Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-10-18 Regular Meeting Town of Enfield Regular Town Board Meeting Enfield Community Building Wednesday, October 10, 2018 6:30 p.m. Present: Town Supervisor Beth McGee, Town Councilperson Virginia Bryant , Town Councilperson Mike Carpenter (arrived at 7:15), Town Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey, Town Councilperson Becky Sims, Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton Town Clerk Linton lead the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at 6:40 p.m. Additions and Removals from the Agenda: Supervisor McGee asked if anyone would like an item added to or removed from the agenda. No one had any requests. Privilege of the Floor: Lisa Biesterveld of Enfield stated there are continued noise problems, such as music being played at 2 a.m., close to her home. She gathered signatures from some people who would like to have a noise ordinance in Enfield. The signatures were presented to Town Board members. She would also like to see enforcement of outside garbage and trash burning. Steven Teeter of Enfield reiterated Mrs. Biesterveld’s concerns and asked what could be done. Supervisor McGee stated that even with a noise ordinance, it is a challenge for police to determine what the decibels are, but a noise ordinance can be addressed by the Town if the Board desires. The Department of Environmental Conservation should be contacted regarding outside burning of garbage. They are usually quick to respond to complaints. Maureen Bolton of Enfield spoke on behalf of the Environmental Management Council. The Council is asking municipalities to support a proposed local law by the Tompkins County Legislature to protect and enhance our natural environment by banning the distribution of single-use carry-out plastic bags in retail stores. Correspondence: Letter from the Town of Hector asking for a letter of support by October 15, 2018 to maintain their ambulance service. Supervisor McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant to authorize the supervisor to write a letter of support for the Town of Hector Ambulance Service. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Mehaffey aye, Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor McGee aye. Councilperson Carpenter excused. Carried Request from Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) for a $250 donation from the Town. Information from US Senator Chuck Schumer about a Farm to School grant. The Enfield Community Council and Enfield School offered free meals to Enfield kids in 2018 and may be better positioned to utilize this grant. Information on Rev Ithaca Startup Works, a resource for new and growing businesses that offers support for student-founded startups. Monthly Reports: Highway Superintendent's Report: Superintendent Rollins reported the crew is tying up loose end projects, such as ditching to get ready for winter. A resident would like to donate a 1965 road grader that Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 10, 2018 2 runs now. The grader could be used as a winter emergency grader during a bad winter. The donator would like a letter from the Town stating the donation value is $20,000. Supervisor McGee will check with Attorney Krogh to see if there would be any legal issues involved with this. Councilperson Mehaffey moved, with a second by Councilperson Sims to authorize the Supervisor to write a letter accepting and thanking the community member for a 1965 Austin Western Grader, if Attorney Krogh sees no problem with the donation. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Mehaffey aye, Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor McGee aye. Councilperson Carpenter excused. Carried Supervisor McGee complimented the highway department on the new privacy fences they installed at the Community Building and mentioned the ditch drain by the Community Building is working well. Code Enforcement Officer's Report: Alan Teeter, Code Officer, reported he issued 6 building permits in September. There are 2 new homes being built. He met with the Solar Law Committee to discuss the solar law permit. He mentioned two houses in Enfield Center have put steel roofs on their homes, which is a good improvement. The bathroom alarm in the Community Building has not been set for some time, but will now be activated. Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: Alan Teeter, 2nd Assistant Chief, reported there were 27 calls in September. There were 20 EMS calls, 2 MVA’s, 3 service calls and 2 fire calls. The next officer’s meeting will be held November 6, 2018. Town Clerk's Report: Alice Linton, Town Clerk, reported for the first 3 quarters of 2018 thee were 506 dogs licensed, 3 culvert permits issued, 1 cemetery plot sold, 41 building permits issued and $1,309 of hunting/fishing licenses sold. The new signboard in front of town hall is looking good and working well. Envelopes and stamps will be ordered in preparation for mailing tax bills at the end of December. Supervisor's Report: Supervisor McGee reported she volunteered with the Food Pantry for their official Grand Opening, purchased paint supplies for Community Building upgrades, power washed the Community Building floor to prep for painting and painted the floor over two days with Darren McGee, met with the Enfield Volunteer Fire Department along with Councilperson Mehaffey, attended a TCCOG meeting and a blight/code enforcement training in Dryden, held a Comprehensive Plan meeting and a budget meeting, prepared the 2019 Tentative and Preliminary Budgets, coordinated a volunteer work day to paint the Community Building and clean and assemble furniture, arranged for service and maintenance of heating equipment in all three buildings. Committee Reports: Planning Board: Planning Board Chair Dan Walker reported at the last meeting the draft of the solar law was reviewed. There was some discussion about a possible Iradell Road sub-division. He was contacted by some residents with driveway easement concerns and configuration of lots at the proposed sub-division. Chair Dan Walker agreed to have agendas posted on the website each month before the meetings. At this time, 7:15, Councilperson Carpenter joined the meeting. Comprehensive Plan Writing Committee: Supervisor McGee reported the Committee has completed their review of sections. They are collecting a list of items to go into visuals. The next meeting is scheduled for October 16 at 6:30. Cayuga Lake Watershed: Councilperson Sims reported the Intermunicipal Watershed organization received a grant for watershed restoration. Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 10, 2018 3 Finance Committee: Supervisor McGee reported the Committee reviewed the Tentative Budget, but has not met since then. Cemetery Committee: Supervisor McGee reported Matt Lincoln has been hired as the burial coordinator. He will prepare a list of possible excavators for burials. Renewable Energy Advisory Committee: Councilperson Carpenter reported the Committee met with Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter to make sure his process was keeping with the proposed law. They ironed out some inconsistencies and talked about keeping the existing Unified Solar Permit in place for non- commercial permits. At the next meeting they will make sure nothing else should be added to make the law consistent with the permit process. Marcus Gingerich prepared a flow chart to make the process clearer. Supervisor McGee stated if the solar permit language changes, it should go before the Town Board to be adopted. There was a recent court case where a Pilot Agreement was deemed null and void with the Dryden School District since the school district did not notify NYSERDA when they opted out. Terry Carroll of Cooperative Extension suggested Enfield should notify NYSERDA they have opted out, unless the decision is made to opt back in again in the near future. 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 #222 to 237 dated October 10, 2018, 2018 in the amount of $9,987.97 and Highway Fund Vouchers #203 to 222 dated October 10, 2018 in the amount of $33,052.87. Approval of Minutes of September 12, 2018 Regular Meeting Budget Amendment #2018-12 Move Funds to Reimburse Burial Coordinator WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield has received funds from the family of someone buried in Rolfe Cemetery on September 14th, 2018, and; WHEREAS, the Burial Coordinator, Matt Lincoln, provided excavation and burial coordination services in the amount of $400.00 and $300.00 respectively, and; WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the amount budgeted in the expenditure line to reimburse the Burial Coordinator, therefore be it RESOLVED, the Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to reduce line A1990.4 “Contingent” in the amount of $500.00, and increase line A8810.4, “Cemeteries- Contractual” in the amount of $500.00. Vote on Consent Agenda: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Mehaffey aye, Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor McGee aye. Carried Old Business: Budget: Supervisor McGee stated a budget meeting was held last week. A public hearing on the Preliminary Budget and Tax Cap Override Law is scheduled for October 15. Councilperson Mehaffey asked if the line for bridge repair was necessary since there is a line for bridge reserves. Highway Superintendent Rollins explained the bridge repair line is used when bridge repairs are needed. The bridge reserve account is to save towards replacing the Rothermich Road bridge. If the grant Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 10, 2018 4 that the Town applied for is approved, the Town will need matching funds. He is concerned that if all the bridge reserves are spent for the Rothermich Road bridge, there will be no savings left if another bridge needs work. The same is true for the equipment lines. Solar Law Update: An update was provided under the Renewable Energy Advisor Committee report. Meeting/Contract Update with Enfield Volunteer Fire Company (EVFC): Supervisor McGee reported she contacted Town Attorney Guy Krogh. He is willing to work with the Fire Company’s attorney Mark Butler to finalize the contract. Supervisor McGee and Councilperson Mehaffey had their first quarterly meeting with the EVFC. There was a lot of information shared, including hazard mitigation and emergency management plans. Community Building Renovation: Supervisor McGee invited anyone interested to go downstairs in the Community Building to view the renovation work that was being done. Although it is a work in progress, the results have been very impressive. New Business: Highway Bond Evaluation: Supervisor McGee reported the Town can contact Municipal Solutions to see if rates are good for rebonding. The Town would consider rebonding if it would save money due to lower rates. There would be no cost to the Town for an initial assessment. If the Town decides to go ahead with rebonding, any fees would be wrapped up in the bond. Councilperson Mehaffey moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to authorize the supervisor to investigate assessment of possible highway facility rebonding. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Mehaffey aye, Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor McGee aye. Carried Electronic Receipt of CHIPS Funds: Supervisor McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to authorize the supervisor to set up electronic receipt of CHIPS funds from New York State. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Mehaffey aye, Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor McGee aye. Carried NYS Homes and Community Renewal Community Development Block Grant: Supervisor McGee was surprised at the late notice of this grant. Although it presented some great opportunities, she felt it was too late to apply this year. She would, however, like to look at applications for possible grants so the Town can be prepared to fill out next year’s forms. Building Security: Supervisor McGee shared some concerns about Town properties. It would be a good idea to have a better understanding of concerns for when Wright Risk Management does their assessment. She mentioned installing security cameras, and concerns with the Town Court space. She would like to do a walk-around at the highway facility with Superintendent Rollins to look at security issues. Councilperson Mehaffey would like to see a secure locked place for keys. She suggested the highway crew come up with procedures to keep equipment secure. Property Maintenance: Supervisor McGee has sent some sample property maintenance laws to Town Board members. Councilperson Bryant has information from another county that has no specific zoning and has laws to deal with white elephant buildings. Supervisor McGee will put this item on the agenda for the next meeting. Code Officer Teeter mentioned there is a concern of the length of time a violation has been going on for. The Town needs to be careful of selective enforcement. Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 10, 2018 5 Councilperson Sims added laws are about safety, not beauty. There needs to be a way to enforce a law once it is enacted. Councilperson Carpenter stated safety concerns could include rats and the possibility of a tree falling on a neighbor’s house. Code Officer Teeter explained the process he uses for problems, starting with a letter, then an Order to Remedy, followed by a ticket where the judge decides what happens. Supervisor McGee would like issues resolved by communicating well and understanding limitations. Councilperson Carpenter has contacted someone regarding installing a heat pump at the Town Hall. Although that person has not been in to do an estimate, the cost will likely be a little over $3,000 for a 15,000 BTU system. Supervisor McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to authorize installation of a heat pump at Town Hall if it can be done for under $4,000, and further authorizes the supervisor to sign an Agreement regarding installation. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Mehaffey aye, Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor McGee aye. Carried County Legislator Report: County Legislator Anne Koreman reported direct service from the Ithaca Airport to Dulles Airport in Washington, DC has begun with flights twice a day. This replaces the service to Newark. Next month flights will begin to Charlotte, NC once a week. There may be a “Raise the Age” facility in Schuyler County for youth sent to jail who are under 18 years of age. The county is in the process of holding budget meetings. Privilege of the Floor: Nancy Spero of Enfield asked if the Aquifer Study had been completed yet. Supervisor McGee stated she has received a hard copy of the draft report, but the information is not yet ready for the Town Board to share. They have two months to review the draft before it becomes final. Announcements: There are two public hearings scheduled for October 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Enfield Community Building. Adjournment: Supervisor McGee adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alice M. Linton, RMC Enfield Town Clerk