HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-18TOWN OF GROTON — MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018 AT 7:30 PM
THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD
Those present: Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor
Richard Gamel, Councilperson
Crystal Young, Councilperson
Randy N. Jackson, Councilperson
Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town
Also present: Rosemarie Tucker, Mike Neville, John Norman, Dewey Dawson, Rick Fritz,
Charles Rankin, Glenn Morey, April Scheffler.
MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Jackson, to approve the minutes of the
January 9, 2018 meeting as presented.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler.
Vouchers numbered 13-74 in the total amount of $232,900.66 were presented to the Board for their
review.
Vouchers for the General Funds A and B, the Peruville and McLean Lighting Districts, and the Groton
Fire Protection District in the amount of $170,131.86 were presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilperson Jackson, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the General Bills for
payment.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler.
Vouchers for the Highway Fund in the amount of $62,73 8.80 were presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the Highway Bills for
payment.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler.
Monthly Reports:
Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review and requested a budget
transfer. He has been working on the annual report to submit to the State.
RESOLUTION #18-013 - 2018 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Jackson
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2018 Budget Transfer:
General Fund - Part Town:
From: Contingency, B1990.4 ......................... $10.00
To: Municipal Association Dues, B 1920.4 ........ 10.00
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
Town Board Minutes Page 2 February 13, 2018
W. Rick Fritz, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. He
explained to the Board that while doing recent Life Safety Inspections, he discovered that certain
businesses, such as places of public assembly and junk yards, are required by our local law to submit a
yearly application for an Operating Permit. This requirement had never been addressed or enforced since
the Town of Groton Law for the Administration and Enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire
Prevention and Building Code was passed in 2007. Mr. Fritz assured the Board that he would now be
making sure that the proper paperwork is filed. He also informed the Board that the McLean Fire
Department would need to reapply this year for a Mass Gathering Permit for Happenin' In the Hamlet.
Supervisor Scheffler said that he had spoken with Bob Walpole about the Mass Gathering Permit that
afternoon and that they would see that a new application was made.
Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent - Was not present.
April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's
review. The resolution for the standard workdays for elected officials was posted for the required amount
of time and the Bookkeeper had filed the affidavit of posting electronically with the Retirement System.
Everyone required to do so is currently completing new work hour logs in order to keep things up to date.
The Local Law to amend the Code was sent to the Department of State and confirmation was received
that it was filed on January 18th. The Clerk's Office will participate in the address updates for the 2020
Census and that will start soon. Clerk Scheffler asked for approval from the Board to submit an
application for a Community Celebrations Grant for the Verne Morton Memorial Photography Show and
Contest.
Consensus of the Board was that they all in favor of the Clerk applying for a grant and having the
Supervisor write a letter of support.
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town - Had nothing to report.
John J. Norman and A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review.
They supplied an additional report for the year showing their court had collected $92,000.00 with
$61,000.00 going into the State coffers. $26,311.00 was returned to the Town of Groton which is roughly
33% of the Court's allotted budget for last year plus the money that came from Contingency for the new
computer system. Court's are not meant to be a money -making deal, but this represents a significant
return when you get a third of the budget back. The Court had received a JCAP Grant of $20,000.00 that
will be used for security cameras, outdoor lighting, and to fix some doors. Thanks to Kathy Barron for
the work she did to write and submit the grant.
Councilperson Crystal Young as Representative to Joint Youth Program - Youth basketball has
another month of practices and games are going smoother. The girls program is up and going well with
19 participants. Youth wrestling is moving forward for the second through sixth graders. Cabin Fever is
scheduled for March 3rd. There will be concessions, lots of activities, bounce houses, a DJ, and roller
skating that evening. Unfortunately "Dance Without Limits" was cancelled for lack of participation.
Zumba continues to be well attended on Monday and Wednesday nights. Babysitting classes will be
taking place starting February 25th. Baseball and softball registration is open. Audits will be done at the
next meeting and the Mayor has requested that all programs try to cut their budgets by 10%. On April
28th there will be a kick-off event at the new Village pavilion. The Rec Committee is having a contest for
the kids to name the pavilion. It will be available for rent to non -profits but not individuals.
Glenn Morey, County Legislator - He has been assigned to the Budget, Transportation, and Facilities
Committees. Jason Molino, the new County Administrator, will be calling and asking to have a meeting
to go over some things that and benefits that the County can provide to the Town.
Rosemarie Tucker, Town Historian - Had submitted her annual report to the Board by email, sent it to
the Tompkins County Historian who will present it along with others from the County to the Legislature,
Town Board Minutes
Page 3 February 13, 2018
and submitted it online to the New York State Historian. She is editor and project leader of all the
Historians in the County on a book that will come out in 2018 about notable women in Tompkins County.
She told the Board that she is grateful to the Board for their support and always available for questions.
RESOLUTION #18-014 - TOWN CLERK & DEPUTY TO ATTEND CONFERENCE
MOVED by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Councilperson Young
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the payment of expenses for the Town Clerk and the
Deputy Town Clerk to attend the New York State Town Clerks Association Annual Conference in
Albany, New York, April 22-25, 2018.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
RESOLUTION #18-015 - APPOINT LOCAL BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Jackson
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby appoints John Miller, Fran Sovocool, Jean Morey, and
Elizabeth Conger as the 2018 Local Board of Assessment Review with any available Town Board
Members also attending and assisting.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
RESOLUTION #18-016 - SET DATE FOR LOCAL ASSESSMENT REVIEW
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm as
Local Assessment Review Day.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
Supervisor Scheffler announced that unfortunately a resignation from the Planning Board had been
received from Brett Wyllie due to employment obligations.
RESOLUTION #18-017 - ACCEPT RESIGNATION OF BRETT WYLLIE
MOVED by Councilperson Jackson, seconded by Councilperson Gamel
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby accepts, with regrets, the resignation of Brett Wyllie as a
Member of the Town of Groton Planning Board, effective February 2, 2018.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
Town Board Minutes Page 4 February 13, 2018
RESOLUTION #18-018 - ADVERTISE TO FILL PLANNING BOARD VACANCY
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby directs the Town Clerk to advertise for applicants to fill the
vacancy on the Town of Groton Planning Board with April 12, 2018 as the deadline for submissions.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak.
Announcements:
➢ Planning Board Meeting - February 15 at 7:30 pm
➢ Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting - February 28 at 7:30 pm
➢ Groton Olde Home Days - August 23, 24 & 25
➢ Cabin Fever - March 3
➢ Village Pavilion dedication - April 28
➢ Next Board Meeting - March 13
There being no further business, Councilperson Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson
Young, at 8:02 pm. Unanimous.
April L. Scheffler, RMC
Town Clerk