HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-14 TOWN OF GROTON - MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2006 AT 7:30 PM
THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD
Those present: Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor
Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman
Richard B. Gamel, Councilman
Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town
Absent: Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman
Also present: Gary Coats, Elizabeth Brennan, Richard C. Case, Jr., Rosemarie Tucker,
April Scheffler.
MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the minutes of the
January 10, 2006 meeting as presented.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the minutes of
the January 10, 2006 Organizational Meeting as presented.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLUTION #06-010—APPROVE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES FOR
TOWN CLERK CONFERENCE
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the payment of expenses for the Town
Clerk, April Scheffler, to attend the New York State Town Clerks Association 2006 Conference
to be held in Saratoga Springs, April 23-26, 2006.
RESOLUTION#06-011 —APPROVE 2006 INSURANCE PREMIUM
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2006 insurance premium as presented
by Dempsey Insurance .
Town Board Minutes Page 2 February 14, 2006
Claim Numbers 15-57 of the General Fund in the amount of $233,590.14 were presented for
audit.
MOVED by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the General Bills
for payment.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Claim Numbers 4-21 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $18,295.51 were presented for
audit.
MOVED by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the Highway Bills
for payment.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Claim Numbers 3-4 of the Special Grant (HUD) Fund in the amount of $1,064.00 were
presented for audit.
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the HUD bill for
payment.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Monthly Reports:
Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/Highway Clerk — Still closing the books for 2005 and
requested approval of transfers and encumbrances.
RESOLUTION #06-012 —2005 BUDGET TRANSFERS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board approves the following 2005 budget transfers:
General Fund Town Wide:
From: Retirement A9010.8 $6,312.99
To: Justice, Clerk Personal Services A1110.13 483.92
Supervisor, Bookkeeper Personal Services A1220.12 ..967.71
Tax Collection, Contractual A1330.4 .50.26
Buildings, Personal Services A1620.4 ..837.16
Unallocated Insurance A1910.4 794.00
Traffic Control, Personal Services A3310.1 12.56
Celebrations A7550.4 .55.00
Social Security A9030.8 582.34
Health Insurance A9060.8 ..2,230.04
Town Board Minutes Page 3 February 14, 2006
RESOLUTION#06-013 —2005 BUDGET TRANSFERS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2005 budget transfers:
General Fund Town Wide:
From: Town Clerk, Restore Records A1410.41 $150.00
To: Town Clerk, Records Management A1410.42 .150.00
RESOLUTION#06-014—2005 BUDGET TRANSFERS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2005 budget transfers:
General Fund Town Wide:
From: Buildings, Repair A1620.42 $6,305.00
Buildings, Alarm System A1620.41 28.12
To: Buildings, Contractual A1620.4 6,333.12
RESOLUTION#06-015—2005 BUDGET TRANSFERS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2005 budget transfers:
General Fund Town Wide:
Form: Youth Coordinator A7320.41 $2,648.00
To: Youth Program A7320.4 2,648.00
RESOLUTION#06-016—2005 BUDGET TRANSFERS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2005 budget transfers:
General Fund Town Wide:
From: Garage A1640.4 $10,225.00
To: Engineer A1440.4 .10,225.00
Town Board Minutes Page 4 February 14, 2006
RESOLUTION#06-017—2005 BUDGET TRANSFERS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2005 budget transfers:
General Fund Part Town:
From: Contingency B1990.4 $922.63
To: Municipal Association Dues B 1920.4 .25.00
Zoning Deputy Clerk Personal Services B8010.12 798.79
Social Security B9030.8 98.84
RESOLUTION#06-018—2005 BUDGET TRANSFERS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2005 budget transfers:
Highway Fund Town Wide:
From: Sick Leave DA5142.12 $5,699.98
To: Health Insurance DA9060.8 5,496.66
Vacation Leave DA5142.11 203.32
RESOLUTION#06-019—2005 BUDGET TRANSFERS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2005 budget transfers:
Highway Fund Town Wide:
Form: Services Other Governments DA5148.4 $16,634.00
To: Machinery, Equipment DA5130.2 16,634.00
RESOLUTION #06-020—ENCUMBER FUNDS FROM 2005 BUDGET
MOVED by Councilman Clark, seconded by Supervisor Morey
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the encumbering of the following funds
from the 2005 Budget:
Town Board Minutes Page 5 February 14, 2006
General Fund Town Wide:
Town Clerk, Records Management A1410.42 $925.00
(for Records Management)
Engineer, Contractual A1440.4 ... $15,650.00
(for Building Demolition)
Highway Fund Town Wide:
Machinery, Equipment DA5130.2 $118,383.00
(for Dump Body, Shoulder Machine, Power Broom and Stake Rack Truck)
RESOLUTION#06-021 —APPROVE DEDUCTIONS FROM
DOG CONTROL RESERVE
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following expenditures to be deducted
from the 2005 Dog Control Reserve:
10% Legal Fees $ 750.00
25% Service Contracts/Updates/Hardware 484.85
10% Office Supplies .348.27
25% Clerk's Salary 7,213.50
25%Deputy Clerk's Salary 2,535.00
10%Portion of Salaries for Benefits 974.85
Total ..$12,306.47
Gary Coats, Code Enforcement Officer — Building Permits have slowed down, just two this
month. Life Safety Inspections are in progress.
Three bids had been received for the demolition of the Lick Street property: $15,200 from
Contentos; $17,000 from Burgeron; and $15,650 from Almost Anything Trash. There was a bid
from Dale Barhite but because of the asbestos removal he withdrew it. A pre-demo asbestos
survey is required. Buck Engineering has given a price of$1,400. If less or more than expected
asbestos is found bid prices might be reduce or raised to reflect this.
Councilman Gamel—Does any demolition have to go through this?
Mr. Coats—Only if it's your own residence. You might own two homes. You wouldn't have to
go through it if it was your home but if it was your rental property you would have to.
Councilman Gamel questioned whether there was asbestos siding.
Mr. Coats — There's quite a bit of that and they think the sheetrock has asbestos in it and some
of the tile floor. Mr. Coats explained that the demo prices included a complete survey of the
Town Board Minutes Page 6 February 14, 2006
house, demolition done according to the law, hauled to a landfill with manifests and everything
required. A file would be kept on the entire demolition. He was surprised at how high the bids
were but they all seemed to be within the same range.
Supervisor Morey—What's your recommendation?
Mr. Coats—I would recommend Almost Anything because they are local.
Supervisor Morey— What about tearing down the building? Is your recommendation to tear it
down?
Mr. Coats—Always has been. After Rick, Sheldon and I went there, it was a whole other issue.
If he had shown up in court that day, the court may have ruled that only the southern end would
have to be torn down. I think the Town was thinking along those lines at that time.
Councilman Gamel—I would much rather have seen that happen than now we've got a $16,000
bill and is there any way we'll ever get that back?
Attorney Monty— It will be assessed to the property owner. However collection is likely to be
an issue. You're absolutely right. We're dealing with a collection issue on another issue.
Councilman Gamel asked if they were bound by the court order to have the building demolished
even though they would probably never be repaid the money spent for the demolition. Attorney
Monty said that they had a court order before and did not act on it.
Mr. Coats — My ideal situation, in light of the $16,000, and in light of how he walked out of
here that evening after he begged for a second chance, and as you said, Rick, our hands are tied.
Had he shown up at court it would have been a different story but our hands are tied. My idea of
doing it, I'm not totally for tearing the whole house down after the three of us walked through it
that day. But that one end has to go. If Mr. Muka knew that he was going to be assessed
$16,000 and whether or not it bothers him that he owes money, could that be the spur.....
Councilman Gamel - I think that's our biggest problem here. I don't think that's really an issue
for him.
Mr. Coats—I don't think he cares.
Attorney Monty—But we've heard this before. It certainly is up to the Board.
Councilman Gamel — I don't want to see us go through this again but I sure would not like to
see us spend $16,000 to get something torn down that isn't coming back. That money is not
coming back to us.
After much discussion, it was decided to table any decision until the March meeting. Attorney
and Code Enforcement Officer would contact Mr. Muka and ask him to appear at March
meeting. Attorney would research possibility of charging Mr. Muka personally with the cost of
demolition rather than assessing the cost to the land.
Town Board Minutes Page 7 February 14, 2006
Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent — At the present time the majority of
equipment is dedicated to snow and ice removal. To the credit of the shop, the winter equipment
is as close to 100% operating ability as it has been since I started here. The preventive
maintenance program is on schedule and repairs have started on some of the summer equipment.
With the mild weather we have been experiencing, the highway crew has had a chance to cut
brush and trees and has done some extensive patching.
I have an update on the stake-rake truck that you approved some months ago. The cab and
chassis have been manufactured and are being shipped to Syracuse. When it arrives there, the
stake-rack body and lift gate will be installed. Maybe by the end of March we can take delivery.
Superintendent Case asked for resolutions for a raise for Dale Kinney and for highway
equipment purchases.
RESOLUTION #06-022—RAISE FOR DALE KINNEY
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves a raise of$.50 per hour for Dale Kinney,
Highway Mechanic, effective February 13, 2006.
RESOLUTION #06-023 —PURCHASE 2006 CHEVROLET % TON PICKUP TRUCK
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the purchase of one 2006 Chevrolet %2 ton
pickup truck on New York State Office of General Services 2006 Contract for the price of
$19,927.40.
RESOLUTION#06-023 —PURCHASE 2006 SNOWPLOW
& DUMPTRUCK COMBINATION
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the purchase of one 2006 or newer
International Paystar tandem-axle snowplow and dump truck combination complete. This
vehicle will be purchased on the New York State Office of General Services 2006 Heavy
Equipment Contract, No. PC62176, for $167,545.00. Truck, equipment and installation are all
under the jurisdiction of the NYS OGS Contract. The sum of$167,545.00, which reflects the
purchase price, will be taken from the Town's Capital Highway Equipment Reserve Account.
Said purchase will occur unless a petition in compliance with Section 91 of New York State
Town Law is received by the Town Clerk protesting said resolution and requesting a referendum
thereon.
Town Board Minutes Page 8 February 14, 2006
April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk/Tax Collector — Submitted her Town Clerk and Tax Collector
reports for the Board's review. Tax collection was going well; first installments were returned to
the County; Supervisor had been paid. The 2006 Town Directory had been completed and
copies were given to Board members. The Clerk's Office had started using the Ag & Markets
online licensing system on February 1St
A discussion was held on obtaining a town credit card. Councilman Gamel wanted a limit set at
$500 and after some discussion raised that to $1,500. Councilman Clark thought it should be
$2,500 and a compromise was reached at $2,000.
RESOLUTION #06-025 —AUTHORIZE TOWN CREDIT CARD
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the Town Highway Superintendent,
Richard C. Case, Jr., and the Town Clerk, April L. Scheffler to maintain a Visa Credit Card
account through the First National Bank of Groton with a limit of$2,000.00. This is to be used
for and on behalf of the Town of Groton and will be paid in full each month as the Town is
billed.
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town—Had served papers on Mr. Sims and Ms. Frierson, of
Diversified Technologies at appear at the Town Hall on Friday February 24th to answer
questions. Mr. Sims had indicated that he wishes to come up with a "reasonable plan" to settle
accounts with the Town.
Attorney Monty brought up the fine for people who do not get a building permit and said that
this would require a violation and court appearance. She said that the Town Board could
recommend the amount for a fine but that it would ultimately be up to the Judges to decide what
amount the fine would be. Clerk Scheffler suggested that other towns have an additional fee to
the building permit and it is listed on their fee schedule, not as a fine. Attorney Monty said she
would do some additional research on this for next month.
A. D. Dawson & John Norman, Town Justices — Submitted their monthly report for the
Board's review.
Councilman Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator—Winterfest is scheduled for this Saturday.
A lot of activities are going on. Viola Fitzgerald has been doing and excellent job filling in and
we have advertised for a Recreation Director. We haven't gotten any applications back yet.
Rosemarie Tucker, Town Historian—I gave you a report in January. I'd like to update you on
one thing: the save the Jones Schoolhouse is not going to happen. We had a meeting with the
Town of Groton Historical Association Board of Directors and Alan Christopher called Joe
Town Board Minutes Page 9 February 14, 2006
Fuller and Joe Fuller said he didn't want to get rid of it. I'm glad it has a roof; I'm glad it got
painted; I'm glad it's still on its original site; but I don't know what's going to happen to it. Our
next project for all the municipal historians in the County is that we're going to be working on a
brochure for places for people to visit within our town. Not just the village, but the whole town.
It will not just be history sites; it will be scenic roads, etc. We are applying to the Celebrations
Grant to do this, at least to cover the majority of it. Each town will have their own, so it won't
be one for the whole county. We'd like to have support from our towns and I've asked Glenn for
a letter. This grant will not conflict with any of the others that our community has applied for.
Then I wanted to let you know that the Groton Business Association Recognition night will be
on March 15th at the school. This year we're recognizing Leslie Graves. We'd like you to
proclaim that as Leslie Graves Day, like you have in the past with the Village.
RESOLUTION #06-026—APPROVE RECREATION PARTNERSHIP BYLAWS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2006 Tompkins County Recreation
Partnership bylaws.
RESOLUTION#06-027— 1sT UPDATE TO EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby orders the update to the Employee Handbook to
reflect that each fulltime employee shall be entitled to be paid on his/her behalf 80% of medical
insurance coverage provided by the Town.
RESOLUTION#06-028—2ND UPDATE TO EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby orders the update to the Employee Handbook to
reflect that any fulltime employee who has retired and who had at least 20 years of fulltime
employment and was enrolled in the health insurance plan at the at the time of retirement will be
entitled to medical insurance paid at $110.00 per month.
Town Board Minutes Page 10 February 14, 2006
RESOLUTION#06-029—RETAIN NEW CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
WHEREAS, the accounting firm that had been retained by the Town of Groton, Kirby, Beals,
Maier, DPAs, PLLC, has merged with another firm that does not serve clients in the
governmental sector, now therefore be it
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby retains the services of Mondorf& Fenwick, PLLC, to
conduct the audit of the 2005 Town of Groton financial statements for the sum of$5,300.00.
Announcements:
➢ Planning Board, February 16th at 7:30pm
➢ Zoning Board of Appeals, February 15th at 7:30 pm
➢ Groton Business Association, February 15th at the Elm Tree Inn and 6:30 pm
➢ Winterfest, Februarys 18th at the Groton Elementary School
➢ Fundraiser for Olde Home Days, Mystery Dinner Theater, February 21st at the Elm Tree
Inn at 7:00 pm
➢ Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, at the Town Hall, February 21St at 7:00 pm
➢ McLEan Community Council, March 15th
➢ Scott Ferris was appointed as Officer in Charge on February 3rd for Village of Groton
Police Department
➢ Groton Business Association Recognition Award, Leslie Graves Day, March 15th
There being no further business Councilman Scheffler moved to adjourn, seconded by
Councilman Clark at 8:42 pm.
April L. Scheffler, RMC
Town Clerk