HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-06-2009 TOWN OF GROTON - MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2009 AT 7:30 PM
THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD
Those present: Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor
Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman
Richard B. Gamel, Councilman
Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman
Absent: Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town
Also present: Dewey Dawson, John Norman, Chris Norman, Gary Coats, Elizabeth
Brennan, Richard C. Case, Jr., Peg Palmer, Donald Palmer, April
Scheffler.
RESOLUTION #09-001 -2009 ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS/APPOINTMENTS
Item 1 —Depository. - MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED, that the First National Bank of Groton be designated as the depository for all
monies coming into the hands of the Supervisor and Town Clerk of the Town of Groton.
Item 2—Official Newspaper—MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED, that the Groton Independent be designated as the official newspaper of the Town of
Groton with notices also to be published in the Freeville Shopper.
Item 3—Law Firm —MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED, that the law firm of Pomeroy, Armstrong, Casullo & Monty be retained as
Attorneys for the Town of Groton.
Item 4—Zoning Officer—MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
Town Board Minutes Page 2 January 6, 2009
RESOLVED, that Gary Coats be appointed Zoning Officer and Building and Fire Code
Enforcement Officer for the Town of Groton.
Item S—Constable— Vacant
Item 6—Deputy Supervisor- MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that Donald F. Scheffler be appointed Deputy Supervisor for the Town of Groton.
Item 7 — Deputy Highway Superintendent — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by
Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that Peter Can be appointed Deputy Highway Superintendent for the Town of
Groton.
Item 8—Deputy Town Clerk—MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark,Morey
RESOLVED,that Deborah Lane be appointed Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Groton.
Item 9—Bookkeeper—MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that Elizabeth Brennan be appointed as Bookkeeper for the Town of Groton.
Item 10— Court Clerk—Vacant
Item 11 — Part Time McLean Crossing Guard — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by
Councilman Clark.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark,Morey.
RESOLVED, that Margaret Albern be appointed part-time McLean School Crossing Guard for
the Town of Groton.
Item 12—Town Historian —MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,that Rosemarie Tucker be appointed as Town Historian for the Town of Groton.
Item 13 — Town Health Insurance — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman
Gamel
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Town Board Minutes Page 3 January 6, 2009
RESOLVED,that full time employees to have 80%of Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Insurance
coverage paid for by Town.
Item 14 — Town Board Regular Meetings — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by
Councilman Clark
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED, that the Town Board will hold their regular Town Board Meetings on the second
Tuesday of each month at 7:00 — 7:30 P.M. to review invoices and 7:30 P.M. for the Board
Meeting, at the Town Hall on Conger Boulevard, Groton,NY.
Item 15 — Fix Salaries of Town Officers — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by
Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark,Morey.
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby fix the annual salaries of the following Town
Officers and employees at the amounts respectfully stated and that such salaries shall be paid at the
time respectfully specified:
a) Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor $ 10,000.00 Biweekly
b) Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman $ 2,250.00 Quarterly
c) Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman $ 2,250.00 Quarterly
d) Richard B. Gamel, Councilman $ 2,250.00 Quarterly
e) Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman $ 2,250.00 Quarterly
f) April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk $ 40,233.00 Biweekly
g) Richard C. Case,Jr., Highway Superintendent $ 59,076.00 Biweekly
h) John J. Norman, 1st Town Justice $ 13,000.00 Biweekly
i) A. D. Dawson, 2nd Town Justice $ 13,000.00 Biweekly
j) Gary L. Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement $ 27,379.00 Biweekly
k) Rosemarie Tucker,Historian $ 1,000.00 Quarterly
Item 16-Set Hourly Rates—MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,that the Town Board does hereby set the hourly rates as follows:
a) Deputy Town Clerk $13.00 per hour
b) Court Clerk $ per hour
c) Bookkeeper $18.62 per hour
d) Custodian $11.83 per hour
e) Crossing Guard $11.22 per hour
Item 17 - Appointment of Representatives to Town and County Programs — MOVED by
Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,to appoint the following as representatives to Town and County Programs:
County Youth Recreation Programs—Vacant
Environmental Management Council—Jacalyn Spoon
Town Board Minutes Page 4 January 6, 2009
Tompkins County Transportation Council— Sheldon Clark
Tompkins County Human Services Coalition—Teresa Robinson
Tompkins County Planning Board—Vacant
Groton Youth Commission—Glenn Morey, Teresa Robinson,Peggy Ficken
Tompkins County Youth Advisory Board—Carol Griep
Tompkins County Recreation Partnership—Colleen Gloster-Gray
Tompkins County Fire, Disaster and EMS Advisory Board—John Miller
Item 18 — Supervisor's Appointment to Committee Members — MOVED by Supervisor Morey,
seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,that the Supervisor's appointment of committee members be approved as follows:
Finance—Glenn Morey&Donald Scheffler
Machinery—Sheldon Clark
Building—Richard Gamel&Donald Scheffler
Fire Department-Ellard Sovocool
Personnel—Glenn Morey&Donald Scheffler
Zoning, Bldg. and Fire Code—Richard Gamel
HUD Loans - Ellard Sovocool & Glenn Morey
Light Districts—Richard Gamel
Fixed Assets - Ellard Sovocool
Senior Citizens—Sheldon Clark
Recreation Committee—Donald Scheffler
Highway—Sheldon Clark
Planning Board—Rotating Attendance
Appeals Board—Rotating Attendance
Item 19 - Set fees for Town Services —MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman
Scheffler.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,that fees for the Town services be set as follows:
1) Certification of Taxes/Search $ 5.00 1st yr., $1.00 ea. addn. yr.
2) Photocopies - 8 1/2 x 11 $ .25
3) Photocopies- 8 1/2 x 14 $ .50
4) Photocopies- 11 x 17 $ .50
5) Transcript of Marriage $10.00
6) Marriage Certificate $10.00
7) Marriage License $40.00
8) Town,Village, County Maps $ .50
9) Mileage- Town Officials $ .50
10) Dog Licenses $18.00 unaltered
$10.00 altered
11) Returned Check Fee $20.00
12) Fax Copies - Transmit $ 1.00 per page
Receive $ .25 per page
13) Duplicate Tax Receipt $ 1.00
Town Board Minutes Page 5 January 6, 2009
14) Town Directory $ 5.00
15) Land Use &Dev. Code $10.00
16) Mobile Home Ordinance $ 5.00
17) Certified Copies $ 5.00
18) Paper Copy of Comprehensive Plan $25.00, CD $15.00
19) Town of Groton Zoning Fee Schedule:
Building Permit Fee: $0 - $4000 $25.00
> $4000 $25.00+ $3.00 per$1000 over$4,000
Building Permit Renewals: 1/2 of the original fee and upon approval by zoning officer.
Agricultural Buildings. . .... $ 25.00
Swimming Pool,Above Ground- $ 25.00
Swimming Pool, In Ground. $ 50.00
Wood Stove- $ 25.00
Shed. $ 25.00
Deck- $ 25.00
Cellular Tower $ 2.50 Per$1000 of Construction Cost
Demolition Permit ... $ 25.00
Site Plan Review/Special Permit ... <2000 sq. ft. $100.00
>2000 sq. ft $250.00
Junk Yard Annual Inspection• ... $25.00
Subdivision-Minor $ 30.00+ $20.00 Per Lot
Major ....$ 50.00+$20.00 Per Lot
Rural. $ 20.00+ $20.00 Per Lot
Flag Lot $ 30.00
Boundary Change- $ 25.00
Planned Unit Development ..$200.00
Application for Variance. .....$ 50.00
Flood Hazard Area Comb. District:... $40.00
Flood Zone Certification. $ 10.00
Certificate of Conformance. $40.00
Additional Fees:
a) If a public hearing is required,the applicant shall pay the cost of advertising fees.
b) Costs incurred by the Town of Groton for engineering, planning, legal and other necessary
expenses for the purpose of reviewing any application with regard to an item covered by this fee
schedule shall be paid by the applicant.
c) The applicant shall be responsible for costs incurred by the Town of Groton for the review
and/or preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement if said statement is necessary.
d) When Fees Are To Be Paid: All fees required by this fee schedule shall be paid to the Town of
Groton at the time the application is presented. No permit/certificate will be issued until all fees,
costs, and/or expenses are paid in full.
Item # 20 - Miscellaneous Appointments, Fees, Etc - MOVED by Supervisor Morey,
seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the following miscellaneous
appointments, fees, etc:
Town Board Minutes Page 6 January 6, 2009
1) Annual Retainer Fee for Legal Services rendered by Pomeroy, Armstrong, Casullo &
Monty.
2) Authorize Highway Superintendent to give pay raises effective January 1, 2009
3) Authorize Annual Association of Towns Training School—February 15- 20, 2009, in NYC;
Glenn Morey to attend.
4) Appoint Glenn Morey as Delegate for Annual Association of Towns Meeting
5) Appoint contact people for Drug and Alcohol Testing Program — Richard Case and Glenn
Morey.
6) Appointment of Town Planning Board Member—Reappoint Mary Gloster for a term to begin
January 1,2009 and end December 31, 2015.
7) Appoint member to Zoning Board Member — Reappoint Paul Fouts for a term to begin
January 1, 2009 and end December 31, 2013.
8) Appoint members of Agriculture Advisory Committee — Daniel Carey (Chairperson), Noreen
Atkins,Marlin Houston,Robert Fouts.
RESOLUTION#09-002 - CONTRACT FOR AUDIT OF 2008 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark,Morey.
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby retain the services of Cisaschi, Dietershagen,
Little, Mickelson & Company, LLP, to audit Financial Statements, including Justice Court, for the
year ended December 31,2008.
RESOLUTION#09-003 - APPROVE 2009 DOG CONTRACT
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the 2009 contract with the Country Acres
Pet Services for the purpose of dog control in the Town of Groton at a fee of$16,800.00.
RESOLUTION#09-004 -AUTHORIZATION TO PARTICIPATE IN
COOPERATIVE PURCHASING OF HIGHWAY SERVICES WITH
TOMPKINS COUNTY
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Town Board Minutes Page 7 January 6, 2009
RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton be hereby authorized to participate with Tompkins County
in the cooperative purchasing of various highway services.
RESOLUTION#09-005 -AUTHORIZE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO
PURCHASE ON STATE BID
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark,Morey.
RESOLVED, that the Groton Town Board does hereby authorize the Highway Superintendent to
purchase oil and related products from State Contract Bids as appropriate.
RESOLUTION#09-006 -APPROVE FIRE AND AMBULANCE PROTECTION
CONTRACTS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board does hereby approve the Fire and Ambulance contracts with
the Village of Groton Fire Department and Fire Protection with the McLean Fire Department.
RESOLUTION #09-007—APPROVE 2009 MUNICIPAL DRUG AND
ALCOHOL TESTING
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board does hereby approve Energetix as Third Party Administrator
for the 2009 Municipal Agreement Renewal for the Drug and Alcohol Testing.
This concluded the 2009 Organizational Items.
MOVED by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the minutes of
the December 9, 2008 meeting as presented.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the minutes of
the December 16, 2008 work session as presented.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Claim Numbers 386-415 of the General Fund in the amount of$17,831.14 for the Year 2008
and Claim Numbers 001-011 of the General Fund in the amount of $24,643.00 for the Year
2009 were presented for audit.
Town Board Minutes Page 8 January 6, 2009
MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Gamel , to approve the 2008 and
2009 General Bills for payment.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Claim Numbers 224-236 of the Highway Fund in the amount of$17,915.35 for the Year 2008
and Claim Number 001 of the Highway Fund in the amount of$25,000.00 for the Year 2009
were presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the Highway Bills
for payment.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Supervisor Morey offered Privilege of the Floor:
Peg Palmer - I would like to ask that Don and I have the opportunity to meet with the Board in
an Executive Session after the regular board meeting to discuss a personnel matter.
Supervisor Morey- Certainly.
Monthly Reports:
Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper - Submitted monthly report for the Board's review and
requested budget transfers.
RESOLUTION #09-008 - 2008 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2008 Budget Transfer in the
General Fund, Town Wide:
From: Contingency A1990.4 $735.70
To: Historian, Contractual A7510.4 20.00
Health Insurance A9060.8 .715.70
RESOLUTION#09-009 - 2008 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2008 Budget Transfer in the
General Fund, Part Town:
Town Board Minutes Page 9 January 6, 2009
From: Contingency B1990.4 .$96.00
To: Joint Youth Program 96.00
RESOLUTION #09-010 - 2008 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2008 Budget Transfers in the
Highway Fund, Town Wide:
From: Service for Other Governments, Personal Services DA5148.1 $470.04
To: Bridges, Personal Services DA5120.1 470.04
Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly and year-end reports for the
Board's review.
Richard C. Case., Jr., Highway Superintendent - In remembrance of my predecessor, "we are
plowing snow." On behalf of the Highway Department, I'd like to thank you for our raises for
the year. We are in the process of closing the books for 2008.
April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly reports for the
Board's review. She told the Board that a $500 Decentralization grant had been received from
the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County to help with the photography show being
planned at the Town Hall during Olde Home Days.
John Norman & A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Submitted monthly and year-end reports for
the Board's review. They asked the Board to appoint a temporary court clerk.
RESOLUTION#09-011 -APPOINT TEMPORARY COURT
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby appoints Cindy Vicedomini as temporary Court Clerk
at $13.00 and hour, 35 hours per week, retroactive to January 2, 2009.
Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator - Groton Recreation recently held a
coaches clinic through Youth Sports New York. We had 17 coaches complete the clinic which
will be ongoing through 2009 until all our youth coaches are certified. We have 35 youth
participating in youth wrestling through the end of February. These are kindergarten through 6th
graders. Winterfest will be held on February 14 at the Elementary School. New this year will be
sled dog demonstrations, education and rides. Returning this year will be the ever-popular
Town Board Minutes Page 10 January 6, 2009
recycled toboggan contest. Viola is looking for anybody who wants to volunteer for the day for
various jobs.
Rosemarie Tucker, Town Historian - In 2008 I logged an average of 120 hours per month
working as Town Historian. Having an office in the Town Building makes it easier for me to
keep track of the many meetings, emails, correspondence,projects, etc.
I have listed my attendance at meetings, conferences, and Board meetings of APHNYS, on my
written report.
I have itemized and given descriptions of my projects on my written report. Some of the more
involved projects were:
1. Early in the year, Dewey Dawson and I took pictures of the churches in Groton. I researched
and wrote information about the history of the churches for the Tompkins County Historians
website: www.tompkins-co.org/historian
2. In April, I assisted with the project to clean up the cemetery on Route 222. This is a joint
project of the Groton Rotary Club, the Town Highway Department, and myself as Town
Historian and a member of Rotary.
3. In June April Scheffler and I traveled to the North Country to find bridges that were
manufactured by the Groton Bridge Company. We photographed 6 bridges in that area. This
will also be an on-going project for us.
4. My application to the New York State Archives Partnership for research at the NYS Archives
on the GAR Posts of Groton and those who served in the Civil War from Groton was
approved. I spent 4 days in Albany in mid-September doing research. The research into the
GAR Posts will be an on-going project in preparation for a commemoration of the Civil War
being planned for 2011 through 2015 county-wide.
5. I have been involved in locating and scanning pictures of Groton for a book to be published
by Arcadia Publishing,Images of America: Groton, NY, which is due out in spring 2009. I
have submitted pictures for the cover and have completed much of the text information. I am
working on the captions for the pictures, which are due in early February so I'm right on
schedule so far.
Dewey resigned as my Deputy Historian effective December 31St. Terry Donlick will be
assisting me in 2009. I understand this is not an actual position supported financially by the
Town nor is it a title on the books of the Town. She will be acting as a volunteer, the title as
Deputy Historian qualifies her to be a voting member of the Association of Public Historians of
New York State.
I am grateful to members of the Town Board and to our Town Clerk for your continued support
of me as the Town Historian and I welcome any questions.
Consensus of the Board was that they approved of appointment of Terry Donlick as Deputy
Town Historian.
RESOLUTION #09-012 - CONTRACT WITH BETTER HOUSING
TO WRITE SMALL CITIES GRANT
Town Board Minutes Page 11 January 6, 2009
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves contracting with Better Housing of
Tompkins County to write a grant for the 2009 Small Cities Community Development Block
Grant Program. The contract amount with Better Housing to be $2,500.00.
Discussion took place on information that was distributed last month concerning raising real
property tax exemptions for senior citizens and people with disabilities and limited income. The
consensus of the Board was they had raised the exemptions in 2008 and they should wait until
next year to do it again.
Another discussion was to change the Town's health insurance administrator from Elmira to
Dempsey, in Groton. There would be no change in coverage or cost. Consensus of the Board
was that a meeting should be set up between Dempsey and the Highway employees to explain
everything.
RESOLUTION #09-013 - SUPERVISOR TO ATTEND CONFERENCE
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the payment of expenses for the Town
Supervisor, Glenn Morey, to attend the Associations of Towns Annual Conference in New York
City, February 15-18, 2009.
Work Sessions for Zoning Code Review were set for Tuesday, January 20 and January 27 at
6:00 PM.
Motion was made by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to enter into
Executive Session, for the purpose of discussing a particular employee, at 8:12 PM.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
Motion was made by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to return to Regular
Session at 8:30 PM.
Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
Supervisor Morey - Let the record show that nothing was decided; it was for informational
purposes only.
There being no further business, Councilman Scheffler moved to adjourn, seconded by
Councilman Clark, at 8:30 PM. Unanimous.
Town Board Minutes Page 12 January 6, 2009
April L. Scheffler, RMC
Town Clerk