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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-10-2005 TOWN OF GROTON – MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2005 AT 7:30 PM THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD Those present: Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman Richard B. Gamel, Councilman Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town Also present: Dewey Dawson, Rick Case, Liz Brennan, Gary Coats, Tena McClary, Joe Graham, Olivia Nellums, April Scheffler. MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the minutes of the April 12, 2005 meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. The Town Board was notified that the Beautification Committee has plans to install flags on all the streetlight poles down Main Street and continue past the businesses on Peru Road and was asked if the Town would like to participate by purchasing a flag for $35.00. After some discussion the Board decided that they would like to purchase five flags. RESOLUTION #05-047 – PURCHASE FLAGS FOR MAIN STREET MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board agrees to purchase five flags at the cost of $35.00 each to be used by the Beautification Committee for their Main Street project. The check shall be made payable to the Village of Groton and a voucher (#166) shall be added to the May abstract. General Fund Claim Numbers 137-166 of the in the amount of $26,606.93 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Town Board Minutes Page 2 May 10, 2005 Before approval of the Highway bills Councilman Sovocool questioned the bill for transmission repair to the grader. He thought that it was a lot of money and wondered if this kind of repair work was put out to bid. Highway Superintendent, Rick Case, explained that it was best to have repairs done by the authorized dealer and that major repair of this type of large equipment was indeed expensive. Highway Fund Claim Numbers 58-75 of the in the amount of $82,391.49 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Monthly Reports: Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/Highway Clerk – Submitted her monthly reports for the Board’s review and did not have any transfers this month. Ms. Brennan requested Board approval to update the Williamson Law accounting & budget and payroll programs from DOS to the new Windows version. RESOULUTION #05-048 – UPGRADE BOOKKEEPER’S SOFTWARE PROGRAMS MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the upgrade to Windows of the Bookkeeper’s software programs that are provided by Williamson Law Book Company at the cost of $500.00 for Accounting & Budget and $500.00 for Payroll, plus installation, mileage and training. Gary Coats, Building/Code Enforcement Officer – One building had been condemned due to a fire on Spring Street Extension and will be coming down. Four houses are presently being built. The Smith Road garage belonging to Lewis Thompson should be completed by August. Everything that was required is done except for a trench around the exterior foundation and pour a re-bar reinforced footer all the way around. The trench is there but he has run out of money. He has however assured me that it will be done by August. Councilman Gamel asked for an update on the Audrey Smith property on Davis Road. Mr. Coats said that their demolition permit would soon expire and half has been torn down. Mr. Coats said that he would be seeing her at her Peru Road property and would find out what her intentions were. Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent – At the present time, the shop is busy with the preventive maintenance program and finishing up the change-over of the heavy equipment from winter operation to summer operation. A great deal of effort has been made to correct the drainage problems on Clark Street Extension. By the end of this week we will have it ready to pave. The plan, as we speak, is to start paving Champlin Road, from Elm Street to Route 222 Town Board Minutes Page 3 May 10, 2005 and then Clark Street, from Salt Road to Champlin Road. While the preparations to pave have been going on, Joe Graham has been busy working on the gravel bank closure. Other than the lower portion of the mine site holding, water, to best of my knowledge, we are nearing completion of this project. I have talked with Craig Schutt from the Tompkins County Soil & Water, and he is in hopes of having seed on the final grading within the next few days. In an effort to get Clark Street back in shape, Stevens Road bridge approaches have not been started. When time, equipment and manpower allows, we will get stated on that portion of the bridge project. May is the month that we do our annual Town Board highway tour. If there is any interest and schedules allow, I am willing to do the tour at any time. As we discussed and budgeted for, I am requesting a resolution to purchase a 10-foot Proline dump body off the NYS OGS bid for $24, 217 from Vicking Cives USA. Supervisor Morey – Is it in the budget? Mr. Case – Yes. Councilman Clark – What’s that go on, Rick? Mr. Case – That’s going to go on that International dump truck that we built up, that new one. The dump body was the second portion of that program. RESOLUTION #05-049 – PURCHASE DUMP BODY MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the purchase of a 10-foot dump body off the NYS OGS bid for $24, 217 from Vicking Cives USA. Supervisor Morey – Liz, is it in the budget? Liz Brennan – Yes. Discussion took place on the Spring Highway Tour. A date was not decided upon. April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector – Submitted her monthly Town Clerk and Tax Collector reports. She explained to the Board that she had just put another ad in the Shopper for a dog enumerator because although she had received some applications, they had not worked out. Bambi Hollenbeck, Town Clerk of Dryden, had set up a meeting with the SPCA to talk about the possibility of them hiring another person and doing enumeration for us. The idea is to maybe have a proposal in place by budget time. Town Board Minutes Page 4 May 10, 2005 Supervisor Morey explained that letter from George Duchette, the Regional Traffic Engineer, had been received and it had been determined that a speed reduction on McLean-Cortland Road was not warranted. Supervisor Morey read a letter he had received from Donna Collins, President of the New York State Town Clerks Association, informing him that April Scheffler had awarded the Association certificate as Registered Municipal Clerk and congratulating the Town of Groton in having their Clerk attain this prestigious award. Supervisor Morey said that Clerk had been told by Board of Elections that a new election district had been created for Groton. Clerk Scheffler said that she was unsure why the Board of Elections bypassed both her and the Town Board when making this decision. A.D. Dawson & John Norman, Town Justices – Submitted their monthly reports for the Board’s review. Judge Dawson said that things in the Court were going smoothly. One jury trial had been plead out and another was scheduled for June 17. Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator – Reported that he had been re- appointed chair of the Recreation Committee for the year with Debbie Finton-Crouch as vice- chair. Things are going smooth and summer programs are set and up and running. Extra things are being worked on for the fall. Supervisor Morey – Last month we tried to get a resolution made to inspect public places. We tabled it on advice from Fran. I think Gary Coats understands what his responsibilities would be. Gary Coats – Yes, I wrote to Fran and Vicki. I learned a lot after actually talking to the man who did the inspection at the McLean Fire Station. They want out of it. It was thrown into their lap back in the 50’s as the result of a large fire and the State Police said they wouldn’t do it. They want towns to take it over because it enforces the codes that I enforce, basically. There’s only this one place of assembly in Groton right now that falls under the qualifications to inspect. It has to over 100 people and a for profit venture. Joe Graham – The McLean Fire Department is a not-for-profit organization. Gary Coats – Correct, but they have dinners and stuff there. The public comes in there and the McLean Fire Department makes a profit off of it, whether they rent it out to a wedding or whatever. Joe Graham – Is there a way to make that number smaller than 100? Gary Coats explained that there is a formula. You can rearrange standing and seating areas or put more tables in there, but then again, those things could be still be rearranged again to bring it back to 100. Attorney Monty advised the Board that they should rescind the resolution that they made last month concerning this issue. Several Board members questioned whether they had made a Town Board Minutes Page 5 May 10, 2005 resolution or just tabled it. Clerk Scheffler, with May minutes in hand, said that they did not make a resolution. RESOLUTION #05-050 – RESCIND POSSIBLE MAY RESOLUTION MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey WHEREAS, the Town Board is unsure as to whether they made a resolution at the May meeting pertaining to the inspection of public places, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby rescinds the resolution, if it was made in May, just to be sure. RESOLUTION 05-051 – ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENFORCING ARTICLE 17 OF THE NEW YORK STATE LABOR LAW MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey WHEREAS , New York State Labor Law Section 472 provides that the Commissioner of Labor shall enforce the provisions of Article 17 of the Labor Law involving inspection of places of public assembly, and WHEREAS , the Town of Groton, pursuant to Section 472 of the New York State Labor Law, may assume the responsibility of enforcing the provisions of Article 17 of the New York State Labor Law and the rules adopted thereunder, through the Town of Groton Code Enforcement Office, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS: 1)The Town of Groton shall assume full responsibility for enforcing the provisions of Article 17 of the New York State Labor Law and the rules adopted thereunder. 2)The Code Enforcement Officer is hereby directed to send a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of Labor. 3)This resolution shall take effect upon receipt of the certification of receipt of this resolution by the Commissioner of Labor. Supervisor Morey asked if the Board was interested in participating in the County aquifer study at a cost of $32,800 a year, divided between the Village and Town for five years. The County would pay $32,800 and US Geological Survey would pay $30,000 a year for five years. Kate Town Board Minutes Page 6 May 10, 2005 Hackett came out last year and talked to us about it. Consensus of the Board was that they did not wish to participate. A short discussion took place on the changing of terms of the Supervisor, Highway Superintendent and Town Clerk from two years to four years. This would require a local law, subject to mandatory referendum. RESOLUTION #05-052 – INTRODUCE LOCAL LAW TO CHANGE TERM OF SUPERVISOR FROM 2 YEARS TO 4 YEARS MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark Abstain - Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board wishes to introduce Proposed Local Law #1 for the Year 2005 to increase the term of office for the Town Supervisor from two years to 4 years. Said local law will be subject to mandatory referendum and will be proposition #1 on the ballot. RESOLUTION #05-053– INTRODUCE LOCAL LAW TO CHANGE TERM OF HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT FROM 2 YEARS TO 4 YEARS MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board wishes to introduce Proposed Local Law #2 for the Year 2005 to increase the term of office for the Town Highway Superintendent from two years to 4 years. Said local law will be subject to mandatory referendum and will be proposition #2 on the ballot. RESOLUTION #05-054 – INTRODUCE LOCAL LAW TO CHANGE TERM OF TOWN CLERK FROM 2 YEARS TO 4 YEARS MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board wishes to introduce Proposed Local Law #3 for the Year 2005 to increase the term of office for the Town Clerk from two years to 4 years. Said local law will be subject to mandatory referendum and will be proposition #3 on the ballot. Town Board Minutes Page 7 May 10, 2005 RESOLUTION #05-055 – SET PUBLIC HEARING FOR LOCAL LAW TO CHANGE TERM OF OFFICE OF SUPERVISOR FROM 2 YEARS TO 4 YEARS MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED , that the Town Board hereby sets a Public Hearing for June 14, 2005 at 8:00 PM on Proposed Local Law #1 for the Year 2005, which law will change the term of office for the Town Supervisor from two years to four years. RESOLUTION #05-056 – SET PUBLIC HEARING FOR LOCAL LAW TO CHANGE TERM OF OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT FROM 2 YEARS TO 4 YEARS MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED , that the Town Board hereby sets a Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law #2 for the Year 2005 for June 14, 2005 immediately follow the close of the Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law #1, which law will change the term of office for the Town Highway Superintendent from two years to four years. RESOLUTION #05-057 – SET PUBLIC HEARING FOR LOCAL LAW TO CHANGE TERM OF OFFICE OF TOWN CLERK FROM 2 YEARS TO 4 YEARS MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets a Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law #3 for the Year 2005 for June 14, 2005 immediately follow the close of the Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law #2, which law will change the term of office for the Town Clerk from two years to four years. RESOLUTION #05-058 – RETAIN KIRBY, BEALS, MAIER FOR 2004 AUDIT MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board approves retaining the firm of Kirby, Beals, Maier, PLLC for the audit of the 2004 fiscal records of the Town and Town Court. Town Board Minutes Page 8 May 10, 2005 Discussion took place on the requested 15 minute parking in front of the Cassavant School in McLean. In 1996 the Town had established the area as a no parking zone. It was decided to table the issue until next month and get more information from John Lampman, Tompkins County DOT. Announcements:  Planning Board Meeting – May 19, 7:30 PM  Request for lower speed limit on McLean-Cortland Road rejected by State  Advisory Board of Assessment Review Hearings – May 12, 3-6 PM  Public Information Session for the Draft Comprehensive Plan – sometime in June  Tompkins County Municipal Officials meeting – May 17, 6 PM at the Ichabod  Groton Business Association meeting – May 18, 6 PM at the Groton Hotel, guest speakers will be local veterinarians  McLean Community Council meeting – June 7, 7:30 PM at McLean Fire Hall  Public Hearing on Subdivision Regulations for Town of Lansing – May 18 at Lansing Town Hall There being no further business, Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, at 8:21 PM. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk