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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 11, 2025 - Town of Enfield Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes1 Town of Enfield Regular Town Board Meetfng Wednesday, June 11, 2025 6:30 PM In-person at the Enfield Town Courthouse and Virtually Via the Zoom Meetfng Platiorm Present: Town Supervisor Stephanie Redmond; Town Councilpersons, Jude Lemke, Cassandra Hinkle, Melissa Millspaugh, and Robert Lynch; Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins; 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: Alan Fisher – 286 Harvey Hill Rd. His understanding is that the utflitfes right of way has always been on the south side of his property. Apparently, the easement has changed to include the north side of the road. Does the landowner own to the middle of the town road, does the landowner pay taxes to the middle, is the town road on a road right of way or a town right of way; was the town board aware of the new Verizon fiber optfc cable being installed on Harvey hill road? Did the board approve it, do you know what it is going to be used for? They (the property owners) were notffied by a tfcket that was left on their door and they happened to find it when they arrived back home. He called Buddy as he was not sure if he had the right to issue the permit for a new right of way. He does not find anything in his deeds that states a new right of way can be created. If anyone has any informatfon to assist him in what is going on he would appreciate it. SB and C services is putting the line in for Verizon. Alan F. & his wife tried to contact Verizon on May 22 and no one responded to them. Verizon stated that they would call the homeowner before any work started. A name and number was given to call Scott Washington - 716-693-6993. He tried to use the contact that Buddy had and it did not work and he also left a voice mail for Bortec. Highway Superintendent Rollins gave a working permit to Verizon, which was a constructfon permit. Supervisor Redmond asked how far they are going onto the property, Alan F. responded that it is within the road right of way. Supervisor Redmond will call them to see what is going on. Councilperson Lynch asked if they had cut any trees. Alan F. responded that they have a large maple that they are worried about. Alan F. will send a copy of his informatfon to Supervisor Redmond. Diana Carver, even though she has not been here physically she has found this board pretty impressive in the past 5 years. She is most impressed with the food pantry that serves 200+ families. She was upset that Councilperson Lynch voted against a state mandated law. She finds that Councilperson Lynch is misrepresentfng himself to our community. The full letter she read is on file with the Clerk’s Office. Additfons and Changes to the Agenda: Two items to be added to the agenda; Tompkins County Center of Government and the questfon of Sales tax distributfon. Correspondence: N/A Quarterly Reports Environmental Management Council – Melissa Millspaugh. She was unable to attend the last meetfng in May. In April they mostly focused on Earth Day and Cornell connectfons. Cornell Connectfons has asked to do a presentatfon at one of our Board Meetfngs. Supervisor Redmond asked her to invite them to the July Town Board Meetfng 2 Enfield Community Council – Cortney Bailey. The new youth worker that had been hired has quit. Vera is going to run the summer camp this year, due to the unexpected vacancy. Everyone should say thank you to her as she did not want to do this, however, she did not want to have to cancel summer camp this year. Currently if anyone is interested, they have a full-tfme positfon open at the ECC for a summer teen programming and summer camp coord/director. The dinners are going fairly well, they have more rentals and they will be hostfng the Tompkins County Center of Government Community Engagement meetfng tomorrow night. She is hopeful that many residents will attend tomorrow night. Friday there is an informatfon session that will speak on the principal transitfon at Enfield Elementary School. Supervisor Redmond asked Cortney if she could share the link for the job positfon. Cemetery Committee – Cassandra Hinkle. They did replace the flag again and the Highway Department is mowing. Water Protectfon Committee – Nancy Spero. There last meetfng was on March 24th, they decided that they will next meet on July 7th. They had a great meetfng with Grayson S. from CSI and they shared what is offered on their website and the informatfon that they collect. They showed graphs of water samples of both creeks that were taken. Members of the committee tested both creeks and they are looking to test the water again soon. . They have not heard from Jacob on the water source protectfon plan. Board members did not have any questfons. Sustainability Committee – Councilperson Hinkle. They are moving forward with the solar project at the Town Hall. She attended the “ARE” new garden which is a three sisters garden (corn, squash, and peas). With a sharing of 1/3 each to nature, the community, and yourself. Enfield Fire District – Councilperson Robert Lynch. They have held five meetfngs since the last quarter. Cortney Bailey is leaving as treasurer as of June 30th. Jenna Oplinger will be the new treasurer. She is a current member of the Enfield Volunteer Fire Company and currently works for one of the local towing companies. There will be a month overlap, to assist with a smooth transitfon. On June 3, the board decided against offering absentee ballots based on the opinion of their legal counsel. In their legal counsel’s knowledge only one fire district had offered absentee votfng and they may no longer be stfll doing so. It is a complicated process. In the first quarter report the district was thinking of switching its provider for physicals. They will stay with Trumansburg Family Medicine for at least this year as the new provider will cost more money. They will be looking at making changes in 2026. They will start talking about the 2026 budget soon. Cayuga Lake Watershed IO – Supervisor Redmond. They met in person this past month. There were two presentatfons; one from the DEC on storm water, erosion and sediment control on Owasco lake, and they spoke on what they are doing at Owasco lake. Presentatfon by Roxy Johnson the City of Ithaca Water Protectfon Coord. Currently they are exploring putting together a reference guide for total daily load. Tompkins Health Consortfum – Robert Lynch. He has not heard anything from them yet. There are two meetfngs coming up this quarter and he is hopeful to have more informatfon for the next quarterly meetfng. Food Pantry – Councilperson Lynch read the report from Food Pantry Director Jean Owens. The full report is on file with the Town Clerks office. Food Pantry Director Jean Owens asked the Board to please consider and citfzen of the year award for Food Pantry Volunteer Marianne Burlew in honor of her years of service and her recent 80th Birthday as she volunteers several days a week at the pantry. 3 Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lynch seconded. VOTE: AYE; Hinkle, Lemke, Lynch, Millspaugh, and Redmond NAY; 0 Carried. Recreatfon Partnership – Melissa Millspaugh. It would have been a 4% increase, but they ended up votfng on a 4.8 % increase as it will allow for more toddler opportunitfes. They are trying to increase the programs that they offer. Enfield’s 2025 contributfon was $8,554.00 and $8,964.00 will be for the next fiscal years. Enfield had 132 Children partfcipate in their programs for 2024. Park Committee – Greg Hutnik. There has been lots of actfvity at the Enfield Skate Park. Multfple individuals have assistfng in cleaning up the area. Joseph Farrow and John Corts who assisted with the constructfon of the ramp to name a few and they will store most of the materials. The main focus is making the locatfon safer and landscaping. They will reduce steep ledges, etc., to make it safer. Supervisor Redmond, as we do not have the funds for phase 2 or phase3, they are smoothing some of the area off and they are looking to move some of the plants in the lower gardens to the upper gardens and removing the lower beds. Dan Woodring had gotten a grant from the rotary club to purchase landscaping stones and the Town Board needs to decide if this is something they stfll would like to complete. The original project got away from those involved and we are now looking on making the locatfon safer. Councilperson Lynch we want to make this a safe and happy place for those using the locatfon. Councilperson Hinkle met with John Rancich and they discussed ways to make it safer for local children and the Town and he is open to future communicatfon. She is glad they were able to have a discussion. Supervisor Redmond asked Clerk Cornell to let her know when pollinator pathways is coming and she will meet us there. Monthly Reports County Legislature – Randy Brown. The full report is on file with the Town Clerks office. They are working on the next year’s budget. The county is contfnuing to use the opengov system. Over 100 capital projects have not been closed out and they are getting them cleaned up. There was an unexpected $1.5 Million overage by Tompkins County DSS, which exhausted the Legislators contfngency fund. They were taken by surprise and hope this does not happen again. They have approved a project at a cost of 50 million to construct a new government building. Tompkins County Soil and Water has received funding for Storm water runoff. Supervisor Redmond asked what the size of the farms were, Randy shared they are small farms. Councilperson Lynch asked Randy why he changed his opinion on his approval of the new government building, as he voted for it in committee, but voted against it at the legislature meetfng. Randy said he never changed his mind, he thinks this plan is moving too quickly and would have a huge impact on County property taxes. Randy doesn’t think that the office of aging should go in this new space. Councilperson Lynch asked if this actfon is going to go ahead regardless, and Randy responded not necessarily. Town Supervisors Report – Stephanie Redmond. She has been working with Rebecca Carpenter on the solar project at the Town Hall. She has been meetfng with the Community Arts Partnership. They presented one idea and she reminded them to include our community and any proposals they have will need to come before the Town Board for approval. She spoke with Cohen Law and they had drafted an agreement which they have sent to Haefele and are awaitfng a response from Haefele. The LED light project, she was hopeful that all of the Board had seen the invoice. They did have to purchase some of the lights. The Bostwick Rd Project. The whole 4 project is in a wetland. They are planning on realigning the stream without treatfng the knotweed. The preference is to not to disturb the invasive species and keep the wetland disturbances to a minimum. The engineer has signed the geotechnical plans. They stfll need to go through the ARMY Corp of Engineers for all of the permits. They are hopeful to have the projected completed by the summer of 2026 Highway Superintendent Report – Buddy Rollins. Update on the Town Clean up. They had two and a half dumpsters of garbage and they received just under $400 for scrap metal. They are trying to get the summer projects started, but have been delayed with all of the rain. They were supposed to be paving Colegrove this month, but they are now looking at July or August. They have more prep to do before it can be done. They have put in a couple of driveway pipes and are performing regular maintenance. Councilperson Lynch is tree work on Van Dorns and Gray Road finished or is more worked planned. Councilperson Lynch stated that he has been asked these questfons. Superintendent Rollins replied that more tree work is planned for this year and asked Councilperson Lynch to provide the names of those asking, Lynch’s response was that it was Ms. McGurra and she had said that more trees had been cut down on Rockwell Road. Buddy shared the campground asked that they cut the trees and they are very happy that it has been completed. Councilperson Lynch asked if he should expect more cutting on his property later this year. Buddy replied that the road needs trimming out, like most of the roads that they have been unable to get to. Code Enforcement Report – Alan Teeter. For the month of May, he issued 10 building permits. The Kumas building has sold again, which may be turned into a church or used to make prepared food for sale off property. He met with a prospectfve property owner on Tucker Road. It looks like he may change at least one of the building into an apartment building. A couple of propertfes applied for demolitfon permits. One on Rumsey Hill Rd and one on Connectfcut Hill Rd. Both propertfes will be coming down in the next week. He had received three complaints. One is not a valid complaint, and the remaining one is unresolved, as the owner does not live on the property. He will update the Board when he has more informatfon on that property. Planning Board Report – Dan Walker. There has not been a lot of actfvity. The prospectfve buyer for one of the Breezy Meadows propertfes came to the Planning Board for suggestfons and input. Dan had asked him if he had looked at the propertfes, as in his opinion, they are all in marginal conditfon. The buyer is looking to transitfon some of the buildings into low income housing. The Board would like to see the plans and it will be a process that takes several months for approval. He looks forward to seeing the plans. They are working on the Comprehensive Plan and should hopefully have it to the Board in the next few months. Councilperson Lynch shared that he was not sure if the property had yet been purchased, and that the potentfal buyer had only wanted to convert on building and was going to separate it into 4 separate sectfons, which would allow the square footage to be reduced to a level that would not require a sprinkler system. Tompkins County Council of Govts – Robert Lynch. The full report is on file with the Town Clerk's office and is on the Town Website. Consent Agenda: Approve Minutes: May 14, 2025, Public Hearing and Regular Town Board Meetfng Minutes Audit Claims: General Fund vouchers #119-136, dated June 11, 2025, in the amount of $12,700.84. Highway Fund vouchers #79-96, dated June 11, 2025, in the amount of $39,131.05. 5 Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded: Discussion: Councilperson Lynch was not aware they had previously spoken on a cost for the lights. Supervisor Redmond shared that the lights will replace the fluorescent lights in the Town Courthouse, the Highway Department and in the old bay at the Town Hall. Superintendent Rollins shared that they periodically have to replace the lights in the Highway garage and they can be expensive, so there will always be a cost. VOTE: AYE; Hinkle, Lemke, Lynch, Millspaugh, and Redmond NAY; 0 Carried. Business: RESOLUTION # 50-2025 Request Traffic Study of Halseyville Rd WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield has heard concerns regarding a discrepancy of the posted speed limit on Halseyville Rd; now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Board submit a Te9a form to request that the Tompkins County Highway Department undertake a traffic study of Halseyville Rd in the Town of Enfield Councilperson Lynch moved and Councilperson Millspaugh seconded. Discussion: Traffic Study of Halseyville Rd. A resident asked for a reduced speed limit on Halseyville Rd. They would like posted speed limits on the road. Supervisor Redmond is recommending a TE9A form be completed. GPS shows from Route 96 to the Dandy Mart there are not any posted speed limit signs. GPS shows that it is 45, but since they are not posted then it is 55 miles per hour. Board members had thought we had already done Halseyville R d and Councilperson Lynch thought we had only done one on Hayts Rd which NYSDOT would not decrease the speed limit. Councilperson Lynch, he is not too optfmistfc that NYSDOT will consider these seriously, but said that Halseyville Road deserves a lower speed limit, and the initfatfve is worth pursuing. VOTE: AYE; Hinkle, Lemke, Lynch, Millspaugh, and Redmond NAY; 0 Carried. RESOLUTION # 2025- 51 Request Traffic Study of Tucker Rd WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield has heard concerns regarding traffic driving at unsafe speeds on Tucker Rd; now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Board submit a Te9a form to request that the Tompkins County Highway Department undertake a traffic study of Tucker Rd in the Town of Enfield Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded. No further discussion. VOTE: AYE; Hinkle, Lemke, Lynch, Millspaugh, and Redmond NAY; 0 Carried. 6 RESOLUTION #52-2025 – Approval of May 2025 Budget Modificatfons WHEREAS, it is necessary to modify the 2025 budget based on updated estfmates of revenues and expenditures in 2025, 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 Enfield Town Board approves the budget modificatfons as outlined below. Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded. No discussion. VOTE: AYE; Hinkle, Lemke, Lynch, Millspaugh, and Redmond NAY; 0 Carried. GENERAL FUND - A MAY 2025 BUDGET MODIFICATIONS Current Increase/Modified Account #Description Budget (Decrease)Budget Expenditures A1620.41 NYSERDA - Solar Array -$ 50,000.00$ 50,000.00$ A3010.4 Safey Inspection - Contractual 2,500.00$ 500.00$ 3,000.00$ A7555.4 Beautification 1,000.00$ 750.00$ 1,750.00$ A8820.2 Cemeteries - Equipment -$ 500.00$ 500.00$ A9080.8 Paid Family Leave 129.00$ 20.00$ 149.00$ A1990.4 Contingency 27,500.00$ (520.00)$ 26,980.00$ Total Expenditure Adjustments 51,250.00$ Revenues A599 Appropriated Reserves (Cemetery)-$ 500.00$ 500.00$ A3089 State Aid - Other -$ 50,000.00$ 50,000.00$ A2089 Other Culture and Rec Income -$ 750.00$ 750.00$ Total Revenue Adjustments 51,250.00$ Description of Proposed Adjustments : These General Fund budget adjustments account for NYSERDA grant revenue and related expenditures for the solar array project. Additionally, funds awarded for a beautification grant and related expenditures are reflected. Other adjustments include cost of repairs to the code officer vehicle (contingency), and the purchase of cemetery equipment from the cemetery reserves. 7 RESOLUTION #53-2025 A Resolutfon to Transfer Enfield House Numbering Responsibilitfes to Tompkins County Whereas, the Town of Enfield, through its Code Enforcement Office, has traditfonally held responsibility for the assignment of house numbers to propertfes within the Town; and Whereas, the Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response has requested that Tompkins County assume this responsibility county-wide so as to correct various errors, resolve inconsistencies, and facilitate faster and more precise address locatfon by Tompkins County 911 dispatchers and by emergency responders; and Whereas, the Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG) discussed the departmental request on May 22, 2025, with TCCOG members voicing support with this transfer of authority; and Whereas, as reported to TCCOG membership, the administratfon of the Department of Emergency Response requests that Tompkins County municipalitfes agree with unanimity to transfer this authority, and that municipalitfes authorize departmental personnel to revise property addresses, as deemed necessary, to correct prior errors and to provide addressing consistency; therefore, be it Resolved, that the Enfield Town Board hereby transfers all responsibility for property house numbering from the Enfield Code Enforcement Office to Tompkins County, and also transfers to Tompkins County the authority to make such numbering revisions as the County deems appropriate; and be it further Resolved, that this transfer of authority and responsibility shall become effectfve at such tfme as Tompkins County deems itself prepared to accept house numbering authority; and be it further Resolved, that the clerk shall forward a copy of this Resolutfon to: Michael Stftley, Director, Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response. Councilperson Lynch moved and Supervisor Redmond seconded. Discussion: Councilperson Lynch read the final resolves for the resolutfon. Councilperson Lynch this came out of TCCOG and has been talked about for about a year. It was mainly proposed to correct inaccuracies, where houses are not numbered in the appropriate order. They want all of the Towns in the County to be on board. He heard no pushback at TCCOG this past month and thinks all towns should pass supportfng resolutfons. It should help with emergency response tfmes. VOTE: AYE; Hinkle, Lemke, Lynch, Millspaugh, and Redmond NAY; 0 Carried. Tax Cap Discussion: Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Millspaugh seconded. Discussion: Supervisor Redmond proposed to have the Public Hearing on August 13 th at 6:30 PM. Councilperson Lynch asked if we should wait untfl the October meetfng as we did last year. Supervisor Redmond asked Councilperson Lynch if he understood that we pass this each year even with the intentfon to stay under the tax cap. Councilperson Lynch asked Randy Brown what the legislature did and Randy replied that he voted in favor of exceeding the tax cap, just in case. Councilperson Lynch this is just setting a hearing date and not a vote to pass the local law at this tfme. 8 VOTE: AYE; Hinkle, Lemke, Lynch, Millspaugh, and Redmond NAY; 0 Carried. Discussion Local law to opt back into the 487 agreement – set public hearing date. Historically we had agreed to opt out of the 487 agreement. For a solar project you can opt in ( a negotfated pilot agreement) or opt out in theory the normal real estate tax rules would apply and can be taxed at fair market value. If you opt out the developer can go directly to the IDA and avoid the town. After discussing this with Town Legal counsel it was recommended that we opt in and rescind the previous decision. With the way it currently is, the Town cannot negotfate a pilot agreement. Optfng back in would in theory give us the opportunity to negotfate, even though they could go around this. What we are doing now is reaffirming our decision from 2023 and is just setting the Public hearing which would allow us to adopt the local law which is what we should have originally done, however, we had only passed a resolutfon which New York State said was insufficient. Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lemke seconded to have a public hearing on July 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM VOTE: AYE; Hinkle, Lemke, Lynch, Millspaugh, and Redmond NAY; 0 Carried. ECC Newsletter – Stephanie Redmond. On June 29th from 4-6 PM at the Enfield Community Center, there will be a discussion on the sculpture where community input in requested. NFIP she would like to add to the newsletter again. Councilperson Lynch was anything listed on the Dog Law, Clerk Cornell will share it in part of her sectfon of the newsletter. Dan suggested he submit an artfcle on the comprehensive plan review; however, he is unsure if he can have this completed by the June 16th deadline. Clerk Cornell suggested getting committee contact informatfon out. Supervisor Redmond will draft what was agreed upon tonight and get it to the ECC for the newsletter. Subdivision Regulatfons: Supervisor Redmond had originally discussed adding lightfng, noise or junk regulatfons to the subdivision or site plan regulatfons, however, they should be separate. Councilperson Lynch did we decide on minimal lot sizes. Yes, the board decided on at least one acre, not two. Dan W. to have a buildable lot you stfll need to meet health department regulatfons. Councilperson Lynch shared he had taken the consensus of the board from earlier this year and any review that took place by the Town Board would be at the preliminary plat stage and would only constftute recommendatfons and not formal decision making power. Councilperson Lynch what we have in front of us is ready to go to public hearing. Councilperson Lemke we need to run it by Town Legal Counsel. Dan W., we need a final copy and then send it to Legal Counsel. The final copy from Councilperson Lynch will be used. Dan W. and Greg H. will review it and Dan will complete the short form SEQR. Councilperson Lynch moved and Councilperson Millspaugh seconded to send the final copy to Counsel Krough for review before scheduling the Public Hearing. VOTE: AYE; Hinkle, Lemke, Lynch, Millspaugh, and Redmond NAY; 0 Carried. 9 Center of Government meetfng is tomorrow at the ECC. Councilperson Lynch will be at the meetfng. He encourages the whole board to attend. The County will be there to present their concept/decision to go ahead with this 48,000 sq ft multf story building. Councilperson Lynch gave an overview of what is being proposed. He asked Legislator Brown if he wanted to add anything, Randy replied the existfng buildings will be deconstructed the materials will be made available and his main concern is accessibility. Supervisor Redmond asked if the buildings that will be deconstructed are in bad shape. Randy shared that the Court system is requiring the Tompkins County DA and the Tompkins County Clerk’s office move from the Courthouse, due to lack of space. The Old Key Bank Building is not a well-designed building. The County needs more space, and they want to update the way the buildings are being heated/cooled. They are considering geothermal units. He is concerned with constftuents accessing the building and what it will look like. Sales Tax distributfon: Councilperson Lynch, he doesn’t expect this to go anywhere. He essentfally would like to reverse a decision that was made several years ago and allow Enfield to reclaim its share of sales tax revenue. He assumes the rest of the board feels the way they have in the past. If he has any support he will write a resolutfon for the July meetfng. The rest of the board did not share their support of this. Councilperson Lynch said he will not talk about the matter for another year. Privilege of the Floor: Melissa Millspaugh. Ithaca Teachers Associatfon contract negotfatfons are public for the first tfme. Tomorrow at 9 am in their last public negotfatfon session. They are asking for teachers to get paid on how long they have worked and the credits they have earned. Teachers will start teaching in September without a contract. The Ithaca City School District Board of Educatfon is treatfng them like they are disposable and not willing to work with them. Announcements: N/A Adjournment: Councilperson Millspaugh motfoned to adjourn, adjourned at 9:09 PM Respectiully submitted, Mary Cornell Mary Cornell Town Clerk