HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-03 t
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PUBLIC HEARINGS - GROTON TOWN BOARD ,
Monday , 3 November 1997
Town Board Members (*absent)
Teresa Robinson , Supervisor J
*George VanBenschoten
Ellard Sovocool
Dan Carey
Donald Palmer
Others Present
Francis Casullo, Town Attorney Lee Shurtleff, Groton Fire Chief
Colleen D . Pierson , Town Clerk Arland Heffron , Town Justice
Leland Cornelius, Town Highway Superintendent. Joan Fitch , Recording Secretary
Elizabeth Brennan, Town Bookkeeper George Senter, Sr. , Town CEO
Other Interested Parties (As Att<rched Hereto)
Proof of Notice having been furnished , the Public Hearing on the 1998 Preliminary Town Budget was
called to order at 8: 00 p . m . by Teresa Robinson , Town Supervisor.
T. Robinson: This is my unfavorite job of the year. This is our 1998 Budget. These are the funds
being appropriated . These are the estimated revenues , the unexpended balance , and this is the
amount to be raised . We're not getting much revenue , and we have to have some unexpended balance
and it has gone up from last year, but not that much . And this is what we have to raise in taxes.
You're all able to read it here. and if you have any questions about anything, I 'll try to answer there .
The Town -wide is going to cost the Village 4 . 26 per thousand . The outside is 2 . 58 and the outside has
to pay both of them , so it's 6 , 84 . Do you have any questions on that?
V. Rankin: You estimated the revenues - - where's the sales tax?
T. Robinson : The sales tax -- we don't get the sales tax . This is another thing we're going to have to
discuss. Because we're getting so few revenues now -- so we' re going to have to consider taking the
sales trot.
V. Rankin: But you' re not: taking it now?
T. Robinson : We take the sales tax, but it only applies to the people outside the Village and it reduces
their County tax. So we get it . And I understand this year we're getting more sales tax than they've
ever had , in most years, when we get the sales tax. or the tax on the `rown's money , it Is used to
reduce the Town tax . The Village takes their tax, so they have to pay their full County tax.
G. Totman : Teresa, the figure of 6. 84. what does that mean for an increase in comparison to last
year?
T. Robinson : Well , I have one thing to say about it and that is that last year was oranges and this
year was . . .
G. Totman : That's not what I 'm asking . I 'm asking in a positive sense. We had an increase least
year, and what is the increase this year?
T. Robinson: Thirty cents .
G. Totman : Well , percentagewise.
T . Robinson : Four. Four and a half.
D. Carey : Four and a half percent.
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Public Hearings - Groton Town Board November 9, 1997
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G. Totm$n : Last year It was 15% . RlghO That's what I was getting at_ Last year it was 15% and
this year it's only 4 _ 5% ,
T . Robinson : in these columns you ' ] ] notice there' s $36,COG and this year we've gat $64, 500, What
we're try ing to do is build up our money so we will not be having so rniuch money fund . As I said these
are down because we lost some of our money for County plowing , ']'he McLean Light District is , 6651
per thousand ; Peruvilie is . 7838 per thousand ; Groton Fire District is . 9W. and the McLean Fire
Department is 1. , 9477, or 1 , 95 ,
Mow come there's is so much different? Why is it so much higher than the rest of them?
C. Twill: i
It's a little over twice ,
T. Robinsoom Well , (hgey run their awn business. They have their own Soard , they decide what they
want and we collect it for them _ Are there any other questions?
A. Heft&on: Do you mean questions on that in partlaular, or on a line item?
T. Robinson: On a line item if you wank.
A. Reffron: I have two things 19m concerned about , l understand - - I may be misled on this -- but
Iaelieve the Supervisor's salary was increased a thousand do] Iars this year becamse of twenty yews of
service , If that's the case, 1`m concerned that Lhe Town Clerk and the Justice were not afforded the
same opportunity.
T. Robinson: I 'm sorry, but the Town Clerk was ,
A. Heffron: 'am?
T. Robinson: The Town Clerk was .
A. rleffron: Pardon`
T . Robinson: The Town Clerk was . i
A. Heffron: Not according to the figure Here .
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C. Pierson: A few }Fears ago, Arland _
A. Heffron: I 'm looking at fhe budget far '97 , it was $25 ,000 , The proposed budget for "98 is $25, 70$_
That's not a tho,. &ind dollars ,
T. Robinson: I said that she was , seven years ago .
A. Heifron . Okay, I ' m sorry , But It has not yet happened to fhe Justice , 19ve had well over 20 years
of service , Another thing I ' m concerned about is I see nc budget here for the Town Constable . I think
that position should be addressed .
D. Carey : Arland , what page are you referring to? What line?
A. Hefffron: Will , I was roofing under appropriations to beglxi with , and as I turn the pages 1 don' t
see anything in there relating to Town Constable ,
C . Pierson : It's under Police, Public afei:y _
T. Robinson: There's $500.
D. Carey: Under A- 2 ,
A. Heiffroarn: I still think the item of a thousand dollars increase after 20 years of service for the
Justice should be addressed . They're entitled to it its is any other elected official , I'd like Lhe Board to
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Public Hearings - Groton Town Board November 8, 1997
give that consideration . If one elected official is entitled to it, I see no reason why the others Should
not be. I'm also concerned about the Highway Superintendent's salary being reduced to the amount
that it Is, On other Occasions when a newly elected official has taken office , lie has started at the same
salary as his predecessor, Seerns Iike It to me that Lhat's quito a serious cutting for the SuperinLendent
of Highways , I don't know of any precedent to That_
T. Robinson. Yes, sir.
J. cargim My name is Jeff Cargin , You have 7 OU for attorneys , contractual . Where do we find
personal services for the a, tt_orney -- any overage that may have been Incurred this year? Where does i
any overage come from?
T. Robinson: That would probably comic out of extra money , We usually have it in a coritiri envy
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fund .
J. carginw I would Iike to reiterate to the Board that the Village would like whatever consideration
%ve could get towards Main Street ,
T. Robinson: Wert already talked about it and, legally, we can't give teem any money,
J. Cargin: we' re giving money IL r parks and recreation , correct?
T. Robinson: That's somethirig thaL we use - - for our kids .
V, ilanktn: I 'm still a littit concerned cArer the sales tax money and using it for the County tax to
help the 'gown tax. Ts. that going to make that muell diffcrcnee? we're still going to have to pay so
much tax anyway whether it. comes off the County Lax , or comes off the Town tax - - that's what I7rr1
concerned about,
T. Robinson : I hope you understand that the sales tax Lhat We geL we take and use towards the
County tax, and whatever extra is used toward the Town tax , I was talking to Lhem today and they
were saying something abouL they were going to put it into our next year's tra es and I said T don' t
think that's the way II: works, Isiopefully, if we 11ave as rniach as we're supposed to get it xviII help us .
IL Heffron: It:'s already helping the County t.ax?
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T, Robinson : Ott , yes , For tl, cxse who live outside the Village, because the Village takes
A. Heffron : Years ago the Town , I believe, when I was on the Town Board had the option of
accepting the salts tax directly to the e:oMMUnity or applying It against their , hare of the C:oursty tax ,
and Lhe Board at: Lhat time opted I:o leave it in the County and apply it towards i:helj- county tax.
T. Robinson* That's what we're saying now , T17erc9s a possibiIIty of us getting It direct ,
A. Ifeffron4 In a sense you 're only kidding yourself -- you get it back here to redi.ice the Town tax,
but you've got to pay more in County tax ,
T . Robinson: That's right, A lot of the places Lhat get thaL revenue also use it and tax you again . Any
other graesti Gin s? If noL, I'll close this part of the .hearing.
All persons desiring to be heard, having been heard , the Hearing was terminated at 8 ; 18 p. m .
T. Robins= I'll open the public liearing on the ]'ire Budget . Lee. . .
L. Shurtleff: I 'm here to present information regarding the Fire and Ambulance Contract, ] want Lo
point out that the Town of Groton ) ire Department: Bridget: includes contributions and contracts with
the Village of Groton as well , Additional expenses are coverrd under the Ambulance Contract loth
from the Town and the Village , And the McLean Fire District: is a much Smaller territory, but I has just.
as expensive operatirt�g costs for facilities and equipment_ And when it's based over a small taxing area
such as they have , that's a ricuIturally exempted , it is a toile bit more -- quite a bit more, Btat , overall ,
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Public Hsarmgs - Croton Town Board November 3 , 19W
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our figures are kind of artificially law ror comparison purposes . What we're, asking for here tonight Is
for an increme in our two contracts with the Town of Groton -- an extra. $ 1000 increase on the Hire,
and 1000 on the ambulance . In real dollars, thaUs a 1 ,8% increase In the Arnbulance Contract and
1 , 61 % increase for thv fire Lax. And tht overall lire tax has a net affect Increase of thirteen one -
hundredths of a cenL, Tire fire tax will go from , 9 5 I)er thousand to .9663 . so L.he increase in the tax
base has almost about covered what we ntf! d . 1 just wanLed to mention that the major factors that are
driving this request for an increase goes back to our ambulance mplacenient program - Two
ambulances were placed into service this y ax, We continue Funding our daytime pararnedtcs support: .
The same increase has been asked also of the Village this year for their fire and ambulance contracts as
we11 . Over the past given years, we have had a net Increase of I - 13 cents per thousand , so if you look
at It overall , 1t's a pretty flat amount for ishe 11re tax, Our budget: increase has averaged less than 2 . 5% �
on a yearly basis. Over these years, were gong through some major equipment replacement., Two years
ago we were forced to enter into an reeinenL with the Village to provide some daytime paramedic help .
e share a position with the Village or Groton and it's worked out very well and has made a differenct
in our daytime effort& It's someLhing we need to continue - Wt projected 650 calls, thereabOLIts , in
1998 -- we' ll do about 50D ambulance calls and 1. 50 fire calls , Our tiforts continue in our training
program , We've had a good increase In the number or l�M'l's; we`ve gone IL about a half a dozen to
close to 40 SATs. We have got to sLart taking a good hard lock at facility rcplacement or major
renovations. and once we 're . , , , the apparatus program , diat probably will be where our effort$ will be
In the long run. Is there arjy question I cars answc0 Thwi3 s to the 13oard for their continued support ,
T. Robinson. WeII . we thank you for your servIve - I ' ll close the hearing IL r fh t (Ire department. You
have about seven minutes to run around .
All persons desiring to be herd, having been heard, the Hearing was terminated at 8. 22 p,m,
T. Robinson: It's 8 : 30, and I will now open the pubic hearing regarding a Loral La which would
provide a moratorium IL r the establishment of adult uses for a period of 12.0 days,
T�vn Clerk Colleen Pierson read thte Publlc Hearing N lcc as foiloWs ,
PLEASE TAKE NMCE that a Public Bearing wll1 be hetd by die Towri $paird of the Tbwn of
Orotojr . on November 3, 1997 at _30 p- fry, pit fhe Gr qor; Town Hall, Gmton, New York,
regarding the advptXrj of a Lail. Lau, of the Town of Groton for the year 1997 which ura,ild
proikfdte for as rnoFaloriurnfor the establlsfrment of adult uses-tor a. period of .120 days,
Any resider[ of Lyre Tow ri of Groton is en1.i11!d to be h6wd upon sake proposed Lcrcat. Larj) al.
such public heurbV. Coples of safa proposed Local Late ore avoffcahle for reviety at tee
Groton Hail, Gmtnrx, New York-
By order of the Totrrrt Board of the T [va of Groton, dahed October 2OF 1997,
Colleen Pierson.
Towa uteri[
T . Robinson ; Is there anyone who would like to speak?
B . PAtitersom I would like to know what effect this would have . if any , on the Sirens establishment-
T. Robinson ; Nothing, right now .
G. Totrnari ; Teresa, do you think It would be good to explain what a. moratorium t$ and what's
expected to happen between now and the end of the morat.oriurn:?
F. CaSUH04 George , you can go € bead and explain it ,
. Totmam Because mp5t people don' t understand a inondtorium I don't. think , What It is is to stop
anytliing more from happening to give the Town Unit to come up with an ordtn= ce 5o nothing else
can happen . I know it doesn' t help our situation in McLean right now , but in that: period or 10 days,
the Town , either themselves, or they ask anoLher body of government to make a recomrrlendation to the
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' Public Hearings - Croton Town Board November 3, 1997
Town as to the rules and regulations as a part of the Zoning Ordinance . That has to happen within
that 120 days. And then they have to enact. it so that it becomes a law. The only reason I mention it is
because some people might say so what, a moratorium , what does that mean? It means that in that
120 days to make a moratorium legal you have to be working on a resolution so that particular thing
don' t happen again . Is that right, Fran?
F. Casullo: Yes.
T. Robinson: Any other questions? Okay. If not, why we ' ll close the hearing, Okay .
J. Cargine i have a question .
T. Robinson : The public hearing was closed . But you might just as well speak. I 'm not going to be
that short on it.
J. Cargine Has anyone made Mobil aware that this - - i don' t know if it's Mobil Corporation that
sells magazines in a community, but if they do, they might have a legal problem with this and will we
get Into an expensive battle with someone that just. Wants to sell magazines or videos?
T. Robinson: I'm not a lawyer and I don't know, but the moratorium is on this adult entertainment.
J. Cargine noes this include the Village?
F. Casulio: Just the Town .
T. Robinson : You'll have to take care of it yourself, 1 guess, In the Village . is that. all? Anybody else
before i close?
J. Graham: Teresa -- just a question -- does the moratorium effect the Village of not the Village , just
outside the Village?
T. Robinson: Just for the Town . Just for the Town , i believe . That's my understanding.
C. Pierson: It doesn' t effect the Village .
T. Robinson: It doesn 't effect the Village. They have their own laws. You 'll have to deal with Mobil .
Now, is there anybody else? if not , i close the hearing .
All persons desiring to be heard, having been heard , the Hearing was terminated at 8 : 39 p. m .
T. Robinson: Is Grace Meddaugh here , please? She probably figured it wouldn 't be over yet. Colleen?
C. Pierson: No . i didn't see Grace come in .
T. Robinson : Maybe she didn' t Lhink the hearing would be over. Igo you want me to read this?
C . Pierson : I think l sent it to all the Board members .
T. Robinson: I was just wondering if this was something that -- We have a letter that was sent to us
and I'd like to turn it over to George and see if George , being our representative to the County, can
handle the problem . So, she isn ' t here . Maybe she'll be in a little later and you can discuss it .
C . Pierson: Why don' t you wait. until you see if there are any others that want the privilege of the
floor, and maybe Grace will be here .
T. Robinson: Okay . Anybody else would like the privilege of the floor?
C . Rankin: I wasn ' t here in time for the Budget Hearing -- Chuck Rankin -- I guess what I was
wondering is we've gotten the letter that the Town was unable to fund any money to the Village for the
Main Street projects. I was wondering, you said it was illegal , in your letter to us.
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' Public Hearings - Groton Town Board November 3, 1997
T. Robinson: Did I say illegal?
C. Rankin : You said it was the opinion of the CompCroller it was illegal , or something like that . I
don't know the exact words. But, I guess, is this a formal State Comptrollers opinion or is this just.
conversation with an attorney at the Comptroller's office?
T. Robinson : Well, we contacted three people . And they all said no .
D. Palmer: Two at that one meeting said no .
T. Robinson: And we contacted up in Albany too .
F. Casullo: 1 spoke with an attorney out in Albany who also indicated that Lhey felt it. was a
problem .
C . Rankine. Okay. I guess my own opinion Is I don' t understand what' s the difference between that
and the contributions to the recreation program you give us every year. What's the difference?
T. Robinson: Well , as I said . . .
C. Rankin : You don't own the park.
T. Robinson: No , but we said our kids used the park and we're paying for the privilege of them using
the park .
V. Rankin: Teresa, don' t you get. some Federal money and you 're supposed to . . . . . . for Lhe park?
T. Robinson: what Federal money?
V. Rankine Stake aid , or whatever.
C . Rankin: I guess I just wanted to know where this opinion was and how -- opinions are opinions ,
you know until some lawyer comes in and challenges it, you know. You guys can pretty well put the
money wherever you want . I guess that's one reason why I can ' t understand why it was taken away
from us.
T. Robinson : We were willing to put it in .
C . Rankin : Yes. Well , 1 guess I made my point - -
T . Robinson: Is there any other statements? Adoption of the 1998 Budget, Can I have a motion to
per?
D. Carey: I make a motion that we adopt the 1998 Budget as we prepared it.
E. Sovoeool: 1 would second that motion .
T. Robinson : All those in favor ?
D. Carey: Aye .
E. Sovocook Aye.
T. Robinson: Aye ,
D. Palmer: I register a vote of no against the budget.
T. Robinson : The budget passes.
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Public Hearings - Groton Town Board November 3 , 19W
F. Casullo: Don was opposed I:o the budget. That doesn' t necessarily mean he was opposed to the
Fire Department Budget. I don' t know what it was for, but we had two different hearings. Do you
know what I'm saying? I think you might want to just have another vote on the Fire Department
Budget,
D. Carey: Fire and ainbularice?
F. Casullo: Yes.
T. Robinson: Actually, the ambulance is in the budget.
D. Carey : So's the fire department.
T. Robinson : No, not really . ( Small discussion held : decided vote, not needed . ) Okay. Action on Local
Law #4, tie moratorium . Do I have a motion?
D. Palmer: I 'd like to raise one question first before we bring it to a motion . I want to make sure
that I'm clear in my understanding that this motion from the Town does not include the confines of
the Village .
F. Casullo: No. just the Town . The Village is their own separate D. Palmer: So even though the Village Is a part. of the Township , this would not be included under
this coverage?
F. Casullo: No, But I'm under the understanding, too, Don , that the Village is already enacting
something or has already enacted something. That was my understanding. 1 could be wrong.
C. Rankin: The adult entertainment law?
T. Robinson: Yes.
C . Rankin : We are in the process of reviewing and we are doing our background information at this
point , And within probably by the December or January meetings we'll be ready to go.
D. Palmer: So you ' re looking for a resolution at this point?
F. Casullo: 1 think what we need to do Is to have a vote - - roll call vote , individual , saying either for
or against Local Law #4 .
D. Palmer: I make the form of a motion that the Town of Groton take steps to enact Local Law # 4
dealing with the topic of moratorium on adult uses for 120 days .
E. Sovocool: I'll second it.
C . Pierson: Now roll call .
T. Robinson: Lewis Sovocool?
E. Sovocool: Aye .
T. Robinson : Don Palmer?
D. Palmer: Aye,
T. Robinson : Daniel Care}r.?
D. Carey: Aye ,
T. Robinson: Teresa Robinson? Aye . Although he 's not here . Dutch said he was for it too.
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Public Hearings - Groton Town Board November 3, 1997
C . Pierson: Doesn' t count.
T. Robinson: 1 know It doesn' t count .
D . Carey : I'd like to offer a resolution that this law being enacted , that the Planning Board will
take action to amend the Ordinance in compliance with this adult uses to the Town of Groton . I'd like
to see a 45-day period of time put in there and you have 45 days to work on that and then it's brought
to us for review .
T. Robinson: Do I have a second?
V. Rankin: Who you talking to?
D. Carey: Planning Board .
V. Rankin: 45 days is not enough .
D. Carey: Will 45 days be enough time?
G. Totmane Well , you 've got a moratorium on for 120 days. `i'hat means you 've got 120 days to come
up with something because nothing new can happen within that 120 days. I would like to see it 60
days to give us at least two meetings ; 45 days only gives us one meeting. Let me change that. Our
Planning Board meets the third Thursday of each month , so what I 'm looking for is at least two of
those meetings . So that would give us to the January meeting . That's still within your 120 days.
T. Robinson: You could have another meeting or two.
G. Totman : We could , yes. We have before . I ' d like to have at least two meetings.
(Board members. and attorney explore dates. )
F. Casulllo: i think Dan would probable amend his resolution to request that the Planning Board
look into the situation that would lead to vi amendment of the Town of Groton Land Use Code to
Include a section on adult entertainment and adult entertainment uses, and to allow the Planning
Board enough time, the Town Board , through Dan 's aniended resolution will basically say that they
would like to have the Planning Board report back to the Town Board on or before January 5. 1998 .
D. Palmer: I would second that motion .
T. Robinson : All those in favor?
(The secretary recorded the votes as follows: Sovocool - Aye ; Palmer - Aye :
Carey - Aye ; Robinson - Aye)
T. Robinson: Since we do not have the Dog Contract in hand , we're not going to act on It. I guess
that's it ,
D. Carey : I make a motion we adjourn .
D. Palmer: Second that motion .
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Public Hearings - Groton Town Board November S , 1997
T. Robinson; All those in favor ? ( All members present indicated they were in favor. )
The time was 8 : 55 p.m .
Respectfully submitted .
Joan E . Fitch
Recording Secretary
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