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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-1997 & Hwy Negotiations & Budget Wrk Sessions MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1997 AT 7:30 P.M. Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman Donald N. Palmer, Councilman Daniel J. Carey, Councilman Fran Casullo, Attorney Also present: Liz Brennan, Leland Cornelius, George Senter, Robert Walpole, Barbara Clark - Reporter, Eric Kline - General Code Publishers, George Totman Add Perma bill #216 to abstract. Moved by Councilman Palmer, seconded by Councilman VanBenschoten, that the minutes of August 12, 1997 be approved as submitted. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson. Claim Nos. 195 to 216 of the General Fund in the amount of $3490.33 and Claim Nos. 136 to 155 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $8562.51 were presented for audit. Moved by Councilman Palmer, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, that the bills be approved for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson. Claim No. 109 of the Special Grant Fund (HUD) in the amount of $300.00 was presented for audit. Moved by Councilman VanBenschoten, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, that the bill be approved for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson. LIZ BRENNAN - BOOKKEEPER - All the transfers can be done as one resolution. The budget amendment should be a separate resolution. Accounts that are low are the Court Clerk's salary, Snow Removal-Salt Purchases and Traffic Signs. There is only about $2000 in the snow removal account for the purchase of salt. The transfer from Contingency to Engineer is for last months bills on the gas tanks. We don't know if there will be more. We do have the removal of the dirt yet. RESOLUTION NO. 43 - AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER FUNDS Moved by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Palmer Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby authorize the following budget transfers: 1 GENERAL FUND (TOWNWIDE) From: Contingency A1990.4 .....................$1,028.36 To: Engineer, Contractual A1440.4.............. 1,028.36 GENERAL FUND (PART-TOWN) From: Contingency B1990.4 ..................... 178.64 To: Youth Prog., Summer Help A7310.1 .......... 178.64 HIGHWAY FUND (TOWNWIDE) From: Contingency DA1990.4 .................... 1,787.21 To: Brush & Weeds, Personal Serv. DA5140.1 .... 1,766.46 Brush & Weeds, Contractual DA5140.4 ...... 20.75 RESOLUTION NO. 44 - AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND 1997 BUDGET Moved by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby authorize the 1997 budget be amended as follows: DR. REV. State Aid Chips DB3501 ........................$167.62 CR. Approp. Chips DB5112.2 ................................$167.62 ERIK KLINE - GENERAL CODE PUBLISHERS CORP. - Presented proposal to codify legislation of the Town of Groton. A synopsis of presentation: What is Codification? Organization of things, in this case local laws, ordinances and resolutions, into a system and a code is a system. It is an efficiency -- the Town Clerk doesn't have to spend hours looking up information, nor does the Town Attorney, the Code Enforcement Officer and any others who use the Code. Information in the Code is indexed, cross-referenced and others for easy discovery. Additional services performed by General Code Publishers are samples on disk, sample legislation and PC/CODEBOOK. Phase I is research of all records looking at all local laws, ordinances and resolutions and making copies of all of them. The second Phase is the compilation into a Code book. First a draft is prepared and will reflect the final organization of the code. It will be cross referenced, etc. and reviewed by Board for accuracy. Next the Code will be published: Fifteen copies of the code will be published plus 50 Zoning Pamphlets and 15 Land Use pamphlets and a PC/CODEBOOK for the Clerk. Phase III would be Critique, contracted separately and prepared after publication of Code (optional). On site research cost is $500. Deliverables: 15 Codes (cost: $7,750) to include 50 Zoning (GBC-bound) & 15 Land Use (Zoning, Mobile Homes, Planning/Zoning, Agricultural Protection, Junkyards, Swimming Pools. (3-ring binders) Pamphlets and PC/Codebook. Critique, contracted separately and prepared after 2 publication of Code (optional: $1,500), based upon duplications, conflicts and inconsistencies, statutes/case law, fees, fines and other penalties, obsolete titles and references and incomplete, unclear and imprecise language. Mr. Kline suggested that after creating the code of laws, it should be kept up to date by budgeting $1500 annually. If no laws were adopted then this cost would not be needed. The $1500 would not cover any major update. GEORGE SENTER - CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER - Year-to-date building permits issued: 1996 52 5 Houses 8 Mobile Homes 39 Other 1997 75 6 Houses 17 Mobile Homes 52 Other All life safety inspections are current. GEORGE TOTMAN - TOMPKINS COUNTY BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVE - Most of our time at the County Board is working on the budget. The County is trying to pick up everything that the State and Federal Government cut out of Social Services. They propose that the County pick up the Food Stamps for aliens. It was a split vote, not party line, 9 to 5. I voted against it. They are giving it to kids under 18 and Senior Citizens even though they all live in the same house. The Tompkins County Municipal Officials Meeting will be held at the McLean Fire Station on Tuesday, September 23, 1997 at 6:00PM. Several people from the County will be there talking about various items including the 25 cent charge for tax bills. Those planning to attend from the Town of Groton are Teresa Robinson, Colleen Pierson, Arland Heffron, George Totman and Lyle Raymond. LELAND CORNELIUS - HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT - I took four pieces of equipment down to the Municipal Auction in Lansing to be held this Saturday. 1954 Chevy, 1948 GMC, 1954 Chevy and a 1970 mower tractor. I got three quotes on the lumber to put up the shed out back. Baker/Miller was the cheaper one at $3100. Eighty-four Lumber advertises how cheap they are but they were the highest bid, about $600 more. I haven't started yet on the roof over the gas pumps. We got $3000 for flood damage on the pipe up on Sovocool Hill. We're working in there right now. That was in the flood last January. COLLEEN D. PIERSON - TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR - The County Assessment Office has informed us that their charges for tax bills will remain at $.25 per bill for this year. Some Supervisors have requested a written contract to assure that there is a clear understanding between all parties. The contract they sent to be signed and returned states: "The Town of Groton agrees to pay the Tompkins County Assessment Department the sum of $.25 per tax bill* for the production of laser printed tax bills. Payment shall be due within 30 days of delivery of the roll, bills and copies." *NOTE: Installment bills shall be charged at the rate of $.25 per bill ($.50 for 2 installments). The Tompkins County Town Clerk's Association didn't feel that this contract provided any information to substantiate the $.25 charge to the Towns nor did 3 the $.50 charge for 2 installments apply to the Towns -- This applies to the City of Ithaca only. At a subsequent Clerk's meeting, the Assessment Office provided us with a breakdown of expenses supporting the $.25 charge per tax bill which is the sheet that you have in front of you. George Totman said that the County Attorney, Stephen Whicher of the Assessment Department, and David Squires, Comptroller and Mike Lane are going to try to work this thing out at the Municipal Officials Meeting in McLean. Clerk said also in your packet is the new Property Description information that is being put on a CD in the Assessment Office and will be made available to the Town Clerks for use in their office at no charge to the Towns. Supervisor Robinson has not signed contract with Assessment Office since she felt it is an inadequate contract. We can discuss it at the TCMOA meeting and act on it later. Clerk Pierson read informational letter from Court Clerk to Service Education, Inc. regarding 1998 Maintenance Contract which is to be split between the Village and Town: Village share - 66% - $330.00. Town share - 34% - $170.00 Total - 100% - $500.00. Clerk Pierson received a registered letter from the Roman Village notify the Town Clerk that they intend to renew their liquor license. This notification is a requirement by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, Section 64 and 109. Consensus of the Board was that they had no objections to this renewal. Clerk Pierson received a sign off sheet on 1998 tax levy totals from the TC Division of Assessment if they agree with our 1998 budget tax totals. "The attached tax bill levy report summarizes each tax levy for your municipality for 1998. Please sign off on these levy totals if they agree with your 1998 budget tax totals. To assure timely delivery of tax rolls and bills, send or fax this confirmation to our office no later than December , 1997. (The Tax Bill Levy report for 1998 is correct.)" This does not have to be voted on. It just has to be signed that the totals are correct. Clerk Pierson passed out a question and answer pamphlet about the STAR Exemption. This is a partial exemption from school property taxes on owner- occupied, primary residences in New York State under the school tax relief (STAR) program. Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman VanBenschoten, that Colleen Pierson, Town Clerk, be authorized to attend the New York State Town Clerk's Association Regional Meeting in Olean on September 14 and 15, 1997. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson. Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman Palmer, that the Board go into executive session to discuss legal matters. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson. 8:30 - Board Meeting Recessed. 8:40 - Board Meeting Reconvened. Supervisor Robinson said the ventilators on the Highway Garage are leaking and 4 need to be sealed around them. This can be done by the Highway men. Board set the following dates for Budget Work Sessions - Thursday, September 18 at 6:45PM - Village of Groton Trustees will be present to discuss Main Street Repairs with the Town Board; 7:00PM - Highway Negotiations followed by Budget Work Session. Wednesday, September 24 at 7:00PM. The Court Clerk's computer, monitor and printer have been replaced with new equipment. Rather than having this put on a shelf, it would be nice if we could find a use for this equipment since it is in good working condition. Minimum wage has increased to $5.15 per hour. Our Election Inspectors are paid minimum wage which will increase to the $5.15 per hour for November Elections. Supervisor Robinson said that the Board should be thinking about the new Highway Superintendents wages. Leland is retiring and he earned his current salary after years of dedicated service. The Board should reconsider what Superintendent's wages should be -- he should not get top of scale. ROBERT WALPOLE - MAIN STREET COMMITTEE - Handed out packet for Board to digest prior to meeting on Sept. 18. Reviewed project and cost. They are about $200,000 to $250,000 short. The are requesting the Town to contribute $50,000 in a lump sum or over a five or ten year program if this is possible. There being no further business, Councilman Carey moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Councilman Palmer, at 9:12PM. Unanimous. Colleen D. Pierson Town Clerk BUDGET WORK SESSION - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1977 AT 6:45 P.M. Town Board Members Present Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman 5 Donald N. Palmer, Councilman Daniel J. Carey, Councilman Village of Groton Present Joe Neville Erma Lyon Glenn Morey Charles Rankin Robert Walpole Others Present Colleen D. Pierson Leland E. Cornelius Elizabeth Brennan Village and Town discussed Main Street Project. The Village would like the Town to contribute $50,000 payable the first year or $10,000 per year over a period of five years. This $50,000 would go towards the $250,000 the Village figures they need in addition to the Grant they received for this project. They will also need some manpower assistance from the Town in removing concrete, etc. Bids will be let out in the spring for an early May start. Town Board Members will discuss and check into the legal ramifications of this. HIGHWAY NEGOTIATIONS - The following highway employees were present: Richard Neville, Lester Coit, Marvin Smith, Joseph Graham, Gary Scutt Highway employees requested that Martin Luther King Day be treated as a regular holiday. The wordage should be changed in the Contract. They also requested a 60 cent per hour raise for 1998. Consensus of the Board was to go along with the Martin Luther King day and a 25 cent per hour increase. Highway employees asked to come back at next budget meeting (Sept. 24) to discuss further. BUDGET WORK SESSION ARLAND HEFFRON - TOWN JUSTICE - Town Court Clerk spends nine hours per week, 52 weeks per year for a total of 450 hours per year. At the current rate of $9.23/hr = $4150. With a three percent increase or $9.51 per hour this is $4279. This includes no trials. The two Judges also expect a 3% increase for a total of $16,098. The copy machine is not replaceable. A used rebuilt copier will cost $1,700. It's not practical to run into the kitchen to make copies. The $500 won't cover expenses to the Annual Association of Towns Conference in NYC. Clerk Pierson asked Judge Heffron if a trade in on the old copier was figured in. He knew nothing about it. Clerk also reminded Judge Heffron that he had said that they didn't have to have a copier in the Judges Office as long as 6 they have access to one. He also acknowledged that arrangements have already been made for the Court to use copier in kitchen. Board went through budget item by item. Discussed salary for new Highway Superintendent. Most felt it should be lowered to $35,000 since Leland's longevity is included. Don Palmer thought it should be $38,500. The Board also discussed rate of increase for employees. Consensus was to grant a three percent increase which means a 35 cent per hour increase for highway employees. Work session ended at 9:00 PM. and will be continued on Wednesday, September 24 at 7:00 P.M. Colleen D. Pierson Town Clerk BUDGET WORK SESSION - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1997 @ 7:00 P.M. Present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman Donald N. Palmer, Councilman Daniel J. Carey, Councilman Also present: Highway Employees Highway Employees said that the 25 cents per hour increase is only two percent and this was not satisfactory. The Board offered them 35 cents per hour or 3% increase. This was satisfactory to all highway employees. Supervisor said that also in the contract, new hires would not be hired for more than $8.00/hr. Board discussed putting a cap on highway wages. Also discussed health insurance for the new highway superintendent. It would be the same as the current Highway Superintendent - Town pays 100% for single coverage. The new wages for Highway Superintendent will start at $35,000. Mr. Palmer still felt they should start at $38,500. Board reviewed budget items and total amount to be raised by taxes. Supervisor Robinson did not have current assessment value from the County but came up with an approximate figure of seven percent bases on this years assessment figure. Supervisor and Bookkeeper will work out tentative budget for Town Clerk to present to the Town Board at the October 7th Meeting. 7 Colleen D. Pierson Town Clerk 8