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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-14 TOWN OF GROTON - MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING PUBLIC HEARING ON PRELIMINARY BUDGET TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 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 Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town Also present: Rosemarie Tucker, Richard VanOrder, Daniel Williams, Jacalyn Spoon, Deb Lane, Gary Lane, Lester Coit, Gary Coats, Richard C. Case, Jr., April Scheffler. MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the minutes of the September 9, 2008 meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the minutes of the September 30, 2008 special meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 271-310 of the General Fund in the amount of $33,522.98 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 165-182 of the Highway Fund in the amount of$50,183.08 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Privilege of the Floor: Town Board Minutes Page 2 October14, 2008 Richard VanOrder was present to ask that the Town Board consider requesting a lower speed limit on Pleasant Valley Road. He had been in contact with Senator Seward, who had suggested that he come to the Town Board. There have been requests for a lower speed limit in the past accompanied by petitions from the residents. Mr. VanOrder is disabled from an accident caused by driving too fast on this road. There have been many accidents over the years and several recent accidents. It is hoped that the speed limit will be reduced before someone dies. RESOLUTION#08-057-REQUEST LOWER SPEED LIMIT FOR PLEASANT VALLEY ROAD MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey WHEREAS, Richard VanOrder, a resident of Pleasant Valley Road in the Town of Groton, has presented the Town Board with a request to lower the speed limit on Pleasant Valley Road to 45 mph, pointing out the many accidents that have occurred, the condition of the road, the many sharp curves and the increased population. Additionally, Mr. VanOrder stated that he almost lost his life and is now disabled as the result of an accident on this road, and WHEREAS, Mr. VanOrder has written three letters to Senator James Seward concerning this issue and Senator Seward directed him to the Groton Town Board, and WHEREAS, the Town Board, in its consideration of this request, has revisited a previous petition and request for a lower speed limit received from residents of Pleasant Valley Road on August 7, 2006. The Town Board has concluded, as it did in 2006, that the structure of this narrow, winding road creates a dangerous situation and believes that the best interest of the public would be greatly served by lowering the speed limit. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton respectfully requests that the County of Tompkins and the State of New York move to lower the speed limit on Pleasant Valley Road, from its intersection with Old Peruville Road to the Groton/Lansing Town Line, to 45 mph and that this speed limit be clearly posted. Jackie Spoon, Environmental Management Council Representative, told the Board about a conference on October 30th at the Ramada on Invasive Non-Native Forest Pests. Ms. Spoon is on an ad hoc committee concerned with gas drilling and will be writing a report. Councilman Gamel explained that the Town did not sign a gas lease. The EMC has passed a resolution in support of the Energy Greenhouse Gas Solutions element of the Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan and had a draft copy of that if anyone wanted to see it. Michael Miles, representative from Enfield, is on a committee exploring ways to expand TCAT bus services to more rural areas. Ms. Spoon is in the process of reading the draft zoning ordinance for the Town. Dan Williams was present to talk to the Town about green energy, which he has been doing a lot of research on. There are many state grants available but most zoning laws do not address green energy. He was asking what we needed to do to get this started in Groton and if the Board would like more information on the subject. Town Board Minutes Page 3 October14, 2008 Supervisor Morey said that they were very interested and would like Mr. Williams to bring them more information. Mr. Williams stated that it would do no good to put wind towers up if it would raise property taxes for people and negate any savings to the property owner. Supervisor Morey feels that the County is also very much in favor of green energy. Councilman Scheffler said that the County does not assess personal windmills and solar panels because the assessment would amount to about three times the energy savings. Monthly Reports: Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/Highway Clerk - Submitted monthly report for the Board's review. RESOLUTION #08-058 - 2008 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 2008 Budget Transfer: General Fund- Town Wide: From: Contingency A1990.4 ..$25.00 To: Senior Citizens A6772.42 ..25.00 Gary Coats, Fire/Code Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. Life Safety Inspections for the year are all completed. He had met with Mr. Muka, on site, and went over everything. Everything that had been required had been achieved and a Certificate of Occupancy was issued last Wednesday. This probably wasn't the perfect solution to the situation, but in the final analyses Mr. Coats feels that the Board served the citizens of Groton in the best way. Mr. Coats agreed that the green energy issue was becoming important in many communities and we needed to include it in the new zoning. Supervisor Morey asked about the Eckert house. Mr. Coats said that it was beautiful. The only thing holding up the Certificate of Occupancy was a problem with the attached gazebo, which was unstable. He had offered to issue a temporary Certificate but the Eckerts wanted to wait until everything was done. Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent - At the present time the Highway Department has been busy with the equipment change over from summer to winter maintenance. Sand and salt is being stockpiled and mixed. Shoulder and ditch repair is taking place daily as well as roadside mowing. I have called the dealer in regards to the new truck and I still can't give you a definite delivery date. Town Board Minutes Page 4 October14, 2008 Supervisor Morey thanked Mr. Case for fixing all the outside lights. April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. A letter had been received from Stonehedges Golf Course, advising the Town that it intends to renew its liquor license. The Town Clerk's Office is getting set up to take credit and debit cards over the counter and will be able to take online payments for taxes in January. Consensus of the Board was that they had no objections to the renewal of the liquor license for Stonehedges Golf Course. Victoria Monty,Attorney for the Town - Had nothing to report. John Norman & A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Submitted monthly report for the Board's review. Councilman Donald Scheffler as Recreation Coordinator - Gave everyone a report written by the recreation director. The Halloween Party is Saturday, October 25 at the Legion in conjunction with the Ladies Auxiliary. Duane Randall, County Legislator - Was not present. PUBLIC HEARING ON 2009 PRELIMINARY BUDGET The public hearing on the 2009 Preliminary Budget was opened by Supervisor Morey, at 8:00 PM. The Town Clerk read the legal notice as it appeared in the Groton Independent, the Town's legal paper on October 8, 2008. Supervisor Morey announced that the rate per thousand will be 6.19 cents, which is a reduction of 13.5% from the 2008 Budget of 7.14 cents. The overall Town assessment has increased an average of 18%. The budget is made up of 4 parts and 4 special districts. Part A is town wide, which includes the Village; DA is town wide highway; part B is part town, which is just the Town at large; and DB, which is part town highway. The special districts include the McLean Lighting District, the Peruville Lighting District, the Groton Fire and McLean Fire. Some increases that we have had are liability and health insurance; the fire and ambulance is up 5%; Food Net and Gad-About Bus have gone up; and the average increase in salary was 4.5%. Mr. Morey thanked all the department heads for keeping in mind that they are spending other people's money. Richard VanOrder thought that the rate per thousand represented quite a drop. His concern was whether this would really be good for the Town considering the current financial crisis in the country. Supervisor Morey - Said that they had several reserve accounts in case of emergency. He feels this is a very strong budget, not excessive and no over-spending. Even though the overall assessment went up 18% the total budget only went up 2% which accounts for the lower rate. Town Board Minutes Page 5 October14, 2008 The Town has no debt, they have been buying equipment needed in a timely fashion and the Town is in very good financial shape. Mr. VanOrder said that by increasing the assessments the Town gets more money. Councilman Gamel explained that the Town does not raise the assessment, the County does, and by lowering the rate it helps to balance things out. Supervisor Morey explained a little about the budget process. Jackie Spoon asked about the Joint Youth program because is appeared that it was $14,000 in 2007 and is now $1,000. Supervisor Morey explained that it has been moved from the town wide fund to the part town fund and it was actually $18,000 in 2008 and is now $20,000. Mr. VanOrder asked about the $300 budgeted for Veteran's Services and it was explained that it was a donation to the American Legion to put towards their electric bills. There being no further discussion, Supervisor Morey moved to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Councilman Gamel, at 8:18 PM. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey PUBLIC HEARING ON 2009 GROTON FIRE AND AMBULANCE BUDGET Supervisor Morey immediately opened the Public Hearing. The public notice had already been read by the Town Clerk. Lester Coit, Fire Chief, was there to answer any questions about the budget. He thanked the Board and Rick Case for all the help that they give the Fire Department. It is appreciated. As of September 30, they have had a total of 636 calls, 452 of which were ambulance. Councilman Gamel asked if they were still talking about a new building. Chief Coit said that they were in discussions with the Village Board about the current building and possibly making it into a public safety building. They are talking about rehabbing the building and having a joint effort with the Police Department. Supervisor Morey asked if the budget had everything they needed and about the possibility of hiring full time or part time people. Chief Coit said they were still discussing the possibility of hiring someone for ALS (advanced life support) coverage. They would end up being Village employees. Supervisor Morey said that this is something that has been required. He also pointed out that the Groton and McLean ambulances still do not charge for their services. Supervisor Morey moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, at 8:22 PM. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey Town Board Minutes Page 6 October14, 2008 RESOLUTION#08-059 -APPROVE 2009 BUDGET MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the Budget for the Year 2009 as presented. RESOLUTION#08-060 - APPROVE 2009 FIRE AND AMBULANCE BUDGETS MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2009 Groton Fire and Ambulance Budgets as presented. RESOLUTION #08-061 - TOWN HISTORIAN TO ATTEND CONFERENCE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sheldon Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves payment of expenses for the Town Historian, Rosemarie Tucker, to attend the Association of Public Historians Conference in Lake Placid,November 1-3, 2008. RESOLUTION#08-062 -JUDGES TO ATTEND TELECONFERENCE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board approves payment of mileage for the judge's to attend a teleconference in Ithaca on October 29, 2008 Workshop meetings for review of the Draft Zoning Ordinance were set for Tuesday, October 21 and Tuesday, October 28 at 6:30 PM. Announcements: ➢ Zoning Board of Appeals - cancelled for this month ➢ Planning Board- cancelled for this month ➢ Public Forum with Attorney General - October 15, 11 AM - 2 PM, Tompkins County Cooperative Extension ➢ Thank You note from the Groton Olde Home Days Committee\ Town Board Minutes Page 7 October14, 2008 Supervisor Morey made a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing litigation, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, at 8:28 PM. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey Supervisor Morey made a motion to return to Regular Session, at 8:44 PM. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey Supervisor Morey - Let the record show that no decisions were made while in Executive Session. There being no further business, Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, at 8:44 PM. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk