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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-1993MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 1993, AT 7:30 P.M. Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman Carl E. Haynes, Councilman Jack Fitzgerald, Attorney Absent: Donald E. Cummings, Councilman Also present: Leland Cornelius, Liz Brennan, George Senter The Oath of Office was taken by all officials present. Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, that the minutes of December 14th be approved as mailed. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes and Robinson. Supervisor Robinson said we have our new PERMA insurance in place and the initial payment is due. She also said that she received letters from Lansing Supervisor Kirby and Dryden Supervisor Shrugg noting that it was against the law to charge -back election expenses to the Towns. Ours share for 1992 is $14,719.71. There is a meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 14th to discuss this matter with all Towns. Claim Nos. 256 to 269 of the 1992 Highway Fund in the amount of $6,845.28; Claim Nos. 1 to 3 of the 1993 Highway Fund in the amount of $1,563.76; Claim Nos. 378 to 398 of the 1992 General Fund in the amount of $7,668.30; and Claim Nos. 1 to 12 of the 1993 General Fund in the amount of $9,316.60 were presented for audit. Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, that the bills be approved for payment with the exception of the election expenses. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson. Supervisor Robinson received a "Notice of Stipulation Discontinuing Action" in the Hedlund litigation as against the defendant, Town of Groton, which was filed in the Tompkins County Clerk's office on January 4, 1993. Annual and monthly reports of the Town Clerk, Town Justices and Code Enforcement Officer were reviewed. LIZ BRENNAN - BOOKKEEPER - Handed out monthly report to the Board. She said there were no transfers. GEORGE SENTER - CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER - The Board has copies of annual report. Are there any questions? Made an inspection of Anderson property with Paul Cowls and Fran. There was snow on but took some pictures. It appears to be cleaned up some. I'm impressed with the way Sherry O'Brien has cars lined up. Volbrecht is cleaning up Jensen's. That's all I have tonight. RESOLUTION NO. 1 - 1993 ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayues - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the First National Bank of Groton be designated as the depository for all monies coming in the hands of the Supervisor and Town Clerk of the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that the Republican Register be designated as the official newspaper of the Town of Groton with notices also to be published in the Shopper. RESOLVED, that the law firm of Fitzgerald, Taylor, Pomeroy and Armstrong be retained as Attorneys for The Town of Groton. 1 RESOLVED, that George R. Senter, Sr. be appointed Zoning Officer and Building and Fire Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Edwin Dow be appointed Constable for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Gordon VanBenschoten be appointed Deputy Supervisor for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Kenneth H. Marks be appointed Deputy Highway Superintendent for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Carol G. Marks be appointed Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Elizabeth Brennan be appointed as part -time Bookkeeper for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Margaret Palmer be appointed as part -time Court Clerk for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Margaret Alborn be appointed as part -time McLean School Crossing Guard for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Dorothy Ostrander be appointed as Town Historian for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Gurdon Lockwood and Leonard Proper be appointed as Election Custodians for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that small tool expenditures of up to $1000.00 by the Highway Superintendent be authorized. RESOLVED, that Blue Cross /Blue Shield Health Insurance for the Supervisor, Town Clerk and Highway Superintendent be paid by the Town of Groton. Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Haynes Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby fix the annual salaries of the following Town Officers and employees at the amounts respectfully stated and that such salaries shall be paid at the time respectfully specified: a) Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor $13,366.00 BiWeekly b) Colleen D. Pierson, Town Clerk $20,875.00 BiWeekly C) Leland E. Cornelius, Hwy. Supt. $34,611.00 BiWeekly d) Arland L. Heffron, Town Justice $ 5,134.00 BiWeekly e) Alton I. Alexander, Town Justice $ 4,886.00 BiWeekly f) Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman $ 1,377.00 Quarterly g) Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman $ 1,377.00 Quarterly h) Donald E. Cummings, Councilman $ 1,377.00 Quarterly i) Carl E. Haynes, Councilman $ 1,377.00 Quarterly j) George Senter, Code Enforcement Officer $14,310.00 BiWeekly k) Dorothy Ostrander, Historian $ 1,000.00 Quarterly Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, to appoint the following as representatives to Town and County programs: County Youth Recreation Programs - John Gaines Environmental Management Council - Lyle Raymond Tompkins County CATV Commission - Colleen Pierson Route 13 Task Force - Transportation - Carl Haynes 2 Tompkins County Planning Board - George Totman Local Youth - Groton - Ellen Cornelius Supervisor's appointment of committee members is as follows: Finance - Carl Haynes Machinery - Gordon VanBenschoten Building - Donald Cummings and Teresa Robinson Fire Department - Ellard Sovocool Personnel - Carl Haynes Light Districts - Teresa Robinson Fixed Assets - Carl Haynes Senior Citizens - Ellard Sovocool Planning Board - Donald Cummings Appeals Board - Donald Cummings Highway - Gordon VanBenschoten Policy - Carl Haynes and Teresa Robinson Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that fees for Town services be set as follows: 1) Master List for Excavating 2) Certification of Taxes 3) Photocopies 4) Transcript of Marriage 5) Marriage Certificates 6) Marriage License 7) Town & Village Maps 8) County Maps 9) Mileage for Town Officials 10) Dog Licenses 11) Returned Check Fee $ 2.00 $ 5.00 1st yr., $1.00 addn. $ .25 $10.00 $10.00 $25.00 $ .50 $ .50 $ .275 $12.50 unneutered /unspayed $ 7.50 neutered /spayed $15.00 Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Haynes, to set hourly rate of Custodian at $7.28; Deputy Town Clerk at $7.72; Court Clerk at $7.95; Crossing Guard at $5.68; Recycling Workers at $6.24, Bookkeeper at $10.40; Part Time Deputy Clerks from $5.00 to $7.00; and Typist/ Stenographer from $7.00 to $8.00. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson. Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, to det annual retainer fee for legal services rendered by Fitzgerald, Taylor, Pomeroy and Armstrong at $6,500.00. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson. Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, to appoint Teresa Robinson as Delegate to the Annual Association of Towns Meeting to be held in NYC on February 14 -17, 1993 and to appoint Arland Heffron as an alternate. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson. Supervisor Robinson asked Board what they felt the Town should do with the sales tax revenue -- should we take it in cash or continue to have it applied to reduce taxes. Consensus of the Board was to leave it where it is. Supervisor Robinson said our American Community Cablevision Franchise expires in July of this year. She will be going to NYC Meeting where she will make contact with people from the State who are more than willing to help us with new franchise. Supervisor Robinson is going to look into smoother bookkeeping software than we now have. We have excellent service for payroll software. DOUGLAS COTTERILL - LAWRENCE UNITED CORPORATION - Mr. Cotterill presented a summary of proposed insurance coverages for the Town. Coverage is approximately the same as last year. The cost of the 1992 coverage was 3 $35.111.00. The cost for 1993 beginning in February will be $34,619.18. Highway Superintendent will go over equipment items to make sure that we have it all listed. No action taken by Board. Discussed Planning Boards proposed master plan and costs for 1993. Supervisor was unable to find proposal but recalled the amount to be in the vicinity of $4000 to $5000. RESOLUTION NO. 2 - AUTHORIZE PROPOSAL TO COMPLETE MASTER PLAN Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby accept proposal to complete master plan for the Town of Groton in an amount not to exceed $4000. Supervisor Robinson has the new rates for Blue Cross /Blue Shield. 1992 rates were $146.00 for single and $355.47 for family. 1993 rates are $178.87 for single and $434.01 for family. Family is up $78.54 per month and single is up $32.50 per month. Board discussed health insurance that other employers have to pay and felt that all employers had the same problem with rate increases. It was suggested that we should look into getting into a pool or contact the Association of Towns to see what they have. Discussed adding medical insurance coverage to highway employees contract. Their coverage was approved in the minutes but not added to contract. RESOLUTION NO. 3 - ADD MEDICAL INSURANCE TO HIGHWAY CONTRACT Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson. RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the addition of item 15 to the 1993 Highway Contract: 15. MEDICAL INSURANCE - Each full time employee shall be entitled to have paid on his behalf, seventy -five percent (750) of the cost of the medical insurance coverage provided by the Town. The employee shall be responsible to pay the remaining twenty -five (250) which shall be prorated over the term of the coverage and deducted bi- weekly from his or her wages. RESOLUTION NO. 4 - AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN AND VILLAGE FOR USE OF TOWN COURTROOM FACILITIES FOR 1993 Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton does authorize the Supervisor to sign Agreement between Town and Village for use of Court Room facilities for 1993 at the rate of $300.00 per month. Board members discussed electrical problems in highway garage that need to be brought up to code. Supervisor will contact Floyd Ferris for assistance in preparing specs to be let out for bids. Supervisor Robinson has youth commission contract. Our equalization rate is 98.10. We have received one application for the stenographer position that we advertised for. The following people are going to New York City for the Annual Association of Towns Meeting held on February 14 -17: Teresa Robinson, Arland Heffron, Alton Alexander, George Totman, Monica Carey, Cecil Twigg, David Ofner and John Pachai. 4 Discussed increasing partial tax exemption of real property owned by certain persons with limited income 65 years of age or older from $12,025 to $16,500. If we pass local law now, it will go into affect in 1994. Proposed Local Law #1 for the year 1993 will be on table of the Board Members for atleast seven calendar days before acting on. The School and Village now recognize the maximum allowable exemption up to $20,099. Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Haynes, to schedule hearing on February 8, 1993, at 8:00 P.M. amending previous Local Laws which provided for a partial tax exemption of real property owned by certain persons with limited income sixty -five (65) years of age or older increasing the income limit from $12,025 to $16,500. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLUTION NO. 5 - SET MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MEETING DATE Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton will hold their regular Town Board Meetings on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 P.M. at the Town Hall on Conger Boulevard, Groton, NY. RESOLUTION NO. 6 - APPOINT APPEALS BOARD MEMBER Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that Lyle Raymond be appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a five -vear term. RESOLUTION NO. 7 - AUTHORIZE SIGNING OF FIRE AND AMBULANCE CONTRACTS rnu 1aaq RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the Supervisor to sign 1993 Fire and Ambulance Contracts with the Village of Groton. RESOLUTION NO. 8 - BOARD APPROVAL OF HIGHWAY PAY INCREASES Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the Highway Superintendent to give the following pay increases effective January 1, 1993. PRESENT 4% 5yr INC. TOTAL Holl, J. MEO $10.73 .43 $11.16 Smith, M. MEO $10.10 .40 $10.50 Marks, K. MEO $10.57 .42 $10.99 Coit, L. MEO $10.10 .40 $10.50 Neville, R. MEO $10.25 .41 $10.66 Scutt, G. Lab $ 9.59 +.40 .40 $10.39 Carr, P. Lab $ 8.00 +.35 .75 $ 9.10 Bogardus, R. MECH $ 9.50 +.40 .50 $10.40 Smith - 2/9/88 15c $10/65 Coit - 3/1/88 15c $10.65 Marks, K 7/26/73 15c $11.14 Scutt - 11/20/88 15c $10.54 k, RESOLUTION NO. 9 - ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICE OF ITHACA FOR 1993 Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton enter into Agreement with Family & Children's Service of Ithaca in the amount of $16,413 to impliment and supervise Town and Village of Groton Youth Commission. There being no further business, Mr. Sovocool moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, at 10:10PM. Unanimous Colleen D. Pierson, Town Clerk n