HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-2004
TOWN OF GROTON – MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2004, 7:30 PM
PUBLIC HEARING – TOWN OF GROTON DOG LAW AT 8:00 PM
AT THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD
Those present: Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor
Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman
Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman
Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman
Richard B. Gamel, Councilman
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town
Also present: Rosemarie Tucker, Tena McClary, John Norman, Deb Finton-Crouch,
Richard Case, George Senter, Liz Brennan, April Scheffler,
MOVED
by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the minutes of
the January 13, 2004 meeting as presented.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
General Fund
Claim Numbers 8-40 of the in the amount of $19,404.65 were presented for audit.
MOVED
by Councilman Gamel , seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the General
Bills for payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Highway Fund
Claim Numbers 2-26 of the in the amount of $106,300.17 were presented for
audit.
MOVED
by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the Highway
Bills for payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Special Grant (HUD) Fund
Claim Numbers 323-328 of the in the amount of $15,429.51 were
presented for audit.
MOVED
by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the HUD bill
for payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Town Board Minutes Page 2 February 10, 2004
Supervisor Morey offered Privilege of the Floor. No one wished to speak.
Monthly Reports:
Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper
– Requested resolution for several budget transfers and
encumbrances. If the record could show that the increase on Tena McClary’s hourly wage began
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on Monday, January 19, which was the beginning of the payroll period. I had heard that it was
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just going to start at the next payroll period, which starts on the 19, but I noticed that the
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resolution states the 20. So, if you could do a resolution that states the 19 then that would
even out and we won’t have to beat Tena up for the money. I’ll be closing the books. There’s
still a few 2003 bills in this month’s packet, so when I can get that into the accounts payable I
can start closing the books. I’ve had to hold them open until…and once the books are closed I
can start the year-end report. Hopefully get it done by the end of the month.
RESOLUTION #14 – 2003 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby approve the following transfer of funds for the
2003 Budget:
General Fund – Town Wide:
From: Contingency A1990.4……………………$4,643.07
Engineer A1440.4 ………………………..2,274.75
To: Bookkeeper, Pers. …………………………..577.35
Buildings, Contractual A1620.4………..…4,253.22
Health Center, Contractual A4560.4……… ....87.25
Retirement A9010.8…………………… …2,000.00
RESOLUTION #15 – 2003 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED
by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby approve the following transfer of funds for the
2003 Budget:
General Fund – Town Wide:
From: Youth Coordinator A7320.41……….…..$114.44
To. Youth Program, Contractual A7320.4…....114.44
Town Board Minutes Page 3 February 10, 2004
RESOLUTUION #16 – 2003 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED
by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby approve the following transfer of funds for the
2003 Budget:
General Fund – Part Town:
From: Contingency B1990.4……$1,000.00
To: Retirement B9040.8…….…1,000.00
RESOLUTION #17- 2003 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby approve the following transfer of funds for the
2003 Budget:
Highway Fund – Town Wide:
From: Workers Comp. DA9040.8……..$308.84
To: Health Insurance DA9060………308.84
RESOLUTION #18 – 2003 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby approve the following transfer of funds for the
2003 Budget:
Highway Fund – Town Wide:
From: Services Other Government DA5148.4……… $ 9,335.00
Machinery Contractual Da5130.4……………… 9,644.00
To: Machinery, Ewuipment DA5130.2…………… 18,979.00
RESOLUTION #19 – 2003 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby approve the following transfer of funds for the
2003 Budget:
Town Board Minutes Page 4 February 10, 2004
Highway Fund – Part Town:
From: Workers Compensation DB9040.8…….… $1,123.00
To: Retirement DB9010.8……………………….. 160.00
Health DB9060.8……………………………..963.00
RESOLUTION #20 – 2003 BUDGET ENCUMBRANCES
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby approve the following encumbrances from the
2003 Budget:
General Fund – Part Town:
Planning B8020.4…………………….…..$2,500.00
Highway Fund – Town Wide:
Machinery, Equipment DA5130.2…….$50,979.00
RESOLUTION #21 – CHANGE CONMENCEMENT DATE FOR
TENA MCCLARY RAISE
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby approve that the 50-cent per hour raise for Tena
McClary’s hourly wage began on Monday, January 19, 2004 rather than Tuesday, January 20,
2004, as previously resolved.
George R. Senter, Sr., Code/Fire Enforcement Officer
– We typically don’t have a lot of action
in January and February. We had 4 building permits and one for a house. We issued one
certificate of occupancy. We are still working on the zoning fee schedule. I apologize for that
but there’s a lot more to it than just putting down figures and numbers. We’re trying to get
information from other towns and take a look at it. (It was decided to table any further
discussion on the zoning fee schedule.)
George Senter discussed with Attorney Monty and the Board the former Coit property, now
owned by John Robinson, which had been condemned. Attorney Monty will be writing a letter
to Mr. Robinson requesting his intent as far as the property is concerned.
Discussion also took place concerning a property and home where George Senter had inspected
the furnace and water heater. The propane supplier had refused to refill the propane tanks
because of unsafe conditions in the house. Mr. Senter agreed that the house was in very bad
shape, filthy and extremely cluttered. He had contacted the woman’s caseworker and Child
Protective Services to try to get some help for this family. Letters had been written to all
involved.
Town Board Minutes Page 5 February 10, 2004
Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent
– At the present time the Highway Department
is dedicated to snow and ice removal. Repairs to the plow equipment and the preventive
maintenance program occupy the shop space and time. We have had 3 sander spreaders down at
one time. Bob Bogardus and Rick Neville have worked non-stop on 2 of these. They required
complete removal and re-installation on the truck chassis. My thanks go to Matt Whitmore and
Dale Gregrow for lending us one of Tompkins County Highway’s used spreaders. The
installation of that spreader was about 1/3 of the way completed when Truck 23 was struck from
the rear on Lafayette Road. This collision wiped out the rear of that spreader and knocked the
rear axle from the frame of the truck. As we speak, both trucks are in service and functional with
finishing touches to be done at a later, less demanding time, I hope. The new loader has been
delivered and put in service. It has already proved to be an instrumental piece of equipment in
our operation. That somewhat completes the equipment report.
The roadways have demanded a concentrated effort from all Highway Employees. Long hours
in the worst visibility driving conditions have become the norm to keep the roadways open.
Anyone who wonders why we need 2 loaders and a rubber-tired excavator should see now that
without this type of heavy equipment some roads would have been plugged with snow. I would
like to reassure you, as well as the public, that our mission is not to damage mailboxes and plug
driveways but to keep the roadways plowed and open to traffic. In my opinion our employees
are making an excellent effort to accomplish this goal.
I have a couple items that need your approval by resolution. The first one is to purchase a 10-foot
airflow material spreader to replace the one damaged on truck #23 from Seneca Supply for
$4,940.00. Please note that this purchase is made without gathering the documentation of quotes
required by the procurement policy but due to the urgent need to make this piece of equipment
functional as soon as possible. This purchase needs to be made. Two, employee Jeffrey
Brockway has completed 3 months of employment with the Highway Department as a laborer.
He has proven to be a very dependable and diligent worker. As he gathers experience and more
knowledge of the Highway operations, I am sure he will develop into an excellent employee. At
this time I am requesting a 50-cent per hour raise for Jeff.
Supervisor Morey
– The insurance is going to reimburse us for the $4940, right?
Councilman Gamel
– The woman’s insurance should reimburse that. It was her fault, correct?
Richard Case
– Well, I have yet, as a matter of fact that’s on the agenda. I’m going to submit
all the figures to Dempsey. I would like to think so but there is no guarantee on that stuff. I still
haven’t got the check ………?… This is the same truck that got hit.
Councilman Gamel
– Was there a police report done?
Richard Case
– Yes.
Councilman Gamel
– And was there any tickets issued?
Richard Case
– A ticket was issued to her for following too close and imprudent speed as well
as the garbage truck that struck her from behind. And there was a third vehicle that ended up out
in the field. So, they are writing tickets for imprudent speed. I assume there would be some
reimbursement, but whether they’ll prorate this, this is a 1973 Brockway truck.
Town Board Minutes Page 6 February 10, 2004
Councilman Gamel
– Was there an insurance adjuster that came?
Richard Case
– No, we didn’t have time. It’s all in piles and can be looked at. It’s been turned
in. Rick has not received a ticket. He was working in tandem with Pete Carr. There were two of
our trucks. If Rick hadn’t been the back truck they would have got Pete. Rick was
complemented by the police department because as soon as he felt the car hit him, he looked in
the mirror and saw a garbage coming sideways and if he hadn’t moved it would have crushed her
right between him. So, with the axle askew, he still drove it ahead and got out of the way.
RESOLUTION #22 – APPROVE PURCHASE OF SPREADER BOX
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby approve the emergency purchase of a 10-foot
airflow material spreader to replace the one damaged on truck #23 form Seneca Supply for
$4,940.00.
RESOLUTION #23 – APPROVE RAISE FOR JEFFREY BROCKWAY
MOVED
by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED
, that the Town Board does hereby approve a 50-cent raise for Jeffrey Brockway, to
begin at the start of the next pay period, February 16, 2004.
April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk/Tax Collector
– Submitted her monthly Town Clerk and Tax
Collector reports for the Board’s review. She reminded Board that they needed to appoint a
Board of Assessment Review.
Supervisor Morey
– Tena and April, we appreciate all the hard work you did for taxes, being
open on Saturdays. You do an excellent jobs. It was great.
RESOLUTION #24 – APPROVE ATTENDANCE AT TOWN CLERKS CONFERENCE
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby approve attendance of the Town Clerk, April
Scheffler, at the New York State Town Clerks Annual Conference in Saratoga, April 18-21,
2004.
Town Board Minutes Page 7 February 10, 2004
Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town
– As George indicated, I will be sending a letter out to
the owner of the Lick Street property. What we intend to do is give the present owners, the
Robinsons, a specific amount of time to remedy……
John J. Norman & A.D. Dawson, Town Justices
– Submitted their monthly report for the
Board’s review.
Justice Norman
– The only thing I have is the Dog Law, which looks fine the way it was
written.
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Justice Norman invited everyone to the County Magistrates Dinner on March 28.
PUBLIC HEARING – TOWN OF GROTON DOG CONTROL LAW
Supervisor Morey opened the Public Hearing at 8:00PM. The Public Notice was read by the
Town Clerk, which was duly published in the Town’s legal paper, the Groton Independent, on
January 28, 2004.
There was no public comment.
Supervisor Morey
– I have a couple things and I guess this is directed to the Judge. We do
cross-reference the Ag & Markets Law and if we cross-reference, and this is for Vicki too, the
Agriculture and Markets Law in this local law, then shouldn’t we know what the Ag & Markets
Law says also in this so when a good lawyer does come up to the Judges, as in John’s term, then
we would know what both laws say or are familiar with laws. Is that correct?
Justice Norman
– We cross-reference it. There’s no two ways about it. I think this law was
written so that the people who own dogs in the community could take a look at this and
understand it.
Supervisor Morey
– Okay.
Justice Norman
– All right. If anybody wants to look at the cross-reference, we can show them
the Ag & Markets Law.
Supervisor Morey
– But what my concern was and what your concern was two months ago, is if
somebody comes up and says this doesn’t say anything that you could point to the Ag & Markets
Law and say it’s covered there in section such and such and so on and so forth. So, not only do
we have a local law but we also have a state law and we should be familiar with both laws. And
we are, right, is that correct?
Justice Norman
– Well, yeah, as familiar as anyone can be with them. I mean, Ag & Markets
Law, the state law, like any law, DWI for example, a lawyer can look at it and he can get his own
rendition of what the law says.
Supervisor Morey
– Okay, but we’re only dealing tonight with the Dog Law of the Town of
Groton.
Town Board Minutes Page 8 February 10, 2004
Justice Norman
– Well, this is plain, simple, everybody should be able to understand it. That’s
what we were up to, so everybody could understand it.
Supervisor Morey
– Okay. One other question. The fees are okay with everybody? April?
The Judges? Do we reference anything in current law that animals have to be sheltered in this
local law or is that covered under the state law?
Justice Norman
– That’s covered by the County now…….(there was some discussion with
everyone talking at once. Clerk Scheffler thought it was a state law and stated that she has been
handing copies out to people when licensing dogs. Deputy Clerk McClary went to Clerk’s
Office to get copies.)
Supervisor Morey
– Okay, so that’s covered in somebody’s law and we don’t have redo this
law to…..
Clerk Scheffler
– No, this is dog control.
John Norman
– Yes, this basically covers licensing.
Supervisor Morey
– Now, the Town Clerk and the Town Clerk’s Office is happy with this law,
correct? You’re shaking you’re head yes?
Everyone says “yes”.
There being no further comment, Supervisor Morey moved to close the Public Hearing,
seconded by Councilman Sovocool, at 8:08 PM.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLUTION #25 – ADOPT TOWN OF GROTON DOG LAW
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby adopt Local Number 1 for the Year 2004, the
Town of Groton Dog Control Law as follows:
Town of Groton
Local Law No. 1 of the year 2004
A local law relating to the control of dogs within the Town of Groton.
Be it enacted by the Town Board of the Town of Groton as follows:
Section 1. Purpose
The purpose of this Local Law is to promote the public health, safety and welfare of the
Town of Groton, including the protection and preservation of property within the Town and its
Town Board Minutes Page 9 February 10, 2004
inhabitants and of the peace and good order therein, by regulating and controlling the activities
of dogs within the Town and providing for the enforcement thereof.
Section 2. Authority
This Local Law is adopted pursuant to Article 7 of the Agriculture and Markets Law of
the State of New York.
Section 3. Title
The title of this Local Law shall be, “Dog Control Law of the Town of Groton.”
Section 4. Definition of Terms
As used in this Local Law, the following words shall have the following respective
meanings:
a. Agriculture and Markets Law. The Agriculture and Markets Law of the State of
New York in effect as of the effective date of this Local Law, as amended by this Local Law and
as amended thereafter.
b. Dog. Dog shall mean male and female, licensed and unlicensed, members of the
species Canis familiaris.
c. Owner. The party purchasing the license, unless the dog is or has been lost, and
such loss has been reported to the proper authorities and a reasonable search has been made. If a
dog is not licensed, the term of “owner” shall designate and cover any person or persons, firm,
association or corporation who or which at any time owns or has custody or control of, harbors,
or is otherwise responsible for any animal which is kept, brought or comes within the Town.
Any person owning or harboring a dog for a period of one (1) week prior to the filing of any
complaint charging a violation of this Local Law shall be held and deemed to be the owner of
such dog for the purpose of this Local Law. In the event any dog found to be in violation if this
Local Law shall be owned by a minor (under 18 years of age), the head of the household in
which said minor resides shall be deemed to have custody and control of said dog and shall be
responsible for any acts of said dog and violation of this Local Law.
d. Town. Shall designate the area within the corporate limits of the Town of Groton.
e. Harbor. To provide food or shelter to any dog.
Section 5. Prohibited Acts
It shall be unlawful for any owner of any dog in the Town to permit or allow such dog to:
a. Not to be restrained by an adequate collar and leash unless it is accompanied by
its owner or a responsible person able to control it by command, when not on the property of the
owner.
Town Board Minutes Page 10 February 10, 2004
b. Engage in habitual loud howling, barking, crying or whining or conducts itself in
such a manner so as to unreasonably and habitually annoy and/or disturb any person other than
the owner of such dog.
c. Cause damage or destruction to property or defecates, urinates or digs or
otherwise commits a nuisance other than on the property of the owner of such dog.
d. Chase, jump upon or at, or otherwise harass any person in such a manner as to
reasonably cause intimidation or fear or to put such person in reasonable apprehension of bodily
harm or injury.
e. Chase, run alongside of, bark at or otherwise harasses any motor vehicle,
motorcycle, bicycle, carriage or any other vehicle or device used by persons for travel or any
riders or occupants thereof while said vehicle or device is on a public highway or private
property other than property of the owner of said dog. For purposes of this section, a horse or
other animal shall be considered a vehicle or device.
f. Not wear a valid and current New York State dog license while off of the property
of the owner of said dog, whether or not restrained by an adequate collar or leash.
g. Be unlicensed at the age of four (4) months or older, or be unlicensed due to
failure to renew a dog license pursuant to § 9 of this law.
Establishment of the fact or facts that a dog has committed any of the acts prohibited by section 5
of this Local Law shall be presumptive evidence against the owner or harborer of such dog that
he/she has failed to properly confine, leash or control his/her dog.
Section 6. Enforcement/Appearance Ticket
Any person or persons, who are or may be lawfully authorized by the Town, shall, and all
peace officers may, administer and enforce the provisions of this Local Law, and for such
purpose shall have the authority to issue appearance tickets.
Section 7. Seizure, Impoundment, Redemption and Adoption
a. Any dog found in violation of any of the provisions of section 5 of this Local Law
may be seized pursuant to the provisions of section 118 of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
b. Every dog seized shall be properly cared for, sheltered, fed and watered for the
redemption periods set forth in section 118 of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
c. Seized dogs may be redeemed by producing proof of licensing and identification
pursuant to the provisions of Article 7 of the Agriculture and Markets Law and by paying an
impoundment fee of $20.00.
d. If the owner of any unredeemed dog is known, such owner shall be required to
pay the impoundment fees set forth in subdivision (c) of this section whether or not such owner
chooses to redeem his/her dog.
Town Board Minutes Page 11 February 10, 2004
e. Any dog unredeemed at the expiration of the appropriate redemption period shall
be made available for adoption or euthanized pursuant to the provision of section 118 of the
Agriculture and Markets Law.
f. No action shall be maintained against the Town or any person or persons lawfully
authorized by the Town when performing duties pursuant to this Local Law to recover the
possession or value of any dog, or for damages for injury or compensation for the destruction of
any dog seized or destroyed pursuant to the provisions of this Local Law or the Agriculture and
Markets Law.
Section 8. Complaint
a.Any Town-designated Dog Control Officer or Agency having reasonable cause to
believe that a violation of this Local Law has been committed in his/her presence shall issue and
serve upon such person an appearance ticket for such violation.
b. Any person who observes a dog in violation of this Local Law may file a
complaint, under oath, with a Town-designated Dog Control Officer or Agency specifying the
nature of the violation, the date thereof, a description of the dog, the location of the violation and
the name and residence, if known, of the owner of such dog. Such complaint may serve as the
basis for enforcing the provisions of this Local Law.
c. Upon receipt by the Town-designated Dog Control Officer or Agency of any such
complaint, that Officer or Agency shall issue an appearance ticket to the alleged owner of the
dog to appear before the Groton Town Court at a date and time specified.
Section 9. Licensing, Fees and Surcharges
Pursuant to the Agriculture and Markets Law and this Local Law, all dogs in the Town
must be licensed once the dog is four (4) months old and said license must be renewed annually
thereafter. A violation of this provision shall be an offense, punishable upon conviction thereof,
as provided in section 10 of this Local Law. The license fees, payable to the Town Clerk are as
follows:
TYPE FEE
Neutered male or spayed female $10.00
Unneutered male or unspayed female $18.00
In addition, pursuant to the Agriculture and Markets Law and this Local Law, the Town
shall collect an additional $5.00 for dogs identified as unlicensed during a dog enumeration.
This fee is to be collected at the time of licensing and is in addition to the statutory and local
licensing fee and the Animal Population Control Fee. This fee need not be reported to the State
of New York by the Town, but must be used for dog control in the municipality.
Section 10. Penalties
A plea or conviction of a violation of this Local Law shall be deemed an offense and
punishable by a fine not exceeding $25.00 for a first offense, not exceeding $50.00 for a second
offense and not exceeding $75.00 for a third and all subsequent violations. These penalties shall
be in addition to any other penalty provided by law.
Town Board Minutes Page 12 February 10, 2004
Section 11. Separability
If any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase or provision of this Local Law shall
be judged invalid or held unconstitutional, it shall not affect the validity of the Local Law as a
whole or any part or provision thereof other than the part so decided to be invalid or
unconstitutional.
Section 12. Repealer
This Local Law shall supersede all prior Local Laws, ordinances, rules and regulations
relative to the control, licensing and fee schedules of dogs within the Town and they shall be,
upon the effectiveness of this Local Law, null and void.
Section 13. Effective Date
This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Councilman Donald Scheffler, Joint Recreation Committee Chair
– I don’t have a prepared
statement because we just had our meeting tonight. Our Winter Fest is scheduled for February
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28 from 10-3. We have a lot of activities going on: bounce houses in the gym, cross country
skiing, sled riding, crafts, live music, pottery demonstration, SPCA is going to be there, a lot of
stuff for the family. We also have a memorandum of understanding between our committee and
the school because the original Intermunicipal agreement with the school left some questions
unanswered and we continually had problems between the school and who’s responsible for
what. I have, I think I gave everybody a copy, a memorandum of understanding which our
committee agreed on tonight and we’d like to ask the Town Board to approve of it and Glenn
sign it and the Mayor of the Village is going to do the same. And the School has indicated that
they are going to sign it.
Supervisor Morey
– Didn’t we have one before?
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Councilman Scheffler
– Yes, we have this, the 26 day of June 2001 agreement. I put a copy in
front of everyone. This is just like an amendment to it.
Attorney Monty said that she had read it but not the original and wondered what the problems
were.
Councilman Scheffler
– The problems arose from people at the school who were there for 20 or
30 years. Everyone knows them and understood what was going on. And over the course of a
year or two a lot of personnel was changed and as it turns out a lot of things were just understood
and trusted, everybody understood what everybody was doing. Then people changed and
nobody knows what’s going on. This way we have it better spelled out.
There was a little more discussion and it was decided to give Board Members time to look it over
while they proceeded with the meeting.
Town Board Minutes Page 13 February 10, 2004
RESOLUTION #26 – NAME PLANNING BOARD CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby name Monica Carey as Planning Board Chair
and Mary Gloster as Vice Chair.
RESOLUTION #27 – NAME ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS CHAIR
AND VICE CHAIR
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby name Lyle Raymond as Zoning Board of
Appeals Chair and John Pachai as Vice Chair.
Rosemarie Tucker, Town Historian
– Presented goals for 2004. Plans include the relocation of
the Jones Schoolhouse to the property behind the Museum on Main Street , which hopefully will
be accomplished this spring. The Historians Guide to Place Names in Tompkins County is
expected to be completed in June and a grant has been received for the printing. With LaVena
Court, retired history teacher, she is researching information on letters of the Benson and Larned
families and they plan a trip to Minnesota in conjunction with this. She asked for reimbursement
to attend spring and fall meetings of the Association of Public Historian of New York State. The
Tompkins County Association is planning a project based on the Depression Era. She plans to
continue research on disasters in the Town of Groton and write at least four articles for the
Groton Independent.
Deb Finton-Crouch, Groton Village Trustee
– Came to meeting to discuss the Groton Skate
Park which was begun in 2001 with homemade equipment. In 2003 the Village Board deemed
the homemade equipment unsafe. Village officials determined that the Skate Park was a needed
athletic resource, ordered $5000 worth of equipment, and formed the Groton Skate Park
Committee. The estimated cost of the park is $30,000 when totally finished. Before the park can
open this spring it must have a fence, which is required by insurance as well as needed for safety.
The committee and youth have raised $2,000 over the past 6 months but are still $2,000 short of
the amount needed for the fence. A request was made that the Town provide the $2,000 needed
and agree to make an additional yearly donation until the Skate Park is completed.
Supervisor Morey asked if Ms. Finton-Crouch had talked to the United Way about a grant and
she said that the woman had been out of town but that a grant might be a good possibility.
Supervisor Morey said that the Board would have to consider her request and get back to her.
Town Board Minutes Page 14 February 10, 2004
Bob Walpole had been scheduled to talk about Bikes and Blues but was unable to attend. The
event is scheduled for July 10 and 11 and the majority of the activities will take place on Conger
Boulevard.
Chris Dempsey, Dempsey Insurance Agency
– Presented the Town’s insurance coverage for
the year 2004. There was an approximate increase of 10% over 2003. He said that this was the
best rate available due to the fact that there is very little competition for municipal coverage. Mr.
Dempsey explained several portions of the policy.
RESOLUTION #28 – APPROVE INSURANVE PACKAGE FROM
DEMPSEY INSURANCE
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby approve the 2004 insurance package as
presented by Dempsey Insurance Company in the amount of $44,522.44.
RESOLUTION #29 - DESIGNATE POLLING PLACES
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town of Groton designates the following polling places:
District # 1 - West Groton Church
District #2 & #3 – Town Hall
District #4 – McLean Fire Station
RESOLUTION #30 – APPROVE 2004 HUMAN SERVICES CONTRACT
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby approve the 2004 contract with Human Services
Coalition of Tompkins County in the amount of $700.00.
Town Board Minutes Page 15 February 10, 2004
RESOLUTION #31 – HIRE BETTER HOUSING FOR TOMPKINS COUNTY
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
WHEREAS,
the Town of Groton has successfully implemented a housing rehabilitation
program to serve low-income homeowners in conjunction with Better Housing for Tompkins
County, Inc. over the last 10 years, and
WHEREAS,
the Town of Groton recognizes a continuing serious need for housing rehabilitation
services among low-income homeowners who cannot afford to make needed repairs, and places
a high priority on serving that need in the Town, and
WHEREAS,
the New York State Governor’s Office for Small Cities has made Small Cities
CDBG Funding available to municipalities for this and other purposes,
THEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED
, that the Town of Groton will submit a new CDBG grant
request of $400,000 to the New York State Governor’s Office for Small Cities to continue to
provide a housing rehabilitation program on a town-wide basis, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
that the Town Board of the Town of Groton will hire Better
Housing for Tompkins County, Inc. to prepare the grant application materials for review and
submission by the Town of Groton.
RESOLUTION #32 – PROCLAIM GREGG McCRARY DAY
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
WHEREAS,
the Town Board of the Town of desires to recognize the accomplishments of one
of its native sons, Gregg O. McCrary, Special Agent with the FBI (retired), and
WHEREAS,
Mr. McCrary has become famous as one of the world’s foremost criminal profilers
and crime analysts, with his research involving violent offenders and their crimes being featured
on television documentaries, magazines and newspapers, and
WHEREAS,
Mr. McCrary continues as a consultant and instructor and has co-authored a book
based on the many infamous cases he has been involved in, and
WHEREAS,
it is proper and fitting that we honor Mr. McCrary, whose roots and values began
in our community, for his work that has benefited people all over the world in the aid of
apprehending violent criminals,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton
GREGG McCRARY DAY
hereby proclaims Tuesday, March 2, 2004 as to honor this famous
native son and his many accomplishments and our appreciation of his efforts in combating
violent crime.
Town Board Minutes Page 16 February 10, 2004
Announcements:
Winter Fest – Saturday, February 28, 10 AM to 3 PM at the Elementary School
Gregg McCrary Day – Program with Mr. McCrary at the High School, Monday, March 2,
7:30 PM
Planning Board Meeting, February 19, 7:30 pm
Bowling Party – Groton Merchants V.S. the Moravia Merchants, Sunday, March 7, Noon
at the Corona Club.
RESOLUTION #33 – APPROVE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
MOVED
by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board does hereby approve the Memorandum of Understanding
between the Town of Groton, The Village of Groton and the Groton Central School District
relating to responsibilities of all parties involved in the Joint Recreation Committee.
There being no further business, Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by
Councilman Scheffler, at 8:45 PM. Unanimous.
April L. Scheffler
Town Clerk