HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-12TB 2-12-15
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TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
February 12, 2015
Present: Supervisor Mary Ann Sumner, Cl Gregory Sloan, Cl Joseph
Solomon, Cl Jason Leifer, Cl Linda Lavine
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk
Other Town Staff: Jennifer Case, Bookkeeper
Rick Case, Deputy DPW Superintendent
Supv Sumner opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
RESOLUTION #34 – APPROVE ABSTRACT #2
Cl Solomon offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #2, as audited, general
vouchers #14 through #123 ($744,140.65) and TA vouchers #31 through #33 ($57,639.94),
totaling $801,780.59.
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Abstain
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Sloan abstained because he had not had an opportunity to review the abstract.
Jennifer Case asked the board to approve payment of the bill for ancillary benefits to
the Consortium outside the abstract for an amount not to exceed $6,500.00.
RESOLUTION #35 – APPROVE PAYMENT OUTSIDE THE ABSTRACT
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves payment of the bill for ancillary
benefits to the Tompkins County Health Insurance Consortium in an amount not to exceed
$6,500.00.
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium
Don Barber, Executive Director of the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health
Insurance Consortium, presented board members with an orientation manual for the
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Consortium and information on the financial history of the Consortium from 2011 to 2014.
The Consortium currently has 2,322 contracts covering 5,157 lives. Unencumbered fund
balance at the end of the year was nine million dollars. That has allowed for a rate increase of
only 5% for 2015, when the increase for the rest of the industry is about 10%. Paid claim s for
2014 represented 93.05% of the total expenses. They are currently establishing a catastrophic
reserve fund because the consortium assumes more the risk each year. (Cl Lavine arrived at
7:20 p.m.) D Barber reviewed some sections of the orientation m anual with board members.
More information can be found on the Consortium’s web site. Actuaries have predicted within
1.3% of the actual claims in recent years.
The structure of the Consortium was created through the municipal cooperative
agreement. The agreement will be reviewed this fall as it renews every five years. Committees
of the Consortium and their function were reviewed. Supv Sumner encouraged board members
to consider serving.
There was a discussion of the Association of Towns Conference to be held next week. A
group called Reform NY Towns has been formed locally that is calling for changes in the
Association’s by-laws. The board supports the changes proposed by the group and its
delegates, Supv Sumner and Cl Lavine, will vote accordingly.
Varna Development Plan
Jim Skaley introduced Melissa Miller who read a statement from the Chair of the Varna
Community Association, Jan Morgan. In the statement , J Morgan thanked the board for
providing a wifi hotspot at the Varna Community Center. As a resident of Varna she urged the
board to continue with its efforts for safety improvements along Dryden Road in Varna. She
described the need for sidewalks and instances of a mother with a child in a stroller having to
walk along the road in the winter.
J Skaley provided board members with copies of the latest Varna News saying there is
lots of activity at the center. Community members have stated they will do what they can to
help move the sidewalk project forward. The community needs to be more cohesive and
focused for future development. I t is imperative to fix the road before there will be reasonable
development. The community is very interested and will support any of the Town’s necessary
actions. They are looking forward to what the plan is. to layout this over the last couple of
years.
Supv Sumner said the town has been affected by a planner shortage in the past year.
She has talked with DOT and the Transportation Council and is optimistic about moving this
forward. She will keep the community informed. The Highway Superintendent commented
how vicious the traffic was while trying to repair water breaks recently along Route 366 in
Varna. It was suggested that board members contact the Sheriff and ask for enforcement
there. Supv Sumner said there are three factors that are related. It may contribute to the
truck safety conversation in the City, there is a dangerous intersection, and there is major
water/sewer work in next few years that will need to be coordinated. J Skaley said we need a
professional planner to assist with this project and move it along as expeditiously as possible.
Highway Superintendent R Young reviewed the 284 agreement for 2015 with board
members. There was some discussion about the work necessary at the entrance to Genung
Circle. The portion of Yellow Barn Road to be paved is from just beyond Foot Hill Road up
about two miles. Cl Leifer noted that last year the part where “general repairs” is listed also
specifically mentioned sluices, culverts, and other things. Rick Case said that would be
included in drainage. Supv Sumner said if she had other questions she would email before
next week’s meeting.
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Supv Sumner would like an update on the work listed on the 2014 284 agreement. R
Young said there was some work that they were unable to get done and they will be trying to
get some of that done this year. He said that they had a better opportunity to look at what
needs to be done this year than they did when the 2014 agreement was prepared. The board
will act on the 284 Agreement next week.
R Young and R Case explained why they would like a credit card account for the
Highway Department, including not having to wait for delivery from a vendor who will accept a
voucher. They have been given the credit card policy, and the board will need to pass a
resolution allowing them to apply. It was pointed out that it is not to be used to avoid the
procurement policy.
There was discussion about the depth of the ditches on Mt Pleasant Road and the
current condition of German Cross Road. An electronic speed sign was placed on German
Cross Road. Data shows the average speed on the road was 47 mph. There were comments on
the safety of Highway Department employees working along Route 366.
Planning Department Vacancy – Supv Sumner said so far there is only one qualified
applicant. She is forming an interview committee. They have extended the application deadline
to February 13, so may be additional applicants. If this one does not meet their expectations,
the board can talk about hiring a planner or a senior planner instead of a planning director.
There is an eligible civil service list for both planner and senior planner. Sh e suggested that
may be the direction the board wants to go because the qualifications for planning director are
quite a bit higher. The problem that would create would be in the leadership of the department
itself. There is a little bit of conflict in the department now.
Trails webpage funding – Cl Lavine said the town has talked about doing a good trails
map on the web of trails in Dryden. The Tomkins County Trails Network is applying for a grant
from the Visitor Bureau to create a comprehensive, mobile-enabled website that would
highlight the network of all trails in the county. They would like letter of support for this
project from the board. The board agreed that Cl Lavine would write and submit that letter of
support.
Supv Sumner shared information on a training opportunity on Facilitating Effective
Participation in Public Meetings being offered through TCCOG. Board members thought that
October might be a good time to do this.
Conservation Board resolutions – Supv Sumner explained that board members have
these resolution passed by the Conservation Board and will be considering them at next week’s
meeting.
The first resolution has to do with methods and selection criteria for land protection
and acquisition by the town. Supv Sumner said this is very informative.
The second resolution is a request from the Conservation Board to shift from
coordinating the development of an open space plan to development of a natural resources
conservation plan. Supv Sumner said this is a good idea. She had hoped the various boards
would work together on each of their parts of open space planning, but that hasn’t quite come
together yet. They are each doing their job, but not under one umbrella yet. She thinks it
would be great for the Conservation Board to proceed with the conservation part of what may
someday be an open space plan.
The third resolution asks the town board to endorse the concept of developing the rail
trail from Freeville to McLean and perhaps eventually on to Cortland wher e there is a trail
associated with the Lime Hollow Nature Center. Supv Sumner said work is ramping up on the
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trail planning now, and there are a lot of other segments to work on before we get to that
section, but she thinks it would be a good idea for the board to endorse the concept.
At their last meeting the Conservation Board passed a resolution urging the town board
to respond favorably to the DEC proposal for an alternate route of the trail near the game farm.
The DEC’s recommendation is that the trail not follow the rail bed, but skirt the wooded section
of the property and that that part of the trail not allow bicycles and be more of a nature
interpretative trail. Supv Sumner said she felt this option was very unappealing and added
that the DEC has stated they will build this section subject to availability of funds. Cl Lavine
said there were limited choices and the Conservation Board felt this was the best way to
proceed. Supv Sumner said she could ask Tom Knipe from the trails network to com e and
discuss this. She was willing to fight harder for what they really want.
Cl Sloan said he would like to put pressure on the DEC from the top and he doesn’t
understand why they are holding this up. He said the roads involved are fairly narrow and
there is often a lot of runners on Stevenson Road. Game Farm Road is not really safe and to
put cyclists on a trail is so much better for everyone involved. He doesn’t understand what
their opposition is to running it down the rail bed. It was noted there is a hunting area along
that strip. Cl Lavine said the Conservation Board felt this was a worthwhile compromise and a
workable solution. Bob Beck said the reality is that this is the last game farm in New York
State and they are very concerned about losing control of that. Additionally, going through the
wooded area would require rebuilding two bridges at significant expense.
Supv Sumner would like to chat again with the trail folks before she endorses the DEC’s
idea. Charlie Smith said he sees Gordon Batcheller’s letter as an opening for discussion, not
as the final word. He understands what happens at the Gam e Farm having worked there and
could speak with people about that. The Board will consider the Conservation Board’s
resolution for next week.
Bob Beck explained they had applied to the Cornell Design Connect group in December
and have had two meetings with them. Eleven students are eager to work on the trail section
from Varna to Freeville. It needs some careful study and planning. They left out the game
farm section because of this issue. This is an eager, diverse group of graduate students from
various study areas and we will see how much they can accomplish in one semester. They
need $400 to help pay for some expenses and will submit a memorandum of understanding.
The Conservation Board would like to move forward with this and the Game Farm section at
the same time. The other missing piece is the William George Agency section from the Dryden
village to Freeville. Supv Sumner said she thinks there is an alternative. Bob Beck said it is
possible to have a connection from Dryden Lake to Freeville to Etna to Varna and on to Ithaca
in the future.
Supv Sumner will draft resolutions endorsing the recommendations of the Conservation
Board for next week.
Cl Solomon and Cl Sloan will not be at next week’s meeting. Cl Sloan asked to be on
record as supporting the Conservation Board’s requests.
Supv Sumner said on July 12, 2012 the board approved an amendment to the Bolton
Point municipal cooperation agreement to provide for financing of the Burdick Hill water tank
but failed to sign the signature page of the agreement. She asked the board to reiterate the
intent and execute the signature page.
RESOLUTION #36 – APPROVE SUPPLEMENT TO AGREEMENT OF MUNICIPAL
COOPERATION FOR CONSTRUCTION, FINANCING & OPERATION RELATED TO BURDICK
HILL TANK PROJECT
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Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, on July 12, 2012 the Town Board approved the Supplement to the Agreement
of Municipal Cooperation for Construction, Financing and operation of an Intermunicipal
Water Supply Tank and Transmission System Relating to 2012 Burdick Hill Tank Project (New
Tank No. 1) authorizing indebtedness not to exceed $200,000.00 as recorded in the minutes of
the July 12, 2012 Town Board meeting; and
Whereas, the signed Supplement to the Agreement of Municipal Cooperation is not on
file; therefore
Resolved, that the Town Board affirms its earlier approval of the S upplement to the
Agreement of Municipal Cooperation agreement and hereby executes the agreement.
2nd Cl Solomon
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
Budget discussion reserve fund policy – Supv Sumner said there are legally two types of
reserve funds. One is called specific (to save specifically for a backhoe), and the creation of
that fund is subject to permissive referendum. The other is a type fund (more general, like
equipment) created by resolution, but when the money is spent, it is subject to permissive
referendum. In the training she recently attended she learned there is a n eed to have policies
in place for reserve funds. Financial decisions can be rationalized if you have a policy in place
and are following it.
When the DPW equipment fund was created, the resolution creating it did not specify
that the plan was to budget a flat amount in DPW equipment each year, and any year in which
the expenditure was more money be taken from the reserve. If the expenditure was less than
the flat amount in a year, the excess would be returned to the reserve. This was based on a
20-year replacement plan that Jack Bush had made. The policy needs to be written down.
Supv Sumner said the recreation reserve needs to be more specific and a policy needs
to be created. It was intended to save for a major indoor recreational facility. Cl Leifer said it
can be used for more than just that, and Supv Sumner replied that it needs to be decided and
defined. A fund balance policy is one of the most important policies to create. It was stated
that the Comprehensive Plan and the Recreation Master Plan both call for a larger central
facility and other smaller neighborhood facilities. The board has not committed any regular
contributions to that fund.
Supv Sumner said one of the most important policies to be created is the fund balance
policy that would address the target fund balance and why. It could also include target
contributions to the reserves. There is also a capital projects reserve. That capital reserve was
used to pay the entire cost of the new town hall. No contributions to that fund have been made
since.
The NYS Comptrollers website has tools on its website to help wi th establishing fund
balance targets. Goals need to be established before anything else is done.
Supv Sumner would like a separate meeting for budget discussions rather than tacking
it onto the end of a regular meeting. The board discussed options, but no decision was made.
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The board will need the end of the year numbers before they can figure out a path toward
budget planning that can be reasonably complete by September. Sales tax estimates were
short this year, but 2015 is budgeted on more conservative number. Supv Sumner said the
interim preliminary report for 2014 shows that we appropriated additional fund balance, but
did not spend all that was appropriated. She would like to do some long range planning.
Budget preparation should begin with isolating the skeleton of items that we know we need to
pay and adding in department by department anything more than that. (Cl Lavine left the
meeting.) Supv Sumner would like to avoid last minute disagreements during the budget
process. Next steps are to decide on minimum fund balance for each fund and plan for a soft
landing with respect to reserve levels and tax levy.
RESOLUTION #37 (2015) – APPROVE BUDGET MODIFICATIONS
Cl Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the following budget modifications:
A FUND
Acct.# Title Amount
To A1110.1 JUSTICE 599.82
From A1110.101 JUSTICE
To A1110.4 JUSTICES CONTR 654.29
From A1110.105 COURT SECURITY
To A1430.1 GENERAL TIME 5,866.52
From A1420.402 LEGAL
To A1490.111 PUB WRKS BENEFIT 3,303.64
From A1490.1 PUB WRKS PERS SERV
To A1490.2 PUB WRKS EQUIP 8,481.65
From A1490.4 PUB WRKS CONTR
To A1620.402 BUILDINGS-UTILITIES 2,505.85
From A1620.201 BUILDINGS-EQUIP
To A1660.401 OFFICE SUPPLIES 1,226.68
From A1620.201 BUILDINGS-EQUIP
To A3510.100 DOG CONTR OFFCR 1 22.00
From A3510.101 DOG CONTR OFFCR 2
To A3510.402 DOG CONTR-KENNEL LEASE 418.00
From A3510.405 DOG CONTR-VET FEES
To A5132.4 GARAGE-CONTR 349.83
From A5182.4 ST LIGHTING-CONTR
To A7020.101 REC COORD 2,057.62
From A7020.100 REC DIRECTOR
To A7020.102 REC ADMIN PT 260.00
From A7020.201 REC ADMIN EQUIP
To A7020.401 REC ADMIN-CONTR 337.20
From A7020.210 SKATEPARK EXP
To A7330.4 COMM REC-CONTR 268.31
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From A7330.412 NYS REC EXP
To A8020.106 PLANNER 1,904.88
From A8020.102 GIS TECH
To A8030.405 CROSS TOWN WATER 18,389.65
From A8020.102 GIS TECH
To A8030.404 YBWD 36,430.23
From A1990.4 CONTINGENCY
To A8745.403 CRISPELL DAM ENG 325.00
From A8790.401 STORMWATER MNGMT
To A9040.8 WORKERS COMP 338.00
From A9030.8 SOC SEC
To A9060.8 MEDICAL INS 47,402.15
From A1990.4 CONTINGENCY 13,569.77
From A8790.404 FPIG GRANTS 23,000.00
From A7020.100 REC DIRECTOR 10,832.38
B FUND
To B1430.1 PERS SERV 1,005.70
From B3620.104 PART TIME CLERICAL
To B3620.402 CEO 1 CONTRACTUAL 241.24
From B3620.403 CEO2 CONTRACTUAL
To B8010.430 ESCROW ACCTS OTHER 5,235.00
From B3620.104 PART TIME CLERICAL 2,692.80
From B3620.201 CODE ENF EQUIP 1,760.00
From B8010.420 ZONING-ATTY FEES 782.20
To B9040.8 WORKERS COMP 901.00
From B8010.420 ZONING-ATTY FEES
To B9060.8 MEDICAL INSURANCE 4,675.76
From B1990.4 CONTINGENCY 2,333.00
From B3620.405 CAR MAINTENANCE 1,794.25
From B8010.420 ZONING-ATTY FEES 548.51
DA FUND
To DA5142.1 SNOW REM-PERS SERV OT 4,636.37
From DA5142.110 SNOW REM-PERS SERV
To DA5130.1 MACHINERY-PERS SERV 24,289.83
From DA5142.1 SNOW REM-PERS SERV 22,580.08
From DA5140.111 MISC PERS SERV BENEFIT 1,709.75
To DA5130.110 MACH PERS SERV OT 99.32
From DA5130.4 MACH CONTR
To DA5130.111 MACH PERS SERV BENEFIT 14,331.28
From DA5130.4 MACH CONTR
To DA5140.1 MISC PERS SERV 11,248.71
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From DA5130.4 MACH CONTR
To DA5140.110 MISC PERS SERV OT 4,339.18
From DA5130.4 MACH CONTR
To DA9030.8 SOC SEC 1,762.28
From DA9040.8 WORKERS COMP
To DA9089.8 MEDICARE 411.89
From DA9040.8 WORKERS COMP
DB FUND
To DB5110.1 ST MAINT PERS SERV 10,391.54
From DB5112.1 ROAD IMPR PERS SERV
To DB5110.110 ST MAINT PERS SERV OT 2,126.59
From DB5112.1 ROAD IMPR PERS SERV
To DB9030.8 SOC SEC 195.22
From DB9060.8 MEDICAL INSURANCE
To DB9040.8 WORKERS COMP 717.00
From DB9060.8 MEDICAL INSURANCE
To DB9089.8 MEDICARE 45.95
From DB9060.8 MEDICAL INSURANCE
2nd Cl Solomon
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
There being no further business, on motion made, seconded and unanimously carried,
the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk