HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-03-07MARCH 7o1977 - MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD MEETING HELD MONDAY @ Z11O P.M.
Those present were: Hicks B. Dow, Supervisor
Verl Rankin, Jr., Councilman
Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman
Arland Heffron, Town Justice
Robert Walpole, Town Justice
Benjamin Bucko, Town Attorney
Leland Cornelius, Highway Superintendend
Also present were. Mary Evelyn Dempsey
Mr. Walpole moved to accept the minutes of the Town Board Meeting held
February 7, 1977, as mailed. Seconded by Mr. Sovocool. Vote taken: Ayes -
Dow, Sovocool, Walpole, Rankin, Heffron
Claims #42 to #68 of the Highway Fund and #35 to #65 of the General Fund were •
presented for audit. Mr. Heffron moved that the bills be paid and the Clerk
instructed to draw a warrant for them. 'Seconded by Mr. Sovocool. Vote taken:
Ayes - Dow, Sovocool, Walpole, Rankin, Heffron
Mr. Dow recommended the Town participate in Youth Recreation to the extent of.
$3200 per year contract with $1600 reimburseable by the State-for I the'-year 1977.
Mr. Sovocool moved to approve, seconded by Mr. Rankin. Vote taken: Ayes -
Dow, Sovocool, Walpole, Rankin, Heffron (Mr. Dow to contact Gerald Moses in
the morning.)
Discussed local law providing for State Environmental Quality Review (S.E.Q.R.)
of actions which may have a significant effect on the environment. Mr. Walpole
moved to hold Public Hearing on March 23, 1977 at 8:30 P.M. Seconded by
Mr. Sovocool. Vote taken: Ayes - Dow, Sovocool, Walpole, Rankin, Heffron
(Clerk has Supervisors certification for immediate passage at -the April 4 Board
Meeting and submit prior to April 7 to the State Department of Environmental
Conservation.)
Public Hearing for Sherry O'Brien's application for Junkyard License will also
be held March 23, 1977 at 8:00 P.M.
Mr. Cornelius gave information to Mr. Bucko regarding Bidding for Bridge
Construction. Mr. Bucko is to prepare Public Notice, Specifications and Bid
Form to be published March 16 in the Journal & Courier and Bids to be received
by April 4, 1977.
RESOLUTION N0. 7 - OPEN MEETINGS LAW
Moved by Mr. Walpole, seconded by Mr. Heffron. Ayes - Dow, Sovocool,
Walpole, Rankin, Heffron
RESOLVED, that
Section 1, Legislative Intent. The purpose of this resolution is- to
provide notice to the public and the news media'of the regular and special
meetings of the Town Board at which public business is officially transacted,
In compliance with the Open Meetings Law (Public Officers Law, Article 7).
Such notice is designed to facilitate public attendance at such meetings and
to observe and listen to the deliberations and decisions of this board.
92 Definitions. (a) the terms, words and phrases used in this local law
shall have the same meaning as such terms, words and phrases are defined in
section 92 of the Public Officers Law.
(b) "News media ", for the purpose of this resolution, means a
newspaper that is printed not less-frequently than once a week in which
legal notices may be published, or a radio or television station that
regularly broadcasts news.
(c) "Notice" means, but shall not be limited to, written or oral
information relating to the date, time and place where a meeting is to be
held.
03. Designation of locations for posting of notice. The following
locations are hereby designated as the sites, where notices of all meetings
held by the town board shall be posted:
1. Town Hall
2. Post Office
3. Village of Groton Municipal Building
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§4. Designation of news media to receive notice. Any or all of the
following officially designated newspapers or newspapers of general circula-
tion within the town of Groton and television or radio stations are hereby
designated as the news media that shall receive notice of the meetings of
the town board:
1. The Ithaca Journal
2. Groton Journal Courier
§5. Designation and duty of town clerk to provide notice. (a) The
town clerk shall be responsible for providing notice to the public and the
news media as provided in this local. law.
(b) The town clerk shall upon request, whenever possible, provide
notice to any person of the date, time and place of a meeting of the town
board whether the request for such information is made in person, in writing
or by telephone; provided, however, that (1) a written request requiring a
written notice shall be accompanied by a properly stamped self - addressed
envelope, and (2) a telephone request requiring the town clerk to return a
long distance call shall not be honored unless the requester accepts the
charges for such call.
§6. Notice of meetings scheduled at least one week in advance. (a) The
public shall be informed of meetings scheduled at least one week in advance
by the posting of a notice at least 72 hours in advance of such meetings in
locations designated in section 3 herein.
(b) The newspapers or radios
section 4 herein shall be informed of
in advance and at least 72 hours in a
telephone or personal delivery of the
the news media, as follows:
or television station designated in
a meeting scheduled at least one week
Ivance of such meetings by mail, or by
notice to any officer or employee of
(1) Notice provided by mail to the news media shall be sent by
regular mail at least one week in advance of such meetings to ensure that
notice will be provided to the news media at least 72 hours in advance of
a meeting.
(2) When notice to the news media is personally delivered, the
person delivering the notice shall obtain a receipt signed by an officer or
employee of the news media, which receipt shall also show the time and date
thereof and the title of such officer or employee, and shall state that notice
has been provided in compliance with section 94 of the Public Officers Law.
(3) When notice to the news media is given by telephone, the person
making such telephone call shall obtain the name and title of the officer or
employee to whom the notice is given, and shall write down such information
and the time and date of such call as provided herein.
97. Notice of meetings scheduled less than a week in advance. (a) The
Public shall be informed of meetings scheduled less than a week in advance as
soon as practicable by the posting of notices in locations designated by
section 3 herein.
(b) Notice to the news media shall be delivered personally or by
telephone in accordance with the requirements set forth in section 6(b)(2)
or section 6(b)(3) herein, respectively.
§8. Notice of regularly scheduled meetings.
(a) When the town board schedules meetings in advance that are to be
held in specific times and locations and on specific dates, a single notice
may be provided to the public and the news media.
® (b) Notice specifying the time, location and dates of regularly
scheduled meetings shall be posted in locations designated in section 3 herein.
(c) Notice specifying the time, location and dates of regularly
scheduled meetings shall be provided to the news media designated in section 4
herein. Such notice shall be provided in accordance with the requirements set
forth in section 6(b)(1) or section 6 (b)(2) of this local law.
99. Notice of changes in the time, date or location of scheduled meetings.
When the time, date or location of a scheduled meeting is changed, the town
clerk shall as soon as practicable:
(a) Post notices showing the change in date, time or location of
meeting at the sites designated by section 3 herein; and
(b) provide notice to the news media designated to receive notice
by section 4 herein as provided in section 6 or section 7, as the case may be,
of this resolution.
i )b '
1.; 010. Record of notice. The town clerk shall keep a log or other record
in which there shall be entered the following information relating to giving
public notices under this resolution:
(a) The date of posting of the public notice, the date or descriptive
schedule of the meeting or meetings for which notice was given, and the name
and title of the person who posted the notice.
(b) If notice is given to the news media by mail, the date of the
mailing of the same, the date or descriptive schedule of the meeting or
meetings for which the notice has been mailed and the name and title of the
person who mailed such notice.
(c) If notice to the news media is given by personal delivery, the
time and date of delivery of the same, the date.or descriptive schedule
of the meeting or meetings for which the notice was delivered, the name
and title of the officer or employee to whom it was delivered and the name
and title of the person who delivered the notice.
(d) If notice to the news media is given by telephone, the time and
date of such telephone call, the date or descriptive schedule of the meeting
or meetings for which such notice is given, the name and title of the officer
or employee to whom it was given and the name and title of the person who
gave such notice.
011. Separability.
division or section of
competent jurisdiction
be deemed separate and
such judgement shall n
this resolution.
If any phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, sub -
this resolution shall be adjudged by any court of
to be invalid, such portion of this resolution shall
distinct from the remainder of this resolution and
Dt affect the validity of the remaining provisions of
912. Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
Discussed town and highway department liability for damages or injuries to persons
or property. After public hearing and passage, the town board will adopt local
law to take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State. Moved by
Mr. Dow, seconded by Mr. Walpole to accept Local Law as written to be followed by
Town Board Meeting of April 4 to determine Public Hearing date. Vote taken:
Ayes - Dow, Walpole, Sovocool, Rankin, Heffron (Publish May 16)
Discussed briefly Memorandum of Business Investment Exemption under 0 485-b of
the Real Property Law allowing a 50% reduction in taxes. Board will study for
consideration. It was generally felt that something was needed to encourage
growth in the Town.
Thursday, April 21, 1977 has been designated as Road Inspection Day to begin at
10:00 A.M.
quarterly Association of County Municipal Officials' Meeting is scheduled for
Wednesday, March 16 at 7:00 P.M. at the Ithaca Sheraton. Those from the Town
Board planning to attend are Verl, Hicks, Ben, Lou, Bob & Colleen.
Discussed meeting on 100% true value assessment to be held Wednesday, March 9,
at 7:00 P.M. at Ithaca BOCES. Purpose is to educate Board of Representatives,
Supervisors, Board Members, Schools and then have local talks including a
series of lessons, procedures, etc., since this effects everyone.
Discussed updating Town Directory. All existing houses should have house numbers- -
numerical numbers, specified location, etc., to aid in the quick location of a
residence in the event of an emergency. Project cost could be jointly shared
by one -third each by the town, village & fire department. It's a matter of
public relations to stress the importance of uniformity.
Mr. Heffron reopened discussion of Resolution No. 5 - Disability Coverage for
Highway Superintendent and Town Clerk - suggesting that it be changed to-include
Teresa Robinson since part -time employees are not eligible for unemployment but
are eligible for disability at a relatively reasonable cost to the town. The
concensus was that it should not include part time individuals and would be left
unchanged.
Mr. Heffron discussed the need for transportation of the aged, sick, etc., from
Groton utilizing the $9000 that the EOC has. Mr. Heffron indicated there were
180 Senior Citizens over 60 years of age registered. Mr. Dow will look into
meeting with Judge Williamson and the three individuals (Blanche Volbrecht,
Sally Corcoran & Nick Nechita) remaining on the EOC Committee in Groton to see
what they plan to do with the $9000 left in fund.
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Among the many items discussed were: the dog situation; purchasing of typewriter
for mown Clerk# Housing survey which the town and planning boards will set up a
meeting for; uniting V>~ la.ge and town utility ""vices for which petitions are
now" being circulated, renovation of current town mall to.include more privacy,
desk for Town dlerk , additional ropm.for court, etc.= -smg estion was made that
Supervisor appoint committee to study renovation of building,
Motion made by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Dow, to adjourn meeting at 10:30 P.M.
Vote taken.& Ayes - Dos", Walpole, Sovocool, Rankin, Heffron
MARCH ai97�`l .- _MINUTES OF SPECIAL _TOWN BOARD MEETI_K.HF,LD.MO,NnAY @ 2.]0 P,M.
Those present Mere. dicks B. now, Supervisor
Verl Rankin, Jr., Councilman
Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman
Arland Heffron. Town, Justice
Robert Walpole, Town Justice
Benjamin Rucko, Town Attorney"
Ireland Cornelius, Highway Superintendent
Also present were • Caroline Miller, Reporter for Ithaca Journal
Board of Representatives meeting held Monday, March 28, 1977, Passed a resolution
not to gave S.E. .R. implemented, that there are many" problems presently with the
lax as written, that there should be clarificati.ons'with many aspects of the law,
procedures are cumbersome and that the procedure is complicated, could be
expensive, etc.
Observations: That the local law being considered tonight has tried to comply
with the provisions passed by the Mate Legislature but that because of the many
questions raised as to the enforcement, procedures to fallow, and the areas of
which require impact studies and so forth, that the Board delay any" further action
on passing a local law to comply" with the legislative mandate.
It was moved by Kr. Walpole that town does not take action to pass Local Law I
for reasons as set forth In the foregoing statements. Seconded by Mr. Ranklins
Upon vote carried unanimously. `Ayes � Dow, Walpole; Sovocool, Heffron & hankin.
Mr. Walpole moved that a hying on Mr. Sherry" 0 %rien's Application for a Junk
Yard Liceniae be held April 11, 1977 at 8w00 P:M4 and to publish a notice,
Mr. Sov0000l seconded. Upon vote carried unanimously. Ayes - Dow, Walpole,
,Sovocool, Heffron & Rankin.
REWLUTION No 8 - RESCIND SURRENDER OF PREFERENTIAL RIGHTS LEHIGH VALLEY
RAILROAD} PROPERTY
Moved by Mr. Walpole, seconded by Mr. Heffron. Adopted unanimously.
Ayes - now, Walpole, Sovocool, Heffron & Rankin.
]RESOLVED, to rescind our RESOLUTION Np. 1 passed at our regular Board
Meeting of January► 3, 1977, calling for our preferential rights to purchase
abandoned Lehigh Valley Railroad Property..
40 There being no further business, Mr. Walpole moved, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, to
adjourn meeting at 8.10 P.I.
cam.
Deputy To Cleric
_APRIL X 7 .. miNUTES pF THE TOWN BOARD MEETING HELD MONDAY Q? 7030 P.M.
Those present were. Hicks B. Dow, Supervisor
Verl Rankin Jr., Councilman
Ellard L. Sovocoo, Councilman
Arland Heffron, Town Justice
Robert Walpole, Town Justice
Leland Cornelius, Hi ghway� Superintendent
Also psent wrnz'e: Teresa Robinson, Mary Evelyn Dempsey, Claude Holden, Jill
Charboneau; ,Tim Clxarboneau, Kenneth Wood, Walter J. Wiggina,
Anthony Cerrachi, Joseph J. Collins, David R. VanValkenbgrg