HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-13 TOWN OF GROTON -MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
TU ESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013 AT 7:30 PM
THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD
Those present: Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor
Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman
Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman
Richard B. Gamel, Councilman
Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town
Also present: John MacLean, Susan Cerretani, Greg Weiland, Jen Schwade,
David Kalb, Michael Competillo, Laurie Wright, Kelly Smith, Brian
Robison, Charles Rankin, Richard C. Case, Jr., April Scheffler.
MOVED by Councilman, seconded by Councilman, to approve the minutes of the
2013 meeting as presented.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Claim Numbers 210 - 246 of the General Fund in the amount of $12,889.83 were
presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the
General Bills for payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Claim Numbers 112 - 128 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $158,049.47 were
presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the
Highway Bills for payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Monthly Reports:
Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review.
Updated accounting and payroll software has been installed on his new computer and
seems to be working good.
Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Was not present but had submitted
monthly reports for the Board's review.
Town Board Minutes Page 2 August 13,2013
Richard C. Case, Highway Superintendent - The Highway Department has been
addressing wind and water damage to the McLean area. They had a lot of tree
damage, large maple trees that were broken off or completely uprooted. Electricity
has been restored as of this morning to Champlin Road, from Stevens Road to Davis
Road. Water damage was mostly concentrated from Ogden Road south and Lick
Street south, with Elm Street involved, and all the water working towards McLean. We
do have some shoulder damage and slight headwall damage in a pipe on Lick Street
that we will address as we can get to them. The paving portion of Sharpsteen and
Sincerbeaux Roads have been completed and when time allows shoulders will be
applied. This project has exhausted the New York State CHIPS money, which Chuck
and I have talked about, and he will be applying for payment. At this time I would ask
the Board for a resolution to approve and extend the Tompkins County Snow and Ice
Contract. The amount we will be receiving this year is $148,432.22 and will be reflected
in the 2014 budget.
RESOLUTION #13-051 - APPROVE TOMPKI NS COUNTY SNOW AND ICE CONTRACT
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the Tompkins County Snow and Ice
Contract between the Town of Groton and the County of Tompkins for the period
beginning September 30, 2013 and ending September 30, 2016.
April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's
review.
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town - Had nothing to report.
John Norman & A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present but had submitted
monthly reports for the Board's review.
Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Representative to Joint Youth Program - Our last
concert is tomorrow night at the Legion. Movie nights went pretty well and are done
now. Summer programs are starting to wind down with some real successes and a few
failures, but things are going well.
Brian Robison, County Legislator- Had nothing to report.
Privilege of the Floor:
Jennifer Schwade - Brought a recent article on hydraulic fracturing that talked about
accidents caused by actual drilling when fractures are made that spread to other
existing wells. She said that she noticed that the Ethics Board was on the agenda and
wondered where the Board was with that and what the timeline might be for voting on
a moratorium.
Town Board Minutes Page 3 August 13,2013
David Kalb - Brought a copy of a letter written by the Supervisor of the Town of Lebanon
concerning a constituent who had their homeowner's insurance renewal for their home
and farm denied because there is an existing gas well on their property. He was told by
the insurance company that this is a new trend and will come up as property owners fill
out renewal applications for their insurance. This applies to not only new wells but
includes old wells, some dating back to the 1960's.
Supervisor Morey- Last month we approved the Ethics Law and part of this is to appoint
an Ethics Board made up of four members of the community and one member of the
Town Board.
RESOLUTION #13-052 - APPOINT ETHICS ADVISORY BOARD
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby appoints the following people to the Ethics
Advisory Board:
John MacLean - for a 2-Year Term
John Watkins - for a 2-Year Term
Jack Miller- fora 4-Year Term
Dan Carey- for a 4-Year Term
Glenn Morey- for a 4-Year Term
Supervisor Morey - The first meeting of the Ethics Advisory Board will be Tuesday, August
20, 2013 at 7:30 pm.
A request had been received from Kris Buchan to use the Town Hall for an art show
during the Apples, Art and Antiques festival planned for September 13 & 14, 2013. The
consensus of the Board was that this would be acceptable.
RESOLUTION #13-053 - RESCHEDULE SEPTEMBER BOARD MEETING
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
WHEREAS, the 2013 Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby reschedules the next Town Board Meeting for
Monday, September 9, 2013 at 7:30 pm.
Town Board Minutes Page 4 August 13,2013
RESOLUTION #13-054 - CLERK AND DEPUTY TO ATTEND SEMINAR
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED.. that the Town Board hereby approves the payment of expenses for the
Town Clerk and Deputy Clerk to attend the New York State Town Clerks Association
regional meeting and seminar on September 23, 2013 in Corning, New York.
Announcements:
➢ Planning Board Meeting - August 15, 7:30 pm
➢ Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting - August 28, 1 t 7:00 pm
➢ Groton Olde Home Days - August 16 - 18
There being no further business, Councilman Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by
Councilman Scheffler, at 7:45 pm. Unanimous.
April L. Scheffler, RMC
Town Clerk