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Home My WebLink About2015-01-13TOWN OF GROTON — MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 AT 7:30 PM THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD Those present: Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilperson Kelly Smith, Councilperson Richard B. Gamel, Councilperson Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town Also present: Joe Graham, Charles Rankin, Gary Coats, April Scheffler. RESOLUTION #15-001 - 2015 ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS/APPOINTMENTS Item I — Depository. - MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Gamel. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that the First National Bank of Groton be designated as the depository for all monies coming into the hands of the Supervisor and Town Clerk of the Town of Groton. Item 2 — Official Newspaper — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovoocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that the Groton Independent be designated as the official newspaper of the Town of Groton. Item 3 — Law Firm — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that the law firm of Pomeroy, Armstrong, Castillo & Monty be retained as Attorneys for the Town of Groton. Item 4 — Zoning Officer — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that Gary Coats be appointed Zoning Officer and Building and Fire Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Groton. Item S — Constable — Vacant Item 6 — Deputy Supervisor - MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey. Abstain - Gamel RESOLVED, that Richard Gamel be appointed Deputy Supervisor for the Town of Groton. Town Board Minutes Page 2 January 13, 2015 Item 7 — Deputy Highway Superintendent — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Gamel. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that Peter Carr be appointed Deputy Highway Superintendent for the Town of Groton. Item 8 — Deputy Town Clerk — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Smith. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that Robin Cargian be appointed Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Groton. Item 9 — Bookkeeper — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Gamel. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that Charles Rankin be appointed as Bookkeeper for the Town of Groton. Item 10 — Court Clerk — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Gamel. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that Cindy Vicedomini be appointed as Court Clerk for the Town of Groton. Item 11 — Part Time McLean Crossing Guard — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that Margaret Albern be appointed part-time McLean School Crossing Guard for the Town of Groton. Item 12 — Town Historian — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that Rosemarie Tucker be appointed as Town Historian for the Town of Groton. Item 13 — Town Health Insurance — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Smith. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that full time employees to have 80% health insurance coverage paid for by Town through the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium. Item 14 — Town Board Regular Meetings — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that the Town Board will hold their regular Town Board Meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 — 7:30 P.M. to review invoices and 7:30 P.M. for the Board Meeting, at the Town Hall on Conger Boulevard, Groton, NY. Item 15 — Fix Salaries of Town Officers — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Town Board Minutes Page 3 January 13, 2015 RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby fix the annual salaries of the following Town Officers and employees at the amounts respectfully stated and that such salaries shall be paid at the time respectfully specified: 1. Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor 2. Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilperson 3. Kelly Smith, Councilperson 4. Richard B. Gamel, Councilperson 5. Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson 6. April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk 7. Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent 8. John J. Norman, 1St Town Justice 9. A. D. Dawson, 2nd Town Justice 10. Gary L. Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement 11. Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper 12. Rosemarie Tucker, Historian $ 12,500.00 Biweekly $ 3,750.00 Quarterly $ 3,750.00 Quarterly $ 3,750.00 Quarterly $ 3,750.00 Quarterly $ 43,370.00 Biweekly $ 67,907.00 Biweekly $ 15,500.00 Biweekly $ 15,500.00 Biweekly $ 30,600.00 Biweekly $ 26,957.00 Biweekly $ 1,000.00 Quarterly Item 16— Set Hourly Rates — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby set the hourly rates as follows: a) Deputy Town Clerk $16.07 per hour b) Court Clerk $16.35 per hour c) Custodian $13.93 per hour d) Crossing Guard $13.02 per hour Item 17 - Appointment of Representatives to Town and County Programs — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, to appoint the following as representatives to Town and County Programs: Environmental Management Council — Peg Ficken Tompkins County Transportation Council — Sheldon Clark Tompkins County Human Services Coalition — Vacant Groton Youth Commission — Glenn Morey, Peggy Ficken Tompkins County Youth Advisory Board — Vacant Tompkins County Recreation Partnership — Glenn Morey Tompkins County Fire, Disaster and EMS Advisory Board — John Miller Item 18 — Supervisor's Appointment to Committee Members — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that the Supervisor's appointment of committee members be approved as follows: Finance — Glenn Morey & Rick Gamel Machinery — Sheldon Clark Building — Richard Gamel & Kelly Smith Fire Department - Ellard Sovocool Personnel — Glenn Morey & Rick Gamel Zoning, Bldg. and Fire Code — Richard Gamel HUD Loans - Ellard Sovocool & Glenn Morey Light Districts — Kelly Smith Fixed Assets - Ellard Sovocool Senior Citizens — Sheldon Clark Town Board Minutes Page 4 January 13, 2015 Recreation Committee -Kelly Smith Highway -Sheldon Clark Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG) -Kelly Smith Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium -Glenn Morey Planning Board -Rotating Attendance by Town Board Members Appeals Board -Rotating Attendance by Town Board Members Item 19 - Set fees for Town Services - MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that fees for the Town services be set as follows: 1. Photocopies - 8 1/2 x 11 $ .25 2. Photocopies - 8 1/2 x 14 $ .50 3. Photocopies - 11 x 17 $ .50 4. Transcript of Marriage $10.00 5. Marriage License/Certificate $40.00 6. Town, Village, County Maps $ .50 7. Mileage - Town Officials $ .50 8. Dog License - Unaltered Dog $20.00 + $3 NYS Animal Population Control Fee Dog License - Altered Dog $10.00 + $1 NYS Animal Population Control Fee 9. Returned Check Fee $20.00 10. Fax Copies - Transmit $ 1.00 per page Receive $ .25 per page 11. Duplicate Tax Receipt $ 0.00 12. Town Directory $ 5.00 13. Land Use & Dev. Code $25.00, CD $15.00 14. Certified Copies $ 5.00 15. Paper Copy of Comprehensive Plan $25.00, CD $15.00 16. Town of Groton Zoning Fee Schedule: Town of Groton Zoning Fee Schedule Building Permit: $0 - $4,000 Building Permit: More than $4,000 Building Permit Renewal Agricultural Buildings Non -Structural Roof Replacement Swimming Pool, Above Ground Swimming Pool, In Ground Solid Fuel Burning Appliance Shed Deck Fence Eft or higher/Replace pool fence Residential Green Energy $25 $25 + $3 per $1,000 over $4,000 1/2 Original Fee & approval of CEO $25 No Charge $25 (includes original fence if needed) $50 (includes original fence) $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 Town Board Minutes Page S January 13, 2015 Disability Ramp Cellular Tower Demolition Permit Sign Permit Operating Permit Operating Permit - Public Assembly >100 People Outdoor Fireworks/Indoor Pyrotechnics Permit Manufacturers' Pyrotechnics Testing Permit Junk Yard Annual Inspection Subdivision - Minor Subdivision - Major Level One Subdivision - Major Level Two Boundary Line Change Cluster Development Planned Unit Development Site Plan Review (Land Use Permit) Site Plan Review for Echo Housing Special Permit - Cemetery Special Permit - Junk Yard Special Permit - High Density Housing Special Permit - Mining Special Permit - Manufactured Home Park Special Permit - Sexually Oriented Businesses Mass Gathering Permit Application for Variance or Interpretation No Charge $2.50 per $1,000 of Construction Cost $25 $10 $25 No Charge $25 $25 Annually $25 Annually $30 + $20 per lot $50 + $20 per lot Preliminary Review - $100 + $20 per lot Final Review - $100 + $20 per lot $25 Preliminary Review - $100 + $20 per lot Final Review - $100 + $20 per lot Town Board Review - $200 Site Plan Review by Planning Board - $200 2000 sq. ft. & under - $100 2001 sq. ft. & over - $200 No Charge $200 $500 $500 $500 $500 $750 $750 $50 Additional Fees: 1. Fees listed do not include postage, which may be an additional charge at current postal rates. 2. If a public hearing is required, the applicant shall pay the cost of advertising fees. 3. Costs incurred by the Town of Groton for engineering, planning, legal and other necessary expenses for the purpose of reviewing any application with regard to an item covered by this fee schedule shall be paid by the applicant. 4. The applicant shall be responsible for costs incurred by the Town of Groton for the review and/or preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement if said statement is necessary. Town Board Minutes Page 6 January 13, 2015 5. When Fees Are To Be Paid: All fees required by this fee schedule shall be paid to the Town of Groton at the time the application is presented. No permit/certificate will be issued until all fees, costs, and/or expenses are paid in full. Item # 20 - Miscellaneous Appointments, Fees, Etc — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Gamel. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the following miscellaneous appointments, fees, etc: 5. Annual Retainer Fee for Legal Services rendered by Pomeroy, Armstrong, Casullo & Monty. 6. Authorize Highway Superintendent to give pay raises effective January 1, 2015 7. Authorize Annual Association of Towns Training School — February 15-18, 2015, in NYC; 8. Appoint Kelly Smith as Delegate for Annual Association of Towns Meeting 9. Appoint contact people for Drug and Alcohol Testing Program — Richard Case and Glenn Morey. IO.Appointment of Town Planning Board Member — Reappoint Bret Wyllie term to begin January 1, 2015 and end December 31, 2021. 11.Appoint member to Zoning Board Member — Reappoint Carolann Darling for a term to begin January 1, 2015 and end December 31, 2019. 12.Appoint members of Agriculture Advisory Committee — Daniel Carey (Chairperson), Marlin Houston, Robert Fouts. 13.Appoint members of the Ethics Board - Glenn Morey, John Watkins, John MacLean, Daniel Carey, John Miller Resolution #15-001 Passed RESOLUTION #15-002 - CONTRACT FOR AUDIT OF 2014 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark. RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby retain the services of Cisaschi, Dietershagen, Little, Mickelson & Company, LLP, to audit Financial Statements, including Justice Court, for the year ended December 31, 2014. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #15-003 - APPROVE 2015 DOG CONTRACT MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the 2015 contract with the Country Acres Pet Services for the purpose of dog control in the Town of Groton at a fee of $18,900.00 ($1575.00 per month). Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed Town Board Minutes Page 7 January 13, 2015 RESOLUTION #15-004 - AUTHORIZATION TO PARTICIPATE IN COOPERATIVE PURCHASING OF HIGHWAY SERVICES WITH COUNTIES IN NEW YORK STATE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Smith. RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton be hereby authorized to participate with counties located in New York State in the cooperative purchasing of various highway services. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #15-005 - AUTHORIZE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO PURCHASE ON STATE BID MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Groton Town Board does hereby authorize the Highway Superintendent to purchase oil and related products from State Contract Bids as appropriate. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #15-006 - APPROVE FIRE AND AMBULANCE PROTECTION CONTRACTS MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the 2015 Fire and Ambulance contracts with the Village of Groton Fire Department and Fire Protection with the McLean Fire Department. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #15-007 — APPROVE 2015 MUNICIPAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve Energetix as Third Party Administrator for the 2015 Municipal Agreement Renewal for the Drug and Alcohol Testing. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed This concluded the 2015 Organizational Items. Town Board Minutes Page 8 January 13, 2015 REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, to approve the minutes of the, December 9, 2014 Board meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Vouchers for the 2014 Abstract #13 Highway Fund in the amount of $82,693.47 were presented for audit. MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark, to approve the 2014 Abstract #13 Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Vouchers for the 2015 Abstract #1 Highway Fund in the amount $92,198.69 of were presented for audit. MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, to approve the 2015 Abstract #1 Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Vouchers for the 2014 Abstract #13 General Fund in the amount of $28,342.33 were presented for audit. MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Smith, to approve the 2014 Abstract #13 General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Vouchers for the 2015 Abstract #1 General Fund in the amount of $289,481.27 were presented for audit. MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Monthly Reports: Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. He will be updating the fixed asset program. The old computer that the former Bookkeeper had has finally died, but he thinks he will be able to reload the fixed assets into the new program from the back-up. A report on the tax freeze is required by the State within the next eight days and he will have it filed on time by next Wednesday. RESOLUTION #15-008 - 2014 BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2014 Budget Transfer: General Fund, Town Wide: From: Contingency, A199034 .......................$975.00 To: Justices - Clerk, Personal Services ........... 125.00 Group Medical Insurance, A9060.8 ......... 850.00 Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed Town Board Minutes Page 9 RESOLUTION #15-009 - 2014 BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2014 Budget Transfer: Highway Fund, Town Wide: From: Machinery, Contractual, DA5130.4..............$1,225.00 To: Culverts, DA5120.41.................................1,225.00 Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed January 13, 2015 Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly and annual reports for the Board's review. There were ten new homes for 2014 and solar panels were the big thing. There were 114 total building permits which is about average for a year. Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent - Was not present. April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly and annual Town Clerk reports for the Board's review, as well as a monthly Tax Collector report. Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town - Had nothing to report. John Norman & A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present. Councilperson Kelly Smith as Representative to Joint Youth Program - Youth sports, the basketball travel season has begun. They are having a difficult time scheduling gym time for all the different groups. Cheerleading is going well. Cabin Fever Festival is scheduled for February 28th. We are going to try to get Main Street businesses to get involved. We'll have a number of things set up in the gym and possibly a small concession. Within the next two weeks we're going to start auditing the money for the different sports programs, which hasn't been done before. Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak. RESOLUTION #15-010 - APPROVE 2015 AGREEMENT WITH HUMAN SERVICES COALITION MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2015 Agreement with the Human Services Coalition for services to be rendered to the Town of Groton in the amount of $1,500.00. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed Town Board Minutes Page 10 January 13, 2015 RESOLUTION #15-011 - APPROVE 2015 AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWN OF GROTON HIGHWAY EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton Highway Employees be granted the following for the year 2015: 1. 51 -cent raise in pay across the board. 2. Item #9 PERSONAL DAYS in contract which reads: "Each employee shall be entitled to three (3) personal days for death of immediate family to include only: father, mother, children, wife, brother, sister" shall be changed to "Each employee shall be entitled to three (3) personal days for death of immediate family to include: father, mother, children, wife, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, parents -in-laws, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law. One day paid leave will be allowed to attend the funeral of other family members such as aunts, uncles, and cousins. 3. Item #15 MEDICAL INSURANCE in contract, fourth paragraph, which reads: "Employees not participating in the Town's health insurance plan will be paid $650 incentive per year, per employee" shall have the amount changed to $750 incentive per year. 4. Add new item: "WELLNESS INCENTIVE. All Employees shall be entitled to have the Town pay for 1/2 of a gym membership at the Groton Fitness Center. In the event that an employee prefers membership in a different gym, the Town will pay 1/2 of the membership, not to exceed the cost at the Groton Fitness Center." Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #15-012 - EXTEND WELLNESS INCENTIVE TO ALL TOWN OF GROTON EMPLOYEES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool WHEREAS, the Town of Groton wishes to extend a Wellness Incentive to its employees, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that all employees and elected officials shall be entitled to have the Town pay for 1/2 of a gym membership at the Groton Fitness Center. In the event that an employee prefers membership in a different gym, the Town will pay 1/2 of the membership, not to exceed the cost at the Groton Fitness Center. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed Councilperson Clark - Brought up the fact that there has been a log sale on the Town's forest land for $19,652.00. He asked the Board to earmark that money to be used for a new salt shed for the Town Highway Department. Town Board Minutes Page 11 January 13, 2015 RESOLUTION #15-013 - CREATE SALT SHED ACCOUNT MOVED by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Supervisor Morey WHEREAS, there has been a recent sale of logs from the Town's forest land, and WHEREAS, the Town Board desires to earmark the money earned from the sale for a new Town of Groton Highway Department salt shed, now therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby directs the Bookkeeper to create a special "Salt Shed Account" in which to deposit said money from the sale of logs. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed Supervisor Morey - Said that the Town has been awarded a $400,000.00 Community Development Block Grant. All the paperwork has been signed and is being sent through our consultants who wrote the grant for us, Thoma Associates. The next step is to issue an invitation to bid for the program delivery and administrative services. He will asking the Clerk for assistance in advertising for this. Joe Graham, Representative to the Town of Groton Highway Employees Association - Said that with the new hires in the Highway Department, they might want to get into the Deferred Compensation Program and asked the Bookkeeper, Charles Rankin, if he could arrange for a representative to come and talk to them. Mr. Rankin said he would arrange that. Announcements: ➢ Planning Board, January 15, 7:30 pm ➢ Zoning Board of Appeals, January 28, 7:30 pm RESOLUTION #15-014 - RESCHEDULE FEBRUARY BOARD MEETING MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Smith RESOLVED, that due to the Special Election for the position of County Legislator on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, the Town Board hereby reschedules the Regular Town Board Meeting for February to Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 7:30 pm. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed There being no further business, Councilman Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, at 8:05 pm. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk