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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-23-14 Special Meeting.pdf Town of Enfield Special Town Board Meeting Minutes Enfield Community Building Wednesday, September 23, 2014 Present: Town Supervisor Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Vera Howe-Strait, Town Councilperson Beth McGee, Town Highway Superintendent Barry Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Absent: Town Councilperson Virginia Bryant (who arrived at 6:43 p.m.), Town Councilperson Mike Carpenter. Supervisor Rider opened the meeting at 6:33 p.m. by leading the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Budget Amendment: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to approve Budget Amendment #2014-28. Budget Amendment #2014-28 WHEREAS, the following Budget Amendment #2014-13 was passed by this Board on February 12, 2014: WHEREAS, in December, 2013 expenditures did not exceed the budget in line item DA5130.2, titled “Machinery-Equipment” now, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Highway Fund Account, line item DA5130.2, titled “Machinery-Equipment”, be decreased by $1,708.50 and Highway Fund Account, line item DA9950.9 titled “Transfers to Capital Funds Equipment Reserve” be increased by $1,708.50 in the 2013 budget, and WHEREAS, the bookkeeper could not go back into the 2013 Williamson accounting program and make this change in February, 2014 and WHEREAS, this is causing accounting problems for the 2014 recordkeeping, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that Budget Amendment #2014-13 be rescinded so accounting records can be more accurate for 2014. Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated this budget amendment has caused problems and the expert at Williamson Law recommended this course of action. She has contacted the State Comptroller's Regional Office regarding reconciling the 2013 books. Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye, Councilperson Bryant absent, Councilperson Carpenter absent. Carried. Town Property Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated the Tompkins County Assessment Department did an assessment, which Audrey Edelman Real Estate agreed with. They valued the old gravel bank at $12,000 and the property across from the town hall, now known as 169 Enfield Main Road, at $5,000. Old Gravel Bank: Supervisor Rider stated Councilperson Carpenter had suggested previously that an estimate be obtained for the cost to make the property useable for a building lot. She has called George VanValen and asked him to give the town an estimate for this purpose. It was brought to her attention that part of the property is designated as a wetland. Enfield Special Town Board Regular Meeting, September 23, 2014 2 Councilperson McGee mentioned there are only 6 days left to develop the language and have a referendum placed on the November ballot to sell this property. Supervisor Rider stated the town attorney is on vacation so the matter won't be on the ballot in November. The matter can proceed, and it would be subject to permissive referendum. The town board can always go back and make it subject to mandatory referendum and that would put if off until the next general election. Councilperson McGee mentioned the issue with the cars still needs to be mitigated. Councilperson Bryant arrived at this time. Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant, to hire T.G. Miller to do a survey so the property lines can be determined. Discussion: Councilperson McGee would like to move forward, but would also like to deal with the car situation in the area of the old gravel bank. Supervisor Rider stated owners of the cars have said if the cars are on town property, and they receive a letter, they will take care of the cars. Supervisor Rider stated she will call the Department of Environmental Conservation or the Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District to determine if there are wetlands on this property and how they should be handled. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye, Councilperson Carpenter absent. Carried. 169 Enfield Main Road: Supervisor Rider stated she has a signed purchase offer for $100 for this property from John Rancich. There is some confusion with the purchase offer as parts refer to a 10 year lease with TCAT and others to a 20 year lease. Councilperson McGee feels that all legal fees should be covered by the buyer in the purchase price. She felt the contract with TCAT should be for at least 20 years and the sale should be contingent on a signed contract between the purchaser and TCAT. Also, the cost of transfer should be paid by the purchaser. Councilperson Bryant also felt a signed contract was needed. She stated 10 years was too short , and that 20 years for an agreement with TCAT would be acceptable. She also would like the issue of the building on the property addressed. Supervisor Rider stated she felt $500 would be a fair price for the property. She has spoken with the town historian who is pondering the building situation. Supervisor Rider suggested the building could be taken down, stored, and put back up at a new location at a later date. She will contact Trevor McDonald, who owns adjacent property, to see if he would have an interest in purchasing the property. Councilperson McGee stated it appeared from the purchase offer that the buyer would remove the building within 3 years of closing. Gas Pumps and Wooden Wheels: Supervisor Rider stated that if the value of an item is less than $1,000, the town can dispose of the item as they choose. The town has had 2 offers for the gas Enfield Special Town Board Regular Meeting, September 23, 2014 3 pumps. One was an offer for $500 for the pair of gas pumps, and the other to sell the items on consignment. The items and estimated retail sale price are as follows: Rusted milk can, $20; Italian wooden box, $25; wooden drive with post, $30; wooden wagon wheel, $149; Tolkhiem commercial gas pump, $850; Wayne Shell branded commercial gas pump, $750; hand oil pump, $25. Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait, that the Town of Enfield contract with the Ithaca Antique Center to take the listed items on consignment with a 30% commission. Discussion: Councilperson Bryant stated once cleaned up, these could be attractive items. Councilperson McGee asked how long the Ithaca Antique Center would keep these items if they are not sold. Supervisor Rider stated terms of the contract would be 365 days from the date it is signed. If after 90 days the item is not sold, the item might be discounted for the remainder of the contract. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye, Councilperson Carpenter absent. Carried. 2015 Budget Discussion: Supervisor Rider handed out copies of the Town of Enfield Tentative Budget for 2015. Councilperson McGee suggested the public information line should be reduced as the new website costs less than the old one. Last year only one year was purchased at $148 to make sure everything went well with the new site, but this year $400 should be sufficient to pay for three years, since there are different options available. Councilperson McGee also questioned line item A1220.41. That was increased this year by two different budget amendments that totaled about $1,625. So if there are any other expenses on top of those two items, the budget should be more realistic about what that amount should be. Supervisor Rider stated she feels her figures are realistic. Councilperson McGee also questioned line item DA9020.8. That was increased by budget amendment in the amount $2,306.38 in February of this year. Supervisor Rider stated that amendment related to the 2013 budget. Supervisor Rider stated last year $3,236 was expended on this Medicare item. She did not bring her information on benefits with her, so will check that out. Supervisor Rider asked Highway Superintendent Rollins for clarification on the $50,000 for a new pick-up truck. She felt that should come from Equipment Reserve, where there was $150,000 requested. Highway Superintendent Rollins stated it would come out of the $150,000 if there was no further money budgeted for a pick-up, but the $50,000 for a pick-up would be in addition to the $150,000 and that would come out of the Equipment Reserve line. He stated that might be a high estimate for a pick-up. He also stated a new spreader might be needed for the 550 Ford truck. Highway Superintendent Rollins stated the 1997 John Deere loader should have been listed as equipment to be replaced. It is currently in need of about $10,000 in repairs. Enfield Special Town Board Regular Meeting, September 23, 2014 4 Supervisor Rider stated one of the changes being recommended is to have current and retired highway employees pay 5% of their health insurance premium. Highway Superintendent Rollins recommended that if employees pay 5% of their single coverage, they should also be offered family coverage where they would pay 5% of the premium. There was some discussion on whether the employees could be given a flat sum and they could choose to buy whatever insurance they wanted. Highway Superintendent Rollins mentioned that the 2015 budget showed the highway superintendent's salary as identical to 2014. Supervisor Rider stated the correct figure should show a 2% increase. He also stated that the CHIPS line item should be $104,102.80. Supervisor Rider stated she put in a lower amount as it seemed prudent, and she would amend the budget if the amount the state budgets is different. Highway Superintendent Rollins stated the amount budgeted for signs has included extra funds in the past few years with the knowledge that once the town decides on weight limits as part of the road preservation law, roads will need to be posted with the weight limits. The estimated cost for this is about $6,000, in addition to the usual $2,500 needed for yearly replacement of road signs. This is why no more than $2,500 has been spent on signs the past few years. Councilperson McGee feels that no elected official should receive a raise this year. Town Clerk Alice Linton presented the Tentative Town of Enfield 2015 Budget to the town board. Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to accept the 2015 Town of Enfield Tentative Budget as presented by the town clerk. Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye, Councilperson Bryant absent, Councilperson Carpenter absent. Carried. Public Hearing on 2015 Budget: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant, to cancel the public hearing on the 2015 budget that was scheduled for October 8, 2014. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye, Councilperson Carpenter absent. Carried. Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Carried. Respectfully submitted, Alice Linton, Enfield Town Clerk