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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-01-08 521 1 Town Board Minutes January 8, 1996 TOWN OF DANBY TOWN BOARD MINUTES Regular Meeting 6: 00 P. M. January 8, 1996 PRESENT: Supervisor Mary Oltz Councilpersons : Edward Inman, Rosa Lee Johnson, Joseph Schwartz, Howard Steiner Others Present: Carol Sczepanski - Town Clerk Members of the Public: Roy Casterline, Bill Livermore, Edw. M. Roberts, Suzanne Aigen, Karl Heck Supervisor Oltz called the business meeting of the Town Board to Order at 6 :00 P.M. The Board audited and approved the warrants as follows : APPROVAL OF WARRANTS : General Fund Warrant No. 1 of 1996 - Approved A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Steiner to approve the General Fund Warrant No. 1 of 1996, voucher numbers 1 - 22, in the amount of $4, 352. 44 . A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Inman Aye Johnson Aye Schwartz Aye Steiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously Highway Fund Warrant No. 1 of 1996 - Approved A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Johnson to approve the Highway Fund Warrant No. 1 of 1996, voucher numbers 1 - 8, in the amount of $ 5, 884 . 39. A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Inman Aye Steiner Abstained 1 Johnson Aye �J Schwartz AyE Oltz Aye Carried Councilperson Steiner abstained from voting due to a purchase invoice for his corporation included in the highway warrant. West Danby Water District Warrant No. 1 of 1996 - Approved A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Johnson to approve the West Danby Water District Warrant No . 1 of 1996, voucher numbers 1 - 3 , in the amount of $302. 29. 5 ? ? Town Board Minutes January 8, 1996 A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Inman Aye Johnson Aye Schwartz Aye Steiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously Town Clerk' s December 1995 Report - Approved A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Inman to approve the town Clerk ' s December 1996 Report as submitted. A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Inman Aye Johnson Aye Schwartz Aye Steiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously Town Supervisor' s December 1995 Report - Approved A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Johnson to approve the Town Supervisor' s December 1996 Report. A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Inman Aye Johnson Aye Schwartz Aye Steiner Aye Carried Unanimously Regular Business Meeting: Supervisor Oltz called the regular meeting of the Town Board to order and led all present to the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Correction of December 28, 1995 Town Board Minutes: Councilperson Schwartz requested a correction to the December 28, . 1995 minutes on page 3 under Motion to aApprove Town Insurance Carrier -- Delete [Councilperson Schwartz said that he would approve the Ithaca Agency but prefers the proposal from Wood Agency] replace with Councilperson Schwartz said he would reconsider his vote if a defeated motion would leave the Town with no insurance coverage . ( , Supervisor Oltz said the vote of the Board members present was a majority. Approval of December 28, 1995 Town Board Minutes A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Johnson to approve the December 28, 1995 Town Board Minutes as corrected. A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Inman Aye Johnson Aye Schwartz Aye Steiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously ■ 523 3 Town Board Minutes January 8, 1996 Approval of December 11 , 1995 Town Board Minutes A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Johnson to approve the December 11 , 1995 Town Board Minutes as published. A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Inman Aye Johnson Aye Schwartz Aye Steiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: The following items were added to the agenda : 1 ) Appointment to Tompkins County Youth Board - Resolution 2) Appointment of West Danby Assistant Water Plant Operator - Resolution 3) Appointment of West Danby Water Commissioner - Resolution 4) Request of review of the Danby Comprehensive Plan - Resolution Councilperson Schwartz said he would encourage the Planning Board to continue reviewing the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Ordinance on a regular basis . No Board member objected. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Councilperson Steiner reported that the Danby Community Council is meeting on January 9, 1996 at the Danby Fire Station at 6 :00 P. M. and suggested that Board members consider attending. Town Clerk Carol Sczepanski welcomed our newly elected Board Member Edward Inman. She reported to the Board that there were many problems with the 1996 Town and County Tax Bills. They were not received until December 26, 1995, were printed with is no return address on the receipt portion of the bill, and perforations were out of line. The County is pitting labels for all the clerks to aid in the return of receipts to taxpayers. Supervisor Oh reported that an attorney has contacted the Town with an offer of a donation of land located on Gundeman Road. The parcel is 3 . 16 acres of wooded area and was formerly part of the Hatfield property. No Board member objected. County Representative Report: In the absence of Representative Proto Councilperson Steiner reported the following: 1 ) County Committees - New County Committees will be formed in February. All committees will remain the same through the end of January. 2) Representative Hours at Danby - Frank Prom is working with the Town Clerk to set up a monthly schedule for him to be available to Town residents at the Town Hall. Danby Youth Commission Report: William Livermore, President of the Danby Youth Commission reported that the Youth Commission is looking forward to working with the Town Board and the Community Council this year. The Commission is working more closely with the County and other townships . Tompkins County Cooperative Extension and Family and Children ' s Center have provided them with youth programs they can provide for the coming year. The Youth Commission may consider preparing a budget for youth programs and contracting to whoever offers the best programs for youth. The goal of t he 524 4 Town Board Minutes January 8, 1996 Youth Commission is to develop better youth programs for Danby youth. Building Caretaker: Supervisor Oltz reported that Edward M. Roberts has agreed to continue the maintenance of the Town Hall for the next two (2) months. A door bell for access to the building has been installed at the handicapped access (south front door) to the building and one at the foot of the back stairs. COMMUNICATIONS: • 1 ) Memo to Board - from Suzanne Aigen 2) Resignation from BZA Secretary 3) Code Enforcement December 1995 Report 4) SPCA - November 1995 Report 5 ) West Danby Water District 1995 Annual Report 6) Community Council Minutes - December 12, 1995 Meeting Board of Zoning Appeals Secretary Board of Zoning appeals Secretary, Theresa O ' Connor submitted a resignation effective December 31 , 1995 . Carol Sczepanski, Town Clerk is interested in being appointed to fill the vacancy. Councilperson Inman, past Chair of the BZA, said that he has worked with Carol in the past and she is very capable of serving as secretary. Motion to Appoint Board of Zoning Appeals Secretary A motion was made by Supervisor Oltz and seconded by Councilperson Schwartz to appoint Carol W. Sczepanski as secretary to the Board of Zoning Appeals. A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Inman Aye Johnson Aye Schwartz Aye Steiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously OLD BUSINESS: HUD Application Update Karl Hect from Tompkins County Planning Department gave an update on the HUD Application process and distributed 1996 application forms for residents to file for assistance . Grant limits for housing rehabilitation to Towns has increased to $600, 000 . 00 and the deadline has been extended to March 13 , 1996 . Income limits have changed for applicants . He reported that they have received a few applications from Danby residents . Part of the application process requires the Town to hold two (2) public hearings, one to introduce the process for application and one to introduce the actual application that has been put together. The Board discussed a time for the HUD application public hearing and suggested Monday, February 12, 1996 at 7 :00 P. M. Town Insurance Suzanne Aigen addressed the Board with concerns about the recent insurance policy adopted for Fiscal Year 1996 . She said there are several issues she feels that are very important that she has addressed in a letter to the Board on December 29. Premium differentials and coverage issues if there were a significant claim could create losses that would not be covered under the current policy package without endorsements and there may be parcels of property that not adequately insured including the Town Hall Building. She encouraged the Board to reconsider their vote for insurance coverage . 525 5 Town Board Minutes January 8, 1996 Discussion : Supervisor Oltz explained that the insurance was set up as a zero (0) deductible because the savings would be very little due to the age of our vehicles . The Town has insurance coverage for many of the items addressed in the memo from Suzanne Aigen. The emergency medical technicians are covered under the fire district. Councilperson Johnson said the quotations for insurance should be item for item for a fair comparison . If the coverage is comparable then we should be looking at a net figure verses a net figure or a gross figure verses a. gross figure . Councilperson Steiner said that the comparison he did at the last meeting was comparing approximately $40, 282 . 00 to $39, 156. 00 was his interpretation of the proposals. Councilperson Schwartz said that he thinks that our insurance will be $43, 000. 00 and we may have been able to get similar coverage with an option for vehicle coverage that would reduce the premiums to $36, 000. 00 or $40, 000. 00. Supervisor Oltz said that she has had a very good working relationship with Ithaca Agency for many years and she feels that for this year the Town should continue with Ithaca Agency. Motion to Continue Insurance Coverage with Ithaca Agency A motion was made by Supervisor Oltz made and seconded by Councilperson Steiner that the vote for Ithaca Agency stands and the Town continue with Ithaca Agency and that Board members interested in reviewing the policies and perhaps changing the policies come forward, be given the option to look the policies over and that the Board be open to possibly changing the policies. Discussion : Councilperson Steiner said that he understands that if someone wishes to present a motion to cancel the existing policy and accept another policy that could be acted on. There is also additional opportunity for a reduction in our policies with Ithaca Agency as well. A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Three (3) Ayes Two (2) Nays Inman Aye Johnson Nay Schwartz Nay Steiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried • NEW BUSINESS : Supervisor' s Statement to the Board Supervisor Oltz read the following statement to the Board : Roberts Rules of Order will be followed at all Town Board Meetings except when special roll call vote is necessary. Roll call will be alphabetical with the Supervisor voting last. All meetings will begin at 6:00 P.M. and terminate no later than 8 :00 P. M. Method of claims for payment of all bills will be by voucher. Vouchers must be submitted no later than Thursday preceding Town Board Meeting. Vouchers may be submitted to the Supervisor or Town Clerk. The Town Board in accordance with Town Law AT103 will audit all bills. All personnel matters will be discussed in executive session. ORGANIZATIONAL RESOLUTIONS 1 - 15 of 1996 - Adopted The following Organizational Resolutions numbered No . 1 through 15 were moved by Councilperson Steiner and seconded by Councilperson Johnson. 526 6 Town Board Minutes January 8, 1996 A roll call vote on the resolutions resulted as follows : Inman Aye Johnson Aye Schwartz Aye Steiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously (Council person Inman abstained from Resolution No . 2) • RESOLUTION NO. 1 OF 1996 APPROVAL TO INVEST IDLE FUNDS RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorize the Supervisor to invest idle funds. RESOLUTION NO 2 OF 1996 RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby set the 1996 Annual Salaries as follows : Annual salaries to be paid monthly : Supervisor $ 10, 300/year Town Justices (2) $ 8, 274 ($4, 137 each) Town Clerk $ 12, 380 year Custodian $ 2, 200/year Court Clerk $ 2, 980/year Quarterly Salaries : Councilpersons (4) $ 6, 748 ($ 1 , 687/each) Water District Clerk $ 2, 500/year Asst. Water District Plant Operator $ 800/year Biweekly Salaries : Code Enforcement Officer $ 16, 882/year Highway Superintendent $ 30, 900/year Water District Plant Operator $ 7, 000/year Biweekly salaries paid hourly as needed : Code Enforcement Personnel $ 250/year Deputy Town Clerk $ 2, 207/year Secretary(s) $ 5 , 700/year Bookkeeper $ 8 , 112/year Town Historian $ 100 per year honorarium - Paid in July and be it further RESOLVED, That the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorize the Supervisor to pay the above salaries prior to the first meeting of each month with December payrolls adjusted to meet all budget requirements. RESOLUTION NO. 3 OF 1996 PAYMENT OF BILLS RESOLVED, That the Town Board of the Town of Danby approve a blanket resolution to authorize the Town Supervisor to pay utility bills, freight, postage, contracts and to conduct other normal proceedings such as payroll in advance of audit in order to keep affairs moving on a timely basis. 527 7 Town Board Minutes January 8, 1996 RESOLUTION NO. 4 OF 1996 1995 FINANCIAL REPORT RESOLVED, That the Town Supervisor, in lieu of preparing a financial report under Town Law #29-(10) shall submit to the Town Clerk by March 1 , 1996 a copy of the report submitted to the State Controller required by Section 30 of Municipal Law. RESOLUTION NO. 5 OF 1996 • AUTHORIZATION FOR PURCHASE OF TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, ETC. RESOLVED, That the Town of Danby Highway Superintendent be authorized to purchase tools, equipment, small implements, tires and tubes, etc . in the amount of $ 5, 000 at any given time without prior approval of the Town Board. RESOLUTION NO. 6 OF 1996 TOWN OF DANBY OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER AND BANK DEPOSITORY RESOLVED, That the Town of Danby Town board name the Ithaca Journal as the Official Newspaper (because there are no other alternatives) and the Tompkins County Trust Company as bank for the depository of Town Funds. RESOLUTION NO. 7 OF 1996 TOWN OF DANBY ATTORNEY RESOLVED, That the firm of Barney, Grossman, Roth and Dubow be named as the law fun to represent the Town of Danby in all Zoning, Planning Board, and general Town of Danby business . The Town Board reserves the right of seeking other legal aid if it deems necessary. RESOLUTION NO. 8 OF 1996 TOWN MILEAGE RESOLVED, That the Town of Danby Town Board authorize the mileage for Town Business to be paid at twenty-nine cents ($ . 29) per mile. RESOLUTION NO. 9 OF 1996 VOTING MACHINE CUSTODIANS AND INSPECTORS RESOLVED, That the Town of Danby Voting Machine Custodians Edward M. Roberts and Robert Whittaker will be paid as follows : Mr. Roberts $75 . 00 per service and Mr. Whittaker $60. 00 per service. Election Inspectors will be paid at the rate of $ 5 . 00 per hour for service. RESOLUTION NO. 10 OF 1996 HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS REIMBURSEMENT RESOLVED, That the Town of Danby Town Board be authorized to sign an agreement that monies collected for repairs and improvements of Town Highways in the amount of $ 77, 470. 00 (State Aid DA3501 ) be expended upon 71 . 98 miles of Town of Danby highways . RESOLUTION NO. 11 OF 1996 4, WATER COMMISSIONER APPOINTMENT RESOLVED, that the Town of Danby Town Board approve the appointment of Nicholas McCabe as Water Commissioner for the West Danby Water District for a five-year term to begin January 1 , 1996 and to expire December 31 , 2000 . RESOLUTION NO. 12 OF 1996 APPROVAL OF DEPUTY TOWN CLERK. RESOLVED, That the Town of Danby Town Board approve the Town Clerk's appointment of Beatrice Hogben as Deputy Town Clerk. RESOLUTION NO. 13 OF 1996 TOWN BOARD MEETINGS RESOLVED, That the Town of Danby Town Bo rd regular monthly meetings be scheduled for the second Monday of each month for the year Ulf/ 5 ? 3 8 Town Board Minutes January 8, 1996 RESOLUTION NO. 14 OF 1996 APPROVAL OF COURT CLERK RESOLVED, That the Town of Danby Town Board approve the appointment of Theresa. O'Connor as Danby Court Clerk. RESOLUTION NO. 15 OF 1996 APPROVAL OF CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FOR 1996 RESOLVED, That the Town of Danby Town Board appoint Susan Beeners as Code Enforcement • Officer for the Town of Danby for 1. 996. RESOLUTION NO. 16 of 1996 REQUEST TO PLANNING BOARD TO REVISE TOWN OF DANBY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN By Councilperson Steiner: Seconded by Councilperson Schwartz WHEREAS, the Town of Danby Comprehensive Plan was last revised in May, 1989, and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan states a. periodic review after five years would be wise, and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan is intended to promote the growth in the Town of Danby, and WHEREAS, the Town of Danby wishes to retain its rural character, while allowing for appropriate changes in the Land Use and Development regulations ; now therefore be it RESOLVED , that the Town Board of Danby hereby directs the Planning Board to review the Comprehensive Plan for applicable changes, and be it further RESOLVED, that during the process of review the Planning Board is further directed to actively solicit input on possible changes from the residents of Danby through some suggested means such as articles in the Danby Area News, a. survey, telephone input from residents, etc, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Planning Board continues its review of the Danby Zoning Ordinance. A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Inman Aye Johnson Aye Schwartz Aye Steiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously RESOLUTION NO. 17 of 1996 AUTHORIZATION TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR 1996 SMALL CITIES • COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION By Supervisor Oltz: Seconded by Councilperson Johnson WHEREAS, the Town of Danby has expressed an interest in applying for a 1996 U. S . Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Small Cities Community Development Block Grant, and WHEREAS, the HUD Small Cities application requires two (2) public hearings in order to inform public about the progress of the application, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Town of Danby Town Board is hereby authorized to hold two (2) public hearings Monday, February 12, 1996 at 7 :00 P. M. and Wednesday, March 6, 1996 at 6 :00 P .M. at the Danby Town Hall, 1830 Danby Road, Ithaca, New York, and further RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk is hereby authorized to advertise these public hearings in The Ithaca Journal, the official newspaper of the Town. 52 '9 9 Town Board Minutes January 8, 1996 A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Inman Aye Johnson Aye Schwartz Aye Steiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously • RESOLUTION NO. 18 of 1996 Appointment OF WEST DANBY WATER DISTRICT ASSISTANT PLANT OPERATOR - Approved By Supervisor Oltz: Seconded by Councilperson Inman RESOLVED, that the Town of Danby Town Board appoints Carl Seamon to the position of West Danby Water District Assistant Plant Operator, and be it further RESOLVED, that the appointment of West Danby Water District Assistant Plant Operator is to begin immediately. A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Inman Aye Johnson Aye Schwartz Aye Steiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously RESOLUTION NO. 19 of 1996 APPOINTMENT TO HILLVIEW ROAD LANDFILL NEIGHBORHOOD PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE - Approved By Councilperson Johnson : Seconded by Councilperson Schwartz RESOLVED, that the Town of Danby Town Board recommends the appointment of Frank Proto to the Hllview road Landfill Neighborhood Protection Advisory Committee as a representative from the Town of Danby. A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Inman Aye Johnson Aye Schwartz Aye Steiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously • RESOLUTION NO. 20 of 1996 APPOINTMENT TO THE TOMPKINS COUNTY YOUTH BOARD - Approved By Supervisor Oltz: Seconded by Councilperson Schwartz RESOLVED, that the Town of Danby Town Board recommends the appointment of Kathy Lind to the Tompkins County Youth Board as a representative for the Town of Danby. A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Inman Aye Johnson Aye Schwartz Aye Steiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously Jo 10 Town Board Minutes January 8, 1996 Other Business: Councilperson Inman suggested that the Town hold a meeting of the Town Board, Planning Board and the Board of Zoning Appeals to discuss the revision of the Comprehensive Plan and the revision of the Danby Zoning Ordinance. The proposed time for the meeting is March 11 , 1996 immediately following the regularity scheduled Town Board meeting. ADJOURNMENT: • On a motion the meeting adjourned at 8 : 10 P .M. dedidd),Zia4taa: Carol W. Sczepanski, Town Clerk min- 1 -8-96 •