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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown-Board-Minutes-3-11-15-Regular-Meeting.pdf Town of Enfield Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Enfield Community Building Wednesday, March 11, 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. Excused Town Councilperson Beth McGee. Supervisor Rider opened the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. by leading the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. She then reminded everyone of the meeting guidelines listed on the back of agendas. Privilege of the Floor: Anne Rhodes of Tompkins County Cooperative Extension spoke about Button Up! Enfield which is a program to help make homes more energy efficient. She is asking residents to host Do It Yourself Workshops in their homes for their friends and neighbors. A certified contractor would come in and identify what things could be done by homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient. The homeowner would pick one project to be done and Button Up! Enfield would bring materials to show everyone how to do the project. Friends and neighbors can they go back to their homes and make them more energy efficient. This program is open to both homeowners and renters. Michael Miles of 326 Aiken Road encouraged the town board to continue allowing the Park and Ride and hopes a bicycle rack can be installed for TCAT riders who use the Park and Ride. Approval of Minutes: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to accept the minutes of the February 11, 2015 regular meeting. The motion was tabled since both Councilperson Bryant and Councilperson Carpenter were not at the last meeting, and therefore there was not a quorum to vote on the minutes. Correspondence: Notice of workshops regarding Long-Term Flood Resiliency for Communities: A Watershed Management Approach, sponsored by Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County to be held April 16. Notice of meeting on March 17 to review the current draft of the Agricultural Environmental Management Strategic Plan for 2015-2019 sponsored by Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District. Notification from Haefele TV that basic cable rates will increase to $60.95 per month and digital cable service will increase by $1.50 per month, effective April 1, 2015. Notice of Tentative Special Franchise Full Value from State of New York Department of Taxation and Finance, Office of Real Property Tax Services. Letter from Sprague Insurance with Disclosure Statement . Budget Amendments: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to approve Budget Amendment #2015-16. Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, March 11, 2015 2 Budget Amendment #2015-16 WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the Highway Fund Account, line item DA5142.1, titled “Snow Removal-Personal Services”, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Highway Fund Account, line item DA5110.1 titled “General Repairs Personnel Services”, be decreased by $20,000 and Highway Fund Account, line item DA5142.1 be increased by $20,000. Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated snow removal expenses exceeded expectations. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson McGee excused. Carried Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to approve Budget Amendment #2015-17. Budget Amendment #2015-17 WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the Highway Fund Account, line item DA5142.14, titled “Personal Services-Overtime”, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Highway Fund Account, line item DA5110.1 titled “General Repairs Personnel Services”, be decreased by $8,090.00 and Highway Fund Account, line item DA5142.14 be increased by $8,090.00. Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated the bookkeeper feels these funds will be sufficient to get through the next two payrolls. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson McGee excused. Carried Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to approve Budget Amendment #2015-18. Budget Amendment #2015-18 WHEREAS, the Highway Superintendent wishes to purchase a used truck, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Highway Fund Equipment Reserve Account 231 be decreased by $100,000.00, and line item DA9950.9 titled “Equipment”, be increased by $100,000.00. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson McGee excused. Carried Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant to approve Resolution #2015-28. RESOLUTION # 2015-28 Celebrations Grant Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, March 11, 2015 3 WHEREAS, a bill has come in which should have come out of the 2014 budget, ie. The Celebrations Grant, now therefore BE IT RESOLVED that there are surplus funds from the 2014 budget in the amount of $2,000.00 which should be put in line A7550.4 titled “Celebrations-Contractual”. Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated this is a pass-through for the Enfield Community Council. In the future these funds will not go through the town budget, but will go directly to the ECC. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson McGee excused. Carried Audit Claims: Councilperson Carpenter moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to authorize the supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #78 to #86 and #88 to #115 dated March 11, 2015 in the amount of $18,629.56 and Highway Fund vouchers #44 to #62 dated March 11, 2015 in the amount of $231,698.87 and Special Fire Fund voucher #87 dated March 11, 2015 in the amount of $401.18. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson McGee excused. Carried Update on the Aquifer Study from Ed Bugliosi of the US Geological Service: Supervisor Rider stated that 3 years of the 7 year study have been completed in Enfield. Ben Fisher, who is the project manager of the study in Enfield, and Ed Bugliosi gave a presentation on the progress of the Aquifer Study. The next step in the study, along with compiling data, is to find wells to study, primarily through the valley, and possibly drill some test wells. Supervisor Rider volunteered to put information on the website and in the next newsletter notifying residents of the kinds of wells the study is looking for. County Legislator's Report: Dave McKenna reported Glen Morey from Groton will be joining the Tompkins County Legislature. The county has passed its Comprehensive Plan. Highway Superintendent's Report: Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins reported the new loader was received last week and the used 2008 10 wheeler which was purchased was delivered last Friday. The truck has a 30-day warranty and will be used as often as possible so any problems can be discovered within the warranty period. Many cross-over and driveway pipes are frozen solid, so any heavy rain will be a potential problem. The health department has suggested the date of May 14 for the annual rabies clinic and wondered if the old highway facility could be used again this year. Code Enforcement Report: Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter reported in February there were 3 permits issued or renewed, with 2 of those for solar installations. He completed 9 inspections and progress checks. He received 1 complaint and attended 2 meetings. He notified the board Gary Bortz of the Tompkins County Assessment Office will be retiring the end of March and will be replaced temporarily by Barbara Just. Alan reminded the board that the issue of electrical boxes with condensation running out of them at the new highway facility is a safety issue that needs to be resolved in the near future. He believes the problem was caused by a contractor cutting through the vapor barrier to install the electrical Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, March 11, 2015 4 boxes. A contractor could look at this issue to see if the boxes can be sealed. There are other issues with the building, but this is the most pressing. Supervisor's Report: Supervisor Rider reported she attended the Association of Towns Annual Meeting and Training School, spoke with Sue Thompson regarding the current Park and Ride parking issues, attended a meeting on solar farms, attended a TCCOG meeting, held an Emergency Response Planning meeting, spoke with Nancy Oltz regarding Park and Ride, obtained a site map for a proposed Park and Ride and met with John Rancich regarding Park and Ride. Committee Reports: Planning Board: Chair Dan Walker reported there is a subdivision proposed on Podunk Road. A real estate agent gave a presentation at the last Planning Board meeting. This would be a minor subdivision. It appears each parcel has multiple housing units. A public hearing on the proposed subdivision is scheduled for April 1 at 7:00 p.m. He also reported a final draft of the revised subdivision regulations has not yet been completed. The Town of Newfield has passed a solid waste law banning transfer stations, but since a permit has been issued, there may be a lawsuit. Dan suggested Enfield may want to look into a ban on transfer stations as there are several potential areas that could be attractive for this kind of development. Health Insurance Consortium: Supervisor Rider stated there was no new information. Enfield Community Council: No report. Recreation Partnership: No report. County Youth Board: No report. Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: Fire Chief Roger Lauper submitted his report: Total Calls for February were 33, as follows: 2 MVA (no injuries), 3 service calls, 2 CO calls, 1 fire alarm call (school), 22 EMS/rescue calls, 2 mutual aide (Trumansburg and Mecklenburg), 1 car fire. March trainings will include airpacks, station maintenance, ice rescue. The next blood drive will be March 17 and the last BBQ will be April 12. Facilities Manager: Councilperson Carpenter reported he is working with Cooperative Extension to do an energy inventory of the town hall and community building. This audit is free and will help determine what summer work should be done on the buildings. He will contact Earl Rose to look at the overhead heaters at the new highway facility. Supervisor Rider mentioned there are continuing problems with the furnace at the community building. The lights in the food pantry need to be checked also. Comprehensive Plan Writing Committee: Planning Board chair Dan Walker stated the agriculture related open house on February 21 was a success. Several area farmers came and talked about their experiences related to agriculture. The next meeting will be April 2. Aquifer Study Fundraising Group: Nancy Spero reported they worked to advertise tonight's presentation by the US Geological Service on the Enfield Aquifer Study. Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, March 11, 2015 5 Tompkins County Council of Governments: Supervisor Rider reported Jay Franklin from the Tompkins County Assessment Office spoke at their last meeting. TCCOG is discussing a consortium similar to the health insurance consortium for towns to jointly invest funds. By pooling their investments, they can get a higher return. Old Business: Park and Ride: Supervisor Rider spoke with Nancy Oltz of TCAT who advised her TCAT is willing to have a turn-around at the new highway facility and will provide gravel for the area if the Town of Enfield Highway Department will provide labor. If the area across from the town hall is used for a Park and Ride, there would be parking spaces for 12-15 cars and room for a shelter. If the town retains the land, the costs would be for site work to level the ground and removal of the building. There would need to be an agreement to use the curb cut on property owned by Trevor McDonald. Maintenance during the winter would need to be arranged. If John Rancich purchased the property he would be willing to prepare it for TCAT's Park and Ride use and would remove the building. The town mailboxes would need to be moved from where they are now located. Councilperson Carpenter reviewed the purchase offer from John Rancich and found no mention of a referendum. He would like that added and wondered what the time frame was for the board to make a decision. Supervisor Rider will check on the mailbox situation and provide Councilperson McGee with further information about the Park and Ride. The Park and Ride will be put on the April agenda. Town Hall Parking: There was discussion on the current Park and Ride parking situation. Supervisor Rider estimated it would cost about $1,000 for signage to be purchased and installed showing where cars should park and exit behind town hall. A diagram was presented showing that cars could park at the north edge of the town hall parking area and exit behind the town hall. Councilperson Carpenter asked if there should be specific handicap parking and if a study had been done on handicap accessibility for town buildings. It was suggested when the new door is installed on town hall that it should be handicap accessible. Councilperson Carpenter will check on that. Supervisor Rider will ask TCAT about designating a handicapped parking space for the Park and Ride. Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait, that the Town of Enfield Highway Department effect the plan that was submitted for a temporary Park and Ride arrangement, if it appears to cost less than $1,000.00 in cash outlay. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson McGee excused. Carried Update on Excess Town Properties: There were no signatures received for a referendum regarding the sale of the old gravel pit to Walter and June Smithers. The junk cars on the property will need to be removed once the weather improves and before the property is transferred. Councilperson Bryant will check on the status of the old gas pumps that were being sold on consignment with the Ithaca Antique Center. Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, March 11, 2015 6 New Business: Solar Enfield: Supervisor Rider asked the board if they would be interested in a solar farm by the new highway facility. A solar farm is a ground mounted system that is larger than a typical system for one household. This could possibly produce enough power for the new highway facility, town hall and the community building. Councilperson Carpenter feels this should be part of a long term plan. The town would need to look at electric usage and see what programs are available and what scale of solar would be appropriate. All board members present were in favor of Supervisor Rider working with Melissa Kemp, program director of Solar Tompkins, on this project. Contract with Clean Earth Septic Service: Supervisor Rider spoke with a representative from Clean Earth Septic Service. They can offer a contract to empty the wash bay pit on demand for considerably less money than Safety Kleen. They would obtain all necessary permits and would not charge extra for emergency calls. Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant to authorize the supervisor to enter into a 3 year contract with Clean Earth Septic Service of VanEtten, NY for pumping the 2,000 gallon wash bay pit at the new highway facility, as needed, for $900.00 per pump. Clean Earth Septic will maintain all the permits and costs associated with the proper disposal of wash bay pit water, such as NYS DEC part 364 permit, environmental testing lab work, and IAWWTF permits and testing. Clean Earth Septic Service will maintain the tank on an as needed basis when called. Clean Earth Septic will not charge any extra fees for this service such as emergency call, nights, weekends and so on and accepts all responsibility for the proper disposal of waste. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson McGee excused. Carried Correction of Court Clerk Salary: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to approve Resolution #2015- 29. Resolution #2015-29 Correction of Court Clerk Salary Whereas, the Supervisor did not use the correct 2014 salary for the court clerk when figuring the 2% raises for 2015, and Whereas, the town justice asked for no increase in salary this year, now therefore, Be It Resolved, that the salary of the court clerk be increased to $10,860, retroactive to January 1, 2015. Discussion: Councilperson Howe-Strait asked if Justice Poole had given up her pay increase to go to Tiffany Poole. Supervisor Rider stated she had and this would be a $557 salary increase for the year for the court clerk. Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, March 11, 2015 7 Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson McGee excused. Carried Standard Work Day: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to accept the corrected Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolutions for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and the Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolution for 2015 for elected and appointed officials based on the record of activities maintained and submitted by these officials to the clerk of this body, and will report the same to the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson McGee excused. Carried County Planning Department Comments on Black Oak Wind Farm: Supervisor Rider stated a letter was received from the Tompkins County Department of Planning regarding their review pursuant to section 239-1, -m and -n of the NYS General Municipal Law Site Plan Review for the proposed 7-turbine Black Oak Wind Farm. The review recommended requirements regarding several wetland/stream crossings anticipated as a result of the access roads and buried electrical lines. Supervisor Rider will send a letter to the Tompkins County Department of Planning stating their suggestions will be addressed in the final permit document. Announcements: There will be a blood drive March 17 at the Enfield Fire Station. Articles are due by March 13 for the Enfield Currents newsletter. Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to adjourn at 9:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alice Linton, Enfield Town Clerk