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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 12, 2024 - Town of Enfield Public Hearing and regular Town Board Meeting Minutes1
Town of Enfield Public Hearing & Regular Town Board Meetfng
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
6:30 PM
In-person at the Enfield Town Courthouse and Virtually via the Zoom Meetfng Platiorm
Present: Town Supervisor Stephanie Redmond; Town Councilpersons, Cassandra Hinkle, Melissa Millspaugh, Robert
Lynch; Town Clerk Mary Cornell.
Public Hearing - A Proposed Local Law – Dog Control and Licensing Local Law and Regulatfons
Supervisor Redmond opened the hearing at 6:30 PM.
Supervisor Redmond asked Clerk Cornell if we should postpone the public hearing. Clerk Cornell gave an overview of why
a change was needed. Councilperson Lynch said the original plan was to increase the fee’s slightly and we wanted to
impose a modest late fee of $5 accruing monthly. The town clerk submitted what we had come up with to the town
attorney and he replied with a major overhaul of the dog law. What we had was legal, but changes with ag and markets
have taken place. The dog law the attorney came up with does not really have any major regulatory changes. It has more
clarity and legal specifhcity. It would clarify the law a little bit. What we can legally present at the public hearing tonight is
what was presented to the public and we would need to have a second public hearing, so that everyone is aware of what
we are now proposing. Overall Councilperson Lynch does not have any issues. Supervisor Redmond would like to
postpone untfl the July meetfng and have another public hearing and Clerk Cornell suggested the August meetfng to give
the board plenty of tfme to review the law.
Supervisor Redmond closed the public hearing at 6:39 PM
Called to Order: Supervisor Redmond called the meetfng to order at 6:39 PM
Privilege of the Floor: Councilperson Lynch led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilperson Lynch spoke
on the recent adoptfon of a law to clarify the procedure for new Fire District Electfon’s that went before the state
assembly. Back in March we had asked the legislature to make changes to the existfng law. State Senator Lea Webb led
the initfatfve, which, was unanimously adopted. The law will clarify the electfon process which would allow voters to
select 5 candidates with the fhrst electfon for a newly established fhre district. This is now on Gov. Hochul’s desk. This is
too late for Enfheld, but will be instrumental for municipalitfes looking to form fhre districts. Supervisor Redmond
scheduled a vacatfon in early July and her flight has a long overlay and she will miss the July meetfng. Deputy Town
Supervisor Greg Hutnik will run the meetfng and complete the dutfes of the Town Supervisor in her absence.
Councilperson Lynch clarifhed that Greg will not be a votfng member and confhrmed that the other board members would
be at the meetfng. Supervisor Redmond was embarrassed and apologized for her oversight.
Additfons and Changes to the Agenda: A brief discussion on the WQIP grant and the Haefele TV Franchise agreement
will be moved above the subdivision regulatfons. Clerk Cornell had requested a discussion on the local laws to increase
terms of office for the Town Supervisor, Highway Superintendent and Town Clerk.
Correspondence: NYSDOT sent a response to our request to close the passing zone in front of Enfheld School.
Councilperson Lynch thanked Enfheld Resident Gretchen Kirchgessner for bringing this to the Town Board. It should be
restriped soon.
Quarterly Reports
Environmental Management Council: Peter Penniman – They are in the middle of updatfng their bylaws, their website
was updated and should be more user friendly. There are a number of associate memberships available if anyone is
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interested. They are doing work on updatfng the unique natural areas. Supervisor Redmond asked if Connectfcut Hill was
part of a unique natural area on the Enfheld side. Peter checked and it does not appear so. Enfheld has the smallest
collectfve of areas that are marked as unique natural areas in the County.
Enfield Community Council: Robert Lynch – If anyone is thinking of joining the ECC as a volunteer they are in need of
more help. Those that are currently volunteering have a lot on their shoulders and more volunteers can help spread the
burden. They are planning the harvest festfval for mid-September; they may have the ping-pong ball drop this year
(Weather dependent). This will be the 49th Annual Harvest Festfval so they are looking to plan the 50th next year. They are
planning a robust summer camp and they are hoping to increase their campers to pre pandemic levels, with a full
summer program. Vera Howe-Strait emailed about the basketball court there is a crack in the asphalt and grass was
growing through it. Greg Hutnik there appears to be bubbles that may need to be pounded down and Vera would like
gravel added on the roadside of the basketball court. This really falls under the responsibility of the ECC at this point. The
paving of the court was done by a private contractor, who may need to come back and look at it. Supervisor Redmond
asked Highway Superintendent Rollins if he would be willing to bring gravel. he replied that he would be willing to do it if
the board approves it.
Tompkins County Youth Board: N/A
Food Pantry: Jean Owens – Clerk Cornell read the report that Jean had submitted. The full report is on fhle with the
Clerk’s Office.
Recreatfon Partnership: Cassandra Hinkle – It is budget season and they looked at three budget models. There would
have been cuts if they had not chosen to increase the budget by 2%. The Current budget is $8,391.00, the new budget is
$8,554.
Park Committee: Greg Hutnik – He shared that we are well into the year and new projects are limited at this tfme. The
current project is the SkateGarden. Rich Teeter has offered equipment, etc., to assist in brush hogging by the Highway
Department if the Town decides to build/create a Town Park there.
Cayuga Lake Watershed ID - Supervisor Redmond – The Fingerlakes Land Trust holds a lot of property that they are in
the process of handing over to the NYSDEC. They recently had a conference. The watershed manager has put a lot of
effort into educatfng municipalitfes on ditch cleaning, the best tfme is mid-May or well before winter and to make sure
that the sides of the ditches are not too steep as this can cause erosion.
Tompkins Health Consortfum: Supervisor Redmond – They had an open house on May 2 at their new locatfon. Members
became certffhed in adult mental health fhrst aid on June 10. They passed a resolutfon on pharmaceutfcal plan benefhts.
Subscriber and member have increased by 8% and costs have increased by 10%.
Cemetery Committee: Cassandra Hinkle – They had a good turnout for the cleanup and they are working on creatfng the
rose garden. Councilperson Lynch stated that every tfme the contractor mows, he charges $900. Currently it is at the
discretfon of the cemetery mower if he mows once or twice a month. Councilperson Hinkle suggested that we can talk
about this, and decide who we want to make the decision at a future committee meetfng. Aesthetfcally speaking two
seems good at this tfme, however, it could be mowed less often later in the year. Clerk Cornell shared there was
confusion regarding fees charged for a recent crematfon burial, and it might be a good idea for the committee to look at
the verbiage and consider clarifying it.
Water Protectfon Committee: Stephanie Redmond. MJ, our specialist from the New York State Rural Water Associatfon,
has left her positfon and they are waitfng for the new person to start. They have not done additfonal testfng yet, but they
are planning on doing so soon. There has not been any manure dumping near where they are testfng, which is why they
have not done additfonal testfng. Becky Simms shared a presentatfon on the needs-based survey, they are picking their
way through the survey from Steve Winkley.
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Sustainability Committee – Cassandra Hinkle. They are looking at ways for tfre recycling. She went to a repair café in
Hector and there was a great turnout. People attended with lamps, clocks, vacuums, etc. Ann Rider has offered her
services for sewing repairs. The town has received a $60,000 grant and she is working on a quote from Renovus and an
Energy audit will be completed on the Town Hall. They are also working with Climate Smart Communitfes for a $5,000
grant for the repair café. The committee will be meetfng in the next week.
Fire District Report: Robert Lynch –The full report is on fhle with the Town Clerk.
Monthly Reports
County Legislature: Anne Koreman – The County approved funding to contfnue virtual meetfngs. They had a vote on a
tax cap increase, which was voted down. This year ’s tax increase is looking at being a 2% increase. They are startfng
discussions on increasing room tax. They have made improvements at the airport they do not have all of the funding to
pay off the bonds. The county has had to chip in funds over the last couple of years, as they have not had additfonal
revenue to cover the bond payments. Southern tfer reginal conference is on June 20 from 3-5 at cinemapolis. She is
hopeful someone from the Town can attend this meetfng. After hearing about the repair café’s she is feeling very
motfvated to fhx her grandmothers coocoo clock.
Town Supervisor’s Report: Stephanie Redmond – In additfon to the normal dutfes of the office of Town Supervisor;
she met with area town supervisors and they had a presentatfon from Cayuga Medical Center. She attended the County
mitfgatfon plan meetfng, the water protectfon committee meetfng, the sustainability committee meetfng, and a
SkateGarden meetfng.
Highway Superintendent Report: Buddy Rollins. They fhlled almost three dumpsters of trash and they fhlled a dumpster
¾ of the way with steel. They have their new radios and they are set, he would like to distribute the old ones out to other
highway or fhre companies. Danby and Mecklenburg Fire Dept ’s . would like to have a couple. Enfheld Fire Company has
not responded if they would like a couple yet. They are doing road prep. The two new used trucks have arrived and they
have them cleaned, prepped and are ready to go. Councilperson Lynch proposed that maybe later in the meetfng the
Town Board should pass a routfne motfon to approve this actfon of rehoming the radios
Code Enforcement Report: Alan Teeter – This past month he issued 6 building permits. he reissued a permit for a shed
that was issued last year, but not completed. He issued a permit for a building on Applegate Rd that may be converted to
a house. He is stfll working on a couple of complaints. The Newfheld Code Enforcement Officer passed away a couple of
weeks ago, he has been assistfng them untfl they hire a new one.
Planning Board Report: Dan Walker – They met last week, there have not been any new projects coming in. They
scanned through the comprehensive plan quickly. The foundatfon of the plan is solid and he does not think we need to
rewrite the plan. They do need to update the census data, and an addendum to the main plan would be appropriate. He
went through some of the six sectfons and the goals are stfll good, we may want to add one or two more. Some of the
actfons have been completed (site plan, subdivision, aquifer) he asked if people have looked at the survey recently. As he
was looking through the four pages of comments, he was reminded of some of the concerns. In reading those and the
comments from the public hearings, etc. He thinks it is great that the Town Board has the planning board as the
repository for any questfons, interest in a committee, etc. Due to the holiday, they have canceled the July planning board
meetfng which was scheduled for July 3. Supervisor Redmond would like to use the ECC newsletter (Thank you to Clerk
Cornell for this suggestfon) to ask questfons of what the Town wants to discuss instead of sending a survey out to
residents. Councilperson Lynch has there been any future communicatfon regarding Mr. Scholl’s subdivision on Van
Dorn’s Rd. Dan replied that he last spoke with him a couple of months ago and he was working on drilling the test well.
He will come back to the planning board before moving forward. Discussion concerning the possibility that we would
need to establish a lot size regulatfon, with what you can demand and what you can’t. If you get lots to too small you
may have a water issue. Councilperson Lemke attended the recent meetfng with Crystal Buck, Crystal had given a
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presentatfon at a recent planning board meetfng concerning Conservatfon Easements, which limit future development of
agricultural land. It really does restrict what you can do with the land in the future. You get paid up front, but it can affect
future generatfons. There was discussion on Crystal Buck presentfng her presentatfon at a future Town Board meetfng.
Tompkins County Council of Govts: Robert Lynch – They met on May 23. Tompkins Food System Plan was the main topic:
to encourage local food productfon. The full report is on fhle with the Town Clerk.
Consent Agenda:
Audit Claims – General Fund Vouchers #125-151 dated June 12, 2024 in the amount of $31,051.13. Highway
Fund Voucher #86-104 dated June 12, 2024 in the amount of $70,470.11.
Minutes – May 8, 2024 Town Board Meetfng Minutes
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lynch seconded.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson
Millspaugh, Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
New Business:
Discussion: Public Hearing for Dog Law. Supervisor Redmond moved to schedule a public hearing for the August Town
Board meetfng and Councilperson Millspaugh seconded. Discussion: Councilpersons Lemke and Lynch agreed that the
board should discuss the changes from Legal Counsel before setting a public hearing, Supervisor Redmond thought asked
if changes could be discussed during the public hearing. The board will have a discussion at the July 10 board meetfng to
decide what they would like the law to say and will schedule a public hearing for the August meetfng.
RESOLUTION NO. 48-2024 – Approval of June 2024 Budget Modificatfons
WHEREAS, it is necessary to modify the 2024 budget based on updated estfmates of revenues and expenditures in 2024,
and
WHEREAS, a detailed listfng and descriptfon of each budget adjustment by Fund has been provided to the Town Board
for review as presented below, be it therefore
RESOLVED, that the Enfheld Town Board approves the budget modifhcatfons as outlined below.
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Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded. No Discussion.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson
Millspaugh, Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
Discussion: Set a public hearing date for local laws. Supervisor Redmond asked Clerk Cornell to explain why she had
asked for this to be discussed. Clerk Cornell gave an overview of why she would like to see the terms of office for the
Town Supervisor, Highway Superintendent, and Town Clerk to change from 2 yr. to 4 yr. terms. Highway Superintendent
Rollins and Town Supervisor Redmond generally shared Clerk Cornell’s reasoning. Councilperson Lynch to broach this
topic and bring it before the voters again, just three years after when it was offered last tfme is incredibly disrespectiul to
the voters. He shared the percentages of yes/no votes of the 2021 electfon results. He won’t vote to put it before the
public and he may campaign against it. Councilperson Lemke can see both the positfves and negatfve sides, it can be hard
to get someone removed from an elected positfon. Superintendent Rollins, the Towns of Enfheld and Danby are the only
two municipalitfes that offer two-year term in the county.
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lemke seconded to hold a Public Hearing on July 10, 2024 for the
proposed local laws.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Nay; Councilperson
Millspaugh, Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
GENERAL FUND - A JUNE 2024 BUDGET MODIFICATIONS
Current Increase/Modified
Account #Description Budget (Decrease)Budget
Expenditures
A1620.42 Buidings - Maintenance and Improvements 4,730.00$ 45,780.00$ 50,510.00$
A7310.4 Youth Program - Contractual 54,400.00$ 17,000.00$ 71,400.00$
A8810.41 Cemeteries - Burial Coordinator 1,900.00$ 1,100.00$ 3,000.00$
Total Expenditure Adjustments 63,880.00$
Revenues
A2774 Burial Fees 1,500.00$ 1,100.00$ 2,600.00$
A4089 Federal Aid - Other 8,955.00$ 62,780.00$ 71,735.00$
Total Revenue Adjustments 63,880.00$
HIGHWAY FUND - DA JUNE 2024 BUDGET MODIFICATIONS
Current Increase/Modified
Account #Description Budget (Decrease)Budget
Revenues
DA2706 Grants from other Goverments -$ 26,592.00$ 26,592.00$
Total Revenue Adjustments 26,592.00$
Expenditures
DA5130.2 Machinery - Equipment 166,768.00$ 26,592.00$ 193,360.00$
Total Expenditure Adjustments 26,592.00$
Description of Proposed Adjustments: These General Fund budget adjustments account for use of ARPA funds for the Town Hall and
ECC payment for 2024. In addition, additional burial fees and the costs associated with the burials are addressed.
Description of Proposed Adjustments: The Highway Fund budget adjustment reflects funds granted from Tompkins County
community recovery fundings for the purchase of highway radio equipment.
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Tax Cap Override – Set a Public Hearing Date – Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Millspaugh seconded to
set the public hearing for October 9, 2024 at 6:30 PM. Discussion: Councilperson Lynch he is glad that we are setting the
hearing for later in the budget season as we do not yet know we will be facing.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson
Millspaugh, Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
Discussion: Court Audit. Honorable Heather Knutsen-King. Supervisor Redmond asked Judge Knutson-King the following
questfons that the court had marked incomplete at the January 17, 2024 Audit Meetfng. Do dockets for disposed cases
appear to be complete. Response - They are stfll working on them stfll. Are monthly reports made tfmely to the Justfce
Court Fund. Response – yes. Are reports from TSLEF maintained and utflized, is this all set, Response -yes. Several
unknowns show as pending, etc. They are working on wrapping up cases, however, the DA’s have adjourned consistently.
They are stfll working on clearing them up. How many cases are showing pending for more than 90 days, she did not
know ofifand. What actfons are shown to have disposed of these cases. Clerk Champion and Justfce Knutsen-King are
going through everything that former Justfce B. Poole had left them with. She is having a hard tfme getting dog tfckets
dealt with. She is getting tougher on residents. Supervisor Redmond asked if we should set another date to update the
Town Board. Judge Knutsen-King would like to schedule a tfme to review the audit.
Discussion: SkateGarden- Greg Hutnik. The SkateGarden is pulling in funding from a Tompkins County Parks grant. The
beautffhcatfon grant that the Town Clerk had received for pollinator gardens has separate funding. Dan would like to have
power added to the pole next to the SkateGarden and across the road from the Town Hall. It was suggested that a
generator be used instead. Supervisor Redmond shared her screen with the most recent proposal from Dan Woodring.
Councilperson Lynch asked if we needed to have a fhnal plan voted on by the Town Board before concrete can be poured
and Supervisor Redmond confhrmed that, yes it does need to be voted on by the board before the concrete can be
poured. D. Woodring said it would be best to not have the design change and have it be set before concrete is poured as
a lot of work goes into building the forms, etc. Supervisor Redmond shared that some of the Skate board professionals
that D. Woodring is consultfng with that have seen the design were concerned with the heart shaped bowl as it is not
meant for beginners, but intermediate skaters. Which is in part why changes were needed. Councilperson Lynch asked
when the design will be completed and he responded before excavatfng is completed in the next week or so.
Discussion: Fundraising/Donatfons. Supervisor Redmond - as a Town we cannot fundraise directly. However, when
presented to the public this needs to be portrayed as this is being completed via whatever grant is being used. We can
have a budget line/reserve line where we can hold funds that are donated. We can put a sandwich board sharing
funders, It can say this is being funded by this grant, etc. She does have approval to place a sandwich board, which shows
the names of those who have sponsored the SkateGarden Councilperson Lynch asked if the AOT attorney that she spoke
with knew that this is town property, and will be municipality owned. D. Woodring would like to put up large banners at
the SkateGarden. Councilperson Lynch asked what happens if someone comes down a and volunteers and gets hurt?
Supervisor Redmond we have waivers that have to be completed that were drafted/provided for by our insurance
company. The ECC and D. Woodring ’s non-profht can seek donatfons and then give the funds to the town. We can accept
funds, but cannot solicit funds. Councilperson Lynch asked for confhrmatfon that doing this would not jeopardize our
insurance, Supervisor Redmond responded that it does not have an impact on our insurance. Councilperson Lynch asked
that Supervisor Redmond share the clear guidelines that she had received. Supervisor Redmond will share the
informatfon she had received from Lori Mithen-Demasi. D. Woodring would like to put a link to his website on the
sandwich board, etc. Supervisor Redmond will check to see if this is allowable, it would be great D. Woodring can send
her exactly what he is thinking which will assist her in getting a correct response. Councilperson Lynch asked if individuals
donated funds directly to the Town that they would be tax deductfble. Supervisor Redmond confhrmed that Clerk Cornell
can provide a receipt that funds were donated and they can be used as a tax-deductfble gift.
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Resolutfon #49-2024 Establishment of the Enfield SkateGarden
WHEREAS, youth in the Town of Enfheld have expressed more recreatfonal opportunitfes in the Town, specifhcally a skate
park; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfheld was awarded a $5000 grant through the Tompkins County’s 2024 Municipal Parks and
Trails Grant Program toward the constructfon of the skate park; and
WHEREAS, additfonal funds have been secured through a Tompkins County Beautffhcatfon Grant to plant a Pollinator
Garden; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, The Town Board of the Town of Enfheld hereby designates the property at 169 Enfheld Main Rd as the locatfon
for the Skate Park and Pollinator Garden to be known as the Enfheld SkateGarden
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded. Discussion. Supervisor Redmond is open to suggestfons
on changing the name, this is the name she came up with, the board is good with this name and no changes were
suggested.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson
Millspaugh, Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
Old Highway Radios. Supervisor Redmond moved that Buddy be allowed to disperse the radios at his discretfon and
Councilperson Lynch seconded.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson
Millspaugh, Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried.
Discussion: ECC Newsletter: Supervisor Redmond – she thinks it is great that Councilperson Lynch drafted an artfcle for
the newsletter.
WQIP grant update: Supervisor Redmond had contacted Angel Hinikle and they have not received a contract yet.
Councilperson Lynch had also contacted Angel. He is under the impression that this award needs to be implemented by
2025. Lynch shared his email conversatfon with Angel with the board and those present. Most signifhcant is that any work
that is completed before a contract is in place in not reimbursable. Councilperson Stephanie, Buddy and anyone else
involved with the grant can meet to design the stream. Councilperson Lynch is concerned with the shifting sands of
politfcians that we could lose the ~$600,000 that was awarded for this project. G. Hutnik suggested that we start drafting
an RFP and Supervisor Redmond shared that she already has informatfon to start drafting an RFP. Councilperson Lynch it
is a godsend that we received this grant and we need to be ready to go ahead with this project.
Discussion: Franchise Agreement with Cohen Law. Supervisor Redmond shared that she does not yet have a draft and
she is hopeful to have it within the next few weeks and they can have a meetfng, which does not need to be an open
meetfng. Councilperson Lynch asked if the attorney was actfvely negotfatfng with Haefele TV at this tfme, Supervisor
Redmond responded that no they are not. Councilperson Lynch this is basically a meetfng that will be considered covered
by attorney/client privilege and does not need to be a public meetfng.
Discussion: Subdivision Regulatfons – Supervisor Redmond shared that it is late do we want to review any of the
regulatfons or postpone them. Councilperson Lynch asked Greg Hutnik if he could report on what he spoke to the
planning board last week. The department of state is that you cannot regulate minimum lot size in subdivision
regulatfon. If not through zoning it can be through a separate local law. There are other instruments other than zoning.
He is under the impression that they need to be set in areas other than subdivision regulatfons. The minimums are dealt
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with separately. Councilperson Lynch would not be in favor if a zoning law, however, he will be in favor of other avenues.
We should have a very tfghtly constrained lot size law, without going into a full-blown zoning ordinances. Discussion
contfnued.
Superintendent Rollins - County bid is out and gravel had an increase of $2 a ton and blacktop went up $15 a ton.
Announcements: N/A
Adjournment: Councilperson Hinkle motfoned to adjourn, adjourned at 9:38 PM
Respectiully submitted,
Mary Cornell
Mary Cornell
Town Clerk