Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-1992MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992, AT 7:30 P.M. Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman Donald E. Cummings, Councilman Carl E. Haynes, Councilman Jack Fitzgerald, Attorney Also present: Leland Cornelius, Liz Brennan, George Senter, Margaret Palmer, Arland Heffron, Jim Hurst Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Cummings, that the minutes of June 8th be approved as mailed. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. Claim Nos. 136 to 157 of the Highway Department in the amount of $26,208.43 and Claim Nos. 181 to 212 of the General Fund in the amount of $8,230.24 were presented for audit. Moved by Mr. Cummings seconded by Mr. Sovocool, that the bills be approved for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. Liz Brennan handed Board the Bookkeeper's Report and asked for authorization to transfer funds from Engineering to Joint Youth Program. Clerk stated we budgeted $11,000 for Joint Youth Program but the Contract was for $15,892. Supervisor Robinson said they are auditing this item to see exactly where we stand. RESOLUTION NO. 40 - AUTHORIZE TRANSFER OF FUNDS Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does transfer of funds: From General A Fund - Engineer A1440.4 Joint Youth Program A7320.4 - $4,892.00 hereby authorize the following to. LELAND CORNELIUS - HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT - Information on gas tank inspections and permits was attached to the bills. We were charged $400 instead of the $1000 as originally quoted. Permit fee is $250 for both tanks. Submitted two applications for mechanic for the Boards review. Both applications have been approved by the County as meeting the certification required for this position. Mr. Cornelius would like the Board to approve an hourly rate of $9.50. He would also like to have approval to purchase a used Jake Brake at a cost of 1 $650. Consensus of Board was to allow Mr. Cornelius to purchase Jake Brake at a cost of $650. RESOLUTION NO. 41 - HIRE MECHANIC AT AN HOURLY RATE OF $9.50 Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Cummings Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the Highway Superintendent to hire a mechanic at an hourly rate of $9.50 per hour. ARLAND HEFFRON - TOWN JUSTICE - The Board has been aware for quite some time the need of a computer system for the Court Room. I'm aware also that the money has been budgeted in the Town budget as well as in the Village Budget and the time has come, I believe, to make a move on it. The bottom line is that one municipality or the other has to sign the agreement to purchase it. We are not in a position tonight to make a recommendation what system best suits the needs of the court. But, however, in the next few days Mrs. Palmer and myself will be touring two or three sites nearby where both systems are being used. The equipment does not have to be subject to bid as far as the Village is concerned. System will save time and will be tied into Justice System and Motor Vehicle Department in Albany. PEG PALMER - COURT CLERK - Basically what we're looking for is we're still two courts, the Town Court and Village Court but we're looking at getting one system. The software leasing, they'll only contract with one municipality. The way they do it is they have the main software program and then they have like second court which is usually about half the price put in so that both courts are covered. What we need to know is if the Village or the Town is going to sign contract. The software packages are running between $4000 and $4500 and the hardware packages are running between $2200 and $3200. We're talking between $6000 - $8000 total. We're leasing software package but we're buying hardware. (Discussed leasing software -- Software is copyrighted but is purchased outright by municipality -- not leased.) Peg and Board discussed volume of work for Village versus Town. Peg said there is more volume in the Village than the Town, approximately two - thirds Village and one -third Town. The Town has budgeted $5000 and the Village $3500. Since equipment will be in the Town Offices and Town insurance will cover same, consensus of Board was that Town should contract for equipment with the Village picking up two - thirds to compensate for usage rate. According to our procurement procedures, we must have three quotes. Another possibility would be to split the cost of the hardware and bill the software out on a ratio basis and let that ratio for 1992 be based on the actual volume in 1991 and just modify that every year as we go through the years. BRIAN MILLS - WHOLESALE DEPOT - Explained what Wholesale Depot is and that it is going in where Jamesway used to be. They carry merchandise such as food service, office supplies, appliances, automotive, tools, sporting goods, etc. Explained how business membership works. Primary person is $25.00 with free 2 spouse membership and $10.00 for each of the five remaining people. This would cost the Town $75.00 for a full page membership. Their office supplies including paper products are considerably cheaper than any others in the area. Check or cash is required for each purchase. No action was taken at this time. GEORGE SENTER - CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER - Year -to -date building permits issued are as follows: 1991 - 41 - 4 houses; 6 mobile homes; 31 other 1992 - 46 - 6 houses; 5 mobile homes; 35 other There will be a ZBA hearing held on July 21 at 8:OOPM for unlicensed vehicle violations. Dorland Horn's son has bought a home and will move out of shed shortly. The boat situation on Route 38 in Peruville has until July 21st to rid property of boats. Bill and Sara Repper have taken over the property responsibility now since the owner, Doris Rafferty, passed away. JIM HURST- ROOFING CONTRACTOR - Supervisor Robinson asked me to explain what is on the roof now and what must be done to remove and replace same. He proposed that all gravel be removed down to the original felt and any wet spots removed and replaced. The single ply roofing that he has has a twelve year warranty. Every three years they re- aluminize for the 12 years. This is a preventative maintenace program. After the 12 years you can redo roof with same material being placed over top. Supervisor Robinson has had requests from Senior Citizens that the Town consider increasing the income limit for partial tax exemption for Senior Citizens. We currently have an income limit of $12,025 for the 50o property tax exemption. Almost all the other Towns, Villages and Schools in the County have an income limit of $15,000 plus some have adopted the optional sliding scale in addition to the 50o exemption. Supervisor Robinson will contact the County Assessment Office to see how many people this will involve and the cost to the Town in assessment and actual tax dollars. If any action is to be taken, it must be done prior to February 28, 1993, in order for the exemption to apply to 1994 taxes. Supervisor Robinson will also contact the Village and School to get their feelings on increasing the income limits since in the past all three agencies have kept the limits the same. Discussed Procurement Procedures - Attorney reviewed purchasing guidelines as presented by Mr. Haynes and also the additional items as suggested by the State Auditor currently performing an audit on Town records. Attorney suggested that the Board consider the added items and whose responsibility it is to carry out these procedures. Supervisor Robinson stated that in the past whenever Leland or Colleen needed to purchase items, it was always brought to the Board for their approval if it involved a large sum of money. Board discussed all items on auditor's list, plus reviewed the Village of Groton's procurement policy, and asked Attorney Fitzgerald to draft guidelines for the next Board meeting. 3 Supervisor Robinson reported that she had looked into getting the roof repaired on the pole barn. The barn also needs rust removed and repainting. The barn is 50' wide by 90' long. We'll have to write up some specs to have this job bid for the next board meeting. We also will have to bid highway garage roof at the same time. This will be two separate bids. After some discussion on the cost of the pole barn repair, it was decided that bids were not needed, but three quotes required. Supervisor also stated that we need to replace seven overhead doors on Highway Garage. We have a resolution to standardize doors but we still have to let bids. RESOLUTION NO. 42 - AUTHORIZE BIDS TO BE LET FOR GARAGE ROOF AND OVERHEAD DOORS Moved by Mr. Haines, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize that bids be let for replacement of Highway Garage Overhead Doors and Highway Garage Roof with bid opening to be on August 10, 1992, at 7:30 P.M. and 8:00 P.M., respectively. Supervisor Robinson said there is going to be a reception on August 16th to honor Dr. Steven Blatchely on his retirement. She has been approached by the committee to see if the Town could contribute some money for this event. It is understood that a reasonable dollar amount could come from the Town's Publicity Fund. RESOLUTION NO. 43 - PROCLAMATION FOR STEPHEN W. BLATCHLEY Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson is z10waunv0 [0)►i Dr. Stephen W. Blatchly of Groton, New York and staff member at Cortland Memorial Hospital, has been an active physician in the Groton area since 1954, or thirty -eight years. He has been an active participant in the Groton community as a member of the Groton Rotary Club, American Legion Post 800, Groton Fire Department and the Groton School System. He was instrumental in developing the Groton Ambulance Service - Advanced Life Support System and will always be remembered for his efforts in the organization of the Groton Community Health Care Center. 4 In the State of New York, Dr. Blatchly has served as Professor Emeritus, SUNY Syracuse Upstate Medical Center, as President of New York State Academy of Family Physicians, Delegate to the New York State Academy of Family Physicians and Delegate to the New York State Medical Society. Dr. Blatchly served as Olympic Physician for the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York. He is a U.S. Army veteran, a 1949 graduate of Albion College in Michigan and graduate of Syracuse University Medical School. Phyllis, his devoted wife, has also made many contributions to our community. The Blatchly's have three children, son Dr. Stephen Jr. in Sidney, Ohio, daughter Barbara de Reil, a Physical Therapist in Florida, son Richard, Professor in Amherst, Mass. and several grandchildren. Now, therefore, I, Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor for the Town of Groton, do hereby proclaim August 16, 1992, as Dr. Stephen W. Blatchly Day. RESOLUTION NO. 44 - AUTHORIZE CONTRIBUTION TO RECEPTION FOR STEPHEN W. BLATCHLEY Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the Supervisor to make a contribution of $150.00 towards the musician on the Town's behalf for the reception to be held in honor of Dr. Stephen W. Blatchley on August 16, 1992. Clerk read resignation letter of Margaret Palmer giving up her responsibilities of town stenographer taking the minutes of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and hearings of the Town Board effective July 1, 1992. She is being treated for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. She will continue to do the court work. Sandra Dillon of Peruville has applied for this job. She has experience in taking court minutes. The Board must set an hourly rate. RESOLUTION NO. 45 - SET HOURLY RATE FOR STENO /TYPIST Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Cummings Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson k, RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby appoint Sandra Dillon as Steno /Typist to take minutes for the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and any other hearings at an hourly rate of $7.00. Supervisor Robinson ordered 12 mess -kits to comply with rules governing bloodborne pathogens for a total cost of $155.00. Notification was received of an accident on the corner of Old Stage Road and Lick Street. There was a tree limb that hung down and they didn't see stop sign. Leland Cornelius went up and when a little breeze blew the limb would come down in front of sign and go right back up. The limb was removed immediately. Also, the Supervisor requested that a buzzer be placed on rear door of office building so that if someone was working after hours and someone came to see that person, buzzer would alert them the person was here. Also, Supervisor would like court doors either replaced or the hardware fixed so that people could get in and out easier and eliminate the slamming of doors. Supervisor is to get proposals for the next meeting. There being no further business, Mr. Sovocool moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, at 10:30 P.M. Unanimous Colleen D. Pierson Town Clerk n