HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-13TOWN OF GROTON — MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 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: John Norman, Mike Neville, Ben Nelson, Mike Totman, Robert Walpole, Rick
Fritz, April Scheffler.
MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Young, to approve the minutes of the
February 13, 2017 meeting as presented.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler.
Vouchers numbered 75-125 in the total amount of $54,512.98 were presented to the Board for their
review.
Vouchers for the General Fund in the amount of $18,789.66 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.
Discussion took place about a one bill that the Board had questions about.
MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Clark to rescind the previous motion to
approve the General Bills
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Jackson, to approve the General Bills for
payment with the exception for Voucher #94 until this voucher can be discussed further.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler.
Vouchers for the Highway Fund in the amount of $35,723.32 were presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Young, to approve the Highway Bills for
payment.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler.
Monthly Reports:
Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper - Was not present but had submitted monthly reports for the Board's
review and requested budget adjustments.
Town Board Minutes Page 2
RESOLUTION #18-019 - 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 - Town Wide:
From: Contingency, A1990.4 .......................$450.00
To: Town Board, Contractual, A1010.4.........450.00
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
RESOLUTION #18-020 - 2018 BUDGET ADJUSTMENT
MOVED by Councilperson Young, seconded by Councilperson Gamel
March 13, 2018
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2018 Budget Adjustment:
General Fund - Town Wide:
Increase Revenues: State Aid, Justice Court, State Grant, A3089........$20,190.00
Increase Expenditures: Justices, Grant Funds, A 1110.41 ...................20,190.00
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
W. Rick Fritz, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review.
There were some life safety inspections completed but other than that, it has been really slow.
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.
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town - Had nothing to report.
John J. Norman and A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Judge Norman was present and said that things
had been a little slow for them too. He said that there is a State security assessment coming up and maybe
the safety committee would like to meet with them when they are here.
Councilperson Crystal Young as Representative to Joint Youth Program - Cabin Fever was on
March 3rd and they gave away about 90 bike helmets to kids that attended. There were many vendors,
crafts, and activities. Winter programs are wrapping up and spring programs will be starting soon. The
summer concert series is 99% scheduled, summer camp sign-up has begun, and summer job postings will
be out soon.
Glenn Morey, County Legislator - Was not present.
Ben Nelson, Acting Fire Chief - Introduced himself and informed the Board that Lance Coit had
resigned as Fire Chief on February 14th and that he was currently filling in. There will be a special
election on April 2nd to fill the position. Business is still going as usual. Currently there are 169
ambulance calls and 29 fire calls to date for the year.
Town Board Minutes Page 3 March 13, 2018
Mike Neville, Groton Fire Department - March 31St will be the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the
Elementary School starting at 9:00 am. April 28th will be the building fundraiser kick-off. There will be
chicken BBQ, a band, and a tent set up. Also starting that date will be a cash raffle that will be drawn in
August at the time of the Olde Home Days parade.
RESOLUTION #18-021 - SET ZONING FEE FOR SPECIAL PERMIT REVIEW OF
LARGE SCALE GREEN ENERGY
MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Supervisor Scheffler
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets the zoning fee for Special Permit Review of any Large
Scale Green Energy project at $500.00.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
Discussion took place on proposed safety features for the Town Hall. It was decided to table the issue
pending further analysis.
A Mass Gathering application had been received from the McLean Fire District for their "Happenin' in
the Hamlet."
RESOLUTION #18-022 - DECLARE THE TOWN OF GROTON
AS LEAD AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSES OF SEQR
MOVED by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Councilperson Jackson
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby declares the Town of Groton as Lead Agency for the purposes
of the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) in reference to the review of the Mass Gathering
application received from the McLean Fire District.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
The Board had reviewed Part 1 of the SEQR form, which had been completed by the applicant. The
Board then completed Part 2 of the SEQR and made the following resolution:
RESOLUTION #18-023 - NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Clark
WHEREAS, Part 1 of the Short Environmental Assessment Form was satisfactorily completed by the
McLean Fire District as part of the application for a Mass Gathering for their "Happenin' in the Hamlet"
event, and
WHEREAS, Part 2 has been completed by the Groton Town Board and Questions 1 through 11 were all
answered as "no, or small impact my occur," now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby declares, that based on the foregoing information and analysis,
the proposed action will not result in any significant adverse environmental impacts.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
Town Board Minutes Page 4 March 13, 2018
RESOLUTION #18-024 - WAIVE FEE FOR MASS GATHERING APPLICATION
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Clark
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby waives the fee for the Mass Gathering application submitted
by the McLean Fire District for their "Happenin' in the Hamlet" event.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
The Board then reviewed the Mass Gathering application and determined that each item on their checklist
had been addressed.
RESOLUTION #18-025 - APPROVE MASS GATHERING PERMIT APPLICATION
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the issuance of a Mass Gathering Permit to the
McLean Fire District for their "Happenin' in the Hamlet" event for a period of five years, 2018 - 2022,
provided that there are no significant changes to the event that would alter the answers to the State
Environmental Quality Review, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the McLean Fire District is required to submit annually, to the Town of Groton, a
current certificate of insurance prior to each year's event, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the McLean Fire District shall obtain, annually and prior to each event, any other
State, County or local permits required, including but not limited to alcoholic beverage permits or food
service permits, and provide copies of said permits to the Town of Groton.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
RESOLUTION #18-026- DECLARE APRIL AS FAIR HOUSING MONTH
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Jackson
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Title VIII Fair Housing Policy of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the
Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and,
WHEREAS, the Month of April 2018 has been designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development's Office as Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity as Fair Housing Month,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton hereby declares
and proclaims April 2018 as Fair Housing Month in the Town of Groton.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
RESOLUTION #18-027 - POPPY TIME IN THE TOWN OF GROTON
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Jackson
WHEREAS, the Carrington -Fuller American Legion Post #800 Auxiliary works unselfishly throughout
the Town of Groton, and
Town Board Minutes Page S March 13, 2018
WHEREAS, the American Legion Auxiliary annually sponsors the traditional offering of the
"POPPIES" to the Groton area, and
WHEREAS, by offering these "POPPIES" the Auxiliary helps to benefit the needs of the disabled
American Veterans by providing workshops and therapy for them through the Veteran's Hospitals,
NOW THEREFORE, I, Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor of the Town of Groton, DO HEREBY
PROCLAIM, the month of May 2018 to be "POPPY TIME" in the Town of Groton and respectfully
encourage all members of the Groton Community to generously support the Legion Auxiliary during
"POPPY TIME".
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
RESOLUTION #18-028 - BOOKKEEPER TO ATTEND CONFERENCE
MOVED by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Councilperson Gamel
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the paying of one night's lodging for the
Bookkeeper, Charles Rankin, to attend the PERMA Insurance Conference, May 24 - 25, 2018 at the
Sagamore, in Bolton Landing, NY.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
Supervisor Scheffler and Councilperson Clark had attended a meeting on converting streetlights to LED
lighting. Councilperson Young had also attended a class on the issue while attending the Association of
Towns Conference and had information to share with the Board. She said that all municipalities will be
required to make the conversion. The Town of Groton has the McLean light district and the Peruville
light district and is currently paying for 41 streetlights. After some discussion it was decided to form a
committee to look into the issue and find out what the Town's options are.
Consensus of the Board was to form 2 committees:
1. A committee to look into streetlight conversion: Councilperson Young and Councilperson Clark.
2. A committee to continue to research building security options: Councilperson Gamel,
Councilperson Jackson, Rick Fritz, and Clerk Scheffler.
Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak.
Announcements:
➢ Planning Board, March 15th at 7:30 pm - cancelled due to no applications received.
➢ Zoning Board of Appeals, March 28th at 7:00 pm - cancelled due to no applications received.
➢ Thank you card from the Carey Family
➢ Easter Egg Hunt at Elementary School - March 31 St at 9:00 am
➢ Next Board Meeting, April 10th
➢ Fire Department Building Fundraiser Kick -Off, April 28th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
There being no further business, Councilperson Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson
Jackson, at 8:30 pm. Unanimous.
April L. Scheffler, RMC
Town Clerk