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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 9, 2024 - Town of Enfield Public Hearing and Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes _Final1 Town of Enfield Public Hearing & Regular Town Board Meetfng Wednesday, October 9, 2024 6:30 PM In-Person and Via the Zoom Meetfng Platiorm Present: Supervisor Stephanie Redmond; Town Councilpersons, Jude Lemke, Cassandra Hinkle, and Robert Lynch; Town Bookkeeper Blixy Taetzsch; Town Clerk Mary Cornell; Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins. Excused: Councilperson Melissa Millspaugh. A public hearing to review the proposed Local Law to Override the Tax Levy Limit Established in General Municipal Law Sectfon 3-C. Call to Order Public Hearing: Supervisor Redmond called the public hearing to order at 6:30 PM and gave a brief descriptfon of where the town currently stands in regards to the percentage increase in taxes this year that is projected to go over the current tax cap limit. Supervisor Redmond closed the public hearing at 6:36 PM Call to Order: Supervisor Redmond called the meetfng to order at 6:36 PM Privilege of the Floor: John Friedeborn. He sent an email to Stephanie and Buddy today with his comments. He asked if the board was talking about the trees and tree-cutting policy later in tonight’s meetfng. Supervisor Redmond confirmed that she had received the email. He gave his phone number and asked someone to text him when the tree discussion happens 607.280.3468. Marcus Gingerich. He wanted to comment on some things that he had heard at the last meetfng and would like to make sure that he has a clear understanding. He would like to board to consider a discussion on the use of Roundup or a similar product to assist with the eradicatfon of knotweed on Connectfcut Hill Rd. He hasn’t researched it that much. It came into bloom and was the all be all. He thinks it should be something that is considered unless Enfield is planning on banning agriculture. There are thousands of acres in Enfield and all out saying no without considering it to assist in controlling a noxious plant does not seem logical. There are risks with using lithium and electronics, look at the supply chains for those. Councilperson Lynch led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. He was at the recent Legislature meetfng, a Budget Forum, where they were discussing a complaint made against the Director of the SPCA by a former volunteer who felt that she was let go because of her stance on euthanasia of a dog that she did not agree with. The complainant was Dr. Elizabeth Grant, whose written remarks were read into the Budget Forum’s record. Councilperson Lynch read those remarks, in part. Dr. Grant had written of her firing for wantfng to have a voice. Lynch reported that the complainant alleged that the SPCA Board Vice President had contacted Sonja Gonzalas, a former SPCA employee, and that Gonzalez became the subject of a bullying campaign, forcing her to quit. Dr. Grant maintained that Gonzalez’s claims of abuse were hardy baseless. According to Dr. Grant’s allegatfons, staff and volunteers are feel voiceless. Grant maintained the head of the agency runs a hierarchy with him at the top and no room for discussion or questfon. Dedicated volunteers and staff should not be afraid to speak up with threats of bullying. Additfons and Changes to the agenda: Councilperson Lemke have a conversatfon on the use of Roundup in Enfield to potentfally assist in combatfng “Japanese Knotweed”. Councilperson Lynch would like to speak on the Conservatfon Advisory Council resolutfon that he had sent to the Town Board and Town Clerk. Correspondence: Robyn Wishna created the brochure for the Water Protectfon Committee and copies will be available at the Town Clerks Office. Supervisor Redmond received a thank you note from Gretchen Kirchgessner for her request to have the passing zone removed from in front of Enfield Elementary School. The Board had requested that the for the state investfgate and remove the passing zone in Front of Enfield Elementary School. It has been removed. Monthly Reports 2 County Legislature – Ann Koreman/Randy Brown. N/A. Town Supervisor’s Report – Stephanie Redmond. She met with NYSERDA. She facilitated a Special Town Board Meetfng. The SkateGarden is in the final process of the first stage. Working with the DEC for the Bostwick Rd project. Highway Superintendent’s Report – Buddy Rollins. 10-Wheeler sold for $12,100 it was posted for sale three tfmes. This is the highest offer. He met with John Friedeborn on Rockwell Rd. There was a scheduling mishap for the first meetfng, they met last Friday. He would like to see if we could change the policy for accumulatfon of vacatfon tfme from 4 weeks to 8 weeks. It should be double the current max. They have a lot of the pipe replacements completed and they are prepping for winter. Cde Enforcement Report – Alan Teeter. N/A Planning Board Report – Dan Walker. Tompkins County Council of Govts – Robert Lynch. The full report is on file with the Town Clerks Office. Consent Agenda: Audit Claims – General Fund Vouchers #221-242 in the amount of $14,165.17 and Highway Fund Vouchers #159- 175 in the amount of $17,701.63. Approval of Minutes – September 11, 2024 and September 18, 2024 Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded. Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh, Excused; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried. Business: RESOLUTION # 2024- 60 LOCAL LAW TO OVERRIDE THE 2025 TAX CAP LIMIT Discussion: Discussion: Councilperson Lynch has to support this as the limit is impractfcal to what the Town is facing and the State should recalculate this rate. We have many increases in our budget lines. He hopes that the tax payers and budget hawks realize we cannot stay within the 2 %. WHEREAS, according to New York State’s Property Tax Cap legislation, if a town government decides to adopt a budget with a property tax levy that exceeds the level set by the State, the town government must pass a local law to override that cap, and; WHEREAS, adopting said local law is not predictive of the final tax levy but will provide the Enfield Town Board flexibility to exceed the Property Tax Cap if it is deemed necessary, and to ensure that any State recalculation of the applicable limit will not make the Town inadvertently out of compliance, and; WHEREAS, a public hearing was held before the Enfield Town Board on October 9, 2024 to hear all persons interested in proposed Local Law No.4 of 2024, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That Local Law No. 4 of 2024 Local Law Overriding Tax Levy Limit for 2025 is hereby adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law Section 3-c, which expressly authorizes the Enfield Town Board to override the tax levy limit by the adoption of a local law approved by vote of sixty percent (60%) of the Enfield Town Board, 3 RESOLVED, further, that the Enfield Town Clerk shall publish in the official newspaper of the Town a notice of adoption containing a synopsis of said local law and shall within twenty days file one certified copy in the Office of the County Clerk, and one copy with the Secretary of State. TOWN OF ENFIELD LOCAL LAW #4-2024 A LOCAL LAW TO OVERRIDE THE TAX LEVY LIMIT ESTABLISHED IN GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW §3-C Be it enacted by the Town Board of The Town of Enfield as follows: Section 1. Legislative Intent: It is the intent of this local law to override the limit on the amount of real property taxes that may be levied by the Town of Enfield pursuant to General Municipal Law §3- C, and to allow the Town of Enfield to adopt a budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31st, 2025 that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the “tax levy limit” as defined by General Municipal Law §3-C. Section 2. Authority: This local law is adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law §3-C, which expressly authorizes the Town Board to override the tax levy limit by the adoption of a local law approved by a vote of at least 60% of the Town Board. Section 3. Tax Levy Limit Override: The Town Board of the Town of Enfield, County of Tompkins, is hereby authorized to adopt a budget for the fiscal year 2025 that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the amount otherwise prescribed in General Municipal Law §3-C. Section 4. Severability: If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this Local Law or the application thereof to any person, firm or corporation, or circumstance shall be adjusted by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this Local Law or in its application to the person, individual, firm or corporation or circumstance, directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered. Section 5. Effective Date: This Local Law shall take effect upon adoption Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lemke seconded. Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh, Excused; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried. Discussion: Tentatfve Budget: Supervisor Redmond shared that the current increase is at 6.12%. Councilperson Lemke asked what we need to cut in order to get below 6 %. $20,000 would need to be reduced per Blixy and she didn’t have any recommendatfons. Councilperson Lemke as we have received massive increase from both NYS and the Health consortfum. Councilperson Lynch is going to go back three weeks and what nobody knows is that after we spent ~3 hours he was about ready to close his book and leave the meetfng as he felt that he was not being fair to the budget, the board or himself. He is troubled by this budget, but he was kind of surprised by the meetfng that we had on Sept 18th as this was the night the Supervisor and the bookkeeper presented their budget, he thought that the board would go home o to absorb what was presented and come back at a future meetfng to look at the budget again and we would have ideas on where reductfons in budget lines could be presented. That did not happen the budget was presented and horse trading took place and it really troubled him and he did not feel good that night. He spoke on having to make painful cuts. He thinks the toughest job in municipal government is being on a town board as people you employee are people you know and may be your friends. At the last meetfng we said that we should give Highway Department employees, including the Highway Superintendent, 10% raises, with inflatfon at 2 to 2.2 percent. He has a hard problem giving anyone this much of an increase. He thinks he would feel better with them getting a 5% raise instead of the 8.84% projected raise the budget showed the Town Clerk getting. He is really troubled by the budget as presently proposed. If there are not any significant cuts, Lynch said, he would oppose the budget. Lynch addressed proposed Planning Board stfpends. The planning board members stated that they do not want stfpends. It would save $1,800.00 from the budget. He stated that Rich Teeter said 4 he didn’t want the money and that is a direct quote. He thinks the planning board members should be considered as the like of school board members who serve because they want to make a difference. Councilperson Lemke asked if we have support for the projected cuts that Councilperson Lynch has stated. Lynch proposed various reductfons from the tentatfve budget. He would move that account A8024 Planning Board Contractual) $1,800 be reduced to zero. Blixy – that would also cut the public hearing notfce budget as the stfpends are valued at $1,300. There was no second for this proposed cut. Superintendent Rollins would like to hear the remaining proposed budget line cuts. The next optfon is A1010.1 Town Board Personnel services be reduced from the tentatfve budgets proposal to $15,432.00 which would be a 2% increase. A1220.11 Supervisor Personnel services as proposed is $27,053- reduced would be $26,790 would be a 2 % raise. A1410.11 Town Clerk Personnel services currently proposed at $40,000 he would amend to $39,324.00 that would make a 7% increase when considered with the tax collector line consolidatfon. A5010.1 Superintendent of Highways, personnel services, as proposed at $82,790 reduced to $79,027. Alternately, A5010.1 Superintendent of highways, reduced to $80,532 would be a 7% increase. A1110.11 Justfce personnel service $16,000 he would amend $15,750 would be a 5% raise from current. A1110.13 Court Clerk, personnel services, $16,000 amend $15,750 for a 5% increase. Councilperson Lynch moved each of the proposed budget revisions, but received no second. Budget adjustment for the Enfield Valley Grange; $5,000 to $3,000: Councilperson Lynch moved and Councilperson Lemke seconded: There was discussion on the Grange Contract and the services that they would provide that would justffy this expense. A7620.41 municipal support Enfield Valley Grange as proposed at $5,000 he would amend to $3,000. There are state laws gifting monies to private organizatfons. The ECC is having issues with the County in this regard. You can if we have a contract for specific purposes, he doesn’t know if the contract is tfght enough. The idea is that Town is saying that they are having events that are open to everyone and clarificatfon of the contract needs to take place. Supervisor Redmond read the most recent report from the Grange. Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Nay; Councilperson Lemke, Nay; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh, Excused; Supervisor Redmond, Nay; Failed. Councilperson Lynch moved further budget amendments: A8020.1 Planning Board Personnel services $1,200 to 0 for the secretary. DA5110.1 Road Maintenance - Personnel services $181,273 reduced to $173,089 for a 5 % increase. Alternately, DA5110.1 Road Maintenance, personnel services, a 7 % Increase would be $176,434. Councilperson moved the stated adjustments, but did not receive a seconding vote. If Lynch stated that if all of the reductfons had been supported it would have reduced the tax rate ~6.12 % to ~5.13 %. He will say this as he is not reflectfng on specific people. But to increase the compensatfon in the Town Hwy from a 5% increase to a 10% increase, they will not be working additfonal hours, they will only have additfonal work load. Supervisor Redmond, we are asking for them to work more out of their job descriptfons by the work that they are currently doing. Superintendent Rollins, they are already working out of their scope as they are being paid $20-$30 hr instead of $130-180 hr. Councilperson Lynch asked Blixy if they are being compensated within reason to adjacent towns. If you look at Newfield/Ulysess they may be lower and more comparable. When considering Highway Superintendents and looking at smaller towns she would say it does not put our superintendent at the highest pay and considering he is one of the most experienced it is pretty accurate. Councilperson Hinkle asked how many guys Buddy employees, he responded with 5. Other towns have benefits that we do not offer. Superintendent Rollins if you start comparing this way then you need to consider the other benefits that are being offered that we do not offer. Councilperson Lynch asked if the 5-count included Buddy. There are 6 including Buddy and 7 if you include the seasonal. Councilperson Lynch shared that 2020 was a rough year as the highway department had received cuts including a reductfon in personnel, but that only he had supported a modest highway department raise. Supervisor Redmond shared that 2020 budget year was a very hard year and we were in a very different place then, lets worry about the present. Councilperson Lynch thought we should have some discussion on the fund balance figures. He is speaking to the General fund balance. We are taking $125,000 for the next year is that taking out too much, is it robbing from the future. Blixy asked the board to look at the 2025 Tax and Fund Balance Analysis which is on page 3 of the budget document. It leaves essentfally $70,000 that is over our policy in additfon to the $60,000 that is already taken into consideratfon for next year. Blixy there is always some savings at the end of a budget year. Councilperson Lynch asked if we should look at raising our fund balance policy limit due to inflatfon. Blixy responded that most municipalitfes are within 25-35% and Enfield is in the middle. She does not think that it is too low. The county has a fund 5 balance at 25% which is millions of dollars. Buddy the original budget increase was over 8% which was reduced to 6.12%. The new pickup price has increased by $5,000. Councilperson Lynch asked if the pickup could be removed from the budget, or it was already encumbered. It has been encumbered already and cannot be removed from the 2025 budget. Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded after review for the tentatfve budget to become the preliminary budget. Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, No; Councilperson Millspaugh, Excused; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried. Public Hearing for the Preliminary Budget Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lemke seconded to hold a Public Hearing on October 23, 2024 at 6:30 PM for the Preliminary Budget. Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh, Excused; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried. Discussion: SPCA Contract. Jim Bouderau and Joe Hoeffer. Jim spoke on the euthanasia complaint that was presented to the Tompkins County Legislature that Councilperson Lynch had brought up. They have to follow NYS Law. As far as the contract goes, they mirror NYS language. They were approached with language in the law, the TCSPCA favors adoptfon and there are reasons why a shelter wants that language in there. If they have an aggressive dog, they would not want to hold onto the dog longer than they need to. Jude read the law that stated the current limitatfons. Jim stated that they are not looking to extend hold tfmes. Joe typically by law they hold the animals for 5 days straight giving the owner tfme to reclaim the dog. He thinks it is more than a reasonable amount of tfme. If the dog has a known owner, if the dog has identfficatfon or is known to them, they do their best to contact them. The state has a 7-day policy where the SPCA has to give them a written notfficatfon, which when delivered extends the tfme to 7-days. He would like to add although the law states 7 days they do everything in their power to return the dog to its owner as quickly as possible. They make every attempt to get the owners into the shelter, they are willing to waive fees to get the animals back to their owners whenever possible. Jim they are prevented during these periods with doing anything with the animals excluding life threatening situatfons. They have looked back to 2022-2024 any strays none were euthanized. That stray period being over allows them to start their work and he provided statfcs on average if a dog comes in stray and an owner retrieves the dog, they have 1.9 days, no owner hold for 19 days. Councilperson Lynch had a questfon due to the climate within the SPCA. A comment made at the TC Budget Forum. Dr. Elizabeth Grant. She had concerns about the volunteer and culture atmosphere within the SPCA. He is concerned that something is not right, with whispers of Intfmidatfon, fear and retaliatfon. He asked him if he has any concern. Jim shared they survey the volunteers and employees. The accusatfons that were imposed late winter earlier this year. There was a very thorough investfgatfon that found the accusatfons lacked merit and they all circled around euthanasia. He thinks there are two issues at play and a responsibility of keeping the public safe. Cases where severe bites take place it is very hard for staff and volunteers alike when they have never had a negatfve experience with the animal. It is incredibly difficult when those working with the animal have never had a negatfve experience. They have an animal welfare meetfng every week. When speaking on euthanasia there is a group of 12 involved and they generally come to a consensus before deciding on euthanasia. In 13 years he has had to let 4 individuals go. Also 3 volunteers in that same tfme period. Joe the accusatfons are completely false. In 2024 they have euthanized 9 animals to date. They have had a tremendous job in the last decade to figure out how they can fix issues with animals. 2023 was there second lowest recent year for euthanasia. Councilperson Lemke asked them to include notfficatfon sent to of the Town Clerk, he would have to talk with his intake desk. Councilperson Lynch asked when the SPCA would like to have a signed contract. Jim stated by December 31, 2024. Jim had a questfon for the Town. The current proposed laws shows that the Town was considered restructuring the impound fees., it is best for them if the fees stay the same for all municipalitfes. 6 Discussion: Dog Licensing and Control Law set public hearing date. Postponed. Resolution # 2024-61 Enfield Community Center ARPA Expenditure WHEREAS, the Enfield Community Council (ECC) publishes a quarterly newsletter and includes updates from the Town of Enfield, now therefore be it; RESOLVED, the Town Board of the Town of Enfield approves the dispersal of $7,000 to the ECC for publishing a Town Newsletter from the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lemke seconded. Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh, Excused; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried. Resolution #2024-TABLED Authorize Supervisor Redmond to Sign the Enfield Valley Grange Contract WHEREAS, local residents built a Grange hall in 1925; and WHEREAS, the Enfield Valley Grange is the only grange hall still officially functioning in Tompkins County, New York; and WHEREAS, the Grange protects the heritage of the Enfield agricultural community by offering educational workshops and speakers on agricultural topics relevant to Town farmers and other residents; and WHEREAS, the Town encourages membership to the Enfield Valley Grange; now therefore be it RESOLVED, the Enfield Town Board authorizes Supervisor Redmond to sign the 2025 contract with the Enfield Valley Grange Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lemke moved to table the contract untfl it has been updated. Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh, Excused; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried. Resolutfon #2024-62 Authorize Supervisor Redmond to sign the NYSERDA contract. Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded to allow Supervisor Redmond to sign the contract when it is received. Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh, Excused; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried. Discussion: RFP for Town of Enfield Solar Project. Supervisor Redmond is stfll waitfng on the contract and specifics before the RFP can be created. This will be added to the November Town Board Meetfng. RESOLUTION #2024-63 CONDUCT A WASTE REDUCTION CAMPAIGN WHEREAS, the Department of Environmental Conservatfon (DEC) allows communitfes to earn credit for Waste Reductfon Educatfon Campaign under DEC’s Climate Smart Communitfes Program; and 7 WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield wants to support climate smart initfatfves that help reduce greenhouse gas emission; and WHEREAS, reducing food and material waste reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts associated with goods that come from producing, transportfng, consuming and disposing of them, and WHEREAS, a waste reductfon campaign is an effectfve way to educate the public about the benefits of reducing, reusing, and recycling goods; and WHEREAS, hostfng pop-up repair cafes in local communitfes makes repairing broken or damaged goods more convenient, provides an educatfonal reminder to reuse items when possible, and reminds the public the power of repair as an alternatfve for throwing things out, and WHEREAS, the Climate Task Forces for the aforementfoned communitfes recognize the importance of local governments educatfng town residents about waste reductfon and the benefits of climate-smart materials management, and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Enfield will undertake a waste reductfon campaign from October 10, 2024 to October 31, 2025 Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded to conduct the campaign. Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh, Excused; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried. Discussion: RFP and IMA for Bostwick Rd. Supervisor Redmond shared that we are stfll waitfng on the contract. Discussion: Trash Talks October 28th at 6 PM. They have a lineup of speakers. If anyone has a place to put it, please share it with everyone. They are partnering with Newfield/Ulysses on this. Discussion: Tree Trimming. Buddy met with John F. Friedeborn last Friday and he thought that it went well. Stephanie asked if he, Friedeborn, was interested in being the arborist. Julie Magura asked why he was not interested in being an arborist and Buddy responded that he was just doing Rockwell Rd as a favor to a friend. Julie M. had heard secondhand that monies were set aside for an Arborist. One of her questfons is how and when systems will be engaged. Supervisor Redmond the Town Board is going to need to look for an arborist and look at the roads with Buddy and talk about what the optfons are and they can give input. We have only budgeted $500 and the money will only go so far, so we need to be mindful of what it is spent on. The Town attorney supported the highway laws and he supports what the highway department is currently doing. Supervisor Redmond shared what he is doing is what he is legally allowed to do. There is nothing further that the town board can do at this tfme. Councilperson Lynch “conversatfon is cheaper than litfgatfon.” Supervisor Redmond does not understand why we want to contfnue when the Town Board cannot do anything further. Councilperson Hinkle wonders if there is a way with the advisory committee where there can be a compilatfon as an advisory role then that group can speak with Buddy. Resolution #2024-64 A Resolution to Explore the Establishment of an Enfield Conservation Advisory Council Whereas, Article 12-F, Section 239 of the New York State General Municipal Law allows the Town of Enfield to establish a Conservation Advisory Council to advise in the development, management and protection of it natural resources; Whereas, the Town of Enfield is interested in potentially establishing such a council; Now, therefore, be it: 8 Resolved, that the Town Supervisor will investigate the requirements of such a Conservation Advisory Committee and, in consultation with the Town Attorney, propose the structure and purposes of such Council for the Town Board’s consideration. Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh, Excused; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried. Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded. Discussion: CEC Conservation Environmental Committee. Supervisor Redmond shared that she had sent several documents to the Town Board for review and she would like to look into this further before launching into this. Councilperson Lynch the Council cannot control what trees are cut. He shared additional information. Nothing prohibits them from providing input on the Highway Superintendent’s tree-cutting policies. Superintendent Rollins these are State laws, not his laws. The State does not dictate what the Highway Superintendent does. Buddy shared that it does state Town Law Road classifications in Enfield Town Law. Councilperson Lynch said he read the laws and it does not directly state what is must be done. Councilperson Hinkle is for the advisory committee as it would be a voice for it. Buddy shared that most of the time he speaks to the property owners. If it is in your front yard he will talk to you. If it is in a field then he might not say anything to you. He feels that this has gotten out of hand. There are reasons why there are town laws. None of this information seems to be good enough. This committee could assist the board in several ways. Councilperson Hinkle this may even help in developments and inter-committee communication. Discussion continued. Councilperson Lynch offered the amendment to the Resolution on the table as follows - Whereas, the 2019 Enfield Comprehensive Plan states that, “Enfield residents value and wish to maintain the rural character of the Town” and that activities should be discouraged that would “adversely affect Enfield visually or otherwise degrade the Town’s rural nature;” and Whereas, this Town Board believes that preservation of rural character includes the continued presence of roadside trees, stately in beauty, lush in character, and plentiful in number, trees that provide motorists, pedestrians, and all those traveling on or living along our roadways shade, protection from the elements, and a welcoming presence that underscores the kind of community that Enfield is; and There was no second. Vote on the main motfon: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh, Excused; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried. Discussion: Japanese Knotweed. Councilperson Lemke. Not speaking directly on Roundup. This issue is going to become a big issue for not just Enfield, but surrounding municipalitfes. She has hired someone to assist with the eradicatfon on her property and they are talking of using some type of oil. Supervisor Redmond - Roundup causes several types of cancers and it is banned in In our Town it cannot be banned from farmers and it can only be banned on town propertfes and limitatfons on Town Highway use. This is one of the 20 most invasive plants in the World. In the UK they stopped granted mortgages on propertfes that have this plant. Councilperson Lemke would like to look into what we can use to get rid of this invasive species before it gets out of hand. She would like to understand better what the other optfons are. Councilperson Lynch - we can study it by looking at it analytfcally. He does not want the Town to be involved in any potentfal lawsuits if we use Roundup Discussion: Deck the Halls. We need to set a date for the event. The Enfield Community Council planned for December 14, 2024 from 11 AM – 1 PM. Discussion: SkateGarden Updates. Councilperson Lynch read the report from Deputy Supervisor Hutnik. Discussion: Subdivision Regulatfons – postponed. Privilege of the Floor: 9 Announcements: The Enfield Board of Fire Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, October 15th at 6:30, and they will have their budget hearing at the Enfield Fire Company. There will be an opportunity for public comment. Adjournment: Councilperson Hinkle moved to adjourn, adjourned at 9:56 PM. Respectiully submitted, Mary Cornell Mary Cornell Town Clerk