HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-12- 18TB 12 -13-03
TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
December 18, 2003
Present: Supv Mark Varvayanis, Cl Charles Hatfield, Cl Stephen Stelick,
Jr., Cl Christopher Michaels
Absent: Cl Deborah Grantham
Elected Officials: Bambi L. I-lollenbeck. Town Clerk
Other Town Staff: Mahlon R. Perkins, Town Attorney
Supv Varvayanis called the meeting to order at 7:53 p.m.
Cl Michaels asked if there was an amendment to the joint sewer agreement. Atty
Perkins said the board had previously approved the Intermunicipal Wastewater Agreement,,
which is a six party agreement, and he doesn't believe there were any changes to that. The
joint sewer agreement is a different matter. That is the matter which defines the relationship
between the owners of the wastewater treatment plant, the City of Ithaca, the Town of Ithaca
and the Town of Dryden. There have been substantial changes to that from its last revision in
1984. The most significant revisions were made after a marathon negotiating session between
the City of Ithaca and the Town of Ithaca last Saturday. Atty Perkins received a copy via e-mail
on Monday and as he understands it the City of Ithaca approved it last night with another
' change having something to do with the effective date, and he has not read it. The Town of
Ithaca is going to be considering it on December 318E and are holding public hearings on
several things at that time. He said presumably since they were one of the negotiating parties,
they have reached a satisfactory agreement. Supv Varvayanis and Atty Perkins have spoken at
length regarding this and are unsure how marry board members have the latest version
(12/15/03). Atty Perkins said he does not believe the right time to take action would be
tonight.
Supv Varvayanis said he understands it, the only changes from the November 3 version
is that they put in dates for the quarterly payments and there uvas a target minimum of
$400.000 to he kept in the operating reserve, and there is a penalty for late payments if a
payment is missed. Supv Varvayanis said there's a lot of changes that he thinks are very
beneficial. The agreement has been seven or eight years in the works and he doesn't want to
be in a rush now to finish it. Some people fear that the next common council in the City of
Ithaca won't sign the agreement, though it has been approved by the current common council.
Atty Perkins suggested that for the benefit of the Town's newer board members it might
be very beneficial to have a short special meeting before the end of the year and have Noel
Desch come out and speak. He is very knowledgeable individual and is on nobody's side here,
but has a lot of historical background in the matter. He was one of the principal fathers of the
existing joint sewer agreement and the wastewater treatment plant and knows the historical
background of the whole thing and can probably speak to the changes.
Supv Varvayanis said the Town of Lansing, Village of Lansing and the Village of Cayuga
Heigkits will need to agree to the governance change. Cl Michaels asked if they would sign by
the end of the year and Supv Varvayanis said the Town and Village of Lansing are, but Cayuga
Heights doesri t have a meeting scheduled, although they seem to be in agreement.
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Supv Varvayanis will contract Noel Desch and see if he can meet with the board prior to
® the end of the year.
Town Clerk asked the Board to authorize funds not to exceed $1,850.00 for postage to
mail the tax bills under the new postal permit. A check will need to be delivered to the post
office with the bills.
RESOLUTION #181 - AUTHORIZE POSTAGE FOR TAX BILLS
Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the Supervisor to write a check to
the Dryden Postmaster not to exceed $1,850.00 for mailing the 2004 tax bills on December 31,
200Y.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Hatfield Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Varvayanis Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
It is possible now to have Town employees covered under the benefit package (health,
dental & vision) offered through the Teamsters. Highway Department: employees will be
covered under this effective January 1, 2004. The estimated cost is approximately $650 more
per month, but the rate will be locked in for three years. The Teamsters plan provides better
coverage with no deductible in most instances. The cost for coverage through Blue Cross Blue
® Shield increases each year. After discussion, the board decided to go with the Teamsters
package.
RESOLUTION # 182 - PROVIDE INSURANCE THROUGH TEAMSTERS
Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board will provide health, dental and vision care insurance
for its employees through the NYS Teamster Benefit Funds effective January 1, 2004.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Hatfield Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Varvayanis Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
RESOLUTION #183 - TRANSFER FUNDS
Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the transfer of $4,971.66 from
CD8668.497 (rehab loans & grant) to CD8686.497 (rehab administration; $1000 from
A1.430.100 (general payroll) to Al 110.103 (justice payroll); $125.52 from Al 330.4 (Receiver of
taxes contractual) to A1410.4 (Town Clerk contractual).
2nd Cl Stelick
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Roll Call Vote Cl Hatfield Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Varvayanis Yes
C1 Michaels Yes
Cl Michaels said he had reviewed the fire contracts provided by Atty Perkins and would
like to add one sentence regarding the departments allocating a certain amount of the money
given them by the Town toward capital equipment purchases. He will get proposed language to
Atty Perkins and then to the fire departments for feed back.
On motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, the board adjourned to executive
session to discuss the employment history of a particular individual. No action was taken and
the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
r A
Bambi L. Hollenbeck
Town Clerk
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