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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-11-04TB 1 1 -4,04 i..•W3Y OF I?RYDEN TOWN BOARD MEETING Dryden Yixforge Hall November 4, 2004 Present= Supv Steven Trumbull, Cl Stephen Stelick, Jr, Cl ]Martin Christofferson, Cl Christopher Michaels, C1 Michael Hattery elected Officials. Bambi L. Hollenbeck, Town Clerk Ja.rk 13ush, Highway Superintendent Other Town Staff_ Debbie Cross, Environmental Planner Dawn Bogdan, Bookkeeper upv Trumbull led the hoard and audience in the pledge of allegiance and opened the public hearings at 7:05 p,m. '40 J 1 t X71 _ . : : ti; Ci i4 Supv Trumbull said the purpose of the heat ing is to }resent the preliminary budget for the Town of Dryden for the year 2005. There will be a period of open disciasSioTX and after the hearing is closed, the board will be able to take action. He said he feels it is a good, justifiable budget, he is comfortable with it and hopefs to adopt it as soon as possible, so they can pursue other objectives before the year ends. Cl Christofferson said he is pretty comfortable with the budgets for each department_ He is concerned about the amount of fund balance being used, and asked if that was normal, D Bogdan said it seems to be for Dryden and is cornposed partially of excess revenue. Cl Hattery said he thinks the only time it is bad is if the year to year fund balance is dropping dramatically. D Bogdan said that last year over $700,000 of fund balance was appropriated in one fund. C1 Michaels said that revenues had been underestimated in the past. Cl Christofferson said he is thinking about a new town hall and is concerned about spending from the fund baIanee, There is approximately 2 .S million fund balance in tow nwide A. Cl 14attery said he had tried to come up with an estimate of what would be available for a new town hall and it is his opinion there wouldn't be any harm in. coming up with 2 million between the reserve and fund 'balance_ Cl Michaels said it would be good for the board to articulate what it would like to see for a fund balance in the future. Cl Christofferson asked whether a line should be established in the budget for the town hall now, and D Bogdan said that could. be done by resolution appropriating the funds and a budget modification later in the year. A reserve account was established after public hearing some }'ears ago for a new town hall_ D Bogdan said there had been minor changes to the assessmen in the special districts according W the information received from the Assessment Office in September versus information received in October_ C] Christofferson said rte looked at the budget areas that have gro % %m a lot and said public works seems to have increased over the lash few years_ contractual expenditures bave doubled and equipment bas gone up four or five times. Cl Christofferson said some equipment had been moved from highway to public works_ J Bush said public wvrls is not a set amount f age 1 of 6 TB 114-04 of money each year, but whatever comes due. With respect to equipment he used the backhoe as an example saying the budget needs to reflect the $56,000 that it costs, but it gets traded for $6,000 so there will be $50,000 still in there. An industrial sewer vacuum is also included (used for cleaning out catch basins, driveway culverts, etc). Contractuals increased because of the addition on the highway garage. $40,000 was included for that in the 2004 budget. Cl Michaels asked if there was going to be a balance in the fire district budget and D Bogdan said there is. Etna Fire Department has not been paid yet and audits were not done. The proposed budget includes the amount of the fire contracts, the OSHA reimbursement, and $40,000 or so for audits. Changes made at the budget workshop were reviewed. Recreation A7020 includes $10,000 for an assistant. The equipment line for the justices was decreased from $10,000 to $2,000. Wages for the justices were left the same (3% increase). Justices have said they will get some information to the board regarding case load, etc. Cl Michaels said he would be receptive to looking at the salaries again if there were more scheduled court appearances, which would also benefit the taxpayers and the board would able to justify an increase. An increase in the burden to the taxpayers should reflect an increase in services. Cl Christofferson said it would be worth talking about after they have received the data. Justice salaries can be increased after they have been advertised, unlike other elected positions. Cl Michaels said he and Cl Steliek have been serving on the emergency services committee basically since they have been on the board. He has done a lot of reading and review and has been trying to educate himself in the field, but would characterize his knowledge at this point as "just scratching the surface of what I really feel I would need to know to be competent in evaluating the Town's emergency services." There is a 12% decrease ® in the rate of that district because last year they were playing catch -up in providing generators for fire halls, etc. He suggested that the board consider hiring expertise to help with some of these decisions and possibly creating a position of emergency services coordinator. Cl Christofferson suggested they could contract for the position. Cl Michaels said a consultant could be hired, or it could be done as a Torn employee position. This may require 15 or 20 hours per week. This person could help with analyzing response times, etc. There are advantages with hiring it out, as well as having an in -house employee. Cl Hattery said the suggestion for professional help in the area is a good one, but said the emergency services committee should talk with the chiefs about it first. Cl Christofferson said his sense is that it might not necessarily be a 15 -20 hour per week position, but rather have someone come in and take a look at an issue and the data, and give the board some feedback. He said he is in favor of the concept, but leery of creating a position and the issues that go along with that (space, supervision, etc). Cl Michaels said perhaps they should consult with someone about how much of a position is necessary and what they would do. Cl Hattery said there are some energetic and talented people in the Town's emergency services and they have been thinking about planning issues that need to be addressed and suggested they be included in discussions. Cl Stelick said he has worked closely with the people in emergency services and has discussed it with the chiefs and they believe it is a good idea. He said this Town is facing what other communities have been faced with in reduced volunteerism and increased calls. He does not think we need someone on an occasional basis, and said with the amount of time he has put into, he feels the Town needs someone who is going to be able to guide the emergency services committee and provide in -depth information that is sometimes lacking. They have worked for two years trying to level the playing field and earn some trust and that has been accomplished, but to get to the next level he feels we need the position. He suggested we put money in the budget for a consultant to assist with this. They have worked hard and the new fly car being in place in Varna is a proof of working together and he would like to enhance that Page 2 of 6 TI3 If -4 -04 40 even more. Someone working with the emergency services committee would accomplish that. He favors a consultant. Cl Michaels suggested increasing the fire protection budget by $25,000 ($20,000 for whatever position the Town may end up with on a regular basis, and $5,000 for the initial study/ assessment). The board agreed to this change. D Bogdan said this will result in a rate increase for the fire protection district of just about five cents, still less than last year's rate. Cl Stelick said the communications with the fire departments is good right now, and this will help insure that continues in the future. Cl Hattery said he felt there were a number of items currently in the town -wide portion of the budget that he felt should be charged only to the town outside village portion. He would like to begin moving some of those items this year. He said there are adequate sales tax revenues to compensate for moving some of these items and there would be no impact on the tax rate. Cl Hattery said he feels that people who benefit from services should pay for services, and there are a number of things in the budget that could be looked at: this way, that basically everything but bridges should be moved to town outside. After discussion, the board decided they would not do it this year, and investigate why it has been done this way and how it would affect the whole picture. They will examine this issue prior to budget season next year, as well as creating a reserve fund for highway equipment. Cl Michaels said he thought paying the Supervisor's position $1 5,000 per year for what is essentially a full time job means the only people who can run for the position are those that are retired or independently wealthy. He would strongly advocate increasing the salary for next year and would like to discuss that prior to the time that candidates are chosen. Cl Christofferson wondered how many people would leave a full time job for a two -year term. Cl ® Hattery said that some towns have created a separate administrative position and established a salary for that position, and that position could be assigned to the Supervisor at the board's discretion, effectively increasing the salary. Cl Michaels said he didn't feel there was any equity between the Supervisor's salary and that of board members. Cl Christofferson said the personnel committee had looked at salaries for Supervisors and there are great differences. Cl Michaels said what other Towns are paying its Supervisors has very little impact on his thinking. Cl Stelick said he agrees this is a full time position and proposed the personnel committee work on it. Cl Michaels said he likes the idea of creating an additional administrative position to combine with the Supervisor's position, at the board's discretion. Cl Michaels said he would Like a decision made on this issue by April or May, and may also consider changing the term from two years to four years. Cl Stelick confirmed there was an appropriation in the budget toward completion of the ball fields on Wall Street. With respect: to ice /water rescue equipment for the fire departments, Atty Perkins has advised that this must come from the Fire Protection budget. Cl Christofferson said he would like the fire department as a whole to request this equipment from the Town. He understands that the fire department board feels that they have requested a fair amount for their budget and they don't to over inflate what they are requesting, but there are some members who believe there is a need for the ice /water rescue equipment. C1 Christofferson said he feels there is a need for this emergency services equipment, but does not want to be in the middle of the fire department board and the fire chief. After further discussion, the board decided to include the amount ($8,500) in the budget and let the department know that the funds were available if they decide they want it in their contract. This would make a total increase in the fire protection district of $33,500, with the tax rate for the fire protection district still less than it • was last year. Cl Michaels and C1 Christofferson asked that the contracts be available for review at the next town board meeting. Psae 3 of 6 'I'S 1 1 -4 -04 The budget for Natural Resources and the aquifer study was reviewed and no changes were made. D Bogdan confirmed that the changes the board was requesting was that A7020.1 (Recreation) would be increased by $2,000 to $42,000 and the fire protection district ($F1 3410.4) be increased by $33,500 to $683,339. Supv Trumbull closed the public hearings at 8:50 p.m. RESOLUTION #156 - ADOPT SPECIAL DISTRICT as ASSESSMENT ROLLS Cl Christofferson offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board does hereby adopt the Special District and Assessment Rolls for the Town of Dryden for 2005. 2nd Supv Trumbull Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes Cl Christofferson Yes Supv Trumbull Yes Cl Michaels Yes Cl Hattery Yes RESOLUTION #157 - ADOPT 2005 GENERAL BUDGET Cl Christofferson offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby adopts the preliminary general budget, as amended, as the Town of Dryden's general budget for 2005. 2nd Cl Stelick Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes Cl Christofferson Yes Supv Trumbull Yes Cl Michaels Yes Cl Hattery Yes RESOLUTION #158 - ADOPT SPECIAL DISTRICTS BUDGET Cl Christofferson offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby adopts the preliminary special districts budget as the Town of Dryden's special districts budget for 2005. 2nd Cl Michaels Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes Cl Christofferson Yes Supv Trumbull Yes CI Michaels Yes Cl Hattery Yes Page 4 of 6 TB 1141 04 RESOLUTION # 159 - DESIGNATION OF TOWN CLERK TO OPEN TEST WELL DRILLING BIDS Cl Christofferson offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: Whereas General Municipal Law, Section 103, provides that the Town Board may by resolution designate any officer or employee to open bids at the time and place specified in the notice of advertisement for bids, and Whereas the Town of Dryden, in cooperation with the United States Geological Survey, is conducting a ground -water investigation in the Virgil Creek Valley, and Whereas the Town has posted an advertisement of an invitation to bid for the drilling of test well(s), and will be receiving sealed bids at the Dryden Town Hall, 65 East Main Street, Dryden, New York until 3:00 P.M. Wednesday November 10, 2004, Now, therefore, be it resolved that: The Town Board designates the Town Clerk, Bambi L. Hollenbeck, to publicly open and read bids at the time and place specified above, and The Town Environmental Planner shall prepare a summary of the bids received to present to the Town Board at the November 11, 2004 meeting. 2n" Cl Hattery Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes CI Christofferson Yes Supv Trumbull Yes Cl Michaels Yes C1 Hattery Yes The bookkeeper has informed the board that the New York State Comptroller's office recommends paying employees on a bi- weekly basis as it is less costly and more efficient to do so. RESOLUTION # 160 - CHANGE TO BI- WEEKLY PAYROLL Cl Christofferson offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden currently pays some employees every week and others on a biweekly basis, and WHEREAS, it is more efficient to have all Town employees on the same pay schedule, Now, be it therefore RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby changes the pay schedule so that all employees are paid bi- weekly. This will go into effect with the first biweekly payroll in December (December 9, 2004). The Town will no longer pay any employees on a weekly basis. 2,10 Supv Trumbull Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes Page 5 of 6 TB 114-04 isCl Christofferson Yes Supv Trumbull Yes Cl Michaels Yes Cl Hattery Yes On motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bambi L. Hollenbeck Town Clerk Page 6 of 6