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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-14-11 Regular Meeting.pdf Town of Enfield Public Hearing and Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Enfield Community Building Wednesday, September 14, 2011 6:45 p.m. Present: Deputy Town Supervisor Debbie Teeter, Town Councilperson Ron Clark, Town Councilperson Chris Hern, Town Councilperson Jean Owens, Town Highway Superintendent Barry Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Absent: Town Supervisor Roy Barriere. Deputy Supervisor Teeter opened the public hearing and meeting at 6:45 p.m. by leading the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Public Hearing on the proposed amendment to Local Law #1: Deputy Supervisor Teeter stated a legal ad was published in the Ithaca Journal advertising the public hearing. She then read the proposed amendment to Local Law #1 and asked if anyone wished to speak on this matter. As no one wished to speak, the public hearing was closed at 6:48 p.m. Presentation on 6-Town Energy Education: Shawn Lindabury gave an update on the program which helps homeowners save money through energy efficiency measures. He passed out a Second and Third Quarterly Report and mentioned that free and low cost home energy audits, which include blower fan tests, are available to most homeowners. A new program “Get Your GreenBack – Tompkins” is planned to inspire every household in Tompkins County to take at least one action they have not taken before to save money on energy use in buildings, food, transportation and waste by the end of 2012. Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak. Approval of Minutes: Councilperson Owens moved to accept the minutes of the August 10, 2011 regular town board meeting. Second by Councilperson Hern. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Deputy Supervisor Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere absent. Carried Correspondence: Notice of regional conference and training for Planning and Zoning Board members to be held Tuesday, October 25 from 3:30 to 9:00 p.m. at TC3. Deputy Supervisor Teeter read into the record a letter received from M. Clyde Hubbell, former Town Historian, regarding action of the town board at the August 10, 2011 town board meeting regarding a “gene gun”. Letter from the Tompkins County Department of Planning regarding the Tompkins County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. The initial steering committee meeting for the plan update will be held Tuesday, September 20, 2011 from10:00 a.m. until noon at the Old Jail Conference Room, 125 East Court Street, Ithaca. They would like Enfield to send a representative. Notice of upcoming support groups for family caregivers being held this fall by the Tompkins County Office for the Aging. Notice of literature available regarding preparing for emergencies. Information is also available at www.ready.gov or by calling 1-800-BE-READY. Enfield Town Board Meeting, September 14, 2011 2 Budget Amendments: BA#2011-9 WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the Highway Fund Account, line item DA5130.4, titled “Machinery Contractual”, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Highway Fund Account, line item DA5110.4, titled “General Repairs - Contractual”, be decreased by $10,000.00 and Highway Fund Account, line item DA5130.4, titled “Machinery Contractual”, be increased by $10,000.00. Budget Amendment BA#2011-9 was moved by Deputy Supervisor Teeter, with a second by Councilperson Owens. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Deputy Supervisor Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere absent. Carried BA#2011-10 WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the General Fund Account, line item A5197.2, titled “Highway Capital Project”, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the H-Fund Account, line item H5197.2, titled “Highway Capital Project” (the bond money), be decreased by $46,739.35 and General Fund Account, line item A5197.2, titled “Highway Capital Fund” be increased by $46,739.35. Budget Amendment BA#2011-10 was moved by Deputy Supervisor Teeter, with a second by Councilperson Hern. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Deputy Supervisor Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere absent. Carried Audit Claims: Councilperson Clark moved, with a second by Councilperson Owens to authorize the supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #241 to #261 dated September 14, 2011 in the amount of $7,183.87, Highway Fund vouchers #144 to #158 dated September 14, 2011 in the amount of $57,944.89 and H-Fund vouchers #1 to #8 dated September 14, 2011 in the amount of $407,595.55. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Deputy Supervisor Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere absent. Carried County Legislator’s Report: Dave McKenna reported the county legislature is working on their 2012 budget. Hearings are just beginning and they may move to override the tax cap. The county is working towards moving all offices out of the old public library building so that more money won’t need to be spent on repairs. The County Road Preservation Law passed. Highway Superintendent’s Report: Town Highway Superintendent Barry Rollins gave Deputy Supervisor Teeter an equipment inventory. He has purchased a digital camera and passed around before and after photos of some of the road work done in the past month. These photos make it easier to see how intersections are opened up and signs are more easily seen. He also reported that after the recent rains one pipe by East Enfield Center Road needs to be replaced with a larger pipe and there was a wash-out on Aiken Road where the ditches need to be done and shoulders Enfield Town Board Meeting, September 14, 2011 3 cut. Rumsey Hill Road was undermined, although the top of the road was not damaged. Since ditching work this summer, Colegrove, Gray and Enfield Center Roads have not washed out or needed broom work. This saves man hours. The blacktopping is completed on the Enfield Center Road bridge. Porter Hill Road has been shimmed on curves. Harvey Hill and Fish Roads will be ready for stone and oil paving during the next month. Ditching has been started on the first mile of Harvey Hill Road. Code Enforcement Officer’s Report: Alan Teeter reported that for the month of August there were 7 new building permits issued, 1 certificate of occupancy issued, 11 certificates of completion issued and 1 certificate of compliance issued; 5 framing inspections, 2 insulation/energy code inspections, 2 plumbing inspections, and 7 final inspections. There were 6 progress checks and 2 meetings with owners/builders. There were no valid complaints received, 1 order to remedy, 1 fire and safety inspection for public assemblies. Pine Creek Campgrounds may be opening a restaurant. This month all code enforcement officers in the county met with the Tompkins County Assessment Department and they plan to meet again in January. Alan attended trainings on the new energy code and one on inspecting existing public assemblies. Committee Reports: Health Insurance Consortium: No report. Enfield Community Council: Ann Rider, ECC treasurer, reported she is looking for volunteers for the annual Harvest Festival which will be held next Saturday. The summer camp, sponsored by the ECC was very successful with 98 campers and a staff of 12 teens and adults. Most of the money spent stayed within the town. The fall community newsletter has been published and delivered. Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: Art Howser reported that in August there were 19 EMS calls, 1 carbon monoxide detector activation, 3 motor vehicle accidents, 1 severe weather – tree in roadway, 6 mutual assists to Trumansburg and 1 mutual assist to Mecklenburg. Training has included station and truck maintenance, and ICS Incident Command System review. Art reminded everyone to use caution during storms and entering flooded basements as there could be electrical hazards. The EVFC received a DEC grant for brush fire equipment – hard hats, lights, and medical bag. The fire company hosted the Tompkins County Board of Elections Republican primary on September 13, plans to sponsor an American Red Cross Blood Drive on September 20, and plans to attend the Enfield Harvest Festival. Art addressed some concerns regarding parking during elections. Plans are underway for the 2012 calendars. Planning Board: Virginia Bryant reported the Planning Board has sent the draft Site Plan Review Law to the town attorney, Guy Krogh, for review. Enforcement needs to be looked at. Jim McConkey mentioned that part of the process was creating an application form which has been completed. Next on the board’s agenda is the Comprehensive Plan. Volunteer of the Month: Deputy Supervisor Teeter moved this item forward on the agenda in order to thank Jim McConkey for his years as a member on the Planning Board, many of them as co-chair. A letter was received from Virginia Bryant nominating Jim as the Volunteer of the Month. Jim has been an Enfield resident for over 50 years and has volunteered and involved himself with various aspects of town development and protection of its unique character and environment. He has a wonderful sense of humor and his command of the English language is inspired and impeccable. Facilities Manager: Councilperson Hern reported the furnaces will need to be serviced, but not the one in the old highway facility at this time. Enfield Town Board Meeting, September 14, 2011 4 Communication Access Committee: No meeting was held. Facilities Development: Councilperson Owens reported the outside slab has been poured and the ceiling is almost complete along with the interior frame work. So far the project is under budget. Councilperson Owens did some research regarding a propane supplier. Ehrhart gave a price of $2.379 per gallon and Ferrellgas a price of $.40 over their cost, which at this time would be $2.15 per gallon. Councilperson Owens moved to authorize Deputy Supervisor Teeter to submit a completed credit application for business to Ferrellgas, with a second by Councilperson Hern. Discussion: Town Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins asked if Griffith Energy had been contacted for a price. Councilperson Owens amended her motion, with a second by Councilperson Hern, to accept Ferrellgas as propane supplier contingent upon checking prices with Griffith Energy. Discussion: Deputy Supervisor Teeter asked if Ehrhart has any hidden fees. Councilperson Hern asked what the contract period would be and if we could lock in a price. Councilperson Owens responded there were no hidden fees and we could not lock in a price. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Deputy Supervisor Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere absent. Carried Personnel Committee: No report. Tompkins County Council of Governments: Deputy Supervisor Teeter read a report from Supervisor Barriere. A consortium is being formed to deal with negotiations with Time Warner Cable. The Town of Enfield was added to the list of interested municipalities that currently number about 12. The TCAT contracts will be ending with many municipalities at the end of 2012. Also, Deputy Supervisor Teeter attended a meeting regarding the 2% tax cap. There are still a lot of questions that have not been answered yet. Old Business: Update on Facility Consolidation Plan: No report. Update on 5-Year Facilities Development Plan: No report. Update on Road Preservation Plan: There will be information presented at the next meeting, but nothing this month. Update on Dog Control Budget: Town Clerk Alice Linton attended the last meeting and reported the Town of Lansing was not interested in joining the SPCA since they could not be guaranteed a lower rate than other towns for multiple years. Resolution No. 2011-29 to Amend Code Enforcement Officer Safety Inspection Law RESOLUTION TO AMEND LOCAL LAW #1 OF 2007 – “LOCAL LAW PROVIDING FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE NEW YORK STATE UNIFORM FIRE PREVENTION AND BUILDING CODE” WHEREAS, Local Law #1 of 2007 allows for fire safety and property maintenance Enfield Town Board Meeting, September 14, 2011 5 inspections of multiple dwellings at intervals of not less than every 36 months, and, WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield Town Board and Code Enforcement Officer believes too many violations are occurring over a 36 month period, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that Local Law #1 of 2007, section 11 titled “Fire Safety and Property Maintenance Inspections”, subsection a, paragraph 3, be amended to read “Fire safety and property maintenance inspections of all multiple dwellings not included in paragraph 1 or 2 of this subdivision, and all non-residential buildings, structures, uses and occupancies not included in paragraphs 1 or 2 of this subdivision, shall be performed at least once every 36 months and all R1 and R2 (refer to section 310 – Residential Group R) occupancies with six (6) or more dwelling units shall be performed at least once every 12 months. Resolution No. 2011-29 was moved by Deputy Supervisor Teeter and seconded by Councilperson Clark. Discussion: Deputy Supervisor Teeter feels this is a good amendment as some landlords may not be maintaining their properties correctly. Councilperson Clark agreed that 3 years is too long between inspections for residential properties. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Deputy Supervisor Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere absent. Carried New Business: Councilperson Owens presented information on switching the town’s telephone service from Verizon to Haefele. Haefele is offering a plan for cable, internet and phone service. We could have a “distinctive ring” so that fax and phone lines could be shared – each would have their own number. This would be an additional charge of $5 per month, which is a savings over having 2 separate lines. This would enable the Code Enforcement Officer to have his own line, instead of sharing with the phone downstairs. This would enable the Community Building to have wireless internet and we would save about $500 per year. Councilperson Owens moved, with a second by Deputy Supervisor Teeter to authorize the Deputy Supervisor to switch our service from Verizon to Haefele for phone and internet service for all town facilities. Discussion: Councilperson Hern asked if the fiberoptics will be run to the other facilities. Councilperson Owens replied we haven’t reached that point yet. There will be free cable to the new highway facility. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Deputy Supervisor Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere absent. Carried Resolution No. 30-2011 RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE CURRENT CODE ENFORCEMENT PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE WHEREAS, in accordance to the Town of Enfield’s Local Law #1 of 2007, a fee schedule shall be established by resolution of the Enfield Town Board and such fee schedule may thereafter be amended from time to time by like resolution, and Enfield Town Board Meeting, September 14, 2011 6 WHEREAS, by recommendation of the Code Enforcement Officer to reduce the current “renewal permit fee” for the third and subsequent years from ½ of the project building permit fee to a standard $25 fee, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the annual renewal fee for building permits for the third and subsequent years be amended to a standard $25.00 fee. Resolution No. 30-2011 was moved by Deputy Supervisor Teeter with a second by Councilperson Owens. Discussion: Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter explained that there are several single family homes being built in the town by owners and financed by the owners that are taking a number of years to complete. Each year they have to renew the fee at a substantial cost. This amendment is to cover those few owner-built, single family homes. There is not a lot of inspection time involved. Councilperson Clark added that the $25 will cover the materials for updating the permit. This will save the homeowner from paying the full price each year. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Deputy Supervisor Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere absent. Carried Announcements: Councilperson Hern stated the county is trying to get grant money for broadband expansion into areas that are underserved. They would like each of the towns to add their support to the effort. It was suggested that the following statement could be used: The Town of Enfield, New York endorses the efforts of the Tompkins County Broadband Committee to secure a grant from the Community Foundation. These funds would be used to support the Broadband Committee’s efforts to achieve its goal of affordable and effective high speed internet access for those in rural communities by underwriting a survey to assess current availability and resident needs. Councilperson Owens moved, with a second by Deputy Supervisor Teeter to authorize Deputy Supervisor Teeter to put this information in letter format to endorse the efforts of the Tompkins County Broadband Committee to secure a grant from the Community Foundation. Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Deputy Supervisor Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere absent. Carried Adjournment: Councilperson Owens moved, with a second by Councilperson Hern to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alice M. Linton Enfield Town Clerk At the December 14, 2011 Enfield Town Board Meeting Councilperson Teeter moved, with a second by Councilperson Hern to amend the September 14, 2011 regular meeting minutes to include the letter from M. Clyde Hubbell in its entirety. Enfield Town Board Meeting, September 14, 2011 7 Vote: Councilperson Clark aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Owens aye, Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried The letter is as follows: To the Enfield Town Board Members: It is disappointing to hear that this Town Board took the action that id did without first asking the records management officer to research as to why a previous Board felt that the “gene gun” was of significant historical value to vote for acceptance into the Town archives. In brief: a previous Board felt that Enfield’s role in the development of the “gene gun” was an important step in the genetic advancement of agricultural crops. Therefore a motion was made, seconded and passed to accept the “gene gun” for the Town archives. The frivolous manner this Board exhibited in the consideration of this issued degraded the judgment of the previous Board! Former Town Historian s/ M. Clyde Hubbell