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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-1994MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING MONDAY, MAY 9, 1994, AT 7:30 P.M. Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman Carl E. Haynes, Councilman Donald E. Cummings, Councilman Also present: Leland Cornelius, Liz Brennan, Rita Negri, Bob Bernhardt and son, Betty Sperger, Elsie DeCamp, George Senter, Chris Dempsey, Tom Sims, Oley Houghtaling, Trudy Bernhardt and daughter. Minutes of April 11th meeting were not ready for Board approval. Claim Nos. 61 to 78 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $14,635.35 and Claim Nos. 85 to 115 of the General Fund in the amount of $12,877.37 were presented for audit. Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, that the bills be approved for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. RITA NEGRI - C IAS CHI -D IETERSHAGEN- LITTLE -MI CKELSON - I'm here taking Dennis Jones' place since he had to be out of town this evening. Walked through financial report for the period January 1, 1993 thru December 31, 1993, with the Board. Financial status of Town looked good. One finding was that the Highway Townwide unappropriated fund balance was in a deficit position. The Town had appropriated, for the ensuing year's budget, an amount in excess of funds available. It was recommended that the Board carefully monitor all financial activity to properly reflect accurate fund balances within their budgeting process. It was noted that the board is aware of this issue and has taken steps to amend the budget. The only noncompliance with laws and regulations from previous year was Ambulance Contract. This has been discussed with state agency in order to resolve issue. Advice to the Board was to be very careful in using additional fund balances to reduce property taxes this coming year. Fund balance is 350,308 less 258,000 appropriated to reduce taxes leaves 84,000 in unappropriated fund balance for next year. TOM SIMS - DIVERSIFIED T.E.S.T. - We basically know we're in default. The weather this past winter and the economy put us behind because we could not do the testing outside and people were unable to get to us. This is a long term proposition and we gained a minimum amount on the loan since the first of the year. Future looks good but some of our major clients have cut back, Zerox, Kodak, etc., and we've had to go outside the State to find more clients. We have pretty good clients but we don't have the cash flow to service some of the debts at the present time. We feel it's going to take some time. Basically, last year our plan was to pay $330.00 per month. We were not able to handle that much going into bad weather so we started paying $25.00 per week to the bank per our instructions. We would like to up that to get us 1 back at least by the second quarter to $330.00. Now that's not ultimately where we want to go but we feel at this point we've got to try to do a balance here. We've got to be able to fund our marketing because we know we need marketing. We've also have got to reduce this debt and to keep our other debts in line. Our plan basically is to be able to pay $330 per month by the end of June, 1994, through December 1994. Around January 1995 monthly payments are to increase to include the payment of some principal. I would be happy to come over to see you more than once a year to let you know what is happening. We appreciate your support. We're trying to put back in to the community as well as to take out. LIZ BRENNAN - BOOKKEEPER - Handed out monthly reports. There is no transfers. Extra copies copy of expenditures and Haynes asked if there is bills yet. of the report are on the table. Handed Mr. Haynes revenues to date. Are there any questions? Mr. anything we should know. No, I haven't seen the GEORGE SENTER - CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER - Year to date building permits issued: 1993 163 homes 0 MH 13 other 1994 100 homes 0 10 other The first five days of May we processed 10 building permits. Life Safety Inspections are current. I had Fran Casullo talk with Mark Boxendall on Spring Street about his furnace. By turning the furnace up and down it creates black smoke. I don't think Mark is doing anything that he shouldn't be. I had a complaint from Ed Moran about a farmer dumping manure near the creek on Old Stage Road near the bridge. I called DEC. They said he could dump as close to the creek as he likes as long as the intent is not to dump it in the creek. We will visit John Anderson next Monday. I did the junk car survey the week of April 25th and had a total of 50 letters that we sent. We're sending out a brochure with each letter that says that you can donate the junk car to the Kidney Foundation and write off as a tax deduction. Dusty Kyes charges $25.00 to pick up a junk car. During the tour I noted a few signs that had a problem which I will give list to Corney. LELAND CORNELIUS - HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT - We got our new pickup truck. We got some papers in on the barn this afternoon. Fran looked over bid specs, bid outline for 54 x 90 replacement building. Morton Building is preparing all bid specs and related information for bidding for a cost of $500. Last month I told the Board $400 but made a mistake. Should be $500 for 12 sets of bid documents. They suggested we sell them for $50.00 each. It seems like $25.00 is enough. I'd like to set a completion time of not more than 60 days after award of bid. CHRIS DEMPSEY - DEMPSEY INSURANCE AGENCY - There is no problem with timing on insurance claim for building and contents. The problem in timing is if you sign. Basically, the way it works in round numbers is they have agreed without anything further you're getting $10,000 for preparing the site and taking away the building. You're getting $10,000 for that and they have agreed to give you $50,000 right off the bat for the building whether you 2 replace it or not. Then it's an additional $13,000 which we can apply for if it deems that to replace the building it is going to cost us up to $63,000. The problem is, once I sign for that $63,000, we only have 90 days to apply for the additional $13,000. Not that the building has to be done, but just to apply for it. What that means though is that the extra stuff like the concrete floor that you are putting in for say $5,000, I'm of course not going to pay you an extra $5000 because you didn't have one. My feeling is if this building is going to cost you less than $62,000 to put up the way it was, not counting the concrete floor, as soon as you find that out we can sign this so you can get your money. That is your decision. It depends upon if you feel it is going to be less than $62,000, then you can sign. Otherwise, we can wait for job to be bid. Highway Superintendent and Board discussed estimates that had been received from Morton, Portzline and Lewis. Chris said that all vehicles should have a quote this week. Consensus of the Board was to wait until next meeting to take care of insurance. RESOLUTION NO. 29 - AUTHORIZATION TO LET BIDS FOR EQUIPMENT STORAGE FACILITY Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the Highway Superintendent to let bids for the construction of a 54 x 90 equipment storage building to be opened at 8:00 P.M. on Monday, June 13, 1994, at the Town Hall, Groton, NY. RESOLUTION 30 - AMEND RESOLUTION NO. 21 - AUTHORIZE MORTON BUILDINGS TO PREPARE STORAGE BUILDING SPECS FOR BIDDING PURPOSES Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Cummings Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby amend Resolution No. 21 to include additional expenditure of $100.00 or a total of $500.00 to prepare equipment storage building specifications. Annual road inspection was rescheduled for May 27th at 9:00 A.M. Grievance Day will be held May 19th from 3:00 to 7:OOPM. Teresa and Dutch will work from 3:00 to 5:00 and Teresa and Don will work from 5:00 to 7:OOPM. Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool, that Leland Cornelius, Highway Superintendent, be authorized to attend the Annual Highway School at Cornell from June 5th thru 8th. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. 3 County Board of Representative members were not present this evening as planned. BOB BERNHARDT - Unfortunately Teresa, I know you're trying with your sound system, but T. Robinson: But, I've already talked with a gentlemen and they're B. Bernhardt: Somebody's got to come in and take a look at it and try to address the acoustics in this room? T. Robinson: Yes B. Bernhardt: Okay. We just got through setting here for 15 minutes not hearing. We know you took two votes and we don't even know what was said or what you voted on. We really don't. We can't hear the conversation. We don't want to hear just you, we want to hear what you are saying and what the other people are saying to you. Enough of that. One thing I notice is that the gravel pit has some work done and it looks one heck of a lot better than it did before and you can be complimented on that. I would like to hope that when you're looking at those specs that you're looking also at maintenance and some kind of warranty for snow load. I don't care who you get it from, providing paint, snow load and maintenance are included in warranty........... For your interest there was a DEC truck up by where the County has been dumping and all those meetings they had across from Lacy Grieps They spent quite a bit of time driving around that, inspecting where the waters going and the whole thing. It looked like he was a little bit more than upset with all that fill the County has been dumping in there for the last two or three years. And, up there where you took out the hedge row, and left the telephone box by the stump which is out in the middle of the road now, well the engineering department came around because I complained they'd laid a line up along the field. It just laid there and I needed to get in and out of there with logs. L. Cornelius: That was Dennis' telephone. B. Bernhardt: Irregardless, they are going to move that box back 25' off the center of the road to get it out of the way so that those last few stumps could come out. They also decided that if they are going to do that they ought to get an easement. The also thought they should get an easement on Wickham Road since there is buried cable. B. Bernhardt: ....the speaker system, I'm glad to see that you have the stuff......., especially if we can get a microphone. I think our original quote that Abe got for you, one is provided for that. T. Robinson: No, I've been working on that for some time. The one Abe got wasn't sufficient. ORLANDO HOUGHTALING - Report on Youth Commission - Is currently working on 4 summer work program. Also, we're in the process of, due to one of the organizations which is Family's Service and Children's Service and the County are not working together any longer, are looking at a cooperative extension or a liaison working with youth workers. That seems to be coming along fairly well. That should be available August 1, hopefully. Family and Children's Service will no longer be working the Towns as of July 31. I received a letter from Family and Childrens' Service this week stating such which means the Town does not have to notify them within the 60 days. RESOLUTION NO. 31 - REIMBURSE STEVEN & LOU MCWILLIAM Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Cummings Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the reimbursement of $15.00 for a variance request to build a 4' picket fence in road right - of -way since it was not required. Discussed proposed Local Law No. 2 regarding establishing minimum attendance and continuing education requirements for members of the Town Planning Board and Appeals Board. George Totman didn't like holding a public hearing to remove members. Atty. Casullo said that Town Law states that a public hearing is necessary to terminate a person for cause. Mr. Sovocool said that he doesn't see any thing quite this strict for a voluntary board. Mr. Cummings said that he always thought Teresa had trouble finding anybody to serve on these boards and now we're going to make it a law and you won't get anybody. Mr. Sovocool said that when you start telling somebody that they've got to attend every meeting and attend so many seminars, you're not going to have anybody. Supervisor Robinson said they only had to attend one seminar per year. Consensus of the Town Board was that the Planning and Appeals Board wants this law so we will schedule hearing on Local Law and hopefully the public and the two Boards will be present. Moved by Mr. Cummings, seconded by Mr. Haynes, to schedule public hearing on Proposed Local Law No. 2 for the year 1994 establishing minimum attendance and continuing education requirements for members of the Town Planning and Appeals Boards, Monday, June 13, 1994, at 8:30PM. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. RESOLUTION NO.32 - PROCLAMATION TO DESIGNATE THE WEEK OF MAY 15 -21, 1994 AS EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson. WHEREAS, emergency medical services is a vital public service; and k, WHEREAS, access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and WHEREAS, only a third of Americans rate their households as being "very well prepared" for a medical emergency; and WHEREAS, emergency medical providers have traditionally served as the safety net of America's health care system; and WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and WHEREAS, emergency medical services teams consist of emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, fire fighters, educators, administrators, and others; and WHEREAS, approximately two - thirds of all emergency medical services providers are volunteers; and WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical service teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills; and WHEREAS, Americans benefit daily from the knowledge and skills of these highly trained individuals; and WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week; and WHEREAS, the designation of Emergency Medical Services Week will serve to educate the people of the Town and Village of Groton, New York, about injury prevention and how to respond to a medical emergency; and NOW, THEREFORE, I, Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor, Town of Groton, New York, in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 15 -21, 1994, as "EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK" and encourage the community to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. Supervisor Robinson received a letter from Better Housing for Tompkins County, Inc. regarding Groton's revolving loan that is available for roof damage from the ice this winter or other repairs to your home. Low interest loans can range from $500 to $3000 at 3% interest to qualified homeowners. Supervisor Robinson also received information from County Planning on 1994 Small Cities Community Development Black Grants. This is a HUD program. Any municipality may apply. The County has offered to prepare applications, assist the Town with the preparation and implementation of the grant, n including the meeting of all Federal requirements, payment of bills and other administrative. The only Town commitment of funds required is the $3000 application fee and the cost of a single audit of Town expenditure. The County has done one for The Towns of Enfield and Caroline. They would like to keep work in the County. Discussed having County Planning and /or Bernie Thoma prepare applications. Also discussed if the Village of Groton was applying and if it was possible that we apply together. It was suggested that the Supervisor contact Bernie Thoma and also County Planning regarding this program relative to scope and also cost for administering program. What is track record of both. Supervisor Robinson will contact both and then contact each Board Member with information. There will be a retirement dinner on May 18th at 6:30PM at the Groton Legion for Ken Marks and Slim Cargill. Everyone is to purchase tickets in advance from Supervisor Robinson. Tickets are $10.00 per individual. Supervisor Robinson asked Board to approve purchase of Fixed Asset Software for Accounting Department. This will replace original fixed asset software from Williamson Law Book which was inadequate. RESOLUTION NO - APPROVE PURCHASE OF FIXED ASSET SOFTWARE Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Cummings Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the purchase of Fixed Asset software from Information Management Associates, Inc. of Pittsford, New York, for a total cost of $350.00. Town Clerk had the old record books that were recently restored and microfilmed on display for the Board and the public to view. There being no further business, Mr. Sovocool moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, at 10:10 P.M. Unanimous. Colleen D. Pierson Town Clerk 7