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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-14TOWN OF GROTON -MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014 AT 7:30 PM THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD Those present: Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilperson Kelly Smith, Councilperson Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town Absent: Richard B. Gamel, Councilperson Also present: Jennifer Schwade, Phyllis Dague, Patrick Jordan, Joe Graham, Chris Hooker, Gary Coats, Charles Rankin, April Scheffler. MOVED by Councilperson Sovocool, seconded by Councilperson Smith, to approve the minutes of the Sept 10, 2014 meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey. MOVED by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Councilperson Smith, to approve the minutes of the Sept 25, 2014 Budget Work Session as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey. Vouchers for the General Fund in the amount of $23,875.79 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Sovocool, seconded by Councilperson Smith, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Vouchers for the Highway Fund in the amount of $28,794.35 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. 2013 Audit Presentation - The firm of Caischi, Dietersshagen, Little, Mickelson & Company, LLP, had completed the audit of the 2013 financial statements and Patrick Jordan was at the meeting to present copies of the reports to the Board. He explained that there were 3 parts to the report, including a bound audit report, a required communication, and the Justice Court report. Mr. Jordan explained portions of the report, saying that the books and records were very accurate with just one adjustment being made in the Highway Fund. Policies are being followed. Fund balances are remaining consistent. Overall the Town appears to be in good shape. The Justice Court audit also went well and money was properly accounted for. Town Board Minutes Page 2 October 14, 2014 Monthly Reports: Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. I have calculated our tax cap and it has turned out to be 1.98%. By the time we put all the factors in, we had a pretty good margin of being under the cap. I'll be reporting that to the State. Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. The amount of building permits we are issuing for solar power is unbelievable. The annual fire safety inspections are done for the year. Mr. Coats spoke about the grant that the Deputy Clerk, Robin Cargian, wants to apply for and the additions that would need to be made to the Code for solar power and electric car charging. He gave the Board a list of additional items that we may want to edit in the Code at the same time. Supervisor Morey asked that these things be given to the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals also and ask them for any of their ideas. 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. Victorian Monty, Attorney for the Town - Had nothing to report. John Norman and A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present. Councilperson Kelly Smith, Representative to Joint Youth Program - The youth football program had 131 participants. We've applied for the Winterfest and concert series grants. We are thinking about moving Winterfest from January to March because the attendance has been falling off. So, we are looking for some new things to do for that event. Privilege of the Floor: Phyllis Dague - I live on Pleasant Valley Road and want to talk to the Board about my concerns about the burned out house next door to me. It happened over a year ago. It was a meth lab blow up and nothing has been done to clean it up. There is still an existing garage there and I do see suspicious activity going on again. So, I would like to urge the Board that if they could please do something about it, that would be great. Supervisor Morey - We are going to be looking into this. It's tied up in courts and banks and all this other stuff. We are going to discuss it though. Ms. Dague - I'm getting really tired of it. I've called the State Police; I've called the Narcotics Division. Nothing is getting done about it. And the Sheriff knows about it. I would just like to urge you guys if you can do anything. Town Board Minutes Page 3 October 14, 2014 Jennifer Schwade - There was a meeting last week at the Groton Public Library about "The Real Cost of Fracking." They talked about health concerns, particularly about farm animals, milk production, and breeding problems. Fracking would bring a lot of truck traffic that would disrupt our town and the Comprehensive Plan surveyed Groton residents and found that they highly value the rural way of life. So, I urge the Board to take action to re-evaluate the moratorium on fracking. RESOLUTION #14-055 - ACCEPT AUDIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013 MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby accepts the Audit of the Financial Statements for the Year 2013 as presented, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby accepts the Audit of the Justice Court Funds for the Year 2013 as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #14-056 - SET PUBLIC HEARING ON FISCAL YEAR 2015 PRELIMINARY BUDGET MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets a Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2015 Preliminary Budget for Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 7:00pm and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets a Public Hearing on the 2015 Groton Fire and Ambulance Budgets immediately following. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Smith, to enter into Executive Session at 8:02 pm for the purpose of receiving information regarding an investigation and proposed litigation regarding a certain property within the Town of Groton Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark to return to Regular Session at 8:25 pm. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey Supervisor Morey - Let the record show that no resolutions were made in the Executive Session. Town Board Minutes Page 4 October 14, 2014 RESOLUTION #14-057 - SET SPECIAL MEETING TO FOLLOW BUDGET HEARING MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets a Special Meeting to immediately follow the 2015 Budget Hearings set for October 28, 2014. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed Announcements: ➢ Planning Board, October 16 at 7:30 pm ➢ Zoning Board of Appeals, October 29, 7:00 pm ➢ Next Board meeting, Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 7:30 pm There being no further business, Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Clark, at 8:27 pm. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk