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Home My WebLink About2016-08-09TOWN OF GROTON — MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016 AT 7:30 PM THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD Those present: Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilperson Randy N. Jackson, Councilperson Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town Absent: Kelly Smith, Councilperson Also present: W. Rick Fritz, Ron Jackson, Ed Neuhauser, Glenn Morey, Neil Jackson, Lucille Jackson, Lance Coit, Chuck Rankin, Richard C. Case, Jr., April Scheffler. MOVED by Councilperson Jackson, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2016 meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler. Vouchers for the General Fund in the amount of $77,775.20 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Sovocool, seconded by Councilperson Jackson, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler. Vouchers for the Highway Fund in the amount of $11,189.57 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler. Vouchers for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Fund in the amount of $16,081.04 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Jackson, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, to approve the CDBG Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Monthly Reports: Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. He will be getting budget worksheets to department heads by the end of the month. The tax cap has been lowered to .68, which we will hopefully be able to achieve. Town Board Minutes Page 2 August 9, 2016 W. Rick Fritz, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. He has completed the latest training involving the State Agriculture and Markets regulations and has been told that we will need to address updates involving changes in the Energy Code. We have already met last year's number of new housing permits issued, which was 7 and we are now working on number 8. The busiest year was 2015 with 15 new house permits issued. Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent - They have been busy with mowing and brooming. Drainage and brush has been worked on. There has been considerable ditch work done on Sovocool Hill. Today they have started on Old Stage Road to re-establish the drainage and fix any pipes that need repair to be prepared to pave it by next spring. He has been researching a rubber -tired excavator and hopes to have a recommendation for the Board next month. This purchase would be subject to permissive referendum. He had also given the Board copies of the new 3 -year Snow and Ice Agreement with Tompkins County and recommended that the Board approve it. After some discussion, the following resolution was passed. RESOLUTION #16-054 - APPROVE SNOW AND ICE AGREEMENT MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Jackson WHEREAS, State Highway Law Section 135-a and General Municipal Law Section 119-0 authorize a County to contract with a City, Town, or Village for the removal of snow and ice from County Roads, or for sanding or otherwise treating such County roads, and WHEREAS, Tompkins County wishes to contract with the Town of Groton for such services, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 3 -year Snow and Ice Contract with Tompkins County commencing October 1, 2016 and terminating September 30, 2019 subject to review by the Attorney for the Town. Ayes - Sovocool, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. She and Robin are getting ready for the photo show during Olde Home Days and are busy selling hunting licenses. Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town - Had nothing to report. John J. Norman and A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present but had presented monthly reports for the Board's review and requested approval for the Court Clerk to attend conference. Councilperson Kelly Smith as Representative to Joint Youth Program - Was absent. Glenn Morey, County Legislator - Spoke briefly about the weather station that SUNY Albany wants to put in Groton. It will be coming before the appropriate boards for review. He also spoke about the request for a lower speed limit in the hamlet of Groton City. He informed the Board that the County was attempting to pass a law to make the Sheriff s position appointed instead of elected. If they proceed with the plan, it will be on the ballot to be voted on by the public during the election in November. It is not going to save money, but will actually add about $160,000.00 to the budget. Town Board Minutes Page 3 Privilege of the Floor: August 9, 2016 Lance Coit, Acting Fire Chief, Groton Fire Department - They had some good trainings this month; calls are up; things are running smoothly. The books are a little tight with the quarterly payments and would like to discuss different options with the Board at budget time. Jamie Babcock broke his leg earlier this year and now requires surgery with a recovery time of six months to a year. He has stepped down as Fire Chief and they will be having a special election on September 22nd. The ambulance is staffed 98% of the time now with the new person and they have covered some coverage for both Dryden and Four Town. The Fire Department has taken over the food for the Legion for Olde Home Days and that will be a fundraiser for the Department. RESOLUTION #16-055 - TOWN HISTORIAN TO ATTEND CONFERENCE MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the payment of expenses, up to the budgeted $500.00, for the Town Historian, Rosemarie Tucker, to attend the annual conference for the Association of Public Historians of New York State, September 14-17, 2016, at Syracuse, NY. Ayes - Sovocool, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #16-056 - COURT CLERK TO ATTEND CONFERENCE MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the payment of expenses for the Court Clerk, Kathy Barron, to attend New York State Town and Village Court Clerks Association conference, September 25- 28, 2016, in Binghamton, NY. RESOLUTION #16-057 - REQUEST LOWER SPEED LIMIT FOR THE HAMLET OF GROTON CITY MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Clark WHEREAS, the Town of Groton has received a petition from 37 Groton City residents requesting a speed limit reduction from 35 mph to 30 mph within the Hamlet of Groton City and for double yellow "no passing" lines for the entire length of Groton City Road, and WHEREAS, the safety of the hamlet's residents, children, pedestrians, and pets is a top priority, not therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton request of the County of Tompkins, the State of New York and the Tompkins County Highway Department make the necessary changes to the signage and lines as soon as practicable. Ayes - Sovocool, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Town Board Minutes Page 4 August 9, 2016 RESOLUTION #16-058 - SET DATES FOR BUDGET WORK SESSIONS MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Jackson RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets the following meetings for Budget Work Sessions: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 Monday, September 26, 2016 Ayes - Sovocool, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Announcements: Town Clerk at 3:00 pm Highway Association at 3:30 pm Highway Superintendent at 4:00 pm Court at 5:00 pm Board will meet at 7:00 pm if needed ➢ Planning Board - August 18 at 7:30 pm ➢ Zoning Board of Appeals - August 24 at 7:30 pm ➢ Olde Home Days - August 19 & 20 ➢ Next Board meeting - September 13 at 7:30 pm There being no further business, Councilperson Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson Jackson at 8:04 pm. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk