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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-13-11 Regular Meeting.pdf Town of Enfield Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Enfield Community Building Wednesday, July 13, 2011 6:45 p.m. Present: Town Supervisor Roy Barriere, Town Councilperson Ron Clark, Town Councilperson Chris Hern, Town Councilperson Jean Owens, Town Councilperson Debbie Teeter, Town Highway Superintendent Barry Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Town Supervisor Barriere opened the meeting at 6:45 p.m. by leading the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak. Approval of Minutes: Councilperson Teeter moved to accept the minutes of the June 8, 2011 regular town board meeting. Second by Councilperson Clark. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern abstain, Councilperson Owens abstain, Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried Correspondence: Tompkins County Youth Development Survey for 2010 which provides a summary of highlights of the survey given to students in grades 6-12 in Tompkins County regarding attitudes and behavior. Notice of Ithaca Artists’ Market to be held July 29, 2011 at the Ithaca Farmers Market. Letter from the State Office of Real Property Tax Services notifying the town our tentative 2011 state equalization rate will be 100%. Notice of Finger Lakes Trails and Greenways Conference to be held September 23 and 24, 2011 at Cornell University. Letter from Sheen Housing notifying town of home repair grants for owner occupied single family homes. Budget Amendments: BA#2011-6 WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the General Fund Account, line item A1220.42, titled “Bookkeeper - Contractual”, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the General Fund Account, line item A1010.4, titled “Town Board - Contractual”, be decreased by $500.00 and General Fund Account, line item A1220.42, titled “Bookkeeper - Contractual”, be increased by $500.00. Budget Amendment BA#2011-6 was moved by Supervisor Barriere, with a second by Councilperson Owens. Discussion: Supervisor Barriere explained this was for software and monthly banking fees for the payroll direct deposit. Enfield Town Board Meeting, July 13, 2011 2 Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried BA#2011-7 WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the General Fund Account, line item A1460.4, titled “Records Management - Contractual”, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the General Fund Account, line item A1010.4, titled “Town Board - Contractual”, be decreased by $100.00 and General Fund Account, line item A1460.4, titled “Records Management - Contractual”, be increased by $100.00. Budget Amendment BA#2011-7 was moved by Supervisor Barriere, with a second by Councilperson Teeter. Discussion: Supervisor Barriere mentioned this was to include a Records Management line item in order to pay the Iron Mountain invoice for microfilm storage. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried Audit Claims: Councilperson Clark moved, with a second by Councilperson Hern to authorize the supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #173 to #207 dated July 13, 2011 in the amount of $173,845.95 and Highway Fund vouchers #113 to #130 dated July 13, 2011 in the amount of $33,547.12. Discussion: Supervisor Barriere mentioned there was an increase in the dog control fees to be paid to the SPCA. Our original 2011 contract was for 6 months, with an amendment for the final 6 months. Our rate has increased for the remainder of 2011. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried County Legislator’s Report: Jim Dennis reported a 2% tax cap has been signed into law in New York State. For Tompkins County this would mean an increase of $812,000. Jim explained that for the county to maintain current services it would mean a 13% increase in the levy. The county has voted to sell the license for Home Health Care services. Jim mentioned there is a 2 month comment period regarding Marcellus Gas Drilling. He feels this may not be enough time to hear from everyone and also feels the effect on tourism in the Fingerlakes area is an important issue that should be looked at due to sales tax considerations. The county budget process will begin in September. Dave McKenna will be attending a broadband meeting at the end of the month. Dr. Luvelle Brown, superintendent of the Ithaca City School District, will be speaking along with a representative of the library system. The Redistricting Committee held their organizational meeting. Highway Superintendent’s Report: Barry Rollins reported that even though the weather has been good, the crew is about 3 weeks behind on their schedule for main projects. Harvey Hill and Fish Roads will be ready for oil and stone at the end of August. The new radios are being installed. Cutting shoulders and digging ditches has been completed on Gray Road and is continuing on VanDorn Road South. The excavator broke down, but has now been repaired. Enfield Town Board Meeting, July 13, 2011 3 Supervisor Barriere mentioned the direct deposit for employee’s paychecks will begin in about 2 more pay periods Code Enforcement Officer’s Report: Alan Teeter reported that for the month of June there were 11 new building permits, 1 certificate of occupancy, 1 certificate of completion, and 3 certificates of compliance issued. There were 25 inspections and progress checks. There was 1 valid complaint received which was resolved, 2 letters of voluntary compliance sent, 4 orders to remedy, 2 fire and safety inspection for public assemblies and 1 for a multiple residence. Also, 2 house numbers were issued. The Tompkins County Department of Assessment will set up a meeting to go over how they assess properties and what is required of Enfield Code Enforcement. The apartment house at 1714 Mecklenburg Road is opening soon and also the 2 family apartment in back should be open by the end of the week, for a total of 11 apartments. Committee Reports: Planning Board: The last meeting was cancelled. Terry Beckley, recording secretary, is moving from the area, but Sue Thompson has agreed to take on the job. Supervisor Barriere stated the two most important items for the Planning Board at this time are the site plan review and the mapping to identify critical areas for anticipating the gas drilling industry coming to Enfield. Health Insurance Consortium: Herb Masser reported a Canadian company, CanaRx with an office in Detroit, is willing to supply non-generic drugs with no co-pay. If the health insurance consortium decided not to go with this company, the Town of Enfield could go with this company. The Medco company that is now used would still be available to get drugs quickly, while CanaRx would be mail order. Another program that the consortium is looking at is an employee assistance program (EAP). This is a counseling program for employees and their families. The health consortium had a presentation on 211, which is a program that is available for individuals and groups to receive information on many topics such as nutrition and health problems. Supervisor Barriere asked if the EAP would be in place for next year and if the entire family would be eligible. Herb responded that yes, it should be available and that any family member that had a problem that would affect the employee should be covered, but it may depend on what program is adopted. Enfield Community Council: Ann Rider, ECC treasurer, reported summer camp started July 5 at Robert Treman State Park and is going well with about 100 campers. The quilt to be raffled at the Harvest Festival is completed and raffle tickets are available. The next newsletter should be coming out in August to cover August through November and will include information on the Harvest Festival to be held September 17. Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: Roy Barriere mentioned that the next blood drive will be held July 19 at the fire station and asked everyone to spread to word. Facilities Manager: Councilperson Hern had nothing new to report. Communication Access Committee: Councilperson Hern had nothing new to report. Facilities Development: Councilperson Owens reported Chuck Fezali of Resource Associates has spent a lot of time at the site to make sure that everything is done appropriately. The work is about 2 weeks behind schedule due to the rain, but the roof should be on in about a week. There has been one change order involving installing 3 draft stops in the attic for better fire protection and a 24” culvert pipe under Route 327 that was eliminated. This is a net change of plus $824.00. Councilperson Owens also mentioned the 5 Year Comprehensive Plan. She has been Enfield Town Board Meeting, July 13, 2011 4 working on ideas and wants to get the Facilities Committee together to look at the Plan, but wants everyone to realize it may be September or October before a draft will be prepared. Supervisor Barriere commented that Chuck Fezali wants bills to go through him before being approved so he can have good records. Personnel Committee: Councilperson Teeter reported no meeting was held. Tompkins County Council of Governments: Supervisor Barriere reported the county budget was discussed. There was a presentation by Hank Dullea on TCAT funding – the number of rides have increased considerably over the last few years and the fares have not increased. There was also a mapping presentation by the gas drilling task force. This mapping presentation is available to municipalities and Enfield may sign up to host a presentation on August 28. Old Business: Update on Facility Consolidation Plan: Councilperson Teeter reported Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter did a scope of work. If anyone has questions, a meeting can be called. Supervisor Barriere suggested the plan be fine-tuned to the point that an RFP can be created and bids can be obtained. Update on Road Preservation Plan: Supervisor Barriere reported the three municipalities, Enfield, Caroline and Ulysses, have not had an opportunity to sit down and meet. However, the county committee has finalized the Road Preservation Law and sent it on to the county legislature to look at. They have sent out an RFP for road testing similar to what Caroline, Ulysses and Enfield did. The goal for Enfield is to do what the majority of municipalities are going to do so everyone is in sync on the agreements. New Business: Code Enforcement Restructuring: Supervisor Barriere explained he is looking at ways to save on the town’s budget. He spoke with the Code Enforcement Officers to determine if the total number of hours could be reduced. Currently both officers work 20 hours a week, but they felt the job could be done in 30 hours a week. Anytime this job is over 20 hours per week it becomes a civil service competitive position. Alan Teeter is in the top 3 on this list, so he could fill the 30 hour per week position. Resolution #2011-28 RESOLUTION TO RESTRUCTURE THE ENFIELD CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICE AND REDUCE STAFFING WHEREAS, the workload for the Code Enforcement Office has stabilized and reached a point to where the regular work hours could be reduced, and, WHEREAS, the need to reduce spending is a very high priority due to the Tax Cap Law, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Town of Enfield reduces the total number of hours for code enforcement from 40 hours per week to 30 hours per week, and further be it RESOLVED, that the Town of Enfield reduces the staffing from 2 Code Enforcement Officers to 1, and further be it Enfield Town Board Meeting, July 13, 2011 5 RESOLVED, that Alan Teeter will continue his appointment as Code Enforcement Officer, his hours will increase to 30 hours per week, and his annual salary will increase to $27,875.88, effective immediately, and further be it RESOLVED, that Carl Staley’s position be eliminated immediately, and that he will receive 2 month’s severance pay equal to his regular pay rate through 8/31/11. Resolution #2011-28 was moved by Supervisor Barriere, with a second by Councilperson Owens. Discussion: Councilperson Owens mentioned this would be close to a $10,000 per year savings for the future. Supervisor Barriere added that this year approximately $1,000 will be saved. Councilperson Teeter mentioned that if the need arose, Enfield could work with the Newfield Code Enforcement Officer. Councilperson Clark also agreed that it was a good move and he is still certified in New York so could help out. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Councilperson Teeter abstain, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried Discuss and Approve Cemetery Policy: Supervisor Barriere stated that several years ago there were some revisions to this policy which basically covered the fees for the cemetery use. It appears that the actual policy has never been approved. Sue Thompson, member of the cemetery committee, stated a lot of the information is based on state law and the rest is what the cemetery committee had previously put together. In general, it is to protect the town for any decisions that are made. Councilperson Owens suggested this should be incorporated in the Town of Enfield Policies and Procedures Manual. It should be assigned a number. Councilperson Clark asked if the fees are still sufficient and Supervisor Barriere responded they are. Councilperson Owens moved, with a second by Councilperson Hern to adopt the Town of Enfield Cemetery Policies – 2011 as presented, and incorporate them in the Town of Enfield Policy Manual. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried Animal Control Services Amendment: Supervisor Barriere stated that the director of the SPCA, Jim Bouderau, put together amendments for the Town of Enfield and all other municipalities that contract with the SPCA with new fees for dog control for the remainder of 2011. Meanwhile, the municipalities are working with the SPCA to put together a budget for 2012. Our rates are anticipated to go up to $16,000 for 2012, based on dog numbers, population and service calls. Councilperson Teeter moved, with a second by Councilperson Clark, to authorize the supervisor to sign the Amendment for Dog Control Services with the SPCA to continue dog control services through 2011. Discussion: Councilperson Teeter asked how things are working out for municipalities that are contracting independently for dog control. Supervisor Barriere replied some other municipalities may be signing on with the SPCA, as contracting elsewhere may not be going well. Councilperson Teeter would like to look into having someone local contract with the town instead of using the SPCA. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried Enfield Town Board Meeting, July 13, 2011 6 Announcements: Volunteer of the Month: This month’s volunteers of the month are Larry and Tracy Saulsgiver, nominated by Helen Jackson Hetherington. Larry and Tracy have been active in the Enfield Fire Company for over forty years. They have both been in the “Roadside Cleanup” program for many years, have volunteered with the Enfield Food Distribution over fifteen years, and have been involved with the Enfield Senior Citizens group. Larry works with the Wheel Chair repair program and both have been involved with Habitat for Humanity for many years. Councilperson Teeter mentioned the Enfield Volunteer Fire Department has had several new members recently join. Supervisor Barriere mentioned he will take care of the paperwork for the change in Code Enforcement personnel. Adjournment: Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Owens to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alice M. Linton Enfield Town Clerk