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Home My WebLink About2016-12-13TOWN OF GROTON — MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2016 AT 7:30 PM THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD Those present: Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilperson Kelly Smith, Councilperson Randy N. Jackson, Councilperson Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town Also present: W. Rick Fritz, Ed Neuhauser, Glenn Morey, Richard Case, Cassandra Negley, Charles Rankin, April Scheffler. MOVED by Councilperson Sovocool, seconded by Councilperson Smith, to approve the minutes of the, November 7, 2016 meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler. MOVED by Councilperson Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Smith, to approve the minutes of the, November 14, 2016 joint meeting with the Village of Groton and the Groton Fire Department as presented, with the correction of a typo. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Vouchers numbered 552-611 in the total amount of $76,773.18 were presented to the Board for their review. Vouchers for the General Fund in the amount of $18,111.62 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Jackson, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler. Vouchers for the Highway Fund in the amount of $58,661.54 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Councilperson Jackson, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler. No vouchers for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Fund were presented for audit because the grant has been completed and all expenses have bee paid. Monthly Reports: Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review and requested a budget transfer. Town Board Minutes Page 2 December 13, 2016 RESOLUTION #16-076 - 2016 BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Jackson RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2016 Budget Transfer: General Fund Town Wide: From: Contingency, A1990.4 .............................$500.00 To: Personnel, Personnel Services, A1430.1 .......... 500.00 Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #16-077 - 2016 BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the follow 2016 Budget Transfer: General Fund Part Town: From: Contingency, B1990.4 ................................... $700.00 To: Zoning, Deputy Clerk Salary, B8010.12 ..............400.00 Planning, Deputy Clerk Salary, B8020.42 ............ 200.00 Employee Benefits, Social Security, B9030.8 ........100.00 Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed W. Rick Fritz, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. He had completed 37 inspections last month, closing the permits and issuing Certificates of Completion and Certificates of Occupancy. He would like to change the fees for building permits to be based on square footage rather than cost of the project, and requested that the Board set a date for a work session to discuss this. Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent - The Highway Department is dedicated to snow and ice removal and the boys have everything up and running and going fairly well. They've been replacing blow blades, fasteners, etc. In the past month 3 men have gone to a plowing seminar; 3 to a traffic control flagging school in which they were certified; and 3 to the NYS DOT clinic for calibrating sand and salt spreaders. The highway projects have been completed and they are planning for 2017. He thanked the Board for their budgeting and the raises for himself and his guys. He requested the following resolution: RESOLUTION #16-078 - PURCHASE 2017 PICKUP TRUCK MOVED by Councilperson Smith, seconded by Councilperson Jackson RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the purchase, by the Highway Superintendent, of new 2017 Chevrolet Silverado, Regular Cab, Pickup Truck from the National Joint Purchasing Alliance, Contact # 102811, in the amount of $27,424.3 8, and be it further RESOLVED, that delivery of said truck will be in 2017 and payment will be made from the 2017 Budget, account number DA513 0.2, Equipment Account. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Town Board Minutes Page 3 December 13, 2016 April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. Tax bills will be delivered tomorrow. The Bicentennial Committee is starting to pull things together for next year's events. Dates are scheduled and as well as some of the entertainment. They have sold a number of the tote bags and lapel pins with people buying them for Christmas presents. Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town - Had nothing to report. John J. Norman and A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present but had submitted monthly reports for the Board's review.. Councilperson Kelly Smith as Representative to Joint Youth Program - At their last meeting they discussed if there were any final park details and they were advised that there was approximately $50,000.00 left after the playground equipment was paid off. They are going to do an annual youth sports meeting on January 10. SUNY Cortland students have completed the needs assessment from the parents' prospective and there about 90 parents participated. There was a presentation that none of the committee were able to attend so they will be getting a copy of the Power Point. Jennifer reported that girls youth basketball had started; zoomba has ended for this session but will start again in January; youth wrestling has gone by the wayside for the time being; there is a father -daughter on February 11 th; and Cabin Fever Festival is March 4th Glenn Morey, County Legislator - The Legislature's Organizational meeting will be January 7th and he will most likely be on the Budget, Transportation, and Facilities & Infrastructure Committee's. The Red Mill Bridge in Freeville and the one in Malloryville will be replaced next year, both in the Town of Dryden. RESOLUTION#16-079 - EXTEND DEADLINE TO PAY TAXES FOR QUALIFYING SENIOR CITIZENS MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Smith WHEREAS, New York State Real Property Tax Law, Section 925-b authorizes a Town Board to grant an extension to pay taxes without penalty of not more than five business days to senior citizens who have a STAR exemption or a senior exemption under Section 467 of Real Property Tax Law, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby extends the deadline to pay 2017 Town & County Taxes for qualifying senior citizens to January 7, 2017. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #16-080 - PERMIT BICENTENNIAL INFORMATION IN 2017 TAX BILLS MOVED by Councilperson Smith, seconded by Councilperson Jackson WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Groton, pursuant to Municipal Home Rule Law, passed Local Law #3 of 2007 entitled "A Local Law to Enclose Items Or Information With Tax Bills", and WHEREAS, the Town of Groton will be celebrating its Bicentennial in 2017 and is planning a number of community events over several months, and WHEREAS, the Town Board feels that it would like to use every opportunity at their disposal to inform the public of the upcoming Bicentennial Celebrations, now therefore be it Town Board Minutes Page 4 December 13, 2016 RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby permits the Town Clerk to an insert an informational flyer on the Bicentennial Celebration in the 2017 tax bills. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #16-081 - SET DATE FOR 2017 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Jackson RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets their 2017 Organization Meeting for Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 7:30 pm followed by the Regular Monthly Meeting. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #16-082 TO APPROVE THE 2017 FIRE & AMBULANCE CONTRACTS MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2017 Fire Protection Agreement between the Town of Groton, the Village of Groton, and the Groton Fire Department, and that in consideration for the services to be provided by the Village and the Department, the Town shall pay the sum of $122,500.00 to be paid within seven (7) days of the regular Town Board meeting as follows: 50% in February in the amount of $61,250.00; 25% in May in the amount of $30,625.00; and 25% in August in the amount of $30,625.00 and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2017 Contract for Emergency Ambulance Service between the Town of Groton, the Village of Groton, and the Groton Fire Department, and that in consideration of the furnishing of protection, the Town shall pay to the Village, the sum of $141,000.00 to be paid within seven (7) days of the regular Town Board meeting as follows: 50% in February in the amount of $70,500.00; 25% in May in the amount of $35,250.00; and 25% in August in the amount of $35,250.00. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #16-083 - APPROVE THE 2017 CONTRACT WITH THE TOWN OF GROTON HIGHWAY ASSOCIATION MOVED by Councilperson Jackson, seconded by Councilperson Smith RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2017 Contract with the Town of Groton Highway Association, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton Highway Employees be granted the following for the Year 2017: 1. 55 -Cent Raise in pay across the board. Town Board Minutes Page S December 13, 2016 2. Change Vacation Schedule as follows: Period of Emplovment One (1) Year Two (2) Years Seven (7) Years Twelve (12) Years Twenty Five (25) Years Lenjzth of Vacation 3. Increase Boot/Clothing Allowance to $300.00 per year. One (1) Week Two (2) Weeks Three (3) Weeks Four (4) Weeks Five (5) Weeks 4. Increase Insurance Payout to $1000.00 with an annual review as insurance premiums increase. 5. Establish an annual review of retirees' insurance payout as insurance premiums increase. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION#16-084 - APPROVE THE 2017 DOG CONTROL AND SHELTER AGREEMENT MOVED by Councilperson Smith, seconded by Councilperson Jackson RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2017 Dog Control and Shelter Agreement with Country Acres Pet Services in the amount of $19,500.00 to be paid monthly in the amount of $1,625.00. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak RESOLUTION #16-085 - SET DATE FOR SPECIAL MEETING MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Jackson RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby schedules a Special Meeting for Tuesday, January 3, 2016 at 7:30 pm for the purpose of discussion and possible appointment to fill a vacancy and discussion and possible action concerning building permit fees. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Announcements: ➢ Letter from Carrington Fuller Post #800 thanking the Town for their recent donation to help offset utility costs. ➢ Planning Board has rescheduled their monthly meeting to Thursday, December 22 at 7:30 pm ➢ Zoning Board of Appeals is Wednesday, December 28 at 7:30 pm. ➢ Association of Towns Training School in NYC - Registration due by January 27. ➢ Next Board Meeting January 10, 2017 with the Special Meeting on January 3. Town Board Minutes Page 6 December 13, 2016 Supervisor Scheffler read the following letter that the Town Clerk had received from Councilperson Sovocool: "I wish to inform you that based on some health problems I will be retiring/resigning from my elected position of Town Councilperson as of December 31, 2016. There is one more year left of my term of election. Hopefully, there will be someone Don Scheffler can appoint to finish my term. I have truly enjoyed the past forty five years I have served and have performed my expected duties to the best of my ability and that is why I feel it necessary to go off now rather than to stay for the remainder of the term. When I started, it was to finish the term of George Lane at the time of his passing and I have continued to serve since being elected in 1971 and have continued to be elected since then each time my term was up. I am sorry I cannot finish the term the voters elected me for but I feel this decision is best at this time. Thank you in advance for accepting my resignation/retirement. I have discussed this with Don Scheffler and feel this is in my best interest to go ahead with this decision. Ellard Lewis Sovocool" Councilperson Sovocool received a standing ovation from those present. Supervisor Scheffler - A lot has changed in the last 45 years. Supervisors, Clerks, Highway Superintendents and Council Members have come and gone. Businesses, buildings and heavy equipment have changed. In all this time, though, there has been one constant. Ellard "Lewie" Sovocool has been in that chair without a break for 45 years. I did some checking and while records are incomplete back to the 1600's when New York towns were formed, as best as anyone can say, Lewie holds the New York State record for most continuous years of service as a Town Councilman. Others have years but not continuously in this position. As a reference to the sheer magnitude of this amount of service time, second place is 29 years. So, Lewie, you're going to hold on to this record for a long time. Enjoy your retirement. You've certainly earned it. We'll miss you. God bless you and your family. This was followed by another round of applause. Supervisor Scheffler - There's one other thing I have to say. There is an action taken at the end of town board meetings. This action is a requirement of law. It has been taken sometimes in haste, in peace, in desperation, and sometimes as an afterthought. Lewie, will you please do the honor? Councilperson Sovocool made the motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson Jackson at 8:20 pm. Unanimous. Clerk Scheffler - And we believe he holds the World Record for that! April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk