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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 31, 2024 - Town of Enfield Special Town Board Meeting Minutes1 Town of Enfield Special Town Board Meetfng July 31, 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, Jude Lemke, and Robert Lynch. Town Clerk Mary Cornell. Call to Order: Supervisor Redmond called the meetfng to order at 6:30 PM Privilege of the Floor: Councilperson Lynch led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. Additfons and Changes to the Agenda: Councilperson Hinkle: Repair Cafe at the Enfield Community Center. Correspondence: N/A Business: Resolution #2024- 52 Move to Adopt Local Law #1 of 2024- “LOCAL LAW INCREASING THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE TOWN SUPERVISOR FROM TWO (2) to FOUR (4) YEARS” On Motion of Supervisor Redmond Seconded by Councilperson Lemke WHEREAS, upon proper notice a Public Hearing was held on the 17th day of July, 2024, where all persons wishing to speak regarding proposed Local Law #1 of 2024 were heard by the Enfield Town Board, and WHEREAS, after consideration of all information presented and available, it is the determination of the Enfield Town Board that the Town will be best served to extend the term of the elected office of the Enfield Town Supervisor from two (2) to four (4) years upon referendum and approval by the electors of the Town of Enfield at the General Election on November 5, 2024. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Board hereby enacts Local Law No. 1 of 2024, a Local Law increasing the term of the elected office of the Enfield Town Supervisor from two (2) to four (4) years. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that said Local 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 §23, at the General Election on November 5, 2024. Such four (4) year term shall apply to the person elected after January 1, 2025. Duly put to a vote: Aye, Councilperson Melissa Millspaugh Nay, Councilperson Robert Lynch Aye, Councilperson Cassandra Hinkle Aye, Councilperson Jude Lemke Aye, Town Supervisor Stephanie Redmond Carried 2 Local Law No. 1 Of the Year 2024 LOCAL LAW INCREASING THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE TOWN SUPERVISOR FROM TWO (2) to FOUR (4) YEARS BE IT ENACTED: by the Town Board of the Town of Enfield, as follows: Section 1- Purpose: The purpose of this Local Law is to extend the term of the elected office of the Enfield Town Supervisor from two (2) to four (4) years. The Town Board recognizes that the Office of Town Supervisor is a full-time position and the Board believes an extended term will provide greater continuity to the office and thus believes the extended term is in the public’s best interest. Section 2- Statutory Authority: This Local Law is adopted pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Home Rule Law Sections 10(1)(ii)(a) and 23 (2)(e) of the State of New York. Section 3- Increase in Term of Office: The term of office of the elected Town Supervisor shall be four (4) years. Such four (4) year term shall apply to the person elected after January 1, 2025 provided a proposition submitted pursuant to Section 4 below is approved. Section 4- Mandatory Referendum: This Local Law is adopted subject to a Mandatory Referendum and shall be submitted for approval of the qualified voters of the Town of Enfield at the General Election to be held on November 5, 2024. A proposition in the following form shall be included in the ballot at such General Election and the increased term of office shall not take effect until the next election held after January 1, 2025, and only upon such proposition being approved by the majority vote of the qualified voters voting thereon. (Shall Local Law No. 1 of 2024 entitled “Local Law Increasing the Term of Office of the Town Supervisor from two (2) Years to four (4) Years” be approved?) Section 5- Supersession: This Local Law shall supersede Town Law §24 relating to the term of office for Town Supervisor of the Town of Enfield. Section 6- Effective Date: This Local Law shall become effective upon January 1, 2025 upon being filed in the office of the Secretary of State after approval by the qualified voters. Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lemke seconded. Discussion: Councilperson Lynch was speaking in regards to all three resolutfons and he hopes that maybe tonight he can encourage other board members to share his view. –He notfces on each one startfng with the Town Supervisors Supervisor’s. He started on the second paragraph and read the paragraph and for this reason he cannot support these resolutfons tonight. He does not believe the Town will be best served by doubling the length of future terms for the three positfons. To put these on the ballot again, just three 3 years after they were turned down decisively the last tfme, he believes that we owe residents better than this. Just three years ago we the voters said no and we, the Board, don’t like what you said so we are going to ask you again. A public hearing was held just two weeks ago. No one spoke aside from elected officials and family members of the officials. Two people had submitted public comments one person supported it and one person was against it. This is a questfon of public accountability, Lynch said. The most frequent questfon he gets is “what can you do as a Town Board to control the highway superintendent?” There is nothing as the Board that we can do, Lynch said. A lot can happen in 4 years and you will have a long tfme to change it and having more frequent electfons allows for more public oversight. In a town with a 5-member board, the only tfme that you can change a majority of the town board is when a town supervisor is being elected. Superintendent Rollins asked how the Town Supervisor is a majority. Councilperson Lynch responded it is because it is the only tfme that a majority of the board is elected at one tfme. Supervisor Redmond asked Councilperson Lynch if his own Councilperson’s positfon should be two years or if his positfon is different and he stated that yes, it is. Supervisor Redmond asked what is the point of a two-year positfon. Councilperson Lynch said each person is different. he He stated if he ran and was elected Town Supervisor then he would have hit the ground running and he would have asked questfons if he did not understand what he should do. Supervisor Redmond, a two-year underpaid positfon is not a popular role. It took a long tfme to get where we are now and it really benefits the Town by having more stability. Councilperson Lynch said his perspectfve is that Town Clerk Mary Cornell hit the ground running and she has done a great job. Councilperson Lemke, she sees the benefits and potentfal disadvantages, but sees not no reason not to put it in front of the voters. Councilperson Millspaugh shared that she would not be willing to go for a positfon that is only guaranteed for two-years, especially if this is their only source of income and their livelihood depends on it. Supervisor Redmond shared she would not have left a full-tfme positfon for a two-year positfon. Superintendent Rollins, we are only one of two towns that have two - year terms. Councilperson Lynch would have to see a broader survey of towns across NYS to see how many towns have longer terms. Superintendent Rollins all we are asking is to give this to the public to vote on. Resolution #2024- 53 Move to Adopt Local Law #2 of 2024- “LOCAL LAW INCREASING THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT FROM TWO (2) to FOUR (4) YEARS” On Motion of Supervisor Redmond Seconded by Councilperson Lemke WHEREAS, upon proper notice a Public Hearing was held on the 17th day of July, 2024, where all persons wishing to speak regarding proposed Local Law #2 of 2024 were heard by the Enfield Town Board, and WHEREAS, after consideration of all information presented and available, it is the determination of the Enfield Town Board that the Town will be best served to extend the term of the elected office of the Enfield Highway Superintendent from two (2) to four (4) years upon referendum and approval by the electors of the Town of Enfield at the General Election on November 5, 2024. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Board hereby enacts Local Law No. 2 of 2024, a Local Law increasing the term of the elected office of the Enfield Highway Superintendent from two (2) to four (4) years. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that said Local 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 §23, at the General Election on November 5, 2024. Such four (4) year term shall apply to the person elected after January 1, 2025. Duly put to a vote: Aye, Councilperson Melissa Millspaugh Nay, Councilperson Robert Lynch Aye, Councilperson Cassandra Hinkle Aye, Councilperson Jude Lemke 4 Aye, Town Supervisor Stephanie Redmond Carried Local Law No. 2 of the Year 2024 LOCAL LAW INCREASING THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE TOWN HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT FROM TWO (2) YEARS to FOUR (4) YEARS BE IT ENACTED: by the Town Board of the Town of Enfield, as follows: Section 1- Purpose: The purpose of this Local Law is to extend the term of the elected office of the Enfield Town Highway Superintendent from two (2) to four (4) years. The Town Board recognizes that the Office of Town Highway Superintendent is an operational position within Town Government, not one of general legislative policy formulation. Since Highway Operational matters are by their nature less political in nature and may not require the frequency of voter affirmation and review as do those of some other Town Offices, the public may benefit from the greater permanence and continuity of a four (4) year Highway Superintendent’s position while still retaining their ultimate electoral control over the office. Section 2 - Statutory Authority: This Local Law is adopted pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Home Rule Law Sections 10(1)(ii)(a) and 23 (2)(e) of the State of New York. Section 3- Increase in Term of Office: The term of office of the elected Town Highway Superintendent shall be four (4) years. Such four (4) year term shall apply to the person elected at the first General Election after January 1, 2025 provided a proposition submitted pursuant to Section 4 below is approved. Section 4- Mandatory Referendum: This Local Law is adopted subject to a Mandatory Referendum and shall be submitted for approval of the qualified voters of the Town of Enfield at the General Election to be held on November 5, 2024. A proposition in the following form shall be included in the ballot at such General Election and the increased term of office shall not take effect until the next General Election held after January 1, 2025, and only upon such proposition being approved by the majority vote of the qualified voters voting thereon. (Shall Local Law No.2 of 2024 entitled “Local Law Increasing the Term of Office of the Town Highway Superintendent from two (2) Years to four (4) Years” be approved?) Section 5- Supersession: This Local Law shall supersede Town Law §24 relating to the term of office for Town Highway Superintendent of the Town of Enfield. Section 6- Effective Date: 5 This Local Law shall become effective on January 1, 2025 upon being filed in the office of the Secretary of State after approval by the qualified voters. Resolution #2024- 54 Move to Adopt Local Law #3 of 2024- “LOCAL LAW INCREASING THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK FROM TWO (2) to FOUR (4) YEARS” On Motion of Supervisor Redmond Seconded by Councilperson Lemke WHEREAS, upon proper notice a Public Hearing was held on the 17th day of July, 2024, where all persons wishing to speak regarding proposed Local Law #3 of 2024 were heard by the Enfield Town Board, and WHEREAS, after consideration of all information presented and available, it is the determination of the Enfield Town Board that the Town will be best served to extend the term of the elected office of the Enfield Town Clerk from two (2) to four (4) years upon referendum and approval by the electors of the Town of Enfield at the General Election on November 5, 2024 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Board hereby enacts Local Law No. 3 of 2024, a Local Law increasing the term of the elected office of the Enfield Clerk from two (2) to four (4) years. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that said Local 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 §23, at the General Election on November 5, 2024. Such four (4) year term shall apply to the person elected after January 1, 2025. Duly put to a vote: Aye, Councilperson Melissa Millspaugh Nay, Councilperson Robert Lynch Aye, Councilperson Cassandra Hinkle Aye, Councilperson Jude Lemke Aye, Town Supervisor Stephanie Redmond Carried Local Law No. 3 of the Year 2024 LOCAL LAW INCREASING THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK FROM TWO (2) YEARS to FOUR (4) YEARS BE IT ENACTED: by the Town Board of the Town of Enfield, as follows: Section 1- Purpose: The purpose of this Local Law is to extend the term of the elected office of the Enfield Town Clerk from two (2) to four (4) years. The Town Board recognizes that the Office of Town Clerk is predominately a clerical position within Town Government, not one of general legislative policy formulation. Since the responsibilities of Town Clerk are more service-oriented and less political in nature, they may not require the frequency of voter affirmation and review as do some other Town Offices. Therefore, the public may benefit from the greater 6 permanence and continuity of a four (4) year Town Clerk’s position while still retaining the voters’ ultimate electoral control over the office. Section 2 - Statutory Authority: This Local Law is adopted pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Home Rule Law Sections 10(1)(ii)(a) and 23 (2)(e) of the State of New York. Section 3- Increase in Term of Office: The term of office of the elected Town Clerk shall be four years. Such four (4) year term shall apply to the person elected at the first General Election after January 1, 2025 provided a proposition submitted pursuant to Section 4 below is approved. Section 4- Mandatory Referendum: This Local Law is adopted subject to a Mandatory Referendum and shall be submitted for approval of the qualified voters of the Town of Enfield at the General Election to be held on November 5, 2024. A proposition in the following form shall be included in the ballot at such General Election and the increased term of office shall not take effect until the next General Election held after January 1, 2025, and only upon such proposition being approved by the majority vote of the qualified voters voting thereon. (Shall Local Law No. 3 of 2024 entitled “Local Law Increasing the Term of Office of the Town Clerk from two (2) Years to four (4) Years” be approved?) Section 5- Supersession: This Local Law shall supersede Town Law §24 relating to the term of office for Town Clerk of the Town of Enfield. Section 6- Effective Date: This Local Law shall become effective on January 1, 2025 upon being filed in the office of the Secretary of State after approval by the qualified voters. Discussion: Dog Licensing & Control Law Supervisor Redmond shared the screen of the suggested changes and comments made by Councilperson Lemke and other Board Members. Extensive discussion took place as the Board went through each sectfon and went over additfonal changes and questfons for Town Legal Counsel. Key proposed changes were to increase the amount of tfme allowed to register their dogs if residing in the Town of Enfield from 90 to 180 days. Refer to Town Legal Counsel for clarity of a domestfc animal, the number of dogs that would classify as a kennel. Better understanding for aggressive dogs. Councilperson Lemke would like to review the SPCA contract to have a better understanding of what we can require of them. Clerk Cornell sent the current contract to Board members at the directfon of the Town Supervisor. Contfnued discussion will take place at the next Town Board meetfng. Discussion: SkateGarden updates Supervisor Redmond – There will be no further costs to the Town for Events, however, SkateGarden Inc, will need to hold their own liability insurance. They will also be required to provide a Certfficate of Insurance which lists the Town of 7 Enfield as additfonally insured. Supervisor Redmond shared that Dan said the insurance was expensive, and Councilperson Lynch asked how much the Insurance for SkateGarden would be. Supervisor Redmond responded that it would ~$600 year. Councilperson Lynch when he came into this meetfng that we were going to start the concerts on August 8, 2024. He has had a chance over the past few weeks to go over more informatfon. He came up with 10 bullet points. *Proof of Insurance for each concert *Available portable restroom facilitfes at each scheduled conference. *Free drinkable water *Traffic/pedestrian control staff *Clearly marked prohibitfons of spectator parking/with traffic control to support *Alcohol prohibited – Alcohol cannot be on town property. *Prohibitfon on private property and control *Reasonable precautfons taken to protect the pollinator gardens *Adequate lightfng during concerts after dark *Concerts would contfnue untfl October 31, 2024 only if the conditfons are met and without the objectfon of required statements. He believes these are reasonable requirements, that we can look back on this. Supervisor Redmond – Her only suggested changes would be to not provide bottled water. A brief discussion followed. Supervisor Redmond once the SkateGarden is fully operatfonal we should have signage posted with hours, etc. Councilperson Lynch, his biggest concern is pedestrian safety and small children crossing the road. Survey for Repair Café: Councilperson Hinkle is gathering data to see if there is any interest of individuals interested in being coaches for this event. A lot of retfred individuals tend to do this. Councilperson Hinkle has a survey that she would like posted on the Town Website. Supervisor Redmond would like to put something together for a tool library and maintenance of the tool library. Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded to post the survey to the Town website. Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Millspaugh, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Supervisor Redmond, Aye; Carried. Announcements: N/A Adjournment: Councilperson Hinkle motfoned to adjourn, adjourned at 8:48 PM. Respectiully submitted, Mary Cornell Mary Cornell Town Clerk