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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-1992 & Hwy NegotiationsMINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1992 AT 7:30 P.M. Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Donald E. Cummings, Councilman Carl E. Haynes, Councilman Jack Fitzgerald, Attorney Also present: Leland Cornelius, Liz Brennan, Arland Heffron, Alton Alexander, Peg Palmer, George Senter, SPCA Reps. Pam Stonebacker, Stephanie Schaaf, Karen Smith Moved by Mr. Cummings, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, that the minutes of the August 10th meeting be approved as mailed. Ayes Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. Claim Nos. 172 to 189 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $36,473.07 and Claim Nos. 241 to 274 of the General Fund in the amount of $40,370.48 were presented for audit. Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Cummings, that the bills be approved for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. LIZ BRENNAN - BOOKKEEPER - Passed out Bookkeeper's Report as of August 31, 1992. Requested two transfers in the General Fund. One is for the Community Church rental for the Youth Program for $75.00. We didn't have an account in the budget for that so I set that up and transfered money from the contingency account. Then we have an addendum to the Youth Services Contract for $600 which is above what we had in the budget so I transfered money from the retirement account to youth services. Mr. Haynes asked Liz if, based on the information in Bookkeeper's Report through August 31, if she had enough information for what we've done in the last year to give us some kind of projection for the year end in terms of what we're likely to end up with? She said she borrowed a budget program that really details everything and she gave out some worksheets. RESOLUTION NO. 55 - AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER FUNDS Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the following transfer of funds: From General B Fund - Contingency B1990.4 To: Youth Program B7310.4 - $75.00 From General A Fund - Retirement A9010.8 To: Youth Services A7320.4 - $600.00 1 ARLAND HEFFRON - TOWN JUSTICE - Reported on progress of court computer. In July it was expressed to the Board the need for a computer program for the court system. As a result of that meeting Peg Palmer and I were instructed to follow through on the information which we have done. We attended two courts, Marcellus and Skaneateles, and found that their computer procedures were indeed very beneficial. It was proposed in July that the Town would purchase the hardware. We have received five quotes. Of those quotes, the quote from Service Education, Inc. seems to fit our needs better than some of the others. The hardware including some of the other things that go along with it amounts to $2,225.00. The Village has concerned itself with buying the software with the figure coming in at the level of $4,000.00. We have a breakdown of the cases relative to the court. Mrs. Palmer will answer any questions you may have from here on in. Computers are becoming a very central part of the court. ALTON ALEXANDER - TOWN JUSTICE - I'll go along with Judge Heffron, in that computers are becoming a very vital part of most every system that you get involved in now. Having worked with the State Police and seeing the capability of their computer, of course that is a little more sophisticated that what we would need for our Town Justice, but they are a time saver and after you learn to operate them they are quite efficient. I believe our court really needs one. PEG PALMER - COURT CLERK - We presented it to you in two contracts as you proposed in July - One for the hardware and one for the software. Five quotes were received for the hardware. Two were State Contract quotes. We did end up going with the lower quote which was Service Education with a quote of $2,225.00. The other quotes were Unisys Corporation - $2,696.00; Williamson Law Book $3,852.00 and second option - $2,819.00. Three quotes were received on the software package. The quotes were: Service Education, Inc. - $4,054.00; Unisys Corporation - $3,140.00; Williamson Law Book = $4,450.00. The one we selected was not the lowest bid. We selected it because mainly there were a couple features on it that are good for our court and also the support. We can switch from one court to another by activating one switch. The Town proposed in July that the Town and Village split the cost of the software based on 1991 volume of usage. Thirty -five percent for the Town's share comes to $1, 541.40 and the Village's share comes to $2,862.60 which comes up to $4,404.00, the total cost of the software. The first year maintenance contract is included in the package. After that the maintenance contract is $400.00 per year. The unit is IBM compatabile. The total cost for the entire package is $6,629.00. Peg also requested permission to purchase a computer desk for the court office. Quotes she already has range from $152 - $699. The Town procurement policy says that she has to ask permission from Board if cost exceeds $250. Actually, the two she is looking at come below the $250. If cost exceeds $250, two quotes are required. Consensus of the Board was that a computer desk be purchased by the Town for the Court Office. 2 RESOLUTION NO. 56 - ACCEPT PROPOSALS AS PRESENTED FOR COURT ROOM r(1MDTTTV-'P Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby accept proposal from Service Education, Inc. for Justice Court computer hardware in the amount of $2,225.00, and FURTHER RESOLVED, to accept proposal from Service Education, Inc. for Justice Court computer software in the amount of $4,404.00, with the Town share being 35% and Village share being 650. Moved by Mr. Cummings, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, that Town Justice Alexander be authorized to attend the Annual Conference of the NYS Magistrates Association at Nevele Hotel, Ellenville, N.Y., from October 18 -21, 1992. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Cummings, that Highway Superintendent Leland Cornelius, be authorized to attend the Annual Highway Superintendents Conference at Nevele Hotel, Ellenville, N.Y., from September 29 - October 2, 1992. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. Moved by Mrs. Robinson, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, to go into executive session to discuss personnel at 8:15. Unanimous Board meeting reconvened at 8:40 PM. Supervisor Robinson presented two more vouchers for payment: One from Bradco Supply Corporation for roofing materials in the amount of $13,000 and one from Gadabout Transportation Service for their 1992 Contract with the Town in the amount of $3000. RESOLUTION NO. 57 - AUTHORIZATION TO PAY BRADCO SUPPLY CORP. Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Cummings Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the payment of $13,000 to Bradco Supply Corporation for Highway Garage roofing materials. RESOLUTION NO. 58 - AUTHORIZATION TO PAY GADABOUT Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Haynes Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson 3 RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the payment of $3,000 to Gadabout Transportation Service for 1992 Contract. PAM STONEBRAKER - DIRECTOR, SPCA - Reviewed proposed 1993 Dog Contract. She explained the services that they provide to the Town. Graphs were handed out to show the activities in different areas of Groton over the past three years. The pie charts show Groton compared to the other areas that they service. They helped the Town of Groton to raise revenues to help pay for the cost of dog control through impoundment fees, dog licensing fees and fines paid as a result of appearance tickets. In 1991 $485 was raised in impoundment fees and approximately $4,650 was raised by charging a license fee of $5.00 and revenues received from fines from appearance tickets issued by their office. The proposed contract amount for 1993 is $8,924. This amounts to a $584 increase over last year. They feel this increase is necessary to help cover their costs associated with providing this service. They have seen dramatic increases in operating costs in the past few years. They do not wish to make money on dogs, but only to have it pay for itself. Board and SPCA representatives discussed downward trend of services based on graphs submitted by SPCA. The increase requested is seven percent, however, the SPCA advised that this is negotiable. GEORGE SENTER - CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER - Year to date building permits issued: 1991 - 56 6 houses 10 mobile homes 40 other 1992 - 72 12 houses 9 mobile homes 51 other Anderson case - Jack and I sat down together to discuss Section 312 in the Town Use Regulations relative to rubbish and junk and also 1242.10b of the NYS Building Code. We decided we'd go with Section 312 but when I got in the Anderson files I found that the people are already in contempt of court based on past history. I felt that going back and starting this whole process all over again is a big waste of time. Attorney Fitzgerald indicated we've had several contempt orders against this guy. A motion was made to have Anderson found guilty of civil contempt for disobeying a court order. Nothing ever became of that. Civil contempt is a $500 fine or 30 days in jail. Because of the fact that Anderson is judgement proof, we can't get the $500 and because of his advanced age they are not interested in putting him in jail for 30 days. Civil contempt is not popular with the Judge. This is a judgement that I made of it. We decided we would take another attack and that is a violator of the building code which has been just accomplished in Tompkins County and also in Cortland County where you sit in jail for a year and you're quilty of a crime. Attorney's thought is to proceed under a violation of our building code. It is the same thing only a different approach. Two letters were received by the Town from neighbors complaining of violations of Town laws and County health laws and requested the Town to take action immediately. Attorney, Town Board and Code Enforcement Officer discussed at length options to get this matter cleared up. Consensus of the Board was to have the Code Enforcement Officer proceed from a local standpoint under Section 312 of the Land Use Code and 1242.10b of the NYS Building Code. Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Cummings, to authorize George Senter, Code Enforcement Officer, and Teresa Robinson, Supervisor, to attend the Third 4 Annual Building Officials Association of the Southern Tier Educational Seminar in Owego on October 28, 1992. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson A letter of resignation from David Chatterton of the Planning Board was received on August 22, 1992, to become effective immediately. Supervisor Robinson received a letter from Bernie Thoma regarding our HUD Grant and subsequent loan to Diversified Technologies on Route 222. Diversified is six months behind in their loan payments. Supervisor Robinson said the orginal grant was for $250,000. Town Clerk said she thought the original grant was for $400,000 but would check the minutes. (Minutes of July 30, 1990, indicated HUD grant was for $400,000.) LELAND CORNELIUS - HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT - Would like to let bids for a new pickup truck. Current truck is a 1988 and has 96,000 miles on it. He also is thinking about trading in our 1979 FWD for a new ten - wheeler to use as a cinder truck. Trade in would be around $25,000 with a difference of $75,000 to $80,000 for a new ten -wheel truck. Mr. Cornelius would like to do this from the 1993 budget. RESOLUTION NO. 59 - AUTHORIZATION TO LET BIDS FOR PICKUP Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize Highway Superintendent, Leland Cornelius, to let bids for a 1993 pickup truck with bid opening to be October 5, 1992, at 8:00 P.M. Town Clerk presented three quotations Hall. Quotes were: Sunshine Carpet - Jim's Cleaning Service - $508.00. Wo It's been two years since carpets were cleaner and the owner of Jim's Cleaning clean all carpeted areas. to have carpets cleaned in the Town $650.00; R. Homer Carpets - $575.00; rk will be accomplished on a weekend. shampooed. Jim Zartun is our current Service. He will remove all spots and RESOLUTION NO. 60 - AUTHORIZATION TO CLEAN CARPETS Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby accept the low quotation of $508 from Jim's Cleaning Service to shampoo carpets in Town Hall. Supervisor Robinson read letter from Tompkins County Highway Department regarding snow removal payment contract for 1993. Fee was set at $2,398 per mile or a total yearly payment of $73,139. This reflects a decrease in the Counties level of effort for State snow and ice work for the 91 -92 winter season of 9.90. This figures out to be $900 per mile less paid to the Town by the County for snow and ice removal on County roads. k, RESOLUTION NO. 61 - ACCEPT COUNTY CONTRACT FOR SNOW REMOVAL Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Cummings Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby accept the 1993 Snow Removal Contract for $2,398 per mile as submitted by Tompkins County. The Youth Commission will be going to the Elementary School in September since they will no longer be able to use Fellowship Hall. The Town and Village have shared the cost for rent of the Fellowship Hall during July, August and September. The Tompkins County Youth Board received requests for additional County Funding for 1992 Youth Service Programs. This supplemental funding does not become part of the municipality's base level funding. The Tompkins County Youth Board has recommended that of the $815 recommended to be granted to the Town of Groton, $600 was approved to enable the Town to provide special, one- time services during 1992. Supervisor Robinson received an amendment to 1992 contract that the Town has with the Family and Children's Service of Ithaca which was originally executed on January 1, 1992. They are requesting that the Town pay an additional $600 to support the 1992 budget for the Groton Youth Service Program. It is understood that the Town should be eligible to receive with appropriate documentation the $600 in reimbursement from the Tompkins County Youth Service Program. RESOLUTION NO. 62 - ACCEPT AMENDMENT #1 TO FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICE OF ITHACA CONTRACT FOR 1992 Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Cummings Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby accept Amendment #1 to the 1992 Family and Children's Service of Ithaca Contract. The Groton Business Association will meet on September 16th at Noon at the Groton Hotel. Highway negotiations will be held on Tuesday, September 15th at 4:15 P.M. Supervisor Robinson received a copy of a letter from our Attorney in Syracuse suggesting that the Town of Groton be dropped out of the Hedlund suit. Discussed adopting a policy on health insurance coverage for Town employees. Policy should indicate who is eligible and percentage to be covered by the Town. Consensus of the Board was that only full time employees should be n entitled to received health insurance coverage by the Town. The Board suggested that the Town Clerk draft a policy based on the information duscussed this evening and submit at a future meeting. RESOLUTION NO. 63 - COMBINE ELECTION DISTRICTS FOR REGISTRATION DAY Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Cummings Aues - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby combine all Election Districts for Registration Days, October 8 & 10, to be held at the Groton Town Hall. Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, that the regular October Town Board Meeting be held on Monday, October 5, 1992, at 7:30 P.M. due to the 12th being a holiday and the tentative budget is to be submitted to the Board by that date. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. The Village of Groton intends to construct a building in Morton Waterworks which is in the Town of Groton. A building permit will cost them $100. They waived the fee for the Town when we built our new building. Consensus of the Board was to waive fee to the Village. There being no further business, Mr. Haynes moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, at 10:30PM. Unanimous. Colleen D. Pierson Town Clerk HIGHWAY NEGOTIATIONS - TUESDAY, SEPT. 15, 1992, @ 4:15PM Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman Donald E. Cummings, Councilman Carl E. Haynes, Councilman Absent: Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Also present: Leland Cornelius, Highway Superintendent Highway Employees - Judson Holl, Kenneth Marks, Lester Coit, Gary Scutt Highway employees asked for: 7 1) Ten percent pay increase 2) One sick day per month 3) Health Insurance cards Town Board offered: Four percent pay increase Highway employees agreed to accept the Board's offer. The Board advised the highway employees that their contract will be more explicit. Notes taken by Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor for Colleen D. Pierson, Town Clerk 8