No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-22-2020 Special Town Board MeetingDRAFT MINUTES Town of Enfield Public Hearing - Town Clerk Wednesday July 22, 2020, 6:31 pm – 7:37 pm Virtual Meeting via Zoom Meeting Portal Meeting Link ​https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87334716588 (for computer or Smartphone) Meeting ID 873 3471 6588 Call in Number: (646) 876-9923 For Instructions for this meeting visit: http://townofenfield.org/virtual-board-meetings (Draft Minutes) Speaker List ●Ed Heatherington - against ●Ellen Woods - against ●Greg Stevenson - against ●Denny Hubbell - against ●Mackenzie Newhart - against ●Ann Rider - against ●Aaron Abb - against ●Rebecca Sims - for ●Tammy Alling - against ●Carol Woods - questions ●Patricia Speno - questions/concerns ●Karen Kennerson - against ●Joanna Green - against ●Paulette Rosa - in support of Town Clerk ●Robert Bessemer - questions ●Beverly Rollins - against ●Diane Aramini - against 1 DRAFT MINUTES Town of Enfield Public Hearing - Highway Superintendent Wednesday July 22, 2020, 7:40-8:25 pm Virtual Meeting via Zoom Meeting Portal Meeting Link ​https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87334716588 (for computer or Smartphone) Meeting ID 873 3471 6588 Call in Number: (646) 876-9923 For Instructions for this meeting visit: http://townofenfield.org/virtual-board-meetings (Draft Minutes) Speaker List ●Mackenzie Newhart - against ●Ed Heatherington - against ●Greg Stevenson - against ●Ellen Woods - against ●Ann Rider - against ●Gabe Newhart - against ●Joanna Green - ●Tammy Alling - against ●Courtney Bailey - against ●Patrick Head - against ●Ellen Woods - against ●Courtney Bailey -against ●Aaron Abb - against ●Aimee Rollins - against ●Denny Hubbell - against ●Art Godin - in support of Zoom meetings ●Robert Lynch - against 2 DRAFT MINUTES Town of Enfield Special Town Board Meeting Wednesday July 22, 2020, 8:27 pm – 9:49 pm Virtual Meeting via Zoom Meeting Portal Meeting Link ​https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87334716588 (for computer or Smartphone) Meeting ID 873 3471 6588 Call in Number: (646) 876-9923 For Instructions for this meeting visit: http://townofenfield.org/virtual-board-meetings (Draft Minutes) Regarding Public Hearing - Local Law - Abolish Elective/Create Appointed Town Clerk Public Hearing - Local Law – Abolish Elective/Create Appointed Highway Superintendent Present Supervisor Beth McGee, Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey, Councilperson Robert Lynch, Councilperson Stephanie Redmond, Town Clerk Ellen Woods, Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno Excused Councilperson Virginia Bryant Summary of Votes: ●Vote Local Law Resolution 2020-53 Town Clerk 3-1 ●Vote Local Law Resolution 2020-54 Highway Superintendent 3-1 ●Vote Ballot Proposition 1 Town Clerk 3-1 ●Vote Ballot Proposition 2 Highway Superintendent 3-1 ●Vote Services Re-Opening Services Streaming Community Building - Renee Carver 4-0 ●Vote Motion to Exempt Highway Summer Hire from Hiring Freeze 4-0 Call to order - 8:27 pm Additions and changes to the agenda: Supervisor Beth McGee - High speed Internet access, ECC sponsoring a movie night (use of the outside wall of the Enfield Town Hall Building, 168 Main Enfield Road, Ithaca, NY 14850) Councilperson Stephanie Redmond - Highway Dept. Summer Hire (waiving the hiring freeze 2020) Town Clerk Ellen Woods - Rabies Clinic 3 DRAFT MINUTES Privilege of the Floor​ – limited to 3 minutes per speaker – including Pledge of Allegiance if you so choose (See general Guide for Procedure for information) Ellen Woods Further discusses position of Town Clerk and current patterns of Town Board behavior. Discusses nature of Town Clerk role and the importance of a balance of power in the Town. Old Business Supervisor Beth McGee asks for motion to approve Resolution of ​Local Law #__- 2020​ to Abolish the Elective Office/Create Appointed Office of Town Clerk. Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey moves to approve referendum of proposed Local Law #__- 2020. Councilperson Stephanie Redmond 2nds motion​ to approve proposed referendum. Supervisor McGee states resolution 2020-53 “Therefore, be it resolved that the Enfield Town board hereby attests to the local law of 2020, a local law abolishing the elective office of Enfield Town Clerk and creating the appointed office of Enfield Town Clerk. Be it further resolved. That said, local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State and after approval of a majority of the electors voting thereon in accordance with the requirements of municipal home rule law. Section 23 at the General Election on November 3rd 2020.” Supervisor Beth McGee calls for discussion. Councilperson Stephanie Redmond​ states her position, the purpose of the preceding hearing. Warning of mischaracterization. Discusses accountability, and referendum as a voice, the value of the vote. States that the cost of the referendum is zero. Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey ​reviews the importance of referendum, on the proposed referendum, taking into account her impressions of the reach of the participants at the preceding hearing as their voice, weighing in to vote - for the right to vote for an elected representative Town Clerk vs. an Enfield Town Board appointed Town Clerk at the polls November 3, 2020. Councilperson Robert Lynch ​reiterates the opposing position of resident participants of the preceding hearing as well as the opposition expressed in emails prior to the hearing, redundancy to the referendum, it is tiring for the residents. Councilperson Lynch states the town will be torn apart by the referendum “Why bother?” Councilperson Robert Lynch states he apparently heard an entirely different message than did Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey. 4 DRAFT MINUTES Summary of Discussion Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey apologises to Town Clerk Ellen Woods for any disrespect, espousing respect for the work she and the Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins are doing. Supervisor Beth McGee summarizes and reiterates her position on the referendum and her perception of the town and the residents position on the current services rendered by the Highway Superintendent and Town Clerk. Recall of the 2016 presidential election and turnout of over 74% of the registered voters, reviews Democrat vs Republican electorate requirements for nonpolitical service oriented elected officials such as Town Clerk and Highway Superintendent. She is confident the residents will vote Appointed vs. Elected simply because they have the option to vote on an issue. Councilperson Robert Lynch moves to postpone action on this monumental referendum until Councilperson Virginia Bryant is present. Councilperson Stephanie Redmond​ states Councilperson Virginia Bryant has made her position known to her and would like to move forward. Supervisor Beth McGee echoes Councilperson Stephanie Redmond, Councilperson Virginia Bryant stated the same to Supervisor Beth McGee. Further discussion ensues. Supervisor Beth McGee ends discussion and calls for vote Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​clarifies statement about zero cost, referencing invoice of $150 for Legal Ad and calls the vote. VOTE: Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey: Aye, Councilperson Robert Lynch: Nay, Councilperson Stepahnie Redmond: Aye, Supervisor Beth McGee: Aye. 3 Ayes, 1 Nay “So moved” Resolution 2020-53 Adopted Supervisor Beth McGee requests motion to move 2nd proposed Local Law Resolution. Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey - Moves resolution Councilperson Stephanie Redmond - Seconds Supervisor Beth McGee​ ​states Resolution 2020-54 as follows. “Therefore, be it resolved that the Enfield Town board hereby enacts local law, the local law of 2020, a local law abolishing the elective office of Highway superintendent and creating the appointed office of Highway superintendent of the Town of Enfield, New York. Be it further resolved that the local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State 5 DRAFT MINUTES and after approval of a majority of the electors voting thereon in accordance with the requirements of municipal home rule law. Number, Section 23 at the general election on November 3rd, 2020.” Discussion Councilperson Robert Lynch, Councilperson Stephanie Redmond, Supervisor McGee discuss the representative democracy and the vote. Further discussion of differences among themselves and the residents. End of discussion. Supervisor Beth McGee calls for a vote. VOTE: Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey: Aye, Councilperson Robert Lynch: Nay, Councilperson Stepahnie Redmond: Aye, Supervisor Beth McGee: Aye. 3 Ayes, 1 Nay Motion carries​ adoption of ​Resolution #2020 - 54 Ballot Proposition #1 - Town Clerk Ballot Proposition #2 - Highway Superintendent Supervisor Beth McGee moves to action #1 Ballot Proposition and Ballot Abstract #1 for Town Clerk VOTE: Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey: Aye, Councilperson Robert Lynch: Nay, Councilperson Stepahnie Redmond: Aye, Supervisor Beth McGee: Aye. 3 Ayes, 1 Nay Ballot Proposition Passed Supervisor Beth McGee​ ​moves to action #2 Ballot Proposition and the Ballot Abstract #2 for Highway Superintendent VOTE: Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey: Aye, Councilperson Robert Lynch: Nay, Councilperson Stepahnie Redmond: Aye, Supervisor Beth McGee: Aye. 3 Ayes, 1 Nay Ballot Proposition Passed Solar Project Bid Councilperson Robert Lynch, Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey, Councilperson Stephanie Redmond, Supervisor Beth McGee Discussion Flexibility of RFP, rebidding, consultation with AOT, further inquiry with Town Council regarding compliance and late bids and scale of Towns’ interest and inquiry. 6 DRAFT MINUTES Re-Opening Plan Town Board Meetings (Streaming meetings) Discussion Focus on accessibility, hybrid meeting capacity proposal for installation and consultation provided by Rene Carver, Trumansburg, NY. Equipment and installation for the courtroom in the community building costing an estimate of $3698.00 Councilperson Robert Lynch moves​ that we accept. Mr. Carver's proposal for installation of a video conferencing facility at the Enfield community building. Supervisor Beth McGee 2nds VOTE: Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey: Aye, Councilperson Robert Lynch: Aye, Councilperson Stepahnie Redmond: Aye, Supervisor Beth McGee: Aye. 4 Ayes Motion carries Electronic Payment Policy Discussion Town Clerk Ellen Woods explains current efforts to establish Cash Control Procedures, Credit Control Procedures and Documentation Procedures along with the Electronic Payment Policy and recommends purchasing a Credit Card Swiper as opposed to keying in credit cards for payments. Ellen would like to network three computers to each other for Williamson Law accessibility. Supervisor Beth McGee inquires about costs or fees for the Williamson Law program on multiple devices in the same office. Highway Dept. Summer Hire​ - Related to Hiring Freeze Resolution 2020-X Councilperson Robert Lynch​ moves to exempt from the budget freeze the highway superintendent retention of part time summer labor. Superintendent Beth McGee 2nds VOTE: Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey: Aye, Councilperson Robert Lynch: Aye, Councilperson Stepahnie Redmond: Aye, Supervisor Beth McGee: Aye. 4 Ayes Motion carries NEW BUSINESS: Movie Night:​ Enfield Community Council is sponsoring a movie night and requests the use of the wall of the Town Hall building. 7 DRAFT MINUTES Discussion included CoVid-19 precautions and details of concessions and restrooms, and genuine enthusiasm for the event. It is concluded that it will be required to consult with Tompkins County Department of Health, Environmental Health Division, for clearance of scheduled activity to assure approval by the Enfield Town Board. Town Clerk Position Review Tabled until next Regular Town Board Meeting August 12, 2020 Appeals to Cease and Desist “fault-finding” behaviors directed toward the Town Clerk Office from the Town Supervisor Beth McGee and some Councilpersons. Announcements Town Clerk Ellen Woods Drive Through Rabies Clinic​ ​at TCAT Facility on Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850​ August 15, 2020, by appointment scheduled by July 31 through the Tompkins County Department of Health ​607-274-6688.​ (Ms. Mosher) Town Supervisor Beth McGee Clarity Connect is doing a build out in the town of Newfield with fiber high speed​. The area in Enfield that they're going to be working in and building out in it will include areas of Connecticut Hill, Rumsey Hill, Griffin Road, Black Oak and Douglas Road. This is what they have funding for. Action Item:​ A notice on the Town Website will ask that question specifically for people to reach out if they have no access to high speed Internet where they live in the town of Enfield, to please let us know the addresses so we can get a better sense of that. To survey that. Adjournment:​ 9:49 pm Town of Enfield Special Town Board Meeting , Wednesday July 22, 2020, 8:27 pm – 9:49 pm 8