HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-10-11 Regular Meeting.pdf
Town of Enfield
Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, August 10, 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: Martha Fischer of 772 Bostwick Road spoke regarding hydro fracking and
the effects of the water usage and chemicals needed for the process. She would like the town
board to consider banning fracking in Enfield and is interested in having teams meet with Cornell
Cooperative Extension energy experts to reduce consumption and would like this to be a town
effort.
Approval of Minutes: Councilperson Teeter moved to approve the minutes of the July 13, 2011
regular town board meeting and the July 21, 2011 special town board meeting. Second by
Councilperson Clark.
Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens abstain,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Correspondence: Notice that the next Safe Medication Disposal Day will be Saturday, October 1,
2011 at the TCAT garage.
Memo to Tompkins County Council Of Government members asking for a response by
August 19 from each municipality of whether they would like to participate in a coordinated
approach to Time-Warner, much like the health insurance consortium. Supervisor Barriere asked
Councilperson Hern to attend meetings regarding this if possible.
Annual Report from Sheen Housing.
Notice from Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response that effective
December 1, 2011 alarms will no longer be monitored at the 911/Communications Center.
Alarmtech Systems, LLC will be taking over and the Town of Enfield will now have to pay a fee for
services.
Official notice from the Tompkins County Board of Elections that the Enfield Volunteer Fire
Station will be the new poll site facility, which will accommodate all of the elections that were
previously held in the Enfield Elementary School.
Copy of letter from the Tompkins County Water Resources Council with comments to the
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation regarding High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing
requesting a comment period of at least 60 days.
Notice from Smart Growth for Local Governments of a presentation by Peter Fleischer of
Empire State Future on principles and the opportunities in our region to address some of the
critical challenges faced by local governments in upstate New York, to be held September 14.
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Notice that energy for our electric carrier is going out to public bid.
Letter from the Tompkins County Water Resources Council seeking applications for
municipal representatives or designees to serve on the WRC. Applications are due by September
9, 2011.
Copy of letter from State of NY Department of Public Service directing Verizon to focus its
repair and maintenance efforts on “core” customers in need of regulatory protection.
Memo from Recreation Partnership stating that the Town of Enfield’s contribution for 2012
will be reduced by $225 to $4,960.
Budget Amendments:
BA#2011-8
WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the General Fund Account, line item
A1110.4, titled ”Justice – Contractual”, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the General Fund Account, line item A1110.22, titled “Justice – JCAP
Grant Funds”, be decreased by $100.00 and General Fund Account, line item A1110.4, titled
“Justice - Contractual”, be increased by $100.00.
Budget Amendment BA#2011-8 was moved by Supervisor Barriere, with a second by
Councilperson Owens.
Discussion: Supervisor Barriere explained this is based on approval from Justice Poole.
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 #208 to #240 dated August 10, 2011 in the amount of
$273,687.07 and Highway Fund vouchers #131 to #143 dated August 10, 2011 in the amount of
$22,039.31.
Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Supervisor Barriere moved to change the ending voucher number for Warrant #6 from #170
to #172. Councilperson Teeter seconded the motion.
Discussion: Supervisor Barriere explained the amount did not change - this was due to the
fact that voucher numbers for pre-paid bills were not included previously.
Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
County Legislator’s Report: Jim Dennis reported the county is working on a road preservation
law where 1,000 truck trips would be the threshold. The number of truck trips to drill a well with the
hydro fracking technique is 1,350. Jim mentioned that in Bradford County, PA the social impact of
this drilling has been a mess. Jim also reported that the redistricting committee met in Enfield and
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is continuing to work to re-draw lines due to population changes. The county legislature continues
to work on a budget with a 2% tax cap.
Highway Superintendent’s Report: Town Highway Superintendent Barry Rollins reported that
the last mile of Harvey Hill Road is getting prepped to replace pipes and do ditches – they are
about 3 weeks behind, due in large part to the weather. East Enfield Center Road will be closed for
2 days to pave the new bridge. The hope is to pave from Route 327 to Shudaben Road. This will
include 1 day to prepare and 1 day to pave. The plan is still to oil and stone Fish and Harvey Hill
Road, although Suit-Kote is about 3 weeks behind.
Code Enforcement Officer’s Report: Alan Teeter reported that for the month of June there were
5 new building permits, 1 for a new home; 6 foundation inspections, 2 framing inspections, 1
plumbing inspection, and1 final inspection. There were 7 progress checks. There was 1 valid
complaint received which was resolved, 2 letters of voluntary compliance sent, 3 orders to remedy,
3 fire and safety inspections for public assemblies. Also, 1 house number was issued and 2 house
numbers were installed. The Baptist Church is now open for services. Forms are being updated as
some are out-of-date.
Committee Reports:
Planning Board: The last meeting was cancelled. Supervisor Barriere asked
Councilperson Clark to make sure the board stays on task for the site plan review law and
mapping. They are also working on the comprehensive plan that was last updated in 2001.
Health Insurance Consortium: Supervisor Barriere reported that all employees in Enfield
must have the same health plan since we are such a small group.
Enfield Community Council: Councilperson Teeter reported that there was discussion at
the last meeting regarding the Harvest Festival. The town did receive a copy of the first quarter
report from the ECC.
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: Art Howser reported that in June there were 31 EMS
calls, 1 structure fire, 3 motor vehicle accidents, 1 power line down, 1 outside rubbish fire –
controlled burn and 2 mutual assists to Trumansburg. In July there were 14 EMS calls, 3 motor
vehicle accidents, 10 severe weather power lines down, 1 outside rubbish fire – illegal burn, 1
burning odor investigation, 1 mutual aid to Mecklenburg, 1 to Newfield and 1 cancelled to Lower
Treman Park – Ithaca area. Training has included truck equipment inspections, scene safety, back
boarding, CPR, truck bay floor detail, truck and station maintenance. Truck 602 is out for repairs to
the braking system. Art reminded everyone to use caution around downed wires and during
storms. The EVFC has signed a one year contract with the Tompkins County Board of Elections to
host the primary and general elections. Next year they will evaluate 2011 and may sign a five year
contract.
Facilities Manager: Councilperson Hern had nothing new to report.
Communication Access Committee: Councilperson Hern had nothing new to report.
Facilities Development: Councilperson Owens reported the well driller hit water at 50 feet
at a rate of 30 gallons/minute.
Proposals were received from both Alarmtech Systems and Eastern Security Services for
the new facility. Councilperson Clark noticed that neither proposal listed a manual pull station, but
Alarmtech offers more devices. Also, Alarmtech offers 6 months free monitoring and the town is
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familiar with them as they provide service to the Community Building. Councilperson Owens
responded that manual pull stations were reviewed and they are not required. Councilperson Clark
felt that even though Alarmtech Systems was a little more expensive, it was a better deal and he
would recommend that system. Councilperson Owens stated that we have had no problem with
Alarmtech Systems in the Community Building.
Councilperson Teeter moved, with a second by Councilperson Clark to authorize the project
manager to contract with Alarmtech Systems for fire and burglary protection at the new highway
facility.
Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Councilperson Owens also reported the new highway facility project is on schedule and she
is putting together a spreadsheet with costs accrued up to this point. Supervisor Barriere stated
another change order was needed to run the underground cable from the last pole to the facility at
a cost of about $3,500.
Personnel Committee: Councilperson Teeter reported no meeting was held.
Tompkins County Council of Governments: Councilperson Teeter reported she did not
attend the meeting this month.
Health Insurance Consortium: Herb Masser arrived to report that the company mentioned
at last month’s meeting, Medco, is a very large company which may be taken over by an even
larger company. At this point it doesn’t appear the health insurance consortium will be switching
from Medco. The consortium will probably move forward with Canax, so there will be no co-pay for
brand name drugs.
Old Business:
Update on Facility Consolidation Plan: Councilperson Teeter reported she is looking for
more detailed information and will report more at the next meeting.
Update on 5-Year Facilities Development Plan: Councilperson Owens is working on this,
but is not ready yet to sit down with bottom line numbers.
Update on Road Preservation Plan: Supervisor Barriere reported the three municipality
group of Enfield, Caroline and Ulysses are waiting to see what the county comes up with.
Update on Dog Control Budget: Supervisor Barriere reported at the next dog control
meeting, to be held August 19, the group hopes the Town of Lansing will join the group. If Lansing
joins, everyone’s bill should be a little less.
New Business:
Discussion Regarding Gene Gun: Town Historian Sue Thompson gave a brief history of
the acquisition of a Biolistics Model BP-G, Serial #II “gene gun” donated to the Town of Enfield by
Mr. Edward D. Wolf, co-inventor, on April 7, 1983. Since the historian has no place to display
equipment, she recommended that the gene gun be returned to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Allen of 750
Millard Hill Road, Newfield, New York 14867 as per the contract dated April 7, 1983 signed by
Edward D. Wolfe and M. Clyde Hubbell, Enfield Town Historian.
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Councilperson Teeter moved, with a second by Councilperson Owens, that the Biolistics
Model BP-G, Serial #II gene gun be returned to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Allen of 750 Millard Hill Road,
Newfield, New York 14867 as per the contract dated April 7, 1983.
Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Resolution to Amend Code Enforcement Officer Safety Inspection Law: Supervisor
Barriere explained the Code Enforcement Officer, on the recommendation of New York State,
would like to change the inspection frequencies of certain groups. This will require a public hearing.
.
Councilperson Owens moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter, to set a public
hearing for the next meeting, September 14, at 6:45 p.m. in order for the public to express
comments on amending Local Law #1 of 2007 – Local law Providing for the Administration and
Enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Announcements:
Volunteer of the Month: Supervisor Barriere read a letter from Vera Howe-Strait
nominating a group of volunteer coaches from the Enfield Elementary School 4th and 5th grade
basketball team for Volunteers of the Month. These 4 individuals, Victoria Woodcock, Faye Coyne,
Katie Gaffney, and Alex Stinson “stepped up to the hoop” in providing a 3 month program to teach
4th and 5th grade students the fundamentals of the game and sportsmanship. They devoted
countless hours to practice, games and mentoring. All four were commended for their
volunteerism.
Naming of New Road: Councilperson Clark asked if any thought had been given to a
name for the new road that the new Highway Facility is located on. Supervisor Barriere responded
at this time the address is 475 Enfield Main Road, but some thought should be put into naming the
road. Councilperson Owens will bring this subject up to the Facilities Development Committee.
Adjournment: Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Owens to
adjourn at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice M. Linton
Enfield Town Clerk