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Home My WebLink About2015-11-10TOWN OF GROTON — MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2015 AT 7:30 PM THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD Those present: Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilperson Kelly Smith, Councilperson Richard B. Gamel, Councilperson Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson (arrived late) Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town Also present: Ed Neuhauser, Randy Jackson, Julie Graham, Joe Graham, Dan Carey Charles Rankin, Gary Coats, April Scheffler. MOVED by Councilperson Sovocool, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the minutes of the, October 13, 2015 meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Scheffler. Vouchers for the General Fund in the amount of $20,723.06 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Sovocool, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Scheffler. Vouchers for the Highway Fund in the amount of $78,426.45 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Smith, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Scheffler. Vouchers for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Fund in the amount of $44,384.91 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, to approve the CDBG Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Scheffler Monthly Reports: Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review and requested a budget transfer. Town Board Minutes Page 2 November 10, 2015 RESOLUTION #15-071 - 2015 BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Smith RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2015 Budget Transfer: General Fund - Town Wide: From: Contingency, A1990.4 .......................$8,000.00 To: Justices, Clerk Personal Services ............ 8,000.00 Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #15-072 - 2015 BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2015 Budget Transfers: Peruville Lighting: From: Unappropriated Fund Balance, SL2-911........... $500.00 To Peruville Light District, SL2-5182.4.................500.00 Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent - Was not present. April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. The dog census is winding down with 191 new licenses in just under 8 weeks. Responses are still coming in and we are beginning to do follow-up on places that we know have unlicensed dogs and Country Acres is checking some places for us. Discussion had taken place during budget time about purchasing software for building permits, zoning, planning and ZBA. The decision has been made not to do that at this time as there are a couple possibilities with the County that are being explored that would cost us much less money. The tax rates have been sent to the Assessment Office and taxes are the next big project. (Councilperson Clark arrived at 7:37 pm.) Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town - Had nothing to report. John J. Norman and A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present. Councilperson Kelly Smith as Representative to Joint Youth Program - Jennifer Foote -Dean and Gerard McCormick came to our meeting with a request that we sponsor a spring youth soccer program and they are hoping to make that more competitive and a travel league. No decision has been made and it will be discussed again next meeting. Fall youth sports are complete. There are a few issues that have been on-going over the last few years. The Groton Youth cross-country race was successful with over 70 runners from Groton, Dryden, Ithaca and Elmira. Background checks will commence and Jennifer has distributed the forms she is going to use. Boys and girls basketball started Saturday. The Middle School Town Board Minutes Page 3 November 10, 2015 gym is closed so wrestling has been delayed because of lack of gym space. Dates in March are being explored for the Cabin Fever Festival. Jennifer Jones has submitted a grant to purchase a AED divide for the pool. A Town rep is still needed for the Rec Committee. Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak. Supervisor Scheffler - There is a vacancy on the Planning Board and we advertised for it. We'd like to extend the deadline until December 4th. There is a recreation committee vacancy and if anyone is interested or knows of anyone who is interested please let Kelly or me know and we will make that appointment next month. MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Smith, to go into Executive Session to discuss the employment history of an individual with Gary Coats, Attorney Monty, Clerk Scheffler, and the Board at 7:42 pm. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Scheffler MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE SESSION Discussion took place pertaining to the employment history and performance of the Code Enforcement Officer during the Executive Session. The following resolution was made: RESOLUTION #15-073 - SUSPENSION OF CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Kelly RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby suspends the Code Enforcement Officer, without pay, until the terms of the offered severance agreement between the Town Board of the Town of Groton and the Code Enforcement Officer have been finalized. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, to return to Regular Session at 8:26 pm. Supervisor Scheffler - Let the record show that the Code Enforcement Officer was suspended. RESOLUTION #15-074 - HIRE TEMPORARY CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Smith RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby grants authority to the Town Supervisor to hire a temporary Code Enforcement Officer to fill in until the end of the year. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Town Board Minutes Announcement: Page 4 November 10, 2015 ➢ Planning Board Meeting, November 19 at 7:30 pm ➢ Zoning Board of Appeals, November 25, at 7:00 pm ➢ Next Board Meeting, December 8 at 7:30 pm There being no further business, Councilperson Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, at 8:28 pm. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk