Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB 2020-07-22 DRAFT MinutesDRAFT-Pending Board Approval Town Board_Minutes_20 200722 • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 Page PAGE 4 of NUMPAGES 4 Danby Town Board Minutes of Regular Meeting July 22, 2020, 7pm, via Zoom Videoconferencing Present: Councilpersons: Leslie Connors, Joel Gagnon (Supervisor), Jim Holahan, Sarah Schnabel, Matt Ulinski Others Present: Town Clerk Alexandra Pfeifer Justices’ Garry Huddle and There sa Klinger Bookkeeper Laura Shawley Planner Jason Haremza Public Ronda Roaring, Pat Woodworth, Ted Cra ne, Katharine Hunter Meeting Opened at 7:01 pm Additions and Deletions to the Agenda Laura Shawley requested that the clarifying resolution re: the highway department software be done before the warrants. Correspondence The following message, sent via email, and entitled “Roy Casterline and the moldy docs” was sent to members of the TB, Town Clerk, Jason Haremza, and Steve Cortright on July 19, 2020 at 11:04am. Town Board: Backstory: A number of years ago, Roy Casterline was part of the group that managed the West Danby Water District and his wife (:-( ) was the treasurer. (I believe that was what she was called.) She died, and then he died about three months later. In thei r basement were found plastic trash bags of WDWD docs. I later asked Mary Ann what happened to those docs and her response was, "Oh, they were so moldy I had to throw them out." When I was in my 20s, I worked for Stromberg -Carlson in Rochester in the blueprint department. The engineers (all male) would requisition a blueprint; the blueprint dept. (all female) would pull the blueprint and copy it and sign the copy out to the engineer. He would then return the blueprint copy and it would be listed as signed in. (There was actually a history of the use of each blueprint.) The original blueprints were never allowed to leave the dept. as they were property of the company. And nothing wa s allowed to be taken home. Since Ric gave up his office in the Town Hall, the supervisor has worked from home. I certainly don't worry about Joel putting Town docs in plastic trash bags, but I do worry about things like fires, and lost docs in general. This goes for all employees, n ot just Joel, including the WDWD, Planning, etc. I would like to see the Town, in its perpetual quest to be more professional, come up with a policy for taking Town docs home. I do think there needs to be a system where the Town can trace documents. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Ronda Roaring Privilege of the Floor Ronda Roaring commented that two people were bitten by dogs this past week that were running loose. She offered to educate the Danby residents about the dog laws and the contract the Town has with the SPCA; all in conjunction with the SPCA, by writing a se ries of articles re: dogs in Danby in the DAN. She asked for authorization from the TB in order to write the articles, as to give her voice more weight when it came to these matters. Garry Huddle said that he and Justice Klinger spoke to Cortright about the grant application that is due in September re: putting in the handicapped doorways and ramp to state specifications, and how these improvements would be a benefit to the town. Huddle reminded the TB that they have 180 days (or until next February -March) to spend the funds. Matt Ulinski mentioned that he has a link from Gary Stewart of Cornell re: the school’s re -activation process. He also told Sarah “good work” on the Town webpage (www.townofdanbyny.org) DRAFT-Pending Board Approval Town Board_Minutes_20 200722 • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 Page PAGE 4 of NUMPAGES 4 Ted Crane had information re: the broadband committee and how he hopes that he can be a part of it/consulted with in conjunction with it. He said that he has had communication with Chuck Barthoff from Clarity Connect and that this broadband isn’t actually considered “broadband” because it is only 6 mb/minute, while FEC requirements are that it should be 25 mb/minute. He also said that he is not an ideal provider because so far the broadband has only been provided for those residents who live on Michigan Hollow and Curtis Rd. Crane reiterated that he wishes to be part of the committee to help look for better solutions to Danby’s limited broadband options. Crane also voiced his opinion on changing the highway superintendent residency requirements. He said that he has spoken to four residents of Danby that are interested in the position, and hopes that the TB does not go forward with this change. Approve Minutes RESOLUTION NO. 72 OF 2020-APPROVE MINUTES Moved, That the Town Board of the Town of Danby approves the minutes of April 6, April 13, April 27 and May 11, 2020.. Moved by Schnabel, Second by Holahan. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Schnabel, Ulinski, Gagnon Resolution Amending Highway Department Diagnostic Software Purchase Resolution No. 73 of 2020 -TO AMEND RESOLUTION NUMBER 64 TO CLARIFY THE INTENT TO PAY FOR A SUBSCRIPTION TO THE DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE SERVICE AND NOT A PURCHASE OF SOFTWARE Whereas: the Highway Department does the maintenance on six International trucks. The engines are computerized and diagnostics must be performed to detect problems. Whereas: it is necessary to upgrade and subscribe to the computer software for detection of problems for these systems and the upgrade was not budgeted for 2020. Resolved, the Town Board approves the renewal of the subscription of the computerized diagnostic software from Stadium International Trucks, Inc. for the period of August 17, 2020 to August 17,2021. The cost of this subscription is $1,855.00 and will be paid out of the fund balance of the Highway Fund. Moved by Ulinski, Second by Connors. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Schnabel, Ulinski, Gagnon Warrants RESOLUTION NO . 74 OF 2020-HIGHWAY FUND #133-143 for a total of $20,096.20 Moved by Holahan, Second by Ulinski. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Schnabel, Ulinski, Gagnon RESOLUTION NO . 75 OF 2020-W EST DANBY WATER DISTRICT F UND #21-22 for a total $433.54 Moved by Holahan, Second by Ulinski. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Schnabel, Ulinski, Gagnon RESOLUTION NO . 76 OF 2020-G ENERAL FUND #257-271 for a total $17,464.48 Moved by Connors, Second by Ulinski. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Schnabel, Ulinski, Gagnon WVPP (Workplace Violence Policies and Procedures) Update Ulinski reported that he made edits to the documents from everyone’s comments. One of the changes was to edit the review of the policy from annually to periodically. Most of the edits had to do with wording of the document--namely “legalese” and a paragraph heading that did not make much sense considering the context of the paragraph. Ulinski said that he would talk to Gina Lord re: the problematic paragraph and that the policy would be reviewed again in August during the next meeting of the Workplace Viole nce TAT (threat assessment team). DRAFT-Pending Board Approval Town Board_Minutes_20 200722 • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 Page PAGE 4 of NUMPAGES 4 Flag Policy Ulinksi said that he would rewrite and resubmit the Flag Policy to the board and bring it back to the August meeting so that it could be approved by the board. A discussion ensued re: where flags were mounted and if any other flags besides the American fla g could be flown in front of the Court. Huddle responded and said that only the American flag could be flown in front of the Court, so as to not show any partisan ship. He gave an example; citing that since the Town of Dryden’s entrance is to both the Court and the Town Hall, while court is in session, the Justice has to take down the signs on the property that are not the American flag, and then replace them when the court is not in session. In light of this example, it was decided by the TB that the Flag Policy does not apply to the Town Court. CEC (Clean Energy Consortium) Update Holahan reported that the grant for repairs is 100k, which the Town is receiving in parts. Holahan received bids from four different contractors, with some overlaps on the energy saving measures being done at the Highway Department. He said that the new ga rage doors are installed, and that he re - negotiated for HVAC work through HALCO. Holahan then moved onto the highway department septic system, and how there is a saltwater tank and a freshwater tank. The solution for fixing the septic system (replacing the saltwater tank so that salt does not seep into the wetlands), is that one tank will be eliminated, and a new tank will be re -installed. Holahan is hoping that all of these energy measures will be completed by early fall (September). When asked by Ulinksi about the how many bids were required and what would happen if HALCO was the only bid, Holahan replied that HALCO was the only bid and that he was unable to find anyone to do the project. He said that the procurement policy allowed that bids underneath the 35k threshold did not require bids. Holahan said that he would check with the grant agency to make sure that the HALCO bid was appropriate and was approved. Amending Zoning Ordinance/Public Hearing Discussion Haremza explained that the Local Law to change the Zoning Ordinance is pretty straightforward, as it is striking out six clauses (“uses similar to”) dealing with Special Permits. He added that the PB approved a Resolution removing the sentences, that he go t the Town Attorney’s okay, and that this was suggested by the previous planner, CJ Randall, as well. The suggested date for the Public Hearing was September 14th, and that the board would set the date next meeting. Huddle voiced his concerns about those residents not having internet access being able to attend a Public Hearing, and how he wants the TB to wait until meetings can be held in person again at the Town Hall to hold a Public Hearing. When the suggestion rose of people going to the Town Hall parking lot for internet access, Huddle replied that they were not going to do that. Haremza Expanding Highway Superintendent Residency Requirement During this discussion re: expanding the Superintendent Residency requirements, a motion was called (by Shnabel), but later withdrawn (also by Schnabel) after talking about the logistics of holding a public hearing, which happens to be a controversial subj ect, was discussed. Setting the public hearing would take place next month, in order to further the discussion both of how to hold a public hearing, and also to allow more time for the public to be aware and educated of the issue. Before this action occurred, Gagnon gave the background of how the residents rejected changing the position from elected to appointed twice, and did not get on the ballot once because it did not get past the public hearing stage. These occurred in 2013, 20 15, and 2017. The board is pursuing it again, but as a step that would not change the position to appointed, but would also allow a larger pool to run for the elected position. Shawley was asked where the employees of the Highway Department live. She responded that one lives in Danby/Willseyville, one lives in Enfield, and the rest live in Candor. If given the opportunity, this gives a chance for those who have worked for the Tow n for many years a chance to advance in their careers. Broadband Committee Update Gagnon announced that he began a broadband committee and appointed Schnabel as chair. Ric Dietrich and Ted Crane voiced their interest in joining, as well. There was talk if the smaller towns in TC (Caroline, Newfield, Enfieild, Danby) could form a joint committee in order to have more resources to put pressure on the County, State, etc. Updike Rd. Update DRAFT-Pending Board Approval Town Board_Minutes_20 200722 • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 Page PAGE 4 of NUMPAGES 4 Holahan reported that he spoke to Shawley re: this project. Shawley gave more information, stating that the Town received its CHIPS check, but is still waiting to receive a letter re: the receipt of the check. Shawley also talked about Marsh Rd., which needs a new base and ditching on the side of the road. The estimated cost for this is 65 -75k. Shawley also mentioned that there is 215k (of the CHIPs money) left this year, and that she is hoping to get a reimbursement check between Sept -Nov. Shawley also ex plained how the CHIPS processed worked--the money to pay for the roads came out of the Highway Fund and General Fund, and then was reimbursed by NYS. She also said that the Highway Department prioritizes which roads need paving, etc., and the Highway Dept. has a plan for which roads get paved when. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9 :48 pm. ______________________________________ Pamela Goddard, Town Clerk