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Home My WebLink About2006-12-12 TOWN OF GROTON - MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 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: Gary Coats, Elizabeth Brennan, Richard C. Case, Jr., Duane Randall, Matt Cooper, April Scheffler. MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2006 meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 373-410 of the General Fund in the amount of$26,502.61 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 195-216 of the Highway Fund in the amount of$183,571.90 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 47-51 of the Special Grant (HUD) Fund in the amount of $32,365.30 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the HUD bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak. Town Board Minutes Page 2 December12, 2006 Monthly Reports: Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/Highway Clerk— Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review and asked for budget transfers. RESOLUTION#06-100—2006 BUDGET TRANSFER—GENERAL FUND MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2006 Budget Transfer: General Fund, Town Wide: From: Control of Dogs, Dog Expenditures A3510.42 .$350.91 To: Control of Dogs, Equipment A3510.2 350.91 RESOLUTION#06-101 —2006 BUDGET TRANSFER—GENERAL FUND MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2006 Budget Transfer: General Fund, Town Wide: From: Town Clerk, Contractual A1410.4 .$958.00 To: Town Clerk, Equipment A1410.2 958.00 RESOLUTION#06-102—2006 BUDGET TRANSFER—GENERAL FUND MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2006 Budget Transfer: General Fund, Town Wide: From: Contingency A1990.4 .$3,353.90 To: Youth Program A7320.4 3,353.90 RESOLUTION #06-103 —2006 BUDGET TRANSFER—GENERAL FUND MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2006 Budget Transfer: Highway Fund, Town Wide: From: Snow Removal, Sick Leave DA5142.12 $3,075.00 To: Health Insurance DA9060.8 3,075.00 Town Board Minutes Page 3 December12, 2006 Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer — Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. Many Certificates of Occupancy or Completion had been issued for building permits that had been open for over a year and people had not come back for final inspections. Life Safety Inspections are up to date for the year except for one that has to be done by the end of the year. Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent —At the present time all snow equipment has made the transition from the summer maintenance mode to the winter maintenance mode. The Highway Crew has had a chance to test everything and we're as ready as we can be. The first of the two new trucks has been delivered, checked out, licensed, insured and placed in service. Lester Coit is the designated operator of this unit. The second of the new trucks was delivered last week. As you remember, this was a cab and chassis. I have a bid from Vicki Cives for plow equipment. This bid is for the New York State OGS contract for the amount of$29,654.00. The purchase of this plow equipment will come out of the 5130.2 equipment fund. With Viking fabricating the plow equipment and doing the primary hydraulic work combined with our Town crew mounting some of our plow equipment, it's conceivable to have this unit in service this winter. Town crews, when weather allows, are cutting trees as well as addressing ditch work and other drainage problems. The insurance inventory for the Highway Department has been brought up to date and given to Glenn and Dempsey Insurance Company. The 2006 New York State DOT Road Inventory has been completed and mailed. The Town of Groton is currently on record as maintaining 53.45 centerline miles of roadway. I'm just starting the process of closing out 2006 accounts with Liz. RESOLUTION #06-104—PURCHASE PLOW EQUIPMENT MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the purchase of Viking plow equipment from Viking Cives on New York State Office of General Services bid #PC62176 in the amount of$29,654.00. Mr. Case mentioned that he thought John Lampman was going to be here to talk about proposals and revised costs for the Spring Street Bridge. April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk/Tax Collector — Submitted monthly report for the Board's review and had nothing to report except that they were finishing up year-end things and getting ready for tax collection. Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town — Asked if the Board was considering changes to the proposed sidewalk law. Supervisor Morey said that he and the Board had attended a meeting in McLean and discussed the issue with residents. It has been decided to hold off on a decision on the law for a couple of months. Councilman Gamel asked about the 1936 agreement between the school and the Town concerning the sidewalk and the attorney indicated that more research was needed on that. Town Board Minutes Page 4 December12, 2006 John Norman & A. D. Dawson, Town Justices — Were not present but had submitted their monthly reports for the Board's review. Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator — Had nothing to report as the Recreation Committee had not had a meeting this month. Duane Randall, County Legislator — Reported that the McLean road project was nearing completion. Bidding for the bridge replacement will happen this winter with the project happening next spring. The preliminary schedule of work for highway construction in the Town of Groton includes Stevens Road, South Main Street Extension and Cobb Street. Doug Albern came to the F & I meeting with issues with the curbing around his driveway. The County did take care of the problem. RESOLUTION #06-105—APPROVE 2007 HIGHWAY AGREEMENT MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton Highway Employees be granted the following for the year 2007: 1) $.70 per hour raise in pay across the board. 2) Raise clothing/boot allowance to $150.00 per year. 3) Raise five-year incentive to $.25 per hour. 4) Establish tool allowance for mechanic at$225.00 per year RESOLUTION#06-106—SET DATE FOR ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets the date for the 2007 Organizational Meeting for January 9, 2007 at 7:30 PM. RESOLUTION#06-107—APPOINT CAROLANN DARLING TO ZBA MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby appoints Carolann Darling to the Town of Groton Zoning Board of Appeals to fill out a term left vacant by the resignation of Geraldine Rapp. Said term will begin immediately and expire December 31, 2009. Town Board Minutes Page 5 December12, 2006 Supervisor Morey asked the Board to review the M & T Investment Policy. RESOLUTION#06-108—ESTABLISH PLANNING BOARD POLICY MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that it shall be the Town Board's policy that all meetings of the Town of Groton Planning Board shall be open to the public as required by the Open Meetings Law, and the public is encouraged to attend. It shall be the Town Board's policy for the Town Planning Board to prohibit verbal participation (other than at public hearings)by non-board members in matters before the Planning Board. The public at large has ample opportunity to address matters before the Board at scheduled public hearings, and in writing addressed to the Board as a whole. Statements in writing will be received by the Chairperson prior to deliberations and will be made part of the record of the meeting and meeting minutes. This policy is established to insure the fair and unbiased consideration of applications under deliberation leading to findings and decisions, and to assure that the meetings of the Planning Board are conducted with decorum and in an efficient, orderly manner In situations where a Board Member may pose a question not answerable by the staff, the applicant, or other Board Members present, it shall be the discretion of the Chairperson as to whether or not such question or questions shall be directed to a non-member present at such meeting. The Chairperson shall exercise extreme care in seeking participation from non- members, and shall use his/her position to prevent debate developing between the public and the Board. The public's understanding of the need and value of this policy is appreciated. Announcements: ➢ Planning Board Meeting, December 21 at 7 PM ➢ Zoning Code Review Committee, January 4 at 7:30 PM ➢ Groton Business Association Holiday Social, December 13, at 6 PM at the Benn Conger Inn ➢ Open House, Residential Care Facility, 1950 Peruville Road, December 28 at 2-4 PM ➢ NYS Association of Towns 2007 Training Session, February 18-21 in NYC There being not further business, Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, at 7:56 PM. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk