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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 11, 2026 - Town of Enfield Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes1 Town of Enfield Regular Town Board Meeting Wednesday, February 11, 2026 6:30 PM In-Person and Via the Zoom Meeting Platform Present: Town Supervisor Stephanie Redmond; Town Councilpersons; Melissa Millspaugh, Cassandra Hinkle, and Robert Lynch; Highway Superintendent Barry “Buddy” Rollins; Town Clerk Mary Cornell; Code Officer Alan Teeter Virtual Attendance: Councilperson Jude Lemke (7:28 pm) Call to Order: Supervisor Redmond called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM Privilege of the Floor: Rosie Carpenter led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. She also brought up a resolution that had been presented in Cincinnatus, requesting a formal investigation of NYSEG’s delivery rates. They are asking if smaller towns would join in doing so. Supervisor Redmond asked Rosie to send the resolution to her electronically. Rachel mentioned that NYSEG will be attending the next Legislator meeting on 2/17 at 5:30 PM, and it will be time for public comment. Additions and Changes to the agenda: Councilperson Lynch clarified that a resolution for a cemetery maintenance agreement was added to the agenda in error. He will also bring up a couple of items that had circulated to the Board. Correspondence: N/A Monthly Reports Highway Superintendent Report – Barry “Buddy” Rollins. All of the lights have been replaced and they serviced the heaters while they had the lift. He asked the Town Board what they would like to do with the old bulbs as they still work. Supervisor Redmond will ask the reuse center if they are interested in taking the bulbs and if they are not, she will see what options are available. He stated that they were short by 11 bulbs and they were only a $1 more a bulb to purchase locally, which they did. While replacing the bulbs they noticed how dirty the walls and shop area was. He would like to see if they can hire someone to clean the area. He will look into options. Stephanie asked about the exterior lights and if they were replaced. Buddy responded that someone will need to be found to replace them. Stephanie will contact Shisler in the Spring. Councilperson Lynch inquired on the chipper and when it would be received? Buddy stated that he will get the chipper as soon as he has the check in hand. He asked for permission to sell the old chipper. Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded to authorize the sale of the old chipper. Vote: Aye, Hinkle, Millspaugh, Lynch, and Redmond Nay, 0 Carried. County Legislator – Rachel Ostlund. She plans on sending reports after the legislator meetings and can answer any questions at the meeting as well as giving a brief overview of the key points from their meetings. 2 Town Supervisors Report – Stephanie Redmond. She met with other Town Supervisors. She has been meeting weekly with the Design Connect students and they have been enthusiastic. She has been meeting with soil and water. They will be ready with the next RFP for the March meeting. She met with Soil and Water and Buddy about possibly having a tire recycling day. Councilperson Lynch asked if we have a timetable on Greg Hutnik’s departure. She has not received an update on a departure date for him. Planning Board Report – Dan Walker. We had two projects on the agenda and one backed out as they are not yet ready. Dan suggested that they check on any deed restrictions as they want to subdivide one of their Breezy Meadows lots into 3 parcels The other project was for a cell tower to be located next door to the current tower on Van Dorns Road North as Verizon wants cheaper rent. He sent a list of items that he wants the company to work on and he let the company know that the planning board does not like the currently proposed tower placement. They may be added to a future agenda. However, they have not yet filed an official application. Councilperson Lynch commented that there did not seem to be much interest from the Planning Board on another cell tower in this location. Code Enforcement Report – Alan Teeter. It was a slow month. He only issued one permit renewal. There will still be a freeze on assessment through 2028, but maybe longer. Alan asked the Board if they approved the fee schedule when would be available on the website. Clerk Cornell responded that it would be available by tomorrow, February 12th. Tompkins County Council of Govts – Jude Lemke. The full report is on file with the Town Clerks office. Consent Agenda: Audit Claims: General Fund vouchers #18-47, dated February 11, 2026 in the amount of $670,018.23 Highway Fund vouchers #7-26, dated February 11, 2026 in the amount of $136,951.37 Approval of Minutes: January 14, 2026 & January 20, 2026 Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Millspaugh seconded. Vote: Aye, Hinkle, Millspaugh, Lynch, and Redmond Nay, 0 Carried. Business Discussion: Update on Enfield Road Clean-up, Cemetery Clean-Up, Enfield Clean-Up Days, and on Tire collection for cleanup days. There is a fee scale for the tires. In Groton they had a huge turnout. Supervisor Redmond we have some options, we can increase fees, we can limit tires. We can dip into Town funds to cover anything over the $6,000. It is great opportunity for Enfield, but we may have an expense. Buddy asked who the company is that will be transporting the tires. Buddy asked if it was possible that we could do the trucking. It is $1,500-$2,000 per trailer whether they have tires or not. If you have separate categories then you would have to have separate trailers. Buddy asked what we are saving versus taking it downtown. Stephanie asked Buddy how much it would cost to have the highway transport the tires. Soil and Water would be onsite and collect any funds as they handle it. Buddy thinks it should be a separate day for the tire collection, most likely 3 on a Saturday morning. Councilperson Lynch asked Stephanie if she could meet with Buddy and come up with a plan and then bring it back to the board at the March meeting. Discussion: Highway Garage Wastewater Permitting. Councilperson Lynch gave a brief overview of his investigation. The Community Science Institute could do the required testing, which we may or may not pass. CSI’s quote is good until the end of the year. He can do further research if the board would like him to. He apologized for getting this to the Town Board just before the meeting. Supervisor Redmond asked if he had gotten the perimeters that they are asking for? She would like to know what Ithaca Waste Water restrictions are? She had asked if he had researched any pretreatment option. He had not gone further as he was not sure what the Board would like investigated. Councilperson Hinkle asked if we ever had any testing done. Superintendent Rollins stated that testing had taken place 12+ years ago. Supervisor Redmond asked Councilperson Lynch to find out how often the testing would need to take place and what the max imum levels could be. He sent the quote on testing from the CSI to Ithaca Wastewater. Councilperson Lynch clarified the expectations for the March meeting, which was to check on the testing requirements and limitations, and pretreatment options. Discussion: Newsletter Submission. Suggestions by Councilperson Lynch; update on the Bostwick Rd project, the Cell Tower on Van Dorns Rd, the NYSEG Flair filing, the Conservation committee, and the Senior Citizens Tax-Exemption law update. Supervisor Redmond does not want to add the cell tower yet. She has Cemetery Clean-up, Road Clean-up days, Town Clean-up days. If we end up going with the company for the Tire Collection then we may also be able to have a hazardous clean-up day. The website address and email address updates. Supervisor Redmond asked Councilperson Millspaugh if she had an EMC blurb, they have not responded to Melissa. They meet tomorrow and she will get back to her if they have anything. Discussion: Billboards. Dan Walker had sent an email with Newfields sign law to Supervisor Redmond to review. Restrictions are generally put in place via the adoption of local Laws. This came up because Alan had received a question from company about the use of billboards. Dan does not think that we have much traffic. Supervisor Redmond is feeling protective of our roads and does not want to see large billboards in Enfield. Councilperson Lynch agrees with Supervisor Redmond that he would not like to see el ectric signboards around Enfield. The Town Board does not want to restrict local businesses. Dan will see if the planning bo ard can come up with a brief law to bring before the Town Board. Discussion continued. Discussion: NYSEG Flair Project – Ruling Adopting Protective Order * This is a legal question. Councilperson Lynch read the email he had received from the Public Service Commission on February 6th, additionally it was sent to the Town of Newfield. Councilperson does not think that the Town should necessarily invest in this document. Supervisor Redmond does not think that we should give up our right to a possible settlement. As liaison Lynch will do whatever the board directs him to do. Councilperson Lemke will review the document and she will send her recommendations to the Town Board . Discussion: Senior Citizens Tax Exemption – Set Public Hearing * Councilperson Lynch gave an overview of what he is bringing before the board. The Town had set the maximum exemption income limit at $35,000 for Enfield. This would allow for a better benefit for those Seniors in Enfield earning less than $3 2,000 a year. The state law only affects senior citizens. Enfield’s current exemption allow applies to both Seniors and disabled persons. To make this applicable for 2027’s Town and County tax bill, we would need to adopt this local law before March 1st. A public hearing would be required. 4 Councilperson Lynch moved and Councilperson Hinkle seconded to set a public hearing for February 2 5th at 6:30 PM Vote: Aye, Hinkle, Millspaugh, Lynch, and Redmond Nay, 0 Carried. Resolution #33-2026 Updating Fee Schedule for Building Permit* WHEREAS, the building permit fees require an update to reflect current cost standards, therefore be it RESOLVED, the fee schedule is to be updated to permit fee schedule A, effective immediately Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Millspaugh seconded. Vote: Aye, Hinkle, Millspaugh, Lynch, Lemke, and Redmond Nay, 0 Carried. Resolution #34-2026 Authorization for the Town Supervisor to Sign the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office Licensing agreement* WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Enfield agrees that the Town benefits from hasting having a Sheriff satellite office in the Town Hall, now therefore be it RESOLVED, The Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign a License agreement with the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Millspaugh seconded. Discussion: Clerk Cornell brought up the request from the Sheriff’s Department to park a second vehicle in the bay at the Town Hall. Supervisor Redmond replied that we do not have room for a second vehicle and she would like to keep the contract as it current is with one vehicle allowed. Vote: Aye, Hinkle, Millspaugh, Lynch, Lemke, and Redmond Nay, 0 Carried. Resolution #35-2026 Authorization to Renew Burial Coordinator Contract for 2026 WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield utilized the services of Brandon McGee for the burial coordinator in town cemeteries, therefore be it RESOLVED, the Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to review and sign a contract for these services for 2026 5 Supervisor Redmond moved and Councilperson Millspaugh seconded. Discussion: Councilperson Lynch thanked Clerk Cornell for clarifying the contracts as a cemetery mowing contract was also posted with the initial meeting documents. Clerk Cornell apologized fo r the confusion. Vote: Aye, Hinkle, Millspaugh, Lynch, Lemke, and Redmond Nay, 0 Carried. Discussion: Site Plan Review Law (Article 3.0, if time permits) The Board continued its review of the Planning Board Final Draft that was sent in October of 2024. Supervisor Redmond started on page 12 at section 3.0 Preliminary review of application. Would this allow the code officer enough time for processing? Tompkins County Plannings title needs to be updated to reflect the correct title. Councilperson Lynch in Section 2 it currently states “shall require a public hearing or should we allow the planning board the authority to waive this fee” should this be changed to may instead of shall? The consensus was to leave it as it currently is. Additionally, for all public hearings the planning board shall mail notices within 600’ of the proposed location, should this be increased. Both Councilperson Lynch and Supervisor Redmond stated that they would want to be notified if a proposed location was located near them. Planning Board Chair Walker thinks the 600’ can be limiting and suggested increasing to 2,500’ for notification. Supervisor Redmond asked the Board to be ready to review sections 3.1 and 3.2 at the next meeting. Privilege of the Floor: Supervisor Redmond, please send her anyone interested in being Deputy Supervisor who is self-motivated and has grant writing skills. Councilperson Lynch gave an update on the GTMHIC, it was stated by the County administrator that he is anticipating and working around another 18% premium increase for 2027. He brought it up at the operations committee meeting and it blindsided those in the room . It could even be more than 18%. Several Hybrid health insurance policy plans have been approved, but those plans would generally not impact Enfield. Meanwhile the Operations Committee is looking at some other changes; but they are not willing to make these public at this time because they are so tentative. He will know more as there will be a special meeting on March 12th. He will have more information for the April meeting. As they move forward on the senior tax-exemption he is interested to see what the impact will be on those that do not qualify as they will still need to raise tax revenue. The impact on a median house for Enfield would be ~$5 per Jay Franklin. Announcements: Adjournment: Councilperson Millspaugh motioned to adjourn, adjourned at 8:40 PM. Respectfully submitted, Mary Cornell Mary Cornell Town Clerk