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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-1997 MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1997 Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Daniel J. Carey, Councilman Donald N. Palmer, Councilman Fran Casullo, Attorney Absent: Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman Also present: Liz Brennan, Leland Cornelius, Oley Houghtaling, George Senter, Bud & Janice McFall, Arland Heffron, George Totman, Margaret Palmer Discussed setting rates at the first of the year for pay increase for Planning Board and Election Inspectors. Approval of January 6th minutes: Councilman Palmer: I have a number of items that I would like to get clarified before we accept the minutes. Possibly amend them. Start with page 5, the hourly rates that are set. I think we need to refer back to the agenda on that because that is where all of this came from but, the item #4 that is in reference here was a no rate change, the others reflect a rate changes for the new year. The resolution on setting the hourly rates (talking custodian) and the question that was raised, and I'm not sure how it was resolved, but the pay for the Planning Board and the Election Inspectors, which should be a part of the organizational meeting rates. Supervisor Robinson: We had to talk to the County on that and find out what the rates were in other places and ours was one of the lowest and so were going to...... Councilman Palmer: For the record at some point we need to get that in there for both the Planning Board and the Election Inspectors. Supervisor Robinson: Yes, well, the Planning Board is something that we have pre....well,I suppose it should be repeated every time but it has always been on there. It is $25.00 for the meeting up to $300.00 and that's it. Councilman Palmer: Ok...my only point is, it should be a part of, if we are setting rates the beginning of the year, it should be part of that. Supervisor Robinson: Well, that is something that we set a long time ago, it's just an ongoing thing. Councilman Palmer: The next one I'll move on to on the same page the setting up the legal services. I believe the understanding was that rate would be set for 97' but in the future would be advertized openly for quotes. Supervisor Robinson: Where did you get that understanding from? I didn't come away with that understanding. Councilman Palmer: Well, I think it goes along with purchasing policy that is in place. Supervisor Robinson: No. I don't think it is, it has been and that is why we haven't done anything about it. Councilman Palmer: I'll go back to the point that I think it is part of the purchasing policy. Supervisor Robinson: No, I don't believe it is. No. Purchasing is one thing, a service is something else. 1 Councilman Palmer: Well, services there are no different than other services, are they? Supervisor Robinson: I should say so. Councilman Palmer: Well, I go on record as feeling that it should be in conformity with the Purchasing Policy till we change it. Supervisor Robinson: I'll go on record as not going along with that. Councilman Carey: I will have to support the Supervisor. Councilman Sovocool: I will too. Councilman Palmer: On page 6 of the minutes - the approval for attending the Annual Association of Towns Meeting of Margaret Palmer there was nothing in the resolution that the fee on that be split, there was a discussion between the Supervisor and myself that we believe probably that it should be done the same as the prior year, whatever arrangement that was. And, that arrangement last year was that it was not split with the village. Supervisor Robinson: It wasn't. Then what difference does it make here. Councilman Palmer: Because here it is indicating that it would be split with the village. The point I am raising in the minutes deals with the attendance at the Annual Association Towns Meeting and particular the minutes reflect that the attendance of Margaret Palmer, the cost will be split with the village. That was not a part of the resolution and that is not what happened last year. Councilman Sovocool: Is she a full-time clerk? Or does she also split her time with the village? Supervisor Robinson: She splits her time with the village. She also attends the meetings for the village and she does it for the town, too. And gets paid by them. Councilman Sovocool: Then it should be split. Councilman Palmer: And the next point I would raise again, was the appointment of the Chairman of the Town Planning Board for the year of 1997. It is my understanding, we may need legal council on this, but the fact on an ongoing board, the board itself elects the chairman each year as opposed to being appointed by the Town Board. Supervisor Robinson: I'm not sure, but I think the rules have been changed. Councilman Palmer: I believe they do reflect that they have elected their chairman. Supervisor Robinson: I think Colleen has something to back that up with. George Totman: To my knowledge, the Zoning Board of Appeals is automatically appointed by the Town Board, but the Planning Board elects their own chairman if they elect to do so, otherwise the Town Board appoints the chairman. That is the way it has always been. Supervisor Robinson: We had it on the agenda and thought it was the way it was. Anything else? Councilman Palmer: No Supervisor Robinson: Ok, it will be so noted Councilman Palmer: With those exceptions I would move to approve the minutes of January 6, 1997. Seconded by Councilman Sovocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Palmer, Carey, Robinson. 2 Claim Nos. 2 to 24 of the 1997 Highway Fund in the amount of $35,285.49; Claim Nos. 2 to 31 of the 1997 General Fund in the amount of $102,270.84 were presented for audit. Moved by Councilman Carey that bills to be paid as presented, seconded by Councilman Palmer. Ayes - Sovocool, Palmer, Carey, Robinson. Claim Nos. 77 to 85 of the Special Grant Funds (HUD) were presented for audit. Moved by Councilman Palmer, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, that the bills be paid as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Palmer, Carey, Robinson. BUD AND JANICE MCFALL - of West Groton, request that the Junkyard next to their property, owned by Todd Twigg, have a high fence between the properties. The property owner never shows up for him to speak to. They have rats and wants the view covered. Fran Casullo, Attorney and George Senter, CEO will sit down together and review the problem and respond to their appeal then report to the board at next month's meeting. GEORGE TOTMAN - I appreciate the board changing the meeting night to Tuesday. I have information that was collected as to what is going on with the county. Be aware that I never voted against the recycling center in Peruville as it never came to a county board vote. Recycling is a committee that operates by itself rather than going through a full board because they are operating on county money now. They are self-sustaining and it was the decision of that committee to close the recycling centers the first of the year. Because of people questioning it they decided the three months extension, which will be up March 31st. It is up to each individual town whether they want to go together or not. It is an expensive project. MARGARET PALMER - I need a point clarified by the Board, concerning Association of Towns Meeting in NY and coverage. In January the request for authorization was put before the Board. The day after I inquired whether it was approved to go and was told I was approved, so the registration was sent in. The draft of the minutes shows I am approved for half payment to be shared with the village. The last four years the Town has covered the expenses to go to NY. The Village covers expenses to the Court Association Annual Conference in October. I would like the Board to consider increasing the amounts for the conferences. Moved by Councilman Carey the Town will pay NYS Association of Towns conferences for Margaret Palmer, seconded by Council Sovocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Robinson. Abstain - Palmer. LIZ BRENNAN - BOOKKEEPER - In the 1996 budget we need to encumber funds for the fuel tanks money we moved from the capitol to pay the fuel tank bills. Highway fund - money from Federal Government for flooding has not been spent and that had to be moved to the 97 budget. RESOLUTION NO. 12 AUTHORIZE ENCUMBER FUNDS INTO 1997 BUDGET Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman Palmer Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the encumbrance of 1996 funds: General fund (Townwide) Garage A1640.41 -Remaining costs for fuel tanks - $24,550.96 & Hwy Fund (Part-Town) Disaster Flood Work DB8760.4 - $3,011.00 RESOLUTION NO. 13 - TRANSFER FUNDS IN 1996 BUDGET Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool 3 Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the transfer of 1996 funds. General (Townwide) Fund: From: Justice, Contr A1110.4...$31.36 To : Justice, Court Clerk Pers. Serv. A1110.13...$31.36 From: CDL Testing A5680.4....$2,298.75 To : Bldgs., Pers. Serv.A1620.1....$24.81 Bldgs., Contr A1620.4...$$2,273.94 General (Part-Town Fund) From: Planning Contr B8020.4...$45.00 To : Mun. Assoc. Dues B1920.4..$45.00 Highway (Townwide) Fund: From: Serv. other govt., Cont. DA5148.4..$519.66 To : Serv. other govt., Pers. DA5148.1..$519.66 From: Snow Removal, Sick DA5142.12..$1,777.00 To : Snow Removal, Contr.DA5142.4..$1,777.00 From: Contingency DA1990.4....$776.87 Machinery, Contr. DA5130.4...$10,742.71 Snow Removal, Pers. DA5142.1...$885.04 To : Machinery, Pers. Serv. DA5130.1..$12,404.62 RESOLUTION NO. 14 - TRANSFER FUNDS IN 1997 BUDGET Moved by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Carey Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson. General Fund Townwide From: Garage A1640.4..$1,724.04 To : Garage, Fuel Tanks A1640.41..$1,724.04 The Annual Financial Report will be filed electronically the next few weeks. Copies will be distributed to the Board at the next Board Meeting in March. A private audit can be done at any time now. GEORGE R. SENTER, SR. - CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER - Building permits issued : 1997 3 Mobile Homes 3 Misc. George Senter was commended by Councilman Palmer for the continuing education regarding the number of courses he has taken which is required. George Senter has to maintain at least 24 hours a year to keep the registry number. COLLEEN D. PIERSON, TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR - Monthly Town Clerk's Report and Tax Collector's Report was submitted to the Board. LELAND E. CORNELIUS, HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT - We have the fuel on line today. All bills are in but the electric. We budgeted $3000.00 and what is left I would like to put toward the roof over the tanks this summer. ARLAND L. HEFFRON, TOWN JUSTICE - The Federal Government has set up certain monies to be used by the States toward buying equipment to improve the Criminal Justice Records. Each Board member received a copy of a Grant Application for Equipment to Access the Electronic Rapsheet Program from the Division of Criminal Justice Services of New York State. This Grant made available to the States will be distributed amongst 30 courts in the State, we 4 hope by application we will be awarded one of them. The purpose of having a so-called Rapsheet at time of arraignment is important for not only bail purposes, but important as to what your going to tell a fellow if he is charged with a felony, you have to tell him that he may be held for Grand Jury action which this Court would lose control over and these things are pertinent to the initial arrangement. This Grant will be made available on a one-third two-third basis, the State paying two-thirds of it and the local municipalities pay the other one-third. The Village has already agreed to go 50% of that third. This Grant may or may not be awarded to the community, we don't know that, but we would like authorization to make application for it. MARGARET PALMER - The availability of funds decision will be made March 4th, I believe the Grant runs April 1st to March 30th '98. Sometime in that year period hopefully the funds will be made available. So, as far as the $400 or $500 that the Town would cover you wouldn't need that tomorrow. There are three different estimates that cover the specs. SUPERVISOR ROBINSON : I think we can make arrangements RESOLUTION NO. 15- APPROVAL FOR JUSTICE TO APPLY FOR ELECTRONIC RAPSHEET PROGRAM GRANT Moved by Mr. Palmer, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes: Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes the Court proceed with the application of the Grant as outlined and to follow the suggestion of the Village Board in terms of the equipment choice. Attorney Fran Casullo will review Certified Insurance Form. Discussed the annual Rental Agreement with the Village of Groton for use of Town Court Facilities. Judge Arland Heffron stated that the Village has long felt that the annual rental paid for use of the Court room is exorbitant and would like a more moderate fee. It was stated by Supervisor Robinson that the use of our facilities is more than the Court room, which is a gravy for the village. The village paying what they are, we haven't insisted on anything different. The Board agrees. Rental Agreement with the Village Moved by Councilman Palmer we continue the of Groton of $3600.00 for the current year. Seconded by Councilman Sovocool. Ayes: Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson. Subordination Agreement Discussed between the Town of Groton and the First National Bank of Groton. A Lien Agreement with Raymond Volbrecht to the Town of Groton in the principal sum of $13,380, five (5) year diminishing agreement. Subordination Agreement Motion made by Councilman Carey to approve , seconded by Councilman Palmer. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson. Town Liability Agreement - 1997 premium with Penco quoted $31,147 and the head office is in Tennessee. Supervisor Robinson read Dempsey's recommendation to go Selective. The coverage is better, the price is the best of the companies quoted and hopes that we take some of the savings and increase the one million umbrella to at least three million for an added cost of $1,160.00. Mr. Dempsey searched other companies and quoted on premiums surveyed which are Titan, CNA and Perma. He searched the market to find the best coverage and premium available in the municipal market. This does not include the bond premium that we will be renewing in Utica Mutual. What we have now, without extra, would be $28,418.75. The option to move up to 3 million as an umbrella- that would be subtracting the $1,813.00 from the $28,418.75 and adding $2,973.00. Recommended by Councilman Palmer to take action and move on Dempsey's recommendation to make that change, including the increase in the umbrella coverage to three million. Seconded by Councilman Carey. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson. 5 Discussed Auditors quotations - Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little & Mickelson LLP quote $3600.00 for the Town and $500.00 for the Justice Court. Nolis & Beals quote $3400.00 - they will audit the books and records of the Town of Groton Justice Court for the period from January 1996 to December 1996. The price quote includes the Town of Groton and the Justice Court. Moved by Councilman Sovocool that the Town go with Nolis & Beals offer of $3400.00 . Seconded by Councilman Palmer. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson. PERUVILLE DROP-OFF SITE SUPERVISOR ROBINSON: I would like to know what the drop-off site will be used for after March 31st. I feel that it is about time the County cooperates with the town in leaving the site open (it was suggested that the Supervisor get to together with Tom Todd of Tompkins County). There will be no pickup at the drop-ff site. If we keep the site open we would have to make arrangements with either Superior or someone else. MARGARET PALMER: We are paying duplication of services, my tax money already pays for recycling to be picked up at the curb. And if the Town of Dryden and Groton set up their own large recycling place for people who won't want to put it out on the curb. I don't want my tax dollars to pay for another pick up when I am already paying to have it picked up at my curb. I don't think it is fair to any taxpayer to have a duplication of services, they are already paid. COUNCILMAN SOVOCOOL: What is the sense of having another drop-off site? Why do they need that down there? SUPERVISOR ROBINSON: I have had a great many people come and ask to have it. People want a place to drop it off. I am going to pursue this and ask more questions before I put it before you guys. Crop Walk Supervisor Robinson received a call regarding the , they received $595.85 from the walk. The 2nd of March there will be a reception at the First National Bank of Groton for Paul Lanciault and his wife. This involves the businessmen, the Town , Village and residents. Supervisor Robinson will do a Proclamation. This is in respect to the many years that Paul Lanciault has been here and the many people he has served beyond the call of duty when it came to delivering to the elderly and to the homebound. Moved by Councilman Carey to make a Proclamation on Paul Lanciault time and work he put into the Pharmacy. Seconded by Sovocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson Supervisor Robinson is to contact 2 possible candidates to fill the vacancy for Constable. This will be done by the next Town Board meeting in March. Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson Scheduled hearing for Local Law No. 1 for the Year 1997 - Amending the Town of Groton Land Use and Development Code on March 11, 1997 @ 8:00 PM. Scheduled hearing for Local Law No. 2 for the Year 1997- A Law that Acknowledges the Right to Undertake Agricultural Practices in the Town on March 11, 1997 @ 8:15 PM. Authorized the Town Clerk/Records Management Officer to expend monies budgeted for restoration of Town Records for the year 1997. Moved by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Palmer. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson. 6 Motion made by Councilman Carey for Executive Session at 9:20 PM to discuss attendance of Planning Board and Appeals Board. Seconded by Sovocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson Board meeting reconvened at 9:25 - As a result of discussion in Executive session letters will be sent to Planning Board and Appeals Board members. RESOLUTION NO. 16 - AUTHORIZATION TO PARTICIPATE IN COOPERATIVE PURCHASING OF HIGHWAY SERVICES WITH TOMPKINS COUNTY. Moved by Councilman Palmer, seconded by Councilman Sovocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson. RESOLVED , that the Town of Groton be hereby authorized to participate with Tompkins County in the cooperative purchasing of various highway services. RESOLUTION NO. 17 - AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE OIL AND RELATED PRODUCTS FROM STATE CONTRACT BIDS AS APPROPRIATE. Moved by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Carey. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson. RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby authorize the Highway Superintendent to purchase oil and related products from State Contract Bids as appropriate. RESOLUTION NO. 18-APPROVE ROAD NAME CHANGES FOR 911 Moved by Councilman Palmer and seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson WHEREAS , The Town of Groton desires to assist the County of Tompkins in the implementation of a county wide 911 system by changing the names of certain roads within the Town; therefore be it RESOLVED , that the Town of Groton hereby changes the official name of the following road as follows: OLD NAMENEW NAME 1. 1460 Cortland Road 1460 Old Groton Road 2. 1462 Cortland Road 1462 Old Groton Road and be it further RESOLVED , that the Town Clerk of the Town of Groton is hereby authorized to inform all interested persons, departments and/or agencies of the above stated name changes; and be it further RESOLVED , that the above stated name change will take effect on March 1, 1997, or sooner if the 911 system is implemented on or before that date. RESOLUTION NO. 19 - TOWN OF GROTON TO PARTICIPATE IN 1997 SUMMER YOUTH WORKERS PROGRAM 7 Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson. RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton will participate in the 1997 Summer Youth Workers Program with approximately four youths. RESOLUTION NO. 20 - APPOINT TERESA ROBINSON AS REPRESENTATIVE AT CAYUGA MEDICAL CENTER Moved by Councilman Carey, Seconded by Councilman Sovocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Robinson RESOLVED, that Supervisor Robinson be appointed Representative to Corporate Membership in Cayuga Medical Center for a two year term. COUNCILMAN PALMER: It would be good to contact John Pachai and ask him to change the meeting date on our Web page. And, I bring to the Board for consideration is the policy the state has in place for paying perdiems for people that travel either overnight or non-overnight where they don't have to keep all their receipts. Put this in place up to the $500.00 maximum that is already in place in the Town Ordinance. SUPERVISOR ROBINSON: I will check this out, I would like to look it over a little more. I will put it down. There being no further business, Councilman Carey moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, at 9:45 PM. Unanimous. Carol Marks, Deputy 8