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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-1994MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994, AT 7:30 P.M. Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman Carl E. Haynes, Councilman Fran Casullo, Attorney Absent: Donald E. Cummings, Councilman Also present: Liz Brennan, Bob Bernhardt, Betty Sperger, Elsie DeCamp, Orlando Houghteling, Becky Vallely, Ed Carr Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, that the minutes of December 13th, January 3rd continued meeting and January 3rd Special Meeting be approved as mailed. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson. Claim Nos. 224 to 237 of the 1993 Highway Fund in the amount of $12,933.55; Claim No. 1 of the 1994 Highway Fund in the amount of $520.20; Claim Nos. 313 to 334 of the 1993 General Fund in the amount of $8,628.05; and Claim Nos. 1 to 7 of the 1994 General Fund were presented for audit. Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, that the bills be approved for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson. LIZ BRENNAN- BOOKKEEPER - Handed out Monthly Report for month ending December 31, 1993. Bills submitted this evening were for 1993 and 1994. It is not know if we need to make any transfers. Auditors will be coming in March after the Annual Supervisor's report has been completed. ZONING -CODE ENFORCEMENT - Clerk read a portion of annual report relating to building permits issued: 1991 - 88 - 8 houses, 16 mobile homes, 64 misc. - $1,291,710 1992 - 86 - 15 houses, 12 mobile homes, 59 Misc - $1,745,080 1993 - 101 - 16 houses, 16 mobile homes, 69 Misc - $2,261,556 All Board Members have a copy of full report. TOWN JUSTICE - Clerk read a portion of Annual Report from Town Justices. They had a total of 343 cases and total monies handled by the court was $13,023.00. Board Meeting recessed at 8:00 P.M. for Public Hearing on Aged exemption. Supervisor Robinson read legal notice which was published December 29, 1993 in the Republican Register. T. Robinson - Is there anyone that would like to be heard? Please give your name and you shall be heard. T. Robinson - Since there are no questions or comments, we'll close the hearing. Hearing closed at 8:05 P.M. Board Meeting reconvened at 8:05 P.M. RESOLUTION NO. 1 - ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Haynes 1 Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the First National Bank of Groton be designated as the depository for all monies coming into the hands of the Supervisor and Town Clerk of the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that the Republican Register be designated as the official newspaper of the Town of Groton with notices also to be published in the Freeville Shopper. RESOLVED, that the law firm of Fitzgerald, Taylor, Pomeroy and Armstrong be retained as Attorneys for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that George R. Senter, Sr. be appointed Zoning Officer and Building and Fire Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Edwin Dow be appointed Constable for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Carl Haynes be appointed Deputy Supervisor for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Judson Holl be appointed Deputy Highway Superintendent for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Carol Marks be appointed Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Elizabeth Brennan be appointed as part -time Bookkeeper for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Margaret Palmer be appointed as part -time Court Clerk for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Margaret Albern be appointed as part -time McLean School Crossing Guard for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Dorothy Ostrander be appointed as Town Historian for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that Gurdon Lockwood and Leonard Proper be appointed Election Custodians for the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that small tool expenditures of up to $1000.00 by the Highway Superintendent be authorized. RESOLVED, that Blue Cross /Blue Shield Health Insurance for the Supervisor, Town Clerk and Highway Superintendent be paid by the Town of Groton. RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby fix the annual salaries of the following Town Officers and employees at the amounts respectfully stated and that such salaries shall be paid at the time respectfully specified: a)Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor $ 8,500.00 BiWeekly b)Colleen D. Pierson, Town Clerk $22,647.00 BiWeekly c)Leland E. Cornelius, Hwy. Supt. $35,892.00 BiWeekly d)Arland L. Heffron, Twn. Justice $ 5,324.00 BiWeekly e)Alton I. Alexander, Twn. Justice $ 5,067.00 BiWeekly f)Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman $ 1,428.00 Quarterly g)Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Council $ 1,428.00 Quarterly h)Donald E. Cummings, Councilman $ 1,428.00 Quarterly i)Carl E. Haynes, Councilman $ 1,428.00 Quarterly j)George Senter, Code Enforcement $14,839.00 BiWeekly k)Dorothy Ostrander, Twn Historian $ 1,000.00 Quarterly Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson 2 RESOLVED, to appoint the following as representatives to Town and County programs: County Youth Recreation Programs - Steven Gallow Environmental Management Council - Carl Haynes Route 13 Task Force - Transportation - Teresa Robinson Tompkins County CATV Commission - Colleen Pierson Local Youth Groton - Lyla Pierce and Orlando Houteling Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that Supervisor's appointment of committee members be approved as follows: Finance - Carl Haynes Machinery - Gordon VanBenschoten Building - Donald Cummings Fire Department - Ellard Sovocool Personnel - Ellard Sovocool Zoning, Bldg. & Fire Code - Carl Haynes Light Districts - Donald Cummings Fixed Assets - Ellard Sovocool Senior Citizens - Donald Cummings Planning Board - Gordon VanBenschoten Appeals Board - Carl Haynes Highway - Gordon VanBenschoten Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Haynes Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that fees for Town services be set as follows: 1)Master List for Excavating $ 2.00 2)Certification of Taxes $ 5.00 1st yr, $1.00 addn 3)Photocopies $ .25 4)Transcript of Marriage $10.00 5)Marriage Certificates $10.00 6)Marriage License $25.00 7)Town & Village Maps $ .50 8)County Maps $ .50 9)Mileage for Town Officials $ .275 10) Dog Licenses $12.50 unneutered /unspayed $ 7.50 neutered /spayed 11) Returned Check Fee $15.00 12) Fax Copies $ 1.00 Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, to set hourly rate of Custodian at $7.65; Deputy Town Clerk at $8.09; Court Clerk at $8.32; Crossing Guard at $6.05; Recycling Workers at $6.00 and $6.61; Bookkeeper at $10.77; Part Time Deputy Clerks from $5.00 to $7.00; and Typist /Stenographer from $7.00 to $8.00. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson. Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, to set annual retainer fee for legal services rendered by Fitzgerald, Taylor, Pomeroy and Armstrong at $6,963.00. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson. Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, to authorize Town Clerk to hire part -time Deputy to assist with tax collection at an hourly rate of $7.00 per budget appropriation. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson. Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, to schedule regular Town Board Meetings for the seconded Monday of the month at 7:30 P.M. Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten to appoint Teresa Robinson as delegate to the Annual Association of Towns Meeting in New 3 York City and to appoint Arland Heffron as alternate. RESOLUTION NO. 2 - HIGHWAY PAY INCREASES Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the Highway Superintendent to give the following pay increases effective January 1, 1994: PRESENT +.375YR INCR TOTALO.T. HOLL, J. MEO$11.16 .37$11.53 $17.30 SMITH, M. MEO$10.65 .37$11.02 $16.53 MARKS, K. MEO$11.14 .37$11.51 $17.27 COIT, L. MEO$10.65 .37$11.02 $16.53 NEVILLE, R. MEO$10.66 .37$11.03 $16.55 SCUTT, G. LAB$10.54 .37$10.91 $16.37 CARR, P. LAB$ 9.10 .37 1.29 $10.76 $16.14 BOGARDUS, R. MEC$10.40 .37 .27 $11.04 $16.56 RESOLUTION NO. 3 - ADOPT LOCAL LAW #1 FOR THE YEAR 1994 Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson. BE IT ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town of Groton as follows: SECTION 1. Local Law No. 1 for the year 1966 providing for a partial tax exemption of real property owned by certain persons with limited income sixty -five years of age or older as amended by Local Law No. 3 for the year 1984, as amended by Local Law No. 1 for the year 1987, as amended by Local Law No. 1 for the year 1993, is amended to read as follows: SECTION 4. If the application requesting a tax exemption is granted by the Assessor then, and in that event, the real property owned by the owner or owners shall be assessed at 500 of the assessed value for the year in which it is granted provided said owner or owners annual income during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the date of application is equal to or less than $16,500.00. If the application requesting a tax exemption is granted by the Assessor, and the owner or owners of the real property had an annual income during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the date of application of more than $16,500.00 and less than and not including $21,300.00, then the tax exemption shall be in accordance with the sliding scale schedule provided in Section 467 of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York. SECTION 2. This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State. BECKY VALLELY - Becky chairs the Citizens Committee for Economic Development in Groton. The Committee is working to extend existing bus routes and establish new routes to connect Cayuga, Cortland and Tompkins counties. The plan would help make transportation cheaper and easier for workers, students, senior citizens and shoppers. They would like to establish a park and ride facility in Groton, perhaps at the old Smith Corona factory site. By linking the residents of the small towns and villages with the jobs and colleges in the cities of Auburn, Cortland and Ithaca the buses would boost local 4 economies. The committee has contacted town, village and county planners in the areas where the services would be and the response has been positive. Becky would like the Groton Town Board to appoint a representative to the committee and to go on record as supporting the effort of the Groton Citizens Committee for Economic Development for a survey for a Public Transportation System in Tompkins, Cayuga and Cortland Counties. If the Town has a Town Newsletter, they would like to include the survey in it, or if that isn't in the works, they are asking that the Town assist them with the mailing of the survey in the Town of Groton. They are looking for $350 to cover costs for the Town. The Village of Groton will be giving them $350 to cover mailings in the Village. RESOLUTION NO. 4 - SUPPORT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton does hereby go on record as supporting the effort of the Groton Citizens Committee for Economic Development for a survey for a Public Transportation System in Tompkins, Cayuga and Cortland Counties, and FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton Supervisor be authorized to draft a letter to Tompkins, Cayuga and Cortland County Planning Boards encouraging them to work together in developing a survey for a Public Transportation System. RESOLUTION NO. 5 - AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF $350 FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM SURVEY Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize an expenditure not to exceed $350.00 for postage and printing which would represent one - half the cost of the Public Transportation System survey undertaken by the Groton Citizens Committee for Economic Development. BETTY SPERGER - Can you tell me what the cost of the Highway Electric project was? Clerk said contract was for $32,500. Discussed the Town of Groton Planning Board's recommendation to adopt comprehensive plan for which a hearing was held on October 14th. The Planning Board reviewed the comments received at the hearing and has taken them into consideration in the final draft of the comprehensive plan. This is a plan only and will be used to update zoning ordinance which will require Town Board approval prior to enacting. RESOLUTION NO. 6 - ACCEPT TOWN OF GROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby adopt the "Town of Groton Comprehensive Plan" dated November, 1993, as recommended by the Town of Groton Planning Board. RESOLUTION NO. 7 - APPOINTMENTS TO TOWN PLANNING BOARD AND APPEALS BOARD k, Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Haynes Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby re- appoint George VanSlyke to the Town of Groton Planning Board for a term of seven years ending December 31, 2000, and FURTHER RESOLVED, to re- appoint John Pachai to the Town of Groton Appeals Board for a term of five years ending December 31, 1998. RESOLUTION NO. 8 - APPOINTMENTS TO COUNTY PLANNING BOARD, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COUNCIL AND TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Groton Town Board does hereby appoint Lyle Raymond to the Tompkins County Environmental Council for a term of three years expiring in 1996, and FURTHER RESOLVED, to appoint George Totman to the Tompkins County Planning Board for a three year term expiring in 1966, and FURTHER RESOLVED, to appoint Teresa Robinson to serve as the Town Representative to the Ithaca - Tompkins County Transportation Council (Metropolitan Planning Federation - Transportation). Discussed what day of the week and month would be best to hold our regular Town Board Meetings. Currently, the second Monday of the month is not convenient for George Totman our new County Representative who would like to attend our meetings. The second Monday of the month is a meeting night for him at Lansing. The Board of Reps meet every first and third Tuesdays of the month at 5:30 P.M. In the summer they meet once a month on the second Tuesday. The first Monday of the month is not good since many of the bills are not in yet. It was felt that the third Monday of the month was too late in the month. It was decided to leave as is for the time being. (See Resolution No. 1 for meeting time). Discussed American Community Cablevision Franchise which expires in July of 1994. Supervisor Robinson will contact Ray Dyer in Locke to see if there is any possibility of him extending his Cable System to Groton. Clerk will send a copy of current Franchise to Town Attorney for his review and for him to advise what procedures we need to follow in order to renew the Town's Franchise. Clerk is Treasurer of County Cable Commission which is not active at this time. Supervisor Robinson indicated that she would like something on record relating to our Planning Board and Appeals Board Members indicating that each member who does not attend at least three consecutive meetings shall be removed from the Board. Clerk has a copy of a Local Law from the Town of Dryden that relates to this and will send to Town Attorney. Clerk asked the Board if they felt it was necessary for the Town Clerk to provide a floppy disk of the Town of Groton Land Use & Development Code to the public. Right now the Code has not been revised on the Clerk's disk. All amendments were made by the printer on his computer. If the Town intends to provide disks, a fee will have to be set for same. Consensus of Board was to leave as is for this year. Should a member of the Planning Board wish to have a copy for use in updating the Code, this would be provided for internal use. Supervisor Robinson asked Fran Casullo if he intended to go to the Association of Towns meeting in NYC in February. He said as of right now it didn't look like he would be able to go due to others in his office being away. Reservations need to be in shortly. n Supervisor Robinson said that the Town's Blue Cross /Blue Shield Health Insurance rates have increased about 300. The rates for 1993 were $178.87/mo. for single and $434.01 /mo.for family. The new rates for 1994 are $236.28/mo. for single and $571.57/mo. for family. There being no further business, Mr. Sovocool moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, at 9:50 P.M. Unanimous Colleen D. Pierson Town Clerk 7