HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-02-12Moved by ViT. Cummings, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, to appoint Teresa Robinson
as Delegate to the Annual Association of Towns Meeting held February 17 - 200
1985, and to appoint Colleen Pierson as an alternate. Ayes - Sovocool,
VanBenschoten, Cummings, Graham, Robinson.
Moved by hits. Robinson, seconded by M9% VanBenschoten, to set Town Board
Meeting night for the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 P.M. to be held
at the Town Hall. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Graham,
Robinson.
Moved by Mr. Sovocool., seconded by Mr. Cummings, to set the hourly rate
of the Custodian at $3.50 per hour and the Deputy Town Clerk at $4.75
per hour. ryes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Graham, Robinson.
No action was taken to appoint Planning Board Member.
Eire and Ambulance Contracts for 1985 were reviewed by the board and
Attorney.
Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded. by Mr. Cummings, that the Supervisor
be authorized to sign Fire and Ambulance Contracts on behalf of the Town.
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Graham, Robinson.
Gary !good, Zoning Officer, went over his annual report of activities in
the Town of Groton during 1984. In 1985 he hopes to cover more territory
particularly requirements of the Building and Fire Code.
There being no further business, Mr. Sovocool moved. to adjourn meeting,
seconded by Mr. Cummings, at 10:00 P.M. Unanimous
Colleen D. Pierson
Town Clerk
MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING MELD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1981 @ 7:30 PM0
Those present: Teresa
Ellard
Gordon
Donald
Joseph
Jack F
me
Le
co
E.
H.
it2
Robinson, Supervisor
Sovocool, Councilman
VanBenschoten, Councilman
Cummings, Councilman
Graham, Councilman
,gerald, Attorney
Also present: Leland Cornelius, Gary Wood, Robert Walpole, Mr. and Mrs.
Phil Munson, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Frost
Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Graham, that the minutes of
January 8 be approved as mailed. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings,
Graham, Robinson.
Claim Nos. 16 to 57 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $30,867.21, and
Claim ?dos. 21 to 55 of the General Fund in the amount of $81,361.71, and
Claim No. 1 of the Federal Revenue Sharing Fund in the amount of $149.80
were presented for audit. Vir. Grahiit moved that the bills be paid and the
Clerk instructed to draw warrant for them. Seconded by Mr. Sovocool.
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Graham, Robinson.
McLean residents, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Munson and Mir. and Firs. Charles Frost,
were present to ask boards help in resolving problem of erosion to their
property caused by flow of water in Fall Creek at McLean Bridge. Residents
were promised by Engineer that N YS. Dept. of Environmental Conservation
would put in rip rap to prevent eroding of their property. Residents have
retained Attorney but are asking Torn Board for assistance in generating
some action. Supervisor Robinson will relay information to County.
Moved by Mr. Cummings, seconded by Per. Sovocool, to go into executive
session at 8:25 P.M. to discuss water problems. Ayes - Sovocool,
VanBenschoten, Cummings, Graham, Robinson.
Board meeting reconvened from executive session at 8:45 P.M6
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Moved by Yx. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, to authorize the
Village of Groton to study Water problems on Spring Street Extension and
Town of Groton Spring Street Gravel Pit at no charge to the Town. Ayes -
Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Graham, Robinson.
Moved 'by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Graham, to appoint Edwin G. Moran
to serve on board of Tompkins County Hospital Corporation. Ayes - Sovocool,
VanBenschoten, Cummings, Graham, Robinson.
Proved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Cummings, to appoint Phil Frey-tag
to the Tompkins County Arts Council. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten,
Cummings, Graham, Robinson.
No appointment was made to the Economic Opportunity Corporation at this
® time.
RESOLUTION N04 APPROVAL OF 1985 GRO`.I.'ON FIRE AND AMBULANCE
CONTRACTS & AUTHORIZATION TO PAY MCLEAN FIRE
DISTRICT 1985 TAXES COLLECTED
Moved by Mr. Cummings, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Graham, Robinson
RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton approves 1985 Contracts with the
Groton Fire Department in the amount of $25,200.00 and the Groton
Ambulance in the amount of $27,500:00.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the McLean Fire District be paid $18,969.33
the amount of 1985 taxes collected.
Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Cummings, to authorize the
following to attend Association_ of Towns Meeting in NYC on February 17 -20:
Teresa Robinson, Colleen Pierson, Robert Walpole, Arland Heffron, Gary
Wood, George Tatman, Cecil Twigg, Roger Gleason, Nancy Ostrander, Mary
Decker, Janet Bell, also, Margaret Palmer with reimbursement to be shared
with the Village. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Graham,
Robinson.
Board members, Highway Superintendent and Town Attorney discussed roads
that now exist on Official Town Pap that are being considered for abandonment.
Moved by Mr. Graham, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, that, pursuant -to
Section 273 of Town Law, 'to refer roads on Official Map to the Planning Board
for their recommendation and report to the Town Board within 30 days. Ayes -
Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Graham, Robinson.
Gary Wood, Zoning Officer, presented his monthly report to the Board. He
requested Board's consideration of incorporating into Local Law exclusive
use of N.Y. Board. of Electrical Fire Underwriters. They will furnish us
copy of inspection reports and applications.
Discussed N.Y.S. Tort Law Reform -- Protection from unlimited liability for
Local Government,
RESOLUTION N0. 4- - SUPPORT TORT LA`r! REFORM PROPOSALS
Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded. by Mr. Graham
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Graham, Robinson
WHEREAS, in recent years the cost of tort liability for local
government has increased dramatically, especially in New York
State; and
WHEREAS, New York is one of only two states with unlimited
liability exposure for local government entities; and
WHEREAS, such unlimited liability has caused serious fiscal
Problems for local government budgets, which combined with
reductions in federal assistance and volatile economic
conditions, threatens the financial health of public treasuries
and diverts limited tax dollars from the provision of essential
services; and
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WHEREAS, the unpredictability of large damage awards and
settlements is a constant threat to many of the State's smaller
jurisdictions which may simply not be able to afford. a cata-
strophic loss; and
WHEREAS, the State Legislature can take action to moderate local
government liability at no cost to the State; be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton respectfully requests the New
York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign into
law (a) bill(s) for the purpose and effect of:
1. Amending the doctrine of joint and several liability to
limit damages governmental defendants are required to pay
to their equitable share of judgements;
2. Limiting recovery for non - economic losses (e.g. pain and
suffering) to cases where significant injury is proven •
according to objective standards;
3. Establishing a reasonable cap on recovery against govern-
mental tort defendants or some other appropriate means of
limiting local government liability; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this Town Board urges the State Legislature to
act favorably on the legislation currently pending before it,
or a comparable alternative thereto, which would accomplish the
afore- mentioned goals; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this resolution be sent to Governor Cuomo and the
members of the New York State Legislature.
There being no further business, I•Lr. Sovocool moved to adjourn meeting,
seconded, by Mr. Graham, act 9:50 P.M. Unanimous,
Colleen D. Pierson
Town Clerk
MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING HELD TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1985, AT 7:30 P.M.
Those present: Teresa
Joseph
Gordon
Ella.rd
Jack F
Arrived Late: Donald
me
it .
C .
L.
it2
E.
Robinson, Supervisor
Graham, Councilman
VanBenschoten, Councilman
Sovocool, Councilman
gerald, Attorney
Cummings, Councilman
Also present: Leland Cornelius, Robert Walpole, Gary Wood, Gary Watrous
Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Graham, that the minutes of
February 12 be approved as mailed. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten,
Graham, Robinson. Absent - Cummings.
Claim Nos. 60 to 87
Claim Nos. 64 to 98
presented for audit.
trip not to exceed
to draw warrant for
Absent - Cummings.
of the Highway Fund in the amount of $12,430.63, and
of the General Fund in the amount of $12,567.42 were
Mr. Sovocool moved that the bills be paid, with NYC
400 limit, seconded by Mr. Graham, and Clerk instructed
them. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Graham, Robinson.
Monthly reports of
Town
Clerk,
Town Justice Heffron, Groton Fire Department
arid. Zoning Officer
were
reviewed.
Correspondence received. included: 1) Purchase Order for D41I monies for
Town Justice to sign and return (Walpole); 2) Letter regarding summer
programs to include possibly hiring someone to work for historical society
and. to do torn painting; 3) Info on Bil #S540 regarding 10 year exemption
for veterans; 4) Letter of apology from Steve Gobel on their banking error;
5) :better from Town of Dryden and Ithaca Common Council regarding vet's
exemption; 6) January SPCA report; 6) Letter from County Planning Department
regarding grants available to assist Towns in solving water problems.
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