HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-08 TOWN OF GROTON - MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2008 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: Rosemarie Tucker, Jacalyn Spoon, Matt Cooper, Gary Coats, Elizabeth
Brennan, Richard C. Case, Jr., April Scheffler.
Clerk conducted the 2008 Swearing-In Ceremony before the Board proceeded with the meeting.
MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the minutes of
the December 11, 2007 meeting as presented (with the correction of a typo that had been pointed
out by the Clerk).
Ayes - Scheffler, Clark, Morey.
Abstain- Gamel
Claim Numbers 405-425 of the General Fund for 2007 in the amount of $14,908.09 were
presented for audit.
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the 2007 General
Bills for payment.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Claim Numbers 1-13 of the General Fund for 2008 in the amount of$40,827.83 were presented
for audit.
MOVED by Supervisor Morey seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the 2008 General
Bills for payment.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Town Board Minutes Page 2 January 8, 2008
Claim Numbers 219-235 of the Highway Fund for 2007 in the amount of $71,437.18 were
presented for audit.
MOVED by Supervisor Morey seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the 2007 Highway
Bills for payment.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Claim Numbers 1-2 of the Highway Fund for 2008 in the amount of$72,478.69 were presented
for audit.
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the 2008 Highway
Bills for payment.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLUTION #08-001 - 2008 ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS/APPOINTMENTS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby makes the following appointments and designations:
Item 1 - Depository -The First National Bank of Groton is 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 - The Groton Independent is designated as the official newspaper of
the Town of Groton with notices also to be published in the Freeville Shopper.
Item 3 - Law Firm - Victoria Monty/Francis Casullo is the law firm of Pomeroy, Armstrong &
Casullo be retained as Attorneys for the Town of Groton.
Item 4 - Zoning Officer - Gary Coats is appointed Zoning Officer and Building and Fire Code
Enforcement Officer for the Town of Groton.
Item 5- Constable-Vacant
Item 6- Deputy Supervisor - Donald F. Scheffler is appointed Deputy Supervisor for the Town
of Groton.
Item 7 - Deputy Highway Superintendent — Peter Carr is appointed Deputy Highway
Superintendent for the Town of Groton.
Item 8 - Deputy Town Clerk - Deborah Lane is appointed Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of
Groton.
Item 9—Bookkeeper— Elizabeth Brennan is appointed as Bookkeeper for the Town of Groton.
Item 10— Court Clerk— Margaret Palmer is appointed as Court Clerk for the Town of Groton.
Town Board Minutes Page 3 January 8, 2008
Item 11 —Part Time McLean Crossing Guard—Margaret Albern is appointed part-time McLean
School Crossing Guard for the Town of Groton.
Item 12 — Town Historian — Rosemarie Tucker be appointed as Town Historian for the Town of
Groton.
Item 13 — Town Health Insurance—Full time employees to have 80% of Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Health Insurance coverage paid for by Town.
Item 14 — Town Board Regular Meetings —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.
Item 15—Salaries of Town Officers—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 $ 10,500.00 Biweekly
b) Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman $ 2,250.00 Quarterly
c) Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman $ 2,250.00 Quarterly
d) Richard B. Gamel, Councilman $ 2,250.00 Quarterly
e) Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman $ 2,250.00 Quarterly
f) April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk $38,500.00 Biweekly
g) Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent $55.575.00 Biweekly
h) John J.Norman, 1st Town Justice $ 11,000.00 Biweekly
i) A. D. Dawson, 2nd Town Justice $ 11,000.00 Biweekly
j) Gary L. Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement $26,200.00 Biweekly
k) Rosemarie Tucker, Historian $ 1,000.00 Quarterly
Item 16—Set Hourly Rates — The Town Board does hereby set the hourly rates for employees as
follows:
a) Deputy Town Clerk $10.00 per hour
b) Court Clerk $14.12 per hour
c) Bookkeeper $17.82 per hour
d) Custodian $11.32 per hour
e) Crossing Guard $10.74 per hour
Item 17-Appointment of Representatives to Town and County Programs:
County Youth Recreation Programs—Vacant
Environmental Management Council—Jacalyn Spoon
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,Peggy Ficken
Tompkins County Youth Advisory Board—Carol Griep
Tompkins County Recreation Partnership—Colleen Gloster-Gray
Tompkins County Fire, Disaster and EMS Advisory Board—John Miller
Town Board Minutes Page 4 January 8, 2008
Item 18-Supervisor's Appointment to Committee Members:
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
Zoning Review Committee-Glenn Morey
Highway-Sheldon Clark
Planning Board-Rotating Attendance
Appeals Board-Rotating Attendance
Item 19-Set fees for Town Services:
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
18) Paper Copy of Comprehensive Plan $25.00, CD $15.00
19) 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
Cellular Tower $ 2.50 Per$1000 of Construction Cost
Town Board Minutes Page 5 January 8, 2008
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) 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 #20- Miscellaneous Appointments, Fees, Etc.:
1) Annual Retainer Fee for Legal Services rendered by Pomeroy, Armstrong, and Casullo be
set at $10,000.00 annually.
2) Authorize Highway Superintendent to give pay raises effective January 1, 2008
3) Authorize Annual Association of Towns Training School—February 17-20, 2008, in NYC;
Glenn Morey, Sheldon Clark and Barbara Clark to attend.
4) Appoint Glenn Morey as Delegate and Sheldon Clark as Alternate 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 — Re-appoint Janice Haines for a term to
begin January 1, 2008 and end December 31, 2014.
7) Appoint member to Zoning Board Member — Re-appoint Lyle Raymond for a term to begin
January 1,2008 and end December 31,2012.
8) Appoint members of Zoning & Building Code Review Committee — Lyle Raymond, Monica
Carey,Mary Gloster, Steven Thane,Julie Graham,Doug Albern.
9) Re-Appoint members of Agriculture Advisory Committee — Daniel Carey (Chairperson),
Noreen Atkins, Marlin Houston,Robert Fouts.
Town Board Minutes Page 6 January 8, 2008
RESOLUTION #08-002 - APPROVE 2008 DOG CONTRACT WITH SPCA
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes—Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the 2008 contract with Country Acres Pet
Services for the purpose of dog control in the Town of Groton at a fee of$15,900.00
RESOLUTION#08-003 -AUTHORIZATION TO PARTICIPATE IN
COOPERATIVE PURCHASING OF HIGHWAY SERVICES WITH
TOMPKINS COUNTY
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes - 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#08-004 -AUTHORIZE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO
PURCHASE ON STATE BID
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - 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 #08-005 -APPROVE FIRE AND AMBULANCE PROTECTION
CONTRACTS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - 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 #08-006—APPROVE 2008 MUNICIPAL DRUG AND
ALCOHOL TESTING
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board does hereby approve Energetix as Third Party Administrator
for the 2008 Municipal Agreement Renewal for the Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Town Board Minutes Page 7 January 8, 2008
This concluded the 2008 Organizational Items.
Monthly Reports:
Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/ Highway Clerk - Presented monthly reports for the Board's
review and asked for budget transfers.
RESOLUTION #08-007 - 2007 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2007 Budget Transfer:
General Fund Town Wide:
From: Contingency A1990.4 $185.00
To: Superintendent of Highway, Equipment A5010.2 185.00
RESOLUTION#08-008- 2007 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2007 Budget Transfer:
General Fund Town Wide:
From: Town Clerk Salary A1410.1 .$1.10
To: Dog Control, Personal Services A3510.1 .1.10
RESOLUTION#08-009- 2007 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2007 Budget Transfer:
General Fund Town Wide:
From: Dog Control, Expenditure A3510.42 $105.80
To: Dog Control, Contractual A3510.4 105.80
Town Board Minutes Page 8 January 8, 2008
RESOLUTION#08-010- 2007 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2007 Budget Transfer:
General Fund Part Town:
From: Contingency B 1990.4 $1,726.52
To: Code Officer Salary B8010.1 1,692.30
Social Security B9030.8 34.22
RESOLUTION#08-011 - 2007 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2007 Budget Transfer:
Highway Fund Town Wide:
From: Snow Removal, Sick Time DA5142.12 $5,082.17
To: Health Insurance DA9060.8 5,082.17
Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent - In remembrance of my predecessor's last
report, we're plowing snow.
Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly and yearly reports for the
Board's review. I am catching up on Certificates of Occupancy now that things have slowed
down. The Muka house, he did come in and has paid for taxes and has an active building permit.
He has been up there recently because he has done the things I asked him to do. The holes in the
windows, he didn't have windows in certain places in the foundation and in the house itself and
he has boarded them up or covered them with plastic for the winter so nothing can get in at all.
I've been covering for George, in the Village since about Christmas. I went to the Zoning
Committee meeting. There wasn't a quorum but we discussed things for about two hours and
George Frantz has made some changes that I think are a lot more palatable than what was
originally proposed. Debbie and I are in the process of doing our year-end reports. We have to
send one to Washington and one to Albany.
Jacalyn Spoon asked about how many new homes had been built and there was some discussion
on that.
April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - I gave you my monthly Town Clerk's Report
and Tax Collector's report as well as my 2007 Annual Report. I also gave you a copy of the
2007 Index of Board Resolutions.
The new dog control officers started work right off the bat and I have had a lot of communication
with them. They were called by the Groton Police for an at-large complaint over the weekend.
Lindsay came over and spent about %2 hour catching the dog and said that the policeman was
Town Board Minutes Page 9 January 8, 2008
very happy that she actually showed up on the weekend and took care of the problem. She was
on Peruville Rd this afternoon picking up a stray and is coming tomorrow to follow up on an
one-going complaint that I have been receiving on a situation here in the Village. I don't know if
you have checked the website lately, but I have updated it to include a dog control section.
There is a woman who does a pet of the week for the Moravia paper with a dog from Country
Acres and also takes the pictures to put on PetFinder.com. She is going to be providing me with
pictures to put on our website and that will probably be added in the next week or so.
The Town Clerks met with Jay Franklin, from County Assessment on December 18 and
discussed the upcoming return to 100% assessment and the upcoming tax season. He said that
everything was going smoothly, the tax rolls were ready, the bills almost all printed and we
would have our tax bills by Friday, Dec. 21. However, the County Legislature decided that night
to raise the solid waste fee from $52 to $54. The Assessment Department really had to scramble
to recalculate all the taxes, reprint the rolls and get the information to the printers, who had
repeated breakdown problems. We finally got our bills on the afternoon of Dec. 31 and Dryden
didn't get theirs until January 2. To make matters worse, when we finally got the bills, they
weren't folded as I had requested, causing us a lot more work.
We've also had some aggravating software problems with the tax program. This seems to be an
ongoing thing and it doesn't ever seem to get any better. The main problem is that it is an
archaic DOS program and although it has been promised for years, there is not a Windows
version anywhere near ready. We are planning a clerks meeting to discuss this and look at our
options with other software providers. I am not sure at this time what this would cost, but I
would like to request that you encumber $1,000 from my 2007 A1410.4, contractual account, for
the purpose of possibly updating to better tax collection software.
RESOLUTION#08-012 -ENCUMBER FUNDS FOR TAX COLLECTIONS SOFTWARE
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves encumbering $1000.00 from the 2007
Budget, Town Clerk Contractual A1410.4, for the possible purchase of new tax collection
software.
Victoria Monty,Attorney for the Town -Had nothing to report
John Norman and A.D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present but had submitted their
reports for the Board's review.
Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator - Our first meeting of the year is
tomorrow night so I don't have too much to say. Our Winterfest is the l6th and 17th of February.
It looks like out "recycled toboggan" contest is going to take off and be a big event. There are
some demos going around to different businesses. So, pick up a copy of the rules and start
building.
Town Board Minutes Page 10 January 8, 2008
Jacalyn Spoon, Environmental Management Council - Reported that at the last meeting they
talked about invasive species and had a poster that showed one that is affecting pine and ash
trees. The Town Clerk offered to post this for her.
RESOLUTION#08-013 - TOWN OFFICIALS TO ATTEND CONFERENCE
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board approves payment of expenses for Glenn Morey, Sheldon
Clark and Barbara Clark to attend the NYS Associations of Towns 2008 Annual Training
School, February 17-20 2008 in New York City.
Rosemarie Tucker, Town Historian - I've provided each of you with a copy of my annual
report. I would like to thank the Town Board for their continued support and confidence in me
as the Town Historian. I also thank Groton Town Clerk, April Scheffler, for her continued
support and for her assistance in setting up an office for me here in the Town building. This year
I added the projects and meetings with which my Deputy Historian, Dewey Dawson has been
involved. I should have done this in the past but will do so here. There are many projects being
discussed for 2008 that will involve all the Municipal Historians in Tompkins County and other
projects on which I will be working. I will keep you informed throughout the year as each one
progresses.
Supervisor Morey - This year we have completed our HUD grant. We completed 28 houses for
rehab. We should re-write the application. However, it's going to cost about $4,000 and I have
to tell you that we may not get it. But it is an investment for the future. If they do decline us this
time, I think we have a better chance of getting it the next time, but we have to go through the
steps. I was wondering what everyone would like to do. I think we have a good chance.
There was some more discussion on the subject. Better Housing of Tompkins County would be
writing the grant for the Town and also administering it if the award is made. Consensus of the
Board was that we should move forward and contact Better Housing about writing the grant.
Supervisor Morey asked the Board to review the M&T Investment Report.
Announcements:
➢ Planning Board, January 17th @ 7:30 PM
➢ Zoning Board of Appeals, January 16th @ 7:00 PM
➢ McLean Community Council, January 16th @ 7:30 PM, McLean Fire Hall
➢ Groton Business Association, January 16th @ 6:00 PM, Elm Tree Inn
➢ 2008 Association of Towns Training, February 18-20,NYC
➢ Winterfest, February 16 & 17 @ the Groton Elementary School & Stonehedges
There being no further Councilman Scheffler moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Clark
at 8:19 PM. Unanimous.
April L. Scheffler, RMC
Town Clerk