HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-10-2005 Regular Meeting TB.pdfA P P R O V E D Sepember 14, 2005
Enfield Town Board
Regular Meeting
August 10, 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 Peggy Hubbell
Councilperson Jean Owens
Town Clerk Alice Laue
Councilperson Sandra Small
Councilperson Greg Stevenson
Others present: Deputy Town Clerk: Pat Dougherty, Enfield Community Council
[ECC] President: Carolyn Tschanz, Frank and Pat Podufalski, Karen Stevenson
Pledge of Allegiance:
Supervisor Fisher led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Privilege of the Floor:
There was no one who wished to speak at this time.
Public Hearing:
Supervisor Fisher opened the Public Hearing to discuss an increase to the Town Of
Enfield Community Council Contract at 7:03 PM. Town Clerk Alice Laue read the Public
Hearing notice that appeared in the Ithaca Journal on July 28, 2005. The assemblage was
asked for input.
ECC President, Carolyn Tschanz, read a prepared statement detailing the Council’s
request for $3,049 to compensate for a shortage of funds required to pay for their liability
insurance. A copy of that statement is attached to these minutes and will be kept with the
August 10, 2005 regular minutes.
Pat Podufalski acknowledged that she had skimmed through the minutes from a
previous meeting and noticed that several entities were given money from “Contingency.”
She emphasized that if the highway department can be given contingency funds, why not
do it for the children…rather than make them suffer.
Karen Stevenson said her son was attending the camp and it is the best camp she
has seen. If the fees are raised, many children will not be able to attend.
August 10, 2005 2
After all were given a chance to speak, Supervisor Fisher closed the Public Heari ng
at 7:10 PM. The regular meeting was then continued.
County Legislator’s Report:
There were no Legislators present to speak.
Approval of Minutes:
The following minutes were voted upon and approved:
November 10, 2004 (as corrected)
MOTIONED: Councilperson Small
SECONDED: Councilperson Hubbell
Discussion:
Vote: Supervisor Fisher…aye. Councilperson Hubbell…aye. Councilperson
Owens…abstained Councilperson Small…aye. Councilperson Stevenson…aye.
Motion carried.
December 8, 2004
MOTIONED: Councilperson Small
SECONDED: Councilperson Hubbell
Discussion:
Vote: Supervisor Fisher…aye. Councilperson Hubbell…aye. Councilperson
Owens…abstained. Councilperson Small…aye. Councilperson Stevenson…abstained.
Motion carried.
December 30, 2004
MOTIONED: Councilperson Hubbell
SECONDED: Councilperson Small
Discussion:
Vote: Supervisor Fisher…aye. Councilperson Hubbell…aye. Councilperson
Owens…abstained.. Councilperson Small…aye. Councilperson Stevenson…aye.
Motion carried.
June 8, 2005
MOTIONED: Councilperson Small
SECONDED: Councilperson Stevenson
Discussion:
August 10, 2005 3
Vote: Supervisor Fisher…aye. Councilperson Hubbell…aye. Councilperson
Owens…aye. Councilperson Small…aye. Councilperson Stevenson…aye.
Motion carried.
July 13, 2005 (correct Beierle)
MOTIONED: Councilperson Owens
SECONDED: Councilperson Hubbell
Discussion:
Vote: Supervisor Fisher…aye. Councilperson Hubbell…aye. Councilperson
Owens…aye. Councilperson Small…abstained. Councilperson Stevenson…abstained.
Motion carried.
Communications:
* SPCA report for July 2005. There have been no impoundments so far this year.
* Tompkins County’s 8th annual Farm City Day will be held from 11 AM to 4 PM
August 13th at the Marquis family’s Freebrook Farm in Freeville.
* The Tompkins County Public Safety Committee will be flying test balloons in the
areas of proposed towers to check visibility.
* The Tompkins County Board of Health will be holding hearings on September 7th
at 7 PM at the Lansing Town Hall and September 19th at 7 PM at the Danby Town Hall to
discuss prohibiting outdoor rubbish burning.
* The Water Resources Council has two vacancies.
* Notice of estimate for NYS Retirement cost. The cost will be $23,647 if we pay in
December. It will be $23,876 if paid in February 2006.
* Notice from the Board of Assessment of an error in tax valuation on a taxpayer’s
property. The Town must reimburse the County $313.39 from the Fire Protection District
Fund.
* NYS Municipal Workers’ Compensation Alliance has changed their address for all
future correspondence.
* Sales tax for 2nd quarter is $148,803…down $7,324 from last year. (4.7%)
* Biannual loss report from NYMIR.
* Tompkins County Environmental Management Council Annual Report.
August 10, 2005 4
Committee Reports:
Code Enforcement. Supervisor Fisher received a written report from the Code
Enforcement Officer, Ed Hetherington, which is included in the Town of Enfield Minutes’
book for August 10, 2005.
Highway Superintendent No oral or written report from the Highway
Superintendent.
Personnel. Councilperson Small reported that prior to the meeting she submitted
for Supervisor Fisher’s review and signature Tompkins County Personnel Forms MSD-
428A relating to salary changes for Wayne (Tucker) Snyder and Roger Laue which were
approved by resolutions at the July 13th Town Board meeting. She also noted on the form
for Roger Laue that he passed away.
Technology Committee. Supervisor Fisher says that the Town is regularly adding
to the website. He has asked for input from town people as to what they might like to see
on the website. The possibility of adding forms has been discussed.
Cemetery Committee. Councilperson Hubbell spoke with Roger Laue’s son,
George Laue, and he is interested in taking over mowing in Roger’s place. Hubbell did not
want to finalize anything until she had presented it to the Board.
Councilperson Stevenson motioned that the Enfield Town Board approve hiring
George Laue to complete the mowing assignments that were formerly held by Roger
Laue for the remainder of 2005.
MOTIONED: Councilperson Stevenson
SECONDED: Councilperson Hubbell
Discussion:
Vote: Supervisor Fisher…aye. Councilperson Hubbell…aye. Councilperson
Owens…aye. Councilperson Small…aye. Councilperson Stevenson…aye.
Motion carried.
Hubbell also stated that the Town needs a new small hand mower. Roger Laue used
his own.
Councilperson Stevenson motioned to spend up to $300 for the purchase of a hand
lawn mower for use in Christian Cemetery.
MOTIONED: Councilperson Stevenson
SECONDED: Councilperson Small
Discussion:
Vote: Supervisor Fisher…aye. Councilperson Hubbell…aye. Councilperson
Owens…aye. Councilperson Small…aye. Councilperson Stevenson…aye.
Motion carried.
August 10, 2005 5
George Laue is also interested in digging the burial sites that Roger Laue dug. Paul
Carpenter will do the burials as long as he is in town. Councilperson Stevenson mentioned
Mancini and Ferrara as a possible alternative. They presently do this for Calvary Cemetery
in Ithaca but may not want to come out as far as Enfield.
Supervisor Fisher and Councilperson Hubbell will sit down with Donna Laue, Roger
Laue’s widow, regarding the status of cemetery records, etc.
Economic Committee. Councilperson Owens called a meeting for August 12, 2005
at the Town Hall at 7 PM to discuss development towards a business directory.
Facilities Committee. Items discussed at the last meeting were [1] underground
septic system, [2] water tested negative for petroleum residuals, [3] budgeting of new vs.
renovation, [4] design of a building, [5] estimates of costs of a highway garage…$1.5
million more or less, [6] 60 x 60 Town Hall…about $1 million, and [7] USDA grants and
loans. Fisher noted that we were no longer considered a poverty community after 2000
census but the threshold was recently raised and we are now considered a poverty
community. There has been good attendance at the meetings. Next meetings are August
11th and August 25 at the Town Hall at 7 PM.
Planning Board. Councilperson Hubbell, who has been attending the Planning
Board meetings, told the Town Board that non attendance is still causing problems.
Supervisor Fisher discussed finding a way to get membership that will be present.
Old Business:
Community Council. Supervisor Fisher concerned because sales tax revenue is
going down. Councilperson Owens moved Resolution #2005-42 on behalf of the ECC
liability insurance.
Resolution Number 2005-42 Youth Program
Budget Amendment No. 17
WHEREAS the Enfield Community Council (ECC) did not have liability insurance
coverage when its contract for 2005-2007 was negotiated with the Town of Enfield,
and
WHEREAS the ECC has since secured liability coverage and requested that the
Town of Enfield help offset the additional liability insurance cost, and
WHEREAS a public hearing was held August 10, 2005 to gather public input on
modifying the ECC contract payment for 2005 to help offset the ECC’s 2005 liability
insurance cost, now therefore be it
August 10, 2005 6
RESOLVED that the appropriation for expenditure account code A1990.4
titled “Contingency,” is decreased by $675.16 and that the appropriation for
expenditure account code A7320.4, titled “Joint Youth Project,” is decreased by
$1,499 from $6,950.00 to $5,451.00 and that expenditure account code A7310.4,
titled “Youth Program,” is increased by $2,174.16 from $34,050.36 to $36,224.52.
MOTIONED: Councilperson Owens
SECONDED: Councilperson Hubbell
Discussion: Supervisor Fisher stated that the Board was open to readdressing this if
appropriate monies do not come in from the Harvest Festival.
Vote: Supervisor Fisher…aye. Councilperson Hubbell…aye. Councilperson
Owens…aye. Councilperson Small…aye. Councilperson Stevenson…aye.
Resolution carried.
*************
Website – Digital Towpath. Supervisor Fisher asked each department to write up
job descriptions for possible inclusion on the Town’s website. He’s accepting other
suggestions too.
Dog Control Law. Supervisor Fisher asked if the Board members had reviewed
the dog control law he had given them. He would like to expedite this and once again
asked for input.
Farm Lease Contract. Supervisor Fisher asked the Board to look at a Farm
Rental Contract that he would like to use this year on 20 acres of property that the Town
purchased a few years ago. A Newfield resident has asked to use the property to grow
crops for resale on. Councilperson Stevenson suggested attaching a lot map to any
agreements.
Frank Podufalski asked about the possibility of the Town getting out of a lease if
need be. Supervisor Fisher said there is a 5-year clause for that purpose.
No action was taken at this time. A special meeting of the Town Board was
scheduled to fully review the farm lease contract on August 12, 2005 at 6:00 PM.
New Business:
2006 Budget Workshops. Wednesdays, September 21 and 28, 2005 at 7:00 PM at
the Enfield Town Hall.
Election Machine Custodian. Supervisor Fisher said he received a call saying
the Board of Elections would like Charles Kubinec from the Town of Newfield to work the
Primary Election in September as the Republican Machine Custodian in Enfield. Kubinec
August 10, 2005 7
was recently trained and the Board of Elections would like some compensation for that.
No cost given.
Celebrations Grant – Baker Marker.
Resolution Number 2005-43 Celebrations Grant – Baker Marker
Budget Amendment No. 18
WHEREAS, the Town Board received the invoice for the Baker historic marker
in the amount of $786.00, and
WHEREAS, the Enfield Historical Society has donated $86.00 toward the cost
of the Baker historic marker to the Town of Enfield, now therefore be it
RESOLVED that the Town of Enfield accepts the donation from the Enfield
Historical Society in the amount of $86.00 with the understanding that the donation
is to be used only for the cost of the Baker historical marker, and further be it
RESOLVED that the Town of Enfield 2005 General Fund Budget expenditure
account code A7550.4 titled “Celebrations – Contractual,” is increased by $86.00
from $700.00 to $786.00, and further be it
RESOLVED that revenue account code A2705, titled “Gifts and Donations,” is
added to the 2005 Town of Enfield General Fund Budget with projected revenue of
$86.00.
MOTIONED: Supervisor Fisher
SECONDED: Councilperson Hubbell
Discussion:
Vote: Supervisor Fisher…aye. Councilperson Hubbell…aye. Councilperson
Owens…aye. Councilperson Small…aye. Councilperson Stevenson…aye.
Resolution carried.
*************
Town Clerk contractual expenditures.
Resolution Number 2005-44 Town Clerk Contractual Expenditures
Budget Amendment No. 19
August 10, 2005 8
WHEREAS, the Town Board approved the Town Clerk attending the annual
meeting of the NYS Town Clerks’ Association, and
WHEREAS, the maintenance fee for the Town Clerk Plus software maintenance
contract increased by $100.00 for 2005-2006, now therefore be it
RESOLVED that the Town of Enfield 2005 General Fund Budget expenditure
account code A1410.4, titled “Town Clerk – Contractual,” is increased by $150.00, and
further be it
RESOLVED that expenditure account code A1990.4, titled “Contingency” is
decreased by $150.00.
MOTIONED: Supervisor Fisher
SECONDED: Councilperson Owens
Discussion
Vote: Supervisor Fisher…aye. Councilperson Hubbell…aye. Councilperson
Owens…aye. Councilperson Small…aye. Councilperson Stevenson…aye.
Resolution carried.
*************
Highway Joint Operations Authorization. Supervisor Fisher explained that
mutual agreement authorization is needed for Town of Enfield Highway Department to
work with the county and other towns. He feels liability needs to be discussed. If
authorization is given, vehicles will be covered. The issue was deemed to need more
scrutiny and was tabled.
Audit Claims:
It was motioned that Supervisor Fisher, on behalf of the Town Board of the Town of
Enfield, be authorized to pay the following:
- General Fund Vouchers #143-#160 dated August 10, 2005 in the amount of
$6,578.41.
-Highway Fund voucher #77-#87 dated August 10, 2005 in the amount of
$8,996.58.
-Community Development Grant voucher #11 - #13 dated August 10, 2005 in the
amount of $4,671.79.
MOTIONED: Councilperson Owens
SECONDED: Councilperson Hubbell
August 10, 2005 9
Discussion:
Vote: Supervisor Fisher…aye. Councilperson Hubbell…aye. Councilperson
Owens…aye. Councilperson Small…absent. Councilperson Stevenson…absent.
Motion carried.
Announcements:
Councilperson Small said that the response to the garage sales had not gone as well
as last year. [19 in 2004 vs. 8 in 2005]
Privilege of the Floor:
Pat Podufalski asked if the 20 acres earlier discussed will go back on the tax rolls.
Supervisor Fisher said it wouldn’t. She asked who paid the taxes. He said there are no
taxes because it belongs to the Town of Enfield and is tax exempt.
Frank Podufalski was curious about the fact that there are plenty of loose dogs in the
Town yet there have been no impoundment fees charged to the Town this year.
Adjournment: At 9:15 PM.
MOTIONED: Councilperson Hubbell
SECONDED: Councilperson Owens
Discussion:
Vote: Supervisor Fisher…aye. Councilperson Hubbell…aye. Councilperson
Owens…aye. Councilperson Small…aye. Councilperson Stevenson…aye.
Motion carried.
*************
Minutes transcribed by Deputy Town Clerk N. Pat Dougherty .