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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-1997 & Special 12-29-1997 MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 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 Francis Casullo, Attorney Also present: Liz Brennan, Leland Cornelius, George Senter, Rick Case, Don & Kathy Mayes, Peg Palmer, Ida Pease, Francis Ciccoricco, Karl Heck, Deforest Hall, George Totman, Roy Bell III, Alton Alexander, Jeff Cargian, Don Scheffler, Joe Graham, Arland Heffron Supervisor Robinson asked Councilman Palmer why he voted against the 1998 Town Budget. Councilman Palmer raised the question of why he needed to justify a no vote. Supervisor Robinson said she wanted to know if he was against all the budget or were you---Councilman Palmer said he was against the budget as presented. Then you don't have any other statement to make on that. That's correct. Councilman Palmer raised a point of clarification. The minutes mention that there is a vacancy on the Planning Board. I wasn't aware of that. What was the reason for that? Supervisor Robinson said she had received the resignation of one of the members, Jeff Lewis. We will handle that a little later. Moved by Councilman Palmer, seconded by Councilman Carey, that the minutes of November 3, 1997, be approved as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson. Claim Nos. 186 to 207 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $24,176.83 and Claim Nos. 275 to 328 of the General Fund in the amount of $20,283.24 were presented for audit. Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman Palmer, that the bills be approved for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson. Claims No. 118 to 119 of the Special Grant Fund (HUD) in the amount of $4,920.07 were presented for audit. Moved by Councilman VanBenschoten, seconded by Councilman Carey, that the bills be approved for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Palmer, Carey, Robinson. KARL HECK - TOMPKINS COUNTY PLANNING DEPT - HUD ADMINISTRATION - Handed out info to Board Members (Not to Clerk). The last two pages are just a brief update on what has gone on this year. Forty houses have been 1 rehabilitated in the Town with the first two grants that the Town received. Progress will start on the third grant hopefully in the spring when the weather gets better. We are proposing one minor change and what this would involve is the Town requesting an amendment to the third grant to allow a limited number of mobile home replacement projects. The reason that we are asking for this is two fold -- it's a concern that we have had for quite some time in all the Towns that we work in that there is a number of dilapidated mobile homes that aren't typically reached with these types of programs and they tend to be the absolute worst housing available in the communities, not just in Groton but in all the communities that we serve. HUD was never really receptive to the idea of replacing any of these. They would allow you to replace a house that was dilapidated with a mobile home. As part of this we would propose up to three units. There is 15 slots available in the third grant that Groton received for their housing rehabilitation program. This program will focus on pre-1976 mobile homes which do not meet HUD quality standards for manufactured housing. If the Town wants to go ahead, a letter will be drafted to HUD and if they approve it then I will be authorized to proceed. Old mobile home will be removed from site by contractor. These replacement homes are secured with a five-year diminishing lien. All mobile homes are singlewides. There is a $25,000 grant limit for the owner-occupied and that would stay the same and there is really not anyway to do a doublewide for that price. We need a resolution from the Board authorizing the Supervisor to send letter to HUD proposing an amendment to our 1996 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program to allow up to three of the 15 proposed projects to be mobile home replacement projects. RESOLUTION NO. 50 - PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO 1996 SMALL CITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman Palmer Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby authorize the Town Supervisor to send a letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development proposing an amendment to the Towns 1996 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program to allow up to three of the 15 proposed projects to be mobile home replacement projects. RICHARD CASE, JR. - HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT ELECT - I feel personally obligated to the Board and the public to have this put to the Board and the Clerk for recording that this is a letter of disclosure. Letter reads: "I, Richard C. Case Jr., residing at 302 Pleasant Valley Road, Groton, N.Y., am the sole proprietor of Case Trucking. Case Trucking has operating authority within New York State to engage in intrastate transportation of any and all bulk commodities. Cargill Salt Inc. has in the past and presently employs Case Trucking as a carrier of their bulk deicing products. The Town of Groton has been a point of delivery for Case Trucking, through Cargill, for several years. Please note that the Town of Groton purchases deicing salt and delivery via the New York State Bid. The New York State de-icing salt bid is 2 an agreement between Cargill Salt Inc. and New York State. Case Trucking does not enter into this bidding process. Cargill Salt Inc. employs Case Trucking as a New York State Authorized carrier to transport their products. Signed: Richard C. Case Jr." Mr. Case said he had been in contact with the State Comptroller and he said that it wasn't necessary to do this but Mr. Case personally wanted it in the record. Mr. Case said that it is not any conflict of interest and if anybody has any questions or concerns he'd be happy to address them. DEFOREST HALL - 721 SALT ROAD - I've made this same complaint to the Highway Department and I believe to you also Teresa as Town Supervisor. I am wondering when the snow plows are plowing if there is anyway that they can control that wing and just plow snow instead of plowing a furrow of dirt along everyones property. Can anybody give me an answer to that? Supervisor Robinson said "no, they do it to me too." Hall: You told me that before. Robinson - It depends on the weather and whatever else is going on. I can't guarantee that they aren't going to do it. Hall: There is no down pressure or up pressure on that wing? L. Cornelius: It rides on the ground and we can't control it with no frost in the ground. We do the best we can. JEFF CARGIAN - VILLAGE TRUSTEE - I put in a written request and received the monthly expenditures for the month of October. My specific request for Mr. Casullo's bill for that month was not there. T. Robinson - It wasn't in there. J. Cargian - I'm wondering why that is. T. Robinson - Because we didn't pay it that month. J. Cargian - Then will you be billed on a monthly basis as you are with your regular Attorney? T. Robinson - The bill came in later on. J. Cargian - Okay, so another request will get that information for me? LIZ BRENNAN - BOOKKEEPER - I have already placed the Monthly Report before you and also a list of Revenues and Expenditures to date. We have a rather long list of transfers that are needed in the General Fund Townwide and the General Fund Part-Town. Councilman Palmer - Question on Fuel Tank Project. We're transferring another $2,282 into that project? Liz - Yes, it's for siding ... D. Palmer - as I look at that project right now it looks like we've spent almost $31,000 on that project. Is that prior to this transfer? Liz - Right and that includes everything - installing the tanks and ... L. Cornelius - This is the building, Don, that we are doing after the project. D. Palmer - What is in that account right now, is what I am trying to understand. Liz - All the expenses to put the fuel tanks there, the fuel tanks themselves, the framing. D. Palmer - The project right now shows almost $31,000 incurred for the project. That includes the tank and movement? Liz - Right. Everything involved with the fuel tanks and this is the finishing touch. D. Palmer - Did we have a total estimate for that project? T. Robinson - Yes, we did. It was less than that. L. Cornelius - We had the maximum bid - $26,000. This extra is putting that building up out there. We had a quote on the lumber and the only extra is the $1700 for the steel that we are putting on three sides of 3 the building. L. Sovocool - Liz, how much money do we have left in the contingency? Liz - Contingency is gone. We've started taking from other accounts that I know we are not going to be spending. I've taken from Insurance and Election. D. Carey - Under Traffic Control - Are those signs new signs or are they old signs that got destroyed and you have to replace them? L. Cornelius - Those are sign posts. D. Carey - What happened to the other posts? L. Cornelius - They got knocked down and cars hit them. D. Palmer - If we've already depleted our contingency fund and we're going over into other categories for probably November and December bills, what's our plan in covering those. Liz - We'll have to see what money we might have left in accounts. Hopefully, there is not going to be very many bills left for December otherwise it will make an effect on our appropriated fund balance for next year. D. Palmer - Will there be Attorney fees in process beyond what we've already paid, Fran? F. Casullo - If it would make it easier for you guys, I can hold off until next year. RESOLUTION NO. 51 - AUTHORIZATION TO APPROVE TRANSFERS Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson RESOLVED , that the Groton Town Board does hereby authorize the following transfer of funds: GENERAL FUND (TOWNWIDE) From: Contingency A1990.4 ....................$3,841.39 To: Justice Clerk, Pers. Serv.Salary A1110.13 461.51 Traffic Control, Contr. (Sign Posts) A3310.4.. 85.00 Attorney, Misc A1420.41 (Legal Fee - Sirens).. 2,812.75 Personnel, Pers. Serv. Dpt.Clerk Salary A1430.1 482.13 From: Contingency A1990.4..................... 330.50 Unallocated Ins. A1910.4................ 2,419.50 To: Engineer, (Harrinton/DEC Mine A1440.4).... 2,750.00 From: Unallocated Insurance A1910.4........... 1,480.65 Unallocated Insurance A1450.4........... 801.98 To: Central Garage, Fuel Tank Cover A1640.41...2,282.63 GENERAL FUND (PART-TOWN) 4 From: Contingency B1990.4..................... 45.00 To: Municipal Assoc Dues B1920.4.............. 45.00 GEORGE SENTER, SR. - CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER - Year-to-Date Building Permits issued: 1996 6 Houses 13 Mobile Homes Other 68 1997 8 Houses 21 Mobile Homes Other 65 All Life Safety Inspections are current. LELAND CORNELIUS - HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT - I don't have anything. I just want you to know that I bought that steel for the roof and side pieces over the gas tanks. Supervisor Robinson thanked Corney for his years of service. COUNCILMAN PALMER - Is there any update on the County turning some roads over to the town for snow removal? Yes, Rick decided that we could do it. We are going to do 10 more miles for the County. Peruville will be closing down the first of the year. Rick said he had been in contact with Ward Hungerford who is in charge of the County Roads and will send amendment to present contract. Roads are Peruville area, Lafayette Road and Pleasant Valley Road...........estimating it will generate $15,000 to $20,000....(Papers rustling - could not hear Rick). SUPERVISOR ROBINSON - You are not going to get away that easy Mr. Cornelius. I'd like to, on behalf of the Board, to thank you for your 26 years of service to the Town. You have done a fine job and we are proud of you, the community is proud of you and Tompkins County is too, I am sure. We wish you well in Florida. COLLEEN D. PIERSON, TOWN CLERK - Monthly reports were reviewed by the Board. ARLAND HEFFRON & ALTON ALEXANDER - TOWN JUSTICES - Monthly reports were reviewed by the Board. Town Justice Alexander made some suggestions to the Board on Dog Control. As of right now from a letter from the SPCA we have no one that can service our warrants. If people come to court, good, but if they don't we can't do much about it or if they come to court and you fine them and they promise to pay we can't do much about it. I think if we are going to have a real effective dog control we have to have maybe a Town Constable appointed or hired or someone to serve the warrants to the people that don't want to cooperate anymore. As of right now we have nobody that can do it. Supervisor Robinson said we can for a fee right now. Discussed fines charged for dog cases. Justice Alexander asked the Board to consider hiring someone to serve warrants in the evening and it does not have to be a law officer. I have three warrants to be served right now and we probably will have more. Justice Heffron discussed this with the Town Supervisor and he recommends that some action be taken on Section 15 of the Dog Control Law. It goes on to say that a violation of this law shall constitutes a violation as defined in the Penal Law of the State of New York, and shall be punishable by a penalty of not more than $25.00 for the first violation, not more than $50.00 for the 5 second violation and not more than $75.00 for the third and all subsequent violations. The Penal Law of the State of New York considers a violation a maximum penalty of $250.00 or 15 days in jail or both on a simple violation. You are contradicting yourselves on this law. It says the maximum shall not be more than $25.00 for the first violation but if you go by the Penal Law the maximum penalty is $250.00. I would feel very very sad if I fined someone $250.00 for not renewing their dog license. In regard to what Alton said about a Constable, the Court turned over more than $1200 in dog violations alone to the Town last year. It could have been more had we had a method to call these people up and bring them back into court. Clerk Pierson said that if the Court fined the delinquent dog owners the maximum fine of $25.00 for the first offense instead of $10.00 or $15.00 maybe this would discourage the dog owners from neglecting to license their dogs timely. All dog monies received in the Town are to go for dog control only. These dog violations contribute to added costs for Dog Control Services and Clerks administrative costs. Clerk Pierson suggested Justice Heffron and Justice Alexander look through the Town's Dog Control Law to see if there are any other changes to consider. Attorney Casullo will also review law and amendments to be considered in February or March. COLLEEN D. PIERSON - TOWN CLERK - Carol Marks, Deputy Clerk retired under the Town's Retirement Incentive Program. Her last day of work was November 26th at noon. She had 15 hours of vacation left, making her last day of work November 28, 1997. I have hired a new Deputy Clerk, April Scheffler, who started on December 5th. I would like the Board's approval to pay April $8.00 per hour which is approximately $1.50 per hour less than the former Deputy. RESOLUTION NO. 52 - AUTHORIZATION TO PAY NEW DEPUTY CLERK $8.00 PER HOUR Moved by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the new Deputy Town Clerk, April Scheffler, be paid $8.00 per hour. Councilman Palmer asked, referring to Section E of the Town's Dog Control Agreement with the SPCA, if it was too late to talk about having the SPCA issue or enforce any of these warrants? Would that relieve part of our problem? It specifically says that they will not be required to enforce any warrant. Justice Heffron spoke to Supervisor but did not use a mic and was not audible. Supervisor Robinson read a note from the SPCA to the Court: "In our contract negotiations with all the local Towns, Groton included, it was decided that the Towns did not want to hire the SPCA to perform this function. This has not stopped several Towns from asking and my fear is that if we make an exception once for serving summonses, it will easily become an expected part of our duties." Clerk Pierson asked the Justice if the Court didn't serve summonses for other things than dogs. Peg Palmer said no, they are taken care of by the law 6 enforcement agency which includes Groton Police and Tompkins County Sheriff. Councilman Sovocool said that we can only spend dog money on dogs. We should find out if the SPCA will renegotiate to issue warrants. Clerk Pierson said that if we don't need a Constable for anything other than dogs as Peg Palmer said, then we should ask the SPCA if they will negotiate. Peg Palmer - But we use a Town Constable for other things besides dogs. Clerk Pierson - That is what I just asked. Then why would we want the SPCA to do this when you need a Town Constable anyway for other things. Peg Palmer - I'm not sure what point she is making. Clerk Pierson - Do we need the SPCA to serve these warrants and do we need a Town Constable to serve these warrants? Peg Palmer - A Town Constable would have other duties too other than just dogs. Clerk Pierson - Okay - thank you. We sure don't need both to serve warrants. RESOLUTION NO. 53 - APPROVE 1998 DOG CONTRACT WITH THE SPCA Moved by Councilman VanBenschoten, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby approve the 1998 Dog Contract in the amount of $9,880.00 with the Tompkins County SPCA. RESOLUTION NO. 54 - AUTHORIZATION TO RECEIVE 1998 STATE REGISTER SUBSCRIPTION Moved by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Palmer Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby desire to receive the 1998 subscription to the State Register. Anyone planning to attend the Association of Towns Training School and Annual Meeting on February 15-18 should request Board approval and make bus reservations with Supervisor Robinson. Clerk Pierson read request from Justice Heffron and Court Clerk Palmer requesting the Town to cover their expenses for travel, registration, room and board for this training session, as provided in the 1998 Town Budget. RESOLUTION NO. 55 - SET DATE FOR 1998 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman Palmer Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson RESOLVED , that the Groton Town Board will hold the 1998 Organizational Meeting on Tuesday, January 6, 1998, at 7:30 P.M. 7 Van C. Travis, Jr. submitted a resume pertaining to his interest in the vacancy on the Town Planning Board as announced by Supervisor Robinson at the Town Board Meeting on November 3rd. Supervisor Robinson said that with all the things happening right now that we needed a full Board. George Totman asked Supervisor Robinson if she had advertized that we had an opening. Supervisor Robinson said that she had stated it here at the meeting for those that were interested and people were here from McLean. His name was sent in and he seems to have qualifications enough. Why, do you have some objections? George Totman - No, I just wondered ..... Deforest Hall - I have inquired about it several times over the years but seem to have gotten nowhere so I was one of them. I don't know what the problem was. Supervisor Robinson - Well, I don't know. This name was sent in to us with his resume and he sent it in and I'm submitting his name as a candidate. RESOLUTION NO. 56 - APPOINTMENT OF VAN C.TRAVIS, JR. TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson RESOLVEDappoint Van C. Travis, Jr. of , that the Town Board does hereby McLean to fill the unexpired term of Jeff Lewis on the Town of Groton Planning Board which expires December 31, 2001. Supervisor Robinson - We also have a rule that all members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals are to attend at least one training school per year or have some good reason for not doing it and I get an attendance sheet at the end of the year and I don't know but we might have some empty spaces again. We have to have a hearing but we might have some more empty spaces. Supervisor Robinson - I have the contract for the drug reporting. As it is now it has worked out very well. It's been a reasonable cost to us and I think I'd like to take it on again if you don't mind. This is the consortium that we belong to with the County of Tompkins and other Towns and Villages in the County. I think we have spent to date around $300.00 which isn't too bad. We haven't had any problems with our employees. RESOLUTION NO. 57 - RENEW TOMPKINS COUNTY DRUG AND ALCOHOL CONSORTIUM CONTRACT FOR 1998 Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby wish to renew our Tompkins County Drug and Alcohol Consortium Contract for 1998. COUNCILMAN DAN CAREY - I'd like to propose a resolution to the Town Board. By reading the newspapers and the state of affairs with dairy farming with the low milk price and expenses going up made it pretty tight this year for dairy 8 farmers particularly in Groton. I'd like to propose a resolution that would support dairy farmers in Groton and Tompkins County to pursue action to join the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact which by our taking this action as a resolution, we send it to Albany, the Town of Groton is in favor of the dairy farmers pursuing this action in joining the Northeast Dairy Compact to provide a better milk price for farmers in New York State. At the present time there is a dairy compact in place in the New England States providing an over order price of up to $1.30 back to farmers. It's money that's collected and sent directly back to farmers. It doesn't go to a processor, handler or a middleman. It's money collected by a 26 member commission in New England that sets a price over and above the federal class one fluid price and as the class one federal price changes ....... as the money collected in the market place by the milk handlers selling fluid milk and that money is in turn pooled by the Compact Commission and returned to dairy farmers. I would like to have this resolution sent on to Tompkins County and the NYS Department of Ag and Markets. RESOLUTION NO. 58 - SUPPORT OF NORTHEAST DAIRY COMPACT Moved by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Palmer Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson WHEREAS , agriculture is one of the Town of Groton's largest industries, producing numerous agricultural products annually which create a significant local financial impact; and WHEREAS , the dairy industry in the Town of Groton is a primary agricultural enterprise, contributing specifically to the social and economic well-being of the Town; and WHEREAS , the dairy farmers of the Town of Groton are one of the most efficient and productive industries in the Town; and WHEREAS , Town of Groton dairy farmers are suffering stress due to high input and associated costs of doing business, coupled with extremely low milk prices and a non-competitive financial position compared to milk producers in other regions of the country; and WHEREAS , Town of Groton dairy farmers have seen the price they receive for their milk drop to the price levels of early this decade, and during the same time, the average cost of producing milk has grown higher; and WHEREAS , with the lower margins, Town of Groton dairy farmers are also experiencing severe swings in price, causing a significant drop in income; and WHEREAS , in order to relieve the tremendous amount of stress and to prevent the demise of dairy farmers which would devastate the economy of the Town of Groton and significantly hurt the economies of Tompkins 9 County and New York State; therefore be it RESOLVED , that the Groton Town Board encourages New York State legislative leaders and Governor Pataki to immediately take any emergency milk price relief measures available; and be it further RESOLVED , that New York State officials move swiftly to approve the Northeast Dairy Compact to enhance milk producers income and eliminate milk price inequities between the milk producers in New York, as well as between New York producers and those in other regions of the United States; and be it further RESOLVED , that New York legislative leaders and Governor Pataki urge Federal officials to review the milk pricing concerns of local dairy farmers of New York State, including the dairy farmers of the Town of Groton, to bring the price of milk to a competitive level; and be it further RESOLVED , that New York State governmental officials continue to work at developing ways to improve the business climate of dairy farmers in this State; and be if further RESOLVED , that copies of this Resolution be forwarded to the appropriate state and federal elective officials, as well as the appropriate state/federal departments, agencies and/or associations. Supervisor Robinson reported that the Tompkins County Municipal Officials Association discussed Telecommunications Towers and structures. It is something that is coming to all these areas and Towns. They can put them practically any place they want to unless you have something specifically on the books and, naturally, we do not. To protect ourself at this time I asked the Attorney to set up a moratorium to give us time to establish the wireless communication towers and antenna for a period of 120 days. Attorney Casullo explained that most Towns do not have this on their books. With the Town being in the I-81 corridor, we need some time to get something on the books in the form of an amendment to the Land Use Code. If you want too, we would need a resolution to consider a Local Law to address the cellular tower issue. We need to go to County Planning to see if they have any objections. GEORGE TOTMAN - PLANNING BOARD CHAIRMAN - My only suggestion would be, I know all the other towns around are having the same problem, because it's on the agenda for the Town of Dryden, a moratorium. My suggestion would be because the other Towns are already looking at it and thinking about having a meeting, there is talk about Towns getting together and seeing what they can do and can't do because some of these are being regulated by utilities. My only suggestion would be to have a six month moratorium to give us some time to work on it. Attorney Casullo said that you could pass a local law to try to regulate these things but you may be preempted because the telecommunication towers are regulated by the Federal Law. Federal Law may supercede anything 10 these smaller Towns do. That's going to be an issue that will eventually go to the courts. SUPERVISOR ROBINSON - One of the other things that they had brought up at the meeting was that if Town's and Villages are interested in having this company write a quality ordinance and application, if at least five agree the cost will be $500 per municipality. The usual cost is $7500 - $10,000 per municipality. The Town and Village must agree that Monroe Tele- Communications would be their official expert on each citing, application and ordinance. The application would pay for the cost of the expertise at a cost of approximately $5000 to $7000 per citing. My understanding is that Caroline and Dryden are going to go into this. You have to have at least five. George Totman - I would be very cautious of having these people come in and help write an ordinance and then they get all the business coming into your town and then they have a monopoly on your town. FRANCIS CICCORICCO - The Federal Communications will only preempt any local law if its due to hazards to human beings, radiation hazards. That's the only preemption. Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman VanBenschoten, that the Town Board does hereby desire to consider adopting a Local Law regulating the installation of Cellular Phones/Tele- Communication Towers within the Town of Groton. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson. Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, that the Town Board schedule a Special Town Board Meeting for Monday, December 29, 1997 at 7:30P.M. to have a public hearing and vote on proposed Local Law #5 regulating Cellular Phones/TeleCommunication Towers within the Town of Groton. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson. Urban Coordination Committee Meeting is December 10 at the Transit Center Conference Room in Ithaca if you are interested in this milk question. Dan is going to be presenting with some other fellows. COLLEEN D. PIERSON, TOWN CLERK - We need a resolution for Highway Contract - Exhibit A. We also need a resolution on revised Highway pay schedule for 1998. RESOLUTION NO. 59 - APPROVAL OF 1998 HIGHWAY NEGOTIATIONS Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman VanBenschoten Ayes - Councilmen Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey and Supervisor Robinson RESOLVED , that the Town of Groton Highway Employees be granted the following for the year 1998: 1) A 35 cent an hour pay increase across the board. 11 2) Martin Luther King Day shall be recognized as a legal holiday, the same as others listed under Item 6 - Holidays. RESOLUTION NO. 60 - AUTHORIZE HIGHWAY SUPT. TO GIVE PAY INCREASES EFFECTIVE JAN. 1, 1998 1997 1998 NAME & TITLE PRESENT +.35 5 YR. INCREASE TOTAL O.T. Holl, J. - MEO $12.80 .35 $13.15 $19.73 Smith, M. - MEO 12.11 .35 (2/9/88 $12.61) 12.46 18.69 Coit, L. - MEO 12.11 .35 (8/1/88 $12.61) 12.46 18.69 Neville, R. - MEO 12.28 .35 12.63 18.95 Scutt, G. - Labor 11.99 .35 (11/20/88 $12.49) 12.34 18.51 Carr, P. - Labor 11.99 .35 12.34 18.51 Bogardus, R.-Mech. 12.28 .35 12.63 18.95 Graham, J. - Labor 11.77 .35 12.12 18.18 Supervisor Robinson - I have received a letter from DEC stating that they have received the Town's completed application for a mining permit. GEORGE TOTMAN - PLANNING BOARD CHAIRMAN - At the last Town Board Meeting you asked the Planning Board to deal with the SOB's and to come up with a solution before January 4th. I have what the Planning Board is presenting to the Town Board as an ordinance to regulate sexually oriented businesses. We present it to you and hopefully you will accept it. We took it from many other ordinances that we looked at and used one main one that seemed to be more what we had in mind. I have given a copy of it to Fran and I believe it will stand his test. The only thing that I noticed tonight reading through it, on the second page, it has to be 1000' from anything. FRAN CASULLO, ATTORNEY - I think it's good. The only comment that I could make -- it says that these adult uses are only going to be allowed in an agricultural district. If you look at our Code, the only thing that comes close to rural agricultural is rural agricultural which basically is going to allow it throughout the whole town. I think if you are looking here you will probably want it in I District. I think the Town Board should look this over and give me any comments so that I can have it in proposed local law form by your January 6th meeting. 12 G. Totmam - We did it that way because we have to cut down. We are saying it has to be 1000 feet from anything which in a circle that is 2000 feet. We are talking about the rural agricultural district. Three of the Planning Board Members put a lot of time in this and I think they did a nice job on it. Councilman Carey suggested to go 2000 feet or 1500 feet. Mr. Totman said you can't prohibit them altogether. He suggested staying with the 1000 feet as indicated in the draft. The New York State Department of State is training newly elected officials. Registration is in Syracuse and Montour Falls. Don Scheffler introduced himself as Councilman elect. The Groton Business Association is hosting a holiday reception at the Groton American Legion on Wednesday, December 17 starting at 5:00 P.M. Supervisor Robinson - We have two openings on county boards. One is for the Cable Commission (Jeff Cargian is the Village representative). Also, we have an opening on the Environmental Management Council. If you know of anyone interested in filling these openings, please let us know. 9:37PM - Moved by Councilman Palmer, seconded by Councilman Carey that the Board go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman VanBenschoten, that the Board go into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation - Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson 9:58 P.M. - Board Meeting reconvened. Attorney Fran Casullo - We discussed a personnel matter and there was no action taken at this point and we discussed matters on pending litigation. There being no further business, Councilman Carey moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, at 10:00PM. Unanimous. (((Supervisor Robinson -- I apologize, and I should have thought before, but I want to thank Dutch for serving with us and being a very conscientious Councilman. Thank you for your many years.)))) Colleen D. Pierson Town Clerk 13 MINUTES OF SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1997 @ 7:30 P.M. Present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman Donald N. Palmer, Councilman Daniel J. Carey, Councilman Francis Casullo, Attorney Also present: Leland Cornelius, Richard Case, Jr., Donald Scheffler, Terry Scheffler, Francis Ciccoricco Purpose of meeting was to hold hearing on cellular towers and take action on same. Board Meeting convened at 7:30 P.M. 7:30PM - Hearing on proposed Local Law #5 for the year 1997 which would impose a moratorium for the establishment of wireless communication towers and antennas for at least 120 days - Notice published in Moravia Republican- Register on December 17, 1997. Supervisor Robinson - Do you have any questions or would like to make a statement? Any questions? F. Ciccoricco - I do have a question. The public notice said 120 days. That's false, right? T. Robinson - 180 days. F. Ciccoricco - 120 days in the Suburban Pennysaver. F. Casullo - approximately. F. Ciccoricco - Forget about it. It said 120 days. 14 F. Casullo - What did they do, make an error? F. Ciccoricco - It was an error. C. Pierson - It says for at least 120 days. F. Ciccoricco - At least 120 days. You're right. That's correct. F. Casullo - That's all right because we'll have the new law within three or four months. T. Robinson - So this has to be changed to 120? C. Pierson - In the local law itself it said 180 days. F. Casullo - That's okay. T. Robinson - No problem, I just wanted -- but it will stay 120 days, right? T. Robinson - Any other statements? Any questions? If not, I declare the hearing closed. Hearing closed at 7:37 P.M. Board meeting reconvened. Supervisor Robinson asked for a motion on the law. Attorney Casullo said we set this up for six months or 180 days. In reality we are going to have something in place well before four. RESOLUTION NO. 61 - ADOPT LOCAL LAW NO. 5 FOR THE YEAR 1997 Moved by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman VanBenschoten Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Palmer, Carey, Robinson RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby adopt Local Law No. 5 for the year 1997 providing for a moratorium for the establishment of wireless communication towers and antennas in the Town of Groton for a period of 180 days. Supervisor Robinson - Since we have completed our special meeting and the hearing, I'd like to call on Mr. Ciccoricco. "WE THE PEOPLE ON OGDEN ROAD WISH TO THANK THE FRANCIS CICCORICCO - TOWN BOARD FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR LEE FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF EXCELLENT SERVICE. LEE, IN APPRECIATION FOR ALL YOUR GOOD WORK, WE THE PEOPLE ON THE HILL ARE PRESENTING YOU THIS MEMENTO." 15 Leland Cornelius, Highway Superintendent, was presented with a framed scroll signed individually by all the residents on Ogden Hill Road. Supervisor Robinson thanked Lee, Dutch and Carol. We had a reception for them on Saturday which was well attended. Now Corney has two plaques that he can put away to gather dust. I believe that this is the end of our business. There being no further business, moved by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman VanBenschoten, to adjourn meeting at 7:42 P.M. Unanimous. ****SHORTEST MEETING ON RECORD**** Colleen D. Pierson Town Clerk 16