HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-22-14 Public Hearing and Special Meeting.pdf
Town of Enfield
Public Hearing and Special Town Board Meeting Minutes
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
6:00 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Mike Carpenter, Town Councilperson
Vera Howe-Strait, Town Councilperson Beth McGee, Town Highway Supervisor Barry Rollins,
Town Clerk Alice Linton. Excused: Town Councilperson Virginia Bryant (who arrived at 6:55
p.m.).
Supervisor Rider opened the public hearing and special board meeting at 6:00 p.m. by leading the
assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Public Hearing on the Preliminary Budget: Supervisor Rider asked if anyone would like to speak
at the public hearing on the 2015 Preliminary Town of Enfield Budget.
John Linton of 330 Enfield Falls Road questioned if the increases in the budget would benefit the
town, and if income doesn't come in as projected how it would affect the budget. He asked why
there was such a large rise in the supervisor's contractual line, and the bookkeeper's contractual line.
Supervisor Rider stated the supervisor's contractual line would be used for further training for the
supervisor and to allow for her to go to the annual meeting in New York City.
Councilperson McGee stated the bookkeeper's contractual line was increased to cover the annual
cost of software.
Highway Supervisor Rollins stated he didn't agree with having employees pay 5% of their health
insurance without giving them anything in return. With a 2% salary increase, about 1% would be
going to cover the cost of health insurance. The employees save the town a lot of money by doing
repairs on equipment themselves, so the repairs don't have to be done by an outside vendor.
Supervisor Rider closed the public hearing at 6:18 p.m.
Audit Claims: There were no audit claims presented.
Highway Equipment Update: Highway Superintendent Rollins stated parts for the excavator had
been ordered. They will be getting a gear box and the total repairs will be about $9,800. The loader
has been fixed and is now running. The flywheel on the loader was fixed at a cost of about $300, as
the highway employees were able to do the work themselves. This saved the town about $3,000.
However, the transmission is not good on the loader and would cost between $12,000 and $15,000
to fix.
Superintendent Rollins would like to replace the loader. He is interested in a deal where a new
loader would be purchased, all maintenance and repairs would be covered for 1 year, then the
loader would be traded in for a new one after one or two years. The cost for the new loader would
be the difference in the purchase price of the first new loader and the second one, plus $10 per hour
of time used on the first loader. The usage cost would likely be around $5,000 per year. There is no
obligation to the town to continue with this plan, and no guarantee that this buy-back plan will be
offered from year to year. A new loader would cost between $147,000 and $200,000. He is looking
into several different loaders, to see which would be the best deal for the town.
Enfield Town Board Public Hearing and Special Meeting, October 22, 2014 2
Councilperson Bryant arrived at this time.
Highway Superintendent Rollins would like to take half the cost of a new loader from the highway
equipment savings now, and pay the other half of the cost from the 2015 budget. He believes this
would be possible by paying a small percentage fee on the half that would be paid in 2015.
Supervisor Rider asked Superintendent Rollins to provide the board members with a paper copy of
the specs for each loader, the trade in value of the old loader, and the specifications of each
contract.
Councilperson Howe-Strait would like to see this information also, but will trust Superintendent
Rollins' decision on what to purchase.
Procurement Policy: Supervisor Rider checked with our town attorney, Guy Krogh and found
that, with the exception of recent higher limits, our policy reflects the state procurement policy.
Councilperson Carpenter questioned what procedures need to be followed to change policy. He
wants to get the best value for the town's money when doing repairs to the old highway building,
but doesn't feel the current policy allows him to do that. He will contact town attorney Guy Krogh
directly to clarify policies and procedures.
Securing the Old Highway Facility: Supervisor Rider stated the next steps to secure the facility
will depend on what is decided when Councilperson Carpenter meets with town attorney Guy
Krogh.
2015 Budget Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated she went over items that were amended from the
tentative budget and found they were all reflected in the preliminary budget.
Highway Supervisor Rollins stated the CHIPS line item, DA5112.2, should be changed to reflect
the amount received last year - $104,102.80. He would like to prepare his 248 form with those
figures.
Councilperson McGee asked for line A1480.4, Public Information Contractual, to be reduced to 0,
as 3 years of web hosting will be paid for in 2014.
Supervisor Rider feels line item SF9040.8, Fire Protection Workman's Compensation, should be
increased from $23,749 to $25,269 and line item DA9040.8, Highway Employee Benefits Workers
Compensation, should be changed from $53,730 to $28,680.
Announcements: The Environmental Management Council is looking for a representative from
Enfield. Councilperson Carpenter suggested asking ENSAW to put this request on their list serve.
Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to adjourn at 8:23
p.m. Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton, Enfield Town Clerk