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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrganizational Jan 2025- MinutesTOWN OF GROTON 2025 ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS/APPOINTMENTS Town Officers Present: Town Officers Absent: Also Present: Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor Francis Casullo, Attorney David Durrett, Ithaca Times Richard Gamel, Councilperson Mack Rankin, Dept. Highway Eric Deforrest, Groton Fire Chief Brian Klumpp, Councilperson Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson Crystal Young, Councilperson Robin Cargian, Town Clerk Ellard Keister, Highway Supt. Don Armstrong, Legal Counsel Julie Graham, Bookkeeper W. Rick Fritz, Code Official The Town Supervisor read the following proposed appointments, wages and rates: Item 1 - Depository – First National Bank of Groton Item 2 - Official Newspaper– Cortland Standard Item 3 - Law Firm – Pomeroy, Armstrong & Casullo, LLP,16 Tompkins St., Cortland, N.Y. 13045 Item 4 - Zoning Officer – W. Rick Fritz Item 5 - Deputy Supervisor – Sheldon Clark Item 6 - Deputy Highway Superintendent – Mackenzie Rankin Item 7 - Deputy Town Clerk – Denise Smith Item 8 - Bookkeeper – Julie Graham Item 9 - Court Clerk – Kathy Barron Item 10 - Part Time McLean Crossing Guard – Margaret Albern; Kathy Carr, Substitute Item 11 - Town Historian – Rosemarie Tucker Item 12 ‐ Health Insurance ‐ Greater Tompkins Co. Municipal Health Insurance Consortium Item 13 - Town Board Regular Meetings ‐ Second Tuesday of each month except in June it will be the 3rd Tuesday. Two additional meetings on the 4th Tuesday in September & October. @ 7:30 PM (7:00 PM to audit Invoices) – A motion to approve was made but then rescinded as it was an error. Item 14 –Annual Salaries of Town Officers –Salaries shall be paid at the time respectfully specified. Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor Richard Gamel, Councilperson Crystal Young, Councilperson Brian Klumpp, Councilperson Sheldon Clark, Councilperson Robin Cargian, Town Clerk Ellard Keister, Highway Supt. Paul Lang, 1st Town Justice Randy Jackson, 2nd Town Justice W. Rick Fritz, Code Enforcement Officer Julie Graham, Bookkeeper Rosemarie Tucker, Town Historian $ 14,630.53 Annually Paid Biweekly $ 14,630.53 Annually Paid Biweekly $ 4,438.48 Annually Paid Monthly $ 4,438.48 Annually Paid Monthly $ 4,438.48 Annually Paid Monthly $ 61,476.79. Annually Paid Biweekly $ 82,221.04 Annually Paid Biweekly $ 19,120.92 Annually Paid Biweekly $ 19,120.92 Annually Paid Biweekly $ 43,190.78 Annually Paid Biweekly $ 28,119.00 Annually Paid Biweekly $ 1,968.33 Annually Paid Quarterly Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 Planning Board Chair Planning Board Member Zoning Board Chair Zoning Board Member Court Officers- set by joint contract. $ 50.00 per meeting $ 40.00 per meeting $ 50.00 per meeting $ 40.00 per meeting Item 15- Set Hourly & Employee Reimbursement Rates ‐ Deputy Town Clerk $ 22.14 per hour Court Clerk $ 22.14 per hour Custodian $ 18.84 per hour Crossing Guard $ 18.46 per hour RESOLUTION #25‐001 ‐ TOWN OFFICIALS AND WAGES MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the appointments, wages, and rates for items 1-15: Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Resolution Ratified Appointment of Representatives to Town and County Programs: Environmental Management Council – Barry Siebe Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council, Planning Committee - Sheldon Clark Groton Youth Commission – Brian Klumpp, Glenn Morey, Josh Dwyer Tompkins County Youth Services Board – Becky Koenig Tompkins County Recreation Partnership – Crystal Young Supervisor’s Member Appointments to Committees Finance – Don Scheffler- Sheldon Clark Machinery – Sheldon Clark- Don Scheffler Building –Richard Gamel-Brian Klumpp Fire Department – Richard Gamel Personnel – Don Scheffler-Sheldon Clark Zoning, Building and Fire Code – Brian Klumpp Fixed Assets – Richard Gamel-Don Scheffler Light Districts – Crystal Young-Brian Klumpp Senior Citizens – Sheldon Clark Recreation Committee – Crystal Young Highway – Sheldon Clark Planning Board – Rotating Attendance- Appeals Board – Rotating Attendance- CDBG Section 3 Coordinator- Brian Klumpp HUD/CDBG loans-Don Scheffler-Richard Gamel-R. Charlton Wright Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG) – Don Scheffler Tompkins Co. Municipal Health Insurance Consortium ‐ Don Scheffler Joint Committee on Plan Structure and Design- -Don Scheffler Contact people for Drug and Alcohol Testing Program – Ellard Keister and Don Scheffler Appoint Town Planning Board Members, Zoning Board of Appeals Members, Ethics Committee & Agricultural Advisory Committee: Planning Board Member 7‐Year Term Term Expires December 31st of Zoning Board of Appeals 5‐Year Term Term Expires December 31st of Sam Rose 2028 Edward Moody 2026 Lisa Maloney Hahn 2029 Monica Moll 2027 Edward Neuhauser 2030 Paul Fouts 2028 Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 Ethics Board Term Expires December 31st of Don Scheffler Daniel Carey 2026 Vacant R. Charlton Wright 2027 AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOWN-OWNED CEMETERIES COMMITTEE Daniel Carey, Chair, Robert Fouts, Dale Rankin Rosemarie Tucker, Ellard Keister, Robin Cargian RESOLUTION #25‐002 ‐ APPOINTMENTS MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby makes the committee and board appointments as read: Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Resolution Ratified Town of Groton Clerk Fees Updated 4/11/2023 Certified Copies $5.00 Comprehensive Plan $25.00 paper copy (available online) Dog Licenses Unaltered: $27.00 Altered: $15.00 Fax Copies Transmit: $1.00/page Receive: $.25/page Gaming Licenses Bingo (per event) $18.75 Games of Chance (per event) $25.00 Land Use & Development Code $25.00 paper copy (available online) Marriage License & Certificate $40.00 Marriage Officiant (One Day/Single Ceremony) $25.00 Photocopies Letter size: $.25 Ledger Size: .50 Legal Size: .25 Returned Check Fee $20.00 Transcript of Marriage $10.00 Town Directory $5.00 Town, Village, County Maps $.50 Town of Groton Zoning Fees All building projects started prior to a permit being issued will be charged twice the regular fee. Residential New Construction ‐ $.45 per Sq Ft Alterations/Renovations ‐ $40 plus 2.00 per $1000 of cost Mark Baxendell 2031 Carolann Darling 2029 Leon Brockway, Jr 2025 Patricia Gaines 2025 Dan Cerretani 2027 Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 Commercial New Construction ‐ $.60 per Sq Ft Alterations/Renovations: $60 plus 3.00 per $1000 of cost Buildings within the Flood Hazard Area New Construction ‐ $.60 per Sq Ft Alterations/Renovations ‐ $60 plus 3.00 per $1000 of cost PLUS Applicant is responsible for all Town Engineering consultation charges (see Additional Fees on last page) Agricultural Buildings $25 Building Permit Renewal ½ Original Fee & approval of CEO Non‐Structural Roof Replacement No Charge Accessory Structures: Pools, Decks, Sheds, Detached Garages, $40 plus 2.00 per $1000 of cost Demolition Permit $25 Disability Ramp No Charge Fixed Appliance $25 Fence 6ft or higher/ Replace pool fence $25 Garage attached to residence. 1‐car = $30 2‐car = $60 3‐car = $90 + $30 for each car bay added Energy Production ‐ Small Scale $40 plus 2.00 per $1000 of cost Energy Production‐ Large Scale $25,000 per megawatt according to the nameplate output rating. Fee for renewal of permit: Same as original Junk Yard Permit Renewal $25 Life Safety Inspection / Operating Permit $25 Cellular Tower $200 plus $2.50 per $1,000 of Construction Cost Sign Permit $10 Outdoor Fireworks/Indoor Pyrotechnics Permit $25 Manufacturers’ Pyrotechnics Testing Permit $25 Annually Subdivision ‐ Exempt $50 Subdivision ‐ Minor $30 + $20 per lot Subdivision ‐ Major Level One $50 + $20 per lot Subdivision ‐ Major Level Two Preliminary Review ‐ $100 + $20 per lot Final Review ‐ $100 + $20 per lot Administrative Lot Line Adjustment $25 Cluster Development Preliminary Review ‐ $100 + $20 per lot Final Review ‐ $100 + $20 per lot Planned Unit Development Town Board Review ‐ $200 Site Plan Review by Planning Board ‐ $200 Site Plan Review (Land Use Permit) 2000 sq. ft. & under ‐ $100 2001 sq. ft. & over ‐ $200 Site Plan Review for Echo Housing No Charge Special Permit ‐ Cemetery $200 Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 Special Permit ‐ Junk Yard $4,500 Special Permit ‐ High Density Housing $5,000 Special Permit ‐ Mining $5,000 Special Permit‐ Large Scale Green Energy $4,500 Special Permit ‐ Manufactured Home Park $5,000 Special Permit ‐ Sexually Oriented Businesses $7,500 Mass Gathering Permit $750 Application for Variance or Interpretation $175 Additional Fees: 1. Fees listed do not include postage, which may be an additional charge at current postal rates. 2. If a public hearing is required, the applicant shall pay the cost of advertising fees. 3. Costs incurred by the Town of Groton for engineering, planning, legal and other necessary expenses for the purpose of reviewing any application with regard to an item covered by this fee schedule shall be paid by the applicant. 4. The applicant shall be responsible for costs incurred by the Town of Groton for the review and/or preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement if said statement is necessary. 5. When Fees Are To Be Paid: All fees costs and/or expenses required by this fee schedule shall be paid to the Town of Groton before any certificate/permit is issued. RESOLUTION #25‐003 ‐ SET FEES MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets the fee schedules as it was read and removed the fee for a CD copy of the Comprehensive Plan or the Land Use Code as it is available online for free: Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Ratified Unanimously RESOLUTION #25‐004 APPROVE AUDIT CONTRACT OF 2024 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Young RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the contract for audit of Fiscal Year 2024 financial statements with Insero & Co. CPAs, LLP Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Ratified Unanimously RESOLUTION #25‐005 – APPROVE 2025 ANIMAL CONTROL CONTRACT WITH COUNTRY ACRES PET SERVICES MOVED by Councilperson Klumpp, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the year 2025 contract with Country Acres Pet Services for the purpose of animal control in the Town of Groton with a monthly fee of $2,050. Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Ratified Unanimously Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 RESOLUTION #25‐006 – AUTHORIZATION COOPERATIVE PURCHASING OF HIGHWAY SERVICES WITH COUNTIES IN N.Y.S. MOVED by Councilperson Young, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton is hereby authorized to participate with Counties Located within New York State in the cooperative purchasing of various highway services. Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Ratified Unanimously RESOLUTION #25‐007– AUTHORIZE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO PURCHASE ON NEW YORK STATE CONTRACT BID MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Young RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the Highway Superintendent to purchase oil and related Highway products from New York State Contract Bids as appropriate. Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Ratified Unanimously RESOLUTION #25‐008 ‐ AUTHORIZE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO GIVE RAISES MOVED by Councilperson Klumpp, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the Highway Superintendent to give pay raises effective January 1, 2025 Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Ratified Unanimously RESOLUTION #25‐009– APPROVE 2025 MUNICIPAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Young RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves Energetix as the Third Party Administrator for 2025 Municipal Agreement Renewal and for the Drug and Alcohol Testing. Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Ratified Unanimously RESOLUTION #25-010 – APPROVE 2025 MUNICIPAL MILAGE RATE MOVED by Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Young RESOLVED, the Town Board approves the milage rate for Town Official to be$.60 per mile. Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Ratified Unanimously RESOLUTION #24‐011 – APPROVE TOMPKINS COUNTY YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY, TOWN OF GROTON AND VILLAGE OF GROTON MOVED by Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the Tompkins County Youth Services Program for 2025 and authorizes payments to the Village of Groton as they are remitted. Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Ratified Unanimously RESOLUTION #25-012 – APPROVE THE GROTON YOUTH COMMISSION CONTRACT WITH THE VILLAGE OF GROTON AND CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION. MOVED by Councilperson Klumpp, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the Groton Youth Commission contract for 2025 and authorizes payments to the Village of Groton as invoices are remitted. Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Ratified Unanimously RESOLUTION #25‐013– AUTHORIZE THE USE OF EMAIL FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF LOCAL LAW PROPOSALS AND FINAL DRAFTS TO TOWN BOARD MEMBERS MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Young RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the use of email for law propositions and final drafts to comply with Municipal Home Rule §20 (4) and authorizes the Town Clerk to post the email addresses to be used on the signboard as follows; Groton Town Supervisor – supervisor@grotontown.com Councilperson Sheldon Clark - evoclark@aol.com Councilperson Richard Gamel - rbgamel@verizon.net Councilperson Brian Klumpp –owascols@outlook.com Councilperson Crystal Young - crystal137898@gmail.com Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Ratified Unanimously RESOLUTION #24‐014 – APPROVE THE 2025 AGREEMENT WITH FOODNET AND AUTHORIZE THE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN MOVED by Councilperson Klumpp, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2025 agreement with Foodnet to provide meal services to qualifying residents of the Town of Groton authorizing the Supervisor to sign the contract. Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Ratified Unanimously REGULAR MEETING ITEMS MOVED by Councilperson Gamel seconded by Councilperson Klumpp, to approve the minutes of the De- cember 10, 2024 meeting as presented. Ayes – Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Passed Unanimously MOVED by Councilperson Gamel seconded by Councilperson Young, to approve the minutes of the Spe- cial Board Meeting of December 27, 2024 as presented. Ayes – Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Passed Unanimously RESOLUTION #25‐015 ‐ APPROVE PAYMENT OF 2024 INVOICES MOVED by Councilperson Young, seconded by Councilperson Clark WHEREAS, vouchers for Abstract #13 for the Year 2024, numbered 498-542 were reviewed and audited by the Town Board, be it Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves said vouchers for the accounts and in the total amounts as follows: A GENERAL FUND 22,251.91 B GENERAL FUND PART TOWN 1905.79 DA HIGHWAY FUND 32,847.59 DB HIGHWAY FUND PART TOWN 9,864.59 SL2- PERUVILLE LIGHTING DISTRICT 103.89 SLl- MCLEAN LIGHTING DISTRICT 201.73 Total 67,157.88 Ayes – Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Passed Unanimously RESOLUTION #25‐016 ‐ APPROVE PAYMENT OF 2025 INVOICES MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp WHEREAS, vouchers for Abstract #1 for the Year 2025, numbered 1-21 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: A GENERAL FUND 38,240.83 B GENERAL FUND PART TOWN 9,143.92 DA HIGHWAY FUND 217,395.61 DB HIGHWAY FUND PART TOWN 28,871.25 Total 293,651.61 Ayes – Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Passed Unanimously Monthly Reports: Julie Graham, Bookkeeper – My monthly report was submitted and there are the following budget ad- justments. I am continuing to work on year end as well as the State Annual Report. RESOLUTION #25‐017 ‐ 2024 BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS MOVED by Councilperson Young, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2024 Budget Adjustments: General Account: From: - Contingency, A1990.4 in the amount of $1705.00 To: A1110.13 Justices Clerk, Personnel- Per Services- .$412.00 To: A1430.1 Personnel- Per Services- ...$1,293.00 From Contingency B1990.4 in the amount of $ 385.00 To: B8010.12 Zoning Personal Services...$385.00 Ayes – Clark Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Passed Unanimously Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 W. Rick Fritz, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer –The monthly and annual report was submitted. The news that I have is the new stretch plan and energy codes that were proposed have been pushed back to 2026. Ellard Keister, Highway Superintendent ‐The new truck has finally arrived after four years of waiting. It has been put to the test and has increased our efficiency and effectiveness. We are excited about the next one to come and will continue to do research and look at the options for the future trucks we need. I typi- cally would have that information for you but with the busy snow season we are having, this will have to wait until the next meeting. I have not listed the truck that this new truck replaces as the option to have two extra trucks in case of a breakdown during this very busy winter season, makes more sense than let- ting it gather dust for Auctions International. I may end up just keeping it to take parts from. All in all, the winter program is going well with the staffing we now have. I can’t thank the guys enough for coming in when I call at any time. The blades we have been changing over too and speaking about are also showing an effective cut in the use of salt mix materials. I have not run the exact numbers but would guess it has cut that amount by half. I just put in an order working off of last year's budget because the county cut our snow and ice budget. We are saving on salt and are not getting the hard pack that we used to on Sovocool Hill and Salt Road below Clark St. Ext. As we are scraping clean in those spots that have significant snow blowover, we don’t have to put as much material, and it is proving to be much safer. So, the salt usage is down because we can scrape tighter to the road and don’t have to rely only on the material to melt it off. Councilperson Young commented that she noticed the blades are also much quieter. Mr. Keister stated that the blade on her road is a Yoma Blade which is a rubber blade with carbide inserts. When we tested those, we only got a year or two so we are trying to change the angles on those to see if we can make them last longer. This is still an improvement, but it looks like there should be more life on those due to the angle of the plow. The dealer that sold them to us came and helped us set them up, but we feel like they could make them last longer. The rest of them are a “Reactor Blade”, which is very aggressive. We had an inci- dent on a zero-degree night where one got caught and came back toward the truck. It needed to be brought in with the loader and Tyler took some pieces to fix it the next morning. Councilperson Gamel noted that despite this they are still very quiet, and you can’t tell if the blade is down or not. Mr. Keister added back when he started as Superintendent, they began working with a company called Winter and we got a blade call Razor XL which lasted forever but our scraping efficiency was no different because they were a straight line blade. I began switching to these blades over the course of three years for longevity as well as how effective they were in getting us to black roads. Due to the light winter last year, we were able to com- pletely switch over. I also found use for the XL’s by putting them on wings. Now, I don’t have to worry about changing those out for four years whereas before we were changing them out three times a year. Councilperson Clark asked what caught on the blade and Superintendent Keister explained the blades are in three one foot chained sections and one caught on an imperfection in the black top, snapping the chain and bending the push bar part of the blow out of the rack that is supposed to pivot on. We ended up releas- ing the bolts to get it to bend back and used the loader to pull it and transport back to the shop. Art has been a great addition to the crew. He is taking his time with attention to detail as a seventh plow truck driv- er allowing Dale to stay at the shop and take care of issues as they roll in. It has been a bit crazy. Supervisor Scheffler stated he had a call from a woman who was new to Groton. She drives through three other towns to get to work and back and told him by far, the roads here are the best and she really meant it. Superintendent Keister added he has had more compliments than complaints this year. Feel free to call anytime or if you get a complaint pass it to me because sometimes people have a misunderstanding of the situation and once they get educated as to why things are the way they are it makes sense. Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 Robin Cargian, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector- You have my report including the certificate from the Town Clerk’s association meeting. So far Denise and I have collected $708,868.00, thank you, Taxpayers! Attorney for the Town, Don Armstrong- You have copies of the two Decommissioning Agreements for Delaware River Solar projects #1 & #2, which have been reviewed and look good on our end. We are work- ing on the FOIL policy updates and will have them at the next meeting. SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM DECOMMISSIONING AGREEMENT This Solar Energy System Decommissioning Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into this ___ day of January 2025 by and between NY Groton I, LLC, a New York limited liability company with an office at 228 Aviation Avenue, Suite 200, South Burlington, Vermont 05403 (“Operator”); and Town of Groton, with an office at 101 Conger Boulevard, Groton, New York 13073 (“Town ”). WHEREAS, Operator has applied to the Town for Special Use Permit and Site Plan Approval (the “Approval”), which was granted by the Town on November 12, 2024, and Operator will be applying for a building permit to support the installation of a solar energy facility consisting of solar panels, mounting structures, electrical equipment, conduit, cables, support structures, and all related equipment and/or structures (collectively hereinafter “Solar Energy System”) on real property commonly known as 821 South Main Street Ext. in Groton, New York (“Premises”); and WHEREAS, the Approval provides that the Operator shall remove the Solar Energy System if it ceases to be for its intended purposes, as more fully detailed in such Approval; and WHEREAS, as a condition to providing the Approval, the Town requires that Operator execute this Agreement and file with the Town Clerk a decommissioning bond, subject to and in accordance with certain terms and conditions more particularly described herein, NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises set forth below, and after good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: 1. REMOVAL OF SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. The Operator hereby agrees to remove the Solar Energy System if the same is determined by the Town to have reached Operational Cessation. Operation- al Cessation occurs if (1) the Solar Energy System fails to generate at least ten percent (10%) of its rated electrical generation capacity over a twelve (12) month period, or (2) for a period of One Hundred Eighty (180) consecutive days, is not in compliance with the terms of this Agreement (“Operational Cessation”). 2. DECOMMISSIONING BOND. Prior to issuance of a building permit by the Town, the Operator shall deliver to the Town (1) a fully executed copy of this Agreement, and (2) a decommissioning bond as set forth herein. The decommissioning bond shall be from a reputable company, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Town Attorney or Engineer and shall identify the Town as an obligee and/or beneficiary consistent with this Agreement in the amount of One Hundred Eighty-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($187,500.00), with the amount of such decommissioning bond increasing by two percent (2%) per year thereafter. The decommissioning bond, or a re- newal or replacement thereof, shall be in place until the removal of the Solar Energy System. Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 3. RELEASE OF DECOMMISSIONING BOND. a. The Operator agrees that the decommissioning bond shall not be released except in accord- ance with the terms of the Approval and this Agreement, and until the removal and restoration of the Solar Energy System has been completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the Town. b. Upon removal and decommissioning of the Solar Energy System, the Operator shall inform the Town accordingly, in writing. Upon the Town’s determination that the Operator has decommis- sioned and removed the Solar Energy System and restored the Property as required under this Agreement and the Approval, the Town shall: (i) release the Operator from this Agreement; and (ii) issue a certificate of completion and release. A determination that the removal and restora- tion has been satisfactorily completed shall be in the reasonable discretion of the Town. The Operator and its agents and consultants shall fully comply with all reasonable requests for in- spections and information by the Town and its agents. c. If the Operator fails to complete the required removal of the Solar Energy System and restora- tion of the Property in accordance with Section 3(a), the Town shall be entitled to utilize the de- commissioning bond provided hereunder to the extent necessary, in the Town’s reasonable discretion, to complete the removal and restoration process, all subject to the terms of such decommissioning bond. 4. APPOINTMENT OF AN AGENT. If someone other than the Operator will represent the Operator, the Operator must designate such agent representative in writing. The name, address and phone of the initial agent is as follows: _________________ _________________ _________________ 5. CHANGE OF OPERATOR OR AGENT. In the event of a change of Operator and/or Agent, the Op- erator, Agent, and its successors and/or assigns shall provide the Town, within forty-five (45) days such change, the name and complete contact information of the new Operator and/or Agent. 6. BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement, and any amendments thereto, shall be binding on the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Failure by Operator or its succes- sors and/or assigns shall entitle the Town any legal remedy at law, including but not necessarily limited to (1) revocation of the Approval; and (2) treatment of the project as though it has reached Operational Cessation as defined by this Agreement. 7. TERMINOLOGY. Use of the term “Operator" in this Agreement is for convenience only and should not be considered as a limitation on those parties who may be subject to and bound by the provi- sions of this Agreement and any amendments thereto. Use of the term “Town" in this Agreement is for convenience only and may include agents or representatives of the Town of Groton. 8. AMENDMENTS. This Agreement may only be amended, in writing, by agreement of all the parties to this Agreement. Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 9. TERM OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall be valid and binding for a term of forty (40) years from the date first set forth above. 10. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement, and any amendments thereto, shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York and shall be enforceable only in a New York Court of competent jurisdic- tion. 11. SEVERABILITY. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agree- ment is unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect. 12. EFFECTIVE DATE AND COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement shall be effective upon its execution by all parties hereto. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts. RESOLUTION #25‐018 ‐ APPROVE DECOMMISSIONING AGREEMENT FOR DELEWARE RIVER SOLAR PROJECT I MOVED by Councilperson Klumpp, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the Decommissioning Agreement for Delaware River Solar Project I and authorizes the Supervisor to sign the contract. Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Passed Unanimously SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM DECOMMISSIONING AGREEMENT II This Solar Energy System Decommissioning Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into this ___ day of January, 2025 by and between NY Groton II, LLC, a New York limited liability company with an office at 228 Aviation Avenue, Suite 200, South Burlington, Vermont 05403 (“Operator”); and Town of Groton, with an office at 101 Conger Boulevard, Groton, New York 13073 (“Town ”). WHEREAS, Operator has applied to the Town for Special Use Permit and Site Plan Approval (the “Approval”), which was granted by the Town on November 12, 2024, and Operator will be applying for a building permit to support the installation of a solar energy facility consisting of solar panels, mounting structures, electrical equipment, conduit, cables, support structures, and all related equipment and/or structures (collectively hereinafter “Solar Energy System”) on real property commonly known as 828 South Main Street Ext. in Groton, New York (“Premises”); and WHEREAS, the Approval provides that the Operator shall remove the Solar Energy System if it ceases to be for its intended purposes, as more fully detailed in such Approval; and WHEREAS, as a condition to providing the Approval, the Town requires that Operator execute this Agreement and file with the Town Clerk a decommissioning bond, subject to and in accordance with certain terms and conditions more particularly described herein, NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises set forth below, and after good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 13. REMOVAL OF SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. The Operator hereby agrees to remove the Solar Energy System if the same is determined by the Town to have reached Operational Cessation. Operation- al Cessation occurs if (1) the Solar Energy System fails to generate at least ten percent (10%) of its rated electrical generation capacity over a twelve (12) month period, or (2) for a period of One Hundred Eighty (180) consecutive days, is not in compliance with the terms of this Agreement (“Operational Cessation”). 14. DECOMMISSIONING BOND. Prior to issuance of a building permit by the Town, the Operator shall deliver to the Town (1) a fully executed copy of this Agreement, and (2) a decommissioning bond as set forth herein. The decommissioning bond shall be from a reputable company, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Town Attorney or Engineer and shall identify the Town as an obligee and/or beneficiary consistent with this Agreement in the amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00), with the amount of such decommissioning bond increasing by two percent (2%) per year thereafter. The decommissioning bond, or a renewal or replacement thereof, shall be in place until the removal of the Solar Energy System. 15. RELEASE OF DECOMMISSIONING BOND. d. The Operator agrees that the decommissioning bond shall not be released except in accord- ance with the terms of the Approval and this Agreement, and until the removal and restoration of the Solar Energy System has been completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the Town. e. Upon removal and decommissioning of the Solar Energy System, the Operator shall inform the Town accordingly, in writing. Upon the Town’s determination that the Operator has decommis- sioned and removed the Solar Energy System and restored the Property as required under this Agreement and the Approval, the Town shall: (i) release the Operator from this Agreement; and (ii) issue a certificate of completion and release. A determination that the removal and restora- tion has been satisfactorily completed shall be in the reasonable discretion of the Town. The Operator and its agents and consultants shall fully comply with all reasonable requests for in- spections and information by the Town and its agents. f. If the Operator fails to complete the required removal of the Solar Energy System and restora- tion of the Property in accordance with Section 3(a), the Town shall be entitled to utilize the de- commissioning bond provided hereunder to the extent necessary, in the Town’s reasonable discretion, to complete the removal and restoration process, all subject to the terms of such decommissioning bond. 16. APPOINTMENT OF AN AGENT. If someone other than the Operator will represent the Operator, the Operator must designate such agent representative in writing. The name, address and phone of the initial agent is as follows: _________________ _________________ _________________ Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 17. CHANGE OF OPERATOR OR AGENT. In the event of a change of Operator and/or Agent, the Op- erator, Agent, and its successors and/or assigns shall provide the Town, within forty-five (45) days such change, the name and complete contact information of the new Operator and/or Agent. 18. BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement, and any amendments thereto, shall be binding on the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Failure by Operator or its succes- sors and/or assigns shall entitle the Town any legal remedy at law, including but not necessarily limited to (1) revocation of the Approval; and (2) treatment of the project as though it has reached Operational Cessation as defined by this Agreement. 19. TERMINOLOGY. Use of the term “Operator" in this Agreement is for convenience only and should not be considered as a limitation on those parties who may be subject to and bound by the provi- sions of this Agreement and any amendments thereto. Use of the term “Town" in this Agreement is for convenience only and may include agents or representatives of the Town of Groton. 20. AMENDMENTS. This Agreement may only be amended, in writing, by agreement of all the parties to this Agreement. 21. TERM OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall be valid and binding for a term of forty (40) years from the date first set forth above. 22. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement, and any amendments thereto, shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York and shall be enforceable only in a New York Court of competent jurisdic- tion. 23. SEVERABILITY. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agree- ment is unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect. 24. EFFECTIVE DATE AND COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement shall be effective upon its execution by all parties hereto. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts. RESOLUTION #25‐019 ‐ APPROVE DECOMMISSIONING AGREEMENT FOR DELEWARE RIVER SOLAR PROJECT II. MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the Decommissioning Agreement for Delaware River Solar Project II and authorizes the Supervisor to sign the contract. Ayes -Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Passed Unanimously Councilperson Crystal Young, Groton Youth Program: The first-day hike at the park was well attended with 50 people and a number of folks were outside of Groton. A chili cookoff has been proposed to be in- cluded in that event next year. Items donated were smores from the Scouts, hot chocolate from the PTO, soups by the Good Neighbor, and chili provided by Steve Snyder. Cabin Fever will be March 1st with a bounce house, clown, and a movie night in place of the very popular roller skating. New volunteers were found to adopt a trail. Cross Country Ski’s are available to check out at the library. Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 Groton Fire Department Report, Eric Deforrest‐ To mark your calendars we will be having a Chicken BBQ on the 8th and a Pancake Breakfast on the 16th of February. Annual Report Highlights- Total Calls 20214 1203 cad dispatches. 5 Structure Fires including 2 Chimney fires, 2 Cooking related 108 hazardous calls 22 Mutual Aid 44 Fire alarms 951 Total Ambulance Calls (97 Times were out of district) Received Mutual Aid +/-144 times Average out-the-door time – 3 Minutes 44 Seconds Average on-scene time – 13 Minutes 53 Seconds Councilperson Clark asked if they were getting paid for out-of-town calls and Chief Deforrest explained that they do get paid milage as it is being billed. This is helping to offset those costs that have risen. The new ambulance that we anticipate coming next year went up 45% from the last one. He added that they do get a good trade-in on our ambulances because they do not see much city stop-and-go use. They have to put in an order at least two years in advance and are trying to keep ahead of the mileage going over 80,000. Each ambulance is swapped from shift to shift to keep the mileage down. CS Energy update, Don Scheffler: It appears the Yellow Barn Solar Project is moving forward at a faster pace. Our attorney in Rochester is in discussions with the Ithaca Area Development Agency in regards to the pilot program. The Host Community agreement will be next and probably more complicated. ORES has approved the application. There will be a public comment period at the Groton High School on Thursday, February 20, 2025, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Everyone affected by the facility will have 3 minutes to speak on the issue. All written comments will be accepted by portal, e-mail, or US mail up until 5 PM Friday, Feb- ruary 21, 2025. This is the one comment period granted by the administrative law judge to the residents of both Lansing and Groton. I encourage everyone to review the application and comment as they see fit. The application is online and is available as a hard copy in my office or as a thumb drive. If you can email me or the clerk, we both have them. The application is 70” high, weighs 30 lbs, and takes about 7 1/2 hours to read. Line up and everyone take their turn. The highlights- the ORES staff takes a position that the pro- posed facility, together with uniform site-specific standards, and conditions contained in the draft permit will comply with the applicable laws and regulations. The ORES staff recommends not to apply, in whole or in part, any local law or ordinance that is applied to the facility that is unreasonably burdensome in view of climate leadership and community protection targets or the environmental benefits of the proposed fa- cility. Just as a little heads up to what they think of our laws. There is more if someone wants to read the whole report. A 4 year and 2 million dollar project and you get three minutes to talk. Health Insurance Agreement WHEREAS, the Town of Groton, a participant in the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium (the "Consortium"), a municipal cooperative organized under Arti- cle 47 of the New York Insurance Law, and WHEREAS, the municipal participants in the Consortium, including this body, have approved and executed a certain Municipal Cooperation Agreement (the "Agreement"; effective date of October 1, 2010), and WHEREAS, Article 47 of the New York Insurance Law (the "Insurance Law") and the rules and Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025 regulations of the New York State Department of Financial Services set forth certain requirements for governance of municipal cooperatives that offer self-insured municipal cooperative health insurance plans, and WHEREAS, the Agreement sets forth in Section Q2 that continuation of the Consortium under the terms and conditions of the Agreement, or any amendments or restatements thereto, shall be subject to Board review and upon acceptance of any new Participant hereafter, and WHEREAS, the Municipal Cooperative Agreement requires that amendments to the agree- ment be presented to each participant for review and adopted by a majority vote by its municipal board, and WHEREAS, the Town of Groton amended Agreement and has determined that it is in the best interest of its constituents who are served by the Consortium to amend the Agreement as set forth in the Amended Municipal Cooperative Agreement, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that upon receipt and review of the amended Agreement, the Town of Groton approves at a meeting of the governing body held on January 14, 2025, and author- izes the Chief Elected Official to sign the 2025 Amendment to the Municipal Cooperative Agreement (Effective 1.1.25) of the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium as recom- mended by the Board of Directors. RESOLUTION #25-020 – APPROVE THE 2025 MUNICIPAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THE GREATER TOMPKINS COUNTY MUNICIPAL HEALTH INSURANCE CONSORTIUM MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Young RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2025 Municipal Cooperative Agreement for the Greater Tompkins County Health Insurance Consortium and authorizes the Supervisor to sign it. Ayes – Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Passed Unanimously Nays - Supervisor Scheffler: The employee handbook requires updates, and we will need a committee. Robin will send out the draft copy to the board for review. Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak. Announcements:  Planning Board Meeting, January 16 at 7:30 pm  Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting, January 15 at 7:00 pm There being no further business, Councilperson Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson Young at 8:35 pm. Unanimous. Robin Cargian, RMC Town Clerk/Tax Collector Groton Town Board Organizational Minutes January 14, 2025