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Home My WebLink About2021-12-14TOWN OF GROTON – MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021 AT 7:30 PM THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD Town Officers Present: Town Officers Absent: Also Present: Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor Michael Perkins, Highway Supt. Ben Nelson Richard Gamel, Councilperson John Norman, Town Justice Mack Rankin Crystal Young, Councilperson Ellard Keister Brian Klumpp, Councilperson Melody Scheffler Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson Glenn Morey April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk Eric DeForest Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper W. Rick Fritz, Code Official Francis Casullo, Attorney MOVED by Councilperson Young, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the minutes of the November 9, 2021 Town Board Meeting as presented. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the minutes of the November 4, 2021 Public Hearing and Special Town Board Meeting as presented. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler RESOLUTION #21‐071 ‐ APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp WHEREAS, vouchers for Abstract #12 for the Year 2021, numbered 517 - 574 were reviewed and audited by the Town Board, be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves said vouchers for the accounts and in the Total amounts as follows: Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Town Board Minutes Page 2 December 14, 2021 Monthly Reports: Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review and requested a budget transfer. The budget adjustments look a little scary, but we will probably need more next month. Equipment breaks and you have to fix it and we are still experiencing what was left over from previous administrations. We just need to get it done. RESOLUTION #21-072 - 2021 BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2021 Budget Adjustments: General Fund - Town Wide: From: Contingency, A1990.4………………………….………….$6,500.00 To: Court Clerk, Personal Services, A1110.13…………………$1,500.00 Town Clerk, Records Mangagment Clerk, A1410.12….......$2,800.00 Traffic Control, Contractual, A3310.4……………………..$2,200.00 Highway - Town Wide: Increase Revenues: Refund Prior Year’s Expenses, DA2701…..$3,300.00 Miscellaneous Income, DA2770………..….$7,200.00 Increase Expenditures: Machinery, DA5130.2………………........$10,500.00 From: Bridges, Personal Services, DA5120.1……………………...$6,500.00 Machinery, Personal Services, DA5130.1……………….….$8,000.00 Brush & Weeds, Personal Services, DA5140.1……………..$6,500.00 Snow Removal, Personal Services, DA5142.1…..………….$2,500.00 Services for Other Governments, DA5140.1……..…………$2,500.00 Employee Benefits, Workmen’s Comp, DA9040.8….......….$5,300.00 Employee Benefits, Medical Insurance, DA9060.8………..$14,700.00 To: Culverts, DA5120.41……………………………………...…$3,000.00 Machinery, Equipment, DA5130.2…………………….…….$4,000.00 Machinery, Contractual, DA5130.4…………………….…..$32,000.00 Snow Removal, Vacation, DA5142.11………………….…...$4,700.00 Snow Removal, Sick Time, DA5142.12……………………..$2,300.00 Highway - Part Town: From: General Repairs, Contractual, DB5110.4……………..…..…$16,200.00 To: General Repairs, Personal Services, DB5110.1……………..$15,000.00 Employee Benefits, Social Security, DB9030.8…………..…..$1,200.00 Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed W. Rick Fritz, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. It is a slow time of year without much going on. He has been helping out the new Village Code Official. Town Board Minutes Page 3 December 14, 2021 Michael Perkins, Highway Superintendent - Was not present. Ellard Keister, Highway Superintendent Elect - We have all our sand in and hopefully we won’t have to order any more salt. That will help out. We will have a bill coming from CAT for a needed repair on a mainline plow truck. Our tractor that we got quoted for next year, the price is going up on everything, and this has gone up roughly $3,000 already. We can sign a purchase agreement at any time to lock in the price. Additional discussion took place pertaining to the purchase. Councilperson Young asked where the additional money would come from. Mr. Keister said that the tractor and a trailer had been planned for in the 2022 budget, but he feels it would be more cost effective to look for a used trailer instead of a new one. Councilperson Clark asked what would be done with the old tractor and Mr. Keister said they were keeping it so that crews could be out on two jobs at the same time. RESOLUTION #21-073 - APPROVE SIGNING PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR TRACTOR AND MOWER MOVED by Councilperson Young, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the signing of the purchase agreement with Stephenson Equipment, Inc. for a new John Deere 5100M 4-Wheel Drive Tractor under Sourcewell Contract: Ag Tractors 110719-JDC (PG-1P CG0) in the amount of $70,236.18; and a Diamond DSF075-C & DRF102OF 75” Side Mount Flail Mower under Sourcewell Contract 070821-DMM in the amount of $44,603.45; for a total amount of $114,839.63. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. A letter was received from Country Acres Pet Services. We are waiting of the tax bills to come. Denise is coming along good learning the job and will be an asset to Robin in the office. I’d like to say thank you for the wonderful party two days ago. It was a little overwhelming. Thank you very much and you will all get a better thankyou soon. Councilperson Gamel - It needs to be on record that we thank you for everything you’ve done and keeping us in line for a very long time. Clerk Scheffler - Well thank you for always being supportive of projects and education and everything. Francis Casullo, Attorney for the Town - Had nothing to report. John J. Norman, Town Justice - Were not present. Councilperson Crystal Young as Representative to Joint Youth Program - The First Day Hike will January 1, 2022. Meet at the trailhead at the park. Youth basketball has over 80 youth registered. Games start in January. YMCA’s partnership for Zumba and yoga is coming to Groton in January, depending on COVID. Dance with Camille is Mondays at the Fire Hall, ages 3-16. So Town Board Minutes Page 4 December 14, 2021 far there are 16 participants. Cabin Fever is planned for March 5th. Jennifer got a $1,000 grant for that. All of the bands and food trucks are confirmed for next summer’s concert series. Councilperson Brian Klumpp as Representative to the Youth Commission - Had nothing to report. Glenn Morey, County Legislator - Newest from the County is, of course, the COVID. Monday the Governor implemented a mask mandate or proof of full vaccination for businesses and venues in New York State. We have a high success of vaccination of 5 to 11 year olds. The percentage is 48.2%. We will be having more clinics coming up. We continue to see low hospitalizations. Currently there are 10, however, it is rising since the Thanksgiving holiday. As of today, there are 411 active COVID cases. Today we made national news when the Cornell Ithaca Campus moved to alert level red. Remember that the vaccine is free. Thank you for letting me represent you over the last seven years. Supervisor Scheffler - Thank you for representing us and for all of your time with the Town. You have been a great asset and we will find another place to appoint you. Ben Nelson, Groton Fire and Ambulance - If you have neighbors, friends, family that live alone or are elderly, check in on them once in a while. We had a call where an elderly lady fell out of her haymow Friday morning at 9:00 am and the neighbors found her this afternoon at 1:30. She was a trooper. Her horses kept her warm. She did everything she could to keep moving. She was very dehydrated and was taken to Syracuse hospital. So, check on your friends, family and neighbors. We’re working on closing out the end of the year. We are crowding 1,000 calls dispatched, but may filter out to 900-plus. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus came last week and made their grand entrance to the municipal lot with lots of noise. It was very well received with close to 200 kids there. Nominations were held for the elections of chief officers for 2022. I am not seeking re-election, so will no longer be the fire chief but will still be active in the department. There are a couple contested races but the office of chief and deputy chief are not contested. Eric DeForrest will be stepping up to Fire Chief and Rob Gallinger will be Deputy Chief. So far, we will still be having the banquet on January 15th and I assume everyone got invitations. Supervisor Scheffler - To add to that, I have a letter from the Department of Public Service and a poster to put up. They have a lot of programs for elderly and low-income people that if they can’t pay their utility bills. So, please check on them and see if they can get some help so that they don’t just turn the heat off and try to survive. Next, Melody Scheffler has a presentation for United Way. Melody Scheffler - United Way of Tompkins County does fundraisers, usually in the fall, and raise money to donate to various entities in Tompkins County. We, in Groton, have been fortunate to receive funding under what’s called the Community Care Fund. Applications have to be made, and currently we have four entities who receive money from United Way through this application process. The three are the Groton Youth Commission, the Public Library, and Groton Recreation. That amount right now is $4,300.00 per year to those entities. So, money is coming from United Way. Additionally, I’m here to talk about United Way also making the availability of something called the community council. Groton has one, and it’s called the Groton Community Council, which in the past was called Groton Community Chest. United Way has asked that the councils make a more visible presence in the community which is why I am here in front of you today. Additionally, they also asked that we prepare flyers and I have some that we have prepared for Groton Community Council. Also, there are pledge cards. The Groton Community Council is a small group right now and we’re looking for more members. We usually send out a notice and put one in the paper, but when COVID started, we were listening to people tell us who in the community, what entity might need assistance. So, United Way sends money through the Community Care Fund. The Community Council receives money through designations that are given by people in their workplace or individuals who donate and say I want this Town Board Minutes Page 5 December 14, 2021 to go back to my community. That’s above and beyond the $4,300.00 that we are currently receiving from the Community Care Fund. So, those funds are sent to the Community Council and currently we receive between $2,000.00 and $3,000.00 additional from those designations that go back to Groton. So, the Community Council meets and when we hear about a group or entity, such as we have helped the Junior Firefighter Camp, the Groton Food Pantry, Groton Olde Home Days, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, things like that. United Way did tell us that they really want us telling you about this and letting you know that this opportunity exists. At the same time, they thought maybe Groton wasn’t being as active as it should be. RESOLUTION #21-074 - SET DATE FOR 2022 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets the date and time for the 2022 Organizational Meeting and Regular Board Meeting for Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 7:30 pm. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Discussion took place on the proposed 2022 agreement with the Groton Highway Association. Draft copies had been distributed to the Board members and Highway Association. At issue was a last- minute suggestion from the Highway Department concerning a possible incentive payout for unused vacation hours or rolling over unused vacation time from one year into the following year. It had not been discussed during Highway negotiations. The Board felt that this was something that they were not prepared to do at this point, but could be addressed next time the agreement was negotiated. RESOLUTION #21-075 - APPROVE 2022 AGREEMENT WITH GROTON HIGHWAY ASSOCIATION MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2022 agreement between the Town of Groton and the Groton Highway Association as written. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #21-076 - AUTHORIZE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIAL TO MAKE REQUIRED CHANGES TO CREDIT CARDS AND BANK ACCOUNTS MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel WHEREAS, the Town Clerk has received the Certified Statement of the Tompkins County Board of Canvassers in relation to the votes cast in the General Election on November 2, 2021, and WHEREAS, said canvas shows that Robin Cargian was elected as Town Clerk, Ellard Keister, was elected as Highway Superintendent, and Paul Lang was elected as Town Justice, and WHEREAS, terms for these elected officials will begin on January 1, 2022, now therefore be it Town Board Minutes Page 6 December 14, 2021 RESOLVED, the Town Board authorizes the transfer of the Town of Groton VISA credit card from Michael Perkins and April Scheffler to Ellard Keister and Robin Cargian with each having their own card for the same account, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes the transfer of the Lowes Pro Services and Tractor Supply Company credit cards and all other Highway Department accounts be transferred to Ellard Keister and Mackenzie Rankin, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes the transfer of the bank accounts for the Town Clerk, Tax Collector, and DECALS from April Scheffler to Robin Cargian, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby reaffirms the authority of the Town Clerk/Tax Collector to accept credit card payments and Echecks, and authorizes the transfer of the account with Payment Processing Consultants from April Scheffler to Robin Cargian, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes Paul Lang to establish the necessary bank accounts needed for his duties as Town Justice. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Clerk Scheffler then swore in those newly elected officials who were present for their new terms, starting January 1, 2022 and ending December 31, 2025. Officials sworn in were Donald Scheffler, Richard Gamel, Crystal Young, and Ellard Keister. Supervisor Scheffler asked if anyone was interested in attending the Association of Towns Annual Meeting which will be held in New York City on February 20 -23, 2022. Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak. MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Young, to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment history of a particular person, at 8:28 pm. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to return to Regular Session, at 9:45 pm. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Supervisor Scheffler - Let the record show that no resolutions were made within the Executive Session. RESOLUTION #21-077 - PAYING ACCUMULATED SICK TIME TO ROBIN CARGIAN MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Clark WHEREAS, Robin Cargian has been elected as Town Clerk with a term beginning January 1, 2022, and WHEREAS, Robin Cargian has accumulated sick time earned during her employment as Deputy Clerk for which she is entitled to be paid upon leaving the Deputy Clerk position, and WHEREAS, Robin Cargian has requested that a portion of the sick time funds be used to pay her portion of the Town’s health insurance premiums, now therefore be it Town Board Minutes Page 7 December 14, 2021 RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby requests that Robin Cargian decide to: 1) receive a payment for the full amount of accumulated sick time; or 2) leave the full amount of accumulated sick time to be used to pay her portion of the Town’s health insurance premiums until used up; or 3) take a payment of 50% of the accumulated amount and leave 50% to be used to pay her portion of the Town’s health insurance premiums until used up, and be it further RESOLVED, that Robin Cargian make her decision known to the Town Supervisor within one week of this date. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed There being no further business, Councilperson Gamel moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Councilperson Clark, at 8:52 pm. Unanimous April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk