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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-07-07 11 TOWN OF ENFIELD TOWN BOARD MINUTES • JULY 7 , 1993 The regular meeting of the Enfield Town Board was called to order at 7 : 34 p .m. with the following members present : PRESENT: Jean Owens , Supervisor Robert Linton, Councilman Pat Dougherty, Councilman Linda VanNederynen, Councilman EXCUSED: Donald Lovelace, Councilman OTHERS PRESENT: Ronald Updike, Highway Superintendent M. Clyde Hubbell , Town Historian Betty F. Poole, Interim Town Clerk John- Smith, Cemetery Committee Peter Meskill , Candidate f-or Tompkins County Board of Representatives Karl Heck, T. C. Planning Department Marnie Kirchgessner, Enfield Community Council Greg Kirchgessner, Enfield Volunteer Fire Dept . PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Supervisor led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. The Supervisor addressed those in attendance and requested that anyone wishing to speak to please limit themselves due to the extremely hot weather . APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE JUNE 2 , 1993 REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING AND JUNE 9, 1993, SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING Councilman Dougherty noted that in the June 9, 1993 Special Town Board minutes, in the fourth paragraph, Councilman Linton' s name appears as making the motion and also seconded the motion. The resolution should read as Councilman Linton making the motion with • Councilman Lovelace as seconding the motion. Councilman Dougherty also noted that on page 4 , first line of the June 2 , 1993 minutes , the word hitting should be changed to hiring . Councilman Linton pointed out that according to law, the term "Councilman" must be used in the minutes of the meeting. It has been discussed extensively in the past that "Councilwoman" would 12 ENFIELD T .B . MINUTES 2 JULY 7 , 1993 not be used. Councilman Linton asked as to why it is necessary to • write "Councilperson or Councilman" every time? Betty Poole, Town Clerk remarked that there is no reason that she is aware of however she does it as a matter of normal protocol . RESOLUTION: Motion by : Councilman Linton, Seconded by Councilman VanNederynen RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield hereby approves the minutes of the June 2, 1993 and June 9, 1993 Town Board Meetings with the corrections noted above. Carried Unanimously PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Peter Meskill , Democratic Candidate for a seat on the Tompkins County Board of Representatives , to fill the vacancy created by James Mason, introduced himself to the Board. He solicited comments and concerns of the Board regarding County issues . He has been a resident of the Town of Ulysses and the Village of Trumansburg the majority of his life. He has been a member of the Trumansburg Fire Department for 18 years and on the Village Board of Trumansburg for 4 years . Supervisor Owens stated that the majority of the questions ad&ressed to T. C. Board Rep Dan Winch has been regarding the Solid Waste issue as well as the annual Solid Waste fee which will be billed in August to county residents . Mr. Meskill agreed that this is a concern of many and stated that the proposed budget that is coming out for next year that you will see the overall is a decrease and that mostly has to do with the fact that the debt service they were paying off from anticipated revenues that weren' t there last year is not proposed in the new budget but the actual cost of garbage continues to increase. He agrees that the "Tag" system is a better way of doing it . If you put out 20 pounds of garbage, you pay for 20 pounds of garbage . Mr . Meskill is planning to attend one or two more of the Board' s meetings between now and election time and will be happy to answer any questions anyone might have. Carl Newhart mentioned the article in the Ithaca Journal regarding the new Town Clerk however it did not give the address of the Clerk in the article . The Clerk noted that the address is 239 N . VanDorn Road and that the hours will be Tuesday through Friday , 6 to 9 p .m. , with the exception of Town Board meeting night . She stated that the 13 ENFIELD T. B. MINUTES 3 JULY 7 , 1993 • answering machine will indicate such. She also mentioned that the Town Clerk's phone line was only recently hooked up and the phone number remains 273-8256 . Rick Chase addressed Highway Superintendent Updike regarding some work which has recently been done on Marshall Road, Black Oak Road and Connecticut Hill in the Town of Enfield. The Superintendent explained the work which was done and materials which were used. He is working with materials which he has available to him. COMMUNICATIONS Beverly Brown, Dog Enumerator for the Town of Enfield, has submitted her resignation to the Town Supervisor . She indicated that the reasons are mainly transportation and seeking full time employment . The resignation is effective upon receipt of the letter. The Supervisor will advertise to fill the position in the Ithaca Journal . COMMITTEES/REPORTS County Board of Representatives - No one from the Board was in attendance. Tompkins County Planning Department - Karl Heck spoke regarding the Small Cities Development Block Grant . He stated that they are in the process in putting together the Small Cities Block Grant application for Enfield. The deadline is August 11 , 1993 and hopes to receive notification on the funding in October. He anticipates having 24 applicants , 20 will be single family homes and 4 mobile homes . He submitted a resolution, which would need to be voted on this evening by the Board . He noted that this is a bureaucratic requirement in order to obtain funding. RESOLUTION: Motion by Councilman Dougherty, Seconded by Councilman VanNederynen . Discussion followed. Councilman VanNederynen wanted clarification that this resolution only pertains to this program and would not affect any other programs the Town participates in. Mr. Heck affirmed that this only pertains to the Small Cities Block Grant funding . ENFIELD T.B . MINUTES 4 JULY 7 , 1993 RESOLUTION ADOPTING POLICIES REQUIRED • AS PART OF THE SUBMISSION OF A SMALL CITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield, Ithaca, New York is an applicant for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds administered by the U . S . Department of Housing and Urban Development and WHEREAS, as part of the requirements to submit an application for funds under the Small Cities program, communities must adopt certain policies relative to the program and municipal conduct , now therefore be it RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Enfield that the Town of Enfield hereby certifies it will follow the attached Residential Antidisplacement and Relocation Plan should relocation and/or displacement be required as part of the Small Cities program and be it further RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Enfield that the Town of Enfield hereby adopts the following policies : 1 . The Town of Enfield will prohibit the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies within its jurisdiction against any individuals engaged in non-violent civil rights demonstrations and 2 . The Town of Enfield will enforce applicable State and Local Laws against physically barring entrance to or exit from a facility or location which is the subject of such non-violent civil rights demonstrations within its jurisdictions and 3 . The Town of Enfield will provide a drug-free workplace by undertaking and implementing a drug-free workplace plan consistent with certifications required by Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 as amended. Carried Unanimously Enfield Community Council - Deb Traunstein reported that the • summer camp at Enfield School started this week and going well . She is also the Enfield representative on the Inter-Municipal Recreation Task Force which is a county wide task force with a purpose of making recreation activities and facilities more accessible to the youth in the county and to see what was hindering some of the outlying youth from participating in various recreational activities . They are requesting each municipality to pass a resolution of support for the Task Force and to appropriate funds to help finance a Recreation Interest Survey. She is ENFIELD T.B. MINUTES 5 JULY 7 , 1993 • requesting $100 . 00 from the Town of Enfield. They plan to distribute the survey within the next month to every household in the Ithaca City School District . The cost of the printing and the mailing will be around $3 ,000 . 00 . They have looked at several options of distribution and concluded that they will use the Ithaca City School District bulk mail permit and send the survey out by to every household. She submitted a sample copy of the survey for the Town Board to review . Councilman VanNederynen asked why they decided to target just the Ithaca City School District as there are other school districts within the county as well? Ms . Traunstein explained that alot of it had to do with the support and interest from the different municipalities and representation on the Task Force. Councilman VanNederynen suggested possibly distribution in the "Back to School" packets however that would prolong the survey for another month. Supervisor Owens asked for comments on the sample resolution and its contents . Councilman Linton felt that the monies should come out of the Enfield Community Council ' s budget and not the Town Board' s . He feels that the Task Force should approach the Community Council for the monies requested. He stated that he has no problem with the resolution of support however he would like to see the funds come from the Community Council itself . RESOLUTION: Motion by Councilman Linton, Seconded by Councilman VanNederynen SUPPORT FOR THE INTER-MUNICIPAL RECREATION TASK FORCE WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield has a commitment to supporting quality recreation programs for area children, youth and families and • WHEREAS, access to affordable, wholesome recreation forms one of the foundations of healthy community life and WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield wishes to promote a recreation service delivery system that provides equal access for all interested residents and a fair and equitable way of sharing costs to provide these services and WHEREAS, representatives of municipalities served by the Ithaca City School District have been meeting in an Inter-Municipal ENFIELD T.B. MINUTES 6 JULY 7 , 1993 Recreation Task Force during the past year to inventory existing facilities , survey residents about their recreation needs and interests , study models for service delivery and finance, and develop a proposal for a new Inter-Municipal Recreation system now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield confirms its support for the efforts of the greater Ithaca area, up to and including the entire county . Carried Unanimously Supervisor Owens suggested that the Inter-Municipal Recreation Task Force approach the Enfield Community Council for any monetary assistance for the program. Enfield Fire Company Supervisor Owens asked one of the Town Liaisons , Councilman Linton, to report on the meeting . He reported that the budget was discussed and how to establish priorities for budgeting . Carl Newhart reported that a benefit will be held at Newhart ' s Lodge, he believed, September 17th, to raise money for new equipment for the rescue trucks . There will be an auction and barbecue and a tug of war between 6 or 8 different fire companies . Councilman Linton remarked that the fire department is trying to establish a "Fly Car" which has all of the critical equipment on it and would enable them to respond more quickly and efficiently to calls . Highway Superintendent Highway Superintendent Updike gave an account of a meeting he attended with the Tompkins County Highway Superintendents and Supervisors and County Board Representative Bev Livesay at which time they discussed the issue of highway trash removal . The county has a deputy that searches through any garbage which is found on a highway to try and determine the owner of the trash. If successful , he would then: issue a ticket and have the owner dispose • of it accordingly. In the event that no identification is in it and the trash is on a town road, the question is who should pick up the trash. He walked out of the meeting with the feeling that it will be similar to the way we handle dead deer . If it is a county road, the deputy will have to coordinate with the county highway department and have them dispose of it . If it is on a town road, they would have to contact the town highway department and make arrangements to dispose of it . The question arose as to who should have to pay the landfill fee to dispose of the trash. It ENFIELD T. B. MINUTES 7 JULY 7 , 1993 was the consensus of the group that the County should waive the fee . This has been referred to committee and he will report back . He further reported on the activities of the highway department for the month. They have replaced various stop signs and children at play signs which have been stolen. They have been busy with Marshall Road, Rothermich Road. and VanDorn Road. Harvey Hill Road needs some repair soon and he stated that with the weather conditions as they were this past winter, there seems to be quite a few roads in the Town which need repair . The Town has a small crew and limited funds to work with. Councilman Dougherty remarked that she had received several calls regarding the quality of the material used on Black Oak Road. There were flat rocks and grading was not uniform, boulders in the ditches . . . She asked what type of gravel was used and the specifications . There were holes that appeared soon after the work was done which indicates that the base and subsequent layers might not have been done properly. Councilman Linton said that this issue had already been addressed. There was crude base which was given to the Town and it will take a while for it to settle . He stated that there is bound to be a big improvement in the road no matter what is done. The Superintendent remarked that the ditching has not been completed in that area. They postponed that portion of the work to get the dust oil down. The road is passable and they wanted to let it settle. Stones need to be removed from the ditches and ditches need to be formed as well . Councilman Dougherty asked if there are specifications which the Town follows regarding resurfacing, repair etc . . . on roads? Mr. Updike stated that the County has engineering help however he did not consult with them. The shale was given to the Town and he used it on the road. Councilman Dougherty asked the Highway Superintendent about the work on Marshall Road. She had received a call from a resident asking why Carpenter' s equipment was there . It was the second time in months that extensive work has been done on the road. She asked where the town road ended. Mr. Updike responded up near the house. She wanted to know what materials were used on it . She would like to get the total cost to the Town on these two roads . The reason is that it seems we have already spent a lot of money and that possibly next time we should consider getting the more expensive materials and then we would not have to continue to keep going back. She was asked by a resident about Harvey Hill Road and its present condition. She was also asked if the Town 18 ENFIELD T.B . MINUTES g JULY 7 , 1993 would accept this type of road construction for a future Town road • if done by a private developer. Would the Town accept this type of work? Further discussion followed regarding the various project3 and methods used. Marnie Kirchgessner spoke in favor the Town Highway Superintendent and stated that she thought Mr. Updike was doing an excellent job and has certainly cooperated with her. He has handled things in a very expeditious and cost effective manner . Someone should think about the cost of what they want . In Enfield we cannot afford "cadillacs" . The Supervisor asked Marnie Kirchgessner to report on the Enfield Community Council ' s activities since she was not here for the beginning of the meeting . Ms . Kirchgessner reported that camp had started yesterday and the school and the PTA are paying for the morning bus . There has been some confusion as to the arrival and departure time of the bus . She went on to say that enrollment is up sharply this year approximately 85 students and there are efforts being made for adequate staffing . She believes that with the exception of the Director , all of the staff are Enfield residents . Greg Kirchgessner, representing the Enfield Volunteer Fire Department gave a brief_ synopsis; of their last meeting. He added that the Fire Department will be going around and doing spot checks on access to homes in terms of driveways and prominent number displays . Their main concern is the older homes when the driveway ages , trees grow in and limbs, get lower . This is where the problems are. Discussion followed on various properties in the Town which might present a problem for the Fire Department to access . Town Historian M. Clyde Hubbell reauested the Board' s permission to give the flag that flew over Town Hall in Mabel Purdy' s honor to the Purdy • family. The Board had no objection and thought it a good idea. He went on to report about an archeological dig which is taking place on or near Enfield property on Buck Hill Road North, on Peggy Billings ' property . Kathleen Allen, Department of Archeology at the University of Pittsburgh is conducting the dig for Indian artifacts for approximately the next two years . He requ-p-sted a 1y ENFIELD T . B. MINUTES 9 JULY 7 , 1993 • copy of the report from her upon completion of the project . Planning Board: Town: The next Joint Town Planning Board/Town Board meeting will be on July 14, 1993 at 7 : 30 p.m. at the Enfield Community Building . Councilman Dougherty requested clarification on the Planning Board' s regular meeting schedule . County: No report at this time . Public Safety Committee Councilman VanNederynen stated that their next meeting has a tentative date of August 2 , 1993 at 7 : 00 p.m. at the Enfield Community Building . Cemeteries John Smith reported that the Parks Department has done some work in Woodard Cemetery and he was scheduled to meet with them at the cemetery but has not been able to do it yet . They are going to make a sign for the cemetery and assumes it will be the standard State sign. The Rumsey Cemetery still needs to be worked on. Stones have been straightened in Rolfe Cemetery and they are working hard. M. Clyde Hubbell stated that he would rather see the money spent on Rumsey Cemetery as opposed to $600 . 00 being spent on a fence. Mr . Smith said that it will get done regardless . Discussion on the repair of the mower followed. Mr . Hubbell interjected with the announcement that John Smith has been named New York State Rural Letter Carrier of the Year . Mr . Smith also reported that he had received a visitor who is a relative of one of the Briggs whose stone they had recently uncovered. He presented him with a check for $200 . 00 as a donation to the Cemetery Fund. This was to show his appreciation for the work that had - been done on the cemetery and hoped that future -- donations would be forthcoming . Dog Warden Report No report . 20 ENFIELD T.B. MINUTES 10 JULY 7 , 1993 Junk Car Committee Councilman Dougherty reported that at the June 8th meeting there were 13 people present . Some topics discussed were ways of notifying people of the enforcement , filling out proposed applications , and ways to dispose of the cars , state regulations , definition of junk car and various licenses . Government Grants were discussed to help offset the cost of the code enforcement officer needed to enforce the Junk Car Law when passed. She also reported that the next Junk Car Committee meeting would be held on July 28 , 1993 at 7 : 00 p .m. at the Enfield Community Center . Supervisor Owens received a .response from the Town Attorney regarding the interpretation of the State Law governing Junk Cars . She would like to address his responses at the next Junk Car Committee meeting . M. Clyde Hubbell suggested possibly checking the Local Law #3 of 1987 - The importation of Solid Waste as there could be some useful information incorporated in the law . Councilman Linton stated that he did not feel that this law was relevant to the junk car issue. There might be something in the law however if a junk car was defined as solid waste then possibly it would pertain. Councilman VAnNederynen reassured those in attendance that they were not in any way prolonging the issue. They are merely moving within the means of the Town. It is costly to hire an enforcement officer and it is the intent to move carefully and cautiously and move forward fr.•om there. The Board is aware of the complaints however mistakes could be made which would be very costly to the Town. Vibrant discussion followed regarding the junk car law. Supervisor Owens suggested that further discussion should take place at the next meeting of the Junk Car Committee and to discuss the Town Attor.ney' s responses . MONTHLY BILLS • Motion by Councilman VanNederynen, Seconded by Councilman Linton RESOLVED, that th.e Town Board of The Town of Enfield hereby approves for payment Warrants 7-93 for the following amounts : GENERAL FUND --------------$50 , 255 . 45 HIGHWAY FUND---------------$37 , 495 .01 Carried Unanimously 21 ENFIELD T.B . MINUTES 11 JULY 7 , 1993 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Supervisor owens stated that she will advertise for in the Ithaca Journal for the Dog Enumerator . NEW BUSINESS Supervisor Owens asked for a motion to transfer $300 . 00 from Contingency Fund to Establish A House Numbering Account . RESOLUTION: Motion by : Councilman Linton, Seconded by Councilman VanNederynen RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield hereby authorizes the establishment of a house numbering account and be it further RESOLVED, that $300 , 00 be transferred from Contingency Account to the House Numbering Account . Carried Unanimously Councilman Dougherty asked what the status was regarding the County' s request to chargeback Election Expenses . She also would like a copy of the Town' s Financial Statement with year to date figures . Councilman VanNederynen stated that she has been approached by several residents regarding a bikeway from Enfield Center to Enfield Park . She asked if she should refer them to the State or what? It was suggested that she contact the State Highway Department and they could possibly refer her to the respective department . ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilman. VanNederynen, Seconded by Councilman Dougherty • Carried Unanimously The meeting was adjourned at 9 : 40 p .m. Re ectfull �ntted, y loo ee Interim Town Clerk