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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-13-1995MINUTES - TOWN BOARD MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1995 AT 7:30 P.M. Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Arrived Late: Carl E. Haynes, Councilman Absent: Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman Absent: Donald E. Cummings, Councilman Francis Casullo, Attorney Also present: Leland Cornelius, Liz Brennan, George Senter, John Chamberlin, Peg Palmer, Lyle Raymond, Monica Carey, Orlando Houtaling Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, to approve minutes of December 12, 1994, as mailed. Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson. Claim Nos. 4 thru 17 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $14,945.23 and Claim Nos. 9 thru 50 of the General Fund in the amount of $57,888.56 and Claim No. 110 of the Building Fund in the amount of $3,771.69 were presented for audit. Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Haynes, that the bills be paid as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson. LIZ BRENNAN - BOOKKEEPER - I don't have my regular report because in a few more days we'll close out 1994. The annual report is just about done. I do have some transfers. The computer that needed to be purchased when Colleen's went on the blink for $1,443.00. We need to set up an account A1989.4. We purchase County Maps and then resell them. That amount would be $21.00. We need another transfer from Justice Equipment for shredder. We budgeted $150.00 for shredder, nothing in budget for keyboard. Shredder cost $199.99 and Keyboard cost $49.99. Then I also need an encumbrance of 1994 General Funds for Building A1620.2 - $7,762.65. This will pay balance of building and storage area inside barn with remaining insurance reimbursement. I have another one and that is the Community Development Grant Fund. There was $65.75 left and I'd like to clear that account. That was the original money that went to us and we can use it for administration fees. The only other thing I wanted to let you know is in closing our fund balances are short. Townwide Highway is about $34,000. The Highway Part Town is $4,576. The General Part Town is $5,370. Councilman Haynes asked Bookkeeper to get him more information as to where we stand by the next meeting. RESOLUTION NO. 6 - APPROVE TRANSFERS Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the following transfers: General Fund ( Townwide) From: Contingency A1990.4 - $1,443.00 To: Tax Collection, Equipment A1330.2 - $1,443.00 Set up Account A1989.4 - Purchase of County Maps Transfer from Contingency A1990.4 to A1989.4 - $21.00 From: Justice, Equipment A1110.2 - $150.00 To: Justice, Contractual A1110.4 - $150.00 MINUTES - TOWN BOARD MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1995 AT 7:30PM RESOLUTION NO. 7 - APPROVE ENCUMBRANCE OF 1994 GENERAL FUNDS Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the encumbrance of 1994 General Funds for Building A1620.2 - $7,762.65 to pay for balance of barn building and storage area inside barn with remaining insurance reimbursement. RESOLUTION NO. 8 - CLOSEOUT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the closeout of Community Development Fund and transfer the remaining $65.75 to the Townwide General Fund for reimbursement of prior years expenditures. GEORGE SENTER - CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER - Building Permits issued - Year -to- Date 1994 - 2 No homes No Mobile Homes 2 Misc 1995 - 2 1 Home No Mobile Homes 1 renovation My annual report was sent to you. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Councilman Haynes congratulated George for the quality and quantity of work he is doing as Code Enforcement Officer. LELAND CORNELIUS - HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT - Apparently the Town Board received a letter from residents on Bossard Road. I thought they were going to come to the Board Meeting in March. Anyway we've got our budget already made for 1995. We've got no money to take on any more. That road isn't bad at all. When it thaws it is muddy. We did a ditching job last spring and he (Jeff Cronk) never finished it up like he said he was going to. The ditching that the Town did took water away from his house but he didn't finish his job. There is one -half mile of road. The cost for an 18 foot road with 3" base is about $12,000 per half mile. For a 20 foot road with 3" base the cost is about $15,000 per half mile. Three homes are on this road. The other people on the petition live on W. Groton Rd. Brown Road has 14 houses and we have one half mile more to pave this year. We also have two bridges to take care of this summer. I think Brown Road and Cemetery Lane should be done before Bossard Road. Those people just built the two new homes. Councilman Haynes said we should get back to the people and explain that other roads have been budgeted to be completed this year. Meeting recessed at 8:10PM for public hearing on 1995 Community Development Block Grant Program. Carl Heck - We had a hearing last month where we described the application process. We are preparing to submit a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development on or before February 21, 1995. We are proposing a two year housing grant for $565,000 with $315,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year. Fourteen cases in each year for a total of 28 cases. We take pictures of applicants homes only. The Town has identified the Town -wide need to assist approximately 28 households in the Town with a physical and financial need for housing rehabilitation assistance. Major needs include roofing, electric, plumbing, septic, water, heating, chimney, foundation, and energy- related improvement, among others. The demand for assistance and need for financial assistance has been thoroughly documented via the return of Preapplication /Surveys by potential program participants. Substandard building conditions have been documented by exterior surveys and Pre - applications. Only Small cities grant funds are required to complete program activities as planned. C. Haynes: What's the difference between the $315,000 and the $400,000. C. Heck: The $400,000 is for a one year grant. What we're proposing this year is the $565,000 to cover the years 1995 and 1996. C. Haynes: How many houses did you do for the $400,000? C. Heck: 22 C. Haynes: So, by the end of a three year period we will have improved 50 homes to the tune of approximately $1,000,000? And these are all out right grants. It's not money that gets repaid or anything like that. It's an out right grant that the people are not required to repay........ G. Senter: Is there this much money out there Carl? C. Heck: Yes ............... T. Robinson: They have to qualify. They can't sell their house. Like improve it and then sell it. C. Heck: Repairs are made to the basic system for health and safety. Wells, septic, electrical, heating, etc. There being no members of the public present that wished to speak for or against, hearing was closed at 8:17PM. Board Meeting reconvened at 8:17PM. Carl Heck said that the Town Board would be approving all expenditures. What they do in other towns is that they have an oversight committee to review cases. Usually these committee include the Town Supervisor, County Board Rep. for our area, County Planning Commissioner and two Town Board Members. A meeting will be held on the 29th. RESOLUTION NO. 9 - APPOINTMENT TO OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR HUD GRANTS Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby appoint the following to the Oversight Committee for HUD Grant reviews. Teresa Robinson, Supervisor Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman George Totman, County Board of Representative Carl Heck, County Planning JOHN CHAMBERLAIN - From Old Stage Road - A group of us met here in November with you to discuss decreasing the speed limit on Old Stage Road because of the high speed trucks, cars and traffic in general because of the number of children that we have on that road and just getting out of our drives on that road. It was recommended at that meeting that we put together a petition and submit to you. We have 37 signatures on it and I hope we can get some action on it. We are asking that the speed limit be reduced to 30 - 35 miles per hour from Route 38 to 350 yards East of Lick Street. We talked about the weight, four ton per axil, but we suspect their within the law on that. Supervisor said letters had not been sent out but suspect word got around and trucks were taking other routes. Mr. Chamberlain would like to see letter go out anyway. RESOLUTION NO. 10 - REDUCE SPEED LIMIT ON OLD STAGE ROAD Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby accept petition from Old Stage Residents and recommend that the County consider a reduction in the speed limit on Old Stage Road in the Town of Groton from the Route 38 intersection on the west to the top of the hill, approximately 350 yards east of the intersection of Old Stage Road and Lick Street on the east, at 30 to 35 miles per hour. Lucille Baker has asked the Town about Solid Waste Fees at the Groton Historical Society. Supervisor talked with them at the Assessment Office and the Solid Waste Office and their going to check it out. So, if they come in again we can give them an answer. They are exempt from taxes yet they have to pay the Solid Waste Fee. The Town does not pay the Solid Waste Fee. LYLE RAYMOND - ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS - Couple items pertaining to the ZBA. There is a case in here, January 1995, describing a case in the Town of Dryden. What it concerns is the power of the ZBA in the case of a separate Mobile Home Ordinance. If I read this write, it says the Zoning Boards are permitted to vary only the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. In Dryden the ZBA gave a variance to a Mobile Home Park. They were out of order because the Mobile Home Ordinance is not a part of the regular Zoning Ordinance. The ZBA can only deal with what is in the Zoning Ordinance. Obviously, then anything that comes before the ZBA from the Zoning Ordinance we can handle. If it comes from the Mobile Home Ordinance it has to come before you guys, the Town Board. Maybe Fran will want to check into this for you. I talked with George Totman about it and he was going to try to get the full case. THE SECOND ITEM - I just wanted to mention here. I haven't been in on this but I just wondered if I could get an update on just where you guys are at on holding a hearing on the new zoning. Supervisor Robinson said we had a joint meeting. Councilman Haynes said the he understood that we would have a joint hearing with the Planning Board. Mr. Haynes said it was just a matter of scheduling. Town Clerk said that hearing notice had to be 10 days prior to hearing. Monica Carey said the Planning Board would like to have it on a Thursday. Monica will see that the Town Clerk has a copy of the amended law and also a copy of the zoning map so that copies can be reproduced for the Boards and the public. RESOLUTION NO. 11 - SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED LOCAL LAW NO. 1 - LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT CODE Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby schedule a public hearing to be held jointly with the Town Board and the Planning Board on Thursday, March 9, 1995 at 8:OOPM at the Town Hall regarding the adoption of a Local Law of the Town of Groton for the year 1995 which would replace Local Law No. 3 for the year 1990, also known as the Town of Groton Land Use and Development Code. ORLANDO HOUGHTALING - YOUTH COMMISSION - You have in front of you an Agreement for the Village and Town and the Cooperative Extension for this year. The Cooperative Extension is working with us effective January 1st of this year. We're very pleased with the enthusiasm and cooperation involving not only the Youth Bureau but ourselves in the planning, the hiring of the youth coordination (Barbara Hopkins). I see a lot of good things coming out of this. The Commission has recommended that you approve this Agreement. Supervisor Robinson said the Village is going to be doing the paperwork because they have the park and the pool. This is the same Agreement as last year. Village is administering funds. Councilman Haynes said the Agreement is between the Village and Cooperative Extension. The Town is never mentioned in Agreement except for in the signatory. Refer Agreement to Attorney Casullo for inclusion of Town. RESOLUTION NO. 12 - YOUTH SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN VILLAGE AND COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the Supervisor to sign Youth Services Agreement between Cooperative Extension, Village of Groton and the Town of Groton once aspect of Town is included. RESOLUTION NO. 13 - LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN AND VILLAGE FOR USE OF TOWN COURTROOM FACILITIES FOR 1995 Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton does hereby authorize the Supervisor to sign Agreement between Town and Village for use of Court Room facilities for 1995 at the rate of $300.00 per month. Supervisor Robinson received a proposal for auditing the Town's financial records from Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Schaufler and Michelson. This is in addition to the $500.00 to audit Justice Court records. The proposal was for $3800 to complete 1994 audit. This is about the same as it has been in the past. RESOLUTION NO. 14 - ACCEPT CIASCHI, DIETERSHAGEN, SCHAUFLER AND MICHELSON'S PROPOSAL FOR 1994 AUDIT Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby accept the proposal of Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Schaufler & Michelson to perform the 1994 financial audit for the Town for $3800.00. Board reviewed audit report of the Justice Court. RESOLUTION NO. 15 - ACCEPT 1994 TOWN JUSTICE AUDIT REPORT Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Haynes Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton does hereby accept the audit report of the Town of Groton Justice Court for the period beginning January 1, 1994, and ending December 31, 1994, as reported by Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Schaufler and Michelson. Supervisor Robinson said she had a gentlemen come in on Tuesday to discuss our Health Benefits. We have decided to change to Community Rating with Blue Cross /Blue Shield. We currently have Blue Cross /Blue Shield Regionwide I Plan. The boys have listened, Colleen has listened. We talked about another plan with Aetna Insurance. This costs a lot less money for basically the same coverage. Our health insurance is very expensive. After meeting with all employees, they agreed to go with the Community Rated Plan. Our current BC /BS Regionwide I Plan monthly premium for an individual is $236.28 and $571.57 for a family. Under the new BC /BS Community Rate Plan the monthly premium will be $139.55 and $313.30 for a family. Atty. Casullo pointed out a couple of differences in the two plans. We have to make sure that the employees are all for it. All highway employees have been made aware and all agreed to the change. Atty. Casullo felt that we should have a document where they agree to this change. Peg Palmer asked if we were considering picking up dental. Councilman Haynes asked Atty. Casullo to draw up Agreement for the Highway employees to review and have their representative, Judson Holl, sign Agreement on their behalf. RESOLUTION NO. 16 - APPROVAL OF HEALTH INSURANCE CHANGE Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the change in Health Insurance Coverage subject to an agreed upon Memorandum of Agreement between the Supervisor, Town Attorney and the Highway Employees. PEG PALMER - COURT CLERK - Could I insurance thing? The change your policy to employee benefits. request that cover part ask something in relation to the health I put into the Board that sometime you time employees. That would be part of C. Haynes - Where do you define part time? question. P. Palmer - Those not working full time. I guess that becomes part of the C. Haynes - That could be Planning Board Members. P. Palmer - It could be appointed employees. They aren't appointed. C. Haynes - They get a $300 a year stipend. P. Palmer - That could be part of your policy, what you consider part time. C. Haynes - Does it help to get you access to the group rate? You would pay whatever the cost is for the group rate. P. Palmer - Access as far as paying full premium? C. Haynes - I think it opens up pandora's box in terms of cost to the Town when you say things like that. We have a lot of part time people. But, if we say the people who are working these various part time relationships for the Town want to access the Town's health insurance program, because it's a group rate and it cost a lot less and if you didn't have anything else, but you wanted to pay 100 percent of the premium, I don't think there would be any problem with that. P. Palmer - But you'd have to put that in your policy. C. Haynes - I don't know about that. Is that at least going to help with what you're thinking about? P. Palmer - Yes. That's better than non at all. T. Robinson - We have had retirees that paid 1000 of their insurance through the Town's group. C. Haynes - Let's give that one some thought before we do anything. TOWN OF GROTON AGREEMENT TO AMEND HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE This Agreement dated as of February 14, 1995 ( "the Agreement ") by and between the TOWN OF GROTON, a municipal corporation of the State of New York with offices located at 101 Conger Boulevard, Groton, New York (the "Town "), and the EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWN OF GROTON HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT (the "Employees "). RECITALS WHEREAS, the Town and the Employees have previously entered into a labor agreement covering the year 1995 and said agreement includes health insurance coverage for said employees; and WHEREAS, the Town and the Employees have agreed that the present health insurance coverage is costly and that there are other health insurance packages that are less expensive and provide nearly the same amount of coverage; and WHEREAS, the Town and the Employees are desirous of replacing the present health insurance coverage, Blue Cross /Blue Shield of Central New York, which was bargained for in said labor agreement, to Community Rated Blue Cross /Blue Shield health insurance coverage which would provide the Employees with nearly the same health insurance coverage as previously bargained for at a reduced cost; and WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Groton has duly authorized the Town to enter into this Agreement; NOW, THEREFORE, the Town and the Employees agree to the following: The present health care coverage provided to the Employees by the Town, Blue Cross /Blue Shield of Central New York, shall be replaced by Community Rated Blue Cross /Blue Shield health care coverage. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Town of Groton has caused its corporate seal to be affixed hereto and these presents to be signed by Teresa M. Robinson, its Supervisor, duly authorized so to do, and to be attested by Colleen D. Pierson, Town Clerk, and said Employees have caused to have their duly appointed representative, Judson Holl, to sign this Agreement, the day and year first above - written. TOWN OF GROTON By: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor y2V_'Iff ATTEST: Colleen D. Pierson, Town Clerk EMPLOYEES OF TOWN OF GROTON HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT By: Judson Holl Authorized Representative Discussed Americans with Disabilities Act. George Senter and Atty Casullo did evaluation. We had to be in compliance or in the process of complying by the end of January. Report indicates various things that need to be done. Basically, what we need to do is to be shading in the months the we plan on working on the next item. We gave Teresa the evaluation. The public address system should be shaded in for March. Move on down the list until hopefully in December we have complied with all ADA requirements. The audio system is the most expensive and the most important to complete. Door handles have to be changed. The Clerk's counter is already taken care of by the Clerk taking those customer's in office at the table. This does not need board action but Teresa must keep in file and keep moving along so that all items are corrected by December. George reminded Board that head sets must be included with audio visual system. A sign also has to be placed outside the Court Room indicating that the audio system is in place and working. Discussed Diversified Technology - The last Attorney heard was that they were paying $500. Supervisor said they were not paying it. No payments were received since the $500. January payments were to be $600. Attorney Casullo will address situation and report back to Board. Supervisor Robinson reported on Rural Affairs Committee. Basically, they had four meetings. The things that they heard about were recycling, cat licensing, complaints, etc. Groton School Board would like to have the Town and Village Boards meet with them on February 27 at 8:OOPM to discuss plans for the community and what the School's plans are. Supervisor Robinson asked Leland Cornelius if we ever had Insurance on Boiler & Machinery. Councilman Haynes said perhaps this was out of Leland's area. It deals with boilers, pressure vessels, refrigerating and air conditioning systems, motors, generators, compressors, pumps, fans, blowers, turbines, transformers, etc. It gives us coverage for accidents, water damage, hazardous substance and things of that nature. Councilman Haynes said that he thought we always had this coverage. Supervisor Robinson said that Chris Dempsey said that we never had this coverage and has added it now for an additional premium of $500.00. Dempsey Insurance submitted Penco Insurance Quote for all coverages per the expiring policies with the exception of Boiler & Machinery. Business Auto including Physical Damage - $17,490.00 Errors and Omissions - $ 2,645.00 General Liability - $ 8,595.00 Property $ 2,157.17 Inland Marine $ 1,253.00 Crime & Bond $ 675.00 Boiler & Machinery $ 500.00 Total$33,315.17 (Premium paid for February 15, 1994 policies $34,882.41) RESOLUTION NO. 17 - ACCEPT TOWN INSURANCE QUOTATION Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Haynes Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby accept 1995 Insurance quotation submitted by Dempsey Insurance for a total of $33,315.17 COLLEEN D. PIERSON, TOWN CLERK /TAX COLLECTOR - We have collected $754,132.55 out of $1,231,000. For those that are interested in numbers participating in installment program. 1991 - 97; 1992 - 167; 1993 - 169; 1994 - 147 and 1995 - 154. This certainly isn't as popular as the County claimed it would be when they passed the law in 1991. Those taking advantage of the option are the same every year. One reason for people not taking advantage of the installment payments is the surcharge assessed to the first installment. This amounts to .025. They can make payment in full through February 28 with only 2.00% interest and still pay less than the surcharge. The first installment payment must be made no later than January 15 or January 20 with 1% interest. Councilman Haynes asked about sound system. We need to know if the Calf system is within the purchasing bid system. Supervisor Robinson said yes, they've already sent us a bill. What was the estimate from Calf Audio? Teresa said overall I'm going to say $8,000 plus. Carl asked who the other estimate was from? Teresa said Harrington Bros. for $4260.80 and Ultimate Music for $3440.66. I have three estimates and all of them are a lot cheaper than this but none of them have the things that we need for what we're doing. Town Clerk said we did not bid system but Teresa has proposals. RESOLUTION NO. 18 - ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH CALF AUDIO Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Haynes, Robinson BE IT RESOLVED that the Groton Town Board authorized the Town Supervisor to enter into an agreement with Calf Audio of 157 Gray Road, Ithaca, NY, for the installation of an audio tape /public address system in the Town Meeting Room /Court Room for the quoted price of $7,925.74. The Groton Town Board desires to enter into an agreement with Calf Audio even though Harrington Bros. and Ultimate Music submitted lower price quotes due to the fact that the Calf Audio price quote includes all that the Town desires with regard to an audio tape /public address system in said room, while the other two quotes did not include all that the Town desired in this regard. There being no further business, Mr. Sovocool moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Mr. Haynes at 9:55PM. Unanimous. Colleen D. Pierson Town Clerk