HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-11-13TOWN OF GROTON — MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018 AT 7:30 PM
PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED LOCAL LAWS #2 & #3, BEGINNING AT 8:00 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
April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk
W. Rick Fritz, Code Official
Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent
Francis Casullo, Attorney for the Town
Absent: A. D. Dawson, Town Justice, John Norman, Town Justice, Charles Rankin,
Bookkeeper
Also present: Glenn Morey, Ben Nelson, Guy Krogh
MOVED by Councilperson Jackson, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the minutes of the
October 9, 2018 meeting as presented.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler.
MOVED by Councilperson Young, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the minutes of the
October 30, 2018 special meeting and public hearing as presented.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler.
Vouchers numbered 447 - 507 in the total amount of $63,256.98 were presented to the Board for their
review.
Vouchers for the General A Fund in the amount of $19,03 8.49; the General B Fund in the amount of
$109.16; the Peruville Light District in the amount of $155.81; and the McLean Light District in the
amount of $276.14 were presented for audit.
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Jackson, to approve the General Bills for
payment.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler.
Vouchers for the Highway DA Fund in the amount of $36,866.74 and in the Highway DA Fund in the
amount of $6,810.64 were presented for audit.
Councilperson Clark questioned a bill to replace a water pump in the 2001 International for $2,100.00.
He wondered why it was sent out to be fixed rather than being fixed in the Town shop.
Superintendent Case said that they had a lot of things going on getting ready for winter and the
mechanic's hands are full. He's a "one man band" out there.
Councilperson Clark - So he's just too busy.
Town Board Minutes Page 2 November 13, 2018
Superintendent Case - Well, he's busy, but we were in the position to get this stuff ready for winter and
I told him to send it out. That's my call.
Councilperson Clark - Okay, I just didn't think it was that much work to change a water pump.
Superintendent Case - Well stop in and look at what it entails to put a water pump in a diesel CAT
engine. It's not a 15 -minute job. You have the cost of the pump in the bill also.
MOVED by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Councilperson Jackson, 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 transfers.
RESOLUTION #18-061 - 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 ....................................... $540.00
To: Attorney, Miscellaneous Contractual, A1420.41 ........... 540.00
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
RESOLUTION #18-062 - 2018 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Young
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2018 Budget Transfer:
General Fund, Town Wide:
From: Contingency, a1990.4 ...................$164.00
To: Transportation, CDL, A4680.4 .......... 164.00
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
W. Rick Fritz, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. He
has been working on Life Safety Inspections and trying to close out some building permits.
Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent - The Highway shop has been busy finishing up
equipment changeover to winter operation. We had a nice exercise today and everything went well.
There were no major breakdowns, which is a compliment to the boys in the shop. I've received the
receipt of purchase from Naystar International for the new 2019 tandem plow truck. It's estimated to be
placed on the manufacturing line in March. The 1993 Autocar that you approved to go to auction is now
online with the Auction International. Deicing sand, salt, and mix is stockpiled. Drainage work
Town Board Minutes Page 3 November 13, 2018
continues on Wood Road and Elm Street when weather allows. Pete Carr and Mark Kirchgraber attended
a grading law and water problem seminar sponsored by Cornell Road Programs. All the Highway
Employees attended a NYS DOT snowplow and safety course, which was five hours, sponsored by the
Tompkins County Highway Superintendents Association. A thank you goes to the Town of Dryden for
hosting this event. As you can see by the billing, the drug and alcohol testing is up to date as of this
month. The 2018 NYS DOT Inventory and Annual Certification has been filed. There are 51.24
centerline miles under the Town of Groton's direction. Reporting 40.83 centerline miles under Tompkins
County's jurisdiction of which we plow 39.69 under contract. Those are centerline miles. You go both
ways, so when you plow, you have to double that. It's like driving to Rochester and back at about 25
miles an hour. At this time I would like to request a 50 -cent an hour raise for Brian Weir. Brian has
completed his probationary period and has proven without a doubt to have the ability to operate every
piece of heavy equipment that the Town of Groton owns.
RESOLUTION #18-063 - APPROVE RAISE FOR BRIAN WEIR
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Clark
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves a 50 -cent per hour raise for Brian Weir, starting with
the next pay period, on November 18, 2018.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's
review. There was a report of the inspection of Country Acres Pet Service by Ag and Markets and
everything was found to be satisfactory. Robin and I have worked on finalizing the Solar Permit and it
was given to Crystal to send in. I will be meeting with Terry, from Cooperative Extension, on Thursday
to set up the benchmarking procedure.
Francis Casullo, Attorney for the Town - Had nothing to report.
John J. Norman and A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present but had submitted monthly
reports for the Board's review.
Councilperson Crystal Young as Representative to Joint Youth Program - Submitted the following
report:
Tompkins County Recreation Partnership Board
Meeting was held on October 30th at the Ithaca Youth Bureau.
➢ By -Laws were reviewed along and a discussion was held regarding performance measures.
➢ Janice Johnson said that there was an interest in re-establishing a Rec. Coordinators meeting, so
she will be looking at getting people together for that.
➢ Next meeting will be December 18th
Groton Joint Recreation Committee
➢ Meeting was held on October 10th
➢ Fall programs are done and winter sports are underway with boys and girls basketball running
through February. Wrestling will start in February
➢ Cabin Fever/Winterfest is set for March 2, 2019. Beginning stages of planning happening now.
Space has been reserved and concessions will be done by the GPTO. Vendors have started
sending applications.
➢ Cabin Fever/Winterfest grant and Summer Concert for 2019 grant applications are done.
➢ The first trail updates will take place at the Memorial Park at the north end of the property behind
Town Board Minutes
Page 4 November 13, 2018
the large pavilion. Committee consists of Scott Weeks, Jennifer Jones, Jennifer Dean, and Jeff
Cronk.
➢ Next meeting is November 28, 5:30 PM. This is a combined November/December meeting.
Groton Youth Commission
➢ Meetings were held on October 3rd and November 7th
➢ Lots of great things taking place with the youth to include A new program Ag Adventure where
elementary children learned about healthy living; Spells, Potions and Creepy Concoctions Mad
Science program held around Halloween; Groton Pride program has 13 junior high students
enrolled, who co-chaired the Trunk or Treat event with the Girl Scouts and are also cleaning up
the pond behind the Elementary School; Teen Thing Groton Harvest, which includes 11 Junior
High students learning healthy lifestyles and they are planning on putting on a Community
Harvest Dinner; Girls Venture, which is a group of 7th Grade girls who went to Wolf Mountain
Nature Center in Smyrna and experienced Native American culture through music and art.
➢ Trunk or Treat as a huge success with over 500 community members taking part in a safe and
family friendly Halloween community event. Some of the participants included Girl Scout troops,
the Groton Fire Department, Police Department, school clubs and athletic teams. Financial
assistance provided by the Youth Commission and the Recreation Committee to furnish candy.
➢ Next meeting will be December 5th
Glenn Morey, County Legislator - One other thing about the Youth Commission is that Janice Johnson
is no longer going to be Groton's representative. We will have a new one next month. That's a big loss
for us because she has done an excellent job for us. The County budget is finished. The tax levy increase
is 1.54%, which is very good. The tax cap was 9.89%. The reason it was so high was because Dryden
changed their sales tax to pay towards their County tax. The rate is $6.41 per thousand, and if you had a
house assessed at $185,000.00, it would be going up $14.53. The Facilities and Infrastructure Committee,
we have some jobs for next year. The bridge on West Cortland Street, next to Baker Miller, will be fixed
next year for a total of 3 -million dollars. Targeted roads for paving are Cobb Street, Salt Road and Lick
Street. We also have, through the Recreation Committee, a $5,000 grant, a program for parks. We did
this because the County gave the City $25,000 for a park study to possibly transfer all the City parks over
to the County. So, it's a one-time grant of $5,000 and is very liberal, for anything you want to do for a
park.
Ben Nelson, Groton Fire & Ambulance - I don't have a lot to report. We've been running calls. We
have about 850 calls to date with 130 being fire calls and the rest ambulance.
RESOLUTION #18-064 - RESPONSE TO PADAVAN LETTER FROM BACKER
MOVED by Councilperson Jackson, seconded by Councilperson Gamel
RESOLVED, that the Town Board directs the Supervisor to contact Racker and tell them that the Board
has no objections to their proposed project at 501 Spring Street as described in their Padavan Letter.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
Discussion took place on the 2019 Budget. After the public hearing there was some discussion on the
salary for the judges. Supervisor Scheffler said that he made a mistake. Councilperson Gamel said that
he thought that they all had made a mistake. The correct salary should have been $17,500.00 each instead
of $17,000.00. To make the change, $1,000.00 will be moved from contingency into the accounts for the
Judges' salaries, which will make no change to the overall amount budgeted for year.
Town Board Minutes Page S November 13, 2018
RESOLUTION #18-065 - APPROVE 2019 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET
MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Young
WHEREAS, the Town Board hereby amends the 2019 Fiscal Year Tentative Budget by moving
$1000.00 out of Contingency, A1990.4 and adding $500.00 to Personal Services, Al 110.11 and $500.00
to Personal Services, A1110.12, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2019 Fiscal Year Budget.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak.
Councilperson Young - Explained that the Clean Energy Community high impact items have all been
submitted. That includes the benchmarking resolution, the solar permit application and resolution, Rick's
training, and the solar projects that have already been done. If they all get approved, we will then be
eligible for the $5000 grant. The committee asked if we had discussion on what we would use that money
for and she told them discussion had been to use it for streetlight conversion, leaving with us less than
$1,000.00 to come up with elsewhere if we got the $5,000.00. They were happy to hear that.
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PROPOSED LOCAL LAWS #2 & #3 FOR THE YEAR 2018
The Town Clerk read the public notice for the Public Hearings which was duly published in the Town's
legal paper, the Groton Independent on November 7, 2018.
Clerk Scheffler - Said that the Proposed Local law had been forwarded to Tompkins, Cortland, and
Cayuga Counties as well as adjoining townships. The only response had been letter from Tompkins
County Planning saying that they found that there would be no negative intercommunity or countywide
impacts.
PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #2 FOR THE YEAR 2018 - TO AMEND
VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE TOWN OF GROTON LAND US AND DEVELOPMENT CODE
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to open the Public Hearing on
Proposed Local Law #2 at 8:05 pm.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Supervisor Scheffler asked if anyone would like to speak concerning the Proposed Local Law #2 and
there was not response.
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Young, to close the Public Hearing at 8:06
pm.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #3 FOR THE YEAR 2018
COLD WAR VETERANS EXEMPTION
MOVED by Councilperson Young, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to open the Public Hearing on
Proposed Law #3 at 8:06 pm.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Town Board Minutes
Page 6 November 13, 2018
Supervisor Scheffler asked if anyone would like to speak concerning the Proposed Local Law #3 and
there was not response.
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to close the Public Hearing at 8:07
pm.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
RESOLUTION #66 - ADOPT LOCAL LAW #2 FOR THE YEAR 2018 - TO AMEND VARIOUS
SECTIONS OF THE TOWN OF GROTON LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT CODE
MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Jackson
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby adopts Local Law # 2 for the Year 2018 entitled A Local Law
to Amend Various Sections of the Town of Groton Land Use and Development Code as follows:
SECTION 1:
1. Amend Section 120. Definitions to delete, add, or amend the following definitions:
a. Delete: Boundary Change and the definition
b. Add: Consolidation: The uniting of one or more parcels of land into one lot. Requests for
consolidation should be made to the Tompkins County Department of Assessment, not the Town
of Groton, and shall meet all Department of Assessment requirements. The splitting of the
consolidated parcels in the future shall require subdivision approval.
c. Add: Lot Line Adjustment: A means by which a boundary line dividing existing and adjoining
lots is adjusted or moved. A lot line adjustment is not a subdivision and may be granted by the
Town of Groton Code Enforcement Officer pursuant to the Administrative Lot Line Adjustment
procedure outlined in Section 218 of this Code.
d. Add: Subdivision - Exempt: The division of any parcel into two lots. A 2 -lot subdivision may
be considered exempt and granted by the Code Enforcement Officer where each of the
requirements of Section 219 of this Code is strictly met.
e. Amend: Cluster Subdivision to read: A subdivision of land in which lots are smaller than the
minimum size permitted within the applicable Zoning District, but in which the number of lots does
not exceed the number permitted within said district. The total number of lots permitted on a
particular parcel of land is placed on a portion of the parcel, and the remaining area is maintained as
permanent open space. Cluster Subdivisions are permitted in the RA, L, and M 1 districts.
f. Amend: Subdivision to read: Division of a lot into two or more separate lots of record. No
distinction is made between subdivision and re -subdivision. An Administrative Lot Line
Adjustment shall not be considered a subdivision (See Section 218 of this Code.)
g. Amend: Subdivision Major - Level 1 to read: Subdivision of land that results in five or more
lots, which does not involve new public rights-of-way, utility extensions, or other new public
facilities. See Section 211, Figure 2A for further classification criteria.
h. Amend: Subdivision Major - Level 2 to read: Subdivision of land that results in five or more
lots, which does involve either new public rights-of-way, utility extensions, or other new public
facilities. Any other subdivision which deviates from this Code, the Zoning Map, or other Town
Comprehensive Plan will generally be considered a Major Subdivision - Level 2. See Section 211,
Figure 2A for further classification criteria.
i. Amend: Subdivision Minor to read: Subdivision of land that results in two to four total lots,
which does not involve new public rights-of-way, utility extensions, or other new public facilities.
See Section 211, Figure 2A for further classification criteria.
Town Board Minutes
2. Amend Section 202, Part 202.1 to read:
Applicability: These regulations apply to:
Page 7 November 13, 2018
a. all division of land into two or more separate lots of record (including flag lots), whether new
streets, public facilities, or utility extensions are involved or not,
b. any other land transaction which requires filing of a plat with the Tompkins County Clerk.
3. Amend Section 210, Part 210.1 to read:
The first stage of subdivision is classification. Classification requires that a subdivider submit a Sketch
Plat of the proposed subdivision to the Code Enforcement Officer that provides sufficient detail for the
Code Enforcement Officer to classify the action as to the type of review required, i.e. Exempt
Subdivision, Minor Subdivision, Major Subdivision Level 1 or Major Subdivision Level 2 review. The
Code Enforcement Officer may confer with the Chair of the Planning Board for comments and general
recommendations as to any adjustment needed to satisfy the objectives of these regulations.
4. Amend Section 211 to read:
Based on an acceptable Sketch Plat, the subdivision is to be classified at this time by the Code
Enforcement Officer as to whether it is subject to the Exempt Subdivision, Minor Subdivision, Major
Subdivision Level 1, or Major Subdivision Level 2 review procedures of these regulations.
The Code Enforcement Officer or the Planning Board may require, when it is deemed necessary for
protection of the public health, safety, and welfare, that a Minor Subdivision procedure include some of
the requirements specified for the Major Subdivision - Level 1 or Major Subdivision - Level 2
procedures. Consequently, they may deem it necessary that a Major Subdivision - Level 1 procedure
include some of the requirements specified for the Major Subdivision - Level 2 procedure. See Figure
2-A for the subdivision classification procedure.
5. Add Section 218 as follows:
Section 218. Administrative Lot Line Adjustment
218.1 A lot line adjustment is a means by which a boundary line dividing two contiguous lots is
adjusted or moved. A change in the location of the boundary line effectively creates two lots with
new dimensions. However, lot line adjustments may involve more than two contiguous lots.
Adjustments can be made whether the lots are owned by a single landowner or through an agreement
between different owners.
218.2 An Administrative Lot Line Adjustment shall not be considered a Subdivision and may be
granted by the Town of Groton Code Enforcement Officer, without the need to come before the Town
of Groton Planning Board for approval, under the following conditions:
a. No additional lots shall be created. The same number of lots may be created with new
dimensions, or fewer lots can be created.
b. The adjustment shall not cause a parcel to contain insufficient area or dimensions that would
then be in violation of the area regulations set forth in Section 342, or any other section, of
this Code.
c. The adjustment shall not cause any existing building or structure to be in violation of the
Minimum Yard Depth or Maximum Lot Coverage regulations set forth in Section 342, or any
other section, of this Code
d. If any parcel, building, or structure is nonconforming prior to the adjustment, the proposed
adjustment must not increase the degree of nonconformity.
e. If the involved parcels of land are owned by one or more people, all owners must be in
agreement and all owners shall sign the application for an Administrative Lot Line
Adjustment.
Town Board Minutes
Page 8 November 13, 2018
218.3 An application shall be submitted to the Groton Town Clerk's Office, signed by all land
owners and including a fee set by the Town Board. A sketch plan shall be attached showing current
lot lines for all parcels and proposed adjustments to the lot lines. Any existing buildings or structures
shall be included on the sketch plan together with all current and proposed distances from lot lines.
Alternatively, new signed and certified survey maps may be submitted that reflect the above
information. The Code Enforcement Officer may require any additional information that is deemed
necessary.
218.4 Within 15 days of the date that a complete application, together with the fee, has been filed
with the Town Clerk, the Code Enforcement Officer shall complete the review of the application and
grant either approval, conditional approval, or deny the Lot Line Adjustment.
218.5 If the applicant has submitted signed and certified survey maps with the application, the Code
Enforcement Officer may approve the Administrative Lot Line Adjustment and affix a stamp of
approval.
If the applicant does not have survey maps, the Code Enforcement Officer may grant Conditional
Approval contingent upon submission of signed and certified survey maps. The new survey maps
shall be submitted for a stamp of approval within 180 days after the grant of Conditional Approval.
The applicant shall supply at least 3 official survey maps to be stamped by the Code Enforcement
Officer: one for the file, one for the Tompkins County Department of Assessment and one for the
Tompkins County Clerk. The applicant may provide as many additional copies as they wish to be
stamped for their own use.
The approval of the Administrative Lot Line Adjustment authorizes, but does not create, the new
boundary lines. Ultimately the private owner or owners must legally convey the property. Within 62
days of the Code Enforcement Officer's stamp of approval, the survey maps must be filed with the
Tompkins County Department of Assessment and the Tompkins County Clerk. Failure to meet either
of these deadlines shall constitute expiration of approval.
218.6 If for any reason the Code Enforcement Officer believes that the lot line adjustment doesn't
meet the above requirements, or believes that there are special circumstances involved such as the
intent of a prior subdivision; unique topography; the effects on adj acent lots, agriculture, or the
environment; or any other concern, the Administrative Lot Line Adjustment may be denied and/or
referred to the Planning Board for further review and a final determination.
218.7 The Code Enforcement Officer's determination under this Section shall not be subject to an
appeal to the Town of Groton Zoning Board of Appeals. Instead, applicants denied an Administrative
Lot Line Adjustments by the Code Enforcement Officer shall have the right to apply directly to the
Town Planning Board for review and a determination by said Board.
6. Add Section 219 as follows:
219. Exempt Subdivision
219.1 The intent of an Exempt Subdivision is to allow, under certain circumstances, for simple
divisions of a parcel into two lots to be approved by the Town of Groton Code Enforcement Officer
without the necessity of appearing before the Town of Groton Planning Board.
219.2 To be considered exempt, a 2 -lot Subdivision shall strictly meet all of the following criteria:
a. Each of the resulting two lots shall conform to all regulations for Lot Area and Frontage
requirements set forth in Section 342, or any other section, of this Code.
b. The Exempt Subdivision shall not cause any existing building or structure to be in violation
of the Minimum Yard Depth or Maximum Lot Coverage regulations set forth in Section 342,
or any other section, of this Code. If any building, or structure is nonconforming prior to the
adjustment, the proposed adjustment must not increase the degree of nonconformity.
c. None of the land shall contain any New York State designated or Federally designated
wetland.
Town Board Minutes Page 9 November 13, 2018
d. The original parcel of land shall not have been part of an Exempt, Minor or Major
Subdivision within the past three years.
e. There have been no variances granted to the original parcel of land.
f. The action shall not trigger a Type I State Environmental Quality Review.
219.3 An application shall be submitted at the Groton Town Clerk's Office along with the
following:
a. A sketch plan, drawn to scale and showing the current parcel and the proposed Subdivision
with all lot lines, distances, and acreage of each of the two proposed lots. The sketch plan
shall also show any existing buildings or structures, wells, septic systems, and driveways
together with all current and proposed distances from current lot lines and proposed lot lines.
Alternatively, a signed and certified survey map of the proposed Subdivision may be
submitted.
b. Part 1 of the Short -Form Environmental Assessment Form.
c. Any other additional information that the Code Enforcement Officer may deem as necessary.
d. A fee established by the Groton Town Board.
219.4 Within 15 days of the date that a complete application, together with the fee, has been filed
with the Town Clerk, the Code Enforcement Officer shall complete his review of the application and
grant either approval, conditional approval, or deny the Exempt Subdivision.
219.5 If the applicant has submitted a signed and certified survey map with the application, the
Code Enforcement Officer may approve the Exempt Subdivision and affix a stamp of approval.
If the applicant does not have a survey map, the Code Enforcement Officer may grant Conditional
Approval contingent upon submission of a signed and certified survey map. The new survey map
shall be submitted for a stamp of approval within 180 days after the grant of Conditional Approval.
The applicant shall supply at least 3 official survey maps to be stamped by the Code Enforcement
Officer: one for the file, one for the Tompkins County Department of Assessment and one for the
Tompkins County Clerk. The applicant may provide as many additional copies as they wish to be
stamped for their own use.
Within 62 days of the Code Enforcement Officer's stamp of approval, the survey map must be filed
with the Tompkins County Department of Assessment and the Tompkins County Clerk. Failure to
meet either of these deadlines shall constitute expiration of approval.
219.6 The Code Enforcement Officer shall deny the application for an Exempt Subdivision and
refer it to the Planning Board for further review and a final determination under Minor Subdivision
Review in Section 220 of this Code if for any reason the Code Enforcement Officer believes that the
proposed action
a. does not meet all of the above requirements of an Exempt Subdivision, or
b. involves special circumstances, such as the intent of a prior subdivision; unique
topography; the effects on ad j acent lots, agriculture or the environment; or any other
concern, or
c. is a Type I Action upon completion of the Short -Form Environmental Assessment Form.
219.7 The Code Enforcement Officer's determination in regard to this Section shall not be subject
to an appeal to the Town of Groton Zoning Board of Appeals. Instead, applicants not in agreement
with the decision of the Code Enforcement Officer under this Section shall have the right to apply
directly to the Town Planning Board for a Minor Subdivision under Section 220 of this Code.
7. Amend Section 230. Major Subdivision - Level I - Review Procedure to read:
Major Subdivision Level 1 review procedure may be used for a subdivision with five or more lots which
does not include plans for new streets, utility extension or other major improvements. If it is determined
Town Board Minutes Page 10 November 13, 2018
in the Sketch Plat classification process in Sections 210 and 211 that the Major Subdivision Level 1
review procedure applies, the provisions of Sections 231-234 are to be followed. Review requires the
submission by the subdivider of a Preliminary Plat and a Final Plat and one Public Hearing by the
Planning Board.
8. Amend Section 240. Major Subdivision - Level 2 - Review Procedure to read:
Major Subdivision Level 2 Review Procedure shall be used for a subdivision with five or more lots
which include plans for new streets, utility extension or other major improvements. If it is determined
in the Sketch Plat classification process in Sections 210 and 211 that the Major Subdivision Level 2
review procedure applies, the provisions of Sections 241-259 are to be followed. Review requires the
submission by the subdivider of a Preliminary Plat and a Final Plat and at least one Public Hearing by
the Planning Board.
9. Amend Figure 2-A. Subdivision Classification Procedure to be as follows:
Figure 2-A. Subdivision Classification Procedure.
START
1
NO < New streets needed?
NO
NO
1
One or more
s
Residential flag lots
1
Utility extension needed?
�
1
Cluster subdivision proposed?
Flag lots proposed?
1
NO
1
s- YES ►
so, YES 11>
► YES 1 >
One or more
' Commercial flag lots
► How many resulting lots?
1 l l
2 lots 2-4 total lots 5+ total lots
Exempt OR Minor Major Subdivision OR Major Subdivision
Subdivision Subdivision Level ' Level
If all criteria
are met
SECTION 2: SEVERABILITY
Severability. If any part or provision of this Local Law or application thereof to any person or
circumstance be adjudged invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall be
confined in its operation to the part or provision or application directly involved in the
controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered and shall not affect or impair the
Town Board Minutes Page 11 November 13, 2018
validity of the remainder of this Local Law or the application thereof to the other persons or
circumstances, and the Town Board hereby declares that it would have passed the Local Law or the
remainder thereof had such invalid application provision been apparent.
SECTION 3: EFFECTIVE DATE
Effective Date. This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing in the Office of the New
York State Secretary of State in accordance with Section 27 of the Municipal Home Rule Law.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
RESOLUTION # 67 - SET FEES FOR
EXEMPT SUBDIVISION & ADMINISTRATIVE LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT
MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Supervisor Scheffler
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets the following Zoning Fees:
➢ Exempt Subdivision ............................. $50.00
➢ Administrative Lot Line Adjustment .......... $25.00
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
RESOLUTION #18-068 - ADOPT LOCAL LAW #3 FOR THE YEAR 2018
COLD WAR VETERANS EXEMPTION
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby adopts Local Law #3 for the Year 2018 entitled Cold War
Exemption as follows:
Section 1. This Local Law shall provide an exemption from real property taxes for real property
owned by veterans who rendered military service to the United States during the "Cold War".
Section 2. In accordance with the provisions of Section 458-b of the Real Property Tax Law of the
State of New York, residential real property owned by veterans who rendered military service to the
United States during the "Cold War" shall be exempt from Town of Groton taxation. Such exemption
shall apply to qualifying owners of qualifying real property for as long as they remain qualifying owners.
Section 3. The maximum exemptions allowable from the Town of Groton's real property taxation
pursuant to Section 458-b of the Real property Tax Law shall be 10% of the property's assessment, not to
exceed $8,000 multiplied by the latest final state equalization rate for service during the "Cold War" and a
percentage of the property's assessment equal to one-half of any service connected disability rating not to
exceed $40,000 multiplied by the latest final state equalization rate.
Section 4: This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the New York State
Secretary of State.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Nays -
Resolution Passed
Town Board Minutes Page 12 November 13, 2018
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler to enter into Executive Session with the Town Board, Highway
Superintendant, and Guy Krogh, for the purpose of discussing the pay and performance of a particular
person, seconded by Councilperson Clark, at 8:11 pm.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, to return to Regular Session, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, at
9:55 pm.
Ayes - Gamel, Young, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler
Supervisor Scheffler - Let the record show that the Executive Session was for information and
discussion and no decisions were made.
Councilperson Gamel - Discussed a design for decals for the Town trucks and vehicles. Consensus of
the Board was that he should proceed with ordering the decals and to also see about numbers.
There being no further business, Councilperson Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson
Clark, at 10:01 pm. Unanimous.
April L. Scheffler, RMC
Town Clerk