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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-14-2023TOWN OF GROTON – MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2023 AT 7:30 PM Town Officers Present: Town Officers Absent: Also Present: Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor Paul Lang, Town Justice Rich Winter, CEO Delaware Riv. Richard Gamel, Councilperson Randy Jackson, Town Justice Brian Klumpp, Councilperson Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson Crystal Young, Councilperson Ellard Keister, Highway Supt. Mack Rankin, Dept. Highway W. Rick Fritz, Code Official Robin Cargian, Town Clerk Francis Casullo, Attorney Julie Graham, Bookkeeper The meeting was called into session with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30pm. MOVED by Councilperson Klumpp, seconded by Councilperson Young, to approve the minutes of the March 14, 2023 Town Board Meeting. Ayes - Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Motion Passed RESOLUTION #23-047‐ APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp, WHEREAS, vouchers for Abstract #4 for the Year 2023, numbered 118 -169 were reviewed and and audited by the Town Board, be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves said vouchers which will make the accounts in the Total amounts as follows: A GENERAL FUND 9,190.32 B GENERAL FUND PART TOWN 498.25 DA HIGHWAY FUND 21,117.34 DB HIGHWAY FUND PART TOWN 16,853.14 SL2- PERUVILLE LIGHTING DISTRICT 91.90 SLl- MCLEAN LIGHTING DISTRICT 170.25 Total 47,921.20 Ayes - Young, Klummp, Gamel, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Monthly Reports Julie Graham, Bookkeeper – Submitted report and submitted Budget Adjustments for approval. March Budget Adjustments- A1990.4 $2000.00 To: A1910.4 Unallocated Insurance Contractual $2000.00 (Increase in Insurance) Town Board Minutes Page 2 April 14, 2023 April - DA1990.4 - $40.00 To: DA9055.8 $40.00 RESOLUTION #23-048- -APPROVE BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Young to approve the budget adjustments as read by the bookkeeper. Ayes - Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Motion Passed Nays- W. Rick Fritz, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer – We are beginning to get busier with new permits. There is an increase in training requirements. I have been to my annual Training in Rochester where they talked about the new Codes, Fema, Solar, Stormwater management and NYSERDA requirements. We will also be preparing for the upcoming 2024 code changes. Rick will give the NYSERDA training to Crystal to keep track of for the grant points. Ellard Keister, Highway Superintendent – The cleaner previously approved changed her mind as her former job made her a better offer. Before she left, she introduced us to Jessica Tarntino, who started a couple weeks ago. She is doing an amazing job! I will need a resolution to officially hire her. RESOLUTION #23-049- -OFFICIAL HIRE FOR CLEANING POSITION MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Supervisor Scheffler to approve Jessica Tarntino for the position of cleaner. Ayes - Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Motion Passed Nays- Ellard Keister, Highway Superintendent – My hat is off to Dale and Mack for outstanding work accomplished on all the overlooked maintenance in the shop. This saves us money to catch these issues before they become a problem. I was nervous about the expenses this month. It turned out to not be that bad, as it was a bunch of small items. I have an architect scheduled tomorrow to look at the front of the building for a quote and bid packet on updating the front clerk doors and court façade. If you have anyone else in mind for a quote, please let me know. Councilperson Klummp will send the name of a local architect. Robin Cargian RMC, Town Clerk & Tax Collector – You have my report, tax collection is done. We have had a couple meetings with Cloudpermit for training and are on schedule. We are pushing to get it rolled out by May as it will start raining building permits. Denise and I attended a Tompkins County Clerk’s Meeting last Thursday and got feedback regarding the one-day marriage officiant. Fran Casullo, Town Attorney – Don and I have been working diligently with the Town of Lansing and CSE Energy on the proposed ORES (Office of Renewable Energy Siting) Solar Project. I will give Don a lot of credit. I don’t think the board is aware of how much it has taken to get this municipal agreement for the payment of engineering consulting and legal and engineering fees done. Once signed by all parties, then an initial deposit can be made so the two towns can start paying their professionals. There will be an initial deposit which both towns can use, then after the application is made, the towns can then apply through ORES for more money to cover these types of fees. Supervisor Scheffler – This will cover our expenses until CS energy can apply. We have bills now we have to pay. Town Board Minutes Page 3 April 14, 2023 RESOLUTION #23-050- -APPROVE THE FINAL DRAFT OF THE AGREEMENT FOR PAYMENT OF MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING AND LEGAL FEES BETWEEN THE TOWNS OF LANSING AND GROTON WITH YELLOW BARN SOLAR LLC., SUBJECT TO THE TOWN OF LANSING’S APPROVAL. MOTION by Councilperson Klumpp, seconded by Councilperson Gamel to approve the final draft and authorized the Supervisor sign the municipal agreement pending the approval from the Town of Lansing, to provide payment for legal and professional fees associated with the proposed Yellow Barn Solar Project. Ayes - Young, Gamel, Klumpp, Scheffler Motion Passed Nays - Councilperson Young, Representative to Joint Youth Program- Summer programing is moving along, Becky is doing a great job. There was some talk at the last recreation meeting about doing another joint comprehensive plan. One of the biggest reasons we were discussing that was we could get more people on this committee to start writing some grants to get some money. I guess Moravia just got a grant for two million dollars to rebuild their Main St. There is money out there to do a lot for the village and towns. We just need to have people sit on a grant writing committee to look at our comprehensive plan and write a grant. I told them I would ask about our plan if we had one. Do we have one? Is it up to date? Fran Casullo, Town Attorney – Yes, we have one, it is probably a decade old. Robin Cargian RMC, Town Clerk – It was last done 2008, 2005? It was my understanding the last time there was a great deal of participation from the Village, not so much participation from the Town which was then written from the Village standpoint and not really from the Town standpoint. The person who was hired to write it directed all businesses from the Town into the Village. Supervisor Scheffler- Glenn was supervisor when it happened. We can look at ours anyway. Councilperson Gamel – I do remember we hired someone to tell us what should happen in a metropolis and that there were several things that did not sit well with me. Councilperson Young – I told them I would ask if we wanted to update it, if we would want to do it with them in the future. Hopefully, we could get something like a beautification grant. I will take it back to them and let them know we are not opposed to it, but will look into it further. If you happen to find it I would like to take a look at it. Chief Groton Fire Dept., Eric Deforrest- We are averaging 220 EMS calls and 60 for Fire for the year. Easter Egg hunt last Saturday had kids lined up all the way around the gym. We are looking at trying to do something outside for the bigger kids. Recruitment week for the department is coming up April 22. We will be having a BBQ at the fire station to try to get people in the door and give tours. We will participate with the Elementary School mentorship program with a cookout in May and a few engines. Only 3 people showed up for our Town Hall presentation regarding EMS Billing. The feedback I have gotten was wondering why we had not done it sooner. We have a few wrinkles to iron out to be able to go live sometime in June for private insurance and later in the fourth quarter for Medicare and Medicaid. End of Monthly reports Town Board Minutes Page 4 April 14, 2023 RESOLUTION #23-051 APPOINT MONICA MOLL AND EDWARD MOODY TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp, to appoint Monica Moll and Edward Moody to fill vacancies on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Ayes - Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Motion Passed Nays - Report from Citizen Advisory Committee: Brian Klumpp, Committee Member – We have a Town Hall meeting scheduled for April 14th at 7pm which is a Friday. Our Committee Chair, Barry Seibe will give a brief rundown of what we have done so far but it is more for the public to offer their concerns or suggestions. After which we will have something to submit to the Town to then allow them to review for the code changes in May. Robin Cargian RMC, Town Clerk – You will review in May, but the moratorium will run out in May? Brian Klumpp, Committee Member- We may be asking for an extension at that time? Fran Casullo, Town Attorney – You could do an extension for six months, if you are done early then you are done early. Brian Klumpp, Committee Member- I believe we will be in pretty good shape after the Town Hall. Supervisor Scheffler – I have an extension resolution if the board feels we should take action on it now we can. RESOLUTION #23-052 TO EXTEND COMMERCIAL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS MORATORIUM FOR AN ADDITIONAL SIX (6) MONTH PERIOD Town Board Member Scheffler offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption: WHEREAS, Board Member Scheffler has introduced for consideration Resolution 2023-052 to extend the moratorium on Commercial Solar Energy Systems in the Town of Groton for an additional six (6) month period; and WHEREAS, it is the intent of this resolution to extend the period of effectiveness of the moratorium imposed by Local Law 2 of 2022, and to continue the prohibition against applications or proceedings for applications for, the review of applications for, or the issuance of approvals or permits for the construction of Commercial Solar Energy Systems within the Town of Groton; and WHEREAS, the Town Board previously adopted a six (6) month moratorium in the Town of Groton under the provisions of Local Law 2 of 2022. The Town Board has now determined that an extension of the moratorium for an additional six (6) month period is necessary to continue to study the regulation of Commercial Solar Energy Systems in the Town of Groton and to draft proposed amendments to the Town of Groton Town Code relating to this issue. Town Board Minutes Page 5 April 14, 2023 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that following review, consideration and discussion, the Town Board has determined that the moratorium on Commercial Solar Energy Systems, as authorized by Local Law 2 of 2022, should be extended by an additional six (6) month period to allow for further study of this issue. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. The was MOTION SECONDED by Councilperson Young, with no comments or changes the roll vote was recorded as: Crystal Young Voting Aye Brian Klumpp Voting Aye Richard Gamel Voting Aye Donald F. Scheffler Voting Aye Resolution Passed Mass Gathering Permit Application: Fran Casullo, Town Attorney- After looking this over, I agree with Robin that the application states they only expect 300 people and the code says the requirement is for 350 and over, they don’t need it, but it is up to the board. Councilperson Gamel – They also did not give us the SEQR paperwork. Councilperson Young – Did they have 300 before? Robin Cargian RMC, Town Clerk – They may have had more before but because it is limited to the district grounds the numbers have dwindled. People also come and go, so they are not there all at once. Supervisor Scheffler – The carnival is limited, not like before when they were on the school property, so it has gotten smaller. MOTION by Councilperson Gamel, that based on the Town of Groton Land Use and Development Code, a mass gathering permit is required if the expected attendance will be 350 attendees or above, and that the proposed application lists the expected attendance of 300, therefore, the Mclean Fire District does not need a Mass Gathering Permit issued by the Town of Groton for Happenin’ In The Hamlet. Motion was Second by Councilperson Klumpp, Ayes –Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Motion Passed Nays - Resolution of Support for Bill Funding to EMS RESOLUTION # 23-053 - RESOLUTION URGING SUPPORT FOR NYS ASSEMBLY Bill A01091/Senate BillS01852 TO CREATE A “CHIPS-style” STATE FUNDING SUBSIDY FOR MUNICIPALITES WHO OPERATE OR CONTRACT WITH PUBLIC AND NOT-FOR- PROFIT EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AGENCIES WHEREAS, volunteer Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in rural New York State have been under pressure for many years. Ongoing declining volunteerism rates often leads to the closure of Town Board Minutes Page 6 April 14, 2023 departments, leading to the expansion of coverage areas for nearby agencies, which themselves struggle with staffing, in an environment of ever-increasing costs, and WHEREAS, efforts to increase volunteerism, particularly in EMS, while noble, are neither sustainable nor effective enough to make a meaningful long-term impact, and WHEREAS, as a result of these circumstances, many municipalities have been forced to implement paid EMS Departments, contract for services with other paid departments, or do without timely EMS coverage for their residents, and WHEREAS, the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the critical nature of EMS services, particularly in rural areas where EMS response is the primary source of frontline emergency healthcare to millions of NY residents, and WHEREAS, as a subset of the healthcare field, annual EMS cost increases strain the budgets of rural towns and villages who are, nevertheless, morally and ethically obligated to provide these services to their constituents, and WHEREAS, Article XVII §3 of the New York State Constitution states that, “The protection and promotion of the health of the inhabitants of the state are matters of public concern and provision therefore shall be made by the state and by such of its subdivisions and in such manner, and by such means as the legislature shall from time to time determine.”, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Groton Town Board fully supports NYS Assembly Bill A01091 and companion Senate Bill S01852, which would create a “CHIPS-style” state funding subsidy for municipalities who operate or contract with public and not-for-profit EMS Agencies, and further RESOLVES, That copies of this resolution shall be forwarded to the NYS Assemblymember Anna Kelles, NYS Senator Lea Webb, NYS Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart- Cousins, and NYS Governor Kathy Hochul. RESOLUTION #23‐054 ‐ ADD CLERK FEES FOR BINGO AND GAMES OF CHANCE MOTION by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp to add the New York state rate for Bingo (currently $18.75 per event) and Games of Chance (currently $25 per event.) Ayes - Young, Gamel, Klumpp, Scheffler Motion Passed Nays - The Privilege of the Floor: Deleware River Solar, Rich Winter – Hello, I came up to introduce myself and hear about the solar discussion, which it sounds like Friday would have been better. I will have someone come up to be part of the conversation and listen maybe answer any questions about community solar. I can answer any questions you have now as I am the CEO of the company. We have done many projects throughout New York State, Hartford, some in Dryden. I do have a question for you (to the Town Attorney), if you pass the extension and get done sooner, do you have to state that in the resolution that it can be as little as 3 months or as much as 6 months? Fran Casullo, Town Attorney- I think if they are ready to go, they can end it sooner, they could go ahead and do that. Town Board Minutes Page 7 April 14, 2023 Delaware River Solar, Rich Winter – I have just seen them in the past that if they were available get it done sooner, that it was in there. I will leave some business cards in case you have any questions I am available to have an answer. I look forward to working together on this. Councilperson Young- The last time we talked about the money that was available from the Town to resurface the pool, there was a question about other bids. I talked to Becky, and she realized that was a significant amount, so she has reached out to a couple of other companies and is waiting to hear back from them. Hopefully we will be able to move quickly, as the pool will need to open soon. Julie, I know you were not able to be here the last time, but I think we talked about how much money is available from the town that we were putting away to contribute to the pool repair. If you could get me that information at some point? I can get it to Becky. Announcements: • Zoning Board of Appeals, Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at 7:00 pm • Planning Board Meeting has been Canceled for Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 7:30 pm • Town Hall Meeting for the Committee on the Solar Regulation Changes April 14th @ 7:00pm • Happenin’ in the Hamlet is May 4, 5, 6th. The parade will be May 6 @ 6:00pm, Line up is at 5:00pm if you want to be in the Parade. There is a form in my office. • Another PERMA Member Conference is coming up in June at Lake Placid. If you want to go you will need to sign up soon. • Another thing we will have to start looking at is the Flood Plain Ordinance Update. We will have to update our code as the new maps are out. There being no further business, Councilperson Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson Young, at 8:21 pm. Unanimous. Robin Cargian, RMC Town Clerk/Tax Collector