HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 11, 2023 -Town of Enfield Public Hearing and Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes
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Town of Enfield Public Hearing and Regular Town Board Meetfng
Wednesday, October 11, 2023, startfng at 6:30 PM
In-Person at the Enfield Town Courthouse and Virtually via the Zoom Meetfng Platiorm
Present: Town Supervisor Stephanie Redmond; Town Councilpersons, Robert Lynch, Cassandra Hinkle, and Jude Lemke;
Town Clerk Mary Cornell; Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins; Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter; Deputy Town
Supervisor Greg Hutnik.
Absent: James Ricks
Supervisor Redmond opened the Public Hearing at 6:30 PM
Tompkins County - Mike Stftley and Joe Millman. Mike explained the purpose of the program and the grant that the
County had received. They are expectfng to place three vehicles throughout the County. Their goal is to get a trained
EMT to the scene in advance of a trained ambulance service. This program seems the most reasonable optfon for the
County.
Comments and questfons from the public: Supervisor Redmond asked if ambulances would be a part of future plans. The
current intentfon is to not get into the transport service. The current goal is to try to fill the gap in service and get a first
responder on the scene as soon as possible. Supervisor Redmond asked about the financial impact on municipalitfes.
Mike understands that there is a lot of concern on this. They currently do not know what the impact would be on local
municipalitfes and he was unable to speak on the matter further. Supervisor Redmond is concerned that municipalitfes
would not have a choice or a vote on this. He suggested contactfng our local legislature for more informatfon.
Councilperson Lynch's comments: start-up costs are in one pocket and operatfonal costs are in another pocket. Instead of
purchasing three new vehicles, the county has proposed to repurpose currently owned vehicles. This would reduce the
start-up costs. The current speculatfon is that there would be no cost-sharing in the first year, but there could be in
subsequent years. Councilperson Lynch asked Fire Chief Stevenson what he views as the greatest need in our community.
Chief Stevenson responded with people, there have been issues with recruitment and commitment. Councilperson
Lemke asked the Fire Chief if this was a program that would benefit the Fire Company. His response was this is better
than nothing.
Supervisor Redmond closed the Public Hearing at 6:59 PM.
Call to Order: Supervisor Redmond called the meetfng to order at 6:59 PM.
Privilege of the Floor: Ed and Helen Hetherington led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. Fire Company
President Denny Hubbell spoke on the recent contractor paintfng at the Town Courthouse, the contractor took a water
hose from the Fire Company and used it without permission, which was then not properly taken care of and the hose
was destroyed. Supervisor Redmond asked him to let her know how much the hose was and the town would pay to
replace it. Denny spoke on his disappointment regarding the ARPA funds and that the Town had made a commitment to
each of the organizatfons that had applied were earmarked at ~$45,000 and the Fire Company does not feel that they
received their full share.
Councilperson Lynch shared that he wanted the board to know for the last three weeks he has been ill. He has a bad case
of shingles and he has had good medicatfon and good medical care. He has been suffering from pain and if he appears
off tonight it is because he is stfll recovering.
Ellen Woods: She is jumping in late and she understands that there was a discussion about the ARPA Funds when the
Town had hired Attorney Pinsky who would pay the fees. It was originally discussed that the Fire District would pay the
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attorney fees and he would be paid next year. She asked if there was any type of retainer. Attorney Pinsky stated to
Councilperson Lemke that this is the way that it is normally handled. Ellen said that there were certainly ways that the
$15,000 could have been spent by the Fire Company. Councilperson Lemke - The Fire District will stfll get the benefit of
the allocated amounts. Councilperson Lemke – Speaking of the Fire District there is an electfon happening on October
31. It would give the Fire District the opportunity for cash flow and it is important to support the Fire District. She
encouraged people to go out and vote. It is important to support this.
Additfons and Changes to the Agenda: A resolutfon in support of full county funding of the Emergency Rescue Services.
Move the monthly reports untfl after the review of the budget. Move the Consent Agenda, and table the Statement of
Inclusion untfl the November meetfng.
Correspondence: There were a couple of requests to review local/state roads, and they have been added to the agenda.
There was a call about garbage possibly dropped at a residence that Superintendent Rollins took care of.
New Business:
Discussion Presentatfon of the Drinking Water Source Protectfon Plan.
Supervisor Redmond - this is a draft plan that will need to be approved by NYS and then the Town Board. M. Theresa
Julien shared the presentatfve of the Draft Water Plan. The Draft Drinking Water Source Protectfon Plan is on file with the
Town Clerk.
Councilperson Lynch as he understands it this report more or less helps in getting grants and establishes Enfield’s
footprint. The response from Ms. Julien was that is correct. The Town Board will vote on this once it has been approved
by the State, it can take several months.
Discussion: Park Committee updates – Greg Hutnik. Basketball court - He is stfll waitfng for the date from Lambert and
Sons on when they will start the project. He is hopeful that the project will be completed in the next couple of weeks.
The committee is in the middle of a large park design project through Cornell Design Connect (They were awarded this
grant and the Town is paying the requested $600 stfpend). Cameron and Kiki both Cornell students are working on the
project. A Survey was put together and is available on the Town website, please complete the survey. Both Kiki and
Cameron are now into the first month of the project and they feel like they have a good start on understanding the
project.
Review of the Tentatfve Budget – Town Bookkeeper Blixy Taetzsch
Councilperson Lynch shared why there was an increase in the Health Insurance line in the general fund. Blixy started on
page two of the tentatfve budget. This is an analysis of where the budget will be at the end of this year. The Highway
Equipment line is at $170,000. $120,000 will be for the two 10-wheelers that were already approved, the remaining
$50,000 will be for equipment needs in 2024.
Budget line changes:
Supervisor Redmond motfoned to use $10,000 of the ARPA funds for the one-tfme expense of technology improvements
and Councilperson Lemke seconded. Discussion: This expense will be removed from the 2024 town budget.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Supervisor Redmond,
Aye; Carried.
Highway fund materials reduced by $10,000 and sand by $20,000 and the highway guys will receive a raise of 5% for
2024. Councilperson Lynch moved and Supervisor Redmond seconded. No further discussion.
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Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Supervisor Redmond,
Aye; Carried.
A Special Town Board Meetfng will be set for October 25, 2023, at 6:30 PM. Supervisor Redmond moved and
Councilperson Hinkle seconded.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Supervisor Redmond,
Aye; Carried.
Town Clerk and Highway Superintendent raise at 5% for 2024. Councilperson Lynch moved and Supervisor Redmond
seconded. Discussion: Councilperson Lynch is concerned about equality within town departments. Highway Employees
and the Highway Superintendent are receiving 4% raises and everyone else is getting 3% in the Town. He would like the
Town Clerk to receive a 5% raise. Highway Superintendent Rollins inquired about getting a 5% raise, he was willing to
take $2,000 from his seasonal line to support the additfonal 1% in the superintendent's salary.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Supervisor Redmond,
Aye; Carried.
The Town Board thanked Blixy for her contfnued work on the 2024 budget.
Monthly Reports:
County Legislator – Randy Brown -No report this month.
Town Supervisor’s Report – Stephanie Redmond. In additfon to the normal dutfes of the office of the Town Supervisor,
she organized the Trash talks/roundtable that is coming up on 10/31/2023, and she met with the Water Committee.
Highway Superintendent Report – Buddy Rollins. They replaced some culvert pipes and some pipes on Enfield Center Rd
West. They are startfng winter prep. He would like to discuss using reserve funds to replace some equipment. His idea is
to purchase a backhoe that is available in November and a loader next April. There are some items that will not be
replaced that are in the Capital Plan, the idea is to replace them as needed. Councilperson Lynch would like the highway
superintendent to update the capital plan yearly to make sure it is up to date. Supervisor Redmond agrees that it would
be beneficial for Blixy and Buddy to sit down together and go over the items in the capital plan to make sure it is current.
Councilperson Lemke is willing to sit down with both Blixy and Buddy to go over the plan, as it will be useful for the
board to see what will need to be replaced in the next couple of years and what the expected revenue would be to offset
the expense of the new equipment. Superintendent Rollins asked to sell the 2004 Mack truck. Supervisor Redmond
moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded, no further discussion.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Supervisor Redmond,
Aye; Carried.
Tompkins County Council of Govts – Robert Lynch. They met on Sept 28. The full report will be on file with the Town
Clerk’s Office.
Code Enforcement Report – Alan Teeter. He issued 4 permits last month, and ~62 permits so far this year. One house he
condemned at the owner's request (vacant home). He worked with the Planning Board on a couple of 3-lot subdivision
requests. He had several inquiries regarding the Breezy Meadows subdivision as well as inspectfons for new homes that
are going up. After the Town Courthouse was painted and the ramp had been pressure washed the railing was unstable.
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Volunteer Fire Company – Alan Teeter. They had 13 EMS, 1 animal rescue, 1 person in distress, assisted law enforcement,
2 cover assignments, and 3 calls were canceled en-route. They have several trainings planned for this month.
Planning Board Report – Dan Walker. They had 2 applicatfons for 3-lot subdivisions and will hold public hearings at the
next Planning Board Meetfng. The two students partfcipatfng in the Cornell Design Connect program attended the
meetfng.
Consent Agenda:
Audit Claims – General Fund Vouchers #222-241, dated October 11, 2023, in the amount of $42,316.80; Highway Fund
Vouchers #159-168, dated October 11, 2023, in the amount of $117,627.23.
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded. No discussion.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Supervisor Redmond,
Aye; Carried.
Approve minutes – September 10, 2023 and October 2, 2023.
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded. No discussion.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Abstain; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Supervisor Redmond,
Aye; Carried.
New Business:
Discussion: Town Newsletter – Deb Teeter. Table untfl the special meetfng on October 25, 2023
Discussion: Enfield Trash Talks Event – October 30, 2023. Supervisor Redmond, several people are planning to attend
including individuals from Governor Hochul’s office. This talk will focus heavily on Re-Use needs and other trash issues.
She would like people from the trades, including the trade unions to attend, please reach out to any contacts that you
may have.
Discussion: Deck the Halls Event – December 16, 2023, this will be held during the ECC Holiday Craft Faire.
Discussion: Updated Subdivision Regulatfons – set Public Hearing Date. Councilperson Lynch would like to take some
tfme to evaluate the regulatfons and he would like to hold off setting the public hearing. Supervisor Redmond will add
this as a topic on the November agenda.
Resolutfon #73-2023 to Request Traffic Study, Van Ostrand Road, Town of Enfield
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield in December 2019 adopted a Speed Limit Policy (the “Policy”) whereby Town residents
may request speed limit reductfons on various roads within the Town, and the Town Board will subsequently consider
endorsing such requests and recommending speed limit reductfons to the New York State Department of Transportatfon
for adoptfon; and
WHEREAS, this Policy recognizes that to conform with State Law, any such request for a speed limit reductfon must be
preceded by a traffic study to be performed by the Tompkins County Highway Department; and
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WHEREAS, in accordance with the Policy, residents in the Town of Enfield have presented the Enfield Town Board a
request to consider a speed limit assessment; and
WHEREAS, said residents have presented sound and convincing reasons for the need for a traffic study; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Board hereby requests that the Tompkins County Highway Department undertake a
traffic study to encompass Van Ostrand Road in the Town of Enfield; and
RESOLVED, further, that the Town Clerk shall communicate said request for traffic study to Jeffrey Smith, Highway
Director, Tompkins County Highway Department.
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lynch seconded. Discussion: Councilperson Lynch read part of the letter
from the Town resident who made the request. While this road has no set speed limit many people use it as a shortcut to
Douglas Rd. The road ranges from 14” to 18” wide which is too narrow to pass. She has almost been hit multfple tfmes
and was almost hit again yesterday. Had this person not swerved I would have been hit head-on. This is a dusty road. She
is asking the Town Board for help.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Supervisor Redmond,
Aye; Carried.
Resolutfon #74-2023 to Request Traffic Study, Enfield Main Road, Town of Enfield
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield in December 2019 adopted a Speed Limit Policy (the “Policy”) whereby Town residents
may request speed limit reductfons on various roads within the Town, and the Town Board will subsequently consider
endorsing such requests and recommending speed limit reductfons to the New York State Department of Transportatfon
for adoptfon; and
WHEREAS, this Policy recognizes that to conform with State Law, any such request for a speed limit reductfon must be
preceded by a traffic study to be performed by the Tompkins County Highway Department; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Policy, residents in the Town of Enfield have presented the Enfield Town Board a
request to consider an assessment of the passing lane in the school zone; and
WHEREAS, said residents have presented sound and convincing reasons for the need for a traffic study; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Board hereby requests that the Tompkins County Highway Department undertake a
traffic study to encompass Enfield Main Road in the Town of Enfield; and
RESOLVED, further, that the Town Clerk shall communicate said request for traffic study to Jeffrey Smith, Highway
Director, Tompkins County Highway Department
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Lemke seconded. Discussion: A letter was sent to the Town Board by
Gretchen Kirchgessner regarding a passing zone being in the Enfield Elementary school zone and asking for it to be
reviewed.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Supervisor Redmond,
Aye; Carried.
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Tabled - A Resolutfon in support of full County Funding of the Rapid Medical Response Service
Whereas, Tompkins County has begun the process of planning and implementatfon for a Countywide Rapid Medical
Response Team (CRMRT), a service designed to augment local community-based first responders and volunteer rescue
squads, including Enfield’s, in providing first response to Tompkins County residents during medical and traumatfc
emergencies while they await the arrival of a transport ambulance agency, a plan outlined in the Draft Tompkins County
– Countywide Shared Services Plan for 2024; and
Whereas, the Draft Countywide Shared Services Plan estfmates the CRMRT’s first-year start-up and operatfng costs at
$699,794, and projects second-year and subsequent year operatfng costs at $504,956, the Shared-Services Plan itself
failing to state how those costs would be apportfoned among Tompkins Country and its various municipalitfes; and
Whereas, in a presentatfon to the Tompkins County Legislature on October 3, 2023, representatfves of Tompkins County’s
Department of Emergency Response presented five (5) “Cost Sharing Models” for the CRMRT, four of which would have
local municipalitfes bearing a portfon of the annual operatfonal expense, with three of those models having rural towns
bearing a full 50 per cent of the cost, while the City of Ithaca (and perhaps also the Town of Ithaca) would be excluded
from any financial contributfon; and
Whereas, under the three Cost Sharing Models presented that would require a 50 per cent municipal contributfon, the
Town of Enfield would be assessed between $29,158.11 and $58,316.22 annually; and
Whereas, the Tompkins County Legislature and its Expanded Budget Committee may within the forthcoming days and
weeks incorporate one of the afore-mentfoned Cost Sharing Models within the documents for its proposed 2024
Tompkins County Budget; and
Whereas, the Enfield Town Board, in its opinion, believes the four Cost Sharing Models that would require the Town of
Enfield’s financial contributfon to the CRMRT, as presented the County Legislature October 3rd, stand unfair to this Town
in several regards, including that the models:
(1) Fail to recognize the populatfon discrepancies among Tompkins County’s various towns;
(2) Ignore the relatfve differences in community wealth and aggregate property assessments, as well as the ability of
each individual town to pay its proposed share of the cost;
(3) Ignore the City (and Town) of Ithaca’s need to contribute as an equitable financial partner, partfcularly in view of the
fact that City of Ithaca residents’ demand for emergency medical services stands as a principal contributor to the delayed
medical response tfmes by transport agencies, delays which necessitate the CRMRT’s creatfon in the first instance; and
(4) Overlook Tompkins County Government’s overriding responsibility and its positfon as the sole unit of local
government possessing the resources to invest in a service of this magnitude and the ability to apportfon that cost
among its residents in the most equitable matter; Therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Enfield Town Board hereby states that should Tompkins County implement a Countywide Rapid
Medical Response Team as outlined in the Draft Tompkins County –Countywide Shared Services Plan for 2024, that said
implementatfon be conditfoned on the requirement that Tompkins County Government provide full funding for said
service, and that provisions for full County funding be incorporated by the Tompkins County Legislature for budget years
2024 and beyond; and be it further
Resolved, that the Clerk hereby send a copy of this Resolutfon to the Hon. Shawna Black, Chair of the Legislature, the
Hon. Deborah Dawson, Chair of the Legislature’s Budget, Capital, and Personnel Committee, and the Hon. Legislators
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Anne Koreman and Randy Brown, representatfves for the Town of Enfield, and to Michael Stftley, Director of the
Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response.
Councilperson Lynch moved and Supervisor Redmond seconded. Discussion: Councilperson Lemke asked where some of
the figures came from. Councilperson Lynch responded that it was included in the slide presentatfon that Randy Brown
had sent to the Town Board. The County has the fund balance and the resources to fund the whole endeavor. If all
municipalitfes will be included and would be asked to pay then they should all pay their part. This will be tabled untfl the
Nov 8 Town Board Meetfng and Randy Brown, and Jim Mathews will be invited to attend.
RESOLUTION AND SIGNATURE DOCUMENT TO APPROVE MCA & FUTURE AMENDMENTS TO MCA
Resolutfon #75-2023: Approval of the 2023 and Future Amendments to the Municipal Cooperatfve Agreement for the
Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortfum (GTCMHIC)
WHEREAS, The Town of Enfield, as a member of Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortfum
(GTCMHIC), must approve any changes to the GTCMHIC Municipal Cooperatfve Agreement (MCA) by resolutfon, and
WHEREAS, GTCMHIC must amend the MCA annually when any new members are approved at the Annual Board of
Directors meetfng, and WHEREAS, from tfme-to-tfme other changes are made to the MCA as necessary and when
changes are made, they are reported at the Annual Meetfng with membership approval, now therefore be it,
RESOLVED, untfl rescinded by resolutfon our current presiding elected official is approved to sign, without further actfon,
any GTCMHIC MCA updates that have been advanced at the GTCMHIC Board of Directors meetfngs and approved by the
Department of Financial Services, and
FURTHER RESOLVED, The GTCMHIC is directed to keep this resolutfon on file to accompany any current presiding elected
official signatures to amended MCA changes. ************ Clerk Signature/Stamp 2023 Municipal Cooperatfve
Agreement Signature IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date
adopted by the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortfum Board of Directors and subsequently
adopted by the Municipal Corporatfon named below.
_______________________________________
Municipal Corporatfon
___________________________________________ ________________________________
Printed Name of Chief Elected Official or Chief Officer Title
_______________________________________ ________________________________
Signature Date
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded. No further discussion.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Supervisor Redmond,
Aye; Carried.
RESOLUTION AND SIGNATURE DOCUMENT TO APPROVE MCA YEARLY
RESOLUTION: #76-2023 Approval of the 2023 Amendment to the Municipal Cooperatfve Agreement for the Greater
Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortfum
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield (municipality) is a Partfcipant in the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance
Consortfum (the "Consortfum"), a municipal cooperatfve organized under Artfcle 47 of the New York Insurance Law, and
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WHEREAS, the municipal partfcipants in the Consortfum, including this body, have approved and executed a certain
Municipal Cooperatfon Agreement (the "Agreement"; effectfve date of October 1, 2010), and
WHEREAS, Artfcle 47 of the New York Insurance Law (the "Insurance Law") and the rules and regulatfons of the New York
State Department of Financial Services set forth certain requirements for governance of municipal cooperatfves that
offer self-insured municipal cooperatfve health insurance plans that requires any amendments or restatements thereto,
shall be subject to Board review and upon acceptance of any new Partfcipant hereafter, and
WHEREAS, the Municipal Cooperatfve Agreement requires that amendments to the agreement be presented to each
partfcipant for review and adopted by a majority vote by its municipal board, and
WHEREAS, the town of Enfield (municipality) is in receipt of the proposed amended Agreement and has determined that
it is in the best interest of its constftuents who are served by the Consortfum to amend the Agreement as set forth in the
Amended Municipal Cooperatfve Agreement, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that upon receipt and review of the amended Agreement, the Town of Enfield (municipality) approves at a
meetfng of the governing body held on October 11, 2023 (date) and authorizes the Chief Elected Official to sign the 2023
Amendment to the Municipal Cooperatfve Agreement of the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance
Consortfum as recommended by the Board of Directors. * * * * * * * * 2023 Municipa l Cooperatfve Agreement Signature
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date adopted by the Greater
Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortfum Board of Directors and subsequently adopted by the Municipal
Corporatfon named below.
_______________________________________
Municipal Corporatfon
_______________________________________ ________________________________
Printed Name of Chief Elected Official or Chief Officer Title
_______________________________________ ________________________________
Signature Date
Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded. No further discussion.
Vote: Councilperson Hinkle, Aye; Councilperson Lemke, Aye; Councilperson Lynch, Aye; Supervisor Redmond,
Aye; Carried.
Reminder – Send in nominatfons for the volunteer recognitfon program
Privilege of the Floor: N/A
Announcements: N/A
Adjournment: Councilperson Hinkle moved and Councilperson Lemke seconded to adjourn, adjourned 10:30 PM
Respectiully submitted,
Mary Cornell
Mary Cornell
Town Clerk