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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-1992MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 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, George Senter, Liz Brennan, Fran Casullo, Skip and Barbara Mott, Betty Sperger, Sharon Stroud, Harold Bernhardt, Douglas Wilson, Herbert Tichenor, Abe Congdon, Mark Robinson, William and Harriet Tenney, William Swearingen, Lee Shurtleff, William Vondercheck. Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, that the minutes of October 5th, 13th and 20th meetings be approved as mailed. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Robinson. Haynes - Absent. Claim Nos. 204 - 219 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $10,464.81 and Claim Nos. 304 - 335 of the General Fund in the amount of $23,589.52 were presented for audit. Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Cummings, that the bills be approved for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. Claim Nos. 01 to 02 of the Capital Reserve Fund in the amount of $292.69 were presented for audit. Moved by Mr. Cummings, seconded by Mr. Sovocool to pay Kessler Landscaping (install shrubs) $169.00 and Skyline Electric (Lights) $123.69. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. Meeting recessed at 8:00 P.M. for Budget Hearing. Clerk read Notice of Publication. (Minutes of budget hearings taken by Sandy Dillon, Town Stenographer - Filed in Town Clerk's Office under 1992 Public Hearings.) Board meeting reconvened at 9:10 P.M. LIZ BRENNAN - BOOKKEEPER - Handed out Bookkeeper's report as of October 31, 1992. There are a few transfers. In the Highway Fund to cover used by other Governments for $863.94 and for Health Insurance in the DB Account for $500.00. That should take us to the end of the year. I would also like to have an incumbrance in the Tax Collection account and change it from a .4 to a .2 to encumber money for Colleen's computer for $5000. This way if it's not paid for this year we can pass it over to next year. Interest is not shown on accounts on report because it's too soon in the month. We should be getting it in a couple days. $75,000 was disbursed during October. I don't think I need a resolution on the encumbrance. 1 RESOLUTION NO. 67 - AUTHORIZE TRANSFERS Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Cummings Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED that the Town Board does hereby authorize the following transfers: From Highway DA5120.1 (Bridges) To Highway DA5148.4 (Used by other Government) - $863.94 From Highway DB9010.8 (Retirement) To Highway DB9060.8 (Health Insurance) - $500.00 GEORGE SENTER - CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER - Year to date building permits are: 1991 80 - 7 houses, 13 mobile homes , 60 other 1992 80 - 13 houses, 11 mobile homes, 56 other Let's discuss John Anderson - I have some pictures here that I'll pass around. Frank Casullo and I went out to John Andersons with Paul Cowels from the Solid Waste Division. Bertha and John were there with their Attorney Les Cohen. Paul took videos and I took polaroids of what he has. What we have worked out is that we will check Mr. Anderson on a monthly basis. We will be taking pictures and maintain a record. Until we come to the conclusion that nothing is happening, we will give them some time to get it cleaned up. Attorney Fran Casullo said that no one has ever checked on this guy for the past several years. My feeling is to put this guy on the spot and be up there every month to see if something is being done each month. We will have some hard and fast evidence should we take him to court. Mr. Senter also reported that the Planning Board laid down ground rules for Sherry O'Brien's Special Permit. The permit is up for renewal in December. Highway Garage Roof up Date - October 6 - worked; Oct 7 -9 - nice days, no activity; Sat - Jim working alone; Oct. 12 - crew working (Lee Cornelius reported a bad leak onto electric hoist); Oct. 13 - 19, no activity; Oct. 20 - Teresa went down to see Jim about stacks on roof and water damage; Oct. 23 - working again; begining to make progress; Oct. 26 - working but hadn't sealed one vent and it was leaking into fan of heater in garage; window panes in end of garage were broken out by roof contractor but he will replace. We're going to run out of good weather any day and we need to get this job finished. They have to mop entire roof with aluminum paint when its dry. Supervisor Robinson said $7000 is owed to Doug's Trash for hauling of stones and roofing. The Town paid $13,000 for roofing materials. Total contract was for $24,785. Supervisor Robinson and George Senter, Code Enforcement Officer, attended a NYS Building Code Seminar in Oswego on October 28th. Mr. Senter said meeting was very informational. LELAND CORNELIUS - HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT - Would like the Board to reject the bid for the 1993 pickup truck. Would like to let bids for a new dump truck - snow plow combination. He would like to let bid this year to use this years 2 money plus some of next years. He has not spent any money on equipment this year. Our 1978 FWD would be traded in. RESOLUTION NO. 68 - REJECT ALL BIDS FOR 1993 PICKUP TRUCK Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby reject all bids submitted at October's meeting for a 1993 pickup truck. RESOLUTION NO. 69 - AUTHORIZATION TO LET BIDS FOR 1993 DUMP TRUCK - SNOW PLOW COMBINATION 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 let bids for a 1993 Dump Truck - Snow Plow Combination with a 1978 FWD to be traded in with bid opening to be at 8:00 P.M. on December 14, 1992. Monthly reports from the Town Clerk and Town Justices presented for review. Leland Cornelius, Highway Superintendent, submitted a letter to the Board certifying that the Town Highways hereinafter designated have not been opened or worked for more than six years last past, and that the same have been abandoned by the public, and are no longer used as public highways, thus recommending their abandonment. The two roads being: 1) The Town Line Road running along the Town Line between the Towns of Groton and Lansing between Goodman Road on the south and Munson Road on the north being 2,100 feet more or less. 2) The Town Line Road running along the Town Line between the Towns of Groton and Lansing between Buck Road, also known as County Route 153 on the south and Luce Road, also known as County Route 152 on the north, being 2,640 feet, more or less. RESOLUTION NO. 70 - HEARING ON ABANDONMENT OF TOWN HIGHWAYS Moved by Mr. Cummings, seconded by Mr. Haynes Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that a public hearing will be held Monday, December 14, 1992, at 8:15 P.M. to consider the abandonment of two sections of Town Line Road, one between Goodman and Munson Road and the other between Buck Road and Luce Road. Supervisor Robinson had talked with one of the names submitted by the Planning 3 Board for possible appointment to the Board. She will be contacting other two individuals soon. She will be handing out information George Totman gave her entitled "Responsibilities of The Town Planning Board" and "What does a Planning Board Member Do ". Purchase of Air Breathing Respirator for Paint Shop was already approved with the Highway Bills. Mr. Cornelius will file quotes with the Town Clerk. Moved by Mrs. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Cummings, that the Town continue to receive the New York State Register as in the past. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. Supervisor Robinson was unable to reach Youth Commission Members to have them attend this meeting. She will have them here for next months meeting. Discussed 1993 Dog Contract. The contract is the same as last year with the exception of the four percent increase for 1993. RESOLUTION NO. 71 - 1993 DOG CONTRACT Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton will contract with the Tompkins County SPCA for 1993 Dog Control Services in accordance with Ag & Markets Article I thru IV in the amount of $8,674.00. There is a meeting of the Tompkins County Municipal Officials on Thursday, November 5th, at 6:00 P.M. in Ithaca. The only one that intends to go is Supervisor Robinson. Mr. Cummings asked Supervisor Robinson if Diversified Technologies has been making payments on their loan. Supervisor Robinson said they've made some payments but they've not made any lately. We're supposed to have a meeting with Bernie Thoma and discuss it. People have called and wanted loans, but we don't have anything to loan. Board discussed when they were going to set another meeting date to work on lowering the budget. Board asked Supervisor and Bookkeeper to deliver a budget for 1.1 million for 1993. Councilman Haynes asked Supervisor Robinson to contact Jack Little or Dennis Jones of Ciaschi, Dietershagen, CPA's, to come over for the first part of our meeting or through a conference call during the meeting, to just answer some questions and provide the explanation on Fund Balances so that we can be assured of what we're doing and understand the impact of our decisions regarding this fund balance. Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, to schedule a Special Town Board Meeting for Monday, November 9, 1992, at 5:00 P.M., to work on the budget. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. 4 There being no further business, Mr. VanBenschoten moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Mr. Sovocool at 11:10 PM. Unanimous. Colleen D. Pierson Town Clerk MINUTES OF SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1992, AT 5:00 P.M. Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman Donald E. Cummings, Councilman Carl E. Haynes, Councilman Also present: Leland Cornelius, Liz Brennan, Betty Sperger, Abe Congdon, Robert Bernhardt, Skip and Barbara Mott, Mark Robinson, William Vondercheck, Bill Swearingen, and others from the community. Purpose of the meeting was to work on budget. Supervisor Robinson handed out pages of budget that she had made changes on. She informed the public that this was a budget work shop where the Board is working and they are sitting in on it. It's just like a meeting but the public isn't participating. Supervisor Robinson said she had reduced the budget down about $58,000. The difference in tax rate is 46 cents. Whole town rate is $2.89 and part town is $2.23. The appropriations will be $1,323,417 and the amount to be raised by taxes is $648,481. Supervisor Robinson read letter that the Dryden Town Supervisor had sent to Tompkins County Board of Representatives regarding charges for elections to each township. They felt that these payments should be returned to the Towns. Based on this Supervisor lowered the amount budgeted for elections. Board discussed fund balances with Bookkeeper and Supervisor. Board was still not satisfied with explanations given. The Board was still not happy with the budget figures presented to them this evening. Feeling that the budget could still be cut further, they agreed to go through budget item by item. Mr. Bernhardt asked Board where monies came from last year to pay employees retirement, worker's compensation and other benefits. There is no way to tie in 1992 expenses with 1993 expenses. Bookkeeper tried to explain that in 1992 these benefits came out of unallocated insurance and other accounts with excess funds in them. For 1993 she has added new accounts in highway and general fund to accomodate these benefits. The retirement was paid in a lump k, sum in 1991 thus there was no retirement due in 1992. We could very well have a payment due in 1993. After considerable time spent on reducing budget, the Board came up with roughly $168,000 in cuts or roughly $1.38 deduction in tax rate which is an approximate decrease of 170 or 18% in the budget. These figures are approximate only until the Supervisor and Bookkeeper come up with a new preliminary budget and tax rate based on the cuts made this evening. Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Haynes, that this meeting be recessed until Thursday, November 12th, at 5:00 P.M. to review and take action on preliminary budget. Unanimous. Colleen D. Pierson Town Clerk MINUTES OF SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1992 @ 5:00 P.M. Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman Donald E. Cummings, Councilman Carl E. Haynes, Councilman Also present: Leland Cornelius, Liz Brennan, Carol Marks This meeting is a continuation of meeting held on Monday, November 9th which was a budget work session. Supervisor Robinson presented new budget figures and new tax rates for Boards consideration. These were discussed in depth including how this will affect our fund balance. The final reduction appears to be 10 percent. The final tax rate appears to be $2.50 per thousand for whole town and $2.51 for part town. This is a rate of $5.01 for 1993 compared to $5.57 for 1992. After refiguring by the Supervisor and Bookkeeper the rates for 1993 appear to be $2.71 for whole town and $2.77 for part town for a combined total of $5.48 for town outside. Supervisor Robinson does not intend to pay trash hauler, Doug Brown, but does intend that he will be paid by roof contractor. Supervisor will pay Jade Contracting for repair of highway garage roof in the presence of Doug Brown. Leland Cornelius said that it is too late to do anything with pole barn. He also asked if the new garage roof has been inspected by the manufacturer, Bradco Supply Co. This should be done before approving any bill for payment. n Liz Brennan states that money from 1992 budget that will not be spent in the Highway fund will be moved to 1993 budget for purchase of highway truck. Our budget for 1991 - $857,359 spent; 1990 - $910,172 spent; for 1993 will try to stay under $900,000. Councilman Haynes said we could pencil this around a little bit until we get the audit. Carol Marks made the motion the Board accept the budget as finalized this evening, seconded by Leland Cornelius. RESOLUTION NO. 71 - ACCEPT 1993 BUDGET Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson (Type figures in when available from Teresa) Claim Nos. 220 to 233 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $12,355.68 and Claim Nos. 336 to 347 of the General Fund in the amount of $2,452.99 were presented for audit. Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Cummings, that the bills be approved for payment with the exception of the roof bill. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, that the bill from Jade Contracting for new garage roof be paid subject to satisfactory inspection by the manufacturer, Bradco Supply Co. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. There being no further business, Mr. Sovocool moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Mr. Cummings, at 6:35 P.M. Unanimous. Carol Marks Deputy Town Clerk 7