HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-19 TB 11 - 19- 12
TOWN OF DRYDEN
® SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
November 19, 2012
Present : Supervisor Mary Ann Sumner, Cl Stephen Stelick , Cl Joseph
Solomon , CI Jason Leifer , CI Linda Lavine
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery , Town Clerk
Other Town Staff: Melissa Bianconi , Director of Recreation
Jack Bush , Highway Superintendent
Supv Sumner opened the meeting at 11 : 00 a . m . She said she had not made any
further changes to the proposed budget since explaining on Thursday that the retirement
figure had been increased about $40 ,000 and would be appropriated from fund balance .
CI Stelick said that he and Ci Leifer had met with the Town Clerk, bookkeeper and the
Recreation Director and talked about changes to the proposed budget. He said he realizes that
in three days they can 't fix what is perceived as a problem and need to do something different .
He wril1 support the budget as presented with the understanding that starting with the first
meeting in December they will begin a process for coming up with a plan and a path to
wherever it is we are going to go . He apologized , saying the reasoning was right for what was
being done , but the implementation was wrong and the execution didn 't come out as hoped .
He said people come first, and we are dealing with people 's lives. It was a knee -jerk reaction to
some conversations he and Cl Leifer had had . He wants to do what is right for the town , and
there isn 't a short term solution . It's a long- term solution and everyone needs to be involved .
Cl Stelick said this is something new for the town . In the 11 years he has been on the
board , income has gone down and expenses have gone up . We have a task that will be
uncomfortable , but it can be done together . He will support the budget as it is , and is ready for
the next step.
Cl Lavine asked if there was a structure for starting to examine these things. CI Stelick
and Cl Leifer agree that we need to know what actual expenses and actual incomes are. The
budget needs to be built from the ground up. We have to see what we can afford , what we have
and what our solutions are . We 've kept the tax rate low for the last several years , but we need
to look at that. We need to start by agreeing on what actual expenses are and what the actual
income is , what reserve balance is and start from there. We have to prioritize the basics and
then see what we can afford . Doing it together , well get through this .
The five members of the board need to get the facts , have input from staff, and make
some tough decisions . In the past there was a comfort level that is not there anymore . Cl
Stelick said by the first quarter, we need to have a plan . Cl Leifer said we will also know final
revenue numbers by then for 2012 and that will help .
Supv Sumner said as the elected person most familiar with the budget, she is not as
uncomfortable some others . She said if we spent every penny in the budget this year, the fund
balances would still be 2 . 6 million dollars (40% of the total budget) . We are on target for
having 55% of total appropriations in fund balance at the end of the year. The reality is that
we don 't spend everything in the budget . Supv Sumner said she does believe we could slow the
• curve down , but it is not the cliff that some people believe it is .
Page I of5
"1.13II - 19- 12
Cl Leifer said the curve needs to slow down . Folks like the level of service we have,
• especially with Recreation and Highway, but we need to make sure we can maintain this . We
need to attack the expenditure side and discuss whether it is really healthy to keep the tax rate
level going forward . Perhaps we could increase the rate and use less fund balance . The
purpose of the fund balance is to smooth out variances in revenue from year to year. That will
be the purpose of the policy he plans to discuss in January . It's not to fund specific reserve
funds . He had a conversation with M I3ianconi this morning about a plan for recreation that
benefits the department going forward for a very long time . We need something sustainable so
that we don 't have to take drastic measures like other towns .
Supv Sumner said she has been told by a resident that you have to begin budgeting in
January. She will come up with a time line by the organizational meeting setting out some of
the tools at hand and some of the questions she hears repeatedly , and set a timeline for
answering some of those questions.
Cl Lavine said it seems we need a formal way to have public input. She asked whether
historically there was a greater volunteer base for things like recreation , or are there tasks that
don 't need to be performed so much anymore . The larger question for her is health insurance.
The Highway Department is a large part of this and it shouldn 't be left out of the picture as we
chip away at smaller things. Not to consider those things and not to consider retroactively
changing people 's health insurance benefits seems short sighted .
CI Stelick said health insurance continues to go up regardless of what we pay anyone .
We all need to be clear on where we are and where we are going. It has to be a priority , and we
have to come up with a plan we are all comfortable with.
Supv Sumner asked for other questions, comments or proposed changes from the board
and there were none . The budget being considered is the same as presented for the public
hearing, with an adjustment to the retirement lines.
Doug Levine , resident of Ellis Hollow ; said he is the Executive Director of the State
Theater in Ithaca , and he volunteers in a number of ways in the community . He runs the
Music in the Hollow music series at the Ellis Hollow Community Center funded by the town .
He thanked CI Stelick for his opening comments . Music in the Hollow is important to the Ellis
Hollow community . it makes Ellis Hollow and the Town of Dryden a better place to live , and he
appreciates the town 's support for it . They have built a fantastic program there , and he hopes
for continued funding in at least the same amount . They work hard to make this happen and
brought on Agava as a sponsor last year. He will continue to do that kind of thing.
Stacy Mojo , member of the Ellis Hollow Community Center board , thanked the board
for serving the town . She said grant programs really do serve the community . Ellis Hollow
Community Center runs on a small budget , with most of their funding coming from the fair
they hold in September. The grant money they have received has helped in big ways . It has
improved the safety of the building. The Center is used for a small nursery school that serves
the whole Dryden community . The activities held at the center supports the Dryden and Ellis
Hollow communities . Gadabout buses come for the music events. The pool is affordable for
about 300 families. Grants received have help make improvements on the pool . She thanked
the Town of Dryden and its grant money for helping to make them sustainable . She hopes that
next year the town will remember them when preparing the budget.
Supv Sumner said it was CI Stelick who initiated the grant program for the community
centers. It was good idea and has helped every community center develop , and helped bring a
community center to the Village of Dryden .
•
I'age 2 of S
TB 11 - 19- 12
Cl Lavine said this is good warning that you shouldn 't cut the small pieces when they.
� . have such wonderful manifestations , while you leave large chunks unexamined .
Bruno Schickel told Supv Sumner he appreciates the candid projections for the future _
He said an important thing to remember is that if you have a fund balance of around 3 . 6
million at the end of 2012 , you will have used firm savings in the last h years , 4 . 8 million
dollars . Supv Sumner noted that some of that went to reserves .
B Schickel said the town spent $ . S million dollars more than it brought in during those
years. The town is currently on track to spend Lb million more in 2012 than it brought in .
The swings is dropping because you spend more than you bring hi . It is a real problem to
face . This year it seems everyone understands we need to deal with this because we can 't
continue the pattern . To point out the impact of this, he said the Town of Dryden had
enormous opportunity to do major capital projects, such as the trail system and parks. At and
of 2008 the town had 8 . 4 million dollars in reserves and we don 't: anymore . The projection is
there will be about: 2 . 1 million at the end of next year . This is a significant lost opportunity .
By not modifying this budget and by not malting cuts in the 2013 budget , you uht be faced
with having to cut 0-25 % of your actual spending in 201. 4r The public needs to understand
this . aI Leifer is talking about raising the tax rate .
1 Leifer said everything has to come from both sides _ d Schickel said the problem is so
big that you would have to more than double the property tax rate to get 1 . d million dollars _
He encouraged a reduction of spending , and said it is the only solution .
Wendy Haase — thanked the board for continued support of the fire companies . The
Varna Volunteer hire Company met with Supv Sumner in early August regarding the budget
and said she is a hard negotiator_ W Howse said she supports the town and its activities and
Sappreciates everyone's support of Varna and the whole of the town .
Supv Sumner said she is proud to say that they have always come to an agreement
without having to make any eats to any emergency service budgets_ She noted that the Town
of Ithaca spends 4 million dollars on emergency services, and we are still comfortably under a
million .
1, Stelick said we can 't change the world in three days. The board will be looking at
this closely , and if it turns out we have issues , we will take care of them as a hoard . Nothing
will be hidden , B Schickel needs to understand that there is a process_ The last 11 years have
been simple and different_ The fund balance that was spent down went toward expenses for
the town by decisions made by elected officials . He takes pride in trying to he what's right for
the Town of Dryden _ Knee jerk reactions normally aren 't right. Everyone is on notice , and we
will come 'up with a solution .
Frank Palmer said he is a part - time resident of the town and member of Neptune Hose
Company and Dryden. Ambulance . He supports what: the town is doing_ Neptune is trying to
develop ways of secondary funding and increasing volunteers _ They have gone through the
FEMA resiliency grant out of California, receiving $24 ,000 and there could he more coming.
They would appreciate the Town 's continued support_ He suggested the fire departments could
all work together to tap into this secondary pool of resources. We all can see this crunch
coming. He thanked the board for doing a great job. Supv Sumner said the fire departments
have come a long way with cooperative long range planning.
di Leifer said between Thursday and today, departments were asked to made cuts , and
he agrees that we can 't solve the problem in three days . He is committed to working an this
budget as it moves along. In the meantime , we can get serious en the contractual lines and
making managers of departments pay more attention to how that rrroaey is spent, He was not
Jrir 3 of
I'R 1I - 19- 12
in favor of leaving lines in the budget with no detail _ We shouldn 't have to look at small bits for
cuts_ The fact is the Recreation (Department is one of the smallest budgets with the largest.
impact .
Supv Sumner suggested she report on segments of the budget each month.
Supv Sumner thanked O1 Ste lick and Ol Leifer for serving as finance committee. She
said she is reminded of a recent comment that because people are not making a big fuss dues
not mean they aren 't concerned . She is concerned . It is true that Bruno has pushed her into
defending budget . She suggested that the board look at budget mods in January transferring
some of the tentative projects to contingency, Not everything provided for in the budget will
happen , so some can be moved .
J Bush said he has out the projects from his budget that. he wasn 't certain would
happen . He is not sure of the version the board is voting on , Cl Keifer said there is not a
changed budget from what was presented Thursday, and any changes will be dealt with by
budget mods in January. J Bush said that really doesn 't address the problem .
Supv Sumner asked the board to consider the budget as proposed on Thursday ,
including the increase in the retirement lines by $40 , 000. 00 to be covered by Fund balance so
there is no increase in the levy or tax rate .
RESOLUTION 017E [201 2) - ADOPT 20 13 ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND BUDGET
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption :
WHEREAS , the Dryden Town Board has reviewed the 2013 Special District and
Assessment Rolls, and
WHEREAS , the Town Board held a public hearing on November $ , 2012 , on the 2013
the preliminary general and special district. budgets and fire contracts ,
WHEREAS , the preliminary budget has been amended to provide for a total increase iv
the retirement lines of $40 , 000 , with that amount coming from Fund balance so as not to
increase the tax levy or tax rate , now therefore , be it
RE bLVSI) , that this Tsass Board hereby adopts the Special District and Assessment
Rolls for the Town of Dryden for 201. 3 , and it is further
RESOLVED , that this Town Board hereby adopts the preliminary general budget, as
amended , as the Seam of Dryden 's general budget for 2013 , and it is further
RESOLVED, that this Town hereby a.dopts the preliminary special districts budget as
the Town of Dryden's special districts budget for 2013 .
,n CI Ste lick
Roll ball Vote CI Stetick Yes
a Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
hl heifer do
hi Lavine Yes
ma4oft
•
"I'13 ! 1 - 19- 12
CI Leifer said he voted no because he has reservations on not increasing the tax rate .
SJack Bush asked that an official copy of the adopted budget be distributed to
department heads so they know the actual figures that they have to work with
There being no further business , on motion made , seconded and unanimously carried ,
the meeting was adjourned at 11 : 45 aim .
Respectfully submitted ,
71217 --01 e . ...efrffia-f
ye
Bambi L . Avery
Town Clerk
I
el
IPagc 5 u1- 5
Dryden Town Board Meeting
Dryden Town Half
93 East Mvlain Street
a.J + ; .J. u4I Ip
Special Board Meeting
1 . Call Ivleeting to Order
2 . Rolf Call
3 . Finance Committee - Proposed 2013 Budget changes - Stelick/ Leifer
( Steve and Jason , can we get something in writing prior to the meeting? A clear
specifying proposed changes would be good . Something we can vote on . )
41 4 , Budget Approval — Either the one proposed at the public hearing or as amended in item 3 .
The Next Agenda meeting will be
7r
Thurday , 9 ceber1_ ,,; 1a; at: O* P11 T
�J. JLIMILLIJL�._ {
The Next Town Board meeting will be
Thursday, pecember=, 0, gl,L0 at °e7; 00 RM
Town of Dryden
Town Board Meeting
November 14, 2012
Name - {;Please print} Address or Board
iQeAsoo I • ,tis
�1 r
1�
1 ;
r ∎er, f vsn oc\e„ C- \t\ O • ‘r rtOCkN A
l '? ito1 4c Cif . ,
C LTG. 7. 1:1-1q 0-)
l « �4//ate I
J
11 - 19• 12
SPEAKER SIGN Ili SHEET
If you wish to address the Board under citizen ' s privilege of the floor please sign
in below, Speakers will be limited to a maximum of three minutes - Piease provide the
Clerk with a written summary of- your statement ,
Name Address
7i ' ,a.A . 64 ity
g , acri
:'
I - • .
• - 2 Et
iat
S
12 ! 11 { 212 13 ; G7 . 48
MONTHLY REPORT OF SUPERVISOR
TO THE TOWN BOARD OF THE. Town of Dryden :
IPrsoant LO Section 125 of the Town Law , T hereby render the following detailed statemen
all moneys received and disbursed by me ;During the mont of November , 2012 :
DATED ;ED ; Dcccmbcr 11 , 2012 �� _
SUPERVISOR
Balance Balance
10 / 31 / 2012 Increases Decreases 11 / 30 / 2012
A GENERAL FUND - TOWNYlIDE
CASH - CHECKING 612 , 11 ? _ r12 2461747 . 15 856 , 9B2 . 71 31681 . 63
CASH - SAVINGS 1 . 993 . 532 , 21 679 , 651 . 91 258 , 792 . 03 2 • 424 , 991 , 59
PETTY CASH 700 . 00 0 , 00 0 . 06 700 , 00
PETTY CASH - POSTAGE- 1 , 401 . 79 3 , 500 , 00 0 . 00 4 , 901 , 79
DPW Wiquipment Capital Reset -re 34 , 565 . 19 11 , 27 0 . 00 39 , 576 . 46
Town Buildings Capital Reserve 50 , 461 . 73 16 , 93 0 . 00 50 , 579 . 18
Recreation Capital Reserve 324 , 617 . 40 93 . 02 0 . 00 3011716 . 70
General Capital Reserve 20 , 461 . 73 16 . 45 0 . 00 50 4478 , 19
TOTAL 3 , 040 , 257 . 53 932 , 242 . 05 1 , 105 , 779 . 77 2 , 974 , 724 . 94
DA HIGHWAY TOWNWIDE FUND
CASH - CHECKING 0 . 00 180 , 951 . 1 + 183 , 951 . 07 0 . 00
411 CASH - SAVINGS 231 41, 3 ' 60 139 , 753 . 35 183 , 951 - 67 207 , 215 . 28
HIGHWAY 072220ENT CAPITAL RESE 296 , 240 . 99 96 . 50 0 . 00 296 , 045 , 58
TOTAL 521 , 662 . 59 343 , 801 . 61 367 , 903 . 39 500 , 020 , 85
B GENERAL - OUTSIDE FUND
CASH - CHECKING 42 , 187 . 31 40 , 904 . 33 03 , 092 , 44 0 . 00
CA00 - SAVINGS 044 , 398 . 82 37 , 040 . 34 110 , 904 . 53 391 , 029 . 74
PETTY CASH - POSTAGE 17 .1 . 93 1 , 000 . 00 0 . 40 1 , 674 , 93
Cast , CuHCOeera Deposits 12 , 080 . 00 1 , 000 . 00 0 . 00 12 , 080 . 40
TOTAL 398 , 841 , 69 84 , 245 , 91 120 , 996 . 97 350 , 094 . 60
DB HIGHWAY OUTSIDE FUND
2005 - 20120ING 0 . 00 181 , 455 . 19 102 , 485 . 19 0 . 00
CASH - SAv1F070 730 , 027 . 00 215 . 816 . 65 185 , 465 . 19 765 , 893 . 96
TOTAL 132 , 552 . 54 401 , 001 . 04 370 , 970 . 06 760 , 883 . 95
001 - 000000 FIRE DISTRICT
0 - 00 4 . 40 0 . 00 0 . 00
2102 - SAvI x65 260 , 279 . 00 87 . 41 4 . 00 258 , 366 . 35
TOTAL 002270 . 00 87 . 47 0 . 20 268 , 356 . 35
S 001 - 0AR22A LIGHTING DISTRICT
CASH - CHEC2I52 0 . 00 202 . 04 206 . 34 0 . 04
CASH - sAVI020 1 , 599 . 35 1 . 43 206 . 3d 4 , 394 . 44
Page 1
. . . .
MONTHLY REPORT OF SUPERVISOR
Balance Balance
10 / 31 / 2012 Increases Decreases 11 / 30 / 2012
0 TOTAL 9 , 599 , 35 207 . 77 412 . 68 4 , 394 , 44
SL2 - ETNA LIGHTING DISTRICT
CASH - CHECKING 0 . 00 173 . E33 173 - 83 0 , 00
CASV - SAVINGS 3 , 093 . 50 0 , 95 113 - 83 2 , 920 , 62
TOTAL 3 , 093 - 50 174 . 78 347 . 66 2 . 520 - 62
SLS - MEADOW/LEISURE LIGHTING
CASH - CHECKING 0 - 00 189 . 31 169 , 31 4 . 00
CASH - SAVINGS 2 . 734 , 57 0 . 83 189 . 31 2 • 542 . 09
TOTAL 2 , 730 . 57 190 . 14 373 . 62 2 , 542 , 09
SM AMBULANCE DISTRICT
CASH - CHEc2 :I; NG 13 . 00 59 . 649 . 0O 59 , 649 . 04 0 , 00
CASH - SAVINGS 234 , 558 . 06 57 , 03 59 , 649 . 00 174 , 966 , 11
TOTAL 2321 , 558 . 0E 59 , 706 . 03 119 , 298 - 00 179 , 966 - 11
SS1 - SAPSUCKER SEWER - UNITS
CASH - CHECKING 0 . 00 100 - 00 100 . 00 0 . 00
CASH - SAVINGS 63 , 224 - 71 436 . 72 100 . 00 63 , 561 . 43
TOTAL 63 , 229 , 71 536 . 72 204 . 00 63 , 561 , 93
IISS2 - VARNA SEWER - UNITS
CASH - Ci4EC.'c1NG 0 . 00 990 . 68 9 $ 0 . 68 0 . 00
CASH I SAVINGS 119 , 316 . 54 243 . 96 990 , 58 178 , 569 , 82
TOTAL 179 , 316 . 54 11234 - 64 1 , 981 . 36 178 , 569 . 82
3S3 - CORTLAND RD SEWER
CASH - C2{PCKING 0 - 04 47 , 344 - 98 47 , 344 . 98 0 , 04
CASH - SAVINGS 272 , 323 . 79 29 , 177 . 01 47 , 394 . 98 254 , 156 , 62
PO5T1GE 56 . 60 0 . 00 0 . 00 56 - 60
TOTAL 212 , 380 , 39 76 , 522 . 79 99 , 689 . 96 254 , 213 . 22
SS4 - MONKEY RUN SEWER
CASH - CHECKING 0 . 00 1 , 321 . 0C' 1 , 321 . 00 0 . 00
CASA - SAVINGS 211 , 669 , 65 104 . 36 1 , 321 . 00 2 ). 0 , 453 . 21
TOTAL 211 , 669 . 95 1 , 425 , 36 2 , 642 . 00 210 , 453 . 21
SS5 - TURKEY HILL SEWER
CASH - CHECKING 0 . 00 257 . 92 257 , 92 0 . 00
CASH - SAVINGS 188 , 360 . 26 265 . 01 257 - 92 188 , 367 , 35
TOTAL 1x8 , 360 . 25 522 . 93 515 . 84 183 , 367 - 35
11. 5s5 - PEREGRINE HOLLOW SEWER
O , DG 0 - 00 0 . 00 0 , 00
CASH - SAVINGS 96 , 905 . 15 31 . 60 0 . 00 96 , 937 - 35
Page 2
MONTH UV RCI 'ORT OF SUP ,
P'
Balance Balance
10/ 31 /2012 Increases Decreases 11 / 30 /2012
alTOTAL 96 . 905 . 75 31 . 60 0 . 00 96 . 537 . 35
SS, - ROYAL ROAD SEWER
CASH - CHECKING 0 , 00 255 - 81 255 , 01 0 , 00
CASH - SAVINGS 31 , 560 . 78 10 - 21 255 . 81 31 , 315 . 18
TOTAL 31 , 560 , 7B 266 . 02 511 . 62 31 , 31, 5 , 16
SW1 - VARNA WATER
C. Sii - CHECKING 0 , 00 4 , 754 . 22 4 , 75 , 22 0 . 00
CASH - SAVINGS 367 . 310 . 66 680 . 80 4 , 754 , 22 363 , 437 . 24
TOTAL 367 , 310 . 65 5 . 635 . 02 .9 , 509 . 44 363 , 431 . 24
SW - SNYDER HILL WATER
CASH - CHECKING 0 . 00 573 . 95 573 . 95 0 - 00
CASH - SAVINGS 79 . 336 . 34 65 . 72 573 , 95 78 . 829 . 11
TOTAL 79 , 336 . 34 640 . 67 1 , 147 . 90 78 , 829 . 11
SW3 - MONKEY RUN WATER
CASH - CHECKING 0 , 00 241 - 53 241 . 63 0 , 00
CASI1 - SAVINGS 247 , 233 - 28 152 - 25 241 . 63 247 , 143 , 90
TOTAL 257 , 233 . 2E 393 . 98 483 . 26 247 , 143 . 90
0 SW4 - HALL ROAD WATER
CASH - CHECKING 0 . 04 126 . 01 128 . 01 0 - 00
CASH - SAVINGS 28 . 322 , 15 9 . 19 128 . 41 28 , 203 . 33
TOTAL 28 , 322 . 15 131 , 20 256 , 02 28 , 243 , 33
SW5 - TURKEY HILL WATER
CASH - CHECKING 0 . 00 226 - 68 226 , 68 0 , 00
CASH - SAVINGS 203 , 009 . 03 511 - 75 226 , 68 203 , 295 . 10
TOTAL 203 , 009 , 03 736 . 43 453 . 36 203 , 294 , 10
mars - ROYAL ROAD WATER
CASH - CHECKING 0 - 00 98 . 16 413 , 19 0 . 00
CASH - SAVINGS 46 , 574 . 06 15 , 17 48 , 18 46 , 541 . 05
TOTAL 46 , 574 . 06 53 . 35 96 , 36 46 . 541 . 05
CD REHABILITATION LOANS AND GRANTS
CAST - CHECKING 175 , 460 . 93 0 , 00 0 . 00 175 ,400 , 93
TOTAL 1. 75 . 480 - 93 0 . 00 0 , 00 175 . 480 . 93
TA AGENCY FUND
IICASH - TRUST & AGENCY 5 , 913 . 54 184 , 462 . 19 185 . 902 . 32 66 , 973 , 41
TOTAL 6 , 913 . 54 189 , 462 . 1, 9 164 , 402 . 32 6 , 973 . 41
Page 3
MONTHLY REPORT OF SUPERVISOR
Balance Balance
10 / 31 / 2012 Increases Decreases 11 /30/2012
HB CORTLAND ROAD SEWER BAN
II0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00
CASH - SAVINGS 24 , 798 . 65 0 . 00 0 . 00 24 , 798 . 65
TOTAL 24 , 798 . 65 0 . 00 0 . 00 24 , ? 98 . 65
HC ROYAL ROAD SEWER BAN
0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00
TOTAL 0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00
HD ROYAL ROAD WATER BAN
0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00
TOTAL 0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00
HE CAPITAL FUND - BARN
0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00
TOTAL 0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00
HF CAPITAL FUND - EPIC
0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00
TOTAL 0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00 0 . 00
® ALL r. L FUND . 7 , 945 971 . 61. 2 , 091 , 572 . 90 2 , 385 , 970 . 86 7 , 151 , 573 . 15
L FUNDS ,
•
Page 4