HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-08-1996MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1996 AT 7:30 P.M.
Those present: Teresa M.
Ellard L.
Gordon C.
Donald N.
Daniel J.
Fran Casu
Robinson, Supervisor
Sovocool, Councilman
VanBenschoten, Councilman
Palmer, Councilman
Carey, Councilman
llo, Attorney
Also present: Liz Brennan, Leland Cornelius, George Senter, Rick Beals -
Auditor.
Councilman Palmer commended the office for being able to get the minutes out
prior to going on vacation. That was very commendable of whoever did the work
on that. It is helpful to have it out well in advance.
Councilman Palmer had a couple questions. 1) Question brought to him and he
didn't have an answer so directed to Corney - Reason for coating of Bossard
Road when it only had three houses on it? Why was a lot of money spent on a
short section of road that only had three houses? Corney said last year they
brought in a petition signed by the property owners along that portion of
Bossard Road. This was discussed on our road tour this spring and also at our
June board meeting the Board agreed to pave road. The residents were present
at that meeting but did not speak. Corney said the houses are $250,000
houses. There will be another house built on that road shortly. 2) The other
question was on the last item we covered, the eaves trough. Do we have a
policy where we do go out for bids over a certain value? Supervisor Robinson
said yes, but this was a little different in that this was the building or the
people that put the eaves up and they are a little unusual and we are covered
under our insurance. We have a purchasing policy but we have to go out for
bids for anything over $10,000. Clerk Pierson said that our Procurement
Policy is based on a dollar range which includes verbal quotes or written
quotes and is $250 to $3000 and on up. Clerk will send Councilman Palmer a
copy of policy.
Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Palmer, that the minutes of June 10,
1996 be approved as submitted. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey,
Robinson.
Claim Nos. 93 to 109 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $42,142.18 and Claim
Nos. 146 to 166 of the General Fund in the amount of $5,584.51 were submitted
for audit. Moved by Mr. Palmer, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, that the bills
be approved for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey,
Robinson.
Claim Nos. 51 to 54 of the Special Grant Fund (HUD) in the amount of
$20,625.68 were presented for audit. Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr.
Carey, that the bills be approved for payment. Ayes - Sovocool,
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VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson.
Supervisor Robinson requested the following be put into the minutes: That we
express our sympathy and sorrow that the Groton Town Board has for Mrs.
Leonard Proper and family and thank him for the many years of service he gave
us as a custodian for our elections.
LIZ BRENNAN - BOOKKEEPER - Handed out monthly report for month ending June 30,
1996. There are no transfers. If there are no questions, I'll turn it over
to the auditor, Rick Beals of Nolis & Beals who will review the report.
RICK O. BEALS, CPA - NOLIS & BEALS - Thanked the Town Board for giving him the
opportunity to perform the audit for 1995. Since the Independent auditors'
report contained 33 pages, Mr. Beals gave the Board highlights of the report.
This is a report on audit of financial statements for the year ended December
31, 1995. During our audit we became aware of a matter that is an opportunity
for strengthening internal controls and operating efficiency. A summary is as
follows:
FUND BALANCE
During our audit we noted that the fund balance in the general fund
decreased significantly. Even though the decrease in fund balance was
appropriated for in the 1995 budget, further significant appropriations of
fund balance will create a deficit in the general fund in 1996.
During the past few years the Town was able to appropriate significant
portions of fund balances without increasing taxes. Fund balances are at a
level where unexpected situations can still be sufficiently addressed. The
Town would lose this flexibility if further depletions in fund balances occur.
If this happens significant increases in the tax levy may be necessary in
future years.
In order to prevent further depletions of fund balances which could lead
to future significant increases in taxes we recommend that continued long
range planning of fund balance appropriations be done. We noticed the budget
for 1996 has addressed these concerns and future budgets should continue to do
the same. If fund balances are managed appropriately, the Town will be in a
better position to effectively plan for the future.
The books are in excellent shape. Liz does a great job and I had no problems
doing the audit. It went very smoothly. Any questions or anything I needed I
received right away. If there are any questions, I'd be happy to answer
them.
Councilman Palmer - In a Town of this size, what would you recommend the fund
balance should be at any point in time?
Rick Beals - Well, they're at a point now where they are in pretty good shape.
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You would want to avoid further depletion of fund balances and end up with a
deficit and having to borrow money. As far as I know, there is no rule of
thumb that based upon a budget level that a certain percentage should be
earmarked as fund balances.
GEORGE R. SENTER, SR. - CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER - Year -to -date building
permits issued:
1995 48 7 houses 10 mobile homes 31 other
1996 39 3 houses 5 mobile homes 31 other
Life safety inspections are current through June. Road tour - Of the original
45 letters that we sent out there will be 14 more going out. Not all of those
are for automobiles. Some of them are for rubbish. I sent Sherry O'Brien a
letter which I copied to you. I will be there inspecting the 15th of July.
The next step is court. He has been non - conforming for about 20 years with
the first 10 years without even having a permit.
ARLAND HEFFRON & ALTON ALEXANDER - TOWN JUSTICES - Monthly reports were
reviewed by Board Members.
LELAND CORNELIUS - HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT - We got a clean bill of health from
the Department of Labor. They re- inspected and all was in order. We had
taken care of all the items they listed. Bid specifications are not ready
for gas tanks.
COLLEEN D. PIERSON, TOWN CLERK - Monthly report was reviewed by Board Members.
Received ITT Hartford insurance check for eave trough in the amount of
$1750.00. Our deductible is $1,000.00. C.S. &K. Roofing & Sheet Metal will be
replacing eave trough in about four to six weeks. What action did the County
Board of Reps take on solid waste fee? Did they approve adding fee to 1997
tax bills? Was on tonights County Board Agenda for action.
Supervisor Robinson received the following correspondence:
1) Special Franchise Assessments; 2) NYS Retirement Information; 3) Letter
from Tompkins County Planning Dept. - Carl Heck - Small Cities Community
Development Block Grant preparing for audit; 4) Tompkins County Solid Waste
Fee info; 5) Recycling Certificate; 6) Letter from Scott Heyman, Tompkins
County Administrator, regarding Self - Insurance Pools for Worker's Compensation
scheduled for Monday, July 15, 1996 from 1:30PM to 2:30PM for the PERMA option
and 2:30PM to 3:OOPM for the mutual self - insurance within Tompkins County.
Supervisor Robinson said we also have an ADDENDUM AGREEMENT made on the 24th
day of June 1996, by and between the COUNTY OF TOMPKINS a Municipal
Corporation of the State of New York with main offices in the Tompkins County
Court House at 320 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY, hereinafter referred to as
"the County" and the VILLAGE OF GROTON a Municipal Corporation of the State of
New York with offices at 108 E. Cortland Street, Groton, NY, herein after
referred to as the "Village" and the TOWN OF GROTON a Municipal Corporation of
the State of New York with offices at 101 Conger Boulevard, Groton, NY,
hereinafter referred to as the "Town ".
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RESOLUTION NO. 28 - ADDENDUM TO 1996 YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM
Moved by Mr. Carey, seconded by Mr. Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the Supervisor to
sign Addendum Agreement to 1996 Youth Services Program which allows for
an additional payment of $2,250 (Municipal Jobs Program for which the
Town was allocated $750 and the Village $1500) for a total contract sum
not to exceed $28,750.00.
On this coming Saturday and Sunday, July 13 and 14, McLean will be celebrating
their bi- centennial and it would be nice if we all participated since they are
in our community. Maybe we could declare that McLean Day or something. I
think that would be nice.
COUNCILMAN PALMER - Reported on the Tompkins County Transportation Committee.
A ton of material to read and can't understand what they are talking about.
Maybe Corney can get something out of it. I am unable to attend these
meetings since I work during the day. If there is someone else that is
willing to attend these meetings, I would be willing to vacate my seat very
willing. We have a copy of the 2015 Long Range Plan in the office. I also
sat in on the O'Brien hearing that the Town Planning Board had.
There being no further business, Mr. Sovocool moved to adjourn meeting,
seconded by Mr. Carey at 8:40PM. Unanimous.
Colleen D. Pierson
Town Clerk
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