HomeMy WebLinkAboutORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 2000 (B)
TOWN BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2000 AT 7:30 PM
Those Present: Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor
Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman
Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman
Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman
Duane T. Randall, II, Councilman
Also Present: Mark Gunn, Don Palmer, Peg Palmer, Jean Morey, Lyle Raymond,
Dewey Dawson, April Scheffler, Rick Case.
Colleen D. Pierson, Town Clerk, administered the oath of office to Board Members and
Supervisor.
MOVEDAnnual
by Councilman Randall, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to accept the
Town Audit of Financial Statements for the Year 1998
as presented by Kirby, Beals, & Maier.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLUTION #1 - YEAR 2000 ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS
Item 1 – DepositoryMOVED
– by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that the First National Bank of Groton be designated as the depository for all
monies coming into the hands of the Supervisor and Town Clerk of the Town of Groton.
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 2 of 16 January 4, 2000
Item 2 – Official NewspaperMOVED
– by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman
Scheffler.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Clark, Morey.
Nays – Randall.
RESOLVED,
that the Moravia Republican Register be designated as the official newspaper of the
Town of Groton with notices also to be published in the Freeville Shopper. (See discussion
pertaining to this issue on page 8.)
Item 3 – Law FirmMOVED
– by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark.
Nays – Morey.
RESOLVED,
that the law firm of Pomeroy, Armstrong, Baranello & Casullo be retained as
Attorneys for the Town of Groton. (See discussion pertaining to this issue on page 9 - 10 .)
Item 4 – Zoning OfficerMOVED
– by Councilman Randall, seconded by Councilman Sovocool.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that Mark D. Gunn be appointed Zoning Officer and Building and Fire Code
Enforcement Officer for the Town of Groton.
Item 5 – Constable
– Vacant at this time.
Item 6 – Deputy SupervisorMOVED
- by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman
Sovocool.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that Donald F. Scheffler be appointed Deputy Supervisor for the Town of Groton.
Item 7 – Deputy Highway SuperintendentMOVED
– by Councilman Randall, seconded by
Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that Judson Holl be appointed Deputy Highway Superintendent for the Town of
Groton.
Item 7A – Deputy Town ClerkMOVED
– by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman
Randall.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that April Scheffler be appointed Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Groton.
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 3 of 16 January 4, 2000
Item 8 – BookkeeperMOVED
– by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Sovocool.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that Elizabeth Brennan be appointed as Bookkeeper for the Town of Groton.
Item 9 – Part Time Court ClerkMOVED
– by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman
Randall.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that Margaret Palmer be appointed as part-time Court Clerk for the Town of
Groton.
Item 10 – Part Time McLean Crossing GuardMOVED
– by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by
Councilman Clark.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that Margaret Albern be appointed part-time McLean School Crossing Guard for
the Town of Groton.
Item 11 – Town HistorianMOVED
– by councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman
Scheffler.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that Juanita Griffin be appointed as Town Historian for the Town of Groton.
Item 12 – Election CustodiansMOVED
– by Councilman Randall, seconded by Councilman
Clark.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that Lewis Robinson and Lee Shurtleff be appointed Election Custodians for the
Town of Groton.
Item 13 – Small - Tool ExpendituresMOVED
– by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman
Sovocool.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that small tool expenditures of up to $1000 by the Highway Superintendent, or
designee, be authorized. (Supervisor Morey – Special note on that: Rick would like to raise that to
$2000. You all have a purchasing procedure policy that we have, so we will have to review that
for next time.)
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 4 of 16 January 4, 2000
Item 14 – Town Health InsuranceMOVED
– by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by
Councilman Randall.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Insurance for the Supervisor, Town Clerk, and
Highway Superintendent be paid by the Town of Groton. Highway Superintendent to be paid for
at the single person rate with additional coverage for family being paid for by Highway
Superintendent. Highway employees to have 75% of coverage paid for by Town.
Item 15 – Town Board Regular MeetingsMOVED
– by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by
Councilman Sovocool.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board will hold their regular Town Board Meetings on the second
Tuesday of each month at 7:00 – 7:30 P.M. to review invoices and 7:30 P.M. for the Board
Meeting, at the Town Hall on Conger Boulevard, Groton, NY.
Item 16 – Fix Salaries of Town OfficersMOVED
– by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by
Councilman Randall.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby fix the annual salaries of the following Town
Officers and employees at the amounts respectfully stated and that such salaries shall be paid at the
time respectfully specified:
a) Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor $ 8,500.00 Biweekly
b) Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman $ 1,583.00 Quarterly
c) Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman $ 1,583.00 Quarterly
d) Duane T. Randall, II, Councilman $ 1,583.00 Quarterly
e) Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman $ 1,583.00 Quarterly
f) Colleen D. Pierson, Town Clerk $27,571.00 Biweekly
g) Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent $41,200.00 Biweekly
st
h) Arland L. Heffron, 1 Town Justice $ 7,552.00 Biweekly
nd
i) Arthur D. Dawson, 2 Town Justice $ 6000.00 Biweekly
j) Mark D. Gunn, Code Enforcement $13,925.00 Biweekly
k) Juanita Griffin, Historian $ 1,000.00 Quarterly
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 5 of 16 January 4, 2000
Item # 17- Appointment of Representatives to Town and County ProgramsMOVED
– by
Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED
, to appoint the following as representatives to Town and County Programs:
County Youth Recreation Programs - Steven Gallow
Environmental Management Council – Duane Randall
Tompkins County Transportation Council – Glenn Morey
Tompkins County CATV Commission – Dennis Butts
Tompkins County Planning Board - Van Travis
Groton Local Youth Program - Orlando Houghtaling, Kathleen Howard, Teresa Robinson.
Tompkins County Human Services Coalition – Teresa Robinson
Tompkins County Fire, Disaster and EMS Advisory Board – Willis Sheldon, Lee Shurtlef
Item 18 – Supervisor’s Appointment to Committee MembersMOVED
– by Councilman Randall,
seconded by Councilman Clark.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that the Supervisor's appointment of committee members be approved as follows:
Finance – Glenn Morey & Donald Scheffler
Machinery – Sheldon Clark
Building – Duane Randall & Donald Scheffler
Fire Department - Ellard Sovocool
Personnel – Glenn Morey & Donald Scheffler
Zoning, Bldg. and Fire Code – Duane Randall
HUD Loans - Ellard Sovocool
Light Districts - Donald Scheffler
Fixed Assets - Ellard Sovocool
Senior Citizens - Donald Scheffler
Planning Board – Rotating Attendance
Appeals Board – Rotating Attendance
Highway – Sheldon Clark
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 6 of 16 January 4, 2000
Item 19 - Set fees for Town ServicesMOVED
– by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by
Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that fees for the Town services be set as follows:
1) Master List for Excavating $ 2.00
2) Certification of Taxes/Search $ 5.00 1st yr., $1.00 ea. addn. yr.
3) Photocopies - 8 1/2 x 11 $ .25
4) Photocopies - 8 1/2 x 14 $ .50
5) Photocopies - 11 x 17 $ .50
6) Transcript of Marriage $10.00
7) Marriage Certificate $10.00
8) Marriage License $25.00
9) Town, Village, County Maps $ .50
10) Mileage - Town Officials $ .30
11) Dog Licenses $18.00 unaltered
$10.00 altered
12) Returned Check Fee $15.00
13) Fax Copies - Transmit $ 1.00 per page
Receive $ .25 per page
14) Duplicate Tax Receipt $ 1.00
15) Town Directory $ 5.00
16) Land Use & Dev. Code $10.00
17) Mobile Home Ordinance $ 5.00
18) Certified Copies $ 5.00
Item 20 – Set Hourly RatesMOVED
– by Councilman Randall, seconded by councilman
Scheffler.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby set the hourly rates as follows:
1) Deputy Town Clerk $ 9.27 per hour
2) Court Clerk $10.25 per hour
3) Bookkeeper $13.07 per hour
4) Custodian $ 9.00 per hour
5) Crossing Guard $ 7.67 per hour
6) New Part Time Clerks $ 8.00 per hour
7) Constable $10.25 per hour
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 7 of 16 January 4, 2000
Item # 21 Miscellaneous Appointments, Fees, EtcMOVED
. – by Councilman Scheffler,
seconded by Councilman Sovocool.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
1) Annual Retainer Fee for Legal Services rendered by Pomeroy, Armstrong, Baranello,
and Casullo be set at $7,500.00 annually. (See discussion and motion pertaining to this,
following discussion pertaining to Item 3 of Resolution #1 – Law Firm, on page 10 - 12.)
2) Authorize the Town Clerk to hire Laura Haughn as part time Deputy Clerk to assist with
tax collection at an hourly rate per budget appropriation.
3) Authorize Highway Superintendent to give pay raises effective January 1, 2000:
Name & Title_____________1999________+.40_________2000______+ extras
Judson Holl – MEO 13.83 .40 14.23
M. Smith – MEO 13.11 .40 13.51
L. Coit – MEO 13.11 .40 13.51
R. Neville – MEO 13.14 .40 13.54
G. Scutt – MEO 12.99 .40 13.44
P. Carr – MEO 12.83 .40 13.53 .15
R. Bogardus – Mech. 13.14 .40 13.84 .30
J. Graham – MEO 12.60 .40 13.30
4) Authorize Annual Association of Towns Training School in February in New York City
– Arland Heffron, Glenn Morey, Duane Randall, George Totman, Sheldon Clark, and
Margaret Palmer.
5) Appoint Glenn Morey as Delegate for Annual Association of Towns Meeting in New
York City and appoint Arland Heffron as alternate.
6) Appoint contact people for Drug and Alcohol Testing Program – Richard Case and
Glenn Morey.
7) Appoint Town Planning Board Members-
1.Brenda Talbot – Term expiring 2002
2.April Scheffler – Term expiring 2004
3.Barb Clark – Term expiring 2006
8) Reappoint Chairman of Town Planning Board – George Totman.
9) Appoint Zoning Board of Appeals Member – Lisa McElroy – Term expiring 2004
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 8 of 16 January 4, 2000
10) Reappoint Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman – Lyle Raymond
11) Appoint Representatives to Groton Youth Commission – Orlando Houghtaling,
Kathleen Howard, Teresa Robinson.
12) Retain Doug’s Trash Removal Service at the rate of $64.00 per month for the period
January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2000.
13) Reappoint Loan Committee responsible for the review of applications and the
distribution of Industrial Development Association and other public funds – Gary Watrous,
John McLean, Dan Carey, Judy Demond, and Glenn Morey.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The following are discussions pertaining to certain items in Resolution #1 and took place at various
times during the meeting but are included here collectively.
Discussion pertaining to Item 2 of Resolution #1 – Official Newspaper:
Supervisor Morey
– Item #2, Tyke, you had a concern about that?
Councilman Randall
– Yeah, actually, I’m a local person, always lived here, and it bothers me a
little bit that, number one, I’ve never seen a Moravia Republican Register, in my life, and I’m
from Groton. So, I would like to see a Groton paper, like the Groton Independent, or something
like that, that’s available to the Town.
Supervisor Morey
– Colleen?
Clerk Pierson
– I’d have to agree with him. I would like to see a local paper. However, we’re
pretty limited. It has to be certain circulation, the paper does, in order to have that as our legal
paper. How we handled that before was that the Moravian Republican Register was cheaper than
the Ithaca Journal or the Cortland Standard. So the Board agreed to use the Moravia Republican
Register as our official paper, and every legal notice is advertised in the Shopper where a lot of
people see it. That is an additional expense to the Town, but I don’t think it’s anymore than it
would be in the Cortland Standard or the Ithaca Journal. You couldn’t have just one of those
papers either because one of them covers half the township and the other, the other half. But it is
entirely up to the Board. I had a fellow come in from the Lansing paper and he wanted us to run
our legals in that. However, it doesn’t have the circulation, and there is no fee for it, and it has to
be a paper that charges a fee.
Councilman Randall
– Well, that’s my opinion, I guess.
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 9 of 16 January 4, 2000
Discussion pertaining to Item 3 of Resolution #1 – Law Firm
:
Supervisor Morey
– A little explanation: Item #3 is the Law Firm, and basically, as I look into
it, it was sort of was my first blunder. We were going to get together, my intent was to get
together and discuss it. After the last meeting, there was no point in discussing it. Some feelings
were known, and I tried to get hold of everybody. There were a couple of criteria that I wanted
in a lawyer. First of all, I want him to have Municipal Law experience, litigation experience,
connected to all branches of government, and have a Groton connection. I considered four
different firms, Pomeroy, Armstrong, Baranello, and Casullo; James Henry; Barney Grossman;
Budro and Marcus (sp?); and Albanese and Mulvey. When I talked to Bob (Mulvey), he had to
come in to see if he wanted the job, first of all. He had to look at our records. Some people
found out that I was considering somebody else and it got mixed up. It wasn’t my intent to have
this the way it was. First of all Bob has been County Attorney. He has been past D.A. He’s a
present Town Attorney for Enfield. He’s got litigation experience as a former D.A., or Assistant
D.A., excuse me. His connections, he’s very close with Jim Seward, New York State Senator.
He also has very strong ties to Groton. What I’m looking for in lawyers is a pro-active lawyer,
not a re-active lawyer. So, my nomination is Bob Mulvey. Any discussion?
Councilman Sovocool
– Well, yeah, I disagree. Not with Mulvey. As I say, he’s my lawyer, I
like him, and all that. I think Armstrong and them have done us one hell of a good job. I know
there’s other people who don’t think that, but I think they have. And they are always here if we
want them. Now, Bob Mulvey’s in Albany. It’s going to increase your telephone calls. He’s not
going to be here at meetings.
Supervisor Morey
– Do you really think a lawyer has to be here at every single meeting?
Councilman Sovocool
– Yes, I do think we need him. I think he can keep you out of a lot of
trouble, other than waiting for a month or two to get something settled. Bob is in Albany, what,
six months out of the year? He’s there quite a lot of the time. That’s all I know.
Councilman Scheffler
- I agree with Louie. I like the idea of having a lawyer here if we have a
question. In the past we’ve always been able to just call him and ask and he’ll come right over.
I don’t know Bob Mulvey one way or the other, as far as whether he’d be good for us or bad for
us. I don’t have an opinion on him personally. But I really haven’t seen a problem with the firm
that we’ve had. In the last two years, I haven’t seen them make one mistake for us.
Councilman Sovocool
– They’ve always been available to the Planning Board and the Appeals
Board too, I believe. If they had questions, it was very easy for them, I believe, to get hold of
him, unless I’ve been led wrong. I think this group we’ve had has been very attentive to us, and
I don’t think their price has been all that bad.
Councilman Randall
– I pretty much echo their sentiment. Again, being always from here, I
have always tried to keep my business locally, in the Town. There are several lawyers here. I
don’t know the history; maybe they’ve been used, and don’t want to do this. But they do have a
vested interest in the community, just as I do. I don’t know Bob Mulvey either. I don’t think
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 10 of 16 January 4, 2000
that as it stands right now, that we’ve been given a choice as a Board, and I hate to base my
decision on one applicant, basically.
Councilman Clark
– Boy, it’s one heck of a position to be in, being a new member on the
Board. I was on the Planning Board, so we experienced quite a lot of Fran’s work, and I wasn’t
totally satisfied. But that’s just my opinion. My biggest hard feeling is that we weren’t involved
in it. For us to start our Board out working together, I just have a hard time with it.
Supervisor Morey
– Is there a motion for Bob Mulvey?
There was no response from the Board.
Supervisor Morey
– Is there a motion for Pomeroy, Armstrong, Baranello, and Casullo?
Councilman Sovocool
– I would make that motion, unless you do want to advertise around
for…. But I think they’ve done a good… they know the Town. They could still be in this Sirens
deal if it goes on to an appeal, which I doubt that it will, but according to this letter from him.
MOVED
by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to hire the Law Firm of
Pomeroy, Armstrong, Baranello, and Casullo as the Town Attorneys.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler
Nays – Randall, Clark, Morey
Discussion on the issue of legal council was tabled until after the passing of Resolution #5 at
which time the discussion was resumed as follows:
Supervisor Morey
– What do you want to do for legals? Advertise it?
Councilman Sovocool
– We gotta do something.
Supervisor Morey
– Well, Tyke?
Councilman Randall
– What? Advertise it, or ask someone locally, or just bring them in so we
have a choice I guess.
Supervisor Morey
– Colleen, give us an opinion.
Clerk Pierson
– Whatever the rest of you want to do.
Councilman Sovocool
– We need somebody who is versed in Local Law, or Town Law.
Clerk Pierson
– As I told you before, I got along very well with Fran. Anytime I called Fran, he
was there to do resolutions or came right over and looked at whatever we had so that we were
never held up in doing anything. I thought they did a good job for us. Before Fran, Jack
Fitzgerald did as good a job, and the firm was great. I would hate to think that I had to call to
Albany in my honest opinion. Why should our Town be calling Albany for assistance all the
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 11 of 16 January 4, 2000
time? It’s a long distance call. I just wouldn’t feel comfortable with that, not like having
someone local.
Councilman Scheffler
– I would like to have someone local for the reason Tyke gave. It should
be someone from Groton or someone from the immediate area, and someone that we can get
hold of on a regular basis to come in on a few minutes notice or if we have a problem, they can
take care of it. I am worried that if we’re writing a law or a resolution, what do we do tonight?
Do we call Albany tonight, or do we wait until tomorrow or the next meeting until something
gets done? That’s my concern. Government is slow enough as it is.
Supervisor Morey
– Who do you want to interview? Give me some names and get them here
next week so we can talk to them.
Councilman Randall
– Well, there’s lawyers….I don’t know the new group that’s over there.
There’s John Ward and I don’t know who else is over there. Has Jim Henry done this before for
the Town.
Several people speak at once saying Jim Henry is a real estate lawyer.
Councilman Sovocool
– You need somebody with Town Law experience. I don’t know about
these new guys.
Clerk Pierson
– At one time the Town asked Webster and he didn’t know about Town Law and
wasn’t interested.
Councilman Sovocool
– I almost think we contacted Jim Henry once too, and he wasn’t
interested.
Councilman Randall
– If that’s been done, and they don’t want to do it, then that’s different.
Councilman Sovocool
– That’s why we went out of Town. When Bucko was here, we had
Bucko. He was our Town Attorney until he got D.A. ……..Pomery, Armstrong, Baranello,
and Casullo.
Councilman Randall
– Back to square one. Being a new Board….go ahead Colleen.
Clerk Pierson
– My thought was that if we had these same people for, say this year, they’re still
doing cases for us, involved in things. Then you could find out if you did like them or not. At
the end of the year, if you’re not satisfied, go with someone else. At least let them finish up what
they’re doing. It’s just a thought. I’m just throwing it out.
Councilman Randall
– I would have to kind of agree with Colleen, I guess. They definitely
have a proven track record. As a new Town Board Member I don’t know either group, you
know, one over the other. I have met Bob. I don’t know his capabilities any more than Fran’s
but he did win the lawsuit recently. I do have that in the background as far as knowing what
they’ve done for us. But that’s it. It’s hard to make a decision on just that, I guess.
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 12 of 16 January 4, 2000
Supervisor Morey
– Do you change your vote?
Councilman Randall
– For the other group? I guess given the circumstances, yes.
Supervisor Morey
– Do you want to make that motion, Louie, again?
Councilman Sovocool then made the motion as it appears in Resolution #1 which was passed
with all Councilman voting aye and Supervisor Morey voting nay.
Supervisor Morey
– We have to go back to Item 21, Number 1, Annual Retainer Fee for Legal
Services.
MOVED
by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, that the Town Board
Item 21, Number 1, of Resolution #1, Annual Retainer Fee for Leagal
does hereby approve
Services
rendered by Pomeroy, Armstrong, Baranello, and Casullo be set at $7,500.00 annually.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark.
Nays – Morey.
Discussion Relating to Items 7, 8, 9, & 10 of Resolution #1:
Supervisor Morey
– We have to talk a little bit about the three openings and expiration dates of
the Planning Board. In your packet also are the applications. At the time when I gave you the
original one, there were only four applications and four spaces. We now have six. I have made
suggestions. On your first sheet is the Planning Board, a seven-year term. There are seven
members. There are three openings. Verl retired, Cecil retired and Sheldon retired. I suggest
Brenda Talbot, April Scheffler, and Barb Senecal Clark. Are these okay? All three of them
request the Planning Board.
And on the ZBA, I suggested Francis Neville. But Lyle has Lisa McElroy. Any suggestions on
that? Do you have any comment Lyle?
Lyle Raymond
– Well, just as a personal preference, as I discussed with you, I’d like to see
geographical representation in the ZBA. All of us are kind of clustered not too far from the
Village, but we have one member in West Groton. Since McLean is the second largest
population cluster, I kind of feel it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a representative from the
McLean area on the ZBA……..representation across the Town.
Supervisor Morey
– Louie, any suggestions?
Councilman Sovocool
– No, I don’t know this McElroy. Where does she work, Cornell?
Lyle Raymond
– No, she’s a psychologist. She has an independent office in Dryden.
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 13 of 16 January 4, 2000
Councilman Sovocool
– I have no preference either way.
Councilman Scheffler
– I don’t know her either, other than just reading the resume here. Lyle
said that it’s good to have people spread out around the Town, and on that alone, I would go with
Lisa McElroy. But I don’t have a great leaning either way.
Councilman Sovocool
– I feel the same way about that. We do need to spread out a little bit
around the Township I believe.
Councilman Randall
– I just want to make sure, which ones are for Zoning Board of Appeals.
How many vacancies on the ZBA?
Supervisor Morey
– One.
Councilman Randall
– And there’s three applicants. Just from personal experience, Baxendall
has been a contractor, so I think that would add a nice element to the ZBA. On a personal level,
I don’t know McElroy either.
Councilman Clark
– I don’t know.
Supervisor Morey
– Shall I leave it up to the Chairman of the ZBA to choose? Lyle?
Lyle Raymond
– Am I being put on the spot? Well, for the reasons I’ve already given, I guess I
would go with Lisa. I have talked to her on the phone. You have indicated that you haven’t had
a chance to do that. I was personally impressed with her knowledge of issues. I haven’t seen the
resume that she put in, her background, but I understand that she had some background…..
Clerk Pierson
– I believe she also attended all the Sirens meetings that we had.
Lyle Raymond
– Yes, that’s right. (Mr. Raymond went forward to view the application.) The
other personal preference that I have, and I don’t want to put too strong emphasis on it, which
I’ve expressed to Glenn, secondary to the geographical one, is that I do like to see a balance of
men and women on the Board. At the moment we have one woman on the Board, Mary Decker,
and I would not be averse to having at least a second woman on the Board. That would be
secondary to the geographic distribution, which I think is a stronger argument as well. So, that’s
my personal preference.
Councilman Randall
– I have one other question about chairs for these programs. Is this on any
kind of a rotating basis at all? I know that George was nominated or elected in April and the way
I read it they have to do it every January now by law. Has anybody else ever been given a
chance on these Boards? I mean, there’s other competent Board Members that maybe if they did
it on a rotating basis would get a chance to try their hand at being a Chair.
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 14 of 16 January 4, 2000
Supervisor Morey
– Well, it’s basically…. Lyle, how do you do it? Usually what happens is
it’s the Town Board’s responsibility to confirm the Chairman. What most towns do is allow
them to vote for the Chairman they want to.
Lyle Raymond
– I really don’t have good information on that, but my understanding was that
the Board, you guys, are the ones who appoint the Chair. Then we are responsible for choosing
our own Vice-chair, which we have, John Pachai. I have no experience in what the other towns
do.
Councilman Randall
– I guess my question is if the other Board Members were made aware
that maybe they could express an interest in this, then they would have that choice. Give it a
rotating thing, I mean it could work out where the current Chair ends up being the Vice-chair in
each of these anyways. You’re going to have the support there, but it gives somebody else
leadership capabilities that they wouldn’t ordinarily get.
Lyle Raymond
– I agree with what you’re saying.
Supervisor Morey
– Well, they nominated and accepted George Totman and Lyle as Chairmen.
That’s what the ZBA and the Planning Board……Are you saying that you want to go against
that?
Councilman Randall
– I’m saying that I know, from what I’ve read, that they have to do it on a
yearly basis. If he was elected in April…yeah, I’m against that I guess, because we’re in a new
year and I think they should re-examine that or give somebody else a chance. I don’t know if
you have to draw a resolution to do that or what, I’m new at this. It’s just a suggestion, but, I
was told two or three times this happened in April and it’s January now.
st
Clerk Pierson
- That’s correct, they changed the law. It used to be March 31 when you did the
appointments to the Boards. And they made it on a calendar year: January thru December. That
is true.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RESOLUTION #2 - CONTRACT WITH KIRBY, BEALS & MAIER FOR
AUDIT OF 1999 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MOVED
by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby retain the services of Kirby, Beals, & Maier &
Company to audit Financial Statements including Justice Court for the year ended December 31,
1999 at a fee of $3500.
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 15 of 16 January 4, 2000
RESOLUTION #3 - APPROVE 2000 DOG CONTRACT WITH SPCA
Moved
by Councilman Randall, seconded by Councilman Sovocool.
Ayes – Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby approve the 2000 contract with the Tompkins
County SPCA for the purpose of dog control in the Town of Groton at a fee of $10,176.00.
RESOLUTION #4 - AUTHORIZATION TO PARTICIPATE IN
COOPERATIVE PURCHASING OF HIGHWAY SERVICES WITH
TOMPKINS COUNTY
MOVED
by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Randall.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
WHEREAS,
the Office of the State Comptroller has ruled that counties may no longer extend
their bids for public work (services) to political subdivisions, and
WHEREAS,
General Municipal Law Section 119-0 provides for municipalities entering into
cooperative purchasing agreements to jointly bid needed services, and
WHEREAS,
General Municipal Law, Article 5-G Section 110-0 states that "any agreement
entered into hereunder shall be approved by each participating municipal corporation or district by
a majority vote of its governing body," now therefore be it
RESOLVED,
that the Town of Groton be hereby authorized to participate with Tompkins County
in the cooperative purchasing of various highway services.
Town Board Organizational Meeting Page 16 of 16 January 4, 2000
RESOLUTION #5 - AUTHORIZE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO
PURCHASE ON STATE BID
MOVED
by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Sovocool.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey.
RESOLVED,
that the Groton Town Board does hereby authorize the Highway Superintendent to
purchase oil and related products from State Contract Bids as appropriate.
Supervisor Morey
– Okay, is there anything else? Any old business we have to take care of from
last year? Colleen?
Clerk Pierson
– I can’t think of any.
Supervisor Morey
– Any public comment?
MOVED
There being no further business, Councilman Sovocool to adjourn, seconded by
Councilman Scheffler, at 8:30 PM. Unanimous.
Supervisor Morey
– Next Board Meeting is Tuesday, January 11, 2000 at 7:30, 7:00 for the bills.
Colleen D. Pierson
Town Clerk