HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-08 TOWN OF GROTON - MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 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: Gary Coats, Elizabeth Brennan, April Scheffler, Jacalyn Spoon, Matt
Cooper.
MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the minutes
of the June 10, 2008 meeting as presented.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the minutes of
the June 17, 2008 and June 24, 2008 Work Sessions on Code Review.
Claim Numbers 187-214 of the General Fund in the amount of $15,207.98 were presented for
audit.
MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the General
Bills for payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Claim Numbers 109-124 of the Highway Fund in the amount of$130,570.55 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.
Supervisor Morey offered privilege of the floor. No one wished to speak at this time.
Town Board Minutes Page 2 July 8, 2008
Monthly Reports:
Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/Highway Clerk - Presented monthly report for the Board's
review. The field part of the audit is completed and there will be a report when they finish their
paperwork.
RESOLUTION#08-042 -REFUND APPLICATION FEE TO MITCH METZGAR
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
WHEREAS, Mitch Metzgar applied to the Planning Board for a Minor Subdivision and it was
determined by the Planning Board that Minor Subdivision review was not needed for his project,
now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves refunding the $90.00 application fee to
Mitch Metzgar.
Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's
review. It has been very busy and he and the Deputy Clerk have been working at clearing up
expired building permits. Many open files have been closed and other building permits have
been renewed thanks to the work of the Deputy, Debbie Lane. Mr. Muka has been spending time
at his Lick Street property working outside. Mr. Coats has told him that he needs to spend some
time working on the inside. He is going to paint the outside and replace windows. Councilman
Gamel asked about the schedule that was agreed to and Mr. Coats said that he has not adhered to
the schedule although he has said that he wants to and has spent time there but is not doing the
work necessary to make it into a home. Supervisor Morey said that the Town Attorney would be
away on vacation but when she returned he thought they should talk to her and proceed with
cashing in the bond. Other Board members agreed that something needed to be done. Cashing
in the bond would mean tearing the house down. Councilman Sovocool said that the house was
not in good condition anyways. Councilman Gamel disagreed, saying that he has been in the
building, he has construction experience, and that that it is in better shape than his own house,
however it needs insulation, sheetrock, floors, etc. Mr. Coats said that it does have floors. The
Board requested that Mr. Coats talk to Mr. Muka and send him a letter asking him to finish the
scheduled work and if he is unable to do that, to attend the next meeting and explain things to the
Board.
Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent-Was on vacation and not in attendance.
April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly Town Clerk's
report and Country Acres Pet Services report on dog control for the Board's review. She had
nothing else to report.
Councilman Gamel said that he liked the fact that Country Acres Pet Services included in their
report and explanation of why it had been necessary to euthanize a dog. They spent several
months working with the dog, trying to get it to stop biting and had also had a trainer evaluate it
who said that should not be adopted. Clerk Scheffler agreed that it was nice to have this
explanation attached to the report.
Town Board Minutes Page 3 July 8, 2008
Victoria Monty,Attorney for the Town - Was not present.
John Norman and A.D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present.
Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator - Had nothing to report.
Duane Randall, County Legislator - Was on vacation.
RESOLUTION #08-043 - DONATION TO GROTON OLDE HOME DAYS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves a donation to the Groton Olde Home Days
Celebration of up to $600.00 for the cost of the port-a-potties.
RESOLUTION#08-044 -JUDGE DAWSON & CLERK PALMER
TO ATTEND CONFERENCE
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the payment of expenses for Judge A. D.
Dawson and the Court Clerk, Peg Palmer, to attend the Magistrates Conference July 27-29, 2008
in Potsdam,NY.
It was the consensus of the Board that they not schedule work sessions concerning review of the
draft zoning code during the month of July and would resume in August.
Councilman Gamel wanted to say how nice the cemetery on Route 222 looked and express
appreciation for the work done by Jeff Brockway, Rosemarie Tucker and others. Everyone
agreed that the cemetery looks fantastic.
Announcements:
➢ Zoning Board of Appeals - June 16 at 7:00 PM
➢ Planning Board- June 17 at 7:30 PM
➢ Groton Central School "Buy a Brick" Campaign- supporting Groton Education Fund
➢ Groton Business Association - July 9 at 6:00 PM - Elm Tree Inn
There being no further business Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by
Councilman Clark, at 7:49 PM. Unanimous.
April L. Scheffler, RMC
Town Clerk