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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-30-2020 Special Town Board Meeting Town of Enfield Special Town Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday June 30, 2020, 6:30 p.m. Virtual Meeting via Zoom Meeting Portal Draft Minutes Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/​836 7095 3967 (For computer or smartphone) Meeting ID: ​836 7095 3967 Call in Number: (646) 876- 9923 (landline or cell) For instructions for this meeting visit: http://townofenfield.org/virtual-board-meetings Regular Meeting Call to Order 6:35 Privilege of the Floor- No one spoke for Privilege Additions and Changes to the agenda None Correspondence Supervisor McGee requests Town Clerk Ellen Woods to report on correspondence received. ●Town Clerk Woods: Letter from Enfield resident Ed Hetherington requesting to fly the flag of the US Marine Corps in November, 2020 ●Correspondence from INHS regarding COVID Housing Assistance Program ●Petition - Enfield’s Democracy is in Danger signed by 115 Enfield Residents ●Tad Palmer would like to connect with the Town Board about a LED conversion program. Councilperson Lynch discusses the petition ●Request that elected offices not become appointive ●Request for Enfield residents to be able to vote for their next Supervisor and Councilperson. Supervisor McGee responds to the Petition. States that she was elected as supervisor. States her intention to work with the board to replace her as supervisor. References continuity of government. Suggests that process is normal and recently occurred in Ulysses, NY. *Consent Agenda: ●Audit Claims ●Town Clerk reads Audit Claim Town Board Authorizes Supervisor to pay Vouchers 141 to 150 in the amount of $3766.89 and Highway fund Vouchers 93 to 97 in the amount of $19,331.74 VOTE: Councilperson Bryant, Aye, Councilperson Lynch, Aye, Councilperson Mehaffey, Aye, Councilperson Redmond, Aye, Supervisor McGee Aye. Old Business: ●Proposals for New Laws- Appointed/Elected* Supervisor withdraws two local laws, withdraws 4 year term proposals. Supervisor asks to withdraw. Supervisor McGee moves local law Abolishing Elective Office Highway Superintendent and Creating the Appointive Office of the Highway Superintendent Councilperson Bryant Seconds motion Councilperson Lynch states that he will vote against it, he will vote No. Councilperson Bryant states she always felt the way the town is operated was unwieldy. Councilperson Redmond states that they are voting to put the Local Laws on the Ballot to ‘give the residents a voice on how their Town is run’. Councilperson Lynch states he does not want to ‘tear the town apart’ with a referendum right now. Also states that he does not believe that positions should be controlled by three members of the Town Board. Councilperson Redmond states that it is ultimately up to the residents. Councilperson Bryant asks about the Petition. Councilperson Lynch replies that it contained 115 signatures. Discussion of the size of the Enfield Electorate. Councilperson Mehaffey agrees with Councilperson Redmond and states that she believes that having the Highway Department controlled by one person is scary because of the proportion of the budget. Councilperson Lynch states his preference for separation of powers and an elected Highway Superintendent. Asks about cost of Refereda. Supervisor McGee states that there will be no costs. Councilperson Lynch makes a point of privilege to allow Town Clerk Ellen Woods to speak. Town Clerk Ellen Woods asks Supervisor McGee and Councilperson Redmond why they believe the Townspeople have the right to vote on whether to make these positions appointed but not on who will serve as their Supervisor in 2021. Supervisor McGee replies that the people already voted and have entrusted her to do what’s best for the Town. Town Clerk Ellen Woods corrects Board that the electorate is 791, that is how many people voted in the last election. States that Town Clerk and Highway Superintendent ran against highly qualified opponents. States that Supervisor McGee and the Board’s hires to date have been at their pleasure rather than through a formal interview process. States that an elected Town Clerk acts as a check on the Board, as a neutral foil officer. States that this law effectively will require her to run again. Supervisor McGee Moves motions forward for a public hearing VOTE: Councilperson Byrant, Aye, Councilperson Lynch, Nay, Councipersons Mehaffey, Aye, Councilperson Redmond, Aye, Supervisor McGee, Aye. Supervisor McGee moves local law to Abolish the Elective Office of the Enfield Town Clerk and Create the Appointed Office of the Enfield Town Clerk Councilperson Bryant seconds VOTE: Councilperson Byrant, Aye, Councilperson Lynch, Nay, Councipersons Mehaffey, Aye, Councilperson Redmond, Aye, Supervisor McGee, Aye. Councilperson Lynch withdraws proposal​ ​of local laws to lengthen terms Board Sets a public Hearting Discussion of potential Public Hearing logistics Social distancing requirements discussed Councilperson Mehaffey won’t attend the meeting unless everyone is masked the entire time. SET PUBLIC HEARING: July 22 6:30 SET Special Town Board Meeting July 22 immediately following. Public hearing for Adoption of Local Law July 22, 6:30 pm. VOTE: Councilperson Byrant, Aye, Councilperson Lynch, Aye, Councipersons Mehaffey, Aye, Councilperson Redmond, Aye, Supervisor McGee, Aye. ●Reopening Plan – Town Board* Board hopes for an extension of capability to hold virtual meetings. ●Highway Requests* Board Discussion Town Board requests Superintendent Rollins attend the July Board Meeting or Deputy Supervisor Brandon McGee attend in his stead. Action item: Councilperson Lynch will reach out to communicate requests for presence. Board discusses that Highway Superintendent not required to be at Town Board Meeting Board agrees to table this issue until July’s meeting Additional Agenda Item Councilperson Mehaffey initiates discussion regarding use of the Town Lawyer. Historic use of the Town Lawyer discussed, AOT Town Lawyer option discussed State Law discussed Action item: Councilperson Lynch, as a trained Paralegal, will reach out to the AOT regarding policies around reaching out to the Town Lawyer. New Business: Town Website Action item:​ Supervisor McGee will finalize a Website Policy in progress for July’s regular meeting for discussion. Announcements- Adjournment ●Councilperson Lynch discusses the County Administration conference call. ●Councilperson Mehaffey suggests we visit CollegeTown Bagels Food Truck ●Town Clerk Woods reminds residents of the Tax Deadline of July 1 for Town & County taxes due to Tompkins County. Supervisor McGee motions to adjourn, Councilperson Redmond seconds motion.