HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-07-10 TOWN OF GROTON - MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 10 , 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: Dewey Dawson, Gary Coats, Elizabeth Brennan, Matt Cooper, April
Scheffler.
MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the minutes
of the June 12, 2007 meeting as presented.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Claim Numbers 214-235 of the General Fund in the amount of$13,256.10 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 103-122 of the Highway Fund in the amount of$98,194.69 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.
Claim Numbers 72-73 of the Special Grant (HUD) Fund in the amount of $1,921.65 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.
Town Board Minutes Page 2 July 10, 2007
Monthly Reports:
Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/Highway Clerk — Presented monthly reports for the Board's
review and asked for approval of a transfer.
RESOLUTION#07-048—2007 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 1007 Budget Transfer:
General Fund Town Wide:
From: Contingency, A1990.4 $154.05
To: Cemeteries, A8810.4 154.05
Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer — Showed the Board pictures of a barn that was
dismantled on Old Stage Road, which was going to be reconstructed elsewhere. He submitted
his monthly reports. Building Permits to date were a little behind last year's number. Last year,
however, about 20 jobs came from Better Housing and there have only been 2 so far this year. A
lot of time has been spent lately on mitigation problems, but hopefully they have been taken care
of. Mr. Coats had new pictures of the Muka property and reported that Mr. Muka was making
steady progress, every structural issue has been addressed and gutting of the interior has started.
Richard C. Case,Jr.,Highway Superintendent—Was on vacation.
April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector — Submitted monthly report for the
Board's review. Informed Board that she would be on vacation the next week, but the Deputy
Clerk would be in the office.
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town — Everything she had to discuss would be covered
elsewhere on the agenda.
A. D. Dawson, Town Justice — You have the semi-annual report and the monthly report. I
apologize for not having the monthly report to you last month. The court clerk usually takes care
of that but evidently the court clerk isn't taking care of it anymore, so we're doing it ourselves.
Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator— Our summer programs are going
along smoothly. Olde Home Days is the 17th and 18th of August. Everybody be there.
RESOLUTION#07-049—COURT CLERK TO ATTEND TRAINING
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves payment of expenses for the Court Clerk,
Margaret Palmer, to attend Court Clerk Training at SUNY Potsdam, July 22-24, 2007.
Town Board Minutes Page 3 July 10, 2007
Discussion took place regarding the grant that was originally awarded to the Town in 1992 to
provide low interest loans to businesses. Attorney Monty had reviewed all of the files pertaining
to the grant and had found the documentation from the original application in 1991 and
subsequent approval. Her office had been in contact with the Buffalo office for HUD and had
been told that the Town does not have to get approval from HUD to spend the money that has
been repaid and held in an account. Originally there had been a long, drawn out approval
process, but this is no longer done. The Town does have to still abide by the "spirit" of the
original agreement, which means that it would be loaned to people who are creating jobs for or
are helping people in the low to moderate income bracket. It could also be used for public
improvements such as roads, water, sewer projects, etc. providing there was public notice and it
would primarily help low to moderate income residents. Since there is no longer a local loan
advisory committee, the Town Board will act in its place. Supervisor Morey said that he planned
on appointing a committee next January at the Organizational Meeting.
RESOLUTION #07-050 — PLANNED USE OF HUD LOAN REPAYMENT MONEY
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby declares that the HUD loan repayment money would
be used consistent to the purpose for which it was granted to the Town through the original HUD
Grant. The Town will abide by the spirit of the prior agreement to loan money to businesses
and/or people creating jobs that are helping low to moderate income people. The funds will be
committed to other economic development projects in the Town and other eligible community
development activities.
RESOLUTION #07-051 —GRANT POWER TO SIGN LOAN AGREEMENTS
TO SUPERVISOR
MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark
Abstain—Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby grants power to the Town Supervisor, Glenn Morey,
to sign any paperwork or loan agreements having to do with the HUD loan repayment money,
upon approval of said agreements by the Town Board.
Announcements:
➢ Planning Board Meeting, July 19th, 7:30 PM
➢ Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting, July 12th at 7:30 PM
There being no further business, Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by
Councilman Scheffler at 7:50 PM. Unanimous.
April L. Scheffler, RMC
Town Clerk