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HomeMy WebLinkAboutjuly 9 2008 tbm.pdfA P P R O V E D August 13, 2008 Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting July 9, 2008 at 7:00 PM Enfield Community Building -- 182 Enfield Main Road Meeting called to order by Supervisor Frank Podufalski Present: Supervisor Frank Podufalski Councilperson Stephanie Gaynor Councilperson Rob Harvey Councilperson Herb Masser Councilperson Roy Barriere Town Clerk Alice Laue Also present: Deputy Town Clerk Pat Dougherty Ithaca Journal Reporter Tim Ashmore Pledge of Allegiance: Supervisor Frank Podufalski led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Hearing: Site Plan Review -- New Facilities Supervisor Podufalski read the Notice of Public Hearing that appeared in the Ithaca Journal June 26, 2008. Questions of cost, need, placement , Route 327 infrastructure, public input, public referendum, previous architect plans, geo/thermal heat were asked. Answers included possibilities of fund ing via tax increase or Capital Building Fund…which would require a permissive referendum to move existing $500,000, and bond the rest. Supervisor Podufalski moved to close the Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m. Councilperson Masser 2nd. No vote taken. Public Hearing: Environmental Assessment Form, New Facilities Location Supervisor Podufalski read the Notice of Public Hearing that appeared in the Ithaca Journal June 26, 2008. The Short Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) was signed by the Supervisor. The Town of Enfield will be the lead agency. Public Hearing closed at 7:17 p.m. Enfield Regular Town Board Meeting July 9, 2008 2 Approval of Minutes: A motion was made to approve the June 11, 2008 minutes. Motioned: Councilperson Barrier Seconded: Councilperson Masser Discussion: Vote: Councilperson Barriere…aye. Councilperson Gaynor…aye. Councilperson Masser…aye. Councilperson Harvey…aye. Supervisor Podufalski…aye. Carried. Communications/Announcements/Correspondence: ** The Town of Enfield Courts received a grant of $20,000 for construction. We can also apply for another grant this year. ** David Dimmick sent an email (which Supervisor Podufalski read) suggesting the Town look into getting a grant for Rural Broad Band Internet. ** Haefele contract expires in 2011. Possibility of looking into Verizon. ** Michael Danaher, representing Attorney General Andrew Cuomo ’s Community Outreach efforts will be at the Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County on July 16 th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ** A letter from Tompkins County Dept. of Administration reporting that the Enfield Harvest Festival received a grant from the Tompkins County Legislature in the amount of $1,640. A motion was made by Councilperson Barriere to give Supervisor Podufalski authority to sign the agreement. 2nd by Councilperson Masser. Carried. Audit Claims: It was motioned that Supervisor Podufalski, on behalf of the Town Board of the Town of Enfield, be authorized to pay the following: - General Fund vouchers #148 - #166 dated July 9, 2008 in the amount of $7,363.28. - Highway Fund vouchers #45 - #52 dated July 9, 2008 in the amount of $9,917.83. Motioned: Councilperson Barriere Seconded: Councilperson Masser Vote: Councilperson Barriere…aye. Councilperson Gaynor…aye. Councilperson Masser…aye. Councilperson Harvey…abstained. Supervisor Podufalski…aye. Carried. Enfield Regular Town Board Meeting July 9, 2008 3 COMMITTEES/BOARDS REPORTS Tompkins County Board of Representatives: Greg Stevenson, District #1 Enfield/Newfield legislator, reported that the County budget process continues. Handed out Tompkins County newspaper which outlines the new County Public Safety Communications System which has been ten years in the making and is set to go “On Line.” Several spoke on the fact that Time Warner serves the Enfield School but no one on the Mecklenburg Road , where the service runs, is allowed to hook up. Code Enforcement: A written report was submitted. Alan Teeter said 40 building permits have been issued this year and noted that the Muse Fest application was in process. Enfield Community Council: Vice President Ann Rider said they meet the 2nd Monday of each month at the Community Building at 6:30 p.m. The 2nd combined Community Council/Town Newsletter has been sent out as has a flyer relevant to the Harvest Festival coming up. There are 107 summer campers being led by Vera Howe Straight, which is the highest number ever. Reward still being offered for recovery of stolen sign. Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: Larry Stilwell told of the Gator to be used for search and rescue that has been purchased. EVFC has its own website. Open House October 4, 2008. Facilities Building Manager: Councilperson Roy Barriere had no report. Facilities Planning Committee: Councilperson Masser had no report. Enfield Regular Town Board Meeting July 9, 2008 4 Planning Board: Planning Board member, Calvin Rothermich said there had been a very thorough presentation of the wind farm law a week ago. It’s about ready to be passed on. Recreation Partnership: Councilperson Gaynor says the partnership is working on its budget. Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG): Supervisor Podufalski reported on the status of the communications system which is being tested throughout the County. The Dog Control Contract has been put out for an RFP. Enfield’s contract expired June 30, 2008. Doug Austic, Ulysses Supervisor, has asked for dog numbers from each Town. Ulysses presently pays $100 per dog to a private facilitator and is not under contract. OLD BUSINESS An agreement to allow John Ranchic’s Black Oak Wind Farm to operate has been put on hold. Objections from Attorney John Krough are to be studied more thoroughly. Still need SEQ R and Environmental Impact Review. Supervisor Podufalski turned the proposed project back over to Krough. NEW BUSINESS Randy Hartmeyer of Fortune Wireless (AT&T) Global Tower stated that tower construction should start soon at 241 N. Van Dorn Road, Ithaca, NY 14850…Town of Enfield. It takes about 60 days after a permit is issued. Supervisor Podufalski had a question about the Connecticut Hill tower but Mr. Hartmeyer was unfamiliar with where it was. Verizon customers will still not have coverage but AT&T will. Tower height will be 195’ to get better reception. rhartmeyer@ffi.net Supervisor Podufalski said there is a need to start talking budget for fire contract… or fire district…if that’s the route the fire company takes. [At the August 13th meeting, Supervisor Podufalski noted that it should read “if that’s the route the Town Board takes ”…instead of “if that’s the route the fire company takes.”] David Dimmick asked if the meetings were open to the public. Supervisor Podufalski said he would check. Enfield Regular Town Board Meeting July 9, 2008 5 Although we do not have a contract with the SPCA, it was motioned that we continue to pay the rest of this year’s amount, $925.25/month on a month-to-month basis. We are required by Ag and Markets to have dog control. Supervisor Podufalski will contact the Ulysses Supervisor to see if their person might be interested in handling Enfield’s dogs, too. Podufalski acknowledged that we have enough in the budget to cover four months. A motion was made to pay the SPCA $925.25 for the month of July 2008. Motioned: Councilperson Barrier Seconded: Councilperson Gaynor Discussion: Vote: Councilperson Barriere…aye. Councilperson Gaynor…aye. Councilperson Masser…aye. Councilperson Harvey…aye. Supervisor Podufalski…aye. Carried. A request to hold a Mass Gathering –Ithaca Scottish Fames & Celtic Festival at Pine Creek Campgrounds (formerly Willowood) in the Town of Enfield on July 12, 2008 from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. was made by Mary Bishop—coordinator. They expect about 2000 people. A motion was made to allow the event. Motioned: Councilperson Gaynor Seconded: Councilperson Harvey Discussion: Vote: Councilperson Barriere…aye. Councilperson Gaynor…aye. Councilperson Masser…aye. Councilperson Harvey…aye. Supervisor Podufalski…aye. Carried. Robert Delphous discussed the 9th annual Musefest to be held on Griffin Road in the Town of Enfield August 22, 23, 24, 2008. It is a camping event with onsite parking. There will be 45 bands and the music will be cut off at 1:00 a.m. each night/morning. Information still needed by the Town Board on a certificate of disability, liability insurance, parking plan, security personnel and a nursing station. It was motioned to table approval of the event until the August 13th meeting, contingent upon the facilitators submitting proof of the above. Motioned: Councilperson Gaynor Seconded: Councilperson Masser Discussion: Vote: Councilperson Barriere…aye. Councilperson Gaynor…aye. Councilperson Masser…aye. Councilperson Harvey…aye. Supervisor Podufalski…aye. Carried. A resolution was proposed to set fees for annual fire inspections which take about an hour. $35 - $50 was the proposed first-time fee with an additional charge of $25 if there was a need for a return visit. Enfield Regular Town Board Meeting July 9, 2008 6 Questions arose about this being an additional tax on businesses already paying taxes. Also, is this an overlap of the fire department inspections? A clearer definition of who needs this inspection and why , was requested by Supervisor Podufalski. Tabled until the August 13th meeting. Supervisor Podufalski announced that he was starting budget requests for 2009. Announcements: Councilperson Roy Barriere thanked Peggy Hubbell for her help with finalization of flag placements for Memorial Day in the local cemeteries. Councilperson Barriere asked who was chairing the Cemetery Committee. It was thought to be Sue Thompson and someone will talk with her about her expected duties. Privilege of the Floor: Questions and answers were asked and received from the floor: * 3% budget increase…what if assessment goes up 18%? * Ranchic agreeable to following Attorney’s direction. * MJ Lovelace thanked Community Currents for their nice newsletter. Wants Board minutes and agendas on the web monthly. * Why didn’t the Town put a moratorium on wind farms after the local law was rescinded, someone asked. * It was suggested that the Town go slowly with any new buildings because of possible big tax increases. Give Enfield citizens a chance to participate in decisions. * Move forward regarding broad band…fiber optic already underground on Mecklenburg Road. * Supervisor Podufalski says insurance may pay $250 toward replacing stolen sign. * Better Housing got $400,000 grant for elderly housing. Enfield won’t know if they got their grant until August or September. Adjournment: At 9:30 p.m. A motion was made to adjourn. Motioned: Councilperson Barriere Seconded: Councilperson Masser Vote: Councilperson Barriere…aye. Councilperson Gaynor…aye. Councilperson Masser…aye. Councilperson Harvey…aye. Supervisor Podufalski…aye. Carried. ************* Minutes typed by Deputy Town Clerk N. Pat Dougherty.