HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-01-10 TOWN OF GROTON - MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
INCLUDING 2006 ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2006 AT 7:30 PM
THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD
Those present: Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor
Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman
Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman
Richard B. Gamel, Councilman
Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town
Also present: Dewey Dawson, John Norman, Chris Norman, Gary Coats, Elizabeth
Brennan, Richard C. Case, Jr., Tyke Randall, Jean Morey, Jennifer
Schwade, Michael Goldstein, April Scheffler, and Elizabeth Rinaldo.
MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the minutes
of the December 13, 2005 meeting as presented.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the minutes of
the December 13, 2005 Public Hearing as presented.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
For Year 2005 Bills, Claim Numbers 435-451 of the General Fund in the amount of$17,140.75
were presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the 2005
General Bills for payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
For Year 2006 Bills, Claim Numbers 1-14 of the General Fund in the amount of $40,804.47
were presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the 2006
General Bills for payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Town Board Minutes Page 2 January 10, 2006
For Year 2005 Bills, Claim Numbers 219-240 of the Highway Fund in the amount of
$16,474.00 were presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the 2005 Highway
Bills for payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
For Year 2006 Bills, Claim Numbers 1-3 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $18,619.17
were presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the 2006
Highwat Bills for payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
For Year 2006 Bills, Claim Numbers 1-2 of the Special Grant (HUD) Fund in the amount of
$3,306.03 were presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the HUD bill for
payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Monthly Reports:
Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/Highway Clerk — Had no report because she is still closing
the books.
Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer—Last month I thought it was going to slow down
but it hasn't. We poured two foundations for houses just today. Yearly census sent to Bureau of
Housing report shows housing units, stick-built houses, as 13 at $1.4 million, one five-or-more
unit building at a quarter of a million and additions, alterations and renovations to residential
structures, we issued 59 permits for about a half a million dollars. And that doesn't include all
the mobile homes and modulars that we've put in. The cell tower, as you know hasn't gone up.
I call them every week and the contact person does not return phone messages. Even Russ
DeMond hasn't had any contact from them. We're currently working on the burnt house across
from the restaurant in McLean. The owner has been in contact with me. He has all the materials
on site to rebuild it. It's not going as fast as I'd like to see it but he understands that the Town
wants to see it back in a habitable situation. The only other thing is the Muka property and how
we are going to proceed on that. I have a bid from Buck Engineering to come in and do all the
hazardous material testing. I'd like to hire them and get that done and then hire a contractor and
be done with this.
Supervisor Morey asked how many bids had been received for the demolition and Mr. Coats
said there were four. Supervisor Morey asked Mr. Coats to make up information packets for the
Board so that they could make a decision at the February meeting.
Town Board Minutes Page 3 January 10, 2006
Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent — At the present time, the Highway
Department is dedicated to snow and ice removal. The shop continues with preventive
maintenance and repairs. The stake-rake truck order has been received and I expect to hear more
about delivery in late February from NYSOGS and Stadium International. The annual highway
road inventory report for NYSDOT has been completed and placed on file. There are presently
53.45 miles of Town of Groton roadways on record. Preparation for the building and equipment
inventory is taking place. Pete Can and April have developed a system that I think will make
this project easier to perform and complete. When time and weather allow, the Highway
Department continues to work on some large, dead maple trees. At this time, trees have been cut
up and removed from Wood Road, Elm Street Extension and Sovocool Hill Road.
April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk/Tax Collector — Submitted her monthly Town Clerk and Tax
Collector reports for January and her annual Town Clerk report for 2005. She had the SPCA
contracts to be signed. Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton's office had called and scheduled a
Town Hall Meeting for Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00PM.
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town — Had not received any response from letters that she
had sent out and asked for the Board's permission to try to collect on the judgment that was
received against Diversified.
Consensus of the Board was that Attorney Monty should proceed with collection
A.D. Dawson, Town Justice — Submitted the Annual Town Justice Report and said that new
cases started in 2005 were a little over 25%more than those started in 2004.
Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator — Last month's meeting was an
educational session with Janice Johnson form County Youth Services talking about youth
programs in other towns and things that were being done right or wrong in Groton. The
programs are going well and Winterfest is scheduled for February 18tH
Tyke Randall, County Legislator — Mr. Randall thanked Supervisor Morey for putting him on
the agenda and said that he wished to have communication with the Town. He announced that
he had been assigned to three committees: Planning, Development and Environmental Quality
Board, Facilities and Infrastructure, and Government Operations. He was also assigned to the
grievance board for assessments and TC3's master plan. He said that the Legislature would be
voting on whether to change the assessment cycle from every year to every three years and said
that he would like feedback from the Board. He had not made a decision which way to vote.
The Town Clerk took the oaths of office from town officers who were beginning new terms.
RESOLUTION #06-001 - 2006 ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS/APPOINTMENTS
Town Board Minutes Page 4 January 10, 2006
Item 1 —Depository. - MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark.
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, 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 Councilman Gamel.
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED, that the Groton Independent be designated as the official newspaper of the Town of
Groton with notices also to be published in the Freeville Shopper.
Item 3—Law Firm —MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark,Morey.
RESOLVED, that Victoria Monty/Francis Casullo of the law firm of Pomeroy, Armstrong &
Casullo be retained as Attorneys for the Town of Groton.
Item 4—Zoning Officer—MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, 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 Councilman Sovocool.
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that Donald F. Scheffler be appointed Deputy Supervisor for the Town of Groton.
Item 7 — Deputy Highway Superintendent — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by
Councilman Gamel.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark,Morey
RESOLVED, that Peter Can be appointed Deputy Highway Superintendent for the Town of
Groton.
Item 8 — Deputy Town Clerk — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman
Sovocool.
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that Tena McClary be appointed Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Groton.
Town Board Minutes Page 5 January 10, 2006
Item 9—Bookkeeper—MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that Elizabeth Brennan be appointed as Bookkeeper for the Town of Groton.
Item 10— Court Clerk—MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel. .
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,that Margaret Palmer be appointed as Court Clerk for the Town of Groton.
Item 11 — Part Time McLean Crossing Guard — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by
Councilman Sovocool.
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, 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 Councilman Clark.
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,that Rosemarie Tucker be appointed as Town Historian for the Town of Groton.
Item 13 — Election Custodians — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman
Gamel.
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED, that Lewis Robinson and Lee Shurtleff be appointed Election Custodians for the
Town of Groton.
Item 14 — Town Health Insurance — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman
Gamel.
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,that full time employees to have 80% of Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Insurance
coverage paid for by Town.
Item 15 — Town Board Regular Meetings — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by
Councilman Sovocool.
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, 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.
Town Board Minutes Page 6 January 10, 2006
Item 16 — Fix Salaries of Town Officers — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by
Councilman Sovocool.
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
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:
a) Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor $ 8,500.00 Biweekly
b) Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman $ 1,654.00 Quarterly
c) Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman $ 1,654.00 Quarterly
d) Richard B. Gamel, Councilman $ 1,654.00 Quarterly
e) Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman $ 1,654.00 Quarterly
f) April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk $30,152.00 Biweekly
g) Richard C. Case, Jr.,Highway Superintendent $50,892.00 Biweekly
h) John J. Norman, 1st Town Justice $ 10,000.00 Biweekly
i) A. D. Dawson, 2nd Town Justice $ 10,000.00 Biweekly
j) Gary L. Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement $17,240.00 Biweekly
k) Rosemarie Tucker,Historian $ 1,000.00 Quarterly
Item 17—Set Hourly Rates—MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,that the Town Board does hereby set the hourly rates as follows:
a) Deputy Town Clerk $10.82 per hour
b) Court Clerk $12.95 per hour
c) Bookkeeper $16.51 per hour
d) Custodian $ 10.26 per hour
e) Crossing Guard $ 9.70 per hour
Item 18 - Appointment of Representatives to Town and County Programs — MOVED by
Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,to appoint the following as representatives to Town and County Programs:
County Youth Recreation Programs—Glenn E. Morey
Environmental Management Council—Vacant
Tompkins County Transportation Council— Sheldon Clark
Tompkins County Human Services Coalition—Teresa Robinson
Tompkins County Planning Board—Vacant
Groton Youth Commission—Glenn Morey, Teresa Robinson
Tompkins County Youth Advisory Board—Carol Griep
Tompkins County Fire,Disaster and EMS Advisory Board—John Miller
Town Board Minutes Page 7 January 10, 2006
Item 19 — Supervisor's Appointment to Committee Members — MOVED by Supervisor Morey,
seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,that the Supervisor's appointment of committee members be approved as follows:
Finance—Glenn Morey&Donald Scheffler
Machinery—Sheldon Clark
Building—Richard Gamel,Donald Scheffler
Fire Department- Ellard Sovocool
Personnel—Glenn Morey&Donald Scheffler
Zoning, Bldg. and Fire Code—Richard Gamel
HUD Loans -Ellard Sovocool& Glenn Morey
Light Districts—Richard Gamel
Fixed Assets -Ellard Sovocool
Senior Citizens—Sheldon Clark
Recreation Committee—Donald Scheffler
Comprehensive Plan—Glenn Morey
Highway—Sheldon Clark
Planning Board—Rotating Attendance
Appeals Board—Rotating Attendance
Item 20 - Set fees for Town Services —MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman
Gamel.
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,that fees for the Town services be set as follows:
1) Certification of Taxes/Search $ 5.00 1st yr., $1.00 ea. addn. yr.
2) Photocopies- 8 1/2 x 11 $ .25
3) Photocopies - 8 1/2 x 14 $ .50
4) Photocopies - 11 x 17 $ .50
5) Transcript of Marriage $10.00
6) Marriage Certificate $10.00
7) Marriage License $40.00
8) Town,Village, County Maps $ .50
9) Mileage- Town Officials $ .44
10) Dog Licenses $18.00 unaltered
$10.00 altered
11) Returned Check Fee $20.00
12) Fax Copies - Transmit $ 1.00 per page
Receive $ .25 per page
13) Duplicate Tax Receipt $ 1.00
14) Town Directory $ 5.00
15) Land Use &Dev. Code $10.00
16) Mobile Home Ordinance $ 5.00
17) Certified Copies $ 5.00
Town Board Minutes Page 8 January 10, 2006
18) Town of Groton Zoning Fee Schedule:
Building Permit Fee: $0 - $4000 $25.00
> $4000 $25.00+ $3.00 per$1000 over$4,000
Building Permit Renewals: 1/2 of the original fee and upon approval by zoning officer.
Agricultural Buildings. $ 25.00
Swimming Pool,Above Ground- $ 25.00
Swimming Pool, In Ground. $ 50.00
Wood Stove- $ 25.00
Shed. $ 25.00
Deck. $25.00
Application for Sign. ... $ 25.00
Cellular Tower $ 2.50 Per$1000 of Construction Cost
Demolition Permit ... $ 25.00
Site Plan Review/Special Permit ... <2000 sq. ft. $100.00
>2000 sq. ft$250.00
Junk Yard Annual Inspection• .... $ 25.00
Subdivision-Minor $ 30.00+ $20.00 Per Lot
Major ....$ 50.00+$20.00 Per Lot
Rural. $ 20.00+ $20.00 Per Lot
Flag Lot $ 30.00
Boundary Change. $ 25.00
Planned Unit Development . $200.00
Application for Variance. .....$ 50.00
Flood Hazard Area Comb. District:... $40.00
Flood Zone Certification. $ 10.00
Certificate of Conformance. $40.00
Additional Fees:
a) If a public hearing is required,the applicant shall pay the cost of advertising fees.
b) 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.
c) 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.
d)Building without a permit fine: Double the building permit fee,not to exceed$100.00.
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 # 21 - Miscellaneous Appointments, Fees, Etc — MOVED by Supervisor Morey,
seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Town Board Minutes Page 9 January 10, 2006
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the following miscellaneous
appointments, fees, etc:
1) Annual Retainer Fee for Legal Services rendered by Pomeroy, Armstrong, and Casullo be
set at $9,000.00 annually.
2) Authorize Highway Superintendent to give pay raises effective January 1, 2006
3) Authorize Annual Association of Towns Training School — February 2006, in NYC —
Margaret Palmer
4) Appoint Margaret Palmer as Delegate for Annual Association of Towns Meeting
5) Appoint contact people for Drug and Alcohol Testing Program —Richard Case and Glenn
Morey.
6) Appointment of Town Planning Board Member—Reappoint Monica Carey for a term to begin
January 1,2006 and end December 31, 2012.
7) Appoint member to Zoning Board Member — Reappoint Patricia Gaines for a term to begin
January 1, 2006 and end December 31, 2010.
8) Appoint members of Zoning & Building Code Review Committee — Lyle Raymond
(Chairman), Monica Carey, Mary Gloster (Vice-Chair), Steven Thane, Julie Graham, Doug
Albern.
9) Appoint members of Agriculture Advisory Committee — Daniel Carey (Chairperson), Noreen
Atkins, Marlin Houston,Robert Fouts.
RESOLUTION#06-002 -CONTRACT WITH KIRBY,BEALS &MAIER FOR
AUDIT OF 2005 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark,Morey.
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby retain the services of Kirby, Beals, & Maier &
Company to audit Financial Statements including Justice Court for the year ended December 31,
2005 at a fee of$6,000.00.
RESOLUTION#06-003 - APPROVE 2006 DOG CONTRACT WITH SPCA
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the 2006 contract with the Tompkins
County SPCA for the purpose of dog control in the Town of Groton at a fee of$11,119.00.
Town Board Minutes Page 10 January 10, 2006
RESOLUTION#06-004 -AUTHORIZATION TO PARTICIPATE IN
COOPERATIVE PURCHASING OF HIGHWAY SERVICES WITH
TOMPKINS COUNTY
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark,Morey.
RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton be hereby authorized to participate with Tompkins County
in the cooperative purchasing of various highway services.
RESOLUTION#06-005 -AUTHORIZE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO
PURCHASE ON STATE BID
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark,Morey.
RESOLVED, that the Groton Town Board does hereby authorize the Highway Superintendent to
purchase oil and related products from State Contract Bids as appropriate.
RESOLUTION#06-006 -APPROVE FIRE AND AMBULANCE PROTECTION
CONTRACTS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board does hereby approve the Fire and Ambulance contracts with
the Village of Groton Fire Department and Fire Protection with the McLean Fire Department.
RESOLUTION#06-007—APPROVE 2006 MUNICIPAL DRUG AND
ALCOHOL TESTING
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board does hereby approve Energetix as Third Party Administrator
for the 2006 Municipal Agreement Renewal and Policy Amendment#1 for the Drug and Alcohol
Testing.
This concluded the 2006 Organizational Items.
RESOLUTION#06-008—COURT CLERK TO ATTEND NYS ASSOCIAITON OF
TOWNS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
Town Board Minutes Page 11 January 10, 2006
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves payment of expenses for the Court Clerk,
Margaret Palmer, to attend the New York State Association of Towns Annual Conference in
New York City, February 19—22, 2006.
RESOLUTION#06-009—CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO
ATTEND CONFERENCE
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves payment of expenses for the Code
Enforcement Officer, Gary Coats, to attend the Finger Lakes Building Officials Association
Conference in Rochester,NY, March 20-23, 2006.
3-Year Dog Licensing — New York State now allows 3-year dog licenses at the option of the
municipality. After some discussion it was the consensus of the Board and Clerk that they did
not wish to offer the 3-year license at this time.
Announcements:
➢ Planning Board Meeting, January 19
➢ Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting, January 17
➢ Groton Business Association Annual Meeting, January 18, 6 PM at Groton Hotel
➢ Groton Fire Department Annual Meeting, January 21 at 6PM
➢ Tompkins County Municipal Officials Meeting, January 17, 6 PM at the Ichabod
➢ McLean Community Council Meeting, January 11, 7:30 PM
➢ Thank you from Family of Linda Pachai
There being no further business, Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by
Councilman Scheffler, at 8:'12 PM. Unanimous.
April L. Scheffler, RMC
Town Clerk