HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-8-18-Regular-Meeting-1
Town of Enfield
Regular Town Board Meeting and Public Hearing
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
6:30 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Beth McGee, Town Councilperson Mike Carpenter, Town Councilperson Mimi
Mehaffey, Town Councilperson Becky Sims, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Town Councilperson Virginia
Bryant excused.
Supervisor McGee lead the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at 6:35 p.m.
Additions and Removals from the Agenda: Supervisor McGee added a motion under the Cemetery Report
and a Budget Amendment under the Consent Agenda.
Privilege of the Floor: Lisa Biesterveld of Enfield expressed her concerns with noise in her neighborhood.
She would like Enfield to consider a noise ordinance similar to surrounding towns to ensure peace is
undisturbed.
Correspondence: Supervisor McGee reported she was contacted by several residents regarding property
concerns. She is following up with the Code Enforcement Officer, Alan Teeter.
County Legislator Report: County Legislator Anne Koreman reported there will be a ground-breaking
ceremony October 4 for the Tompkins County Airport renovations. She was pleased to hear the Enfield
Food Pantry was able to reopen.
Highway Superintendent's Report: None.
Code Enforcement Officer's Report: Alan Teeter, Code Officer, reported 7 building permits were issued
in July. One was for a new singlewide trailer at Collegeview. The house at 198 Enfield Main Road has been
sold and he is working with the new owners who plan to have the house torn down. He has spoken with
Terry Carroll of Cooperative Extension about the new solar permit application and suggested the Town
adopt the new application.
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: Alan Teeter, 2nd Assistant Chief, reported there were 32 calls in July.
There were 18 EMS calls, 4 MVA’s, 6 service calls and 2 fire calls. Mutual aid was given twice to
Trumansburg. The next officer’s meeting will be held September 4, 2018.
Town Clerk's Report: Alice Linton, Town Clerk, reported there are currently 671 dogs licensed in the town
of Enfield. In July there were 9 new dogs licensed and 62 renewals. The SPCA reports when dogs are
spayed or neutered at their facility and what dogs attend free rabies clinics. This helps to locate unlicensed
dogs. The Town Clerk then sends a letter with information on getting those dogs licensed. If the owner does
not comply, the information is sent to the SPCA. If they still do not comply they are issued a ticket to appear
at the Enfield Town Court.
Supervisor's Report: Supervisor McGee reported she held a special Town Board meeting, a regular Town
Board meeting, two Comprehensive Plan meetings, and two Finance Committee meetings; purchased
materials and built two planters for the Town Hall with Darren McGee; finalized and submitted a grant for
the Community Building, a CFA for a salt storage grant and a Clean Energy Communities grant application;
created a contract for a Burial Coordinator; cleaned the Community Building space twice; communicated
with Judge Poole with regard to contact confusion and resident court needs; worked with the Confidentia l
Secretary to complete the abstract in the Bookkeeper’s absence; responded to Worker’s Comp concerns for
an employee and a volunteer; researched Medicare supplement options available to the Town; participated
in a Property Tax Cap webinar; prepared budget materials for the 2019 budget; worked on a Beautification
grant; and responded to various code enforcement/property concern calls from residents.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, August 8, 2018 2
At the Tompkins County Council of Governments meeting, Tompkins County Planning presented and
answered questions regarding new services they are hoping to provide local municipalities. For example,
attending local meetings, workshops for local planning boards, and possible free mapping services. Eileen
Wiser of Caroline shared information about EMS services. They are looking at developing an EMS
coordinator position to organize recruitment efforts and trainings for local municipalities to provide more
uniform training. Another objective being explored is a working group to look at community level energy
procurement.
Committee Reports:
Planning Board: Dan Walker, chair, reported no new solar construction has started yet on Podunk Road.
The Board has started reviewing the Town’s Sub-Division Regulations by going through the definitions.
They will continue reviewing the Regulations at their next meeting.
Comprehensive Plan Writing Committee: Supervisor McGee reported Matt Johnston is doing a great job
looking at how the draft Plan is written and commenting on places where language should be directed in a
positive way. The Committee will meet on August 21 to go over the last section and then maps, graphics,
and updated data will be reviewed.
Renewable Energy Committee: Councilperson Mehaffey reported the committee went through changes
the Town Board asked for on the draft solar law and did a rewrite. Supervisor McGee asked for a special
Town Board meeting to review the updated draft. A special meeting was set for August 22 at 6:00 p.m. to
work on the draft solar law.
Finance Committee: Supervisor McGee reported part-time employees have been keeping track of their
time, tasks, and location where work is completed for the month of July. The Finance Committee will put
together a list of questions to be asked of part-time employees and then Supervisor McGee will meet with
them. The Town Bookkeeper has provided actual budget information back to 2015, which has been helpful
to begin budget discussions with.
Cemetery Committee: Supervisor McGee reported she is working on finding a person to provide burial
services. There is a stipend for the job. She will reach out to other area cemeteries to see if there is interest
by any of their coordinators. The committee members plan to meet at Christian Cemetery to accurately map
out plots and see what areas are left to be sold.
For many years Wayne Snyder and his family have mowed, maintained and coordinated burials. They were
not compensated for the burials, but made sure everything was done properly.
Supervisor McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to gift three plots to Wayne Snyder
and Family in Christian Cemetery in appreciation for their years of cemetery care in the Town of Enfield.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Mehaffey aye, Councilperson Sims aye,
Supervisor McGee aye. Councilperson Bryant excused. Carried
Consent Agenda: Supervisor McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to approve the
Consent Agenda as follows:
Audit Claims: The Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to pay:
General Fund Vouchers #175 to 199 dated August 8, 2018 in the amount of $13,046.17 and
Highway Fund Vouchers #159 to 180 dated August 8, 2018 in the amount of $193,736.36
Approval of Minutes of July 11, 2018 Regular Meeting and July 18, 2018 Special Meeting
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, August 8, 2018 3
Budget Amendment #2018-8 Provide Funds for Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Watershed
Membership Dues
WHEREAS the Town of Enfield is a member of the Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Watershed Organization,
and;
WHEREAS dues for this membership are required at this time in the amount of $600.00;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to decrease line A1990.4
“Contingency” by $600.00 and increase line A1920.4 “Municipal Dues” by $600.00.
Vote on Consent Agenda: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Mehaffey aye,
Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor McGee aye. Councilperson Bryant excused. Carried
Old Business:
Contract with Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: The Fire Company attorney is on vacation and, while
negotiations are complete, finalization of the document is not complete.
Solar Law Update: This item will be discussed at the special Town Board meeting scheduled for August
22, 2018.
New Business:
Permit/License Fee Updates: Town Clerk Linton presented the Board with a chart of dog license fees from
neighboring towns.
Councilperson Carpenter moved, with a second by Councilperson Sims to change dog license fees in the
Town of Enfield, effective January 1, 2019, to $12 per altered dog and $24 per unaltered dog. There will be
no late fees charged.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Mehaffey aye, Councilperson Sims aye,
Supervisor McGee aye. Councilperson Bryant excused. Carried
Highway Superintendent Rollins submitted his Highway Culvert fee recommendations which would raise
the fee to $300.00 for 30 feet and then $50 for each additional 10 feet; residents would buy their own pipe. A
load of gravel now costs $360 delivered, a machine and operator is $100 an hour, and it takes a minimum of
4 hours to complete a driveway pipe. The current rate is $200 for 30 feet and then $50 for each additional 10
feet.
Councilperson Carpenter feels this is a service to residents. He would like to defer to Superintendent
Rollins’ discretion on this.
Councilperson Mehaffey feels more should be charged, possibly a $500 minimum and up to $750. This
would be more inline with the actual cost.
Councilperson Sims asked if the fee includes culverts that need to be replaced. The permit is for new
installations only. Councilperson Mehaffey suggested charging $300 for a replacement culvert.
Supervisor McGee will talk to Highway Superintendent Rollins and get his opinion. This item was tabled.
Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter presented information on Building Permit Fees. Enfield charges less
than other municipalities and fees are based on value of improvements. Some towns charge by the square
foot.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, August 8, 2018 4
Councilperson Carpenter suggested taking the current fees and moving them up one level. He also
suggested if more than a certain number of inspections are necessary, the resident could be charged extra for
each of those inspections.
At this time, 8:45 p.m., Councilperson Sims was excused from the meeting.
Supervisor McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to update the building permit fee
schedule as follows, to be effective September 1, 2018:
Value of Improvement Fee
$0 - $1,000 $50
$1,001 - $10,000 $100
$10,001 - $50,000 $150
$50,001 - $100,000 $300
$100,001 - $150,000 $400
$150,001 - $250,000 $600
$250,001 - $500,000 $800
$500,001 - $1,000,000 $1,000
$1,000,001 - $2,500,000 $2,250
$2,500,001 - $5,000,000 $3,500
$5,000,001 - $10,000.00 $4,500
$10,000.01 - $20,000.00 $5,000
If more than 6 inspections are required, an additional fee of $50 will be charged.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Mehaffey aye, Supervisor McGee aye.
Councilperson Bryant excused, Councilperson Sims excused. Carried
Code Officer Teeter suggested solid fuel burner fees should also be looked at.
Budget Discussion: Supervisor McGee is getting information on different services that may be increased
and asking departments for their budget requests.
Councilperson Mehaffey suggested the highway superintendent put together a budget keeping it under 2 or
3% so we can then build on that. She feels the Town is playing catch-up all the time, but doesn’t want taxes
to go up more than 3%. She feels a replacement schedule is needed for equipment, and there is a lot of
equipment needed for Town roads, even though the same amount of equipment would be needed for many
more road miles.
Councilperson Carpenter mentioned the highway department does not have a lot of fixed costs, and a lot of
their expenses are not items they can often control such as materials and fuel. The Board will either need to
decide that a very strict schedule is needed on equipment and bridge replacement or look at the items
individually and do as done in the past. A budget could be made for equipment replacement and then that
could be folded back into the highway department budget; however, the big variable is the weather.
Supervisor McGee remarked that in recent years, if highway budgeted amounts aren’t all used in a given
year, the remainder rolls over into the equipment reserve fund. She feels the Tentative Budget should be
prepared based on what department heads feel they need. The Finance Committee can make
recommendations, but the Town Board will need to finalize figures.
Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak.
Announcements: Nancy Spero announced there will be an Old Time Square Dance at the Grange on
September 15. She thanked the Town Board for their hard work.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, August 8, 2018 5
Adjournment: Supervisor McGee adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice M. Linton, RMC
Enfield Town Clerk