HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Board Minutes 2013 02 13.pdf
Town of Enfield
Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
6:30 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Debbie Teeter, Town Councilperson Vera
Howe-Strait, Town Highway Superintendent Barry Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Absent: Town
Councilperson Chris Hern.
Town Supervisor Rider opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. by leading the assemblage in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
Privilege of the Floor: John Tavares of 2192 Mecklenburg Road spoke in favor of the town enacting a
ban on hydrofracking. He presented written comments on a ban of gas drilling and related activities, as he
will be out of town during the public hearing scheduled for comments on the ban.
Rob Sullivan of 58 Van Dorn Road North spoke in support of a ban on hydrofracking and home rule.
Mary Jo Lovelace of 2504 Mecklenburg Road spoke in favor of a ban on hydrofracking and was glad to
know there would be a public hearing.
Approval of Minutes: Councilperson Teeter moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to
approve the minutes of the January 19, 2013 regular town board meeting.
Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Rider aye.
Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Correspondence: Letter from Haefele TV advising of new cable rates effective April 1, 2013.
Notice from Ehrhart Propane & Oil that effective February 1 they will be introducing a delivery fee of
$4.99 and a hazmat recovery fee of $3.99, applicable on each propane delivery.
Notice of Tentative Special Franchise Full Value for the 2013 Assessment Roll.
Letter from Michael P. Kearns, Assemblyman 142nd District, requesting support in the form of a
resolution for two proposed bills that would make financial institutions and lenders more accountable to
the surrounding community when homes and buildings are abandoned or foreclosure proceedings have
started.
Budget Resolution: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to accept
Resolution #2013-19.
Resolution #2013-19 Warrant Adjustments
WHEREAS, the new supervisor is not totally familiar with municipal bill paying rules and
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 13, 2013 2
WHEREAS, the January 2013 bill for highway coveralls and rags was inadvertently placed in the
Highway Fund Warrant and not in the General Fund Warrant, now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that the January Highway Fund, Abstract #1, Warrant #1, dated January 9, 2013 be
reduced by $158.96 and voucher #3, Cintas Corporation #121, be eliminated and the February vouchers
will start with #17, for a total of $36,240.07 for Highway Fund Abstract #1, Warrant #1.
AND FURTHER RESOLVED that the January General Fund, Abstract #1, Warrant #1, dated January 9,
2013 be increased by $158.96 and voucher #18, Cintas Corporation #121, be added to the voucher
numbers and the Fire Department payments are also in the General Fund voucher numbers, therefore
February General Fund vouchers begin with #21 for a total of $37,233.57 for General Fund Abstract #1,
Warrant #1.
Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Rider aye.
Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Audit Claims were moved to after committee reports.
County Legislator's Report: Dave McKenna reported that new committees are getting started. There has
been no information received on the broadband grant. The new Tompkins County Human Services annex
is up and running.
Highway Superintendent's Report: Highway superintendent Buddy Rollins reported one truck had a
transmission go out last week. The summer equipment is ready to go. There are still issues with the new
building that need to be addressed. Buddy provided photos of some of the problems such as ice around the
bottom of entry doors on the inside, and air leaks leading to condensation around electrical plugs. These
photos have been sent to Chuck Fezali, project engineer. He also questioned why H Funds are being used
to make bond payments instead of being used to fund more of the project. Items such as blacktop for the
driveway and a salt storage building were bid, but not built. Also equipment or machinery needed at the
new facility could be funded with the bonds. There was also a line item in the budget, A1620.41 which
was for the bond payment, that was on the supervisor's report until November when the amount turned to
zero. The highway department saved a lot of money on the project by doing work, and since gravel was
on the property a lot of money was saved on materials. He also asked the supervisor to check on the credit
for the sale of the tractor and broom sold in July that was to be credited to budget line DA5130.2.
Supervisor Rider responded she will look into these issues further. She asked for an estimate on how often
the drainage tank at the new facility will need to be pumped.
Highway superintendent Rollins answered that will depend on the weather; in winter there is snow build
up on the trucks and they have to be rinsed off more often. Most municipalities have their tanks pumped
twice a year. He would like to schedule this pumping for every 6-8 months. There is a $72 pick-up fee,
but other than that we pay by the gallon. It is better to be on a schedule than to wait until the tank is
almost full before calling to have the tank pumped.
Code Enforcement Officer's Report: Alan Teeter was not at the meeting, but left his report for January.
There were 2 building permits issued or renewed, 1 final inspection, 9 progress checks, 2 meetings with
owners/builders, 1 valid complaint received and resolved, 1 fire and safety inspection completed and 3
house numbers installed.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 13, 2013 3
Committee Reports:
Planning Board: Nancy Spero reported the board continues to work on the Comprehensive Plan. Art
Godin added that there was a meeting of large farmers held on January 17 to share concerns and issues,
and make recommendations. Another meeting is scheduled for February 20 for smaller farmers to go
through the same process.
Health Insurance Consortium: No report.
Enfield Community Council: Deena Rambaum reported a meeting was held last week to discuss building
a new Community Building, although they don't have a site yet. Summer camp will be held at Treman
State Park again this year. The ECC annual meeting is scheduled for Feb. 19 at the Bailey home, 224
Gray Road at 6:30 p.m. The next issue of the newsletter is scheduled to go out April 1st with submissions
due mid March.
Recreation Partnership: Carolyn Tschanz reported their annual meeting was held January 22. There was
mention that if the minimum wage goes up, camps will be more expensive and the Youth Bureau will
have to raise the rates for their programs. The group is planning an inventory of programs to look for gaps
in age or gender inequity. The Youth Bureau schedule of spring programs is now out and copies will be
available at the town hall.
Youth Board: No report.
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: No report.
Facilities Manager: No report.
Communication Access Committee: No report.
Facilities Development: No report.
Personnel Committee: No report.
TC Council of Governments: Supervisor Rider reported the last meeting was cancelled due to a light
agenda.
Aquifer Study: Nancy Spero reported $1,745 has been raised from donations. The Soil and Water
Conservation District will be adding $5,000 to the fund. Five residents of Enfield have offered matching
funds for any donations received in 2013 up to $2,500. Supervisor Rider will check to see when the study
can begin.
Audit Claims: Councilperson Howe-Strait moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter to authorize
the supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #21 to #57 dated February 13, 2013 in the amount of
$24,016.93, Highway Fund vouchers #17 to #41 dated February 13, 2013 in the amount of $28,741.39
and Special Fund voucher #58 dated February 13, 2013 in the amount of $234,225.00.
Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Rider aye.
Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 13, 2013 4
Old Business:
Justice of the Peace Vacancy: Supervisor Rider explained Betty Poole, Enfield Town Justice has agreed to
take on the workload of the vacant justice slot at least until March 31, 2013 with commensurate salary.
Prior to March 31, the board will make a plan for the remainder of the year.
Update on Road Preservation Plan: No update.
Public Hearing on Ban for High Volume Hydro-Fracking: The public hearing was set for Tuesday, March
5 at 7:00 p.m. Supervisor Rider will confirm that the public hearing can be held at Enfield Elementary
School.
Update on TCAT Park and Ride: Supervisor Rider reported the tentative plan reached is to have a Park
and Ride at town hall, on the north side of the building, with a passenger shelter across the road between
the curb and town mailboxes. The bus will not turn around at town hall, but will continue to the new
highway facility property to turn around. TCAT will provide materials for the driveway at the new
highway facility and will agree to a lease/agreement. A concrete pad for the shelter cannot be poured
before spring, so nothing will happen until then.
New Business:
Councilperson Vacancy: Supervisor Rider explained a town councilperson vacancy was created when she
became supervisor on January 1. Four letters of interest were received for the vacancy from: Toni Albano,
Michael Carpenter, Gary Fisher and Beth McGee.
Councilperson Howe-Strait moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter to appoint Michael Carpenter
to the open councilperson position effective until December 31, 2013.
Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated Mike had shown interest in the town by serving on the Planning
Board for several years. Councilperson Howe-Strait added that all four candidates were qualified.
Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Rider aye.
Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Wind Tower Law Exception: Councilperson Howe-Strait moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter
to approve Resolution #2013-20.
Resolution #2013-20 Wind Tower Law Exception
WHEREAS, The Enfield Town Board passed a Wind Farm Law which controls height and other
considerations of wind turbine placement and
WHEREAS, William Bassett of 765 Bostwick Road desires to erect a 126 ft. wind turbine for his
personal use and in cooperation with the Sciencenter of Ithaca who will use their live video and data feed
to create a renewable energy educational display for the children of Tompkins County and
WHEREAS, the windmill they have chosen is controlled by the Wind Farm Law and
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 13, 2013 5
WHEREAS, the Code Enforcement Officer and the Planning Board see no adverse effect of the erection
of this windmill on the Town
THEREFORE, the Town approves the erection of said windmill on residential property at 765
Bostwick Road, using recommendations given by the manufacturer and commonly accepted methods of
construction in New York State.
Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Rider aye.
Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Changing our Record Storage Site: Councilperson Teeter moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-
Strait to retrieve town microfilm records stored at Iron Mountain in Pennsylvania and move them to a
record storage facility maintained by Tompkins County at the Seneca Army Depot in Romulus, New
York; and close the safe deposit box maintained with the Tompkins Trust Company and move documents
contained therein to the Seneca Army Depot.
Discussion: Supervisor Rider explained the town is entering into an agreement with the County of
Tompkins and other neighboring towns for storage at the Seneca Army Depot in a secure bunker that has
been redesigned for secure record storage. The town clerk would like to remove the microfilm stored at
the Iron Mountain facility in Pennsylvania and move it to the secure facility offered by the county. There
will be no expense for storage at the depot.
Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Rider aye.
Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Announcements: Supervisor Rider stated there will be a 4th and 5th grade basketball game on Saturday
at Enfield School.
Town residents are invited to go on a visit to a wind farm in Howard, New York on March 16. Anyone
interested should contact Marguerite Wells of the Black Oak Wind Farm by March 1.
Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter, to adjourn at 8:02 p.m.
Carried.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:20 p.m. to authorize payment of pre-paid bills.
Councilperson Howe-Strait moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter to authorize the supervisor to
pay General Fund Vouchers #351 to #359 dated December 20, 2012 in the amount of $5,673.65 and
Highway Fund Vouchers #212 to #213 dated December 20, 2012 in the amount of $402.54.
Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Rider aye.
Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Meeting was then adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton, Enfield Town Clerk