HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-14-07 PHTBM.pdf
TOWN OF ENFIELD
PUBLIC HEARING & REGULAR TOWN BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2007
7:00 P. M.
A public hearing on the 2008 preliminary budget was held Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at the Enfield
Community Building, 182 Enfield Main Road, Ithaca, NY at 7:00 p.m. The public hearing was held before
the regular monthly Town Board meeting with Supervisor Owens presided over both meetings.
Present: Supervisor Jean Owens, Councilperson Sandra Small, Councilperson Peggy Hubbell,
Councilperson Robert Harvey and Town Clerk Alice Laue.
Absent: Councilperson Byron Smith.
Others Present: Diane Aramini, Roy Barriere, John Rancich, Kay Callahan, Greg Stilwell, Larry Stilwell,
Larry Lanning, David Owens, Ed Hetherington, Dennis Hubbell, Greg Stevenson, Debbie and Alan Teeter,
David Dimmick, Herb Masser, Frank Podufalski, Carol Given.
Public Hearing – Town of Enfield 2008 Preliminary Budget
Supervisor Owens opened the public hearing by reading the legal notice published in the Ithaca Journal.
Question asked was what the tax levy was. Supervisor answered, tax levy was 3% of 2007 budget.
After those wishing to speak had spoken Supervisor Owens closed the public hearing.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
Pledge Allegiance to the Flag: Supervisor Owens opened the regular monthly Town Board by leading
the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak.
Committee/Board Reports:
Tompkins County Legislature: Greg Stevenson reported on the following:
Highway Issues: With respect to Weatherby Road, he met with County Highway Manager and his
supervisor Commissioner of Planning Ed Marks. They discussed specific issues of concerns voiced
basically centering on potential perceived efficiencies in the job and reasons for that. They took notes of
every specific issue. County Legislator Stevenson gave them a list of things he had listed verbatim;
inspector on the site, number of tons of millings, destination somewhat unknown, trucks driving on the
roads, etc. County more aware of some issues than others and they are to look into all concerns. Bottom
line, they thought both parties, county and town, working on communications with each other would be a
good thing to strive for in the future.
Public Hearing & Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – November 14, 2007 2
County Budget: Public hearing held November 13, 2007 – no speakers. Scheduled budget vote is next
Thursday. County looking at 1.6% rate increases and about a 2.9% levy increase. Way it stands now
County Legislator Stevenson probably won’t vote for this budget, he has concerns about process with
respect to the Health Department building selection site process. Process was circumvented a little and he
says he will not support a budget containing funding for that item. He will not support funding bail fund
(OAR) with taxpayer’s money. Bail funds not an appropriate use of public money.
Beautification Committee: Debbie Teeter reported that weather permitting second “Welcome to Enfield”
sign to go up this week. Some Fall planting to be done.
Code Enforcement: Written report submitted. Supervisor Owens presented Code Enforcement Clark’s
letter of resignation effective December 31, 2007. Clark is moving to Florida. Supervisor Owens
suggested advertising and receiving application of the position in December knowing that the hiring of a
code enforcement officer would not take place before end of the year. This would help facilitate the new
Board being able to select a code enforcement officer. Discussion centered around a date to start
advertising, how long the ad should run and an application deadline date of December 15, 2007.
Councilperson Harvey suggested that an ad should go in the paper as soon as possible, run it for a week
and see what transpires from there. Harvey also felt a call to the County Personnel Office should be made.
Supervisor Owens will put an ad in the Ithaca Journal soliciting applications. Owens to email Board
members the wording for approval.
Enfield Community Council: Carol Given reported that they are working on wrapping up the year and
working on the 2008 contract.
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: Written report received from Fire Company. Chicken barbeques
starting in January and to held the second Sunday of the month for January, February, March and April.
Planning Board: Councilperson Hubbell reported that the there were no agenda items so there was no
meeting.
Tompkins County Council of Government (TCCOG): Supervisor Owens reported that next week the
TCCOG is considering a health insurance consortium, will have a draft available for discussion and that
the SPCA saga will be discussed.
Old Business:
Code of Ethics: Councilperson Small reported that she had talked with Tim Mattison, the Attorney for the
Town and he said he did not receive a complete Code of Ethics document. Small said she would email
him the whole document. Mattison added that given what he reviewed, it looked to be in order and he felt
the Board could go ahead and make a resolution to hold a public hearing and he would finish up his review
in time to have copies available for the public.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 30-2007
CODE OF ETHICS PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT A LOCAL LAW TO
ESTABLISH STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND
EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWN OF ENFIELD
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield Town Board at its January 10, 2007 organizational meeting
appointed a Code of Ethics Committee to revise and update its Code of Ethics dated November 1970;
Public Hearing & Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – November 14, 2007 3
and
WHEREAS, as a result, the Committee has drafted and submitted to the Town of Enfield Town
Board a proposed Code of Ethics making said document a Local Law to establish standards of conduct
for municipal officers and employees of the Town of Enfield;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield wishes to schedule a public hearing
on the proposed Code of Ethics local law to be held by said Town Board on Wednesday, December 12,
2007 at 7:00 p.m. to hear all interested parties as it relates to a proposed local law entitled “A Local
Law to Establish Standards of Conduct for Municipal Officers and Employees of the Town of Enfield”.
Resolution moved by Councilperson Small, seconded by Councilperson Hubbell.
Discussion:
Vote: Councilperson Small aye, Councilperson Hubbell aye, Councilperson Harvey aye, Supervisor
Owens no, Councilperson Smith was absent. Resolution carried.
SPCA Memorandum of Understanding - Contract Extension of 2007 Contract 1/1/2008-3/31/2008:
Supervisor Owens highlighted that this was basically an agreement with the SPCA to continue dog control
services for the period of 1/1/2008-3/31/2008 at the rate of 150% of the rate set in the 2007 contract.
Municipalities have started working together creating a request for proposals that would provide animal
control services beginning 4/1/2008. Clause in Memorandum of Understanding is if municipalities are
unable to award a contract to the SPCA or another entity prior to 4/1/2008 the SPCA would provide same
level of services throughout the remainder of 2008 at 200%. Need to continue negotiating with other
municipalities to find a potential proposal for services providers. This Memorandum of Understanding
gives a three-month window opportunity. Need approval from Board that we enter into contract with the
SPCA for a three-month period, 1/1/2008-3/31/2008 at a 150% of rate set in the 2007 contract. Monthly
SPCA contract now is $652.25 a month and 1/1/2008-3/31/2008 it would be between $900.00 and a
$1,000.00 a month.
Councilperson Harvey expressed concern that the Town of Enfield begin looking at other options.
Supervisor Owens added that she has done some research but has been unable to find anyone interested in
doing dog control in the Town.
Motion made by Supervisor Owens, seconded by Councilperson Hubbell that the Town Board agrees to
150% of the contractual rate of the 2007 contract with the SPCA for the period 1/1/2008-3/31/2008.
Discussion: Are we bound to this contract? Yes, until 3/31/2008.
Vote: Councilperson Small aye, Councilperson Hubbell aye, Councilperson Harvey no, Supervisor Owens
aye, Councilperson Smith was absent. 3 aye votes 1 no. Motion carried.
Utility Scale Wind Conversion Systems Local Law (USWCS): Councilperson Small submitted a new
draft outlining additions since the Planning Board had turned over the matter to the Town Board. Set backs
were discussed. Mr. Rancich reported that his project had been scaled back from 20 to 10 turbines, based
on engineers, all in Enfield, Black Oak Road area, approximately 600 acres. Set backs of 1500 feet will
eliminate the project. Discussed option of referring draft local law back to Planning Board. Supervisor
Owens to confer with Planning Board about a joint meeting to review draft for December 5, 2007.
Public Hearing & Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – November 14, 2007 4
New Business:
2008 Preliminary Budget: Councilperson Hubbell suggested:
(a) Moving unexpended monies in 2007 budget to unexpended balance to lower 2008 tax rate and felt that
the taxpayers have already been taxed for this money once.
(b) Amending Justices’ budget requests.
(c) Amending contingency line.
(d) 2008 unexpended balance reduced to $40,872.00. Supervisor to refigure tax rate.
Motion made by Supervisor Owens, seconded by Councilperson Small that the Town Board approve the
adoption of the amended 2008 Preliminary Budget as the 2008 Final Budget.
Discussion:
Vote: Councilperson Small aye, Councilperson Hubbell aye, Councilperson Harvey aye, Supervisor
Owens aye, Councilperson Smith was absent. Motion carried.
Tompkins County Drug and Alcohol Consortium- 2008 Extension:
Supervisor Owens presented the Tompkins County Drug and Alcohol Consortium-2008 Extension and
asked for authorization to sign same.
Motion made by Supervisor Owens, seconded by Councilperson Hubbell that the Town Board agrees to
continue with the Tompkins County Drug and Alcohol Consortium-2008 Extension and authorizes the
Supervisor to sign same.
Discussion:
Vote: Councilperson Small aye, Councilperson Hubbell aye, Councilperson Harvey aye, Supervisor
Owens aye, Councilperson Smith was absent. Motion carried.
Resolution in Support of the County-Wide Water and Sewer Evaluation:
RESOLUTION NUMBER 31-2007
IN SUPPORT OF THE COUNTY-WIDE WATER AND SEWER EVALUATION
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Economic Development Strategy’s goals include increasing and
diversifying the county’s housing supply and revitalizing the county’s unique commercial districts and
town centers; AND
WHEREAS, the Economic Development Collaborative was organized to formalize, strengthen and
deepen the cooperation among the many local agencies and municipal bodies addressing economic
development issues in the County to make the process more effective through common goals and
approach; AND
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG) is a member of the Economic
Development Collaborative, which is currently working to address the goals of the County’s Economic
Development Strategy, AND
WHEREAS, the TCCOG supports the development of a county-wide evaluation of water and sewer
infrastructure and the development of a conceptual plan of water and sewer infrastructure needs to
support future planned growth to meet county housing and economic development goals; AND
Public Hearing & Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – November 14, 2007 5
WHEREAS, the Economic Development Collaborative has suggested the creation of an updated,
county-wide evaluation of existing water and sewer infrastructure and the development of a conceptual
plan of water and sewer infrastructure needs to support future planned growth to meet county housing
and economic development goals; AND
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield is a member of the TCCOG; AND
WHEREAS, the last county-wide evaluation of water and sewer infrastructure was completed in 1994;
AND
WHEREAS, an updated evaluation would facilitate the development of housing within town and
village centers, commercial revitalization of those centers and growth in the tax base, with the most
efficient use of public dollars for infrastructure; NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town of Enfield supports the development of a county-wide evaluation of water
and sewer infrastructure and the development of a conceptual plan of water and sewer infrastructure
needs to support future planned growth to meet county housing and economic development goals by an
engineering consultant; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Town of Enfield pledges to work with the Engineering Consultant to ensure
cooperation of its planning and engineering departments with this project.
This resolution having been considered and approved on November 14, 2007.
Statement of need:
Increasing housing supply and revitalization of commercial districts are two of the Tompkins County
Economic Development Strategy’s three goals. Both require improvements to water and sewer
infrastructure, especially in the non-urbanized areas of the county. The proposed infrastructure study
is, therefore, an integral step to achieving affordable housing and revitalization goals. In particular, to
provide for housing to be reasonably affordable, housing requires density. Continuing to build
individual homes on 1-2 acre lots is not an affordable approach to providing housing. Dependable
water and sewer infrastructure is also critical for revitalization of our town and village centers.
Preliminary scope of work:
A consultant would be hired to:
Update the 1994 county-wide evaluation of water and sewer infrastructure working with local
municipal staff.
Prepare a conceptual plan of water and sewerage infrastructure, including potential service
areas, to support future growth.
Prepare preliminary costs to expand infrastructure to accommodate planned growth.
Work would reflect anticipated growth of the municipality.
Some municipalities have extensive planning for water and sewer. In these cases the current study will
serve mostly to summarize that information in the single county-wide evaluation.
Public Hearing & Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – November 14, 2007 6
In the case of communities with no water and/or sewer, the consultant will never-the-less consider the
potential need for public water and/or sewer over the next ten to twenty years.
Resolution moved by Supervisor Owens, seconded by: Councilperson Small.
Discussion: Resolution to support county’s wide water and sewer study.
Vote: Councilperson Small aye, Councilperson Hubbell aye, Councilperson Harvey aye, Supervisor
Owens aye, Councilperson Smith was absent. Resolution carried.
Enfield Community Council 2008 Contract:
Supervisor Owens presented the Enfield Community Council’s one-year contract and asked for
authorization to sign same.
Motion made by Supervisor Owens, seconded by Councilperson Hubbell that the Town Board agrees to
the adoption of the 2008 Enfield Community Council’s one-year contract in the amount of $39,043.35.
Discussion:
Vote: Councilperson Small aye, Councilperson Hubbell aye, Councilperson Harvey aye, Supervisor
Owens aye, Councilperson Smith was absent. Motion carried.
Budget Amendments:
RESOLUTION NUMBER 32-2007
TOWN OF ENFIELD BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER 8
TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS – BETTER HOUSING GRANT APPLICATION
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield has authorized Better Housing for Tompkins County to submit a
grant application on behalf of the Town of Enfield to New York State for Housing Rehabilitations, and
WHEREAS, Better Housing has now submitted an invoice for the payment of their services.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that General Fund Appropriation account A1990.4, titled “Contingency Contractual” be
reduced $1,635.05 and General Fund Appropriations account A1010.4, titled “Town Board –
Contractual” be increased by $1,635.05.
Moved by Supervisor Owens, seconded by: Councilperson Harvey.
Discussion:
Vote: Councilperson Small aye, Councilperson Hubbell aye, Councilperso n Harvey aye, Supervisor
Owens aye, Councilperson Smith was absent. Resolution carried.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 33-2007
TOWN OF ENFIELD BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER 9
TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS
2007-2008 HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT’S MEMBERSHIP DUES
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield Highway Superintendent’s membership dues 2007-2008 for the
NYSAOTSOH are due.
Public Hearing & Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – November 14, 2007 7
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that General Fund Appropriations account A1990.4, titled “Contingency Contractual” be
reduced $150.00 and General Fund Appropriations account A5010.4, titled “Superintendent of Highways
– Contractual” be increased $150.00.
Moved by Supervisor Owens, seconded by Councilperson Harvey.
Discussion:
Vote: Councilperson Small aye, Councilperson Hubbell aye, Councilperson Harvey aye, Supervisor
Owens aye, Councilperson Smith was absent. Resolution carried.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 34-2007
TOWN OF ENFIELD BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER 10
TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS – CEMETERY EQUIPMENT
WHEREAS, needed equipment was purchased for maintenance work to be completed in the Town of
Enfield cemeteries.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that General Fund Appropriations account A8810.4, titled “Cemetery- Contractual” be
reduced $19.94 and General Fund Appropriations account A8810.2, titled “Cemeteries - Equipment” be
increased by $19.94.
Moved by Supervisor Owens, seconded by Councilperson Harvey.
Discussion: Trimmer and mower were bought.
Vote: Councilperson Small aye, Councilperson Hubbell aye, Councilperson Harvey aye, Supervisor
Owens aye, Councilperson Smith was absent. Resolution carried.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 35-2007
TOWN OF ENFIELD BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER 11
TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS – PAYMENT OF HEAT BILLS
WHERAS, additional funds are needed for payment of utility and heating bills for the remainder of
2007.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that General Fund Appropriations account A1990.4, titled “Contingency – Contractual”
be reduced by $6,000.00 and General Fund Appropriations account A1620.4, titled “Building –
Contractual” be increased by $6,000.00.
Moved by Supervisor Owens, seconded by Councilperson Hubbell..
Discussion:
Vote: Councilperson Small aye, Councilperson Hubbell aye, Councilperson Harvey aye, Supervisor
Owens aye, Councilperson Smith was absent. Resolution carried.
Public Hearing & Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – November 14, 2007 8
Audit Claims:
Supervisor Owens presented vouchers and bills for payment.
Motion made by Councilperson Small, seconded by Councilperson Hubbell that the Town Board
authorizes the supervisor pay:
General Fund Vouchers # 211-241 in the amount of $19,430.22
Highway Fund Vouchers # 92-106 in the amount of $33,425.00.
Discussion:
Vote: Councilperson Small aye, Councilperson Hubbell aye. Councilperson Harvey aye, Supervisor
Owens aye, Councilperson Smith was absent. Motion carried.
Announcements:
Fire Company’s first chicken barbeque, second Sunday in January 2008.
Privilege of the Floor:
Bruce Varner urged the Town Board to reject the wind farm proposal.
Adjournment:
Motion made by Supervisor Owens, seconded by Councilperson Hubbell that the November 14, 2007
regular Town Board meeting adjourn.
Discussion:
Vote: Councilperson Small aye, Councilperson Hubbell aye, Councilperson Harvey aye, Supervisor
Owens aye, Councilperson Smith was absent. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted.
Alice Laue, Town Clerk