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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-21-STB-FINAL-minutes1 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING Town of Ulysses Aug. 21, 2024 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.youtube.com/channel/UCWVIs--g9CpHIxdk9YxZyPw. CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Olson called the meeting to order at 4:03pm. ATTENDANCE: TOWN OFFICIALS: In person- Supervisor- Katelin Olson Board members- Mary Bouchard, Liz Weatherby, Michael Boggs, Richard Goldman Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato Attorney for the Town- Nathan VanWhy Attorney- Kristen Smith (remotely; during Executive Session only) Via Zoom- Conservation & Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC) Chair & Water Source Protection Plan Committee (WSPPC) member- Roxanne Marino MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: In person- (none) Via Zoom- Molly Wadzeck Kraus APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion: Ms. Olson requested to add an item related to a letter of support for the Three Falls LDC consolidated funding grant submission. Mr. Goldman moved to approve the agenda as amended. This was seconded by Ms. Bouchard and passed unanimously. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Ms. Marino updated the board regarding additional well water testing by NYS. Additional funding is available to conduct further testing between Sept. 7-12. Additionally, the grants for Clean Energy Communities for heat pumps and an EV has been submitted. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Goldman moved to go into Executive Session at 4:07pm to discuss personnel matters related to a public official. This was seconded by Ms. Bouchard and passed unanimously. 2 Mr. Goldman moved to end Executive Session at 4:45pm. This was seconded by Ms. Weatherby and passed unanimously. CENSURING TOWN BOARD MEMBER BOGGS RESOLUTION #141 OF 2024: CENSURING TOWN BOARD MEMBER MICHAEL BOGGS Whereas, a complaint was filed against Town Board Member Michael Boggs on January 29, 2024 and February 13, 2024, alleging inappropriate conduct by Mr. Boggs in his actions as a Town Board Member when interacting with a Town staff person; and Whereas, the Town Board authorized an investigation of this matter at a meeting on February 8, 2024, and delegated authority to the Town Supervisor to hire a law firm to conduct such investigation; and Whereas, Kristen Smith, Esq., partner with the law firm Bond Schoeneck & King, was retained to conduct such investigation; and Whereas, Ms. Smith conducted such investigation and provided a report, dated July 8, 2024, in which she concluded that the complaint was partially substantiated, in that Mr. Boggs had violated the Town of Ulysses' Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy and Communications Policy through his treatment of a Town staff person at Town Board meetings and other interactions, including email; and Whereas, the time for the Town staff person and Mr. Boggs to appeal such conclusion has now expired, leaving uncontested the report 's conclusions; and Whereas, the Town Board finds that treating all persons with dignity and respect is crucial to a well-functioning unit of government, and further finds that enforcing its policies will instill confidence that the Board takes such policies seriously and that the Board will hold all Town officials to established standards of conduct; Now therefore be it resolved, that in consideration of the foregoing, the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses hereby officially censures Town Board Member Michael Boggs for his violation of the Town of Ulysses' Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy and Communications Policy; and be it further Resolved, that Mr. Boggs is reminded of the expectations of all persons serving the Town of Ulysses to treat others with dignity, respect, and decency. Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Ms. Weatherby Olson aye Boggs nay Bouchard aye Goldman aye Weatherby aye Vote: 4-1 Date Adopted: 8/21/24 ADJOURN 3 Ms. Bouchard made a motion to adjourn at 4:47pm. This was seconded by Ms. Weatherby and passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk 9/20/24