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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-22-2020 Transcript Clerk Public Hearing07-22-2020PublicHearingTC.mp3 Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:00:00] ​OK, I will open these proceedings of the Enfield Town board. This meeting is for two Public Hearings, one for the proposed local law to abolish the elective office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Enfield and create the appointed office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Enfield and a Second Public Hearing for the proposed local law to abolish the elective office of the Highway superintendent of the Town of Enfield and create the appointed office of the Highway superintendent of the Town of Enfield, as well as a special meeting of the Enfield Town board. Today is July 20, Second 2020. And this meeting is being held via the Via Zoom platform. All meetings are recorded. And just a side note, I wanted to let people know that when you log into the meeting an hour early, it starts recording you at that time. when you're logged in for that amount of time, it also eats up the cloud cloud-based that Zoom allows for us and potentially a dollar a month charge in the town of Enfield. So if we keep exceeding that. So just a warning. So you know that that's happening. Let's see. I'm going to open the Public Hearing on the proposed local law to abolish the elective office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Enfield and create the appointed office of the Town Clerk of the town of Enfield. That Public Hearing is now open. I'm going to give a brief instruction on the Public Hearing. I'll do the same for the next Public Hearing as well in case people aren't present. All people who wish to speak will have three minutes to speak during public comment. All comments must be directed to the entire board, not to other residents. This is an opportunity for residents to share their comments. It is not a debate and board members are not obligated to respond. You'll have three minutes to speak. So as the time approaches, you'll hear an alarm and just you don't have to shut your thought off, but collect your thoughts and wrap it up at that time so the next person can speak. Please state your name for the hearing record before beginning your comments. If you wish to comment, please use the raised hand button on the participants list. You can see that by scrolling over the probably the bottom of your Zoom screen. If you're calling in on the phone, you can raise and lower your hand by using the star nine buttons. It will toggle it on and off using those buttons once all people who have raised their hand in the Zoom app have spoken. I will on mute everyone. I'll warn you first and on mute everyone and ask if there's any more that wish to speak on the Public Hearing issue at hand. Please make your intention known and I'll call on you to give your comments and state your name for the hearing record and you'll have three minutes to make your comments. I will note that four statements have been made to the Town board via e mail and those will be forwarded to the Clerk. The statements. All four statements stated opposition to being appointed. So at this time, I'm going to have the Town Clerk Ellen Woods read the Public Hearing notice for the first proposed local law. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:04:08] ​OK, I'll be right there. Are we ready? Local law. Number of the year 2020. A local law abolishing the elective office of Town Clerk and creating the appointed office of Town Clerk of the Town of Enfield, New York, being enacted by the Town board of the town of Enfield, New York Town as follows Article one pursuant to the Municipal Home Rule Award. 10 Town hereby abolishes the elective office of the Town Clerk effective at the expiration the term of Office of the President Cambon. At the end of the day. December thirty first twenty twenty one. Article two. The elective office of Town Clerk is hereby abolished as of the term of Office of the President. Come in at the end of the day. December thirty first. Twenty twenty one. Article three. The Appointive Office of Town Clerk is hereby created as of January 1st. Twenty twenty to the first day of January, succeeding the biennial Town election held out to be event effective date of this local law article for at the biennial Town election succeeding the effective date of this local law. No Town Clerk shall be elected. And upon the expiration of the term of the elected Town Clerk for whom no successor shall be elected, the board shall appoint a Town Clerk who shall hold office for a term of two years commencing January 1st. Twenty twenty two, the first day of January, succeeding the expiration of the term of office of the elected Town Clerk. This Article five does local law shall supersede Town law. Twenty one Aye. B with respect to the mode of selection of the Town Clerk. Article six. This local law is subject to mandatory referendum according to the provisions of Municipal Home Rule Law. Twenty three shall local law no blank of twenty twenty entitled local law. Abolishing the elective office of the Town Clerk and establishing the appointed office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Enfield be approved sets the ballot question. Article seven, this 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. Twenty three. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:06:45] ​I actually asked you to read the Public Hearing notice, not the law. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:06:50] ​OK. Well, I wasn't told ahead of time that I would have to read the Public Hearing notice. So I'm happy to do that. I'm gonna have to pull it out. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:06:58] ​Clerks notice. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:06:59] ​Oh, maybe the confidential secretary could have told me that. You know, since she's still getting paid. OK. Please take notice that a Public Hearing will be held upon July 22, 2020. At 6:30 p.m. via the Zoom online meeting platform. And there's the Zoom address in the town of Enfield, New York, for the purpose of receiving public input and comments upon two proposed local laws. Notice of Public Hearing for proposed local law of the year 2020 to abolish the Elective Office of Highways. To abolish the elected office of Town Clerk and create the appointed office of Town Clerk of the Town of Enfield, New York. Please take notice that a Public Hearing will be held upon. OK. Zoome information in the town of Enfield, New York, for the purpose of receiving public and putting comments on proposed local law, 2020 to adopt a local law to convert the position of the Town Clerk from an elective to an appointed position at the end of the current officers term, subject to a mandatory Town wide public referendum. Such local laws on file and available for review at the Town Clerk's office for anyone desiring to review the same. This local law was also posted for public review in the window of the Town Hall 168 Enfield Main Road, Ithaca, New York 14850. The local law may be accessed on the Town Web site at the time and place of such Public Hearing, the Town board will take statements, testimony and evidence from all persons interested in the subject. Hereof and concerning the same. And the Town board may or will take such other action there upon as is required and permitted by law. All residents of the town and the general public are invited to attend this Public Hearing. Individuals with visual hearing and other impairments. Or disabilities that require or request assistance should contact Town Clerk Ellen Woods 607-273-8256 townclerk@townofenfield.org at least 48 hours prior to the time of the Public Hearing, the town of Enfield Web site contains information on how to participate in a Public Hearing by telephone or online. Comments may also be dropped off in a secure Dropbox at the Town Hall. 168 Enfield Main Road Ithaca, new York 14850, mailed to the same address or email to townboard@townofenfield.org. Comments must be received by July 22, 2020 to be read as a Public Hearing dated 7/11 2020. By order of the Town board, Ellen Woods Town Clerk, Town of Enfield. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:10:40] ​And usually I would read the law and Ellen has already done that. So the proposed law has been read and is also available on the Town Website. If anyone wants to look at it. And so I've already given instructions on how to participate. So I'm going to start taking comments. So please use the raising hand button if you'd like to speak. I'm going to call on Ed Heatherington. Ed, you need to accept. Ed Heatheringon ​[00:11:29] ​Yes. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:11:30] ​All right. Ed Heatheringon ​[00:11:34] ​One point of clarification. Well, we have three minutes to speak on the Second hearing. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:11:42] ​You will where there will be two separate Public Hearings and there will also be privilege of the floor at the beginning of the special meeting as you. OK? Ed Heatheringon ​[00:11:52] ​Thank you. I'm going to start out with the Pledge of Allegiance. This really looks like the United States of America truly, proudly, for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. My comments on the first hearing concerning the Town Clerk I am against any actions to make it an appointed position. Main reason is I feel like my position of wanting to not do away with my right to pick and choose who I would want to represent us. I am against it and I would not really stand for anything of this nature. No, it seems too much like too much control by the Supervisor and or the board. That's it thank you. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:13:05] ​Thanks Ed. OK. Ellen Woods. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:13:20] ​Hey, so I have a written statement, and if I can get through the whole thing, I will. If I can't, I'll just say some of it later or whatever. So what is trust? Trust is choosing to make something important to me vulnerable to the actions of someone else. Distrust is what I have shared with you that is important to me is not safe with you. That's Brene Brown. I ran for office in Enfield. Ultimately, I trust the voters and Enfield with my future. And they can trust me with their taxes, with their personal information and with their confidence. I do not trust some members of the current Town board with my future, and I am addressing that to the board. I have faced constant accusations, most often unfounded, fantastical and baseless, but always exaggerated and lacking any semblance of grace. When the accusations are proven false, there is never anything resembling an apology or an attempt to restore the damage to my professional reputation and my spirit, my professional reputation is one of my greatest assets. Every day, as they put in long hours, I am plagued by the fear that the board will use my long hours of service as a weapon to destroy my professional reputation and with it, my hope for the future. I have no fear whatsoever in any way that Enfield voters will vote for this. My fear is that tonight Enfield Town board will declare open season on myself and the highway superintendent and that over the next six months, board members will wage a destructive campaign of fault finding in an attempt to pass legislation that other Tompkins towns, including nearby Ulysses, have found to be unpassable. Really, I honestly believe that this campaign has already started. And that's the end of page one. So now top 10 reasons, the Town Clerks should be elected and be responsible to the citizens from their office. Number 1, the Enfield and Tompkins County tradition of having an elected Town Clerk is one that should be maintained. It is a tradition that has stood the test of time because it works. Number 2, although elected Town Clerks are department heads, they are independent in their actions and are able to appoint a deputy of choice to assure the independence and integrity of both the office and the work involved. Number three, electing a Town Clerk avoids the cronyism or politics of having an appointment made by the Town board. Furthermore, they have a sensitive role in the administration of elections and Town meetings that would be ill served by being beholden to those who are seeking reelection. An elected Clerk is directly accountable to the people of the community and thus serves at the will of the people every two years. Not at the discretion of a three fifths of a five person Town board. This is especially important during Town elections when the independence of the courts office is vital. And I'd like to know. That's why I refused to run on a ticket when I was explicitly asked to. The office of the Town Clerk. This is number 4 is a hybrid of Town and state responsibilities and functions less effectively if run directly by either entity. Number 5, elections for Town Clerk when a Clerk leaves office are hotly contested, as are those four highway superintendent. If the electoral process is functioning anywhere in Enfield, it is with those two offices. This year, Enfield hosted the first primary in 25 years. The court primary race came down to five votes. We both campaigned on the basis of our administrative and customer service skills. Clerk and superintendent candidates are qualified candidates who run against qualified candidates. Number 6, the decision of electing a Town Clerk involves an electorate of seven hundred and ninety one people, as opposed to an appointment made by only three of the five individuals on the Town board. It is far more frequent for a Town board member to run unopposed when they earn their seat than a clerk or superintendent. Board members only have to be 18 and an elector as well. There is no training required in law, policy, government, accounting or quite importantly, human resources and high quality management numbers. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:17:54] ​you are approaching five minutes. So please wrap up your comments. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:17:59] ​I'll save the rest for the privilege. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:18:09] ​Thank you. Greg Stevenson. I'm asking to unmute you, Greg. Greg Stevenson ​[00:18:16] ​how's that. Can you hear me? Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:18:18] ​Can where are you on the screen? Do you want to be on video? Greg Stevenson ​[00:18:23] ​Not particularly, but I will. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:18:25] ​OK. Greg Stevenson ​[00:18:27] ​My name is Greg Stevenson. I reside at 130 Harvey Hill Road at Enfield. I'm not going to say this twice. I'll pass on the Second Public Hearing. My thoughts go for both of these Public Hearings. I feel the same way about both of these positions. I'd like to thank the board for their service because I've been in your shoes and I know what it's like. It's time consuming. Unfortunately, I think this effort is a waste of time and unfortunately, quite misguided. This simply removes democracy from Enfield residents. It can't be done properly. The Town doesn't have the resources to do this. We don't have an H.R. department. There's a whole host of reasons that this is just simply a bad idea. And I think doing so now is maybe a little bit pouring salt into an open wound, doing it without a traditional good old fashioned Public Hearing where everybody can be in the same place at the same time, really kind of disenfranchised residents. And it really is to move forward. Calling this the Public Hearing is a little bit underhanded. The Supervisor said herself that we need to hurry up. This costs money. That in itself should be enough reason why this really shouldn't be a legitimate Public Hearing. And these two laws really shouldn't happen. Greg Stevenson ​[00:20:23] ​Can it and move on. Thank you. [00:20:26] ​I didn't get that, did you? Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:20:28] ​Thanks, Greg. [00:20:32] ​She doesn't even hear him. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:20:44] ​All right, so Danny Hubbell. Hi Denny. Denny Hubbell ​[00:21:08] ​Hey, can you hear me OK? Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:21:11] ​We can. Denny Hubbell ​[00:21:12] ​OK. I just want to say I. I'm probably not going to comment on the second one because I kind of feel the same way that these both are kind of together. I do oppose the appointments. I think with everything that's going on now with the pandemic and in the being told what to do and how to do things is already a little much and telling me that all of a sudden I'm unable to vote for positions within my Town. I think maybe just a little a little too much at this time. I just think the right to vote is a privilege, especially in a small town like Enfield. Unless something is changed, I kind of agree with a lot of people in Town, you know, Enfield a small town. You hear a lot. I doubt this is gonna go through. I know that everybody says it doesn't cost anything, but everything costs money in some way or another. The other thing that really kind of is interesting to me, with all due respect to this Town board, there have been Town boards in the past that I don't think had the capacity or the knowledge to appoint anybody. And we don't know what the Town boards are going to be in the future. And we also know that Town boards and Supervisors are not consistent. I've been in the fire department and deal with Town boards for 45 years. I've dealt with at least 9 or 10 different Supervisors and I can't even begin to count how many Town board members. So I'm a little bit leery about anybody appointing anybody. And the thing is, you know what? What kind of qualifications do they have to appoint somebody that's concerning to me also, I think that both positions, both the Clerk and the highway, have done good jobs. We don't necessarily have to like these people that we deal with. But when they're doing good work, we have to kind of respect that. I know personally that the Town Clerk has been putting in a tremendous amount of hours, basically because she's dedicated to this Town as she is to our fire department. And many nights she's been down there late with unlocked doors. I was really bothered by it, but really one thing that I don't like about the Town Clerk is the fact that she's worked until five a.m. in the morning. That is totally ridiculous. And I think if the Town board wanted to do anything to help our community and everybody, that we would work with them and try to help them with their workload. One of the things that I did, I was in supervision at one level, another for the last 45 years. But I also supervised the 911 center and my shift was a 3 to 11 shift. And they threw people in the last rotation and my shift in hopes that I could fail these people. And I always was able to find good in people. I was always able to work with people and get them to get past. So I just think that we could do a little bit better with working with these people rather than having to appoint them. And that's all I say. Thank you. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:24:51] ​Thanks Denny. McKenzie, Newhart. Mackenzie Newhart ​[00:25:11] ​Hi,. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:25:12] ​I'm a candle. Mackenzie Newhart ​[00:25:15] ​So I would like to talk about how unsupportive I am of the new law that the board is trying to put into place. You're taking away the rights of the Town voters who for your own selfish reasons, because you do not like who gets voted in. I don't even like some of the people voted in. But guess what? That's how it goes. You have to work with people. This year would mark 100 years of women receiving the right to vote. Not by any way, shape or form am I associating myself as a feminist. But I do appreciate my American rights. I have looked forward for many years to have the opportunity to vote. I sincerely feel bad for Ellen, who is going through this now. You guys supported her in the beginning, but now you do not. I would hate to have to watch all of these meetings to be put down constantly by the Town board. Nothing I have seen in any of these meetings have made me think these people could logically pick someone to run the highway department or be the Clerk. I cannot wait for this community to come together and knock this out at the polls in November if it gets that far. That's all I have for till the next one. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:26:31] ​Thanks Mackenzie. I don't know who Woods is. So until that name is changed. So we know who that is because Ellen Woods already had an opportunity to speak. Others have not. So. The next person is Ann Rider. Ann Rider ​[00:27:02] ​Hi. Thank you Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:27:02] ​Hi. Ann. Hold on, I'll start your video, if you like,. Ann Rider ​[00:27:06] ​Pardon. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:27:08] ​I'm asking to start your video if you'd like to be on video. Ann Rider ​[00:27:11] ​Oh, sure. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:27:14] ​OK. Ann Rider ​[00:27:15] ​I'm fresh from the lawn mowing the lawn and my best Ann Rider 77 Halsyville Road Ithaca, New York. I also think that these two proposals of local law are defective and nonstarters in the town of Enfield. First of all, appointing. Taking away the rights to elect these two positions. I don't think we'll go over in the town of Enfield. I personally am against it. The other thing, I have deep concerns that in this. These two laws, there's nothing about that. A resident of the town of Enfield is going to be appointed. It's wide open. There's no. Constriction. And so it puts it in a professional category, which I believe is a bit unrealistic. I bet you're going to appoint for two years. Who's going to take this? She got no guarantee of continuity. And. Uh. I'm speaking on behalf of both local laws, and I'm not going to bother to comment at the Second one, because this is my feeling on both laws. If you get into town of Highway superintendent being appointed, that's even a dicier thing. Who is that qualified? Is going to take it to your job. I can't imagine it. Applications for that job. With only a two year guarantee of employment. And I think that the majority of people in this town will not go for taking any of their voting rights away. And I agree with Greg that I think this is poor use of town boards time. But so here we are. This is a big election year. It's the presidential election. There's a lack of interest in this election. There will be a big turnout. And I believe that. So it won't be a close vote and will be voted down. And .... Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:31:10] ​On four minutes. Ann Rider ​[00:31:13] ​Other people in Town to share my beliefs. Thank you. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:31:21] ​Thank you. Carol Woods. Carol Woods. Carol, are you there? You're unmuted. K I' gonna go on to the next person And. Come back to Carol. Aaron Abb. Aaron Abb ​[00:32:16] ​Good evening. I can start by saying I am also opposed to the proposed law. The Town Clerk is related to me. I am the husband of the Town Clerk and. All I can say from firsthand experience, how dedicated and devoted she is to the task at hand. If the board or Supervisor has given her tasks, she is dedicated hours to a task. And as mentioned before, she's out. Yeah, in the hours that. Would anybody in a reasonable mind would think it would be needed for a role in that? For this. Town Clerk role, I can say that as a citizen in the Town that I do see the merit of the Town citizens having a say in who is doing the job. Given that there's a tight budget and the.. Money needs to go a long way. But the money offered to the Town Clerk, the elected official, is not reasonable for the time required for the given tasks at hand and the amount of items on the agenda that the Town board has pursued. So I, personally speaking, from personal experience, have experienced the brunt of the negative advances perhaps, and the just the hard feelings when I see a lot of good being done. But. I am thankful that the board and working with the Town Clerk has brought in the sheriff's office as a satellite office to increase security in the town and set the local Town center. So I appreciate your time and I'll yield to the floor. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:34:51] ​Thanks Aaron. Carol Woods, are you ready to speak? Carol, I'm asking to unmute you. OK, I'm going to move on. To Becky Simms. Becky are you here? Becky I'm asking to unmute you. Unmuted. Hey,. Rebecca Sims ​[00:35:58] ​Hi. OK. Step out of the house. All right. Hi, Becky Sims 608 Black Oak Road. So my thoughts on this current proposed law are that I'm actually interested in this law catches my interest because it's an opportunity for a ballot referendum. And with the way the New York state laws and municipal procedures are set up, we don't actually have that opportunity often to do that. I think ballot referendums are great because it's really just putting specific decisions to the people. And I appreciate that opportunity. What I'm hearing from other folks here tonight is a pretty resounding opposition to these laws. So I would expect that should these go to a vote on the ballot, that those folks and probably lots of others would vote against them. And then that's, I think, a really great way for residents to let the municipal officials be very clear about how they feel about things. Of course, it would be ridiculous to run all of the government operations in that way. But so I don't know that I really have a position on the actual topic. If this was being voted on today. I probably would not. You know, at the ballot, I probably would not vote for it. But I do think it might be a valuable opportunity for people to have a chance to state their position more clearly at the polls. Finally, I have a little bit more time in. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:37:44] ​A minute. OK? Rebecca Sims ​[00:37:46] ​Yeah. So finally, I just want to say that more importantly than any of this, I. I really hope that the folks that are on the board now, the Supervisor, all the highway Clerk, everybody that's involved in Town municipal operations right now. This is an unprecedented and extraordinarily difficult time. And I do not envy the position that you are in. It appears as though there is a lot of work to do in terms of cooperation and teamwork with this group. And I've been on the board and I know that it's possible to work with people who are not your favorite and still get things done. And it's not easy to do that. And especially under the stress that everybody's under right now, it's even harder. But I just really urge that our number one a, a number one priority right now would be to really try to get past personal problems and remember that what you're doing is working for the people. Right. So before moving forward with, you know, a plan, a resolution, a fiery statement or monologue, ask yourself, you know, how is this going to serve better, serve the residents of Enfield? And if there's not a good answer, then maybe you just like to take a little quick step back, because it's a tough time. And I know you all are working really hard and we do appreciate your work. And I hope that you can find some more successful ways to work. Thank you. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:39:18] ​Thanks, Becky. OK. Now try one more time for Carol Woods. Carol, I'm trying to unmute you if you'd like to speak for the privilege of the floor. Please accept the request. OK. Moving on. Tammy Alling. Tammy Alling ​[00:40:03] ​Hello Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:40:04] ​Hi Tammy. Tammy Alling ​[00:40:06] ​How are you? Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:40:06] ​Good Tammy Alling ​[00:40:10] ​I just like to voice my opinion that I disagree with the election to go towards that the board decides to vote on who is elected for the Supervisors Town Supervisors job and the Town Clerks job. We've done this before and the vote got turned down. I just don't really see it's the people's choice. I can understand the concerns of the board. The board does have a difficult job, but I think the board at this point has enough on its plate. And I just don't believe that it's a responsibility of the board to decide who should be into those positions. I don't believe taking more and more votes away from the people or the people's choice. So that's my opinion. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:40:58] ​Thanks Tammy. Tammy Alling ​[00:40:58] ​Thank you. Yeah. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:41:12] ​OK. So no one else has their hands raised, so I'm going to unmute everyone. So just be forewarned that everyone's going to be unmuted. And I'm actually going to ask for Carol Woods first. And whoever has iPhone guest, if you could please rename yourself. So we know who you are and the list before calling on you. And I'm going to on mute Everyone now. Carol Woods ​[00:41:48] ​Beth. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:41:50] ​Is this Carol? Carol Woods ​[00:41:51] ​Yes,. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:41:53] ​Hi, Carol. Carol Woods ​[00:41:54] ​Yes, I've been. Wait a minute, I've got to turn this other thing off. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:41:59] ​So are you on the iPhone? Carol Woods ​[00:42:02] ​Yes. OK. Probably iPhone. I was on the computer and then I realized I didn't have a microphone. You can hear me? Yeah, I tried to call in. I have some questions more than comments. One thing is, I wonder what is the purpose of the proposed change? And also, what does appoint mean? Is it like someone applies for the job and get hired? Or how do you determine who is an appointee? I'm not quite sure how this whole thing is supposed to work. So could someone explain that to me, please? Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:42:47] ​So these this those questions would be addressed by the Town board. Dependent upon how the voters decide the position will be done. So once it goes or if it goes to referendum, the voters make a decision. And at that time, whatever way the Town residents decide, the Town board will have to act in response to that and make that determination. Carol Woods ​[00:43:18] ​So we don't really know how it would work yet. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:43:21] ​Well, they're for with public officers, law and Town law. There is a requirement, unless we pass another law or adopt another law to remove the residency requirement that will remain in place. Carol Woods ​[00:43:39] ​And what is the I've heard some cons against this, but what are the pros? Why was this proposed in the first place? What is the benefit to the Town? Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:43:50] ​So these would be things that you would need to explore yourself as a resident before you vote. So I'm sure that there will be people that will provide information on either side, actually on the Town Website. There was a document provided when the laws were proposed that actually listed those. Carol Woods ​[00:44:14] ​Oh, OK, well, I guess I'll have to figure out how to find that I'm not very good on computers, so I have a hard time with that. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:44:24] ​I can actually send you a link to that, if you'd like. Carol Woods ​[00:44:28] ​That would be great. I'd appreciate that. Thank you. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:44:32] ​And again, these are clarifications on the details of the proposed law. But generally, the Public Hearing is not a question and answer session. It's a time for the Town board to take public comment. Carol Woods ​[00:44:46] ​OK. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:44:47] ​All right. Thanks, Carol. Did you have something else? You still have 25 seconds. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:44:51] ​No, that's fine. Thank you. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:44:53] ​Thank you. Yes. OK. So I'm going to unmute all once again just to make sure that there isn't anyone else out there who has not had an opportunity to break through to. Okay. Is there anyone else who would like to speak for privilege or for the Public Hearing? Coutney Bailey ​[00:45:20] ​Beth this is Courtney Bailey? I called in I would like. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:45:25] ​Courtney Bailey. OK. Coutney Bailey ​[00:45:28] ​Yes. Thank you. Yes. I'm just going to reiterate that I'm glad the residency is already in place, but it really needs to be a resident. And removing this from the voters choice is taking even more power from people who don't have very much power to begin with. We don't a lot of us don't feel we have a voice where we speak, but we're not heard or we're ignored. And I personally am uncomfortable with the board appointing both of these positions. Without anybody having any say in it outside of the board, granted. Yes, the voters don't always make the best choice. But at least we have a choice this way. Thank you. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:46:16] ​Thanks, Courtney. [00:46:21] ​Well, what. Oh. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:46:27] ​All right, one more time. Is there anyone who would like to speak for the Public Hearing? On the Clerk ok. Patricia? Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno ​[00:46:38] ​Hello, I'm Patricia I'm, the deputy Town Clerk,. I've done a little bit of research on our local appointee, Town, Clerks and highway Supervisors. And I've seen that it's kind of an investment in a lot of ways. It seems that the appointed Clerk has accountants under her or around her hired into the department and the Highway superintendent would have to have an engineer hired on. Among other people, we don't necessarily have access to it. I think it has advantages, but I also think it's it's it requires some research on the part of the voter and. We have local examples. If you could look at the departments of the Town Clerk and highway Supervisor, I know Ithaca is a more densely populated different area entirely, but we would have to at least have some direct line with an engineering firm or or an engineer, a civil engineer to assist and with the Town Clerk definitely accountants and and that sort of thing on bored. That's all I have. It's quite an involved process. It's not a simple transition. It would take quite a while for it to be successful, I would think. Thank you. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:48:21] ​Thanks, Patricia. Well, since we've had success every time I've unmuted all, I'm going to try one more time. Everyone is unmuted. Is there anyone else who'd like to speak for the Public Hearing? Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:48:51] ​Karen, is this Karen Kennerson of Newfield? Oh,. Karen Kennerson ​[00:48:56] ​Yes. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:48:57] ​Hi, Karen. Would you like to speak? Karen Kennerson ​[00:49:01] ​Yes. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:49:08] ​Go ahead. OK, I. Karen Kennerson ​[00:49:11] ​I really feel a lot of sadness for what's going on in the town of Enfield. I feel that you've got to be Town Clerk. She's new. She's trying. You've got a highway Supervisor who's been with you for a long time. He works within its budget. And all I see is you're a lot of control trying to be taking place rather than letting these people do their job, work within their budgets. They're just they're just trying to be controlled and entirely different. I truly believe that the voters should have the choice to vote. It's a democracy. And by the board taking that. Oh, attempting to take that away. Bring us up. Spending good board time where you've got lots of other projects you need to be working on. But instead, you're working. You're doing this. I understand the process, but I think you're wasting a lot of time. I think you need to work as a team. There is an I in team and I see a lot of eyes going on in the town of Enfield, and I'm sorry about that. So I'm even though I don't have a say in what you're doing in Enfield, I fully support continuing to vote for the Town Clerk in the highway superintendent. Thank you for the privilege to talk to you. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:50:31] ​Thank you Karen Karen Kennerson ​[00:50:37] ​Thanks. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:50:48] ​OK. Everyone, it is unmuted once again. Is there anyone else who'd like to speak for privilege? Joanna Green ​[00:50:55] ​Hi, this is Joanna Green. I don't know how to raise my hand, but I. Joanna, that's good enough. I'm turning on my camera. Hi, everybody. My hair. My hair is terrible. I'm sorry. OK. When I read the laws, when I first saw the notice, I was intrigued. But I could not really understand what the point was that didn't I didn't buy the argument about the increased democracy that didn't hold water for me. But I thought it was interesting. And I and I so I tuned in because I wanted to hear what people have to say. And I was immediately, immediately swayed. Yes. I mean, I have concerns about electing the electorate doesn't necessarily actually have a good handle on who is the most qualified. And I'm most concerned about people doing a good job and having the knowledge and skills. But I absolutely do not think that a small group of board members appointing somebody is a recipe for getting the skills that we need in, and I would trust the electorate more so. I think it's just too ripe for cronyism with the kind of with the proposed laws. And so, yeah, at this point, I would strongly oppose those laws. Thank you. But I do appreciate all everything that the board is doing. I don't understand where this came from and that's. Yeah, I almost don't want to know. But teamwork. That's what we need. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:52:33] ​Thanks, Joanna. Anyone else like to speak on this Public Hearing? So this. Paulette. Paulette. Paulette Rosa ​[00:52:53] ​Yes. I don't even know if I have video on, but I'm speaking on behalf of the Town Clerk. What's going on? Host asked you to start your video. OK. All right. So I'm the only appointed Town Clerk in Tompkins County, and I believe probably for quite a distance. And I believe the Town did appoint Clerks because of its size. I do a lot of stuff that elected Town Clerks don't do. I attend all sorts of board meetings and I consider half of my job almost as an administrative assistant of the Town. And then I have my Town Clerk statutory duties. So since I am invariably pulled into these things because I am the only appointed. I just wanted to state that. And if anybody has questions, I can answer it. I'm also appointed and must be a resident of the Town just for information purposes. I guess that's all I’ll say. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:54:13] ​All right, everyone, one is now unmuted. Is there anyone else who'd like to speak at this Public Hearing? Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:54:25] ​Anyone else like to speak at the Public Hearing? Everyone is unmuted. Joanna Green ​[00:54:35] ​Is it possible to ask a question of the board? Or or I guess a question of anybody is what is? Is there a rationale? Are we missing something? Everything I've heard is a resounding opposition to this. What is the rationale for doing this? What are the pros? What are the benefits of an appointment as well? Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:54:59] ​You just mentioned, Joanna. There is a document on the website, if you'd like. It can be reposted for people. OK, thanks. It was spent. It was actually posted with the initial proposal. Joanna Green ​[00:55:13] ​OK. Thank you. I missed it. I got disconnected. Thanks. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:55:18] ​Anyone else like to speak for the Public Hearing? Robert Bessemer ​[00:55:37] ​I would like to hear your opinion. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:55:47] ​Did someone wish to speak for privacy or for the Public Hearing? Robert Bessemer ​[00:55:54] ​I'd like to hear.... Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:56:02] ​I could not. We cannot hear you. Robert Bessemer ​[00:56:09] ​Well. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:56:14] ​That's Diane, I'd like to speak, hear your rationale on what's going on. Who is asking who is making the statement? Robert Bessemer ​[00:56:24] ​I'm Robert Beismer, 142 South Applegate Road. And I want to know. I just want to hear your side of why this is a good idea. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:56:36] ​Again, this is a Public Hearing to hear comments of the public. This isn't a chance for the Town board to convince. People vote one way or another, whether any other board members who would like to address that question right now. Robert Bessemer ​[00:56:54] ​Always. That was my comment. I want to hear your opinion. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:57:00] ​If these are moved later this evening, board members will have an opportunity to address that in discussion. Robert Bessemer ​[00:57:08] ​Well, I would look you in the eye. I and I would sit in the meeting and I would like to hear your opinion on why this is a good idea. If you give me a good reason, I'm okay with it. I would like to hear your reason. I just soon look you in the eye when I'm here on it, but I'm looking in the eye. Tell me what your reasoning is. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:57:31] ​Is there any other board member who would like to address that question at this time? It will be addressed later during the discussion. If these are moved to vote on each board member, we'll have an opportunity to comment on why they will or will not vote for it. Councilperson Stephanie Redmond ​[00:57:54] ​I could say that there are several positions in our Town that are actually appointed. Most recently we have a new book keeper that was appointed, and it's just a way that you put jobs out and people can apply to them and you get the most qualified person. So there are pros and cons to both of these. You know, elected versus weighted. And like Beth said, there's a place on the Web site that you can go and see more and more information about that. Robert Bessemer ​[00:58:23] ​I don't want my Website. I want to hear from the board. I'm talking to the board. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:58:29] ​And you'll have the opportunity to do that when the board discusses the resolution to adopt. Robert Bessemer ​[00:58:36] ​You've already made the decision that you want about this. Why can't you tell me what your position is? Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:58:44] ​Again, that will be brought up at the time that the resolution is proposed. That's when the board will discuss it. If there are other board members who would like to address it at this time. Please let me know. Councilperson Robert Lynch ​[00:58:56] ​Well, I will just say respectfully or not. Robert Lynch is speaking right now. I will say just in respect to Robert, that I oppose these changes. So really, I don't feel I am equipped to justify the changes enactment because I have a different point of view. Thank you for your question. Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey ​[00:59:27] ​I'll speak. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[00:59:30] ​Mimi, Mimi Mehaffey. Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey ​[00:59:32] ​I'm not going to speak about whether or not I think the position should be appointed or elected. What I'm speaking about is whether I think the voters should choose that and whether it should go on the ballot. And that's that's where I need help from this community, because if this community resoundingly says we want these to be elected positions, then the next time the proposed budget comes from the highway department and says three hundred thousand dollars more in his budget. I'm going to vote yes because the voters voted to make him the decision maker about that. So I'm okay with it however it turns out, but it will allow me to understand my role in relation to the budget and about 70 or 80 percent of the money that is spent on the taxes. So it helps me to then say, well, the voters think that the Highway superintendent should make all of these decisions by himself without working with the Town board on these decisions. And therefore, if the voters think that I'm going to vote yes every time I'm going to vote yes to raise those taxes, I'm going to vote yes. So that's that's what. That's where I need guidance and I want to put it on the ballot because I want to hear that from the voters. I want to hear you say that. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[01:01:04] ​Thanks, Mimi. OK. So I'm on muting all if there's anyone who has not spoken yet. Oh, I see. Bev Rollins. Beverly Rollins ​[01:01:17] ​I just want to say that this first part of this meeting was supposed to be for the Town Clerk. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[01:01:26] ​That's what it's for. Beverly Rollins ​[01:01:27] ​Excuse me. And Mimi just talked about the Highway superintendent. I just want to say these Zoom meetings are not ethical because I know a lot of elderly people are not being able to get on to these. And it makes me feel really sad for the older elderly people that don't understand how to do Zoom meetings. They are even new to us. And I just want to say that during these meetings, the three of the elected officials have been muted by the person controlling the Zoom meetings. So I don't think it's fair. And I wanted to say that if any of this goes through tonight, you're not listening to the town of Enfield residents because there's already 115 people that don't want this through. So I would appreciate it if you would not talk about the Highway superintendent when we're talking about the Town Clerk. It's not respectful. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[01:02:22] ​That all Beth? All right. Is there anyone else who'd like to speak at the Public Hearing regarding the Clerk? Diane Aramini ​[01:02:46] ​And I raised my hand. This is Diane Aramini. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[01:02:49] ​Hi, Diane. Diane Aramini ​[01:02:50] ​How are you? Supervisor Beth McGee ​[01:02:52] ​Would you like to speak? Diane Aramini ​[01:02:54] ​I do want to speak. Thank you. My husband and I fully support and will vote accordingly to uphold our rights as voters to elect whom we feel is the best candidate for the Highway superintendent. The Enfield Town Clerk and highway person is directly accountable to the people of the community and thus serves at the will of the people is not at the discretion of the five person board of Selectmen or town Supervisor. Thank you Supervisor Beth McGee ​[01:03:28] ​Thanks, Diane. Is there anyone else who would like to speak at a Public Hearing for the proposed local law regarding the Town Clerk office? Joanna Green ​[01:03:48] ​I would like to. Who is this? Sorry. I'm sorry. This is Joanna Green again, and I live at 96 Woodard Road. And I think that what Mimi brought up was a whole new can of worms that in my mind is a different, a different issue than the appointment versus election. And I had comments to share about the highway in that, but the same comments apply that we cannot say that these people, these positions are not accountable. Whichever way they are elected or appointed, they are accountable for performance. And no, under no circumstances should there. Just because they are elected, that everything that the Town Clerk does or every budget that the Highway superintendent proposes should be rubber stamped. That is negligence on the part of the board. And I would like to separate those two issues. There has to be accountability and some kind of feedback mechanism other than just reelection or not reelection. That has to be some real time input on the budget. And the board cannot abdicate responsibility for the highway department's budget, no matter how they're appointed or elected. Thank you. Supervisor Beth McGee ​[01:05:28] ​Is there anyone who is not spoken on the Public Hearing regarding the issue of Town Clerk elected to appointed? Going once. Going twice. All right. I will close the Public Hearing.