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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-14-2021 Special-Town-Board-Meeting-Minutes DraftDRAFT MINUTES 1 Town of Enfield Special Town Board Meeting Sunday March 14, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Virtual Meeting via Zoom Meeting Portal Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83472798520 (For computer or smartphone) Meeting ID: 834 7279 8520 Password: 14850 Call in Number: (646)876-9923 (landline or cell) For instructions for this meeting visit: http://townofenfield.org/virtual-board-meetings or click on the “Chat” button in Zoom to find links to meeting documents Present: Supervisor Stephanie Redmond, Councilperson Robert Lynch, Councilperson James Ricks, Councilperson Jude Lemke, Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno, Appointed Town Clerk Mary Cornell Excused: Councilperson Virginia Bryant Call to Order: 6:31 pm Privilege of the Floor: Ed Hetherington led the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America and was in support of the appointment of Mary Cornell to the position of Town Clerk of the Town of Enfield, NY. Former Town Supervisor Roy Barriere commended the quick action of the Town Board to appoint Mary Cornell to the position of Town Clerk consistent with Town practices in the past - other individuals have been elevated to town office without solicitation. He took a position on the suggestion of posting a vacancy and solicitation for a qualified administrator of town business. Mary Cornell is incumbent for the office and was “second runner up” in the previous election. James Ricks echoes Roy Barriere’s support of Mary Cornell’s elevation to of fice. The appointment was not consistent or typical according to his experience with former town appointment practices. Honorable Town Justice Betty Poole concurs with Roy Barriere’s eloquent endorsement of Mary Cornell and agrees wholeheartedly. Adding that the Deputy Town Clerk is appointed to fulfill the duties of the Town Clerk. Should the Town Clerk be unable to perform the duties, the Deputy assumes the role of Town Clerk in the clerks absence. Mary Cornell has Ms. Poole’s wholehearted support for her appointment to office. The Honorable Justice Betty Poole added that Councilperson James Ricks has made great progress in his position as Councilperson. No Additions and Changes to the agenda No Correspondence New Business: DRAFT MINUTES 2 Town Clerk Appointment: Supervisor Stephanie Redmond restated the town attorney’s concerns regarding the initial appointment. (Regular Town Board Meeting, Wednesday 03-10-2021) The NYS AOT (Association of Towns) and the EOE (Equal Opportunity Employment) Commission recommend best practices and an open process, posting and soliciting an appointed position, giving a month to interested parties the opportunity to apply for the office. The office had not been vacated at the time of the appointment on Wednesday and could easily be nullified in this event. Therefore resolution # 2021-42 should be reaffirmed. Mary Cornell is the only incumbent for the Office of Town Clerk 2022 - 2024 term in the November 2021 election and she has been endorsed by both parties. Mary has served well for the last 3 weeks as Deputy Clerk performing financial and operational duties including office hours. The Supervisor supports the reaffirmation of Mary Cornell’s appointment to Town Clerk. A Resolution Appoint the Enfield Town Clerk RESOLUTION #2021-49 Whereas, Ellen Woods announced her resignation as Enfield Town Clerk at a duly -convened meeting of this Town Board on March 10, 2021; and Whereas, Clerk Woods has subsequently fulfilled that procedural requirement by filing her resignation with the New York State Secretary of State; Whereas, this Town Board provided sound and convincing reasons for appointing Mary Cornell to the position of Enfield Town Clerk, and said Resolution was adopted with the unanimous consent of the four voting members present; therefore, be it Resolved, that the Enfield Town Board hereby appoints Mary Corne ll to fill the now-vacant position of Enfield Town Clerk, Ms. Cornell’s appointment made effective upon her taking the Oath of Office and fulfilling any and all other procedural requirements applicable to Town Clerks under New York State law, and that said appointment continue until Clerk Ellen Woods’ current term of office would otherwise expire on December 31, 2021. Councilperson Robert Lynch proposed an amended resolution #2021-49 for the appointment of Deputy Clerk Mary Cornell to the office of Town Clerk. 2nd Supervisor Stephanie Redmond Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno called the vote: Councilperson Robert Lynch AYE, Councilperson James Ricks AYE, Councilperson Jude Lemke AYE, Supervisor Stepahnie Redmond AYE All Aye Resolution #2021-49 carried Community Choice Aggregation letter: Supervisor Stepahnie Redmond proposed the resolution to sign request for a Park Foundation Grant for the Enfield CCA (Community Choice Aggregation) 2nd Jude Lemke Vote on resolution 2021-50: Councilperson Robert Lynch AYE, Councilperson James Ricks AYE, Councilperson Jude Lemke AYE, Supervisor Stepahnie Redmond AYE All Aye Resolution #2021-50 carried DRAFT MINUTES 3 Councilperson Robert Lynch proposed resolution #2021-51 for the appointment of Deputy Clerk Mary Cornell to the office of Tax Collector Vote on resolution 2021-50: Councilperson Robert Lynch AYE, Councilperson James Ricks AYE, Councilperson Jude Lemke AYE, Supervisor Stepahnie Redmond AYE All Aye Resolution #2021-51 carried Announcements: Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno welcomed Mary Cornell to office and congratulated her on her appointment. Councilperson James Ricks moved to adjourn 2nd Councilperson Jude Lemke Adjournment 6:29 pm