HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown-Board-Minutes 2013 10 9.pdf
Town of Enfield
Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
6:30 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Mike Carpenter, Town Councilperson
Vera Howe-Strait, Town Councilperson Debbie Teeter, Town Highway Superintendent Barry Rollins,
Town Clerk Alice Linton. Absent: Town Councilperson Chris Hern.
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: George Whitmore of 101 Jordan Avenue stated he felt it was poor timing for
the board to hold a permissive referendum at the November election to go from two judges to one
judge in the town. He felt the vote should be put off until the next election.
Marnie Kirchgessner of 191 Enfield Main Road asked that her statement be read into the record: I
obtained a copy of the Enfield Town Supervisor's Tentative Budget for 2014. My review leads me to
inquire how much of this budget was informed by expenses of this current year and how it plans to
address future town needs. Budgets establish policy and priorities. Have we learned from recent storm
damage that a highway reserve fund should be established to mitigate costs of such natural disasters
becoming financial disasters to the town? So as not to increase taxes but respond to the need, some
fund balance could be designated for the purpose. Also, how much is set aside for maintenance costs
of the new highway facility? Even as members of the board expressed concerns over the piles of dirt
in the center of town, how many years has it been since town owned buildings have received a coat of
paint? As a resident, my concern is the building appearance is something for the Town Board to
address. I would also note requests by the highway superintendent for clerical support to assist with
the conversion of records from paper to computer were ignored, although a deputy bookkeeper added.
Apparently while the Town Supervisor's salary went up, the Highway Superintendent's remains the
lowest in the county, with the current supervisor attempting to relegate more work on the position.
Where is the fairness in that?
Significant savings from cuts in the local share of retirement were not budgeted. These savings could
be used to establish a youth employment program similar to the one I operated for the Town of Ithaca
where a local youth could be hired to fulfill the function at the highway department with its multiplier
benefits to the community.
The budget (numbers rounded off) generally reflects a 2% increase in most areas with an estimated
total appropriation of $720,000 with general town support at $611,000. Interesting, given the 2013
modified budget for the highway fund is $733,000 and general town wide fund only $546,000. While
the highway numbers reflect a cut in CHIPS money, general town wide operating expenses are
increasing by $65,000, or over 10% when basic costs to New York governments (insurance,
retirement) are going down. Residents and taxpayers deserve an explanation.
Approval of Minutes: Councilperson Carpenter moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter, to
approve the minutes of the August 14, 2013 meeting.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait abstain, Councilperson Teeter
aye, Supervisor Rider aye, Councilperson Hern absent. Carried.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 9, 2013 2
Councilperson Teeter moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait, to approve the minutes of
the September 11, 2013 meeting.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter abstain, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Teeter
aye, Supervisor Rider aye, Councilperson Hern absent. Carried.
Correspondence: Notice from the Department of Environmental Conservation stating they have
adopted new "short" and "full" Environmental Assessment Forms which are effective as of October 7,
2013.
Notice that Tompkins County is updating their Comprehensive Plan and would like county residents
to fill out a survey.
Notice of a Cornell deer management committee meeting on October 24 at the Plantations.
Budget Amendments: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to adopt
Budget Amendment #2013-9.
Budget Amendment #2013-9
Whereas, recent flooding has caused increased expenses to the Town roads in order to return them
to a safe condition, now hereby it is
Resolved, that Highway Fund Account, line item, titled "Interfund Transfer-Equipment Reserve
DA9950.9", be decreased by $15,500.00 and a new Highway Fund Account line item be created titled
"Emergency Road Repair" DA5110.41, and increased by $15,500.00.
Discussion: Highway Superintendent Rollins stated at the September 11, 2013 meeting the board
moved to take the $15,500.00 from general reserves. By taking this from the highway reserve funds, it
will bring the balance down to around $5,000.00.
Supervisor Rider stated she checked with the county attorney, a current highway superintendent, and
a former town supervisor. They all recommended this come from the highway fund.
Councilperson Carpenter asked if there would be a discussion regarding how to deal with emergency
highway situations.
Supervisor Rider stated during the tentative budget review.
Councilperson Teeter reminded everyone the town was dealing with a situation they have not dealt
with before.
Highway Superintendent Rollins asked how much was in the general fund contingency savings.
Supervisor Rider responded $575,364.00. Demands on the town are increasing while funding is not.
Highway Superintendent Rollins reminded the board they are really squeezing the highway budget.
He is asking the board for another $10,000.00 to complete repairs from flood damage. There was no
response from the board.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 9, 2013 3
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Teeter aye,
Supervisor Rider aye, Councilperson Hern absent. Carried.
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to accept Resolution #2013-34.
Resolution #2013-34 Voucher Number Change for September 11, 2013 Highway Fund
Whereas, the September 11, 2013 Highway Fund warrant had two bills with the same number,
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the September 11, 2013 Highway Fund, Abstract #9, Warrant
#9, be renumbered as follows: voucher #159 to be renumbered as #160 and the ending number of this
Warrant will be #170.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Teeter aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Audit Claims: Councilperson Howe-Strait moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter to
authorize the supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #242 to #272 dated October 9, 2013 in the
amount of $35,682.40, and Highway Fund vouchers #171 to #188 dated October 9, 2013 in the
amount of $29,049.50.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Teeter aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
County Legislator's Report: Dave McKenna reported the county legislature voted to sell the old
Health Department Building, the Biggs Building. It is now budget season and different departments
are giving presentations.
Highway Superintendent's Report: Highway Superintendent Rollins reported he has cut back on oil
and stone to make up the budget shortfall. He has all the materials needed to repair Fish Road and all
pipes are back in place on Harvey Hill Road. The county is working on Trumbull's Corners Road and
agreed that if the Town of Enfield would bring them rock, they would set a wall by Hubbell Drive.
The rock was brought from Bostwick Road and is ready for the wall to be set by the county. The rock
will need to be replaced at a cost of about $5,000. Another $5,000 will be needed to finish repairs to
Harvey Hill Road and Fish Road due to flood damage. There will be about $1,100 left from money
allocated for flood repairs after this month. Harvey Hill Road ditches will need to have more heavy
rock.
More work needs to be done on Bostwick Road to prevent shoulders from washing out. This project
will cost the town around $22,000 to $25,000, as the work needs to be contracted out.
Code Enforcement Officer's Report: Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter reported for September
there were 4 building permits issued or renewed with 1 being for a new home, which brings the total
for the year to 51. There was 1 certificate of occupancy issued and 1 certificate of completion issued.
There were 11 inspections completed, 18 progress checks, and 1 valid complaint received. There were
3 property numbers issued and 1 house number sign installed. In the next few months he will be
working more on fire inspections.
Councilperson Carpenter asked if there have been more permits issued than in past years.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 9, 2013 4
Code Enforcement Officer Teeter replied new house permits are about the same as past years, but
building permits are up a little over past years.
Supervisor's Report: Supervisor Rider reported she attended 2 meetings regarding payment in lieu of
taxes for the Black Oak Wind Farm, met with Professor Todd Walker of the Cornell Department of
Biological & Environmental Engineering regarding the Trumbull’s Corners Road Creek remediation
at the end of Hubbell Drive, attended TTCOG meeting, prepared tentative 2014 budget, spent several
hours in consultation with Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter and Town Attorney Guy Krogh
regarding a landlord that is severely out of compliance with NYS Building Code and therefore
endangering residents, spoke with Barbara Lifton’s office regarding member items which cannot be
reimbursements on expenditures and $50,000 is too much to ask for, continued to work with Soil &
Water on possible funds for remediation of roads due to August 8 flooding, requested Finger Lakes
Land Trust to put the Trumbull’s Corners Creek on their fall trails maintenance schedule, found a
copy of the County Emergency Plan, attended the first of 3 professional development sessions on
"Effective Facilitation of Heated Meetings".
Committee Reports:
Planning Board: Councilperson Howe-Strait reported the Comprehensive Plan will be reformatted by
Judy Hyman and Judy's husband and should be ready for the town board in November, although there
are some maps still missing. Eventually there will be a public hearing on the Plan. If Virginia Bryant,
board chairperson gives her approval, the results of the Comprehensive Plan survey will be forwarded
to Highway Superintendent Rollins per his request. She will also see if the survey can be posted on the
town's website. The board continues to research the light on the Clarity Connect tower.
Health Insurance Consortium: Supervisor Rider was told verbally that the town could expect about a
10% increase in health insurance.
Enfield Community Council: Councilperson Howe-Strait reported the Harvest Festival was a success.
The Council is working with County Youth Services to put together a survey regarding children and
teens and what hardships they face and what programming would be helpful.
Recreation Partnership: No report.
County Youth Board: Representative Marnie Kirchgessner reported she is working to get articles in
the newsletter so that all students are aware they can participate in programs whether they attend
Ithaca schools or Newfield, Trumansburg or Odessa. Transportation is a significant issue.
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: Art Howser reported in September there were 22 calls which
included 13 EMS, 3 motor vehicle accidents, 1 investigation of an electrical short, 1 Enfield School
smoke detector activation with no fire, mutual aids to Trumansburg and Mecklenburg, and assisting
the Enfield Highway Department to clean a driveway sluice pipe. Upcoming training will include fire
police, brush fires, maintenance, trash pump testing and chimney fires. General elections will be held
at the fire station on November 5 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Facilities Manager: Norm Smith reported he has disconnected the leaking water tank in the
Community Building and bypassed it for now. There are 3 80 gallon tanks and Code Enforcement
Officer Alan Teeter feels 2 tanks are adequate at this time.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 9, 2013 5
Aquifer Study Fundraising Group: Nancy Spero reported $60 was raised from festivals this fall and
there will be an Old Time Square Dance fundraiser this Saturday at the old Baptist Church in Enfield.
Groundwater testing has started, but this will be a 5 year process. The Aquifer Study is a planning tool
for development and a possible aquifer protection law. It also gives information about water levels and
the condition of the aquifer.
Personnel Committee: No report.
TC Council of Governments: Supervisor Rider had nothing to report.
Old Business:
Comprehensive Plan Process: Councilperson Howe-Strait stated the Planning Board hopes to get a
draft to the town board by November or December. Dan Walker still needs to get numbers and maps
for the Plan. Councilperson Carpenter asked if it would be helpful for the town board to look at parts
over several months as they are prepared. He would like to have Councilperson Teeter give input
while she is still on the town board, as she was a member of the Planning Board previously and has a
lot of insight.
Supervisor Rider stated facilities development and a town emergency plan has to come higher on the
scale next year. She will ask Planning Board chairperson Virginia Bryant to release the draft now s o
the board can start looking at it.
Councilperson Howe-Strait would like to see the process completed by mid-winter - the Plan finalized
and to the public. She feels the draft is ready for the town board to review now.
Campaign Signs on Town Property: Supervisor Rider stated she had an addition to the agenda. She
asked what the town board's feeling was about campaign signs on town property.
Councilperson Teeter asked what the implication would be. Councilperson Howe-Strait and Carpenter
asked what the law was. Supervisor Rider will ask town attorney Guy Krogh for his opinion.
New Business:
Presentation of the 2014 Tentative Budget: Councilperson Teeter asked why there was $1,000 in a
new line for deputy bookkeeper. She felt $250 would be adequate for the bookkeeper to take a 2 week
vacation. She also suggested taking $200 from the line item for bookkeeper software (A1220.42) as
the amount from last year was not a recurring expense.
Supervisor Rider stated the employee benefits are estimates based on information. They reflect the
increased benefits of a 2% raise on salaries. The insurance is estimated at a 10% increase, including
Worker's Compensation.
Councilperson Carpenter asked if the town goes from 2 justices to 1, how much money would be
saved. Supervisor Rider responded about $5,000 per year. Councilperson Carpenter asked what the
contractual attorney line benefit is. Supervisor Rider stated access to legal services. He asked what
Buildings - Contractual represented. Supervisor Rider stated this is for all the utilities for the new
highway facility, the community building and the town hall. It includes repairs.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 9, 2013 6
Councilperson Carpenter asked if an energy study had been done for the town recently. Councilperson
Teeter responded that yes, there was one conducted several years ago. She wasn't sure if there were
any recommendations that the town could afford. She added that even though $5,000 is added each
year for the Aquifer Study, once the study is completed those funds can be reallocated.
Councilperson Carpenter asked about the $15,000 for dog control. Supervisor Rider stated that New
York State law requires every municipality have control of animals. In the past, Enfield has chosen to
go with the SPCA, and this is the contracted amount. The other option is to hire an individual, but
they have to meet certain criteria.
Supervisor Rider will look into changing from Casella to Alternative Waste Services. She asked if
their proposal would give exactly the same service as Casella. Highway Superintendent Rollins stated
they would pick up once a week instead of once every two weeks that Casella now picks up.
Councilperson Carpenter asked how the fire department budget was set. Supervisor Rider explained
they have a 5 year contract with the town.
Councilperson Carpenter asked how the highway budget figures were reached. Supervisor Rider
explained Highway Superintendent Rollins gave her his request and she decided what figures to put in
the budget. She will provide council members with a copy of his request.
Councilperson Howe-Strait stated she thought the CHIPS money went up. Supervisor Rider stated
yes, but you never know and it's a wash between revenue and expenses.
Highway Superintendent Rollins stated it went up this year, and it stays the same for the following
year, unless you don't get anything.
Councilperson Teeter noted there is a 2% salary increase for highway employees and asked if snow
removal - personnel services was increased due to that 2%. Highway Superintendent Rollins stated
that is for overtime expenses.
Councilperson Teeter suggested taking the money saved from the bookkeeper and increasing the
highway equipment line DA5130.2 by $1,000.
Councilperson Howe-Strait asked when Supervisor Rider expected to get an exact figure for the health
insurance. Supervisor Rider stated she didn't know.
Councilperson Teeter asked how many Enfield kids participate in the Recreation Partnership Program.
She would like to explore having the town pay the enrollment fee per child. Councilperson Carpenter
said when Newfield withdrew from the Recreation Partnership Program, their students weren't
allowed to participate in the soccer program, so the school set up their own program. Councilperson
Howe-Strait had figures from last year showing 85 from Enfield participated. Councilperson Teeter
feels it's difficult for many Enfield youth to participate in programs that are based in Ithaca.
Highway Superintendent Rollins asked if the figures he submitted as his request for the 2014 budget
were seen by any board members. Supervisor Rider stated she makes the tentative budget and will
give the figures to the board members now. As the preliminary budget becomes the final budget,
board members can have input.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 9, 2013 7
Adoption of the 2014 Preliminary Budget: Councilperson Teeter moved, with a second by
Councilperson Carpenter, to move the 2014 tentative budget, with the $1,000 reduction from
bookkeeper lines and the addition of $1,000 to DA5130.2, to the 2014 preliminary budget.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Teeter aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Schedule Public Hearing on the Tax Cap Override Law: Supervisor Rider stated she felt it best to be
safe and pass a local law to allow the town to go over the 2% tax cap, even if it's not needed.
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter, to hold a public hearing on a 2% tax
cap override law at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, 2013.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Teeter aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Set Public Hearing on 2014 Preliminary Budget: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by
Councilperson Carpenter, to hold a public hearing on the 2014 preliminary budget at 6:45 p.m. on
Wednesday, October 30, 2013.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Teeter aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
A working budget session will be held immediately after the close of the public hearing on the 2014
budget.
Adjournment: Councilperson Teeter moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter, to adjourn
at 9:02 p.m. Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton, Enfield Town Clerk