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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-13-2004 TOWN OF GROTON – MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2004 - 7:30 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: Dewey Dawson, John Norman, Tena McClary, Teresa Robisnon, Marge Dill, Helen Armstrong, Richard Case, George Senter, Liz Brennan, April Scheffler, MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the minutes of the March 9, 2004 meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the minutes of the March 23, 2004 Public Hearing. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the minutes of the March 30, 2004 Public Hearing. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey Highway Fund Claim Numbers 49-74 of the in the amount of $13,438.84 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Special Grant (HUD) Fund Claim Numbers 333-337 of the in the amount of $11,067.55 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the HUD bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Town Board Meeting Page 2 April 13, 2004 General Fund Claim Numbers 71-109 of the in the amount of $71,429.75 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the General Bills for payment with the exception of Claim Number 91 submitted by Tom Scheffler in the amount of $1,500.00, making the total approved amount to be $69,929.75. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey privilege of the floor Supervisor Morey offered . Helen Armstrong, agent for AFLAC – Explained AFLAC’s supplemental insurance plan, which is paid for by the employee. They have many customized plans including short-term disability and accident. All plans and claims are handled personally by the agent. Payments are not made to the doctor or hospital but made to the individual to help cover out-of-pocket expenses. Monthly Reports: Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper – You’ve got your listings of revenues and expenditures and the bank balance. I do have one transfer this month and we need to amend the 2004 budget to reflect insurance claim reimbursements. RESOLUTION #42 – BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the following 2004 Budget Transfer: General Fund – Town Wide: From: Contingency A1990.4……………………………… $2.26 To: Justice, Equipment A1110.2……………………….. 2.26 RESOLUTION #43 – AMEND 2004 BUDGET MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the following amendment to the 2004 Budget to reflect an insurance claim reimbursement for repairs to the salt shed: General Fund – Town Wide: Debit A2680 Insurance Claims………………………….. $5,118.40 Credit a1640.42 Garage Repairs …………………………… 5,118.40 Town Board Meeting Page 3 April 13, 2004 RESOLUTION #44 – AMEND 2004 BUDGET MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the following amendment to the 2004 Budget to reflect an insurance claim reimbursement for replacement of truck spreader. Debit DA2680 Insurance Claims…………………………. $4,132.18 Credit DA5130.2 Machinery, Equipment…………………… 4,132.18 George R. Senter, Sr., Code/Fire Enforcement Officer – In the month of March we issued 5 building permits, 2 for houses and 3 others. 4 certificates of occupancy were issued. We also issued a demolition permit to Robinson, up on Lick Street, to get rid of that old Coit property and hopefully that will happen in the next 90 days. Supervisor Morey read a letter he had received from George Senter indicating his intent to resign at the end of June, thus giving ample time to find a replacement. George Senter stated that he would give his formal letter of resignation to the Town Clerk at the appropriate time. RESOLUTION #45 – ACCEPT GEORGE SENTER’S LETTER OF INTENT MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nay – Sovocool RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby accept and acknowledge the letter from George R. Senter, Sr. concerning his intent to resign on June 31, 2004. Councilman Scheffler – We really appreciate the job you’ve done and for hanging in with us. We’ll be sad to see you go but we understand that you’ve got to do what you’ve got do. Supervisor Morey – First of all I’d like to thank you for your dedicated service to the Town of Groton. I personally know your dedication because I’ve seen successful accomplishments of your job all throughout the Town. We may find someone to fill the position but we’ll never, ever be able to replace you because you’re such a dedicated person. The Board and Public appreciate your service and want to thank you. Congratulations on your semi-retirement. We wish you the best of luck, George. Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent – At the present time, the Highway Department is still dedicated to snow and ice removal. The preventive maintenance program and the truck and plow repairs are taking place in the shop. Intersections are being power broomed. Roadways are receiving coldpatch and shoulder repairs. The excavator has been used for both brush cutting and drainage pipe maintenance. Trees and brush have been cut on Brown Road, Town Board Meeting Page 4 April 13, 2004 Sovocool Hill Road, and a concerted effort with NYSEG has been made to remove hazardous trees on Sobers Road. Pete Carr has been working with Liz to get the inventory of all the Highway Department’s equipment updated. I received correspondence from Norman Wiley with PERMA Insurance, which indicated that our Town’s workman’s compensation losses are significantly lower than the PERMA average. The Town employees should be commended for this. I have attended several Highway Superintendents’ meetings involving the municipal co- operation issue. This co-operation takes place almost daily with the Village and other towns. It is the Tompkins County Highway Superintendent’s position that there is a good working relationship, that all legal issues are being covered and that it is in the best interest of all to continue working together. At this time, there has not been a municipal agreement presented that will improve on what is taking place. Glenn and I attended a meeting of Highway Superintendents and a committee of local legislators searching for a way to make highway maintenance more efficient throughout the County. It is no surprise that the County’s infrastructure is deteriorating faster than they can keep up with. A day is coming, or should I say is here, that some changes are going to have to be made to insure that the road system stays maintained fairly for all of the taxpayers. For note: Tompkins County Highway Department will be working on Chipman Corners Road, from Route 38 to the County line, and Pleasant Valley Road, from Sharpsteen Road to Cobb Street and in the spirit of municipal co-operation, we do have a truck working with them. Paperwork has been filed with NYSOGS to participate in the 2004-2005 de-icing salt bid. I have contacted the UFPO and NYSEG in regards to the utilities bordering the Town gravel Bank and Spring Street. As soon as things dry and time allows, the reclamation of the gravel bank will continue. I have closure paperwork that has to be filed with the NYSDEC. I have discussed this with Glenn and will be getting with Vicky to have this paperwork filled out. ADT did its annual fire alarm inspection and found things that needed to be corrected. To my knowledge, these problems have been fixed. There are people on the call list and pin numbers that need to be changed and updated. April has given me a list, so I will get with her and make these changes. Late April or May is when we usually do the Town Board’s Highway tour. Councilman Gamel – I’ve been down a few times in the last couple of weeks and you guys are always well organized out there and I think you’re doing a great job. Supervisor Morey inquired as to what work was being done on Pleasant Valley Road and Mr. Case explained that the County planned major reclamation and resurfacing of this road and Chipman Corners Road. Town Board Meeting Page 5 April 13, 2004 RESOLUTION #46 – APPROVE ATTENDANCE AT HIGHWAY SCHOOL MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve Highway Superintendent Richard Case’s, attendance at the New York State Association of Towns Highway School being held in Ithaca on June 7-9, 2004. RESOLUTION #47 – SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby schedule the annual spring clean-up day, sponsored by the Town and Village of Groton, for Saturday, May 15, 2004. April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - You have my monthly Town Clerk and Tax Collector reports. I received a letter from Charles and Nancy Peacock of the Elm Tree Inn informing the Town of their intention to apply for renewal of their liquor license. We need a consensus from the Board that you have no problems with that. I had a call from Joe Shwartz from the Ithaca Journal. They have been trying to expand their local coverage and would like to schedule what they call “coffee with the editors” where the public, as well as town and village government, could come in and talk to them about things they th would like to see in the paper. They would like to do this on Monday, April 26 form 4-5 PM, if that is agreeable with you. I received notice today from Steve Farkas that the Municipal Officials are going to postpone the discussion on centralization of Voting machines, which had been scheduled for the April th meeting, until May 18 since most of the Town Clerks will be at their annual convention. The Shared Services Agreement will remain on the agenda. I gave you each a copy of the article I wrote for the Groton Independent about our plans for the Groton Business Association Recognition Award for next year. I’ve been asked to mention that to you. We will be doing Wealthea Marsh, who we believe is the first woman bank president in the United States and that was in Groton. We’re very excited about the project and it will be th very exciting for Groton. The bank is going to be involved in it. It will be their 140 anniversary next year. We’re going to tie it in with that and a lot of different things. We think it will be an interesting event. I would like to at this time ask for a resolution giving me permission to advertise for and hire a dog enumerator. We have, within the last couple of weeks, sent out over 6 letters to people, all of which had multiple unlicensed dogs. We have had several other reports besides these, one of which included a dog who bit someone on Park Street. Many of these dogs are without rabies vaccinations and this creates a hazard for the community at large. I really feel that we need to start moving on this. Nathan Winograd also told me that he might have several people who would be interested in doing the enumeration. Town Board Meeting Page 6 April 13, 2004 Several times in the past we have also discussed the excess dog funds and I would like to ask permission to meet with our local veterinarians and come up with a spay/neuter plan and/or some rabies clinics. It would be beneficial to all concerned if we could coordinate these plans with an enumeration. We have $26,324 in this account and by law it can only be used for dogs. I know that in the past Vicki was working on a contract or something, so I don’t know how you will want to do hire someone to do this. Supervisor Morey – Independent contractor. That way you don’t have to pay benefits and they never come back to us. Just to advertise, we don’t have find out what we have to pay them, do we? Clerk Scheffler – Well, I wouldn’t apply for a job unless I knew. Supervisor Morey – Well, give me a couple of weeks. Clerk Scheffler – Lansing recently did one and they paid $2.00 a dog plus mileage. In a way I think that’s more incentive for a person rather than a set amount of money for the whole job. I don’t know how you feel about that. Supervisor Morey – Okay. Liz, you and I are going to work on that. Clerk Scheffler – Do you want me to start talking to veterinarians and see what we come up with? Supervisor Morey – Oh, I think it would be a great idea. Yeah. Liz Brennan – I can tell you, that reserve, the money doesn’t come directly out of that reserve. You budget a line item each year, so whatever we have in our line item is what we need this year. If you plan on something from the reserve it’d have to come next year. The reserve is strictly, it’s there and the money that we spend we subtract from it; money that comes in, we add to it. You don’t take money directly from it. If you have more expenditures one year you could be taking more from it that way, but it has to be a budgeted line item. Supervisor Morey – Okay, so we got to plan ahead for next year. Let’s table that, April. Let me do some research and find out what we can do. Any questions for April? Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town – I don’t actually have anything to report. Fran, as you know, actually helps me out with this and he’s been doing a lot of the work. On the employee handbook, I know you have that on the agenda later on. Supervisor Morey – We’ve changed that too. Attorney Monty – And he’s going through the process of comparing it with some other handbooks that are in existence and are being used out there. Aside from that you sent us some information relative to Liz’s resignation and reappointment and Fran had looked that over and indicated to me that his understanding is that it’s okay. Other than that, I have nothing to report. Town Board Meeting Page 7 April 13, 2004 John Norman and A. D. Dawson, Town Justices – Submitted their monthly report for the Board’s review. RESOLUTION #48 – PERMISSION FOR JUSTICE COURT TO APPLY FOR GRANT MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby give permission to the Town of Groton Justice Court to apply for grant money through the Justice Court Assistance Program of the State of New York on the condition that no matching funds by the Town would be a requirement of said grant RESOLUTION #49 – AUTHORIZE ATTENDANCE FEE FOR SATELLITE BROADCAST MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the attendance fee of $10.00 per person for the two Town Justices, John Norman and A.D. Dawson and the Court Clerk, Peg Palmer, to attend the Office of court Administration satellite broadcast being held at the Tompkins County Cooperative Extension office, April 26, 2004. Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator – The Joint Town and Village th Recreation Committee met on April 6 for their regular meeting. The bands for the summer nd concert series have been finalized and they’re July 2, Alice Diedrick in conjunction with the rdth fireworks like we’ve done in the last couple of years with a rain date of July 3; July 7 is thst Ageless Jazz Band; July 14, Cortland Old Timers; July 21, New Orleans All Star Jazz Band; thth July 28, A Fine Kettle of Fish; August 4, Steve Cogner and Jim Overhiser from the school; th August 11, Cortland Old Timers Band. A bonus this year, we’re going to have the restrooms open at the Town Hall for people’s use. It was a big problem last year. It tended to drive people away last year. People with little kids and disabled people just had to go home. We’ll have to work something out on that. The memorandum of understanding that we signed with the school and the Village to clarify some things, we were told that it’s currently on the desk of the school superintendent. It’s on his to-do list to sign it. We sponsored Larry Stamenthall, who plays variety music, to play again at the Center Village Court for a lunch. He was very well liked and th appreciated and we’re trying to set up another date either Memorial Day or July 4. That’s our attempt to do something quarterly with the senior citizens and it seems to be working well. Consensus of the Board was that they had no problem with the Elm Tree Inn’s application to renew their liquor license. Margaret Dill, Human Services Coalition – I asked Teresa to come. She has been on our board, she won’t tell me how many years, but you folks, the Town of Groton, along with the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, County and at one time BOCES and Ithaca School District, you folks Town Board Meeting Page 8 April 13, 2004 established, 30 years ago the Human Services Coalition. We’ve stayed a pretty small agency so you don’t hear about us a lot because we don’t necessarily serve people directly; we serve the agencies that serve people. One of the things we try to make sure of is that the needs are identified and that they are met throughout the County. We don’t fund them directly; we review them for County and City sales tax funds. We ask for geographic distribution and see where your services went. Since we have been doing that we see a better distribution. I guess my main point is that if there are services that are needed in Groton, I think many are here from what I can tell, but if there are more that are needed we hope that we can be of help to you in making sure that happens. I brought some of what we do. Ms. Dill handed out some pamphlets and gave a copy of the Human Services Resource Directory to the Town Clerk. Clerk Scheffler said that it was a very useful resource that she used often. Ms Dill described a needs assessment, which was done in conjunction with United Way and a grant that had been received for health, which will help people locate available prescription programs that are more affordable. She also told a web site designed for volunteers. Councilman Scheffler – Rick and I and April and Rick Case have been studying the cleaning situation for the building and we kind of thought we’d like to advertise the job as a part time cleaner and light maintenance position. We went through the building and tried to decide what it’s going to take to clean it, basically bi-weekly, but with someone’s schedule it can be flexible. Everybody’s got a copy of what we came up with for a job description. We also discussed it and because we’re going to try to move it into, over the next few months or year, into a light maintenance position on the building, not just cleaning, but light bulbs, repairs, painting, some odds and ends, so we’d like to move it to being supervised by the Highway Superintendent just for continuity. Councilman Gamel – We spent some time doing the work activities, what actually has to be done, and as Don said, it’s just a guess as to how long it will take and we came up to a 12-15 hours per week position. The job description we had previously was a minimum 4 hours a day, I think, to get done what was listed on the sheet. So, we changed things and kind of tallied it to what we saw was needed. We still think there’s going to be a need for a one time per year or twice per year carpet cleaning and floor waxing with a machine but we think that’s something that could come after we get that person on board or even as an outside agency. We came up with a dollar figure to post. The problem is going to be that at 12 to 15 hours a week at the price we have per hour, that’s a lot more money than we have in the budget for the cleaner that we have right now. We’d like to get it in the newspaper next week because our cleaner is going to be done at the end of this month. We’re going to have some time to get somebody on board. Supervisor Morey – Okay, I talked to Jim Allen. He said that he’d stay on as long as he had to to help us out. Councilman Sovocool – Where we going to get the money? Supervisor Morey – Let’s hold off on that. How much are we talking? Councilman Gamel – At $9.00 an hour at 12-15 hours a week, it comes up to, in a 52-week year, $7010. Town Board Meeting Page 9 April 13, 2004 Supervisor Morey – Liz? Liz Brennan – For a start, contingency. Councilman Gamel – There’s $2,300, approximately in the balance of the line item. Supervisor Morey – So how much do we have for the rest of the year? Liz Brennan – You probably have about $2,000……….(not using microphone)….. Supervisor Morey – And it can’t come out of Rick’s budget as highway employee? Liz Brennan – We could take it out of buildings………… Supervisor Morey – So, we do have a fund in there for buildings repair, right? And we are going to have this person mow the lawn and fix up the front, make some grass out there and flowers, that April’s been talking about, and the paint is chipping terrible and the lights out in front break, it seems like every week. Councilman Gamel – Let me just jump in Glenn, we discussed all of that, as far as painting and lawn mowing and all that sort of stuff, and you can see on the sheet you were given: may clear snow and ice from walks if they’re here when that happens; may mow lawns, rake leaves, perform a variety of other grounds keeping tasks as assigned; may paint rooms and equipment. The problem is at 12-15 hours per week, when we have them sweep, mop, wash floors, vacuum carpets, clean bathroom fixtures and walls, kitchenette area, desk, chairs tables, that’s going to add up. And we did discuss it, if they want to work more and be under Rick’s supervision, and do some things other than that, we’re not opposed to more than 12-15 hours per week but, understandably, that’s going to be more money. It’s going to add up if they’re going to work 20 hours a week instead of 15. That’s quite a bit more money. Again, that’s something that we talked about, and the three of us went through and tried to figure out what it was going to take to do the carpets and floors and that was one of our concerns that this could be 20 hours a week or 12 hours a week but there’s going to be a change in the money there one way or the other. Liz Brennan – Are you figuring that on a whole year? You may not be looking at quite that much because we’re down to 9 months. Councilman Gamel – Right, and there is the $2,000 that was there. I just want to bring that up. I don’t want somebody to say we spent a lot more money than we figured. There was some more discussion on the subject and it was decided that they advertise for someone for 12-15 hours a week and that by budget time we would know if this was the kind of person for whom the job could be expanded. Supervisor Morey asked if the County was okay with changes to the job description and Clerk Scheffler replied that it was basically like the County’s but more sight specific and would check with them. Clerk Scheffler – I do have one thing to say and not that it’s anything against Rick having control of this person. I don’t have anything against that except where it comes to my office. My area is a secure area and as far as that is concerned I would like that person to report to me. Supervisor Morey – But we’re thinking of expanding this job. Town Board Meeting Page 10 April 13, 2004 Clerk Scheffler – I know, but it’s still a person who will have a key to my area. Councilman Sovocool – Do it while you’re here. Supervisor Morey – Yeah, do it while you’re here then. That’d be fine. Tena McClary, Deputy Town Clerk – They can’t do it while we’re here. They’re interrupting business. On several occasions I’ve had a person come in to get a dog license or fishing license and J.J.’s running the vacuum cleaner behind them and I’ve had to ask him to stop. Clerk Scheffler – I’m just saying that someone is going to have to follow the rules that I set for my office as far access. Councilman Scheffler – Yeah, we would want something for the whole building because they’re going to be in the Court offices and the Highway Offices and it has to be somebody that we can all trust. Judge Norman – We can’t have somebody sitting down and reading the caseload for the Court and what is coming up on the calendar. Councilman Scheffler – I don’t want somebody in the building that we have to watch anyway. Councilman Gamel – How do we go about that other than trust? Judge Norman – Well, I think we should lay it right on the line so when we hire them that when they come into the security areas that they are to clean the security areas without moving around documents or looking at documents. Councilman Gamel – We discussed that as well….. Clerk Scheffler – Or allowing other people access to those area. Councilman Gamel – ….personal areas, we would kind of like to leave up to the individual who works at that desk. Don’t touch a desk. You’re responsible to clean up your own desk. They’re there to clean the floors, empty the trash containers and that sort of thing and not to touch desks or personal items on the desk. RESOLUTION #50 – ADVERTISE FOR CLEANER AND CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby wish to advertise to fill the position of cleaner for up to 15 hours per week at $9.00 per hour and for a code enforcement officer, and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the committee interviewing for the cleaner with be Council Gamel, Councilman Scheffler, Rick Case and April Scheffler and that the code enforcement officer will be interviewed by the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Town Board Meeting Page 11 April 13, 2004 Supervisor Morey read resignation letters from Jim Allen, the present cleaner and Richard Exton, constable. RESOLUTION #51 – ACCEPT RESIGNATION OF JIM ALLEN MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby accept the resignation of Jim Allen, cleaner. Supervisor Morey – I’d like to thank Jim for all the service that he’s done for the Town of Groton. I know about Jim’s dedication because I’ve seen him here on Saturday and Sunday mornings in the past. He’s responsible for our new carpets and saving money in our janitorial supplies ordering. I want to just wish Jim the best of luck in whatever he decides to do. RESOLUTION #52 – ACCEPT RESIGNATION OF RICHARD EXTON MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby accept the resignation of Richard Exton, constable. Supervisor Morey – It is with deep regret that we accept the resignation of Richard Exton and announce his passing of last week. Dick was a gentleman who served the Town of Groton with integrity, honesty and dedication as Town Constable. Dick will surely be missed and it was my pleasure to have known him. Justice Dawson – May I ask where we stand in regards to the Court Attendant? We do have a jury trial coming up. Supervisor Morey – I know, and what you’re going to do is call Bucky and he will assign someone. He will be doing it temporarily, assign somebody to come over. Councilman Scheffler – What we thought we would do is hold off on it a little bit because it’s not a busy job and see what happens with the cleaner position and if the right person turns up the problem may be solved. Supervisor Morey read a letter from Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/Highway Clerk, stating that she was retiring and requesting reappointment. Town Board Meeting Page 12 April 13, 2004 RESOLUTION #53 – ACCEPT RETIREMENT LETTER FROM ELIZABETH BRENNAN MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby accept the retirement letter from Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/Highway Clerk, effective April 10, 2004. RESOLUTION #54 – APPOINT ELIZABETH BRENNAN AS BOOKKEEPER/HIGHWAY CLERK MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby appoint Elizabeth Brennan as Bookkeeper to the Supervisor and Highway Clerk. Discussion took place on the request for the donation to help pay for the Skate Park fencing. The fence is at this time being installed thanks to a loan from the Village of Groton but this money still needs to be repaid. The Bookkeeper said that there was $4,000 in Contingency in Part Town. RESOLUTION #55 – DONATED $500 TO SKATE PARK MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby donated $500 to the Groton Skate Park to assist in the fencing. RESOLUTION #56 – APPOINT LOCAL ADVISORY BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby appoint the following people as the Town of Groton Local Advisory Board of Assessment Review: Jack Miller, Russell Demond, Fran Sovocool, Dennis Butts and Tom Guihan. Town Board Meeting Page 13 April 13, 2004 RESOLUTION #57 – SET DATE FOR ASSESSMENT REVIEW HEARING MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby set Friday, May 14, 2004 from 3 PM to 6 PM for the Assessment Review Hearing (Grievance Day). RESOLUTION #58 – APPROVE BONDING FOR TOWN EMPLOYEES MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the addition of bonding for Town employees to the insurance package presented by Chris Dempsey at the March meeting at an additional cost of $794.00. Supervisor Morey – Over the last couple of weeks I have taken it upon myself to write an employee handbook because benefits and conditions are separate between the Highway Department and the office employees. So, I’ve been trying to get everybody’s approval for it. All the Highway Department issues have been taken care of and that’s one of the employee groups. Then I will submit it to everybody for action in May. Announcements: Planning Board Meeting – April 15, 7PM Thank you from First National Bank of Groton for loan of chairs for their annual meeting Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan Presentation – April 20, Open House, 3-7PM, Public Meeting, 7-8PM GBA Spring Fling – April 17, 6PM at the McLean Fire Hall There being no further business Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, at 8:42PM. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler Town Clerk