HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Board Minutes 10-14-15 Regular Meeting (1).pdf
Town of Enfield
Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
6:30 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Virginia Bryant, Town Councilperson
Mike Carpenter, Town Councilperson Vera Howe-Strait, Town Highway Superintendent Buddy
Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton.
Supervisor Rider opened the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. by leading the assemblage in the Pledge
of Allegiance to the Flag.
Privilege of the Floor: Dawn Drake of 105 Griffin Road questioned what the setback for wind
turbines should be for the Black Oak Wind Farm. She feels these turbines are a health risk, and
asking residents to sign a contract for a $500 per year payment is not reasonable. Supervisor Rider
asked for her comments in writing so she can take the information to the town's lawyer.
Denise O'Rourke of 418 Black Oak Road stated she is unhappy that the community has not been
asked for their consent before the wind farm is built. She feels property values will go down. She
would like town residents to be asked how they feel about the wind farm. Supervisor Rider stated
the town has been working on this for 10-12 years and many public hearings have been held.
Frank Pavia of the Harris Beach law firm is the town's attorney on wind farm matters.
Marguerite Wells of 863 Black Oak Road addressed some of the previous comments. The purpose
of the $500 per year contract is to help residents who live close to the wind farm offset the cost of
electric bills. The wind farm would like to share the wealth, but it is not necessary for anyone to
sign a contract to receive $500 per year. There will be new land owners for one turbine and the
substation, so the wind farm will be coming back to the town board with a formal proposal in the
next month or so.
Approval of Minutes: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to
approve the minutes of the September 9, 2015 regular town board meeting.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait
aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Carried
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to approve the minutes of
the September 30, 2015 public hearing and special town board meeting.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait
aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Carried
Correspondence: Notification from energy consultant MEGA that a fixed rate has been entered
into for the Town of Enfield and the Town of Enfield can make agreements on behalf of the
residents for fixed rates.
Budget Amendments: Councilperson Howe-Strait moved, with a second by Councilperson
Carpenter to approve Budget Amendment #2015-27.
Budget Amendment #2015-27 Aquifer Study
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 14, 2015 2
WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the General Fund line A1620.41 titled
“Buildings – Aquifer Study”, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the General Fund Account, line item A3310.4 titled “Traffic Control -
Contractual” be decreased by $2000.00, line item A1220.41 titled “ Supervisor – Contractual” be
decreased by$1000.00, line item A1010.4 titled “ Town Board – Contractual” be decreased by
$1000.00 and line item A1990.4 titled “ Contingent Account” be decreased by $2010.00 and
A1620.41 be increased by $6010.00.
Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated that this expense was greater than she anticipated when she did
the 2015 budget.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait
aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Carried
Audit Claims: Councilperson Carpenter moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to
authorize the supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #292 to #317 dated October 14, 2015 in the
amount of $19,372.89 and Highway Fund vouchers #181 to #195 dated October 14, 2015 in the
amount of $49,247.89. This included the voucher for the new highway pick-up truck that was
previously approved at the special September 30, 2015 meeting.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait
aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Carried
County Legislator's Report: Dave McKenna reported the county legislators held their first budget
voting meeting and because of revised pension rates, among other things, they were able to put
$582,000 back in the budget.
Highway Superintendent's Report: Highway Superintendent Rollins reported fall projects are
winding down and the crew will be changing over to winter work. Due to the weather, Buck Hill
Road was not oiled and stoned this year, but will be done next year. The new pick-up truck is
having a plow and lights installed and should be ready in about 2 weeks. The excavator had a
hydraulic pump go bad which put the crew behind on ditching Buck Hill Road. Earl Rose has been
contacted about repairing the overhead heaters in the highway building. When he is ready to do the
work, a lift will be rented from the Duke Company.
Code Enforcement Report: Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter reported in September there
were 10 permits issued or renewed with 5 for new homes, bringing the year to date total to 60.
There was 1 solar permit issued, bringing the year to date total to 19. He issued 1 certificate of
occupancy, completed 7 inspections and 12 progress checks, received 1 complaint, resolved 1
complaint. There were 3 address numbers issued.
Supervisor's Report: Supervisor Rider submitted her report. She attended meetings with TCCOG,
USGS, Emergency Planning Committee, TCAD, insurance agent John Kuehn, Renovous and
Melissa Kemp, concerned citizens regarding the wind farm, and Barbara Lifton; developed
contracts with Frey Well Drilling and town residents that agreed to have test wells dug on their
property; got the warning light at Enfield Elementary School working; ordered Ehrhart to install a
new fuel tank in the Community Building, created the Tentative 2016 Town of Enfield Budget and
presented it at a special town board meeting; conferred with town attorneys regarding the Black
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 14, 2015 3
Oak Wind Farm project and a Road Use Agreement; worked on closing papers for the Old Gravel
Bank sale.
Committee Reports:
Planning Board: Chair Dan Walker reported the Planning Board scheduled a public hearing for
their last meeting, but due to a change in plans of the Black Oak Wind Farm the public hearing was
cancelled. A presentation was given by Debbie Teeter of Cooperative Extension regarding
agriculture districts. This information is reviewed every 8 years, and there are no major changes
anticipated. Dan attended 2 days of informational training on flood plains. The Town of Enfield
doesn't have any mapped flood plains, although there are flood plains in the town. He suggested the
town should move ahead with mapping. The Planning Board is down 1 member and a decision will
need to be made by the end of the year on whether to have a 5 member or 7 member board.
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: Chief Roger Lauper submitted his report showing there were 33
total calls in September as follows: 4 fires (1 building, 1 vehicle and 2 trash); 25 EMS and rescue
calls; 3 service calls; 1 good intent call. October trainings include work detail, SCBA, Extrication
and EMS. All fire ladders have been tested and had new heat sensors placed on them.
Comprehensive Plan Writing Committee: Planning Board Chair Dan Walker stated there has been
a web site set up where documents they are working on are available.
Tompkins County Council of Governments: Supervisor Rider had nothing to report.
Old Business:
Aquifer Study Update: Supervisor Rider reported almost all the wells are scheduled. Frey Well
Drilling hopes to dig 5 wells with a start date the second week in November. Supervisor Rider is
working to get contracts signed.
Town Property Update: Supervisor Rider is trying to schedule a closing for the Old Gravel Bank
property by the end of October.
Surplus Items: Supervisor Rider reported the Ithaca Antique Center believes all surplus items have
been sold. They have given the town 2 checks for items. Councilperson Bryant will confirm that all
items have been paid for.
Tentative 2016 Budget Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated in the budget she has kept the court
clerk salary to a 2% increase. She has put the CHIPS figures in and raised the medical insurance a
little. The costs went down for state retirement. She did not include a town clerk salary increase, but
did put in for 2 part time summer workers in the highway department. Highway Superintendent
Rollins asked for 2 seasonal laborers in addition to 1seasonal motor equipment operator. Supervisor
Rider will cost out painters again for the town hall. The equipment replacement chart from 2012
has not been updated, but Superintendent Rollins does an equipment inventory every year that is
presented to the board.
Supervisor Rider will get tax levy numbers with different scenarios from Jay Franklin at the county
assessment office. Board members were asked to e-mail budget concerns to Supervisor Rider.
Supervisor Rider would like to schedule a public hearing on the budget at the next board meeting.
She will have a final version of the preliminary budget to the board ahead of November 11.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 14, 2015 4
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to hold a public hearing on
the 2016 preliminary budget at 6:35 p.m. on November 11, 2015.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait
aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Carried
Proposed Local Solar Farm Law: Supervisor Rider talked with the Town of Seneca Code Officer
about their law. The Town of Seneca wanted to keep their town looking agricultural. They put a
limit on acreage that could be used for a solar farm. The size of a solar farm seems to be more
significant than the megawatts. It is becoming more common for airports to have solar arrays on the
side of runways. The site plan review law should mesh with the solar farm law. The Town of
Seneca didn't make their law too precise, since the site plan review law is the control.
Decommissioning is a concern that should be addressed, but bonding might not be appropriate.
Councilperson Carpenter asked about height considerations. He would like to add some flexibility
to that section. It might be good to differentiate between free standing and placement on huge
buildings.
Supervisor Rider will make a few changes to the draft law and try to have it in place by the first of
the year. Dan Walker will provide copies of the proposed law to the Planning Board so they can
discuss this at their next meeting.
New Business:
SPOTA Clerk for Well Drilling:
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to approve Resolution #2015-
44.
Resolution #2015-44 SPOTA CLERK
Whereas, the Town of Enfield is entering into a contract with well drillers which require complying
with New York State General Municipality Law,
Now Therefore, be it resolved that Ann Rider be appointed SPOTA clerk for the USGS well
drilling in the Town of Enfield.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait
aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Carried
Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to adjourn at
8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton, Enfield Town Clerk