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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-08-2022-TOWN OF GROTON – MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022 AT 7:30 PM Town Officers Present: Town Officers Absent: Also Present: Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor Crystal Young, Councilperson Eric DeForrest, Groton Fire Chief Richard Gamel, Councilperson Lee Shurtleff, Legislator Brian Klumpp, Councilperson Julie Graham Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson Joe Graham Ellard Keister, Highway Supt. Robin Cargian, Town Clerk Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper W. Rick Fritz, Code Official Francis Casullo, Attorney Paul Lang, Town Justice Mack Rankin, Dept. Highway The meeting opened at 7:30pm MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp, to approve the minutes of the February 8, 2022 Town Board Meeting as submitted. Ayes - Clark, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler, Motion Passed MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve expenses for the Town Clerk and Deputy Town Clerk to attend NYSTCA conference in Albany April 24-27, 2022 for a total cost of $944.30. Ayes - Clark, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler, Motion Passed Voucher 76 Charter Communications Franchise Remittance: Clarification was needed regarding the special franchise practice to send fees to the town in exchange for paying taxes. The Assessment was raised to a considerable level. Jay Franklin will be attending the planning board meeting on the 17th and could be questioned. The payment was pulled until special franchise procedures and fees was better understood. RESOLUTION #22-020‐ ‐ APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp WHEREAS, vouchers for Abstract #3 for the Year 2022, numbered 70-125 were reviewed and and audited by the Town Board, be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves said vouchers, holding off on voucher 76 from the B fund in the amount of $12,728.85 until the board can get clarification from Jay Franklin as to why it is this amount from Time Warner (charter communications). Total amounts otherwise were as follows. A GENERAL FUND 81,851.50 B GENERAL FUND PART TOWN 12,847.49 DA HIGHWAY FUND 47,064.71 SFl- SPECIAL FUND - FIRE PROTECTION 2,655.54 Town Board Minutes Page 2 March 8, 2022 SL2- PERUVILLE LIGHTING DISTRICT 81.90 SLl- MCLEAN LIGHTING DISTRICT 144.99 Total 144,646.13( less $12,7283.85 from B fund for voucher 76) Ayes - Clark, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler, Nays - Resolution Passed Monthly Reports Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper – I have to think a bit about the transaction you are holding out on, I can look into the revenue account as I think there is enough money to cover it but I would have to think about it. I have finally got everything caught up for the end of the year. You have the February report and I am right where I should be. The next task will be to get the annual report into the state comptroller. Don, Robin and I will try and figure out the rest of the paperwork for the American Rescue Plan. Councilperson Klumpp asked if this Time Warner assessment increase was due to their change to a company that carries wifi? A portion of the town is Verizon which is different in that they do not pay a special franchise tax, they pay a property tax. Budget Adjustment Highway-Part Town From: General Repairs-Contr. Exp- DB5110.4-$500 To: Employees Benefits-Social Security- DB9010.8-$500 MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, second by Councilperson Klumpp to approve the budget adjustments as read. Ayes - Clark, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler, Motion Passed Nays - Building & Code Official, Rick Fritz- I have many people calling asking questions, finding out the costs if they can move forward with projects or not. Everyone is in limbo. Price of materials is a big concern. Erie Materials have increased prices 30%. I gave a couple permits out in other areas that I cover and the price of an 1800 sqft home is $420,000. That is a little over $275 per sqft. There are a few projects I am being told they just don’t have the money to finish. A copy of my training certificates was added to my monthly report. Highway Superintendent, Ellard Keister- We are into our daily routine. I was able to hire Dale Slocum who will start in March full time at @$18.75 per hour. I look forward to him being an asset to the team we already have. We are keeping a good eye on asphalt prices due to the increase in oil prices. We were also told this week the hydraulic and motor oil will be delayed; they are giving everyone a little bit as the distributor is having a difficult time acquiring the supply. Not looking forward to what this summer has to bring. I will jump to the Salt Shed plan, I have only gotten one of the three quotes I have asked for back. The active price on the concrete needed falls around $30,000 for material and form rental. Councilperson Gamel, asked if he could contact the Town of Tioga to see how they have built their salt shed as it looked like they had piers up 6’-8’ and built on top of that. It looked like it would save on concrete. Superintendent Keister stated they had looked at that but it took up almost 8’off the interior footprint. The cost of concrete wasn’t too bad for us compared to last year when we quoted it out. I have been taking a budget and accounting class, currently working on a budget plan for the next two years to give you the hard numbers you have been looking for, for years. I aim to get that done before October’s budget Town Board Minutes Page 3 March 8, 2022 season so we can do better planning for equipment. As you know, even if equipment is ordered now, it is taking months to years to receive that in. I aim to have this plan for some time in the summer. Robin Cargian RMC, Town Clerk & Tax Collector – Reports Submitted, the highlights from that are I am an official DEC licensing agent. As there is some effort involved in that and I was nervous it wouldn’t become effective in time for fishing season. Thank you for approving Denise and I to attend conference. I also attended a NYSEG zoom webinar. NYSEG will be changing over all electric meters (in the Town) and gas meters starting this year going into 2023. As this will cause disruption to customers electric only, for about 10 minutes, I thought we would get calls on it. They do plan to call customers and set up specific times if possible as well as attend festivals and fairs to let the community know what and why it is happening. If anyone has questions, they can reach out to NYSEG.com/smartmeters. Councilperson Gamel asked if this is so they can read the meter without sending someone out? It is and will end electric estimation. You will be able to get online and see what the peak use time is to make adjustments to save money. Francis Casullo, Attorney for the Town– Had nothing to report Paul Lang, Town Justice – Would like to acknowledge the court clerk, Kathy Barron who has been absolutely wonderful to me, giving a great deal of help and is a wealth of knowledge. She needs praise for what she does for our court system, she is just amazing. Thank You Kathy Barron! As far as the court is concerned, we are going from the vehicle and traffic type of situations and getting more into assault in the third degree, shooting across highways, reckless endangerment and bodily harm cases which are criminal type cases. These take a considerable amount of time. Three of the cases from Monday night have been added to four of the cases for tomorrow to try and fit them all in. We are also hitting more of the evictions, which stands to be more of a difficult time. The ERAP system will allow a tenant to apply and help them to pay rent and utilities, if they apply for this, despite the money having run out in Tompkins County, they may not be evicted as it is believed more money will be coming. During this type of proceeding, we had a landowner become very hostile and the police were called so the attorney could safely get to their car and leave. This brings us to the question the court has asked for previously and that is possibly adding a bailiff or having police protection for the court. Emotions in court can get high to say the least and I think it would be a good idea to add this to the court system. Youth Commission Councilperson Klumpp – We currently have four classes youth are participating in, The Great Groton Cookoff which is a cooking class, mini moving machines which are models and little motors with 13 kids participating in each. We have outdoor adventure and painting world a carry over from the fall class Lee Shurtleff, County Legislator ‐ Not in attendance Eric DeForrest, Groton Fire Chief ‐ We are on a typical track this time of year having 164 ambulance calls and 37 fire calls. Pretty busy last month, getting settled in and updating to a modern look as well as updating documentation. The BBQ fundraiser was successful, chicken gone by noon. There was a considerable fire in McLean and wanted to thank the Groton Highway department for their assistance. Due to pretty high winds it was difficult to get under control resulting in 13 departments helping to supply water. With the help of the highway department, we got the house opened and were able to get everyone back into service. Myself and Rob Gallinger were at cabin fever festival to do some public relations which we did get some volunteer applications back from that. Town Board Minutes Page 4 March 8, 2022 RESOLUTION #22-021‐ ‐ APPROVE JOINT VILLAGE & TOWN YOUTH SERVICE AGREEMENT MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel WHEREAS, the Town Board has been provided with the 2022 Youth Services Agreement to provide services to the youth of the Town of Groton and having reviewed and found it to be consistent with past agreements, be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the agreement and authorizes the Supervisor to sign it. Ayes - Clark, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Resolution Passed Nays - RESOLUTION #22-022 ‐ APPROVE REPLACING THE BOOKEEPER TO THE SUPERVISOR MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp WHEREAS, the current bookkeeper Charles Rankin is retiring and the job was posted and interviews conducted, be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves hiring Julie Graham to the position of bookkeeper to the Supervisor at the agreed start rate of $25,000 annual salary to be paid biweekly. Ayes - Clark, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Resolution Passed Nays - RESOLUTION #22-023‐ ‐ DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF APRIL AS FAIR HOUSING MONTH MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel WHEREAS, in accordance with the Title VIII Fair Housing Policy of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and, WHEREAS, the Month of April 2022 has been designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office as Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity as Fair Housing Month, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton hereby declares and proclaims April 2022 as Fair Housing Month in the Town of Groton. Ayes - Clark, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Resolution Passed Nays - COURT ROOM SECURITY, Supervisor Scheffler stated last month the board discussed the option of seeking a month to month agreement with the Village. I spoke with Village Clerk who confirmed that would be agreeable and they would be able to designate an additional officer, not just the one that is on duty, for that time period. This would make it a very rare occurrence for them to get called out. I also advised them there was a time change for court to start at 4pm. Judge Lang offered the court time change was just to accommodate the case load as of late but would not affect this. He would rather see the protection when there are more contentious cases. Supervisor Scheffler advised him the agreement states there is a three hour minimum. Town Board Minutes Page 5 March 8, 2022 Councilperson Klumpp feels this is a good idea hoping the court would make efforts to schedule the security for the times that they would need most. Attorney for the Town, Francis Casullo suggested the contract should read it will be on a month to month basis terminable by either party and pointed out a typo in paragraph 6 which should be changed that the Town shall defend out of the Town’s negligent action. The document will be sent to the attorney for his review. Justice Lang, Who will be determining if the service continues after the month is over? Councilperson Gamel, I don’t think this means we will be evaluating it after a month but this allows us the option to terminate in the event we find a permanent bailiff for less money or the Police Department runs into a time shortage. Attorney for the Town Francis Casullo, a month to month start allows you to determine if there will be emergencies that come up requiring the officer to leave or if the Village will lose any officers. These are things we do not know and this allows us to become familiar with how it will work. If it works out great. If not the agreement may always be changed. RESOLUTION #22‐024 ‐ APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH THE VILLAGE OF GROTON FOR COURT ROOM SECURITY MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the agreement subject to the changes suggested by the Attorney for the Town between the Town of Groton and the Village of Groton (having a police department), to provide police protection for the Town of Groton Court on a month to month basis starting a soon as practical. Ayes - Clark, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Resolution Passed Nays - Councilperson Klumpp -Assured Judge Lang the board would seek input from the court office before making any changes or agreeing to any extensions. Board of Assessment Review, Supervisor Scheffler – Offered the opportunity to anyone from the public wishing to volunteer for the board of assessment review. There is training required coming up soon and there will involve two meeting for reviews. Please contact him if interested. RESOLUTION #22‐025 ‐ AGREEMENT TO STORE CEMETERY RECORDS MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2022 agreement between the Town of Groton and the Groton Rural Cemetery for storage of Cemetery records in the Town Clerk’s vault. Ayes - Clark, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Resolution Passed Nays - RESOLUTION #22‐026 ‐ AGREEMENT FOR STORAGE OF GROTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL RECORDS 2022 Town Board Minutes Page 6 March 8, 2022 MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2022 Groton Community Council records repository agreement between the Town of Groton and the Groton Community Council for storage of Council records in the Town Clerk’s vault and allows the Supervisor to sign said agreement. Ayes - Clark, Klumpp, Gamel, Resolution Passed Nays - Abstain ‐ Scheffler Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak. Ayes- Clark, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler, Young Motion Passed Announcements: • Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting, Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 7:00 pm • Planning Board Meeting, Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 7:30 pm There being no further business, Councilperson Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp, at 8:15 pm. Unanimous. Robin Cargian, RMC Town Clerk/Tax Collector