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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-2003 TOWN OF GROTON - MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2003, 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 Victoria Monty, Town Attorney Also present: April Scheffler, Richard Case, George Senter, Liz Brennan, Mary Lou Jacobs, Robert Walpole MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2003 meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Clark, Morey. Abstain - Randall General Fund Claim Numbers 112-150 of the in the amount of $25,020.20 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Randall, seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey. Highway Fund Claim Numbers 70-91 of the in the amount of $45,790.89 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey. Special Grant (HUD) Fund Claim Numbers 282-285 of the in the amount of $18,185.51 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Randall, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the HUD bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey. Town Board Meeting Page 2 May 13, 2003 MOVEDExecutive Session by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to enter in reference to personnel, at 7:33 PM. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to return to Regular Meeting, at 7:49 PM. Supervisor Morey announced that nothing was decided in Executive Session. It was for information only. Privilege of the Floor: Mary Lou Jacobs, 55 Smith Road - Spoke about her experience with the Tompkins County SPCA and the treatment that she, her 75-year-old father, and her neighbor, Charlene McKane received from the SPCA. She and her father, who walks with a cane, had both had a neighbor’s Rottweiler come after them. They had called the SPCA and were told that they could not do anything. Ms. Jacobs, her parents and the McKanes went to the SPCA that day to file complaints and were met by a very rude person who told them to write down their names, addresses and phone numbers, type of dog, and dog owner’s name on a piece of paper and then asked them to sign by the X on a blank form. Ms. Jacobs asked for a copy of everything that they signed, the date the people would go to court and whether this would be treated as the eight separate complaints they were making or lumped into one complaint. She was told she could not have copies or any of the information requested. All of the complainants received very rude treatment. They were also told that the dog could walk across their property and there was nothing they could do about it and if the dog was in the field with their beef cattle and killed a calf, that they had no right to shoot it. She disagreed with this on grounds of the Dangerous Dog Law. Ms. Jacobs said that this is happening all over the Town and that her parents are afraid to go outside. This is the case that Clerk Scheffler had brought before the Board at the April meeting. Councilman Randall said that he had seen the dog in the Jacobs’ lawn. The Board felt that this has been going on for too long. Discussion took place as to whether this would be considered breach of contract since the SPCA is retained to provide dog control according to the Town of Groton Dog Control Law. Attorney Monty said that the contract was in the hands of the attorneys and that they were reviewing it. Clerk Scheffler said that she had spoken with the Clerk from the Town of Dryden and that they were talking about the possibility of hiring an individual to do their dog control. Supervisor Morey explained that at a meeting earlier this year the Clerks had taken over the responsibility of writing reminder notices and tickets with the agreement that the SPCA would be more available for other duties but it seemed that they still were not doing what they had agreed to do. It was decided to have the lawyers work on it as well as possibly meet with the Board of Directors of the SPCA and look into other options for dog control, possibly in conjunction with the Towns of Dryden and Lansing. Clerk Scheffler said that she would also try to contact the regional representative for Ag & Markets. The Board ended by assuring Ms. Jacobs that the Town would begin the process and see what could be done about this problem. George Senter suggested that we have the director of the SPCA come to a meeting and ask them why they are unable to provide the service. The Board thought this might be a good idea. Town Board Meeting Page 3 May 13, 2003 Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/Deputy Highway Superintendent – Presented her monthly reports of revenues and expenditures for the Board’s review. George R. Senter, Sr., Code Enforcement Officer – Reported that there were 9 building permits and 4 Certificates of Occupancy/Completion issued in the month of April and that Life Safety Inspections were current. He will be doing the spring road tour for junk vehicles, trash, etc. Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent – Reported that the Highway Department was changing over from winter to spring and summer equipment and repairs were being made. He is presently gathering information and specifications for a 3½-yard wheel loader. Crews had been brooming intersections, trimming trees and brush, grader-honing gravel roads, putting in sluice pipes and fixing signs. All full-time employees had attended the 2003 mine safety course. The 2003-2004 salt bid information has been filed with the NYS Office of General Services. Town of Groton was host to the Tompkins County & Cortland County Highway Superintendents Association monthly meeting on April 22 with guest speakers Barbara Lifton, NYS Assemblyperson, Pete Fisher , Vice President and Bill Nichols, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the NYS Association of Town Highway Superintendents. The main topic was the NYS CHIPS program. The Town and Village annual trash day will be Saturday, May 17 from 8AM to 3PM. The annual Town Board road tour is Monday, May 19 at 9:30 AM. April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk/Tax Collector – Submitted her Town Clerk and Tax Collector monthly reports for the Board’s review. Clerk had received 15 applications for Deputy Clerk nd position and announced her decision to appoint Lisa Rongo, who will begin June 2. RESOLUTION #44 – BOARD’S ACCEPTANCE OF DEPUTY CLERK APPOINTMENT MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby accept the Town Clerk’s appointment of Lisa Rongo, 116 Chipman Corners Road, to the position of Deputy Town Clerk. RESOLUTION #45 – SET DEPUTY CLERK SALARY MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Randall Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby set the Deputy Clerk starting salary at $9.00 per hour. Town Board Meeting Page 4 May 13, 2003 Clerk Scheffler had reviewed charges for telephone service and suggested that the Town switch their local, regional and long distance calling to a program for municipalities and nonprofit organizations offered through Verizon and the NYS Office of General Services. The program would be a considerable savings. RESOLUTION #46 – OGS DISCOUNT PLAN FOR PHONE SERVICE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Randall Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approve participation in the New York State Office of General Services discount plan for phone service and authorizes the Town Clerk to make the arrangements. Clerk Scheffler provided information that she had picked up at the Town Clerks Convention concerning municipal websites called Digital Towpath. She explained that it was developed by Niagara Mohawk and a group of municipalities expressly for municipalities. She suggested that since the Town has desired to have a website this might be a way to go. Victoria Monty, Town Attorney – Had been working on the Groton Youth Program Contract with Cooperative Extension and the Village Attorney. They are still trying to work out indemnification issues. She and Francis Casullo will review the SPCA contract Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator – Summer programs are lined up and a brochure will be out soon. Marsha Larson is working on monthly birthday parties at the Senior Citizens housing with youth cooking meals for them. MOVEDExecutive Session by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to enter for reasons of real estate at 8:20 PM. Robert Walpole was invited to attend. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark to return to Regular Session at 8:43 PM. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey Supervisor Morey announced that no decision was made during Executive Session. Robert Walpole - Gave the Board an update on plans for the Bikes and Blues weekend. The swap meet is planned on Conger Boulevard, in the Village barns. If it is too large, the overflow will be in the Town barns. Parking will be available on Conger Boulevard and the obstacle Town Board Meeting Page 5 May 13, 2003 course will be in the Town parking lot. Three speakers are set up to speak in the Town Court Room. There will be a car show on Main Street. The parade line up is 4 o’clock and will proceed to the Gun Club for the Blues Festival beginning at 5 o’clock. The “Sons of Pitches” will be performing between Walpole’s and the Bank on Saturday afternoon. The SPCA will be here with an adoptive pet program. A caricature artist will be on Main Street as well as at least 4 major wineries having wine tastings. Chris Allanger, from the radio station will be here. Original estimates on attendance were 1500-4000 but at this time it appears that it could exceed 5000-6000. Food Net, A request was received by Steve Griffin, Executive Director of to consider local support for the Groton Senior Nutrition Program at Center Village Court. They are seeking $30,849 in local funding to keep the program operating in 2004. They serve an average of 28 people a day and more than 7000 meals a year. Direct costs for Groton are $26,464. Support comes from $3,849 local, $10,015 Federal grants, $12,600 contributions from meal recipients. Not knowing what cuts will be coming from the County for 2004, the Food Net would like the Town to consider whether or not they would be able to make a contribution. RESOLUTION #47 – APPOINT ANDREA TRZASKA TO ZBA MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby appoint Andrea Trzaska, 606 South Main Street, Groton, New York, to fill the position on the Zoning Board of Appeals left vacant by the resignation of Lisa McElroy. Her term will expire December 31, 2004. RESOLUTION #48 – STRICKLAND SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Randall, Clark, Morey WHEREAS, the Town of Groton has a lien against property owned by David and Kristin Strickland pertaining to a HUD grant from the Town of Groton, and WHEREAS, David and Kristin Strickland wish to refinance said property THEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton authorizes the supervisor, Glenn Morey, to sign a subordination agreement for said property. Town Board Meeting Page 6 May 13, 2003 Announcements: Review of M&T Investments Planning Board Meeting – May 15 Open House at Tompkins County Board of Elections – Electronic voting machines – May 15, Noon-4:30 PM McLean Community Council Meeting – June 17, 7:30 PM Assessment Review – May 19, 3-6 PM at Town Hall Construction on McLean Road scheduled for May 2003 Municipal Officials Dinner – May 20, Lehigh Valley House, 6PM There being no further business, Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, at 9:07 PM. April L. Scheffler Town Clerk