HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-23-14 Special Meeting.pdf
Town of Enfield
Special Town Board Meeting Minutes
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, July 23, 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 Superintendent Barry
Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Absent: Councilperson Virginia Bryant.
Supervisor Rider opened the meeting at 6:08 p.m. by leading the assemblage in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
Audit Claims: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to authorize the
supervisor to pay Highway Fund voucher #136 in the amount of $77,577.11 dated July 23, 2014.
Discussion: Highway Superintendent Rollins stated this is to pay Suit-Kote Corporation for paving.
This will be reimbursed with CHIPS funds. He will try to get information submitted in time for a
September reimbursement; otherwise the next reimbursement will be in December.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson McGee
aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Bryant absent. Carried.
Town Property Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated the town owns several properties: a gravel pit
with road access to Route 327; an old town dump on Waterburg Road; the Enfield Community
Building, the new Enfield Highway Facility with close to 60 acres, the Enfield Town Hall/Old
Highway Facility, and a small parcel across the road from the town hall, all on Route 327.
Highway Superintendent Rollins stated he knew of no town use for the gravel pit, but he does use
the Waterburg Road land to stockpile materials when he is working on that side of town.
Supervisor Rider stated the old gravel pit property is large enough for a building lot, with road
access. She would like the property put on the market. Councilperson Howe-Strait feels since the
town is not using the property, it should be sold. Councilperson Carpenter feels the property is
probably worth between $10,000 and $20,000 as a building lot and should be sold. Councilperson
McGee feels the property should be sold and the income could be used for something specific, such
as funding new highway facility issues. Supervisor Rider will meet with town attorney Guy Krogh
on Friday and will discuss the process of selling the property with him, but doesn't think the town is
obligated to use a particular method of sale.
Supervisor Rider stated the Enfield Volunteer Fire Department is interested in the old highway
facility. They have asked their attorney to draw up a contract for leasing the building. The lease
would probably allow for the town clerk's office to remain in the building for the next 3-5 years and
would seal that off from the rest of the building. They are also interested in the second floor space
directly above the clerk's office. They would allow the highway department to use space for cold
storage this winter, but would want to remove one bay at the end of the building in the near future.
Councilperson Carpenter felt this would be agreeable for town hall for a short term. Councilperson
McGee asked, if the fire department uses this building, if it would increase the town's obligation
budget wise. Councilperson Carpenter responded the fire department would expect to make enough
renting the building to other fire departments so there would be no town obligation.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, July 23, 2014 2
Supervisor Rider asked if board members support public transportation in Enfield. All board
members stated they did.
Councilperson McGee stated she felt the property across the road from town hall might be
appropriate for the Park and Ride. Councilperson Carpenter suggested asking John Rancich if he
would consider letting Park and Ride use a piece of his property so there would be space for
parking, a shelter and a driveway for the bus.
Supervisor Rider stated she would like to obtain a grant to move the historic "pig's ear" building
across from town hall to the new Enfield Community Council Building to be located near Enfield
Elementary School.
Councilperson Howe-Strait expressed concern of where to move the town hall. Councilperson
McGee felt a new center of town could be created by moving town hall, along with other municipal
offices, to the new highway facility site. If this happens, Councilperson McGee suggested renting
the Enfield Community Building for office space and Councilperson Howe-Strait suggested selling
the old highway facility to raise funds to build a new building. Councilperson Carpenter feels by
building new, enough money could be saved in utility costs to greatly offset the cost. He agreed
with expanding the center of town and felt a financial case could be made for a new building. He is
willing to do a feasibility study and feels that public opinion is important so the board would need
to do a good presentation.
Highway Superintendent Rollins reminded the board the new highway facility still has work to be
done and that he still uses the old highway facility for cold storage. The code enforcement vehicle
also is kept out of the weather at the old highway facility. A salt storage building is needed. He
feels the town shouldn't give up what they have until a replacement is provided.
Councilperson McGee recapped that Supervisor Rider will talk with John Rancich about the Park
and Ride along with talking to TCAT about rethinking the situation; have the town land and
buildings assessed by the Tompkins County Assessment Department; and talk to the town attorney
about selling the gravel pit so that item can be on the August meeting agenda as an action item.
Councilperson Carpenter will work on the salt storage building issue.
Councilperson Carpenter stated he would like to resign as facility manager for the new highway
facility.
Announcements: Supervisor Rider stated she has information on Tompkins Cortland Community
College Professional Development Workshops for Fall 2014. If any employees are interested in
attending a workshop, the town would at least partially help with the expense.
Supervisor Rider stated, through the Button Up Enfield program, Enfield neighbors can apply low-
cost/no-cost solutions to their homes. Meeting to be held July 28th at the Enfield Grange at 6 p.m.
to learn more about preparing for "Old Man Winter".
Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to adjourn at 8:18
p.m. Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton, Enfield Town Clerk