HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-1995MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994, AT 7:30 P.M.
Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor
Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman
Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman
Carl E. Haynes, Councilman
Fran Casullo, Attorney
Absent: Donald E. Cummings, Councilman
Also present: Liz Brennan, Bob Bernhardt, Betty Sperger, Elsie DeCamp,
Orlando Houghteling, Becky Vallely, Ed Carr
Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, that the minutes of
December 13th, January 3rd continued meeting and January 3rd Special Meeting
be approved as mailed. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson.
Claim Nos. 224 to 237 of the 1993 Highway Fund in the amount of $12,933.55;
Claim No. 1 of the 1994 Highway Fund in the amount of $520.20; Claim Nos. 313
to 334 of the 1993 General Fund in the amount of $8,628.05; and Claim Nos. 1
to 7 of the 1994 General Fund were presented for audit. Moved by Mr. Haynes,
seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, that the bills be approved for payment. Ayes -
Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson.
LIZ BRENNAN- BOOKKEEPER - Handed out Monthly Report for month ending December
31, 1993. Bills submitted this evening were for 1993 and 1994. It is not
know if we need to make any transfers.
Auditors will be coming in March after the Annual Supervisor's report has been
completed.
ZONING -CODE ENFORCEMENT - Clerk read a portion of annual report relating to
building permits issued:
1991 - 88 - 8 houses, 16 mobile homes, 64 misc. - $1,291,710
1992 - 86 - 15 houses, 12 mobile homes, 59 Misc - $1,745,080
1993 - 101 - 16 houses, 16 mobile homes, 69 Misc - $2,261,556
All Board Members have a copy of full report.
TOWN JUSTICE - Clerk read a portion of Annual Report from Town Justices. They
had a total of 343 cases and total monies handled by the court was $13,023.00.
Board Meeting recessed at 8:00 P.M. for Public Hearing on Aged exemption.
Supervisor Robinson read legal notice which was published December 29, 1993 in
the Republican Register.
T. Robinson - Is there anyone that would like to be heard? Please give
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your name and you shall be heard.
T. Robinson - Since there are no questions or comments, we'll close the
hearing.
Hearing closed at 8:05 P.M.
Board Meeting reconvened at 8:05 P.M.
RESOLUTION NO. 1 - ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS
Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Haynes
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson
RESOLVED, that the First National Bank of Groton be designated as the
depository for all monies coming into 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
Freeville Shopper.
RESOLVED, that the law firm of Fitzgerald, Taylor, Pomeroy and Armstrong
be retained as Attorneys for the Town of Groton.
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 Carl Haynes be appointed Deputy Supervisor for the Town
of Groton.
RESOLVED, that Judson Holl be appointed Deputy Highway Superintendent
for the Town of Groton.
RESOLVED, that Carol 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.
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RESOLVED, that Margaret Albern 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 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.
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
b)Colleen D. Pierson, Town Clerk
c)Leland E. Cornelius, Hwy. Supt.
d)Arland L. Heffron, Twn. Justice
e)Alton I. Alexander, Twn. Justice
f)Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman
g)Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Council
h)Donald E. Cummings, Councilman
i)Carl E. Haynes, Councilman
j)George Senter, Code Enforcement
k)Dorothy Ostrander, Twn Historian
$ 8,500.00 BiWeekly
$22,647.00 BiWeekly
$35,892.00 BiWeekly
$ 5,324.00 BiWeekly
$ 5,067.00 BiWeekly
$ 1,428.00 Quarterly
$ 1,428.00 Quarterly
$ 1,428.00 Quarterly
$ 1,428.00 Quarterly
$14,839.00 BiWeekly
$ 1,000.00 Quarterly
Moved by Mr. Sovocool, 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 - Steven Gallow
Environmental Management Council - Carl Haynes
Route 13 Task Force - Transportation - Teresa Robinson
Tompkins County CATV Commission - Colleen Pierson
Local Youth Groton - Lyla Pierce and Orlando Houteling
Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson
RESOLVED, that Supervisor's appointment of committee members be approved
as follows:
Finance - Carl Haynes
Machinery - Gordon VanBenschoten
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Building - Donald Cummings
Fire Department - Ellard Sovocool
Personnel - Ellard Sovocool
Zoning, Bldg. & Fire Code - Carl Haynes
Light Districts - Donald Cummings
Fixed Assets - Ellard Sovocool
Senior Citizens - Donald Cummings
Planning Board - Gordon VanBenschoten
Appeals Board - Carl Haynes
Highway - Gordon VanBenschoten
Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Haynes
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
12)Fax Copies
$ 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
$ 1.00
Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool,
Custodian at $7.65; Deputy Town Clerk at $8.09;
Crossing Guard at $6.05; Recycling Workers
Bookkeeper at $10.77; Part Time Deputy Clerks fj
Typist /Stenographer from $7.00 to $8.00.
VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson.
to set hourly rate of
Court Clerk at $8.32;
at $6.00 and $6.61;
:om $5.00 to $7.00; and
Ayes - Sovocool,
Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, to set annual retainer
fee for legal services rendered by Fitzgerald, Taylor, Pomeroy and
Armstrong at $6,963.00. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes,
Robinson.
Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, to authorize Town
Clerk to hire part -time Deputy to assist with tax collection at an
hourly rate of $7.00 per budget appropriation. Ayes - Sovocool,
VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson.
Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, to schedule regular
Town Board Meetings for the seconded Monday of the month at 7:30 P.M.
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Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten to appoint Teresa
Robinson as delegate to the Annual Association of Towns Meeting in New
York City and to appoint Arland Heffron as alternate.
RESOLUTION NO. 2 - HIGHWAY PAY INCREASES
Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool
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,
1994:
PRESENT +.37 5YR INCR TOTAL O.T.
HOLL, J.
MEO
$11.16
.37
$11.53
$17.30
SMITH, M.
MEO
$10.65
.37
$11.02
$16.53
MARKS, K.
MEO
$11.14
.37
$11.51
$17.27
COIT, L.
MEO
$10.65
.37
$11.02
$16.53
NEVILLE,
R. MEO
$10.66
.37
$11.03
$16.55
SCUTT, G.
LAB
$10.54
.37
$10.91
$16.37
CARR, P.
LAB
$ 9.10
.37
1.29 $10.76
$16.14
BOGARDUS,
R.
MEC $10.40
.37 .27 $11.04
$16.56
RESOLUTION
NO. 3 - ADOPT
LOCAL LAW
#1 FOR THE YEAR 1994
Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson.
BE IT ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town of Groton as follows:
SECTION 1. Local Law No. 1 for the year 1966 providing for a partial
tax exemption of real property owned by certain persons with limited
income sixty -five years of age or older as amended by Local Law No. 3
for the year 1984, as amended by Local Law No. 1 for the year 1987, as
amended by Local Law No. 1 for the year 1993, is amended to read as
follows:
SECTION 4. If the application requesting a tax exemption is
granted by the Assessor then, and in that event, the real property owned
by the owner or owners shall be assessed at 500 of the assessed value
for the year in which it is granted provided said owner or owners annual
income during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the
date of application is equal to or less than $16,500.00.
k,
If the application requesting a tax exemption is granted by the
Assessor, and the owner or owners of the real property had an annual
income during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the
date of application of more than $16,500.00 and less than and not
including $21,300.00, then the tax exemption shall be in accordance with
the sliding scale schedule provided in Section 467 of the Real Property
Tax Law of the State of New York.
SECTION 2. This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing in
the office of the Secretary of State.
BECKY VALLELY - Becky chairs the Citizens Committee for Economic Development
in Groton. The Committee is working to extend existing bus routes and
establish new routes to connect Cayuga, Cortland and Tompkins counties. The
plan would help make transportation cheaper and easier for workers, students,
senior citizens and shoppers. They would like to establish a park and ride
facility in Groton, perhaps at the old Smith Corona factory site. By linking
the residents of the small towns and villages with the jobs and colleges in
the cities of Auburn, Cortland and Ithaca the buses would boost local
economies. The committee has contacted town, village and county planners in
the areas where the services would be and the response has been positive.
Becky would like the Groton Town Board to appoint a representative to the
committee and to go on record as supporting the effort of the Groton Citizens
Committee for Economic Development for a survey for a Public Transportation
System in Tompkins, Cayuga and Cortland Counties. If the Town has a Town
Newsletter, they would like to include the survey in it, or if that isn't in
the works, they are asking that the Town assist them with the mailing of the
survey in the Town of Groton. They are looking for $350 to cover costs for
the Town. The Village of Groton will be giving them $350 to cover mailings in
the Village.
RESOLUTION NO. 4 - SUPPORT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton does hereby go on
record as supporting the effort of the Groton Citizens Committee for
Economic Development for a survey for a Public Transportation System in
Tompkins, Cayuga and Cortland Counties, and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton Supervisor be
authorized to draft a letter to Tompkins, Cayuga and Cortland
County Planning Boards encouraging them to work together in developing
a survey for a Public Transportation System.
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RESOLUTION NO. 5 - AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF $350 FOR PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM SURVEY
Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize an expenditure not
to exceed $350.00 for postage and printing which would represent one -
half the cost of the Public Transportation System survey undertaken by
the Groton Citizens Committee for Economic Development.
BETTY SPERGER - Can you tell me what the cost of the Highway Electric project
was? Clerk said contract was for $32,500.
Discussed the Town of Groton Planning Board's recommendation to adopt
comprehensive plan for which a hearing was held on October 14th. The Planning
Board reviewed the comments received at the hearing and has taken them into
consideration in the final draft of the comprehensive plan. This is a plan
only and will be used to update zoning ordinance which will require Town Board
approval prior to enacting.
RESOLUTION NO. 6 - ACCEPT TOWN OF GROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby adopt the "Town of Groton
Comprehensive Plan" dated November, 1993, as recommended by the Town of
Groton Planning Board.
RESOLUTION NO. 7 - APPOINTMENTS TO TOWN PLANNING BOARD AND
APPEALS BOARD
Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Haynes
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby re- appoint George VanSlyke to
the Town of Groton Planning Board for a term of seven years ending
December 31, 2000, and
FURTHER RESOLVED, to re- appoint John Pachai to the Town of
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Groton Appeals Board for a term of five years ending December 31, 1998.
RESOLUTION NO. 8 - APPOINTMENTS TO COUNTY PLANNING BOARD, ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT COUNCIL AND TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL
Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson
RESOLVED, that the Groton Town Board does hereby appoint Lyle Raymond to
the Tompkins County Environmental Council for a term of three years
expiring in 1996, and
FURTHER RESOLVED, to appoint George Totman to the Tompkins County
Planning Board for a three year term expiring in 1966, and
FURTHER RESOLVED, to appoint Teresa Robinson to serve as the Town
Representative to the Ithaca - Tompkins County Transportation Council
(Metropolitan Planning Federation - Transportation).
Discussed what day of the week and month would be best to hold our regular
Town Board Meetings. Currently, the second Monday of the month is not
convenient for George Totman our new County Representative who would like to
attend our meetings. The second Monday of the month is a meeting night for
him at Lansing. The Board of Reps meet every first and third Tuesdays of the
month at 5:30 P.M. In the summer they meet once a month on the second
Tuesday. The first Monday of the month is not good since many of the bills
are not in yet. It was felt that the third Monday of the month was too late
in the month. It was decided to leave as is for the time being. (See
Resolution No. 1 for meeting time).
Discussed American Community Cablevision Franchise which expires in July of
1994. Supervisor Robinson will contact Ray Dyer in Locke to see if there is
any possibility of him extending his Cable System to Groton. Clerk will send
a copy of current Franchise to Town Attorney for his review and for him to
advise what procedures we need to follow in order to renew the Town's
Franchise. Clerk is Treasurer of County Cable Commission which is not active
at this time.
Supervisor Robinson indicated that she would like something on record relating
to our Planning Board and Appeals Board Members indicating that each member
who does not attend at least three consecutive meetings shall be removed from
the Board. Clerk has a copy of a Local Law from the Town of Dryden that
relates to this and will send to Town Attorney.
Clerk asked the Board if they felt it was necessary for the Town Clerk to
provide a floppy disk of the Town of Groton Land Use &
Development Code to the public. Right now the Code has not been revised on
the Clerk's disk. All amendments were made by the printer on his computer.
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If the Town intends to provide disks, a fee will have to be set for same.
Consensus of Board was to leave as is for this year. Should a member of the
Planning Board wish to have a copy for use in updating the Code, this would be
provided for internal use.
Supervisor Robinson asked Fran Casullo if he intended to go to the Association
of Towns meeting in NYC in February. He said as of right now it didn't look
like he would be able to go due to others in his office being away.
Reservations need to be in shortly.
Supervisor Robinson said that the Town's Blue Cross /Blue Shield Health
Insurance rates have increased about 300. The rates for 1993 were $178.87/mo.
for single and $434.01 /mo.for family. The new rates for 1994 are $236.28/mo.
for single and $571.57/mo. for family.
There being no further business, Mr. Sovocool moved to adjourn meeting,
seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, at 9:50 P.M. Unanimous
Colleen D. Pierson
Town Clerk
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