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Home My WebLink About2021-11-04TB 11-4-21 Page 1 of 3 TOWN OF DRYDEN SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING November 4, 2021 Zoom Hybrid Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl James Skaley, Cl Loren Sparling, Cl Leonardo Vargas-Mendez Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk Rick Young, Highway/DPW Superintendent Other Town Staff: Amanda Anderson, Bookkeeper Supv Leifer opened the meeting and public hearings at 6:00 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2022 TOWN BUDGET 2022 SPECIAL DISTRICTS BUDGETS FIRE AND AMBULANCE CONTRACTS Supv Leifer said the preliminary budget for the four main funds being considered contains a 2% tax rate increase. The town did pass a local law allowing it to override the tax levy cap in the event it was necessary for any of the special districts. He asked for public comment. Nikola Danev, Assistant EMS Chief of the Varna Fire Department, thanked Cl Skaley and Cl Vargas-Mendez, who helped them work on their budget. The department has grown from 26 to 51 active members. They have 22 EMTs ready to respond, have developed a better training program, and have new leadership. All members thanked the Town Board for the budget increase in the proposed budget and the help over the past year. Their budget is up $15,000 from 2021. Cl Skaley said they had initially asked for a $100,000 one time request and have reconfigured what they are planning to do. There is variability across the departments that needs to be addressed. They have increased membership considerably and that requires additional training and gear. N Danev said they have recruited members who will stay at least 2 and maybe 3 years. They have started utilizing the bunk house, are enthusiastic and several have signed up for the advanced EMT class and hope to bring Varna back an advanced life support organization. They are doing on-going continual recruitment, are working closely with Cornell EMS and other organizations and can retain these people and keep them longer. They are proud that they have increased the membership, and yes, costs will increase due to training and necessary gear. He expects larger membership numbers next year. Tiffany Ho said they have 12 firefighters who are interested in taking the county firefighting class next year. One new member is already interior certified through New York State. They are expecting more firefighters in the next semester. There was discussion regarding training for new personnel and the ability to open training opportunities across departments. Cl Lamb noted the fire coordinator will be able to help make that happen. TB 11-4-21 Page 2 of 3 Cl Skaley asked that Varna investigate refinancing the mortgage on the bunker and make it a priority. The public hearings were left open at 6:38 p.m. HIGHWAY/DPW DEPARTMENT Last month the board approved the purchase of two Western Star trucks and R Young asked that the resolution be amended. He was able to order one truck and was told if he ordered the second, it would not be available for delivery until late next year. They have a Freightliner that is equivalent and a little less expensive. He would like the resolution amended to allow for that. RESOLUTION #176 (2021) – AMEND RESOLUTION #148 REGARDING PURCHASE OF TRUCKS Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this board hereby amends Resolution #148 to reflect the purchase of one 2023 Western Star cab and chassis and one 2023 Freightliner cab and chassis. 2nd Cl Skaley Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Supv Leifer closed the public hearings at 6:41 p.m. RESOLUTION #177 (2021) – ADOPT 2022 ASSESSMENT AND SPECIAL DISTRICT ROLLS Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby adopts the Special District and Assessment Rolls for the Town of Dryden for 2022. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes RESOLUTION #178 (2021) – ADOPT 2022 BUDGET AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS BUDGETS Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby adopts the preliminary general budget as presented as the Town of Dryden’s general budget for 2022, and it is further RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby adopts the preliminary special districts budgets as the Town of Dryden special districts budgets for 2022. 2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez TB 11-4-21 Page 3 of 3 Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes RESOLUTION #179 (2021) – AUTHORIZE FIRE AND AMBULANCE CONTRACTS Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the following fire and ambulance contracts for 2022 for the amounts listed and authorizes the Supervisor to execute the same: Neptune Hose Company No. 1 of Dryden, Inc. $491,000 Varna Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. 316,337 W.B. Strong Fire Company of Freeville, Inc. 188,900 Etna Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. 182,000 Brooktondale Fire Department 29,561 Dryden Ambulance, Inc. 891,044 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes RESOLUTION #180 (2021) – RELEVY DELINQUENT WATER/SEWER AMOUNTS Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the relevy of unpaid water and sewer bills to the 2022 real property tax bills. The amount relevied will be the outstanding balance on any account prior to the October billing, and property owners will be m ailed a letter advising them of the date by which payment must be received (at least 30 days from the date of the letter) in order to avoid having the amount due added to their property tax bill. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bambi L. Avery Town Clerk