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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-12 TOWN OF GROTON - MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2008 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 Absent: Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town Also present: Jacalyn Spoon, Robert Aichele, Lorraine Aichele, Gary Coats, April Scheffler, Lindsay Andersen. MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the minutes of the January 8, 2008 meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 14-59 of the General Fund in the amount of $262,049.65 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 3-35 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $35,343.31 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. RESOLUTION #08-014 - 2007 BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2007 Budget Transfer: General Fund- Town Wide: From: Contingency, A1990.4 $1,000.00 To: Attorney, A1420.4 1,000.00 Town Board Minutes Page 2 February 12, 2008 RESOLUTION#08-015- 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 2007 Budget Transfer: General Fund-Part Town: From: Contingency, B1990.4 .$22.99 To: Social Security, B9030.8 22.99 RESOLUTION#08-016- 2007 BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2007 Budget Transfer: Highway Fund- Town Wide: From: Services Other Government, Contractual, DA5148.4 .$42,450.00 To: Machinery, Equipment, DA5130.2 42,450.00 RESOLUTION #08-017 - 2007 ENCUMBRANCES MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves encumbering the following 2007 funds: General Fund- Town Wide: Justice, Equipment, A1110.2 for Computer Monitor $161.47 Highway Fund- Town Wide: Machinery, Equipment DA5130.2 for Small Dump Truck ..$55,000.00 Machinery, Equipment DA5130.2 for Tractor& Broome 42,700.00 Monthly Reports: Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. We have not been booming as we have in other months but that's to be expected this time of year. The complaints, the first one is actually a Village one that I did when covering for George. The only other thing I can think of is that we have received a copy of the Town of Groton Draft Land Use Regulations of February 1, 2008. It's the second draft that we've seen. I've emailed Mr. Frantz today to get more copies into the town for disbursement Supervisor Morey - No. This is not going out to the public, Gary. I want you to proof it. I want you to exactly tell me what's good about it, what's bad about it. I want you to go through Town Board Minutes Page 3 February 12, 2008 the issue of what's required in land use. I want you to come up with exactly what you want on that and I am going to submit it back to George and have him change it all. This is a draft and I don't want anything out until we get further along. Gary Coats - My problems with it are severe. Supervisor Morey - Well, then you're going to have to make the suggestions to me and I will go back to George and tell him to change it. Gary Coats -Well, I know what my report would be right now. Supervisor Morey - Good. Then you write it up for me and submit it to me by Friday and I'll take it back to George next week and we'll have it all changed. Gary Coats - It's very brief It won't be a total re-hash of this, of what's been proposed. It will be what I think the zoning should be for the next five or six years. Supervisor Morey- That's fine. Gary Coats - I can do that very easily. Supervisor Morey - Okay, so what about the individual parts of the code that we want rewritten, have you reviewed that? Gary Coats - I find this is an unworkable document form A to Z. Supervisor Morey-Why? Gary Coats - I can go through it many different ways. Supervisor Morey- All right, that's what I want you to do, Gary. Gary Coats - What my basis is that what we have today isn't that broken. It needs to be fine tuned, not a total rewrite of the code. He's got stuff in there that.... he's thrown carrots, when I've raised issues, he's thrown carrots out. Supervisor Morey - Okay, that's what I want you to do. I want you to make sure that you go and review this code and make sure that you're comfortable with it. April has volunteered to help you review this. Gary Coats - I will never be comfortable with this because it's too far Supervisor Morey - You're the professional. I'm relying on what you have to tell me. So, you're going to have to go over it. You were invited to every meeting and you chose not to come. Now it's time to review it. Okay? Gary Coats - That's not quite correct. I was not invited to every meeting because for five or six months into the process, we didn't even know they were holding meetings. Then, once we found out, I did skip some meetings and then I went to some in October, November and December, plus I met with him on the phone and one 4-hour meeting with him one-on-one. That's when he Town Board Minutes Page 4 February 12, 2008 proposed certain things. I said I had a real problem, and as an example, is motor vehicle repair places. Supervisor Morey-Right, I know that and it's supposed to be changed. Gary Coats - It was changed, it's in here. Supervisor Morey - Well, it's supposed to be more changed. He restricted fender and car repair or something like that. Gary Coats - It says a car place can be no more than 1000 square feet. Supervisor Morey - Right, he's going to change that too. But that's why I'm relying on you, Gary, is to tell me exactly what's wrong with this document so we can move forward. Gary Coats - What's wrong with it is the fact that what we have in place isn't that broken and I say fine tune what we've got in place and all this other stuff is just rewriting the whole thing and then five or six years down the road we're going to be fine tuning this again. I'm saying we have the document to fine tune right now. Let's fine tune that document right now and be done with it rather than go back and rewrite the whole thing that essentially takes that 1000 foot ring around the Village and extends it to the boundaries of the Town. Supervisor Morey - Okay. Right, Gary. I want you to tell me what's wrong with this document, okay? Start from chapter one and go on. We haven't rewritten it. There's only specific areas that we've rewritten and included. Gary Coats -Well land use is the main issue. Supervisor Morey - That's fine. I'm relying on you as a professional to tell me what's wrong with it. April has offered to help you. Gary Coats - Okay, I understand what you're saying and April and I will work together and we'll put something together, which will pretty much echo what I've just said tonight. Supervisor Morey - That's right. As long as you can foresee the changes in the Town over the next five years to include wind farms and towers and things like that. Gary Coats -Well, with our code you could fine tune it to include those things. Supervisor Morey - That's fine. As long as you include that and make sure we know what's going to happen within five years and try to cover. Gary Coats - Like when this one was done back in '99 or whenever, back then cell towers weren't an issue and now they are. You passed an addendum. I'd incorporate that cell tower law right into the code. I'd incorporate the mobile home park ordinance into the code and a couple of other things like sexually oriented businesses. And then we're back to having a fairly decent document that needs tweaking. Supervisor Morey - That's fine. But I want you to go through this whole document from one to the last page and tell me what's wrong with it. Town Board Minutes Page 5 February 12, 2008 Gary Coats - I'll see what I can do. Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent - At this time the Highway Department has dealt with five roadway icing events. Our drivers, as well as the driving public have had their winter driving skills tested to the max. I am happy to report that the Town vehicles have not had any off-road experience at this time. Brush cutting on Sovocool Hill Road and Lick Street has been taking place when weather allows. With the heavy rain and melt-offs, some shoulder and gravel road damage has taken place. The damaged areas are being addressed when manpower, material and weather permits. I am glad to report that the 3-year heater project has been completed. The initial mounting and venting was accomplished by the Town Highway Employees. The electrical and natural gas hook-ups were done by Burris Plumbing and Heating. Both crews worked well together and are to be commended. This process was slow, but accomplished a very efficient and cost effective installation. The Highway Crew replaced and repaired the water system to the Spring Street building. This site now has water again which allows vehicle washing to be done at that location. The shop continues to be busy with preparation for heavy duty NYS inspections, snowplow and wing repairs, everyday vehicle repairs as well as the preventive maintenance program. Supervisor Morey - I'd like to read a thank you note from Gene Ryan, Co-chair of McLean Beautification, "Dear Mr. Case, please pass along a heartfelt thanks to Rick Satterly for his courteous and understanding manner today. I phoned about the damage from snow removal to the planning sight in the center of McLean. I would like to thank you and your employees for the courtesy shown when I have phoned with my concerns. Hope your New Year is prosperous." So, thanks Rick, for that and all your help. April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - You have my monthly reports. The January tax season was very busy and we are finally catching up and things are slowing down. Debbie has been working out well and her assistance during this hectic time was much appreciated. I will be taking first installments back to the County tomorrow morning and will continue to collect full payments through the end of March. I have collected enough to finish paying off the Town warrant, but am waiting for a correction to the tax roll, which I anticipate will change the final payoff amount. I am very pleased with the dog control service we have been receiving from Country Acres Pet Services. The communication from them has been exceptional and it is so nice to actually know what they are doing and the status of the cases they are working on. I have added the Dog of the Week section to the Town website and also a lost pet section. It was so rewarding to have our first lost dog be a success story and I would like to thank Rick Neville for the part he played in bringing it all to my attention. Lindsay, from Country Acres, is here tonight to talk to you also. Lindsay Andersen - The new kennel will be complete soon and we hope to have an open-house in March. At that time we'll have all of the indoor-outdoor runs complete. We've enjoyed working with April and everyone here in the Town. We've had quite a few pickups in January and February looks like the same way. Supervisor Morey -How is covering Groton? Do you think it's hard or easy? Town Board Minutes Page 6 February 12, 2008 Ms. Andersen - So far we've been really lucky; everybody we've worked with has been really cooperative. There's been a couple difficulties. We've been doing well and enjoying it so far. We just bought a new vehicle with a stainless steel dog box and it's insulated. We're hoping we get better gas mileage. Clerk Scheffler pointed out that with the dog tickets that were issued, several attempts had been made to serve them all in person and they had been mailed only after the attempts at personal service had failed. This was an improved service over what the Town had previously received from the SPCA as they would only make one attempt at personal service before doing a "nail & mail." Clerk Scheffler - I would like to request that the Deputy and I attend the NYS Town Clerks Association Annual Convention in Saratoga Springs, April 27 - 30. I am not sure at this time that Debbie will be able to go because of family obligations but hope that it will work out as they will be providing the Notary classes and testing this year, which is something she will need to complete anyways. RESOLUTION#08-018 - TOWN CLERK& DEPUTY CLERK TO ATTEND CONFERENCE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves payment of expenses for the Town Clerk and the Deputy Clerk to attend the New York State Town Clerks Annual Conference in Saratoga Springs,NY, April 27 - 30, 2008. RESOLUTION#08-019 -AUTHORIZE CLERK TO SIGN SOFTWARE CONTRACTS MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the Town Clerk to sign the software maintenance contracts with Williamson Law Book Company for the Town Clerk, Accounting and Payroll programs. Supervisor Morey - I have two letters to read. The first one is from Valaria Coggin, Director of Assessment, referencing compliments to the Town Clerks: "Dear Mr. Morey, I assume that you are aware that the 2008 January Town and County tax bills had to be reprinted due to an error beyond our control. It was the first time in a quarter of a century that we had to face the prospect of not being able to deliver the tax bills to the towns in a timely manner. Fortunately, the tax roll, the warrant and the electronic data was forwarded to the clerks prior to January 1, 2008, which enabled them to conduct the business associated with tax collection. However, the late delivery of the reprinted bills necessitated them to make special arrangements during their holiday, working on the weekend and evenings in order to get the bills out to the property owners. During this difficult time we received exemplary cooperation from all the town clerks. We had the occasion to express our appreciation to them but I thought it would be important to bring to your attention the outstanding public service spirit of your employees. I want to assure Town Board Minutes Page 7 February 12, 2008 you that we have put a procedure in place immediately to prevent events like this from happening again. Once again I would like to thank you and your staff for helping us correct a wrong and move forward with a positive attitude." Of course, it's not our staff, it's definitely just April and Debbie. Clerk Scheffler -Well,you took a big load to the post office for us and that helped too. Supervisor Morey - Here is another one. I don't know if any of you saw on the website that we had a lost dog, but this is about that. "Dear April, My family and I want to extend all of our appreciation and make sure that you know how comforting it became to experience that small town community feeling that you brought about when our dog Koda came up missing from home last week. Not even knowing you personally turned into knowing what a wonderful, caring person you were helping to recover our family for little personal satisfaction. Now, I hope I can bring you a little smile in knowing that Koda returned home safely Sunday morning, thanks to Ed Scheffler and all of you in the town who kept their eyes and the lines of communication open. I can't imagine having that same overwhelmingly caring response to the loss of a "family member" anywhere but here in Groton, where we now call home. Thanks to all of our neighbors for being there; we look forward to reciprocating in the case that you ever need anything. We appreciate having you as our friend. And, by the huge yowl that came out of Koda the first time he heard Dad call his name, I know he sends his love and appreciation as well. You made the difference." I guess Rick Neville had a part in this too? Clerk Scheffler - Yes. He was the Good Samaritan. He was plowing the road and saw a girl getting out of her car by the side of the road and crying so he stopped to see what was wrong. That got the ball rolling and then he came and told me about it and we had a happy ending. Supervisor Morey asked about Olde Home Days and Clerk Scheffler said that there would not going to be a carnival this year. The carnival man had called and said that he had made a mistake in his calendars and double-booked for that date. Changing the date was considered but there were other conflicting events that would severely affect participation in the parade. After meeting with the Groton Business Association and members of the Fire Department it was decided to move forward. We know that we can survive not having a carnival because we did that before but our parade is one of the best in the area and having a bad parade one year could affect participation in subsequent years. The Fire Department and the parade are "the other half' of Olde Home Days and we feel it's important to remember that. Other plans are in the works and there will be more reports later. The committee is also applying for a grant through Tompkins County and was requesting a letter of support from the Town. Supervisor Morey said that he would provide a letter to the Debbie Barron, who was writing the grant. John Norman & A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present but presented their monthly report for the Board's review. Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreational Coordinator - Winterfest is this weekend, the 16th and 17th. We have a lot of indoor activities on the 16th at the Elementary School plus cross country skiing and sled riding. There will be a magician, Home Depot will be there with craft projects, Tompkins County Solid Waste, SPCA will be there with their cat-adoption program, caricaturists, other crafters, bouncy houses. Our recycled toboggan contest will be going on both days. There will be a display and judging at the Elementary School on Saturday and then we're going to move them to Stonehedges on Sunday for timed races. We have a lot of interest in it. Town Board Minutes Page 8 February 12, 2008 We have no idea who or what is going to show up. I've heard some ideas that I never would have thought of and we will see if they come and if they work. It should be a lot of fun and I hope to see everyone there. There will be crafters in the small gym with lawn ornaments, embroidery towels, crochet items, doll clothing, painted glass and dishware, decorated gourds, birdhouses,vases and the Helping Hands bracelets through Youth Services. Supervisor Morey - When the Youth Services sell the bracelets they use it for Secret Santa and things like that. Councilman Scheffler - We will also be having another photography and photo shop session coming up that should be advertised pretty soon. We are booking bands for the summer concerts and have two or three lined up. Jacalyn Spoon, Environmental Management Council - Provided a short report and gave some information on invasive species. The Council would be meeting the next day. Lorraine and Robert Aichele - From Patchwork Riding Stables in Peruville were there to request the Town's support for their grant application Tompkins County. They will be holding a celebration called the National Day of the Cowboy on July 4, 2008, which will include a roping clinic and horseback riding among other events. This will be the second year that they have held this event. Supervisor Morey said that he would provide them with a letter of support. RESOLUTION #08-020 - CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO ATTEND CONFERENCE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves payment of expenses for Gary Coats, Code Enforcement Officer, to attend the NYS Building Officials Conference in Syracuse, April 13 - 17, 2008. RESOLUTION#08-021 -MARY GLOSTER TO ATTEND AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE 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 Mary Gloster, Planning Board Member, to attend an Agricultural Conference in Saratoga Springs, February 28, 2008. Town Board Minutes Page 9 February 12, 2008 RESOLUTION #08-022 - HIRE BETTER HOUSING FOR TOMPKINS COUNTY MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey WHEREAS, the Town of Groton has successfully implemented a housing rehabilitation program to serve low-income homeowners in conjunction with Better Housing for Tompkins County, Inc. over the last 14 years, and WHEREAS, the Town of Groton recognizes a continuing serious need for housing rehabilitation services among low-income homeowners who cannot afford to make needed repairs, and places a high priority on serving that need in the Town, and WHEREAS, the New York State Governor's Office for Small Cities has made Small Cities CDBG Funding available to municipalities for this and other purposes, THEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton will submit a new CDBG grant request to the New York State Governor's Office for Small Cities to continue to provide a housing rehabilitation program on a town-wide basis, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton will hire Better Housing for Tompkins County, Inc. to prepare the grant application materials for review and submission by the Town of Groton. RESOLUTION#08-023 - SET FIRST PUBLIC HEARING ON SMALL CITIES GRANT MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby set a public hearing on the 2008 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program for March 11, 2008 at 8:00 PM. RESOLUTION#08-024 - SET SECOND PUBLIC HEARING ON SMALL CITIES GRANT MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby set a second public hearing on the 2008 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program for April 8, 2008 at 8:00 PM. RESOLUTION#08-025 - REAPPOINT LYLE RAYMOND TO ZBA MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby re-appoints Lyle Raymond to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a 7-year term to begin January 1, 2008. Town Board Minutes Page 10 February 12, 2008 RESOLUTION#08-026 -APPROVE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR OF ZBA MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the appointment of Steve Thane as Chair and Lyle Raymond as Vice Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals. RESOLUTION#08-027-APPROVE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR OF PLANNING BOARD MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the appointment of Barbara Clark as Chair and Ed Neuhauser as Vice Chair of the Planning Board. There was a discussion on the natural gas drilling lease and it was the consensus of the Board that they did not wish to lease the Town property for gas drilling at this point. After a short discussion on state increases to maximum income levels for real property tax exemptions for senior citizens and people with disabilities and a new exemption for Cold War Veterans, the Board set dates for public hearings. RESOLUTION#08-028 - SET PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR PROPOSED LOCAL LAW#1 & PROPOSED LOCAL LAW#2 FOR THE YEAR 2008 MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets a public hearing for reviewing Proposed Local Law #1 for the Year 2008 in regard to increasing the maximum income level for real property tax exemptions for persons sixty-five years of age or over for Tuesday, March 11, 2008 immediately following the public hearing on the 2008 Small Cities Program, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets another public hearing for reviewing Proposed Local Law #2 for the Year 2008 in regard to increasing the maximum income level for real property tax exemptions for persons with disabilities and limited income for Tuesday, March 11, 2008 immediately following the public hearing on Proposed Local Law#1. Town Board Minutes Page 11 February 12, 2008 RESOLUTION#08-029 - SET PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED LOCAL LAW#3 FOR THE YEAR 2008 MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets a public hearing for reviewing Proposed Local Law #3 for the Year 2008 in regard to the Cold War Veterans Exemption for real property taxes for Tuesday, March 11, 2008 immediately following the public hearing on Proposed Local Law #2. Announcements: ➢ Planning Board, February 21, 7:30 PM ➢ ZBA, February 20, 7:00 PM ➢ Winterfest, February 16 & 17 at Groton Elementary School ➢ 2008 Town Training, February 18-20 in NYC There being no further business, Councilman Sovocool move to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Gamel, at 8:29 PM. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk