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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown-Board-Minutes-4-8-15-Regular-Meeting.pdf Town of Enfield Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Enfield Community Building Wednesday, April 8, 2015 6:30 p.m. Present: Town Supervisor Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Mike Carpenter, Town Councilperson Beth McGee, Town Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Town Councilperson Virginia Bryant arrived at 6:50 p.m. Excused: Town Councilperson Vera Howe- Strait. 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: Nancy Spero of 68 North VanDorn Road urged the town board not to sell the land across the road from town hall and to provide a Park and Ride on that property. Correspondence: Invitation to the 10th Annual Enfield School Age Formal Art Gallery Showing/Fundraiser Auction on April 17 from 6-8 p.m. Notice from the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance of the Tentative Telecommunications Ceiling for the town assessment roll. Letter serving as formal notice that Integrys Engery Services of New York will be known as Constellation effective April 1, 2015. E-mail from Chuck Bartosch of Clarity Connect with update on the Connect NY Broadband Grant Program for NYS. A new tower has been constructed in Enfield. Once reimbursement funds are received from NYS, telephone pole style "towers" will be activated over a 30 week period in 5 towns, including Enfield. Budget Amendments: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to approve Budget Amendment #2015-19. Budget Amendment #2015-19 WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the General Fund line item A1910.4 titled "Unallocated Insurance", now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the General Fund Account, line item A1990.4 titled "Contingent Account" be decreased by $1,911.00 and line item A1910.4 be increased by $1,911.00. Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused, Councilperson Bryant excused. Carried Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to approve Resolution #2015- 30. Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, April 8, 2015 2 RESOLUTION # 2015-30 Bond Payment WHEREAS, The Town of Enfield borrowed funds to construct a highway facility and now needs to pay back the bond, now therefore be it RESOLVED, the bookkeeper is authorized, prior to April 15, 2015, to wire $65,000.00 principal and $40,031.26 interest to the bank holding the bonds. Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused, Councilperson Bryant excused. Carried Audit Claims: Councilperson Carpenter moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to authorize the supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #116 to #146 dated April 8, 2015 in the amount of $12,658.65 and Highway Fund vouchers #63 to #81 dated April 8, 2015 in the amount of $31,900.10. Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused, Councilperson Bryant excused. Carried County Legislator's Report: Dave McKenna reported a NYSDOT grant will help pay to have the roof of the airport replaced. The county legislature authorized the hiring of a Commons non- uniformed outreach worker to help deal with problems from Green Street to Seneca Street as far west as Route 13. Highway Superintendent's Report: Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins reported he received notice that CHIPS money will include an additional $15,000 for severe winter recovery, in addition to the $104,000 already designated. At this time Councilperson Bryant arrived. Superintendent Rollins suggested days and times for clean-up days. Councilperson McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant, to hold Enfield Clean-Up Days for residents June 9-12 from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday, June 13 from 7 a.m. to noon. Supervisor Rider amended the motion, with a second by Councilperson Bryant, to state landlords would be prohibited from bringing items from their business. Vote on amendment: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried Vote on motion: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried Supervisor Rider asked Superintendent Rollins if the beaver dam close to Route 79 was of concern to the town highway department. Superintendent Rollins stated it was not a concern for town roads. Supervisor Rider asked the status of excess wood piled at the new highway facility. Superintendent Rollins stated the delivery of excess wood cost the town about $2,000. If wood is delivered again, he requested it be limited to Town of Enfield residents. Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, April 8, 2015 3 Code Enforcement Report: Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter reported in March there were 6 permits issued or renewed, with 4 of those for solar installations. He completed 21 inspections and progress checks. He received 2 complaints, and completed 1 fire and safety inspection for public assemblies. He attended the NYSBOC conference in Syracuse and a local law and land use training in Cortland. Approval of Minutes: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter, to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2015 meeting. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee abstain, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried Minutes of the February meeting will be on the agenda for approval in May since there was not a quorum of members present at this meeting that were present at the February meeting. Tompkins County Health Insurance Consortium: Don Barber, executive director of the Tompkins County Health Insurance Consortium gave an update. He stated the consortium is in good financial condition - the $1.3 million put up as security at the time of formation was paid back to towns within 3 years at a 3 percent interest rate. The number of members has continued to grow, which helps stabilize risk. For our area in New York State, Excellus health care rates are going up 8 to 9 percent every year. For 2015-2016 the consortium's rate of increase will be 5 percent, since some of the unencumbered fund balance will be used to offset the rate. A new contract will need to be signed by the Town of Enfield at the end of the year to remain in the consortium. Supervisor's Report: Supervisor Rider submitted her report showing she researched solar possibilities for the Town of Enfield, held an Emergency Response Plan meeting, and discussed Appendix A (Town Policies and Procedures) of the Town Employee Manual with Councilperson Bryant. She will hold a meeting with the Personnel Committee to discuss updates to the Employee Manual. She attended a meeting on cooperative investing for municipalities. Committee Reports: Planning Board: Chair Dan Walker reported at the last meeting 2 minor subdivisions were approved on Podunk Road - a 25 acre parcel with 4 lots and a 113 acre parcel with 4 lots. Dan has been invited to a roundtable discussion in Newfield regarding regulations for development. He will have the sub-division regulations ready for the Enfield Town Board's review at the next meeting. Enfield Community Council: No report. Recreation Partnership: Carolyn Tschanz reported the group met on March 24. In addition to funds contributed by towns, and collected as fees, the Ithaca Youth Bureau and the City of Ithaca contribute funds to cover the difference in the cost of programs. Scholarships and DSS funds for summer camps were discussed. The I-Play Books will be put out earlier than usual so summer camp information is available the beginning of April. There is an on-line registration system. County Youth Board: No report. Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: Fire Chief Roger Lauper submitted his report: Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, April 8, 2015 4 Total Calls for March were 26, as follows: 22 EMS calls, 2 MVA (both cancelled), 1 mutual aide call to Trumansburg and 1 mutual aide call to Mecklenburg. Trainings for March included air-pack training, station maintenance and ice rescue training. The last BBQ of the season is scheduled for April 12. Facilities Manager: Councilperson Carpenter stated his items will be under old business. Comprehensive Plan Writing Committee: Councilperson McGee reported the committee met last month and split off 4 different sections between people - environmental, infrastructure, economic development and a new section on municipalities. Two meetings are planned for May. A questionnaire will be sent to employees and elected representatives asking for comments on things such as challenges to each position and ideas to help jobs be completed more effectively. Aquifer Study Fundraising Group: Nancy Spero reported an information table is planned for the Country Fair at Enfield School in May. Councilperson Howe-Strait will be asked to forward the slide presentation on the aquifer study from the last meeting so it can be put on the website. Nancy suggested that if a test well could be dug on town property, it could possibly be used for the new municipal building. Tompkins County Council of Governments: Supervisor Rider reported they discussed the seasonal road problem. There was a shared services meeting with BOCES regarding ideas and what BOCES already does for member school districts. BOCES would be interested in sharing services with municipalities. Old Business: Dog License Fees: Supervisor Rider asked Councilperson Bryant and Clerk Linton to meet and discuss the dog license fee structure and see if a dog enumeration would be a good idea for Enfield at this time. Councilperson McGee suggested having a free license week, for dogs that aren't already licensed. This might encourage owners to get their dogs licensed and then continue to have the dog licensed in the future. She feels it is the town's responsibility to get as many dogs licensed as possible. Repairs to New Highway Building: Superintendent Rollins contacted Shisler Electric and received quotes for installing paddle fans with a speed control and outlets. There is a problem with condensation in outlets, and overhead heaters need to be repaired. The boiler in the new highway building has not been serviced since it was installed. Councilperson Carpenter suggested getting several estimates on the work to be done. Councilperson McGee stated that for each estimate on the heaters, a lift would be needed, and then a lift would be needed to do the repairs. Highway Superintendent Rollins will be in charge of getting the overhead heaters repaired. Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to proceed with the Shisler quote of December 9, 2014. Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, April 8, 2015 5 Discussion: Councilperson Carpenter feels any money spent on the building is wasted money until a really good survey is done of the heating and ventilation in the building. The design was poor and there are a lot of problems. Superintendent Rollins feels getting circulation in the building will help a lot. Dan Walker of LaBella Associates works with an experienced mechanical engineer design team. They could come out and look at the building and give an idea of what it would cost to make improvements. There would be no cost or obligation. Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to amend the original motion to accept the Shisler quote to add a 50 amp 4 wire welder outlet and two 110 volt, 20 amp outlets to the shop area and putting on hold installation of paddle fans. Discussion: Councilperson McGee would like to see the board really move on doing this audit of the building. Vote on the amendment: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried Vote on the amended motion: Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried Councilperson McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant to accept the offer to have LaBella Associates give an estimate on the cost to do a full building condition survey. Discussion: Councilperson Carpenter asked if other companies should be asked to do surveys also. Supervisor Rider amended the motion to ask Terry Brennan and Charlie Wilson to do an estimate on a building condition survey also. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried Dan Walker will coordinate with LaBella Associates and Supervisor Rider will coordinate with Terry Brennan and Charlie Wilson to do building condition surveys. Park & Ride Purchase Offer: Supervisor Rider stated John Rancich is still willing to purchase the property across from the town hall with the contingency that he gets a contract with TCAT. Councilperson McGee sees a difficulty with the town selling the land and not owning the Park and Ride. There seems to be confusion on whether TCAT would sign a lease. The town could continue their commitment to provide a Park and Ride if the property is not sold. Councilperson McGee contacted other towns that provide a Park and Ride, and found their highway departments maintained them. There is a purpose for this property, so it doesn't fall into the category of unused property with no purpose. Councilperson Carpenter doesn't feel strongly either way, and would be happy to keep the property. Supervisor Rider feels the town has limited resources, and the Park and Ride would be something more to manage. There may need to be purchases of services. Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, April 8, 2015 6 Councilperson McGee would like to see this issue resolved, spend the money to make it happen, and see it working. Councilperson Bryant feels this would help families get to food markets and to jobs. Highway Superintendent Rollins asked if there was any consideration to putting the Park and Ride at the new highway facility. Since a turn-around is planned, it wouldn't take much more to provide space for parking. The shelter could be moved down there. Supervisor Rider stated she feels strongly that until that piece of land is more adequately planned for its future usage, doing much more than a turn-around there is not reasonable. Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant not to enter into a purchase agreement with John Rancich regarding tax parcel 8.-3-22, consisting of .5837 acres. Discussion: Councilperson McGee thanked the board for putting off the decision until she was able to attend. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried Town Hall Parking: Highway Superintendent Rollins talked with Nancy Oltz of TCAT and she will provide two Park and Ride signs. The highway department will provide wheels with temporary posts so Park and Ride signs with arrows can be mounted. Exit signs with arrows have been ordered. All temporary posts could be made permanent later. The cost will be about $100. Supervisor Rider will provide an update document on the Park and Ride to be put on windshields of cars parked. Solar Enfield: A town board member has brought up the subject of whether Enfield should have a solar farm law. Councilperson McGee has done some research and liked the code the Town of Geneva has. The code defines what is a large installation and what is a home installation. Other items addressed were set-back, height, landscape buffer, abandonment/decommissioning. She suggested each board member look at several laws and pull out information that could be useful. A proposed law could be put together and then presented to our lawyer for review if the board feels they should move forward with this. Supervisor Rider stated she will arrange a legal face-to-face meeting, prior to the next regularly scheduled board meeting, to discuss a proposed solar law. Supervisor Rider brought up the subject of solar remote net metering. If the town applies for a permit prior to May 1 the municipality will get a better monetary return. Councilperson Carpenter received an e-mail dated March 30, 2015 from Melissa Kemp of Solar Tompkins with information on remote net metering. Solar Tompkins would be willing to file the remote net metering application for the town. Rebecca Carpenter agreed to contact NYSEG to obtain a better understanding of the remote net metering. Councilperson McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to have Supervisor Rider proceed with having an application completed and submitting it by May 1, but without further commitment. Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, April 8, 2015 7 Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried Supervisor Rider will plan to have, by the next board meeting, the next steps in what needs to be done. Repairs to Town Hall: Councilperson Carpenter will get an energy audit and start the process of getting estimates on work to be done. New Business: Appointment to Advisory Board of Assessment Review: Councilperson McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant to approve Resolution #2015-31. Resolution #2015-31 Appointment to Advisory Board of Assessment Review WHEREAS, the Town Board is suppose to appoint 3 residents to the Advisory Board of Assessment Review, and WHEREAS, Doris Rothermich has served faithfully on this Board for many years but has failing health, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that Stacey Hair, 457 Enfield Center Road West, be appointed to serve on this Board. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried Beautification Grant: Supervisor rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to approve Resolution #2015- 32. Resolution #2015-32 Beautification Grant Agreement WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield has applied for a Beautification Grant available through the room tax money of Tompkins County in the amount of $2,525.00 and WHEREAS, Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County has forwarded an Agreement and WHEREAS, this grant pays for labor and this year a volunteer coordinator/supervisor, now therefore be it RESOLVED, the Supervisor be authorized to sign this Agreement and RESOLVED, that Zachery Snyder be hired at $10/hour for up to 15 hours this season and RESOLVED, that Matthew Steel be hired at $10/hour for up to 15 hours this season and Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, April 8, 2015 8 RESOLVED, that Justin McNeal be hired at $12/hour for up to 25 hours this season. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Howe-Strait excused. Carried Workplace Violence Training: Supervisor Rider scheduled the annual training for May 27 at 5 p.m. and June 2 at 7 p.m. at the Enfield Community Building. Supervisor Rider will notify everyone who needs the training of these dates. Town Hall Funding: Councilperson McGee will look into a NYS Local Government Efficiency Grant for building a municipal building in the Town of Enfield. Proposal from E&V Energy Systems: Supervisor Rider advised the board that E&V Energy submitted a proposal to install a new fuel tank and all necessary parts and labor for $1,750 and provide heating oil at the current price, which is currently $2.99 per gallon plus applicable tax. The fuel tank at the Community Building needs to be replaced as there is sediment at the bottom that plugs the filter and causes the furnace to malfunction. She has ordered Ehrhart not to deliver any more fuel to the Community Building. Surplus Property: Councilperson Bryant stated the gas pumps have been sold. The town should be receiving a check soon. Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to adjourn at 10:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alice Linton, Enfield Town Clerk