HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-09TOWN OF GROTON — MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 99 2015 AT 7:30 PM
THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD
Those present: Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor
Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilperson
Kelly Smith, Councilperson
Richard B. Gamel, Councilperson
Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town
Also present: Laura Scutt, Gary Scutt, Ed Neuhauser, Don Barber, Julie Graham, Joe Graham,
Dan Carey, Charles Rankin, Richard C. Case, Jr., April Scheffler.
MOVED by Councilperson Sovocool, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the minutes of the
May 12, 2015 meeting as presented.
Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Scheffler.
Vouchers for the General Fund in the amount of $58,338.57 were presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, to approve the General Bills
for payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Scheffler.
Vouchers for the Highway Fund in the amount of $239,504.96 were presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the Highway Bills for
payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Scheffler.
Monthly Reports:
Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review and requested budget
transfers.
RESOLUTION #15-048 - 2015 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Smith
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2015 Budget Transfer:
General Fund - Town Wide:
From: A 1410.42 Records Management........... $403.01
To: A 1410.2 Town Clerk Equipment................123.03
To: A 7510.2 Historian Equipment ....................279.98
Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
Town Board Minutes Page 2 June 9, 2015
RESOLUTION #15-049 - 2015 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2015 Budget Transfer:
General Fund - Town Wide:
From: A 1990.4 Contingency .................$6,108.00
To: A1420.41 Attorney Contractual ........... 6,108.00
Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
RESOLUTION #15-050 - 2015 BUDGET ADJUSTMENT
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel
WHEREAS, the Court Clerk had applied for and received a grant to purchase various items for the Town
of Groton Court Office, which included part of the Court's portion of the new phone system and phones
that were installed in November 2014, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves that $417.52 be transferred from the Al 110.41,
Justice Grant Funds Account to the A2701, Refunds of Prior Year's Expenditures Account to reflect a
reimbursement for part of Justice Court's cost of the phone system and phones.
Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Was not present but had submitted monthly reports for
the Board's review.
Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent - Thanked the Board for touring the projects they have
been working on. The shoulders are completed on that project. Mowing has started. All intersections
have been broomed again. The truck will be in Syracuse tomorrow with all the plow equipment and
everything on it. I will bring that bill to you next month. Don Evener has completed his probation, so I
would like to ask for a raise for him.
Supervisor Scheffler - Read a letter from PERMA congratulating the Town for not having any Workers
Compensation claims in the past year and gave Mr. Case the enclosed certificate.
RESOLUTION #15-051 - RAISE FOR DONALD EVENER
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel
RESOLVED, that whereas Donald Evener has completed his probation period as a Highway Employee,
the Town Board hereby approves a 50 -cent per hour raise, effect at the beginning of the next pay period.
Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
Town Board Minutes Page 3 June 9, 2015
April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's
review. She had nothing else to report.
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town - Had nothing to report.
John Norman & A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present and had not submitted monthly
reports.
Councilperson Kelly Smith as Representative to Joint Youth Program - Youth track is finishing up
with 32 kids enrolled. Summer hires are all done for the pool and Tyler Russell will be the pool director.
The booklets are out. Authorization has been given to purchase a new sign for Main Street.
Councilperson Smith also attended the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Plan Focus Group last
Thursday. It is a fact finding group to find out if any projects are planned that might affect the lake.
There were for stakeholders groups: agriculture, municipalities, lake property owners, and another one.
They hope to have a draft plan out by the fall of 2015 with completion in March of 2016.
Glenn Morey, County Legislator - Was not present.
Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak.
Don Barber, Executive Director of the Greater Tompkins County Health Insurance Consortium -
He was there to inform the Board that they actually own an insurance company. They create benefit
plans, collect premiums, pay claims and set reserves to protect to viability of the Consortium. At the end
of 2014, after being in business for 4 years, they have a net worth of 10.9 million dollars. Groton's share
of that net worth is the amount of premium we have paid in over time compared to total that has been paid
in. Mr. Barber talked about the number of people covered, expenses and profits. 93% of the premiums
dollars raised go to pay claims and that is a very efficient model. There are various reserve accounts in
place that are required by State law. Two new plans were added last year: the Medicare Supplement Plan
and the Platinum Plan which is similar to the cooperative agreement; explained the board of directors and
what their responsibilities are; described various committees and the purpose of each; benefits; and the
wellness program.
Joe Graham asked if Mr. Barber could come and do a presentation to the employees and Mr. Barber said
that could be arranged.
RESOLUTION #15-052 - WAIVE FEES FOR HUD GRANT BUILDING PERMITS
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby waives the building permit fees for any required building
permits for home repairs being done under the Town's CDBG grant.
Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
Town Board Minutes
Page 4 June 9, 2015
RESOLUTION #15-053 - APPOINTMENTS TO THE GREATER TOMPKINS COUNTY
HEALTH INSURANCE CONSORTIUM
JOINT COMMITTEE ON PLAN STRUCTURE AND DESIGN
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby appoints Donald Scheffler, as the Town Board representative,
and Ellard Keister, as the Groton Highway Association representative, to serve on the Greater Tompkins
County Health Insurance Consortium Joint Committee on Plan Structure and Design.
Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
RESOLUTION #15-053 - APPOINTMENT TO TOMPKINS COUNTY
YOUTH SERVICES BOARD
MOVED by Councilperson Sovocool, seconded by Councilperson Clark
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby appoints Drew Montreuil to represent the Town of Groton on
the Tompkins County Youth Services Board.
Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
RESOLUTION #15-055 - APPOINT TEMPORARY CROSSING GUARD
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby appoints Ron Schraeder as a temporary crossing guard in
McLean to fill in should Marjorie Albern be unavailable, to be paid hourly at the same rate, and subject to
a background check and approval by the Cassavant School.
Motion was made by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to enter into Executive
Session, at 8:17 pm.
Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Scheffler
Motion was made by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to return to Regular
Session, at 7:45 pm.
Supervisor Scheffler - Let the record show that it was for information only and no decisions were made.
Announcements:
➢ Planning Board Meeting, June 18 at 7:30 pm
➢ Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting, June 24 at 7:00 pm
➢ Next Town Board Meeting, July 14 at 7:30 pm
There being no further business, Councilman Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Clark,
8:36 pm at. Unanimous.
April L. Scheffler, RMC
Town Clerk