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Home My WebLink About1-12-2005 Regular Meeting TB.pdfAPPROVED APPROVED APPROVED Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting January 12, 2005 at 7:00 PM Enfield Community Building -- 182 Enfield Main Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 Meeting called to order by Supervisor, Gary Fisher, at 7:00 PM. Present: Supervisor Gary Fisher Councilperson Greg Stevenson Councilperson Peggy Hubbell Councilperson Sandra Small Councilperson Jean Owens Town Clerk, Alice Laue…minute taker Others present: Town Historian Sue Thompson Code Enforcement Officers Ron Clark and Ed Hetherington Pledge of Allegiance: Supervisor Fisher led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. Privilege of the Floor: Jane Murphy, 737 Hayts Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 Murphy, the attorney for Jim and Mary Linton, 19 Shudaben Road, read a letter to the Board “requesting that each Board member make the choice of proposing a resolution to choose to not prosecute this appeal.” She noted that the Board members need to respond within a week to dismiss the case. “Inaction would be action.” A copy of attorney Murphy’s letter was given to each Board member, as well as the supervisor. (A copy will be kept in the Town Hall, 168 Enfield Main Road, with the minutes of the Board meeting.) Jack Rumsey, 186 Harvey Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 Rumsey has two (2) land leases with a gas company and suggests that neighbors get together and get all the information about this project from the gas companies in a unified manner. He also suggested that the Board call a meeting with the gas companies regarding “who’s getting what.” Basically do a comparison study. David Jacobson, 16 Shudaben Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 Jacobson presented (and read aloud) the perspective of the Shudaben Road residents. In part he read, "There is no clear language currently that would protect property owners..." (This was not a handout. A copy will be kept in the Town Hall, 168 Enfield Main Road, with the minutes of the Board meeting.) County Legislator’s Report: Dan Winch (Newfield/Enfield) announced that all 14 legislators on the County Board are up for election this year. He reported on the Tompkins County Airport saying that the Air Service Task Force has been meeting to work on bringing in a new air service and generally making the airport a more successful operation. One thing said very clearly is that there needs to be a real community commitment to the airport. Winch noted that we can’t afford to have the Tompkins County Airport fail because 90% of the funding has been subsidized by the FAA and we’d have to pay back that 90%. [90% FAA, 5% State DOT, 5% County (in the form of users, concession stand, etc.)…no taxpayers’ money is involved.] He continued by noting that fares are comparable when you take into consideration the drive to another airport, plus the parking fees. Dan is on the Enfield HUD Committee. In 2003 a group called “Work Camp 2003” came to Tompkins County from many areas. They are a Christian group and went to 58 homes to help repair, renovate, and winterize (to name a few duties) homes for the elderly, the handicapped, the lower income, etc. They would like to top their number of 58 in 2005. He reported that they need Enfield homes to fix up and ask the people present if they were aware of any candidates. There is no cost to the homeowner/resident. Councilperson Stevenson suggested that the Code Enforcement Officers, or anyone in the community, be on the lookout for candidates and give those names to Better Housing of Tompkins County at 273-2187. Supervisor Fisher noted that “Work Camp 2005” had been written up in The Enfield Town News. Approval of Minutes: The following minutes were presented for approval: ** Regular Town Board Meeting for October 13, 2004 ** Special Town Board Meeting for October 20, 2004 (review of general fund portion of the 2005 tentative budget line by line) ** Special Town Board Meeting October 27, 2004 (continued review of 2005 tentative general fund budget and highway) ** Special Town Board Meeting October 28, 2004 (discussed revisions to 2005 tentative budget, then approved a fiscal 2005 preliminary budget) ** Public Hearing Minutes for November 4, 2004 (Preliminary budget) ** Special Town Board Meeting November 4, 2004 (Preliminary Budget to be voted on at the regular November Town Board Meeting) MOVED: Councilperson Stevenson SECONDED: Councilperson Hubbell Vote: Supervisor Fisher…yes. Town Councilperson Hubbell…yes. Town Councilperson Owens…abstained. Town Councilperson Small…yes. Town Councilperson Stevenson…yes. Motion carried. Communications: * Agricultural Land Preservation meeting 1/27/05 at 4:30-6:30 PM * NYMIR re: semi-annual loss report * Cornell Architecture, Art, and Planning Dept. has an internship requiring municipal matching funds to employ a graduate student for 10 weeks during the summer. * Public Service Commission. Ruling to require utility companies to test street light poles for stray voltage every five years. * Resolutions Committee. 2005 Proposed Resolutions (16 in all) from the Association of Towns of the State of New York Annual Meeting. Committee Reports: Town Historian, Sue Thompson, gave a lengthy and cohesive report on current activities. (A copy will be kept in the Town Hall, 168 Enfield Main Road, with the minutes of the Board meeting.) * Excel data base for all documents. Will eventually be on a CD. * Family Histories * Mapping of the Town * Photographing barns…130 to date * Participation at the Enfield Harvest Festival 9/25/04 * Invited everyone to attend Enfield Historical Meetings * Web page via Sue’s personal web at Cornell University * Enfield chapter in Place Names of Tompkins County book * Successful grant for iron marker recognizing first permanent settlers in Enfield...Judah and Lydia Chase Baker Code Enforcement. Ron Clark reported on code activities for the past month. During 2004, a total of 93 building permits were issued to the tune of $4,828,195.00!!! Ed Hetherington reported on responding to 83 calls. Highway Superintendent, David Miller, was absent from the meeting but submitted a written report stating that the Town has spread gravel, hauled crusher run from Seneca Stone, hauled cinders, worked on trucks, cut fallen tree branches out of the road, built chains, plowed and cindered. Web site for the Town of Enfield. Councilperson Greg Stevenson reported that Eugene “Gene” Lovelace has been doing a lot of research on a Town of Enfield web page. Old Business: Cingular Tower Supervisor Fisher asked Terri Burkholder to give the board and those attending the meeting an overview of the Cingular proposal to build a 150 foot monopole tower on the property of Ray and Betty Poole near Hayts and Van Dorn Roads in the Town of Enfield. Burkholder reported no lighting will be needed. Area of cellular coverage that will be improved runs between Ithaca and Trumansburg along Route 96 and a portion of Route 79. Burkholder’s report was in regard to Cingular’s “budgeted” proposal at this time. This proposal was presented by Burkholder to the Enfield Town Planning Board at its January 5th meeting. The Planning Board requested a full EAF [Environmental Assessment Form] which Ms. Burkholder brought to this January 12th Town Board meeting. A public hearing will be held in March or April. Copies of Ms. Burkholder’s presentation, including a picture of the tower and a map disseminating areas of coverage are at the Town Hall for the public’s perusal. Audience member, Bill Eisenhardt, 49 Shudaben Road asked if Enfield would get reception. He was informed that it would not. Presently, there is a “hole” as far as coverage is concerned in Enfield. Cingular’s present budget does not allow for a tower to fix that “hole” at this time. Councilperson Stevenson commented that he fears that co-locating on County towers will still leave a “hole” in Enfield. Unemployment Insurance Reserve. Gary indicated he needed to get additional information from the Office of the State Comptroller to determine if a public hearing may be needed as part of the process of establishing an Unemployment Insurance Reserve for the Town. New Business: Resolutions introduced by Supervisor Fisher Resolution #2005-8 Budget Amendment -- Unallocated Insurance WHEREAS the Town Board voted to add Extended Employment Practices Liability (EPLI) coverage to the Town’s Liability Insurance Policy at the December 30, 2004 Special Town Board Meeting, and WHEREAS the premium for the additional liability coverage now causes the expenditure for Unallocated Insurance to exceed the 2005 Town of Enfield Budget appropriation by $53.97, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that expenditure account code A1990.4 titled “Contingency,” is decreased by $53.97 from $22,000.00 to $21,946.03 and that expenditure account code A1920.4, titled “Unallocated Insurance,” is increased by $53.97 from $22,000.00 to $22,053.97. MOVED: Councilperson Owens SECONDED: Councilperson Stevenson Vote: Supervisor Fisher…yes. Town Councilperson Hubbell…yes. Town Councilperson Owens…yes. Town Councilperson Small…yes. Town Councilperson Stevenson…yes. Resolution carried. Resolution #2005-9 Budget Amendment – Youth Services ECC Worker’s WHEREAS it was determined that Wright Risk Management could not extend workers’ compensation coverage to the Community Council through the Town’s contract for workers’ compensation insurance, and WHEREAS the ECC contract with the town called for the town to provide workers’ compensation coverage the Town Board voted to add the cost of the workers’ compensation to the previously negotiated 2005 – 2007 contract yearly price, and WHEREAS the town cannot provide coverage through its workers’ compensation policy, and WHEREAS the premium for Workers’ Compensation coverage through the State Insurance Fund is $1,340.33. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the increased contract cost is rounded up by $0.03 to equalize monthly payments and, FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the appropriation for expenditure account code A1990.4 titled “Contingency,” is decreased by $1,340.36 from $21,946.03 to $20,605.67 and that expenditure account code A7310.4, titled “Youth Program,” is increased by $1,340.36 from $32,710.00 to $34,050.36. MOVED: Councilperson Owens SECONDED: Councilperson Stevenson Vote: Supervisor Fisher…yes. Town Councilperson Hubbell…yes. Town Councilperson Owens…yes. Town Councilperson Small…yes. Town Councilperson Stevenson…yes. Resolution carried. Resolution #2005-10 Budget Amendment – Celebrations’ Grant WHEREAS the Town of Enfield supported and endorsed application of the Baker Marker Grant request for Tompkins County Celebration funds; and WHEREAS the grant was approved in the amount of $700.00. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the appropriation for Celebrations expenditure account code A7550.4, in the 2005 Town of Enfield General Fund budget be increased to $700.00 and a revenue account code A2770, titled “Celebrations Grant,” be added with an estimated revenue of $700.00, . MOVED: Councilperson Owens SECONDED: Councilperson Stevenson Vote: Supervisor Fisher…yes. Town Councilperson Hubbell…yes. Town Councilperson Owens…yes. Town Councilperson Small…yes. Town Councilperson Stevenson…yes. Resolution carried. Election Machine Custodian Pay. Roger Laue, spoke with Supervisor Fisher about raising the Election Machine Custodian’s pay from the present amount, which is $75. Supervisor Fisher discussed increasing the rate from $75 to $80 per election. Councilperson Owens motioned to increase the rate to $85. MOVED: Councilperson Owens SECONDED: Councilperson Stevenson Vote: Supervisor Fisher…no. Town Councilperson Hubbell…no. Town Councilperson Owens…yes. Town Councilperson Small…no. Town Councilperson Stevenson…yes. Motion defeated. Fisher said he would obtain and circulate a chart indicating what other municipalities offer for comparison and that the subject would be revisited. Audit Claims: Supervisor Fisher, on behalf of the Town Board of the Town of Enfield, was authorized to pay the following: - General Fund Vouchers #1-13 dated January 12, 2005 in the amount of $27,963.48 -Highway Fund voucher #1 dated January 12, 2005 in the amount of $2,204.14 -Community Development Grant voucher #1 dated January 12, 2005 in the amount of $4,330.00 - Enfield Volunteer Fire Company voucher SF-l #1 dated January 12, 2005 in the amount of $35,000. MOVED: Councilperson Stevenson SECONDED: Councilperson Owens Vote: Supervisor Fisher…yes. Town Councilperson Hubbell…yes. Town Councilperson Owens…yes. Town Councilperson Small…yes. Town Councilperson Stevenson…yes. Motion carried. Announcements: - Councilperson Stevenson noted while reorganizing his personal files, that his files contained drafts of unsigned contracts instead of copies of signed contracts and asked that, in the future, the board receive signed/completed copies of all contracts for their files. - Councilperson Owens asked Supervisor Fisher about setting a date for the audit meeting. Supervisor Fisher stated that it was done at the November meeting and would be held January 19, 2005. Privilege of the Floor: - Pat Dougherty noted that the Election Inspectors also need to be considered when pay raises are discussed. They presently get about $4.95 an hour for a 16-17 hour day. - Dave Owens noted that the Election Machine Custodians in Lansing receive $250 per day, per district. - Andy Parks, 578 Hayts Road, feels the Town needs to proceed very cautiously before accepting Cingular’s proposal. - Jane Murphy proposed that we need to get the answers of the cellular company in writing. Adjournment: At 8:42 PM. MOVED: Councilperson Hubbell SECONDED: Councilperson Small Vote: Supervisor Fisher…yes. Town Councilperson Hubbell…yes. Town Councilperson Owens…yes. Town Councilperson Small…yes. Town Councilperson Stevenson…yes. Motion carried. ************* Minutes respectfully transcribed and submitted by Deputy Town Clerk, N. Pat Dougherty *************