HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 8, 2024 Town of Enfield Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes1
Town of Enfield Regular Town Board Meetfng
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
6:30 PM
In-Person and via the Zoom meetfng platiorm
Present: Town Supervisor Stephanie Redmond; Town Councilpersons, Robert Lynch, Cassandra Hinkle, Jude Lemke, and
Melissa Millspaugh; Town Clerk Mary Cornell; Code Officer Alan Teeter.
Call to Order – Supervisor Redmond called the meetfng to order at 6:30 PM
Privilege of the Floor: Greg Cromer - He is an ariel photographer and he is on a quest to photo all municipalitfes in the
country from the sky. He shared a photo that he had taken of Enfield Main Rd and provided the price scale on purchasing
photographs from him. Robert Lynch led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. He shared that we had recently lost
another long-standing Enfield Resident, Lillian Tusky passed away on April 13, 2024 at the age of 93. He shared highlights
of her life journey. He gave an update on the Norbut Solar Farm; he learned today that Norbut should be hooked into the
grid with NYSEG in the next sixty days. Heather McDaniel informs him that the Enfield 1, 2 ,3 pilot agreements will come
into effect in 2025.
Additfons and Changes to the Agenda: Superintendent Rollins would like to sell two old trucks, Supervisor Redmond will
at this towards the end of the agenda.
Correspondence: The Enfield Food Pantry had received the Tompkins Awards for Excellence, which Tammy Alling
nominated the Enfield Food Pantry for. Councilperson Lynch read the response from the NYSDOT in regards to the speed
reductfon on Applegate Rd. The letter is on file with the Town Clerk.
Monthly Reports
County Legislature - Randy Brown. Councilperson Lynch read the report from Randy Brown. The full report is on file with
the Town Clerk. It was suggested that it would be nice to build onto the Tompkins County rapid response program by
adding an ambulance service. This is a seed that was planted and it is worth being discussed.
Town Supervisor’s Report – Stephanie Redmond. She attended a rapid medical response meetfng. She worked with
clean energy solutfons and filed the ARPA expenditure in additfon to the normal dutfes of the Office of Town Supervisor.
Code Enforcement Report – Alan Teeter. Last month he issued nine permits. He has completed his annual training
credits. He has had a couple of complaints that he is working on addressing with the homeowners.
Planning Board Report – Dan Walker. They had no actfons at the last few meetfngs. Comprehensive plan discussion:
Supervisor Redmond asked if the planning board is going to assist with surveying the residents on lot sizes/plot sizes.
Dan shared that the original goals seem to be on task. He thought that they could have a couple of public forums at
Planning board meetfngs to get public input. Supervisor Redmond shared that it may be a good idea to have discussions
as the Comprehensive plan serves as guidance into what regulatfon the Town should undertake in the next ten years.
Supervisor Redmond shared that when she goes for grant funds the town could be awarded more points towards the
grant if it is in the comprehensive plan. Councilperson Lemke shared that due to all of the questfons and comments the
town board has heard from residents it is worth looking into the plan in more depth. Councilperson Lynch commented
that he shares the opinion of the planning board and we do not necessarily need to do a new public survey, and there is
concern that if the Town looks into an in-depth rewrite of the Comprehensive Plan that zoning may be considered
thereafter. Dan - in the subdivision regulatfons we do not have any lot size requirements and the minimum lot size is
regulated by the health departments minimum lot size. Dan does not see any place in the town that we would want to
create a high-density area. High density areas create water supply and sewage concerns. Rte. 79 is startfng to create a
2
high-density area; do we want to encourage more development or restrict development in this area or create zones?
Supervisor Redmond – these are questfons that our residents should have input on this as this is not something that the
Town Board should be heavy handed with. It is important to include the residents as much as possible. She does not see
how we can update a plan without input from our community. We should update land uses in the town as changes have
happened with commercial development in the past few years. Dan asked the Planning Board members to read the
comprehensive plan. Dan asked the Town Board if they had read the plan recently and if not then they should do so.
Councilperson Lynch asked Dan if he thought a survey would cost $5,000 as he had mentfoned previously. Dan
responded that it may cost ~$5,000. Dan suggested that a survey could go on the town website. Councilperson Lynch
commented that it may limit the input given as it could restrict the audience responding and Supervisor Redmond
concurred, she believes this needs to be open to the whole community. Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson
Lemke seconded to seek volunteers for a Comprehensive Plan Committee
Vote: Councilperson Hinke, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh,
Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
Tompkins County Council of Govts – Robert Lynch. They have not yet met since the last Town Board meetfng. There is
not a report this month.
Business: Cohen law - Phil Fraga and Daniel Cohen. They responded that it was a great opportunity to meet the board
virtually. For twenty-six years they have assisted local governments in cable franchise agreements. The agreements are
governed by Federal law and New York State requirements. They have represented small, medium and large
municipalitfes and part of his responsibility is to find out what the towns goals are. D. Cohen has a sense of what the
challenges are with local governments as he was a councilmember in the past. In the towns case its franchise agreement
with Haefele TV expired a little over a year and a half ago. The reason why the town has the right to control a franchise
agreement is that it is the towns responsibility to handle the operatfon of the public’s right of way. P. Fraga commented
that he had worked for a cable company in the past, they however, only represented towns, not franchisees. P. Fraga
commented they have represented Municipalitfes from the large citfes to the smaller towns with both local and large-
scale cable companies. They realize that municipalitfes stfll need to have working relatfonships with their cable
companies. Councilperson Lynch shared that Lee Haefele is in the meetfng room tonight, he was not aware that we were
going to meet with Cohen law tonight as he had invited Lee Haefele to the meetfng tonight. He wanted all partfes aware
that Haefele was present tonight. Councilperson Lemke - from the Towns perspectfve what kinds of things should the
town be thinking about, what is the broad scope? Cohen suggested that there be a kick-off meetfng with the Town Board
and walk through what the potentfal issues are and what the Town Board is looking for as, negotfatfons should not take
place in a public setting. Supervisor Redmond thanked Cohen law for coming tonight and introducing themselves.
Haefele Discussion: Conversatfon with Lee Haefele. L. Haefele shared that NYS had extended the cable franchise
agreements and so much of the agreement/contract language is controlled by NYS. He does not have lot of customers in
Enfield, with roughly 1,173. ~300 residents have tv service which is the only part that franchise fees could pertain to.
Television is expense ~$114.00 – with $~35.00 of the charge being for local statfons. They only charge $20 over their
direct expenses for TV service. There are not a lot of funds to put the franchise fee on and they will be passed on to
residents. Lee does not know what would happen if he does not agree to the Town’s requests. Supervisor Redmond
asked Lee how many residents they add each year. Supervisor Redmond asked if there were some residents who have
asked if they could get service, Lee shared that he only knows of a couple. Councilperson Lynch thanked Lee Haefele for
the service his company provides and for their affordable plans.
Discussion: SkateGarden – Dan Woodring. Supervisor Redmond shared her screen of the plan that Dan had emailed
today. Councilperson Lemke asked what the size of the project is. The current model is 100’x100’. Pollinator gardens
would be incorporated within the SkateGarden. There can be a mixture of pollinators with some of the gardens
containing edible plants (Berry bushes). Councilperson Lynch asked how the Enfield Community Council could be
connected with this project, they would not be as this is a Town Project. Supervisor Redmond shared that the stage side
is near the apartment buildings, can a hedge be planted? Dan responded that one could be planted. Supervisor
3
Redmond asked if the $5,000 would cover the whole project. Dan responded that it would. Councilperson Lynch asked
what the tfme frame is for completfng this project, Dans response was that it should be completed by this fall. There was
a questfon of whether a building permit is needed, Code Officer Teeter shared that he can issue a building permit as it
makes sense to have one. Dan asked that any comments and concerns be brought to his attentfon as soon as possible.
He would like to have open communicatfon. The Skate bowl is similar to Ithaca Skate Park or the Elmira Skate Park.
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lemke seconded to approve the plans for the SkateGarden.
Vote: Councilperson Hinke, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh,
Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
AED Training: Ellen Woods- EMS Director of the Enfield Volunteer Fire Company. She is an instructor with ASHY and the
Red Cross. Ellen gave a demonstratfon of using an AED to the Town Board.
Discussion: Dog Licensing Fees – Set Public Hearing.
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded to set the Public Hearing for June 12, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Vote: Councilperson Hinke, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh,
Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
Resolutfon #46-2024 Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Day Proclamatfon
WHEREAS, millions of children receive emergency medical care each year due to illness or injury; and
WHEREAS, the needs of children are different than the needs of adults in medical emergencies; and
WHEREAS, the goal of Emergency Medical Services for Children is to help states and communitfes prepare for an
emergency involving a child by helping emergency medical services (EMS) agencies, and emergency departments,
become pediatric ready; and
WHEREAS, the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program supports research and improvement science to drive
transformatfon of emergency care systems, including the prehospital setting; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, Emergency Medical Services for Children celebrates its 40th year of supportfng improved outcomes
for acutely ill and injured children across the natfon; and
WHEREAS, Emergency Medical Services for Children relies on its established partnership within the EMS community, as
well as multfdisciplinary teams of providers across the emergency care contfnuum, to help states and communitfes
reduce child and youth disability and death due to severe illness or injury; and
WHEREAS, Emergency Medical Services for Children, the hundreds of thousands of prehospital and hospital-based
clinicians it serves, the professional organizatfons and federal agencies with which it partners, and the patfents and
families it engages, are committed to collaboratfng to ensure high-quality emergency care for children; and
WHEREAS, it is proper and tfmely to bring recognitfon to the value and accomplishments of Emergency Medical Services
for Children and the dedicated personnel who work tfrelessly to improve the delivery of pediatric care across emergency
care systems …
Now, therefore I Stephanie Redmond the Town Supervisor do hereby proclaim the date of May 22, 2024, as
4
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN (EMSC) DAY
as part of Natfonal EMS Week in Enfield, NY and urge all citfzens and health care professionals serving the pediatric
populatfon to celebrate EMS Week’s 2024 theme: “Honoring Our Past. Forging Our Future.”; to become familiar with
Emergency Medical Services for Children, its programs and actfvitfes in our state and natfonally; and to support and
partfcipate in educatfonal and outreach programs to increase their knowledge of best practfces in pediatric medical care.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the Town of Enfield of
this 8th day of May, 2024.
Mary Cornell
Mary Cornell, Town Clerk
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded. Discussion: Supervisor Redmond asked Ellen Woods to
give a highlight of what has transpired in EMS for the Fire Company over the last year. Ellen said they had 10 new
trainees including one who is being trained on EMS and is getting paid from Bangs. The Fire Company just had an EMT
pass, 4 CFR’s and they are waitfng for a couple to pass. They were able to get new AED’s and Boots through grant
funding. The EMS calls make up the biggest share of the Fire Company calls. Last month alone they had 19 medical calls
and Fire Company President D. Hubbell does not think that have missed responding to any of the calls. The EMS program
is really strong within the Fire Company at this tfme. Alan Teeter, Roy Barriere and Ellen Woods have recertffied as EMT’s.
They have a total of 13 individuals over the last year start on EMS journeys. The Fire Company has one paramedic. Ellen
commented on the county’s rapid response program, they have had over 100 calls. Ellen works with the program as well
as Kim from Mecklenburg who knows the area really well. The county chose individuals with geographical knowledge.
Vote: Councilperson Hinke, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh,
Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
Resolutfon #47-2024 EMS Week Proclamatfon To designate the Week of May 19 - 25, 2024, as Emergency Medical
Services Week
WHEREAS, emergency medical services is a vital public service; and
WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide life-saving care to those in need 24
hours a day, seven days a week; and
WHEREAS, access to quality emergency care dramatfcally improves the survival and recovery rate of those who
experience sudden illness or injury; and
WHEREAS, emergency medical services has grown to fill a gap by providing important, out of hospital care, including
preventatfve medicine, follow-up care, and access to telemedicine; and
WHEREAS, the emergency medical services system consists of first responders, emergency medical technicians,
paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, pre-hospital nurses,
emergency nurses, emergency physicians, trained members of the public, and other out of hospital medical care
providers; and
5
WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of
hours of specialized training and contfnuing educatfon to enhance their life-saving skills; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical services providers by
designatfng Emergency Medical Services Week; now
THEREFORE, I, Stephanie Redmond Supervisor of the Town of Enfield, New York, in recognitfon of this event do hereby
proclaim the week of
May 19 - 25, 2024, as
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK
The 50th Anniversary of EMS week theme is EMS WEEK: Honoring Our Past. Forging Our Future I encourage the
community to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and actfvitfes.
Mary Cornell
Mary Cornell, Town Clerk
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded.
Vote: Councilperson Hinke, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh,
Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
RESOLUTION #2024-__________ A Resolution to Revise Town of Enfield Procedures for the Receipt of Sales Tax
Revenue
WHEREAS, by Resolution #2010 -35, the Enfield Town Board in 2010 resolved to take its assigned portion of Tompkins
County Sales Tax as a Tax Warrant Credit, said money applied to reduce the County’s Property Tax rate, rather than to
be taken as a direct payment to assist this Town in meeting its own budgetary obligations; and
Whereas, Sales Tax receipts in Tompkins County comprise the second-largest source of revenue for Tompkins County,
those receipts falling behind only property taxes in revenue generation; and with total Sales Tax receipts predicted to
top $43 Million countywide for both 2024 and 2025; and
Whereas, local municipalities, including the Town of Enfield, stand entitled to receive a portion of Tompkins County’s
four per cent (4%) local share of Sales Tax revenue, that local share apportioned outside the City of Ithaca on the basis of
population under terms of a two-tiered Sales Tax Distribution Agreement adopted by the County and City of Ithaca in
1998, and still in effect; and
Whereas, in both 2022 and in 2023, the Enfield Town Board considered, but then declined to rescind its earlier Board’s
action of 2010 so as to again accept it entitled Sales Tax revenue directly, rather than have it applied as a credit to the
County Property Tax; and
Whereas, during both the 2023 and 2024 Budget preparation cycles, this Town Board found it increasingly difficult to
constrain its Property Tax levy without the ability to draw upon its entitled Sales Tax revenue to offset necessary
expenses; and
Whereas, this Town Board believes that the circumstances underlying the decision of 2010 are no longer applicable, and
that fairness and equity dictate a change; and
6
Whereas, any minor financial benefit that the current practice may accrue to Enfield taxpayers through the
apportionment of Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILOT) revenues fails to override the broader principle that the Town of
Enfield should receive the Sales Tax revenue it rightly deserves; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Enfield hereby RESCINDS afore-referenced Resolution #2010 – 35, and states that the Town
of Enfield no longer chooses to use Sales Tax revenues to offset the County Tax Warrant, but rather directs its Supervisor
to request that the Town of Enfield’s municipal share of Sales Tax revenues be paid directly to the Town, beginning with
the budget year that commences on January 1, 2025; and be in further
RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Clerk will provide the Tompkins County Administrator, the Tompkins County Director
of Finance, the Director of Assessment, and any other parties involved in Sales Tax distribution matters a copy of this
resolution as approved by the Enfield Town Board; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Clerk or Supervisor shall include an explanation of the impact of this change as it
affects residents’ Town and County Property Taxes as an enclosure to residents’ 2025 tax bills, to whatever extent the
law permits.
Councilperson Lynch moved and read the resolutfon and Councilperson. Discussion: Supervisor Redmond asked if
anything had changed in his resolutfon, or with the Towns finances this past year. Councilperson Lynch –Answered that
we, the Town, are in dire straits. This past budget season the initfal budget increase was over 11% and we worked as a
board exhaustfvely to reduce the tax rate. Lynch said we need the tax revenue to assist in offsetting our budgets. This is
about Semantfcs and Optfcs. Supervisor Redmond - we would lose revenue from the pilot agreements. The director of
assessment for Tompkins County had given us a past summary that showed a 0.36 percent increase on the average
property tax payer. There was no second. The Resolutfon was given no further consideratfon.
Discussion: INHS Plus One ADU. Greg Hutnik - He does not have much more to share other than what he shared with
the Planning Board last week. He is looking to see if the Town of Enfield would like to sign the letter of support.
Councilperson Lynch would like someone from INHS to be present at a board Meetfng. Delia from INHS was on the
meetfng tonight for over 2 ½ hours, however, she needed to go. Supervisor Redmond shared that she has had residents
ask her about this program. She had inquired with INHS during the last funding cycle on the availability for the Town and
it was limited to the City of Ithaca at that tfme. INHS wants to see what the interest is from other towns so that they can
apply for funding that would be available county wide. The Towns of Ithaca and Danby sent in a letter of support. Greg
shared that those are the only two towns that he is aware of, but there could be others. Greg read part of the letter to
the town board. He had previously emailed the letter to the Town Board last week. Councilperson Lynch asked if there is
any liability to the Town if the board signed this letter. There should not be any liability to the Town Board.
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lynch seconded to have Supervisor Redmond sign a letter of support.
Vote: Councilperson Hinke, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh,
Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
Trash Talks is scheduled for October 28th, 2024
Discussion: Selling of two highway trucks. Buddy would like to sell a 1999 Mack 10-wheeler and a 2001 GMC truck.
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lemke seconded.
Vote: Councilperson Hinke, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh,
Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
7
Audit Claims: General fund vouchers #102-124, dated May 8, 2024 in the amount of $95,084.99. Highway Fund vouchers
#67-85, dated May 8, 2024 in the amount of $110,954.83
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded.
Vote: Councilperson Hinke, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh,
Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
Minutes: Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lynch seconded to approve the April 10, 2024 Town Board
Meetfng Minutes.
Vote: Councilperson Hinke, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Abstain; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson
Millspaugh, Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
Privilege of the Floor: Councilperson Lynch - The NYS Legislature had put the 60 million of CHIPS funding back in the
budget, so CHIPS funding will remain the same this year as last. However, a Republican proposal, which the Enfield Town
Board had endorsed, to increase CHIPS base funding from $598 Million to $798 Million was not included in the budget.
Greg Hutnik in regards to the comprehensive plan being updated. He commended the existfng Comprehensive Plan. He
always geeks out at the town level as it is a great foundatfon for the Town to have a plan in place. He has worked with
municipalitfes that have not had comprehensive plans. He thinks the plan is already a good plan and he is all for
planning. His initfal take is that this is a good plan and there is already a lot of actfon and the work should be in advancing
the plan and what the next steps moving forward should be. Hutnik said the current plan could be a stepping stone to
further land use controls and suggested the Town place attentfon on those next steps, rather than on rewritfng the plan
itself.
Announcements: There will be a rabies clinic at the Town Highway Department on May 23 from 7-9 PM. Councilperson
Lynch - expect for him to suggest at the June meetfng a RFP request for the Bostwick Rd Project (If the Town Board has
an update on the WQIP grant.).
Adjournment: Councilperson Hinkle moved and Councilperson Millspaugh seconded to adjourn, adjourned at 9:46 PM.
Respectiully submitted,
Mary Cornell
Mary Cornell
Town Clerk