HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-14-14 Regular Meeting.pdf
Town of Enfield
Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
6:30 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Mike Carpenter, Town Councilperson
Vera Howe-Strait, Town Councilperson Beth McGee, Town Highway Superintendent Barry
Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Town Councilperson Virginia Bryant excused due to family
illness.
Supervisor Rider opened the meeting at 6:33 p.m. by leading the assemblage in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak.
Approval of Minutes: Councilperson McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to
accept the minutes of the April 9, 2014 meeting.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait abstain, Councilperson McGee
aye, Supervisor Rider aye, Councilperson Bryant absent. Carried.
Correspondence: In January, Supervisor Rider received an e-mail from a constituent regarding the
fatality at the corner of State Routes 79 and 327. She contacted the State Department of
Transportation asking what could be done to make the intersection safer. The State DOT responded
they will install pedestrian crossing signs and new crosswalks. They feel the 50 mph speed limit is
appropriate for this section of Route 79.
Letter from Standard and Poor stating the town's rating.
Check from Tompkins County for mortgage taxes collected on transfers of property in the Town of
Enfield. These payments are sent twice per year.
Letter from Standard and Poor stating they hope to maintain their continuing relationship with the
town.
Letter from Bob McCune of New York State Parks stating approximately 5 acres of land is being
donated to Robert H. Treman State Park by Thomas R. Brown. New York State would like support
from the town for this transfer. Supervisor Rider will put this item on the June agenda.
Letter from town attorney Guy Krogh enclosing a brochure from Green Legacy Tree Consultants,
Inc. This company provides expert tree knowledge and consultation. They conduct forensic
investigations in addition to landscape and tree appraisals.
Notice of Haefele rate increases of digital cable service by $.50 per month and basic cable service
by $2.50 per month effective June 1, 2014. Supervisor Rider will look into the town's Haefele bill
prior to putting together the 2015 budget. It is possible that Clarity Connect may be able to provide
internet service at a lower rate, although we have a package deal with Haefele for phone, internet
and cable TV.
Tompkins County Area Development annual report.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, May 14, 2014 2
Presentation by Melissa Kemp - Solar Tompkins: Ms. Kemp introduced the program. Last year
there was a pilot program that has been expanded this year to include all of Tompkins County. She
stated Solar PV is the mature, widely deployed solar technology that produces electricity, and can
be roof or ground mounted. The goals of Solar Tompkins are the rapid acceleration of the
sustainable deployment of solar PV in Tompkins County and strong positive effects on local
community and companies currently working in the renewable energy sector. A community
meeting will be held in Enfield on June 3 from 7-9 p.m. at the Enfield Valley Grange to present
information on this project.
Audit Claims:
Councilperson Carpenter moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to authorize the
supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #124 to #158 dated May 14, 2014 in the amount of
$21,919.33 and Highway Fund vouchers #79 to #102 dated May 14, 2014 in the amount of
$27,439.85.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Supervisor Rider aye, Councilperson Bryant absent. Carried.
Presentation by Samantha Hillson - Tompkins County Health Department: Ms. Hillson stated
she is the education coordinator for Tobacco Free Tompkins. She introduced Ted Schiele who is the
program coordinator. They spoke about the possibility of town property becoming smoke free.
County Legislator's Report: County Legislator Dave McKenna reported they are working on the
county budget. They are looking at several scenarios. If they stay within the tax cap, employees and
programs will be cut.
Highway Superintendent's Report: Highway Superintendent Rollins stated equipment has been
changed over and ready for summer use. He received notification that CHIPS funds will be
increased this year due to the harsh winter and extensive road damage. The original amount of
$104,102 was increased to $116,495. A budget amendment will need to be prepared for this
change, and a new 284 Agreement will be submitted so the work will match the funding.
Superintendent Rollins stated clean-up days have been slow, with only 1 dumpster filled so far.
Superintendent Rollins asked the board's permission to junk an old salt spreader for scrap. He has
purchased a replacement, and may be purchasing another so there is a spare.
Councilperson Carpenter moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to direct Buddy
Rollins to junk the retired salt spreader and put the funds received for it into the equipment line of
the Highway Fund Account.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Supervisor Rider aye, Councilperson Bryant absent. Carried.
Superintendent Rollins mentioned he would be interested in abandoning Butternut Creek Road,
which is a seasonal road between VanOstrand and Thomas Roads. The road is graded once or twice
a year and is a dead end road, with no houses, that ends in Robert H. Treman State Park. There is
often garbage dumped there and both a box culvert and pipe will need to be replaced if the road
remains open. Also road signs would need to be replaced.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, May 14, 2014 3
Town Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter mentioned several years ago there was someone
interested in building a house on Butternut Creek Road.
Planning Board chair, Dan Walker, stated he believes closing a road can't landlock a parcel and that
if the road is closed the property will revert to adjoining land owners. He also indicated the road
could be closed temporarily if there are hazardous conditions.
Councilperson Carpenter indicated his willingness to work with Superintendent Rollins on this, as
did Dan Walker.
Superintendent Rollins stated someone asked if they could go around Sandy Creek Trailer Park and
pick up items from residents during Enfield Clean-Up Days and bring them to the dumpsters as a
service to trailer park residents. Supervisor Rider stated Sandy Creek Trailer Park is a business, so
they could not put items in the dumpster. She sees cleaning up these items as a cost of doing
business.
Code Enforcement Report: Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter reported in April there were 8
building permits issued, with 1 being for a new home, bringing the year to date total to 15. There
was 1 Certificate of Occupancy issued, 4 Certificates of Completion issued, 7 inspections
completed, 17 progress checks completed, and 2 house numbers issued.
Councilperson Carpenter asked what the code was for doors in municipal buildings as the door at
the town clerk’s office needs to be replaced. Officer Teeter stated this does not have to be a fire
door as it is opening to the outside, but it does need to open out.
Councilperson McGee asked, if a certificate of occupancy or completion is issued and there are
other violations that are noticed, are those violations cited. Officer Teeter responded he would issue
the certificate and might mention the violation to the owner if they were there, but he would follow-
up afterwards.
Town Supervisor's Report: Supervisor Rider stated she met with the Tompkins County
Department of Social Services to finalize plans for a satellite office in Enfield to be open the same
days as the food pantry - the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month - from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. They will
help residents fill out applications for assistance. She met with Marguerite Wells regarding a road
use agreement for the Black Oak Wind Farm. Planning Board chair Dan Walker will go over the
agreement to help finalize it, then Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins will look over the
agreement, and finally it will go to our lawyers to look at. She continued to orient the new
bookkeeper and will be attending a budget school in Rochester this Thursday and Friday for
municipal officials.
Committee Reports:
Planning Board: Chairperson Dan Walker reported Chuck Bartosch of Clarity Connect attended the
last meeting to discuss the issue of placing a light on the tower his company is building on
Mecklenburg Road. If Chuck can find someone to place another antenna on the tower that would
raise the total height by 15', he would have a light put on the tower. Otherwise it will remain with
no light. The board began the process to review costs and rates for site plan review and
subdivisions, prior to making a recommendation to the town board.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, May 14, 2014 4
Comprehensive Plan Writing Committee: Councilperson McGee reported the committee met twice
in April. They are hoping to have Randy Brown, who helped write the Newfield Comprehensive
Plan, attend a meeting in June. George Frantz, from Cornell, met with the committee and presented
options of how Cornell may be able to help the committee finalize the Plan. Minutes of their
meetings are on the website under Comp Plan Committee 2014.
Enfield Community Council: Councilperson Howe-Strait reported the Country Faire on Saturday
was a quiet event. The next event is the yard sale on Saturday. The ECC is finalizing its By-Laws,
which will include the new community building. Teen youth programming will be reaching out to
Sandy Creek Trailer Park. Summer camp will be July 7 to August 15 at Robert H. Treman State
Park.
Recreation Partnership: No report.
County Youth Board: Representative Barbara Sadovnic reported youth program funding is
threatened in the county's upcoming budget. Rural youth have a lower participation rate than city
youth in activities such as athletics, drama and other activities that get kids engaged in school and
help them feel positive about themselves, due to transportation issues. In Enfield there are active
after school and summer camp programs.
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: No report.
Facilities Manager: Councilperson Carpenter stated students involved in the YES (Youth
Employment Services) summer program are looking for work. He suggested the students participate
in an energy audit of town buildings. The students do get paid for their work by New York State.
Aquifer Study Fundraising Group: Nancy Spero reported the group had a table at the Country Faire
and at a recent square dance. Some donations were received.
Facilities Development Committee: Councilperson Carpenter stated the Enfield Volunteer Fire
Company worked to develop a proposal for the old highway facility. They are now waiting to hear
back from their lawyer.
Tompkins County Council of Governments: Supervisor Rider was out of town for the last meeting.
A committee was formed so that municipalities can communicate with each other regarding
projects that may impact other municipalities, such as the Black Oak Wind Farm. There will be
future meetings held to work on this process.
Old Business: None.
New Business:
Site for Satellite Office of Department of Social Services: Supervisor Rider stated the Tompkins
County Department of Social Services would like to set up a satellite office in Enfield. At this time
there is no formal procedure for Community Building use or guidelines for using the space.
Councilperson McGee, with the help of Councilperson Carpenter, agreed to come up with
guidelines for building use and a calendar to keep track of building events. At this time DSS will
use the upstairs of the Community Building on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from
1 to 4:30 p.m. This will coincide with the times of the food giveaways.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, May 14, 2014 5
Adoption of Health Consortium Amendment: Councilperson Rider moved, with a second by
Councilperson Carpenter to adopt Resolution #2014-31.
Resolution #2014-31 TO APPROVE THE 2014 AMENDMENT TO THE MUNICIPAL
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THE GREATER TOMPKINS
COUNTY MUNICIPAL HEALTH INSURANCE CONSORTIUM
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield is a Participant in the Greater Tompkins County Municipal
Health Insurance Consortium (the "Consortium"), a municipal cooperative organized under
Article 5-G of the New York General Municipal Law; and
WHEREAS, the municipal participants in the Consortium, including this body, have approved
and executed a certain Municipal Cooperation Agreement (the "Agreement"), which provides for
the operation and governance of the Consortium; and
WHEREAS, Article 47 of the New York Insurance Law (the "Insurance Law") and the rules
and regulations of the New York State Superintendent of Insurance set forth certain requirements
for governance of municipal cooperatives which offer self-insured municipal cooperative health
insurance plans; and
WHEREAS, Section 4705(a)(8) of the Insurance Law provides the governing board of self-
insured municipal cooperative must include representation of unions, which are the exclusive
collective bargaining representatives of employees who covered by the plan offered by such self-
insured municipal cooperative; and
WHEREAS, Section K of the Agreement currently in place provides for representation on the
Consortium's Board of Directors (the “Board”) by the Chair of the Joint Committee on Plan
Structure and Design (as defined in the Agreement); and
WHEREAS, by resolution adopted on September 26, 2013, the Consortium's Board approved
an amendment to the Agreement to (a) increase the number of labor representatives on the Board;
and (b) provide for future increases to the number of labor representatives on the Board in the event
number of participants in the Consortium increases, all as more fully set forth in the 2014
Amendment to the Municipal Cooperative Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit “A” (the “2014
Amendment”); and
WHEREAS, Section T of the Agreement requires that any change or amendment to the
Agreement shall require the unanimous approval of the Participants, as authorized by their
respective legislative bodies; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield has determined that it is in the best interest of its constituents
who are served by the Consortium to amend the Agreement as set forth in the attached 2014
Amendment, now therefore be it
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield approves the following:
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, May 14, 2014 6
Section 1. The 2014 Amendment to the Municipal Cooperative Agreement of the Greater
Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium attached to this Resolution is approved.
Section 2. The Enfield Town Clerk is hereby authorized to execute this Resolution to
indicate its approval, deliver a copy thereof to the Board of the Greater Tompkins County
Municipal Health Insurance Consortium, and take any other such actions as may be required by
law.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
“EXHIBIT A”
2014 AMENDMENT TO THE MUNICIPAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THE
GREATER TOMPKINS COUNTY MUNICIPAL HEALTH INSURANCE CONSORTIUM
5. The Union Members on the Joint Committee on Plan Structure and Design shall select from
among the Union Members an individual to serve as an additional at-large voting Labor Member on
the Board of Directors of the Consortium. If the number of municipal members on the Consortium
rises to seventeen (17), the union members of the Joint Committee on Plan Structure and Design
shall select from among the Union Members an additional at-large voting Labor Member on the
Board of Directors of the Consortium. The at-large voting Labor Member(s) along with the Joint
Committee Chair shall collectively be the “Labor Representatives” as defined in Section C(11 ) of
this Agreement. If the number of municipal members on the Consortium rises to twenty-three (23),
the Union Members may select from among their members a third At-Large Labor Representative
to serve as a Director. Thereafter, for every increase of five (5) additional municipal members
added to the Consortium Union Members may select from among their members one (1) At-large
Labor Representative to serve as Director. Attached hereto as Addendum “B” is a table illustrating
the addition of At-Large Labor Representatives as set forth in this Section. Any At-Large Labor
Representative designated according to this section shall have the same rights and obligations as all
other Directors.
Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated to her knowledge this will have no effect on the employees in
our town. However, as a member of the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance
Consortium, we have to approve this. It will be giving union representatives more potential
representation.
Councilperson McGee will contact Herb Masser and ask him to give the Town Board reports on the
Consortium. She asked if Herb had been asked to be the town’s representative for 2014. Supervisor
Rider indicated that yes, he had been contacted. She also stated our representative is appointed for
one year at a time and maybe we should get a different person to serve in this position for next year.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson McGee
aye, Supervisor Rider aye, Councilperson Bryant absent. Carried.
Annual Work Place Violence Training: Supervisor Rider stated she has been trained to give this
training which is mandatory. It must be given to town board members, planning board members,
employees, elected officials, appointed committee members and organizations that we contract
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, May 14, 2014 7
with. The fire department and highway department have already completed their training for the
year.
The trainings were set for Wednesday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, June 19 at 5:00 p.m. at
the Community Building.
Professional Audit of 2013 Books: Supervisor Rider will be considering a professional audit of the
town's 2013 books. The audit would need a board resolution, and will be discussed at the June
meeting.
Letter of Support for HOMES: Supervisor Rider explained Better Housing of Tompkins County is
applying for a grant and would like a letter of support.
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait, to authorize the supervisor
to sign a letter of support to go along with Better Housing of Tompkins County's request for
funding for the first time homeowner's program.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson McGee
aye, Supervisor Rider aye, Councilperson Bryant absent. Carried.
Highway Superintendent Rollins asked if Supervisor Rider had any information about having the
public cut wood at the new highway facility. Supervisor Rider responded she hasn't obtained
information on that yet.
Announcements: The next blood drive will be held at the Enfield Volunteer Fire Department next
Tuesday. The rabies clinic sponsored by the Tompkins County Health Department will be held May
15 at the old highway facility.
Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to adjourn at
8:55 p.m. Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton, Enfield Town Clerk