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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 1/19/19811 I MINUTES of a Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga Heights held January 19, 1981 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall. PRESENT: Mayor ABSENT: F.G. Marcham Trustees David Allee Ronald Anderson Shailer Philbrick David Pimentel Jean Robinson Attorney Treasurer Engineer /Z.O. Police Chief Trustee Roger Sovocool Gordon Wheeler John Rogers Harlin MCEwen Stanley Warren OTHERS PRESENT: Fire Department members John Patte and Francis Miller; Century 21 representative; Joyce Condit; David Taube; Mr. and Mrs. Matyas; Dr. Salerno; Mrs. Gnuse; and Pat Braus, Ithaca Journal representative. Mayor Marcham called the meeting to order stating that the Board would act on several items which appeared on the Agenda and would then focus its attention to matters concerning the use of the Cayuga Heights School. Motion made by Trustee Philbrick, seconded by Trustee Pimentel: VOTED to approve the minutes of a regular meeting held December 15, 1980 as previously furnished Trustees in mimeographed form with corrections as follows: to use "Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission" in place -of "Water Department" and also to insert the word. "correct" between the words "ordinary" and "routine" in describing the operation of plowing snow off streets. Unanimously passed. r � Motion made by Trustee Pimentel, seconded by Trustee Anderson: VOTED to approve the Abstract of Audited Vouchers dated January 19, 1981 in the following amounts: General Fund.... $18,118.88; Sewer Fund — $24,672.37. Unanimously passed. r Mayor Marcham gave his report and it is on file in the Village Office. 1/19/81 4 Mayor Marcham read a letter from Joyce Condit, Administrator of the Stanley H. Kaplan Educational Center, test preparation specialists, concerning the firm's application to rent space in the Cayuga Heights School. The application, the Mayor Stated, raises a more serious question of the potential use of the parking area rather than use of the building itself. The Board was not satisfied with the sketch of the parking layout provided by Mr. Butler, and stated that the number of parking spaces indicated on the sketch seemed too high. They felt also that the figures and times of use that the School Adminstration had provided did not show a clear pattern of use. Ms Condit summarized the schedule of classes which will be conducted by the Educational Center stating that wekends, especially Sundays during certain months of the year, would be peak times. Her figures were maximum estimates, she stated, since the Kaplan firm has not had a permanent center in the•Ithaca area. Several residents raised the question why the Village Board had not made application on the part of the Village for use of the building or playground. The Mayor is instructed to write to Mr. Lindenbaum re- questing further information as soon as possible so that the Board may make a firm judgment on the Kaplan application. Motion made by Trustee Pimentel, seconded by Trustee Philbrick: RESOLUTION 3138 - MAYOR TO 14RITE LINDENBAUM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VOTED to instruct the Mayor to write to Mr. Gary Lindenbaum, Business Manager, Ithaca City School District, requesting that he supply the Village Trustees with the follow- ing items of information: a map of the parking area prepared by a professional who understands problems of turning and backing out and similar matters and also a blocked -out or schematized pattern showing hour by hour and day by day the potential use of the school property for parking purposes; further, to inform him that the Board takes the position that the existing parking area is not to be expanded. Unanimously passed. x Mayor Marcham read letters from the following: Mrs: Janet Burt, who wishes reim- bursement for a laundry charge and replacement of an undervest when a load of laundry which we had washed was ruined due to rust in the washwater caused by the flusing of wtaer lines in her vicinity; Mr. Scott Elledge, who alleges that his water meter was not read until several days after his request, thereby causing him and the previous property owner a problem in settling the water bill in a "business- like" and equitable manner; and Mr. James Fries, who objects to paying his last quarterly water use bill plus special reading charge because he states no one was living in the house during the months for which he is billed. Motion made by Trustee Pimentel, seconded by Trustee Robinson: RESOLUTION 3139 - 'REIMBURSE JANET BURT FOR RUINED LAUNDRY VOTED to pay Mrs. Janet Burt $20.00 for reimbursement of a laundry bill and replace- ment of an undervest when a load of laundry was ruined due to rust in the washwater, and further, to inform SCLIWC of the matter and ask that they review their procedure in notifying residents when the water in their vicinity will be turned off. Unanimously passed. 1/19/81 1 Motion made by Trustee Anderson, seconded by Trustee Robinson: RESOLUTION 3140 - DENY REQUEST OF SCOTT ELLEDGE FORIEIMBURSEMENT OF SPECIAL READING CHARGE VOTED to deny Mr. Scott Elledge's request for reimbursement of a $15.00 special reading charge, due to the fact that the Water Commission had responded to an order for a special reading and found no one at home; consequently, the charge is an appropriate one. Unanimously passed. Motion made by Trustee Anderson, seconded by Trustee Philbrick: RESOLUTION 3141 - JAMES FRIES' WATER BILL APPROPRIATE CHARGE VOTED that in response to Mr. James Fries' request that his water bill be waived, it is the Board's decision that his minimum usage water bill is an appropriate charge as is the special reading charge which is a standard procedure at a time when property changes ownership, and further that Mr. Fries is obligated to pay this bill. Unanimously passed. Motion made by Trustee Robinson, seconded by Trustee Pimentel: RESOLUTION 3142 - APPOINT IRENE ROMA TO LOCAL ADVISORY BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW VOTED to appoint Irene Homa to the Local Advisory Board of Assessment Review. Unanimously passed. Notion made by Trustee Robinson, seconded by Trustee Allee: RESOLUTION 3143 - INSPECTORS OF ELECTION VOTED to approve the Mayor's appointment of Inspectors of Election as follows: Irene Home as Chairman and Ann Cappucci as the other Inspector of Election.' Clara Daino is alternate.' Unanimously passed. Motion made by Trustee Anderson, seconded by Trustee Robinson: RESOLUTION 3144 - REGISTRATION AND ELECTION TIMES AND DATES VOTED that Registration Day shall be Saturday, February 28, 1981 between the hours of 12:00 noon and 9:00 p.m. in the Village Hall, 836 Hanshaw Road. Unanimously passed. Rd 1/19/81 A Motion made by Trustee Robinson, seconded by Trustee Allee: RESOLUTION 3145 - ANNUAL MEETING DATE VOTED to hold the Annual Residents' Meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 1981 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall to hear the annual reports of the various departments of the Village. Unanimously passed. Report of the Fire Department was presented by John Patte and is on file in the Village Office. Motion made by Trustee Anderson, seconded by Trustee Philbrick: RESOLUTION 3146 - APPROVE FIRE DEPARTMENT PURCHASE VOTED to authorize the purchase-by the Fire Department of materials for automatic heat shutoffs at a cost not to exceed $340.00, and to be installed by firemen.' Unanimously passed. Motion made by Trustee Pimentel, seconded by Trustee Anderson: RESOLUTION 3147 = APPROVE FIRE DEPARTMENT PURCHASE VOTED to authorize the purchase by the Fire Department of two security locks for the front and back doors of the building and also to purchase materials to change the bumblers on three other doors. The total cost of these purchases is not to exceed'$504.00.. Unanimously passed. x Mr. Patte noted that certain bathroom fixtures in the resident driver's apartment at the Fire House need to be replaced. He will obtain several estimates for this work and will present them at the next meeting. Treasurer Wheeler presented the six months' report focusing on the substantial decline of the Village share of the County's sales tax receipts for the second and third quarters of 1980. He stated he had written.to County Administrator, John Murphy, expressing his concern regarding this and asked for an explanation. Mr. Murphy's response will be related to the Board at the next meeting. Motion made by Trustee Anderson, seconded by Trustee Philbrick: RESOLUTION 3148 - APPROVE TREASURER'S SIX MONTHS' REPORT VOTED to approve the Treasurer's six months' report and place it on file in the Village Office. Unanimously passed. 1/19/81 Motion made by Trustee Anderson, seconded by Trustee Philbrick: RESOLUTION 3149 - APPROVE TRANSFERS VOTED to approve the following transfers: GENERAL FUND TO FROM $'S A1620.5 V.H. Other Expense A1990.0 'Contingency 500.00 A1920.0 Municipal Assoc. Dues A1990.0 Contingency 600.00 A3120.51 P.D. Supplies A1990.0 Contingency 40.00 A5142.5 Snow Removal Other Expense A1990.0 Contingency 100.00 A8510.5 Sidewalks A1990.0 Contingency 200.00 A9550.0 Loan to Capital Fund A1990.0 Contingency 43,615.00 A5110.21 Streets Equipment Maint A5110.4 Streets Contr Services 1,000.00 SEWER FUND G8120.51 S.L. Supplies G8132.0 Refund Sewer Rents G1990.0 Contingency G1990.0 Contingency 1,000.00 25.00 Unanimously passed. * +� Treasurer Wheeler reported that he had written to U.S. Congressman and Senators at the recommendation of Edward Regan, NYS Comptroller, to protest the recent I.R.S. Rule which provides that commercial banks holding municipal time deposits can no longer use the interest payable on the deposits for tax deduction purposes. He described the effects this ruling will have on the Village in relation to interest'' earned on time deposits. Mr. Wheeler will keep the Board informed. Treasurer Wheeler reported that the New York State Conference of Mayors is consider- ing offering a program of Public Officials Liability Insurance, and when he receives more information, -it will be presented to the Board. Motion made by Trustee Robinson, seconded by Trustee Allee: RESOLUTION 3150 - TAX WARRANT VOTED that the Treasurer has returned the 1980 Tax Warrant and Account of Uncol- lected Taxes filed with the Clerk as required by Real Property Tax Law. The Trustees have certified the list of unpaid taxes as presented by the Certificate of the Treasurer and filed the same with the Clerk showing a balance of $2,846.76 without penalties. The Trastees returned the account of unpaid taxes to the Treasurer for collection as required by Real Property Tax Law in the amount of $2,846.76. Unanimously passed. Motion made by Trustee Robinson, seconded by Trustee Anderson: RESOLUTION 3151 - TAX SALE VOTED that the unpaid taxes on properties on LIST OF OVERTUE TAXES AS OF JANUARY 19, 1981, be advertised for sale in issues of the official newspaper on January 24, 31, and February 7, 1981, to recover unpaid taxes in the amount of $2,846.76 as listed. The Tax Sale is to be held at 10:00 a.m., February 14, 1981 in the Village Hall. Unanimously passed. Discussion ensued concerning Village responsibility for plumber's charges in cases where it is demonstrated that the blockage in a sewer main is the cause of sewage backup onto private property. The Board established a limit of $50.00'a9 a reason- able amount the Village would pay toward plumbers' charges in such instances. It was suggested that the Engineer issue a statement to Ithaca Plumbers ddvising them of the new Village policy. Motion made by Trustee Pimentel, seconded by Trustee Allee: RESOLUTION 3152 - VILLAGE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRST $50 IF SEWER BLOCK IS IN MAIN VOTED that when a plumber is called in by a property owner to determine whether a sewer blockage is in the Village main or in a private sewage lateral, the Village will pay up to $50 of the plumber's charges if the plumber determines that the . blockage is in the Village main. Unanimously passed. * * r Motion made by Trustee Pimentel, seconded by Trustee Anderson: RESOLUTION 3153 - VILLAGE TO PAY $50 TO MARTIN ALEXANDER TOWARD PLUMBING BILL VOTED to pay a sum of $50 to Martin Alexander as compensation for the services of a plumber who determined that the sewage backup in Mr. Alexander's lateral was caused by a blockage in the Village main. Unanimously passed. In response to a recent memo from Mayor Marcham questioning the taxable status of the Cayuga Heights School, Attorney Sovocool stated that the keyword is 'ownership" if the school owns the property, it continues to be tax exempt at all times, even if it rents the property to profit- making institutions. Chief McEWen gave his report and it is on file in the Village Office. Engineer Rogers gave his report and it is on file in the Village Office. Mr. Rogers reported that Steven Oltz, after twenty years of service with the Village, will retire on January 31st. Motion made by Trustee Allee, seconded by Trustee Anderson: RESOLUTION 3154 - RECOGNITION OF FAITHFUL SERVICE OF STEVEN OLTZ VOTED to enter into the minutes, acknowledgment of the long and faithful service of Steven Oltz to the Village for the period from March 1, 1960 to January 31, 1981 and to instruct Mayor Marcham to write to Mr. Oltz to convey to him a sense of the gratitude of the Board and of the Villagers of Cayuga Heights for his service. Unanimously passed. 1/19/81 d 1 9, AA Engineer Rogers reported that he has discovered that the east boundary of the Village map does not coincide with the Assessment Department's tax map and felt the matter should be resolved. Attorney Roger Sovocool pointed out thattwo surveys have been made to establish the line, and he will provide the Engineer with the pertinent informa- tion before an estimate to have it surveyed is obtained. Engineer Rogers reported that due to the retirement of Steven Oltz at the end of the January, a vacancy will occur in the work force and recommended the rehiring of Michael Coyle. Motion made by Trustee Anderson, seconded by Trustee Pimentel: RESOLUTION 3155 - REHIRE MICHAEL COYLEQN PROBATIONARY BASIS VOTED to authorize the employment as of February 1, 1981, of Michael Coyle as laborer for a three -month probationary period at an annual salary of $7,000, sub - ject to a medical examination. Unanimously passed. Attorney Sovocool suggested that in accordance with the recently passed New York State Laws relating to Occupational Safety and Health, it might be wise to have an inspection made of the Village barn, and possibly the sewer plant also, to show we are meeting standard safety measurers. Eugene Dymek will be asked if he will make this inspection and file a report. After discussion relative to sewer district charges, it was the decision of the Board that current land assessment figures be used as a basis for these charges in the future. Motion made by Trustee Anderson, seconded by Trustee Pimentel: RESOLUTION 3156 - RESCIND RESOLUTION 838 DATED 2/14/66 VOTED to rescind REsolution No. 838 - 1966 Land Assessment for Sewer Charges, establishing 1966 land assessment figures as a basis for all future sewer charges. Unanimously passed. Motion made by Trustee Anderson, seconded by Trustee Pimentel: RESOLUTION 3157 - USE CURRENT LAND FOR SEWER DISTRICT CHARGES VOTED that the sewer assessment charges will be based on current land assessment figures as established by the.Assessment Department. Unanimously passed. Meeting adjourned at.10:55 P.M. Anne Krohto Village Clerk 1/19/81