leads to pollution Ms. Weatherby asked how they would contact people who don't respond. Ms. Marino said they are still working on that but will follow up somehow and post paper copies around town. It is important to get the broadest response possible. Ms. Thomas said that the best option is to mail to everyone with the various response options and a postage -paid on return option. Ms. Marino said that responses will go into database created by RCAP and few will be able to connect addresses to the data for privacy purposes. Ms. Liddle said that after responses are received it will take some time to present the data as they want to compare it with previous data to draw bigger picture conclusions. After the committee completes the Water Source Protection Plan and NYS approves it, it will enable the town to apply for additional funding pools. OLD BUSINESS: 2 LAND ACQUISITION - PETITION FOR REFERENDUM ON ACQUISITION OF LAND Ms. Olson said that the town budgets for an election every year. The county Board of Elections gave her an estimated cost of —$1000 for the election. Poll workers will be paid about $17/hr. These costs are accounted for in the 2023 budget. RESOLUTION #152 OF 2023: PETITION FOR REFERENDUM ON ACQUISITION OF LAND WHEREAS, the Town Clerk received a petition on a resolution of land acquisition on June 27, 2023 subject to permissive referendum; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board accepts the petition and directs the Town Attorney to prepare a resolution to schedule a special election. Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Ms. Bouchard DISCUSSION: The group discussed outcomes of not accepting the petition or rescinding the purchase offer as well as additional details on the election. Ms. Olson noted that the board will discuss the election details at one of the next few meetings after advice from counsel. Olson aye Boggs absent Bouchard aye Goldman aye Weatherby aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 9/26/23 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS Ms. Olson prefaced the discussion by saying that board approval for this item is not required, but just a good idea for the board to be aware. RESOLUTION #153 OF 2023: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approves the Request for Qualifications for the Comprehensive Plan process, subject to final review and approval by the Town's attorney. Moved: Ms. Weatherby Seconded: Ms. Bouchard DISCUSSION: Mr. Goldman asked how much of this the grant covers. Ms. Wright clarified that it is a 50/50 match. Olson aye Boggs absent 3 Bouchard aye Goldman aye Weatherby aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 9/26/23 CONSENT AGENDA FOR Resolutions #154-156: Mr. Goldman noted that an alternate appointment for Mr. Klankowski enables him to get a feel for the job without a big commitment. TOMPKINS COUNTY YOUTH SERVICES CONTRACTS RESOLUTION #154 OF 2023: TOMPKINS COUNTY CONTRACT 2023 RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approved the Tompkins County contract for the disbursement of youth development funds for 2023. APPOINTMENT OF AN ALTERNATE TO THE PLANNING BOARD RESOLUTION #155 OF 2023: APPOINTMENT OF AN ALTERNATE TO THE PLANNING BOARD RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board appoints Karl Klankowski to serve as an alternate on the Planning Board through December 31, 2023. APPRECIATION TO TOWN BOOKKEEPER BLIXY TAETSZCH RESOLUTION #156 OF 2023: APPRECIATION OF TOWN BOOKKEEPER BLIXY TAETZSCH FOR THE CONVERSION TO THE ENHANCED GOLD REPORTING SYSTEM IN THE NEW YORK STATE LOCAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM WHEREAS, the New York State Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) provides a retirement plan to Town's employees; and WHEREAS, the monthly online reporting system is critical for ensuring that Town employees receive their retirement benefit upon retiring; and WHEREAS, Town Bookkeeper Blixy Taetzsch has successfully converted the Town's monthly reporting process to the Gold Level Enhanced Reporting System which will ensure NYSLRS reporting data integrity for years to come; and WHEREAS, the conversion to this reporting system requires countless hours of administrative work; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board recognizes this system upgrade as a critical improvement to the Town's overall financial operational capacity and Town employee benefit administration; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board expresses great appreciation to Blixy for the vision to prioritize this work that builds the Town's basic reporting and general operational capacity. VOTE FOR RESOLUTIONS #154-156: Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Bouchard E1 Olson aye Boggs absent Bouchard aye Goldman aye Weatherby aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 9/26/23 NEW BUSINESS: TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR 2024 Ms. Wright gave a brief overview of the 2024 Tentative Budget including: • Taxable assessed value (TAV) • Is below tax cap • Line increases/decreases • Fund balance estimates She discussed next steps for the process including board discussion, approval, and public hearing. The board agreed to meet at 6pm on 10/10 for a budget discussion. PETITION REQUESTING THE FORMATION OF A WATER DISTRICT — DISCUSSION Ms. Olson said that a petition was received from Grassroots to create a single -user water district (connecting to Village of Trumansburg water main) and that the Board has discretion on whether they would like to require any additional information from the petition as well as in deciding to accept or reject it. Additionally there is a timeline that needs to be adhered to. Ms. Olson recommended that the board commission a map, plan, report by MRB (town engineers) since MRB is already familiar with the Village's water system. This would mean that the town pays for it but could charge the costs back to the petitioner if the water district is approved. If not, the town eats the cost. The town could also ask Grassroots to pay to get its own map, plan and report. The group discussed pros and cons. BEE COMMITTEE SIGNAGE: Ms. Bouchard noted that for the committee to remain affiliated with Bee City USA, a sign is required. UPCOMING EVENTS October 10 — Regular Town Board Meeting starting at 6pm October 24 — Regular Town Board Meeting October 25 — Three Falls LDC/New York State Parks Informational Meeting on Camp Barton @ Trumansburg Village Hall, 7pm 5 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (will be voted on at next meeting) PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (3 min limit per person; 10 minutes maximum): Ms. Marino said that she doesn't understand why the town wouldn't ask Grassroots to do the map, plan & report instead of the town commissioning it. She added that if the town doesn't feel that Grassroots is using a qualified engineer or if the results are not a quality product then the town can reject it. ADJOURN Mr. Goldman made a motion to adjourn at 8:24pm. This was seconded by Ms. Bouchard and passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk 1016123 APPENDIX: See attached: PUBLIC COMMENTS Gmail - Democracy will have its day! https://mail. google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=a448223915 &view=pt&search=a... M Gmail Democracy will have its day! 2 messages Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk <ulysses.clerk@gmail.com> Nancy Cusumano <nancycusumano62@gmail.com> Sun, Sep 24, 2023 at 5:38 PM To: ulyssestownsupervisor@gmail.com Cc: "clerk@ulysses.ny.us" <ulysses.clerk@gmail.com>, Mary Bouchard <bouchard@ulysses.ny.us>, Rich Goldman - town <goldman. ulysses.ny.us@gmail.com>, Liz Weatherby <Ijweatherby@gmail.com>, Michael Boggs <michaelboggsulysses@gmail.com>, CUTV <cutv2023@gmail.com> Dear Supervisor Olson, It appears from the September 22, 2023, Ulysses Updates that you are using that forum to advocate for your point of view on the Town's proposed acquisition of the Washburn land on Kraft /Krums Corners Road. I am asking that you give us the option of offering our thoughts in the weekly newsletter on this issue, so that the townspeople hear both sides and are able to make up their own minds. If, as you state, you believe that "Democracy will have its day!" then this is the democratic thing to do. Additionally, I ask that you give us the same option at the upcoming informational meetings, so that again both sides of this issue are represented. Sincerely, Nancy Cusumano and the Citizens of Ulysses Taxpayers and Voters group Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk <ulysses.clerk@gmail.com> Mon, Sep 25, 2023 at 10:01 AM To: Nancy Cusumano <nancycusumano62@gmail.com> Cc: ulyssestownsupervisor@gmail.com, Mary Bouchard <bouchard@ulysses.ny.us>, Rich Goldman - town <goldman. ulysses.ny.us@gmail.com>, Liz Weatherby <Ijweatherby@gmail.com>, Michael Boggs <michaelboggsulysses@gmail.com>, CUTV <cutv2023@gmail.com> Hi Nancy and CUTV, Thank you for your feedback. It is important for the community to be involved in local democracy and we value your participation. As the Communications Officer and the primary drafter of the newsletter, I agree with you that the newsletter cannot be used for the purpose of attempting to sway voters in a town election and we have been careful to maintain this. Supervisor Olson's article explains to the public some of the town board's reasons for purchasing the land but does not tell the public how to vote, which would be inappropriate. The newsletter is meant to share governmental facts and events rather than public opinion pieces. However, public comments and opinions are both appropriate and welcome for the town's public record (minutes) and will be saved there. Thanks again, Carissa [Quoted text hidden] Best, Carissa Parlato, CIVIC (Certified Municipal Clerk), RMC (Registered Municipal Clerk) Ulysses Town Clerk, Tax Collector, Records Manager, Notary Public 10 Elm St. Trumansburg NY 14886 (607)387-5767, ext. 221 1 of 2 9/27/2023, 8:35 AM Gmail - Democracy will have its day! Hours: M-F, 10am-3pm (or by appointment) https://mail. google.com/mail/u/O/?ik=a448223915 &view=pt&search=a... https://townofuly§sesny.gov/ Get the latest updates on the town- sign up for the e-newsletter! Click here. 2 of 2 9/27/2023, 8:35 AM Gmail - Re: Democracy will have its day! https://mail. google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=a448223915 &view=pt&search=a... M Gmail Re: Democracy will have its day! 3 messages Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk <ulysses.clerk@gmail.com> Nancy Cusumano <nancycusumano62@gmail.com> Mon, Sep 25, 2023 at 6:59 PM To: "Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk" <ulysses.clerk@gmail.com> Cc: ulyssestownsupervisor@gmail.com, Mary Bouchard <bouchard@ulysses.ny.us>, Rich Goldman - town <goldman. ulysses.ny.us@gmail.com>, Liz Weatherby <Ijweatherby@gmail.com>, Michael Boggs <michaelboggsulysses@gmail.com>, CUTV <cutv2023@gmail.com> Dear Carissa, Thank you for your response. There are a couple of items in it I take issue with. First, the fact that Ms. Olson took the time to write this, and her obvious bias towards the sale makes it clear that she is for the purchase. She may not have come right out and said "Vote for this", but she might as well have. No one reading her comments would think "Oh, I should vote against this..." Second, this list is a much bigger audience than that of a town board meeting, When we were going door to door collecting signatures, the vast majority of those we spoke with were unaware of the potential land sale. Am I to understand that you will not let any statement from our group appear in the newsletter? In that case, democracy may have its day, but on your terms? I would say then that that is not democracy, or maybe democracy for some but not all. What about access to the informational sessions? Nancy and the CUTV Group Nancy On Mon, Sep 25, 2023 at 10:01 AM Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk <ulysses.clerk@gmail.com> wrote: Hi Nancy and CUTV, Thank you for your feedback. It is important for the community to be involved in local democracy and we value your participation. As the Communications Officer and the primary drafter of the newsletter, I agree with you that the newsletter cannot be used for the purpose of attempting to sway voters in a town election and we have been careful to maintain this. Supervisor Olson's article explains to the public some of the town board's reasons for purchasing the land but does not tell the public how to vote, which would be inappropriate. The newsletter is meant to share governmental facts and events rather than public opinion pieces. However, public comments and opinions are both appropriate and welcome for the town's public record (minutes) and will be saved there. Thanks again, Carissa On Sun, Sep 24, 2023 at 5:39 PM Nancy Cusumano <nancycusumano62@gmail.com> wrote: Dear Supervisor Olson, It appears from the September 22, 2023, Ulysses Updates that you are using that forum to advocate for your point of view on the Town's proposed acquisition of the Washburn land on Kraft /Krums Corners Road. I am asking that you give us the option of offering our thoughts in the weekly newsletter on this issue, so that the townspeople hear both sides and are able to make up their own minds. If, as you state, you believe that "Democracy will have its day!" then this is the democratic thing to do. 1 of 3 9/27/2023, 8:35 AM Gmail - Re: Democracy will have its day! https://mail. google.com/mail/u/O/?ik=a448223915 &view=pt&search=a... Additionally, I ask that you give us the same option at the upcoming informational meetings, so that again both sides of this issue are represented. Sincerely, Nancy Cusumano and the Citizens of Ulysses Taxpayers and Voters group Best, Carissa Parlato, CIVIC (Certified Municipal Clerk), RMC (Registered Municipal Clerk) Ulysses Town Clerk, Tax Collector, Records Manager, Notary Public 10 Elm St. Trumansburg NY 14886 (607)387-5767, ext. 221 Hours: M-F, 10am-3pm (or by appointment) https://townofulyssesnygov/ Get the latest updates on the town- sign up for the e-newsletter! Click here. Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk <ulysses.clerk@gmail.com> Tue, Sep 26, 2023 at 9:34 AM To: Nancy Cusumano <nancycusumano62@gmail.com> Cc: ulyssestownsupervisor@gmail.com, Mary Bouchard <bouchard@ulysses.ny.us>, Rich Goldman - town <goldman. ulysses.ny.us@gmail.com>, Liz Weatherby <Ijweatherby@gmail.com>, Michael Boggs <michaelboggsulysses@gmail.com>, CUTV <cutv2023@gmail.com> Good morning Nancy, I hear that you are in disagreement. The town newsletter is not an appropriate forum for public opinion pieces but I invite you to share your feelings with letters to the editor in local newspapers or something of the like that is more suited for that type of expression. Thanks again for your participation. [Quoted text hidden] Ulysses Supervisor <ulyssestownsupervisor@gmail.com> Tue, Sep 26, 2023 at 9:36 AM Reply -To: ulyssestownsupervisor@gmail.com To: Nancy Cusumano <nancycusumano62@gmail.com> Cc: "Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk" <ulysses.clerk@gmail.com>, Mary Bouchard <bouchard@ulysses.ny.us>, Rich Goldman - town <goldman. ulysses.ny.us@gmail.com>, Liz Weatherby <Ijweatherby@gmail.com>, Michael Boggs <michaelboggsulysses@gmail.com>, CUTV <cutv2023@gmail.com> Good morning, Thank you for your email. I wholeheartedly agree that it can certainly be difficult to push information about local government activities into the public and I'm personally very excited that this will be going to a public vote. Thank you for helping distribute the intent to purchase; we've certainly received much feedback with opinions on both sides of the decision as result. The purpose for the newsletter article was to help explain some of the reasons the Town Board supported the purchase of the land. While my support for the land acquisition, and that of the other Town Board members, is certainly a part of the public record, I have not and will not tell voters how to vote through a Town platform. It is certainly appropriate, however, for the Town Board to explain to the public our rationale for voting to purchase the land, how the process for developing the land would occur if purchased, and how the community can be engaged throughout the process. It is important for the public to understand that the Town Board's decision was not made cavalierly or without consideration of the overall public good. 2 of 3 9/27/2023, 8:35 AM Gmail - Re: Democracy will have its day! https://mail. google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=a448223915 &view=pt&search=a... This is doubly important for the many citizens who were not actively attending our meetings over the last year or who may not have been a part of the Trumansburg/Ulysses Youth Commission over the last 30+ years or a part of the Town committee working in the 1990s to try and secure recreation land under Supervisor Doug Austic. I appreciate that this may be a new idea for many residents, but it has a long, deep, and unfulfilled -to -date history in Ulysses. The Town will be hosting a public information session to explain the information that the Town Board used to vote for the land purchase and the steps/process in the land purchase is approved by the voters. Additionally, the public will have the opportunity to ask specific questions about how the special election will work, how the Town would manage the land, etc. As always, any member of the public is encouraged to make a statement in our public comment periods in our regular Town Board meetings and/or submit written statements to our Town Clerk for inclusion in the meeting records. We value public comment and appreciate the time it takes our citizens to participate. Finally, I personally appreciate your participation and that of your neighborhood in this process. If the public supports the land purchase, I am committed to working with the residents to develop a space that is not a nuisance for you, but a place that you can enjoy and embrace. If the public does not support the land acquisition, I will certainly respect that decision as well. Thank you again for your comments, Katelin Katelin Olson, Town Supervisor Town of Ulysses, NY supervisor@townofulyssesny.gov [Quoted text hidden] 3 of 3 9/27/2023, 8:35 AM