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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-11-2026 Reg meetingTown Board Minutes Page 1 August 11, 2026 TOWN OF GROTON - MEETING MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026, AT 7:30 PM Town Officers Present:Town Officers Absent:Also Present: Supervisor Young called the meeting to order after the Pledge of Allegiance. MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Clark, to approve the Meeting Minutes of July 14, 2026 with requested changes, noting the Cornell program connected to the Yellow Barn Solar project was for any new farmer and the $300 donated back to the Legion was possible because one band donated their time. Ayes – Clark, Carey, Gamel, Young Motion Passed RESOLUTION #26-057 ‐ APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES MOVED by Supervisor Young, seconded by Councilperson Clark WHEREAS vouchers for Abstract #08 for the Year 2026, numbered 314-346, were reviewed 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: DA 16,535.76 DB 42,996.65 SF1- -FIRE PROTECTION 41,750.00 SL1- DISTRICT 130.89 SL2 216.55 Total $171,253.57 Ayes – Clark, Carey, Gamel, Young Resolution Passed Monthly Reports Julie Graham, Bookkeeper –The monthly report was provided and included a budget adjustment. RESOLUTION #26-058 - APPROVE BUDGET TRANSFERS MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Carey, to approve the following budget adjustment: Town Board Minutes Page 2 August 11, 2026 From: A1990.4 Contingency 550.00 To: A7550.4 Celebrations $550.00 Overrun due to 2025 Audit Ayes – Clark, Carey, Gamel, Young, Unanimous W. Rick Fritz, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer. The following report was submitted to the board. Building Permits Issued: 15 Stop Work Orders: 1 Permits Completed: 17 Fire Safety Inspections: 0 Permits Renewed: 7 Building Inspections: 50 Zoning permits: 0 Certificates of Occupancy/Compliance: 17 Site Plan Reviews: 0 Violation Notices:1 Subdivisions: 4 Complaints:0 Life Safety Inspections for July 2026: Inspected - 0; Completed – 0; Training Hours -35 Highway Superintendent, Ellard Keister, reported they have continued mowing roadsides for the County in exchange for equipment usage. They assisted the Village DPW with milling portions of their roads, leaving the replacement patching completely to the Village. Planned Town roads were oiled, stoned, and fog sealed. With the remaining CHIPS money, Bird Cemetery will also be oiled and stoned. Various mechanical expenses were discussed. The option to use the County road sign replacement crew program will be investigated. The cost of the React snowplow blades is being monitored as it is projected to double by the fall. Noah Kilmer, the Attorney for the Town, although the town currently does not have any traffic recording devices, as requested, he provided sample laws on the pros and cons of constant traffic recording devices vs. traffic control devices such as the ones at stop lights and toll areas that are triggered by an event. The samples include specific guidelines for data control to filter and prevent subscription access. He read a Supreme Court case that affirms their use that counters the misinformation that exists in the public. The Highway Superintendent was asked and confirmed that the existing weather station road cameras do not, nor can they, take a constant video. The capability is limited to a still photo of the road every 20 minutes, and these records are not stored. It does not take photos of cars or the plates, just the road. The leased devices benefit the taxpayer by eliminating road monitoring trip expenses, as well as quicker responses to dangerous snow or ice coverage by providing temperature monitoring information from the road surface. They have received an alert from the weather station company that the public could confuse them for the constant recording devices. Recreation Programs, Supervisor Young and Councilperson Klumpp, portions of the recreation minutes were read. See attachments. County Legislature, Lee Shurtleff provided a synopsis of the county budget negotiations and the possible double-digit percentage increases that need to be managed. The law to override the tax cap was already passed, which he did not approve because of the timing, feeling more of the actual numbers should be reviewed before enacting. The bridge project on West Cortland Road remains in the budget and continues to move forward. He asked the board in their local law decisions to carefully consider the public safety effects of cameras and the deterrent to gun violence that they provide. The County obtained the cameras through a Gun Violence Prevention grant, and the city has proven decreases in gun violence where they were installed. The data collection and sharing are where the problems begin. The fire department had Town Board Minutes Page 3 August 11, 2026 over 100 children attend the very successful fire camp, and they will be sponsoring the Olde Home Days parade. Councilperson Klumpp understood the aspects of public safety that cameras provide but disagreed with general traffic surveillance and the unknown uses of the database. His concern is that they can corrode the personal freedoms of innocent people. Supervisor Young, Yellow Barn Solar Update- No updates Landscape Agreements: No new updates Employee Handbook- Next meeting set for August 17th at 9 AM Eagle Scout Project Brian Wilkinson’s project to build a volleyball court in the Groton Memorial Park has reached its goal. Councilperson Klumpp will write a letter of congratulations for this achievement, having been reached without the use of tax dollars. Budget Meetings Department head meetings will be set for the first week of September if possible. Due to the Association of Towns conference conflict the week of September 22nd, there was a proposal to reschedule that Town Board Meeting. MOTION #26-059 – CHANGE THE SECOND SEPTEMBER MEETING DATE TO THE 29TH Supervisor Young made A MOTION to reschedule the September 22, 2026, meeting to the following Tuesday, September 29, 2026, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp. Ayes- Clark, Carey, Klumpp, Gamel, Young Motion Passed RESOLUTION #26-060 – SUPPORT THE NEW YORK ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS BILL OF RIGHTS Introd uced by Gamel; seconded by Councilmember Klumpp WHEREAS, town government provides services essential to the vitality of New York State, including but not limited to maintaining and repairing roads, protecting neighborhoods and businesses, guiding economic development, and serving as the first line of defense, communication, and safety for residents every day of the year; and WHEREAS, the 933 towns of New York State are home to more than 9. l million New Yorkers and are diverse in population, geography, and demographics, such that decisions affecting daily life are best made at the local level by the government that best understands each community's character, challenges, and needs; and WHEREAS, the towns of New York are partners in shaping the State's future, and a true partnership between the State and its loca l governments will propel New York State forward to the benefit of all New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, the New York Association of Towns has adopted a Bill of Rights articulating the core principles that should govern the relationship between the State and its towns; and Town Board Minutes Page 4 August 11, 2026 WHEREAS, the Town of Groton shares and affirms those principles, namely: 1. Protection and defense of municipal home rule, recognizing that towns, as the level of government closest to the people, are best positioned to balance competing interests and make decisions that shape daily life; 2. Local control of land use and zoning, free from statewide zoning rules that override the voice of resident taxpayers and the officials they elect; 3. Freedom from unfunded mandates, so that local taxpayers are not made to bear the cost of orders imposed by State and federal authorities without the resources to carry them out; 4. Modernized transparency, accessibility, and engagement, including reform of outdated public-notice requirements that consume scarce municipal dollars on print notices often missed by the public; and 5. A meaningful voice in State decisions affecting the hometowns that towns govern, so that town government is treated as a true partner rather than an afterthought or a hurdle to clear; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton hereby endorses and adopts the New York Association of Towns Bill of Rights and affirms its commitment to the principles set forth therein; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Board calls upon the Governor and the New York State Legislature to respect and uphold these principles in the enactment of legislation and the administration of State programs affecting towns; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk is hereby directed to transmit certified copies of this resolution to the Governor of the State of New York, the Temporary President of the Senate, the Speaker of the Assembly, the State Senator(s) and Member(s) of the Assembly representing the Town of Groton and the New York Association of Towns. Ayes – Clark, Carey, Klumpp, Gamel, Young, Unanimous Natural Gas Agreement MOTION #26-060 – APPROVE PROPOSAL WITH NEXTERA Councilperson Gamel made A MOTION to approve the proposed contract for natural gas with Nextera, locking in the one-year price and authorizing the Supervisor to sign the contract, which was seconded by Councilperson Klumpp. Ayes – Clark, Carey, Klumpp, Gamel, Young, Unanimous Privilege of the Floor. No one wished to speak. Announcements: • Planning Board Meeting for Thursday, August 20thth, Cancelled • Zoning Board Meeting, August 19th cancelled Town Board Minutes Page 5 August 11, 2026 There being no further business, the motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Gamel and seconded by Councilperson Clark at 8:50 PM. The vote was Unanimous. Robin Cargian, RMC Groton Town Clerk Groton Joint Recreation Committee August 4, 2026 Scott Weeks called the meeting to order at: 5:37 pm Present were: Rec Director Becky Koenig, Elizabeth Conger Angela Conger, Scott Weeks, Crystal Young, Jennifer Foote-Dean, Leon Brockway The minutes were reviewed from the June 2nd meeting. Motion made to approve the minutes by: Crystal Young 2nd by: Jennifer Foote-Dean carried. The financials from May, June and the AFR were reviewed Motion made to approve the financials by: Crystal Young 2nd by: Jennifer Foote-Dean carried. Recreation Director Report See Director Becky Koenig's Report attached Updates on report Discussion/Action Items NYSRPA conference- Recreation Director Becky applied to be a presenter. She was approved. She • asked to go to the conference. If she is a member, the cost is $150 for an individual; the conference cost is $1125. It is November 3rd-November 5th. The committee asked to see the presentation and a report of what she learned when she comes back from the conference. Motion made to approve the attendance to the conference and sign up for a membership by: Leon Brockway 2nd by: Jennifer Foote-Dean carried. Open Discussion: Scott Weeks mentioned that having Madelyn Weeks working at the pool, he's heard a lot about the adult attendees being a problem this year. He's heard how things have been handled and is impressed with how the older guards are teaching the younger guards to deal with it. Jennifer Foote Dean suggested having a Tompkins County representative come in and teach a conflict resolution class to the guards, just so the guards have that tool and can feel confident in case something comes up. Motion to adjourn: 6:30 pm made by: Crystal Young 2nd by: Leon Brockway Next meeting: September 1st Groton Joint Recreation Committee Becky Koenig- Director Report August 2026 Town Board Minutes Page 6 August 11, 2026 Programming • Summer Programs o 20 summer programs offered this year (not counting swim lessons) Only cancelled Foundational Strength Training and School of Rock programs due to low numbers -Still 2 camps left-Roller-skating and Lifeguard in Training. Roller-skating had a limit of 15 and they have 12 signed up. o 120 swim lessons o One summer concert was canceled due to poor air quality. During the Canada fires. Hoping to try and reschedule on a Thursday night. o Anticipated last day for the pool is Saturday, Aug 22nd • Adult Programming o Adult Lap Swim 7 days per week. M-F 9am-10am and Sat/Sun 11am-12pm The weekends are better attended. The mornings are colder. o Yoga- running Tues/Thurs 10-11am in community room. o Adult Basketball Not as popular as anticipated-2-3 people a night but different people. If all of them would show on the same night it would be great.  Tuesday Nights 6:30-8pm June 30th-Aug 18th o Adult Kickball- Approx 20 people including the kids, the extreme heat and air quality has been a bit of a barrier, but it’s been most of the same people.  Thursday Nights 6:30-8pm July 2nd-Aug 20th Other Items • Community Hikes o June & July Partnering with Good Neighbor. Will start again in September.  Good attendance of 5-7 people each time. • July 4th Fireworks- Friday July 3rd. Groton Elementary School o Good attendance- ~1300 people o 2 Food Trucks & Sports Boosters selling at the concession stand. o New sounds system worked well (Thank you Crystal for your help!) • Groton Olde Home Days (GOHD)Created a Facebook event, there’s a website and a Shopper ad will be out soon. o Program Booklet is out (Online) o New events  Carnival Starts Thurs Aug 20th @ 6pm • Friday BOGO Tickets • Sat $30 wristband unlimited rides 1-4pm  Pirate Shows (Sat 10am, 12pm, 2pm, tours all day)-Municipal Lot-Rec paid the $3,000 deposit but GOHD has raised enough to pay the remaining $3,500.  Line Dancing (Friday 5-7pm & Saturday 3-5pm) Conger Blvd Friday Night and Back bank parking lot on Saturday.  Mechanical Bull (All Day Saturday)-11-4pm Village Office parking lot. o Adam Armstrong from YOUNGDUBSTOiOs is volunteering his time to create online presence for thanking sponsors and advertising the Pirate Shows. As his donation to GOHD • Outdoor Volleyball Court at Memorial Park o The goal has been reached. Chad and I will meet soon to finalize the location and start the build. The border, and net have been ordered and sand was donated. Ordering a plaque. • Kid’s Farmers Market o Tuesdays 9am-12pm at the Village Office Happening during free lunches. Leftovers go to the library for their Healthy Tuesday’s giveaway. Summer camp also comes and gets some for snack.  Lisa Park & Wanda Neimeth are volunteering and helping me run the event Town Board Minutes Page 7 August 11, 2026  Averaging 115 kids per week. • Big Rig Event o Scheduled for Saturday September 19th 10am-12pm  DPW, Electric, and GFD, GPD have all confirmed attendance. I’ve reached out to the Town Highway Department, and the school. Suggestions: TCAT, Gadabout, Military Vehicles. Airport Firetruck.  GFD will be selling hotdogs & hamburgers at the event. • New York State Recreation and Park Society (NYSRPS) Annual Conference o I applied to present at the next annual conference on Nov.3rd-5th and it was accepted. Session Title Small Team, Big Impact: How Community Connections Can Expand Recreation Programming Session Description How can a recreation department with only one full-time staff member successfully offer year-round programs for toddlers, teens, adults, and seniors? This session explores how community partnerships, volunteers, local organizations, and strong public engagement can dramatically expand programming opportunities in small communities. Using real examples from Groton Recreation, attendees will learn practical strategies for building relationships, leveraging social media, gathering community feedback, and becoming the central hub that connects people and organizations together. This presentation will focus on saying “yes” to opportunities, creating visibility through community involvement, and building a culture where residents want to contribute to positive community programming.