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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 Oct 13 Town Board Minutes DRAFT TOWN OF ENFIELD REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13TH, 1999 6:30 P.M. The regular monthly meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Enfield was held Wednesday, October 13th, 1999 at the Enfield Community Building, 182 Enfield Main Road, Ithaca, N. Y. Supervisor Owens presiding. Present: Supervisor Jean Owens; Town Councilman Gary Fisher, Town Councilman Donald Lovelace, Town Councilman Joe Schehr, Town Councilman Greg Stevenson. Others present were - Highway Superintendent, Ron Updike, Bookkeeper Pat Podafulski, Town Clerk Alice Laue. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag - Supervisor Owens led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Privilege of the Floor - No one wished to speak. Approval of the minutes of the September 8th, 1999 Regular Town Board Meeting. Motion made by Councilman Lovelace, seconded by Councilman Schehr that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield approve the adoption of the minutes of the regular Town Board Meeting held September 8th, 1999. Discussion - Vote - Supervisor Owens, yes. Town Councilmen Fisher, Lovelace, Schehr, Stevenson yes. Reports/Committees Tompkins County Board Representative Peter Pennimen presented board members with a report on cable franchise. Representative Pennimen spoke to Ben Curtiss, who is with the county cable commission and we have the right to government access programming. Tompkins County Board Representative Dan Winch Representative Winch reported on the follow ups he did on issues presented at a previous meeting. Hazardous Waste - Solid Waste Department has a permit to contruct and operate for ten years a hazardous waste facility. Outside contract with Safety Clean will run facility. Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes 10-13-99 2 Harvey Hill Bridge - Serviceable now. In the process of getting last minute details done. Highway Superintendent Updike concerned about size of stones laid on Rte. #327 side of bridge. Highway Superintendent feels stones are to small for volume of water that goes through there and has spoken to John Lampman about this. Mr. Lampman to talk to contractor about putting flowable fill in to fill in the voids, which would give more of a solid mass for the water to hit on to. Superintendent Updike has a fax from Mr. Lampman for the highway superintendent to sign off on. Superintendent Updike told Mr. Lampman only way he would sign off was with a covenant in it that the bridge will pass the inspection of the state with the way the abutments are showing, bases on the down hill side and that the stones will remain there. Rumsey Cemetery - Representative Winch met with Ward Hungerford and Representative Winch went to the Rumsey Cemetery. Old entrance on a blind curve and to dangerous for parking cars along road. Mr. Hungerford to met with Highway Superintendent Updike to figure out another possible approach. County willing to loan any equipment that is needed to do work, but access from South would provide places for safe parking if an entrance was put in there. Need permission of land owner because it is private property on that side of the cemetery. Representative Winch contacted the Probation Department and there are supervised crews available to work in the Rumsey Cemetery to cut brush, etc. Podunk Road - Replacement of culvert work is to be completed first week of November. Recreational Partnership - Janice Johnson Recreational Partnership group reviewed 1998 taxable figures and came to a consensus about all the figures, where some cuts can be made, changes made, etc. Began reviewing about ten different financial structures for how some of the funding can be spread across municipalities. Enfield Community Council - Jack Kulp, President Community Council offered to pay $50.00 toward the community building phone bills and to pay for one of the tables broken during Summer Camp. Board refused their offer, but suggested Community Council help pay telephone bills when Summer Camp is in session. The Community Council purchased the original tables for the Community Building and the town board would pay for their replacement. New Community Council Officers are - Jack Kulp, President, David Albrecht, Vice- President, Vera Strait, Secretary, Carol Given, Treasurer, Shannon McSurley, Teen Program Coordinator. Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes 10-13-99 3 Fire Department - Chief Stevenson Quarterly report due next month. Five fire department members taking fire fighter basic training. Highway Department _ Superintendent Updike Harvey Hill Bridge report is under Tompkins County Board Representatives report. Working with Town of Ulysses finishing paving and surface treatment. Sealed four miles of Enfield town roads. Shoulder work to start next week. Combination of Newfield, Enfield, Ithaca and Ulysses going town to town doing road shoulders. Rabies Clinic - Tuesday, October 19th, 1999 - Town Barn 7-9 P.M. Highway Superintendent Updike brought to the attention of the board the charging of the payment of fuel against the wrong account line. 1999 fuel charges in the amount of $5753.84 need to be charged to line 5110.4 an operating cost. Councilman Fisher made the following resolution. WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield Highway Department fuel expenses have been charged to the 1999 Town of Enfield budget machinery appropriation line 5130.4, and, WHEREAS, in accordance with Highway Law the fuel cost should be charged as an operating cost and against the appropriate account where the fuel is used, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the fuel costs charged against machinery line 5130.4 in the amount of $5753.84 in the 1999 Town of Enfield budget be reversed and charged against general repairs, line 51110.4 in the amount of $5753.84. Resolution seconded by Councilman Lovelace. Discussion - Councilman Lovelace asked how this was caught.m Highway Superintendent stated Councilman Fisher read the Town Law and told the him that fuel charges should be under highway repairs, not machinery repairs. Vote - Supervisor Owens, yes. Town Councilmen Fisher, Lovelace, Schehr, Stevenson yes. Superintendent Updike needs money in 5142.4 line to pay for cinders. Need $4225.00 in this line, now has $233.00. Discussed the moving of money from line 5110.4. Highway Superintendent to check with State Comptrollers Office about moving monies from 5110.4 line. Talked about the unsatisfactory job the state did in correcting the problem with the Harvey Hill and Enfield Main Road intersection. They filled and black topped the area where they replaced a pipe and deepened the ditch on the right side of the intersection off Harvey Hill Road onto Enfield Main Road. Subject of dumping garbage on Bostwick Road was discussed but no solution to this problem was proposed. Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes 10/13/99 4 Planning Board - Rick Chase Planning Federation - Joanne Cornish, Environmental Planner for the City of Ithaca spoke on the Inlet Island, Southwest Park and Western part of Ithaca to the Planning Federation. They have established short and long range plans for these areas. Rick attended the seminar on October 7,1999 at which Robert Purcell spoke on the Cost Effects of Physical Planning on Different Types of Development. Enfield Planning Board - Rick Chase At last months meeting a concerned citizen attended and spoke on concerns about the noise level and such at the mud races held on Route 79. Grant proposal put together for grant monies to help with Comprehensive Planning. Cemetery Committee - Peggy Hubbell Twenty six stones left to be fixed in Christian Cemetery. Mr. Ofecuse from Cornell donated a load of top soil. Question asked. Was the state law changed and are the trust funds available for use? Supervisor to check with Association of Towns. Councilman Fisher stated principle amount has to stay in trust fund, but interest on the principle can be used. Supervisor presented bill from Cemetery Committee for $1550.74 for work done in Christian Cemetery. In order to pay this bill from line 8810.4, $797.59 needs to be added. Supervisor proposed to the Cemetery Committee that $200.00 be moved from line 8810.2, Cemetery Equipment line to line 8810.4. Set up an interfund transfer from the Cemetery Savings account of $597.59 and transfer the $597.59 to line 88120.4. Discussed the need of board authorization of spending funds if budget amount is going to be exceeded. Town Boarad needs to give authorization to amend the budget to allow an expenditure in excess of what was budgeted for that appropriate line. Discussed need of Cemetery Committee obtaining a written estimate of cost for setting stones. Motion made by Councilman Stevenson, seconded by Councilman Schehr that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield approve the authorization of the following amendment to the 1999 Town of Enfield Budget. Transfer from the Cemetery Fund - $597.59 to a interfund transfer line under Revenue of $597.59. Increase Cemetery Contractual line 8810.4 by $597.59. Transfer $200.00 from 8810.2 to 8810.4 which brings the total in line 8810.4 to $1550.74. Reduce line 8810.2 to -0- dollars. This amendment was done in order to have funds to pay the cemetery bill of $1550.74. Discussion - Vote - Supervisor yes. Town Councilmen Fisher, Lovelace, Schehr and Stevenson yes. Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes 10/13/99 5 Cemetery Chairperson Peggy Hubbell asked what should be done with the three stone that can’t be reset? Suggestion was that they be laid flat on the grave, photographed for a record and then the original stone should be buried. A small engraved marker with person’s name, date of birth and date of death on it placed at the grave. Budget Amendments - Supervisor Owens asked for the following budget amendments. Transfer from Supervisor Contractual A1220.4 to Highway account DA5110.4 $20.25 to correct a bank charge. Health Insurance Transfer from DA9060.82 - Retirees Account line $1700.00. Reducing line DA9060.82 to $2300.00. Transfer from DA9060.8 - Retirement line $2000.00. Reducing line DA9060.8 to $930.00. Transfer from line DA9785.42 $1795.00. Reducing line DA9785.4 to $5705.00 Amending line DA9060.81 to the amended amount of $24,384.00. Motion made by Councilman Stevenson, seconded by Councilman Schehr that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield approve the authorization of the following amendment to the 1999 Town of Enfield Budget. Transfer from DA9060.82 - Retirees Account line $1700.00. Reduce line DA9060.82 to $2300.00. Transfer from DA9060.8 - Retirement line $2000.00. Reduce line DA9060.8 to $930.00. Transfer from line DA9785.42 $1795.00. Reduce line DA9785.4 to $5705.00. Amend line DA9060.81 to the amended amount of $24,384.00. This amendment was made to pay the increased health insurance cost. Discussion - Vote - Supervisor yes. Town Councilmen Fisher, Lovelace, Schehr. Stevenson yes. Monthly Bills Supervisor Owens presented the monthly bills for payment. Supervisor’s monthly report was also presented. Motion made by Councilman Lovelace, seconded by Councilman Stevenson that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield authorize the supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #152-164, dated 10/13/99, in the amount of $5044.75. Highway Fund vouchers #130-143, dated 10/13/99, in the amount of $43,437.09. Small Cities (HUD) Grant II voucher #12, dated 10/13/99, in the amount of $964.89. Discussion - Vote - Supervisor Owens, yes. Town Councilmen Fisher, Lovelace, Schehr, Stevernson, yes. Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes 10/13/99 6 Haefele TV Contract - Councilman Fisher When Mr. Haefele attended the TV Cable meeting he answered questions the public and Councilman Fisher had. Councilman Fisher doesn’t anticipate a lot of changes in the structure of the contract. Court Records - Supervisor Owens Justice Warden concerned about quantity of court records and what was going to happen to them. Supervisor contacted Diane Nelson, who recommended the town undertake the purging of the court records. Assume the cost, rather than seek a SARA Court Grant. Diane Nelson anticipated it would be sending someone for training, twenty-five hours of purging the court records. Looking at approximately under $500.00. Recommendation to supervisor was that the town get someone in our courts to do this. NYMIR Resolution - Supervisor presented an amendment to our Class contract, which is the municipal cooperative agreement that was signed in 1993. Class is where we invest our money. State Comptroller passed a new regulation that Class had to come in compliance with, so we need to come to agreement with this. Supervisor read the resolution. Town Attorney reviewed this resolution and advised it is in compliance with the municipal law change. Discussion - Question of not understanding what resolution asking was asked. Answer was, contract town needs to have with Class in order to participate in Class. Town signed the contract in 1993. Requirement by Comptrollers Office that we have with this municipal cooperative. Also discussed was the lack of time given to board members to read this resolution before voting on it. Amendment written in October 1998, given to board members 10/13/99 and needs to be voted on by 10/20/99. Motion made by Councilman Stevenson, seconded by Councilman Schehr that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield approve the adoption of the attached resolution. Discussion - Councilman Fisher would like to read the resolution before voting. Vote - Supervisor Owens, yes. Town Councilmen Lovelace, Schehr, Stevenson, yes. Councilman Fisher did not vote. Election Workers Petition Supervisor presented a signed petition from the town’s election inspectors requesting that their wages be brought up to the Town of Ithaca’s election inspectors wages of $100.00. Discussion - Question? Why Town of Ithaca was chosen, number of hours put in. Need of this issue to be discussed before and put in the 1999 budget Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes 10/13/99 7 . Motion made by Councilman Fisher, seconded by Councilman Stevenson that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield approve the following increase in the Town of Enfield’s election inspecters pay. Election Day $90.00 - Primary Day $60.00 Schooling $10.00. Mileage 31 cents a mile for schooling. Increases payable this year. Discussion - Vote - Supervisor Owens, yes. Town Councilmen Fisher, Lovelace, Schehr, Stevenson, yes. Small Cities Grant Resolution In order to spend the funds in Small Cities Grants I and II of $6,865.64 returned from Enfield programs from people who did not fulfill their contract agreement a resolution needs to be passed freeing up and releasing this money so it can be put back in rehabilitation work. Councilman Fisher would like to know which projects money was returned from and the amount of money returned, essentially as a control on numbers. Motion made by Councilman Stevenson, seconded by Councilman Schehr that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield approve the adoption of the following resolution freeing up rehabilitation program income (money returned from program participants as per HUD guidelines). WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield has realized a program income in the amount of $6,865.64 from HUD grants known as Enfield I and II, and WHEREAS,, the $6,865.64 was received by the Town of Enfield for Housing Rehabilitation, therefore BE IT RESOLVED, that $6,865.64 be released to be used for rehabilitative work in the Town of Enfield. Discussion - Vote - Supervisor Owens, yes. Town Councilmen Fisher, Lovelace, Schehr, Stevenson, yes. Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes 10/13/99 8 Preliminary Budget 2000 Changes made in the Tentative Budget to the Preliminary Budget arlines - Line # Tentative Preliminary General Fund A1010.1 $8,000.00 $7,600.00 A1450.4 2,000.00 2,400.00 A1620.412 1,100.00 1,300.00 A1620.413 1,000.00 600.00 A1620.422 600.00 700.00 A1620.443 2, 400.00 2,200.00 A1910.4 35,000.00 18,000.00 A7310.4 2,500.00 3,000.00 A8160.4 350.00 200.00 A9010.8 1,625.00 625.00 A9020.8 1,550.00 1,700.00 A9030.8 6,500.00 6,600.00 A9040.8 1,000.00 2,000.00 A9050.8 978.00 500.00 A9055.8 854.00 500.00 Revenues A1001 52,077.00 15,545.00 A2771 2,500.00 3,000.00 Unexpended Balance 30,000.00 Highway DA9010.8 2,930.00 930.00 DA9030.8 8,500.00 8,700.00 DA9040.8 10,947.00 11,000.00 DA9050.8 1,000.00 500.00 Unexpended Balance 10,000.00 Fire Department Budget Councilman Stevenson explained why the fire company felt the need of a $3000.00 stipend. The reason being it was felt fire company members who are spending extra time and money out of their pocket to bring the fire company up to OSHA compliance should be compensated for it Councilman Stevenson asked the board members what they thought about the stipend. Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes 10/13/99 9 Councilman Lovelace stated that people aren’t happy with the fire company getting a stipend and others who volunteer are asking where is my stipend. Councilman Lovelace feels that yes they should be compensated for the extra time and expense, but he doesn’t feel $1,000.00 per individual is spent over and above what is coming out of pocket. Councilman Fisher - He understands it will take a lot of time doing this OSHA compliance work because over the past years things weren’t done as they should have been done, but that is an internal problem in the fire department and the town shouldn’t be asked to pay extra money because things that should have been done on a timely basis weren’t done on a timely basis by the fire department Supervisor Owens - We are talking about several thousand dollars to keep people willing to serve in a position that basically requires a half time volunteer position. Alternative is, if you can’t find people to continue to serve in those capacities and you lose the moral of the company, you are looking at the point of paying firefighters. To keep them happy and appreciated in their job, and you have to appreciate a volunteer if you want them to volunteer, it is nothing for a taxpayer to pay a couple of thousand dollars compared to one paid firefighter. Councilman Fisher doesn’t support town providing money in budget for stipend. If there are expenses that need to be reimbursed they should be documented and if the fire department determines they should be reimbursed, they should be vouched through the fire department and be paid by the fire department. Motion made by Councilman Fisher that the proposed fire department budget be decreased by $3000.00. No one seconded this motion. Public Hearing Motion made by Councilman Lovelier, seconded by Councilman Schehr that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield authorize the Town Clerk to advertise a public hearing for Wednesday, November 3rd, 1999. Public Hearing is to be held on adoption of the Preliminary Budget. Public Hearing to be held at the Enfield Community Building at 6:30 p.m. Discussion - Vote - Supervisor yes. Town Councilmen Fisher, Lovelace, Schehr, Stevenson, yes. Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes 10/13/99 10 Adjournment - Motion made by Councilman Lovelace, seconded by Councilman Stevenson that the 10/13/99 regular Town Board meeting adjourn. Discussion Vote - Supervisor yes. Town Councilmen Fisher, Lovelace, Schehr, Stevenson, yes. Meeting adjourned at 12:15 a.m. 10/14/99. Respectfully submitted, Alice Laue Town Clerk