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Town of Enfield
Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
6:30 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Virginia Bryant, Town Councilperson
Mike Carpenter, Town Councilperson Beth McGee, Town Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins,
Town Clerk Alice Linton. Excused: Town Councilperson Vera Howe-Strait.
Supervisor Rider lead the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at 6:30 p.m.
At 6:35 p.m. Supervisor Rider opened the public hearing on Local Law #1 of 2015, A LOCAL
LAW TO OVERRIDE THE TAX LEVY LIMIT ESTABLISHED IN GENERAL
MUNICIPAL LAW §3-C.
As no one wished to speak, Supervisor Rider closed the public hearing at 6:36 p.m.
Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak.
Approval of Minutes: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to
approve the minutes of the February 11, 2015 regular town board meeting.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to approve the minutes of the
July 8, 2015 regular town board meeting.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee
abstain, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried
Correspondence: Letter from the NYS Department of Labor stating our Unemployment Insurance
costs will be going down.
Notification of a public meeting to seek input for an update of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Plan
which was held July 30, 2015.
Letter from the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization asking for a representative
from the Town of Enfield to join their organization to help accurately identify and reflect the needs
of our community.
Booklet from TC3 listing professional development workshops for fall 2015.
June 2015 update on the Tompkins County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan.
Letter from Fagan Engineers asking to be considered for future projects.
Second quarterly update on Clarity Connect's ConnectNY Broadband project for Tompkins and
Cayuga Counties.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting and Public Hearing, August 12, 2015 2
Notification of dedication of fire hoses for the Enfield Volunteer Company at Firehouse Subs on
Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
Notification that the final state equalization rate for assessment will be 100% for 2016.
Letter from NYSEG acknowledging that they will start working with the Black Oak Wind Farm.
Budget Amendments: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant to
approve Budget Amendment #2015-24.
Budget Amendment #2015-24
WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the Highway Fund line DA5110.14 titled
“ Personnel Services-Overtime”, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Highway Fund Account, line item DA5140.1 titled “Brush, Weed Removal-
Personnel Services” be decreased by $400.00 and line item DA5110.14 be increased by $400.00.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried
Audit Claims: Councilperson McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to
authorize the supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #232 to #261 dated August 12, 2015 in the
amount of $17,811.24 and Highway Fund vouchers #141 to #159 dated August 12, 2015 in the
amount of $9,359.09.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried
County Legislator's Report: None
Highway Superintendent's Report: Supervisor Rider thanked Highway Superintendent Rollins
for removing the piles of stone across from the town hall and for the nice job done in removing the
empty fuel tank from behind the highway building. She asked if the tank was sold.
Highway Superintendent Rollins stated that the tank was taken to Teets and was included in the
check from the Clean-Up Days. The check for both the tank and the scrap totaled around $600.
Highway Superintendent Rollins reported the summer chipping is completed. There were 4 roads
done. The crew has been working on Hines Road as the ditch has eroded from all the water. They
have been rebuilding the ditch and fixing driveway pipes. Also work has been done on Woodward
Road to rebuild the shoulders. The engine went bad in the excavator. A machine was rented for a
month. It will cost about $12,000 for a replacement engine, which has been ordered.
Councilperson McGee asked if the excavator was the equipment that was recently repaired.
Highway Superintendent Rollins replied the turn box in the excavator was replaced last year. The
machine has 8,600 hours on it. He will probably hold onto the machine for another year.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting and Public Hearing, August 12, 2015 3
Supervisor Rider stated an exterminator will be at the new highway facility August 13 to take care
of the worms that have been coming in the building.
Code Enforcement Report: Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter reported in July there were 9
permits issued or renewed, bringing the year to date total to 41. There were 3 solar permits issued,
bringing the year to date total to 16. He issued 2 certificates of occupancy, completed 12
inspections and 17 progress checks, received 1 valid complaint, and a prior complaint was resolved.
There were 2 fire and safety inspections done and 2 house numbers issued. He reminded the board
about the furnace in the community building and that the fuel tank needs to be replaced this fall. If
Ehrhart replaces the tank, they won't charge extra to remove the fuel in the old tank.
Supervisor's Report: Supervisor Rider reported she chaired a TCCOG meeting; met with the
Personnel Committee, Sunstream regarding removing asbestos from the old town hall, George
Breuhaus regarding problems with the new highway building, 8 land owners regarding drilling a
test well on their property, USGS regarding well drilling in the town, Norm Smith regarding repairs
to be done to the town hall; called the exterminator regarding Japanese millipedes at the new
highway building, and TCAT regarding a lease for the Park and Ride.
Councilperson McGee asked if there was any response regarding removing cars from town
property. Supervisor Rider stated she has had no response, but will make another friendly call. She
will also direct Guy Krogh, town attorney, to write a letter to the Pellegrinos.
Committee Reports:
Planning Board: Chair Dan Walker reported the Planning Board did not meet this month.
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: Chief Roger Lauper submitted his report showing there were 27
total calls in July as follows: 13 EMS, 1 motor vehicle accident with injuries, 1 motor vehicle
accident with extraction, 3 mutual aide calls, 4 service calls, 1 vehicle fire, 3 good intent calls and 1
false alarm. Trainings for August will include new extendable cribbing, water supply/tanker relay,
station maintenance and truck checks.
Comprehensive Plan Writing Committee: Councilperson McGee reported they did not meet in July,
but plan to meet in August.
Tompkins County Council of Governments: Supervisor Rider reported there was a presentation by
Monica Roth on the Tompkins County Ag Plan.
Old Business:
Surplus Items: Councilperson Bryant reported that the large wheel, oil pump can and Italian box are
still at the Ithaca Antique Center. She will check on the other items. The one year contract will
expire at the end of September.
New Highway Building Assessment: Supervisor Rider stated there appear to be two parts to the
assessment. One is whether the building was built to design specifications and the other did the
architect design it correctly. Then there is the section of how to make it a more functioning
building. She questioned if the best approach would be to have a group meeting with potential
evaluators.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting and Public Hearing, August 12, 2015 4
Councilperson Carpenter feels that communication is a good way to start a project. That way those
interested know what is needed, what the budget is, what the extent of the work will be. There may
be good feedback and ideas.
Dan Walker agreed a pre-bid meeting is a good idea, which could be mandatory. There could also
be individual meetings with each engineering firm where the town's desires could be expressed and
ideas shared.
Councilperson McGee asked what the process is to determine if the building is designed correctly
and built to design.
Supervisor Rider stated information will need to be gathered so the town attorney can make a
judgment as to whether to pursue the contractors and the architect in making the building right or
whether they didn't make mistakes and we're on our own. She feels that since there was taxpayer
money put towards this project, and if there is a defect in the way the contract was handled, that
recourse needs to be pursued.
Local Law to Override the Tax Cap Levy: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by
Councilperson Carpenter to adopt Local Law #1 of 2015.
TOWN OF ENFIELD
LOCAL LAW #1 FOR THE YEAR 2015
A LOCAL LAW TO OVERRIDE THE TAX LEVY LIMIT ESTABLISHED
IN GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW §3-C
Be it enacted by the Town Board of the Town of Enfield as follows:
Section 1. Legislative Intent: It is the intent of this local law to override the limit on the
amount of real property taxes that may be levied by the Town of Enfield pursuant to General
Municipal Law §3-c, and to allow the Town of Enfield to adopt a budget for the fiscal year
beginning January 1, 2016 and ending December 31, 2016 that requires a real property tax levy in
excess of the “tax levy limit” as defined by General Municipal Law §3-c.
Section 2. Authority: This local law is adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of General
Municipal Law §3-c, which expressly authorizes the Town Board to override the tax levy limit by
the adoption of a local law approved by vote of at least sixty percent (60%) of the town board.
Section 3. Tax Levy Limit Override: The Town Board of the Town of Enfield, County of
Tompkins is hereby authorized to adopt a budget for the fiscal year 2016 that requires a real
property tax levy in excess of the amount otherwise prescribed in General Municipal Law §3-c.
Section 4. Severability: If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this
Local Law or the application thereof to any person, firm or corporation, or circumstance, shall be
adjusted by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or
judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its
operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this Local Law or in its
application to the person, individual, firm or corporation or circumstance, directly involved in the
controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting and Public Hearing, August 12, 2015 5
Section 5. Effective date: This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with
the Secretary of State.
Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated there has been a lot of talk in the media about the 2% tax cap. It
is actually a tax levy limit - the amount is set by the state and there is a formula that is used. For
each municipality the rate can be slightly different.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried
Paint Bid: Supervisor Rider informed the board there were no bids received for painting the exterior
of the town hall. Highway Superintendent Rollins suggested if the budget could include two
seasonal workers for the highway department for 2016, they could do the job. They would need to
be hired as early as April, and work for less than 180 days. The board agreed this was the way to
go, and Supervisor Rider will cancel the public works project.
Park and Ride Update and Razing Bid: Supervisor Rider plans to meet with Nancy Oltz of TCAT
on Friday morning to discuss a contract for the Park and Ride. NYSEG has been contacted to
remove two electric poles that are across the road from town hall and do not carry electricity. She
will check to make sure there is no charge to remove the poles. Supervisor Rider has found that
NYS Code states it is illegal to burn within 300' of a building and the Enfield Volunteer Fire
Company does not want to burn the old town hall.
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee, to enter into a contract with
Finger Lakes ReUse to deconstruct the structure at 169 Enfield Main Road at a cost of $1,200.00.
Discussion: Highway Superintendent Rollins agreed that the highway department will grade the
area, once the building is removed, to TCAT specs. Supervisor Rider stated the asbestos has been
removed from the building. A demolition permit will need to be obtained.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried
Solar Enfield - Update on Solar Farm Local Law: Councilperson McGee provided board members
with a draft solar law for Enfield to give them an idea of what she and Code Enforcement Officer
Alan Teeter have been working on. The Town of Seneca has a law in place that is similar to
Enfield's needs. She asked board members to give her feedback in the next 2 weeks on the draft.
She will also send the document to Dan Walker so the Planning Board can add input. Beth and
Alan will meet again to make changes and then the law can be discussed at another meeting.
Aquifer Study Update: Supervisor Rider has been working to get test wells committed to. As of
now, there are 2 wells committed. The bids on the well drilling are due August 19. Councilperson
Howe-Strait has been asked to evaluate the bids according to a grid and then the board will get
together to discuss who will be the best well driller.
Revised Standard Work Day: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to
approve Resolution #2015-39.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting and Public Hearing, August 12, 2015 6
Resolution #2015-39 Revised Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolution
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Enfield hereby establishes the following as revised standard work days
for elected and appointed officials for 2015 and will report the following days worked to the New York
State and Local Employees' Retirement System based on the record of activities maintained and
submitted by these officials to the clerk of this body:
Title Name Standard
Work
Day
(hrs/day)
Term
Begins/Ends
Participates
in
Employer's
Time
Keeping
System
(y/n)
Days/Month
(based on
record of
activities)
Elected Officials
Town Clerk Alice Linton 6 1/1/14-12/31/15 n 16.42
Councilperson Vera Howe-Strait 6 1/1/12-12/31/15 n 0.94
Highway Supt Barry Rollins 8 1/1/14-12/31/15 n 30.21
Appointed Officials
Justice Clerk Tiffany Poole 6
1/14/15-
12/31/15 n 13.17
Code Enforcement Alan Teeter 6
1/14/15-
12/31/15 n 19.23
Deputy Highway Supt. Charles Sinclair 8
1/14/15-
12/31/15 y
Bookkeeper Deborah A. Kelley 6
1/14/15-
12/31/15 n 5.93
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried
New Business:
Flood Insurance: Supervisor Rider stated people who want to buy property in Enfield sometimes
have trouble getting financing because the Town of Enfield does not belong to the National Flood
Insurance Program. Supervisor Rider has a list of requirements to join the program.
Planning Board Chair Dan Walker stated there are no identified regulated flood plains in Enfield
since they have not been mapped. If Enfield wants to participate in the program, the flood plans
must be mapped.
Councilperson McGee spoke with FEMA when there was flooding in Enfield two years ago. They
expressed surprise that Enfield did not attend the meeting held earlier that year on mapping. The
mapping often incorporates areas that have already been mapped. If mapping has been done for the
county or state, then it may not cost much since it has already been done for other entities.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting and Public Hearing, August 12, 2015 7
Dan Walker suggested checking with Tompkins County Soil and Water to see if any money is
available for mapping. He will also check with Scott Doyle of the Tompkins County Planning
Department. He has signed up for two workshops in September on flood mapping that the county is
holding.
Supervisor Rider would like to continue investigating the process.
Office for Children and Family Services State Aid for 2015: Supervisor Rider stated the Tompkins
County Youth Bureau will get $877, which they will forward to the Town of Enfield, if we agree
we want it. The money will need to be used for youth services.
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant to authorize the supervisor to sign
the contract with the Youth Services Bureau to receive reimbursement of $877 towards youth
programming, specifically summer camp in the Town of Enfield.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried
Membership in the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization: Supervisor informed the
board the town has been invited to join this organization at a cost of $300.
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to join this organization to
show support for keeping Cayuga Lake clean.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried
Supervisor Rider amended the motion to authorize the supervisor to pay the voucher, with a second
by Councilperson Carpenter.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried
Amendment to the Municipal Cooperative Agreement for the Greater Tompkins County Health
Insurance Consortium: Councilperson McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to
approve Resolution #2015-40.
Resolution #2015-40 Approval of the 2015 Amendment to the Municipal Cooperative
Agreement for the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health
Insurance Consortium
APPROVAL OF THE 2015 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 47 of the New
York Insurance Law, and
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting and Public Hearing, August 12, 2015 8
WHEREAS, the municipal participants in the Consortium, including this body, have approved and
executed a certain Municipal Cooperation Agreement (the "Agreement"; effective date of October 1, 2010)
and Amendment (2014) that 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 Department of Financial Services set forth certain requirements for governance of
municipal cooperatives that offer self-insured municipal cooperative health insurance plans, and
WHEREAS, the Agreement sets forth in Section Q2 that continuation of the Consortium under the terms and
conditions of the Agreement, or any amendments or restatements thereto, shall be subject to Board review
on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Effective Date and on each fifth (5th) anniversary date thereafter (each a
“Review Date”), and
WHEREAS, by motion 005-2015, adopted on May 28, 2015, the Consortium's Board of Directors
recommends approval of the 2015 amended agreement based on review of the document by the Municipal
Cooperative Agreement Review Committee, the New York State Department of Financial Services, and the
Consortium’s legal counsel, and
WHEREAS, the Municipal Cooperative Agreement requires that amendments to the agreement be presented
to each participant for review and adopted by its municipal board, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield is in receipt of the proposed amended Agreement and 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 2015 Amended Municipal Cooperative Agreement, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Enfield approves and authorizes the Supervisor to sign the 2015 Amendment
to the Municipal Cooperative Agreement of the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance
Consortium, and
RESOLVED, further, that the Clerk of the Town of Enfield is hereby authorized to execute this Resolution
to indicate its approval, transmit a copy thereof to the Board of Directors of the Greater Tompkins County
Municipal Health Insurance Consortium, and take any other such actions as may be required by law.
Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated the town was asked if they wanted to continue in the Consortium for
2016 and if we wanted to make any change to our plan. She wrote back to say we didn't want to make any
changes and we wanted to stay in.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried
Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to adjourn at
8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton, Enfield Town Clerk