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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-11-06 PUBLIC HEARINGS RDTON TOWN BOARD Monday, S November 1995 Tcrwn Baaid Memtm (*present) *Teresa Robinson . Supervisor ' George VanBenschoten * E11WA Sovocool *Carl Haynes 'Donald Cummings Other Present Francis Casullo . Ttbwn Attorney Lee Shurtleff, Groton Fire Chief Colleen D . Pierson , Town Clerk Carol Marks. Deputy Town Clerk Leland Cornelius, Town Highway Superintendtnt Jaan Fitch , RecordIng Secretary Other Interested Parties (As Attached Hereto) Town Clerk Colleen Plersan read the Public Hearing Notice at 79447 p . m , , as follows ; Please take notice that the Groton Toarrx Board wift hold a Public HeQring at: the Towrt !Nall, 101 Conger Boulevard, Grotorit Alew York, at 7A5 1p, m ) on November 6. 1995 to corisWer uwreastng dog Ucerrse fees to 1 O for altered males and females and $ 15, 009 for unulLared males aridfemales. All persons friterest( in the above maUer will be heard at such time and puce. Dated: October 20, 1995 Colleen D. Ptier$on Town Clerk I Super%15or Robinson asiked If there was anyone present who wished to be heard regarding Lhe proposed fees. Stephanie Behrens questioned why the fees were to be raised, and also commented on the number of dogs that were "runritng around loose with no collars on . " Board Member Haynes replied that Lhe fees needed to be increased to generate sufficient revenue to cover the cost of the program , He slated that the Board felt that it was un{air to Ili ose who did not own dogs to help pay for the program through Oieir taxes. Mr. Haynes also stated that the Town has a contract with SPCA to handle the dog control problem , and that the residents should contact either th6 SPCA or the Town Clerkos Office with any dog problems , Ms. Behrens then asked what the money collected was used for and where died last year's fce revenue ga . Tb n Clerk Pierson replied that the money was used to pair for the annual dog con troll conLract with the SPCA, and that the Town was. by law, required to have a Dog Control Officer; the SPCA was retained to operate in this capacitor . Ms, Schrens then complained about the ' dumping of animals on East Cortland Street . ` Other animal control complaints were voiced by DeForest Hall and Bob Bernhardt. Wheya too, were dissatisfied wide the services of the SPCA, it was again stressed by the Town Board that any comp lalnts should be called in to either the SPCA or to thee Town Cleric who will , In turn, convty the complaints to them . Rick Henderson then questioned the decrease in license fee revenue of approximately i 22W over the 1994- 1995 period . The 'Town CIerk slated that the revenue should be froin the licenses and from what was received back from the County, She also stated that the fees were decreasing rapidly because there had been no dog enumeration since 1990, Furultr, they have tried Lo ffnd someone to do this Job, but have been unsuccessful so fair, At present, according to the Clerk, the Town is licensing approximately WO dogs, and if they were enumerated, she estimates there would be around 1200. The SPCA has offered to perform an enumeration for the Town . but the cost is higher than retaining a person to do this jobL Slie further sWed that she will attempt to negotiate with Lhe SPCA to perform this service. The SPCA would accomplish the work in two weeks. Tiio.se present felt that rather than raising fees. Lhis eriurneratiorl should be completed . CIerk Pierson stated to those present that If they knew of someone who could do the clog enumeration , to let her know so she could contact: them. NI r. Henderson asked how much the Town paid for the SPCA service and the answer was around ,59,000 for the current year, When asked wily the Town couldn't have a dog warden to perform the services provided by the PCA in add ILion to the enumeration , Supervisor Robinson said that It required construction of a proper smelter and to meet all other SUate requirements which was quite experiswe . Mr, Haynes reported that the actual Public Hearings - Groton Town Board November 6, 1996 contract price. with the SPCA is $9340, and that the current revenue generated by license fees was tnsufficlent to cover the costs, so the Board would like to raise the fees so that owners of dogs would pay for the program , Mr, Hall felt that the Board should take a close look at what they were getting from the SPCA for the money , Supervisor Robinson reiterated that the Town Clerk should be made aware of any dissatisfactlon with die SPCA, that if the Town i5 not aware of it, no action is taken . However, if the Town were notified of any complaint, then they would contacL the SPCA. She also stand that the Hoard received a report from Lhe SPCA which set forth exactly what actions they had takers over a given period , When a question arose from the audience regarding the Ieasb law, Cleric Pierson stated that whenever someone canic in to obtain a dog license they were given an copy of the appropriate leash law (Town /Village) . As Lhere were no further questions , Supervisor Robinson closed the public hearing at 8 : 10 p , in , Supervisor Robinson then gave the floor to Lie Shurtleff. hlef of the Groton Fire Department who presented tie DepajtmenVs 1996 budget to the public. Chief Shurticff stated that the Department was asking for a $2 , 000 increase in the Ambulance ConLract Ito $54, 0001 and a 1 .000 increase to the Fire onLract (to 61 .0001 . resulting in an overall budget increase of 3. 2 for 11996. Thfs should rnaintaIn the current fire tax rate. He reported that the demand for services for both the fire department and the ambulance service has increased from the past year. He also reported that as of 1 March 1995, the department ha.d entered Into a partnership with the Village of Groton , employing a full -time Ent responder who Is a tap- level paramedic with all costs split evenly between the Village of Groton and the Fire Departmcnt. The budgeted figure for this was 11 ,ODO, but the final cost will be closer t0 14.OD F the department absorbed the additional cask by reducing other program /equipment expenditures. They are delaying major repIacemi� nts for a few years in order to build up adequate capital project funds, As Lhere were no questions from the floor, Supervisor Robinson closed the public hearing at 8112 p .m. At the request of the Supervisor, Town Clerk Pierson then read the public notice as follows: Notice is hereby ghwa that the Pretimtnary Budget of the Tourrt of Groton ,fQr the fiscal year beg nrtirig January 14 1996 has beers computed avid f led in the o1pre of Ow Town Clerk at Groton e.ulxere U fs available for inspeetbon by any interested persons at aR reasariuble hours. Further notice Gs hereby given Uiat the 7 bwrt Board of the lbw rt of` GroWri will meet and review seek! Preliminary Brest and hald n pry Uc hea ing Lherecri at the Taunt Hati. 101 Conger Boz,deuard, Groton !UY at 8 p, m, ors the 6tfx clay of November 1995. and that at such hearing any person. may be heart for or against any item therein contained, All interested citizens LiiUf have the opporturtily to give written and oral comment, Senior citizens are encourcerjed to attend and corr menL Handkcapped persorts rwedec! assistance or aids should. contact the goverrrm" before the meeting by caltirtc 898-5035. Pursuant to Secuort 113 of the To tun Iawa tfxe proposed salaries of the folf6winrg Town Officers are as ,follows: Supervisor $ 8,500 Town Clerk &. Tax Collector $ 24F260 Highway Superintendera $ 38.443 Town Justice 5. 703 Town justice 5, 426 Cvurrcfiman 141 Combined, 5391 ,Further notice is hereby gLveri , pursuant to SW Ion 184 of the Town Law, that a Fire ProtectiQri an Arnbularrce Service hearing iviff be hell. on Monday . !November 6. 1995 at 8.30 p. rn . at the Town Hall on Conger Boulevard. The proposed contracts voids the Fire c�mparty in the Groton Fire Protection Bistrkt are hereby specified as follours : Groton Fire Department 6I , 000 Ambulance Service $ 54FOGO By Order Qf the Groton Town Board. Colleen D. Pierson, Tortrrx Clerk Datud: October 20q 1995 2 i Public Hearings = Groton Town Board November 6, 1.995 t Supervisor Robinson then presented the proposed Preliminary Budget as published and distributed to those in attendance, reviewing the Items on a line by line basis. The proposed increase in the tax rates were itemized by location, with the increase due to a decrease to the amount of funds balance to offset the taxes, and a decrease in the amount of estimated revenues received from the State and the County . She stated that the budget had been cut as much as possible without eliminating jobs or salary i increases for employees and essential Town services. The planned expenditures for 1996 have de- creased 150k from 1995 and are the lowest they've been in five years, including Town Supervisor and Councilman salaries being kept at the 1995 rate . There are no equipment purchases budgeted for the year, and she stated that employee expenses are being held to a minimum . The budget reflects a proposed increase in permit fees. Other new expenses for this year were reviewed . Supervisor Robinson stated that the budget proposed includes no borrowing, as in the past. Two large expen- ditures that will be made are ( 1) fuel tank replacement costs and (2) the cost for a new loader for the highway department. The remaining balance in the Capital Projects Building Fund of $26, 500 will be used for the fuel tank replacement , and the $ 100,000 allotted for the loader will be derived from a $40,000 trade-in allowance plus the utilization of the $36,000 balance in the Highway Equipment Account, with the remaining $24,000 from the Capital Highway Equipment Reserve Fund. These figures could be changed if the result of the bid for this piece of equipment is lower than estimated . I f it is decided not to get a new loader, there is an immediate cost of $ 10,000 to replace the existing tires . Supervisor Robinson then opened the discussion to the floor. Don Palmer then spoke on the budget process. He did have a concern with the Unexpended Balance of $ 102 ,000 carried over into 1996. However, last year there was a projected balance of $370,000 which did not materialize . This was commented on by the auditors. He recommended that in the future the information on amount of projected Unexpended Balance be explained - - where and how is this figure arrived at? He further suggested that a Balance Sheet be made a part of the budget package . He noted that over the years the Fund Balance has taken a drastic decrease -- at one point there was some $400.000 in the bank and, according Mr. Palmer, the latest audit report states that this is now virtually non-existent . He stressed that the Town Board and Supervisor should work with the department heads on long-range planning through an on -going dialog . He stated that there are no equipment purchases scheduled for the Highway Department for 1996. and the maintenance program is being decreased for next year. He questions how the Town can maintain some 80 miles of highway with no equipment purchases or less maintenance on the existing equipment. Mr. Palmer thought that sometimes money should be invested "up front" for the long- term good of the Town . Glenn Munson, Jr. was recognized by Supervisor Robinson . He questioned if the amount budgeted for training Town Board members ($ 1 ,000) was adequate . with two new members coming onboard , he felt they should be adequately trained to do their job well . He also affirmed his support for attending seminars and workshops . He was concerned that there was no money allocated for buildings and equipment. There were numerous other items mentioned that he felt the moneys budgeted for were not sufficient: reclamation of the gravel pit, employee benefits, planning, machinery , and transportation general repairs. He felt that the budget proposed at this hearing was going to present a challenge for the next Board to implement, and that the Unexpended Balance projected needs to be an accurate figure. It was Mr. Munson's opinion that the current Board was setting up next year's Board for possible deficit ftnancing and has deferred too much which may result in an even larger tax increase next year. He thought many of the cuts made were made without reflection , especially the Highway Equipment Fund . In response to Supervisor Robinson's question of "what would you do ? " Mr. Munson replied that the Town would be better off' by funding the budget as needed . The Supervisor stated that if they had to, they could always borrow money . However, Mr. Munson stated that there was no item set aside for interest expense in the budget. One idea under consideration by the Town was to take all of their share of the sales tax and reduce the Town budget with It; however, this could result in an increase in the County tax, according to Supervisor Robinson. Robert Walpole asked that the Town Board look at the Machinery Account and take the $36,000 there and let It go into the Unexpended Balance just to bring the tax rate down between 50 and 60 cents, with the idea that if the loader is purchased, take whatever money is in the Capital Reserve Account and borrow the balance on a one -year or two-year note. This would leave a few thousand dollars more to offset the tank removal expense . Then, next year, if they have to go back to the 50e , at Ieast it's spread out a little more . He thought that 50 or 600. was more digestible to everyone than the 88e proposed . 3 Public Hearings - Groton Town Board November 6, 1995 Supervisor Robinson stated that the proposed $5,66 rate is actually three cents less than it was In 1991 . Gary Cornelius stated that he realized the Board has cut down as far as they can, but he still thinks an 18% increase Is a little bit too much ; he'd like to see it around 4 or 5%. He thought that the Highway Superintendent could wait a little for a new loader since the Town 's is in good shape . DeForest Hall agreed with Mr. Cornelius and thought a set of new tires for the present loader would be less expensive than a new loader and did not think the Town needed a new one . The Supervisor replied that the Town did need it, that the present loader is ten years old , and that the warranty Is about to expire . Skip Mott asked Superintendent Cornelius about the maintenance expenditures on the current loader. The Superintendent replied that approximately $2 ,000 had been expended in normal maintenance . Mr. Mott felt this was better than a new loader, even with the new tires. He also felt that past year's taxes should never have been reduced and then the Town wouldn't be in the "mess we're in now. " Rick Henderson then asked questions about the loader. He wanted to know what shape the existing loader was in , and the Superintendent replied that they really didn 't know if there was anything wrong, that they were just taking a chance that nothing will go wrong, and that they will lose the opportunity for the $40,000 guaranteed trade- in soon . Mr. Henderson stated that, right now, the loader is in pretty good condition ; Superintendent Cornelius agreed . Supervisor Robinson then responded to Mr. Munson's question regarding employee training. She stated that there is now a policy that has been implemented whereby an individual has to request to attend a specific conference/ meeting/ seminar, etc , and get permission before they will be reimbursed for their expenses. She stated that there was enough money in the proposed budget to cover the training for the new Board members. Peg Palmer spoke concerning the Capital Project Building Fund of $26,500 that the Supervisor said w u to replace the Town' s fuel tanks. She asked if the Town building was completely would be used p g P Y finished so that there would be no more expenses for it and , if there were, where would the money come from? The Supervisor replied that there were a few inexpensive things that remained , such as door handles. Next year this would be handled by the Building Fund . Chuck Rankin asked about Item DA 2614, the rental of equipment from other governments. He asked if that was revenue from the County for snowplowing? Supervisor Robinson replied that it was. Mr . Rankin then asked why it was decreasing. The Highway Superintendent stated that it was 43% less than last year because the County is always reimbursing the Town a year behind . In 1994. they were paid for the 1993 winter which was a relatively heavy winter; in 1994, it was a light winter, so the amount paid for 1995 was cut back. Glenn Munson , in response to the Supervisor's reply regarding employee training , stated that he felt the training should be on -going and that attending training one year does not necessarily make it good for two or three years. It should keep up with new rules, requirements, and regulations, thereby necessitating adequate funding for training. Don Palmer then spoke relative to the Highway Department. He said there was about a $5, 000 decrease In budgeting for 1996 compared to 1995 . He asked the Highway Superintendent if he felt comfortable with the proposed budget for 1996. Supervisor Robinson stated that she was sure he was not, and he replied that he had to work with what he had . Jeff Lewis spoke on the purchase of a new loader. He understood that the taxpayers did not want a tax Increase, but he didn't understand how they could turn down a $40,000 buy-back for the present loader and three years down the road go out and buy a new loader that will cost at least $ 100.000. And what happens if this winter the motor goes in the loader, or a truck motor goes -- where will the money come from to repair or buy new motors? Mr. Mott asked why there was a problem when the Town has backup equipment. He also asked if the Town Board had ever looked into leasing equipment. Superintendent Cornelius said he had never tried leasing, Supervisor Robinson stated that they could always look into leasing . Rick Henderson asked if the Board would look into leasing, and Mr. Haynes 4 Public Hearings - Groton Town Board November 6, 1995 stated they would . Councilman Van Senschoten stated that, at the Highway Superintendent' s discretion , they would Investigate leasing. Supervisor Robinson then asked If there were any other questions, problems , or solutions . Mr. Mott suggested that the Town Board "cut the hours -w cut down the truck driving. " He stated that if the Town was doing less roads and receiving less money, then they should spend less time . The Highway Superintendent explained they were doing the same amount of work, just receiving less funds . Mr. Henderson then asked if there would be a revised budget submitted , or if the Board is going to look into some of the suggestions that were brought up . Don Palmer asked how the budget process would be completed , would there be a revised budget submitted , and what would be the Board's next step . Supervisor Robinson stated the Board would get together and discuss these ideas. Mr. Haynes stated that he felt the biggest issue at the hearing was the purchase of the loader. The bids had just been opened and were being reviewed by the Town Attorney and the Highway Superintendent, and the lowest proposed bid was $ 16,000 less than estimated , so there may be an adjustment there pending completion of the bid review. He also stated there were three or four different things they had to look at with respect to the loader - the lease idea, the reserve fund for equipment, etc. , so there would be some figures to move around that would help the situation . This would take some time to do. It was also Councilman Haynes' recall that the consensus of the majority of those in attendance was that the cuts had gone too far. However. he felt the only flexibility they had was in what was decided about the loader. And , the tax rate presented at this hearing was actually lower than what it was In 1991 . Gary Cornelius then questioned the money in the Capital Project Building Fund — could they actually spend it for tank replacement? Town Attorney Casullo then replied that it was legal for the Town to close that account out and return it to the General Fund, Supervisor Robinson again asked if there were any other questions; she then asked if the Board members had anything to say. No one had anything to add to the discussion except Mr. Mott who wanted to know who was going to enforce the mandated Drug Testing. The Supervisor replied that the Town belonged to a consortium in the County who had retained a professional company to take care of the required testing. With no other comments or questions offered . Supervisor Robinson closed the public hearing at 9: 15 p . m. Respectfully submitted , Joan E. Fitch Recording Secretary 5 GROTON TowNBOARD PUBLic HEARMG/MEEMGOF . NovEmiBERIL995 PRINT )Name ( Please � . I : r -rm jw 001 w;W4 ,, M JIM G •k � �1I. J fly � �� s� r i t