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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-08 TOWN OF GROTON - MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2007 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, Duane Randall, April Scheffler. MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2007 meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 125-170 of the General Fund in the amount of$28,885.45 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 54-75 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $32,283.49 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. There were no bills presented for the Special Grant (HUD)Fund. Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak. Monthly Reports: Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/Highway Clerk— Submitted monthly report for the Board's review. Town Board Minutes Page 2 May 8, 2007 Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer—Submitted monthly report for the Board's review. He told the Board that there had been many complaints this Spring. He had some pictures of the progress on the Muka property on Lick Street. Richard C. Case,Jr.,Highway Superintendent—Was absent but had submitted a monthly report for the Board's review. April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk/Tax Collector— Submitted monthly report for the Board's review. I attended the Town Clerks Annual Conference. As always, there were many new things to learn. Many of the things I learned this year had to do with old, new and proposed laws and regulations. Kerry Marsh, the attorney for the NYSTCA, talked about many of our duties as Town Clerks as well as some new laws. One of these new laws has to do with gifts to and solicitation by elected officials. He explained that under the new law that there would be "0" tolerance for accepting gifts. I looked the proposed law up on the internet and it is quite long and involved, so I will try to get you something that will be more informative as to how it would apply to us as Town Officials. The Town Clerks Assoc. made resolutions to support the following Legislative amendments: 1) An amendment to public officers law in relation to the enforcement of the open meetings law, which would provide for up to a $500 fine 2) An amendment to environmental conservation law to increase the percentage of fees retained by municipalities for hunting & fishing licenses 3) An amendment to Ag &Markets Law to increase funds available for the purpose of spaying, neutering and animal cruelty prevention. They also made resolutions to oppose: 1) An amendment to public health law in relation to fees charged for certain records. 2) An amendment to public officer's law requiring certain records which are the subject of a discussion conducted at an open meeting to be made available to the public within 72 hours—currently we have 5 days to respond to a request. Bob Freeman, from the Committee on Open Government, always gives us all kinds of information. One thing he spoke about was emails, which is something that we have discussed before. I downloaded a publication that he suggested and have given you copies. Another class we had was about Violence in the Workplace and the requirements for policies and training that are the results of another new law effective March 4, 2007. I discussed it with Rick, who in turn discussed it with the PERMA representative. He is going to get back to us with more information and we will be presenting it to you when we know a little more about it. Jeff Haber from the Assoc of Towns spoke briefly about Gov. Spitzer's plans for consolidation of services. He assured us that the Assoc of Towns is keeping a very close eye on this. I am sure that we will be hearing a lot more about this in the future. Tena held down the fort while I was gone and took care of business, for which I am very grateful. Town Board Minutes Page 3 May 8, 2007 We had a visit from Cynthia Craig from the Dept. of State Div of Cemeteries. Apparently the Peruville Cemetery Assoc has had some discussion as to the possibility of turning the cemetery over to the Town. Ms. Craig has met with them and has given them some information on grants that are available to cemeteries so there is a possibility that this will help them keep it going at least for the time being. Supervisor Morey commented that everyone should be aware that emails can be the subject of a Freedom of Information Request and there was some further discussion on the subject. Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town—Had nothing to report. No one was present from the Town Court. Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator— Our summer youth programs are pretty well set. There will be archery, a magic workshop, outdoor science workshop, horseback riding, golf, furniture refinishing, an art program, pole vault clinic. Viola has also been working overtime to get the youth baseball and softball program up and running. The summer brochure is almost ready to go to print and our summer concert series is just about set with one or two dates still open. Duane T. Randall, County Legislator— Had nothing to report RESOLUTION#07-041 —COURT CLERK AND JUSTICES TO ATTEND TELECONFERENCE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves payment of expenses for the Court Clerk and the Town Justices, to attend a Teleconference on the New DWI Legislation in Ithaca,NY. RESOLUTION #07-042 —COURT CLERK TO ATTEND TRAINING MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves payment of expenses for the Court Clerk to attend training on DNA Collection Coordination on May 12, 2007, in Ithaca,NY. Town Board Minutes Page 4 May 8, 2007 PROCLAMATION "POPPY MONTH" IN THE TOWN OF GROTON WHEREAS, the Carrington-Fuller American Legion Post #800 Auxiliary works unselfishly throughout the year to aid members of the Groton Community, and WHEREAS, the American Legion Auxiliary annually sponsors the traditional offering of the "POPPIES"to the Groton area, and WHEREAS, by offering these "POPPIES" the Auxiliary helps to benefit the needs of the disable American Veterans by providing workshops and therapy for them through the Veteran's Hospitals, NOW THEREFORE, I, Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor of the Town of Groton, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM, the month of May 2007 to be "POPPY TIME" in the Town of Groton and respectfully encourage all members of the Groton Community to generously support the Legion Auxiliary during "POPPY TIME". IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of the Town of Groton, this 1st day of May 2007. Glenn E. Morey Groton Town Supervisor Consensus of the Board was that the proclamation was a good idea. RESOLUTION#07-043—SET PUBLIC HEARING DATE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets a Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law #2 of the Year 2007 in Relation to the Alternative Veterans Exemption for Real Property Taxes for Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 8:00pm. Announcements: ➢ Planning Board Meeting, May 17, 2007 at 7pm ➢ Magistrates Meeting, May 12 at 10am at the Ithaca Town Hall, Hon. Judith O'Shea of the 6th Judicial District will be speaker. Town Board Minutes Page 5 May 8, 2007 PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED LOCAL LAW#1 OF THE YEAR 2007 Supervisor Morey opened the Public Hearing at 8:00 pm with the Town Clerk reading the Public Notice, which was published in the Town's legal paper, the Groton Independent, on May 2, 2007. Supervisor Morey said that the proposed law had been reviewed by both the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Gary Coats, the Code Enforcement Officer, said that he was satisfied with the changes that had been made to the law to make it specific to the Town of Groton. Mr. Coats discussed some aspects of the law with the Board. Supervisor Morey asked the Town Clerk if she was clear on any added duties for the Town Clerk's Office and she said that she was. There were no comments from the public. There being no further comments, Supervisor Morey moved to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, at 8:10 pm. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLUTION#07-044—APPROVE PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #1 FOR THE YEAR 2007 MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves Local Law #1 for the Year 2007 entitled A Local Law Providing for the Administration and Enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. There being no further business, Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Scheffler at 8:11 pm. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk