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Home My WebLink About2014-10-28 Special & HearingTOWN OF GROTON -MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING PUBLIC HEARING ON 2015 PRELIMINARY BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING ON 2015 GROTON FIRE & AMBULANCE BUDGETS SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 AT 7:00 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: Gary Coats, Charles Rankin, Richard C. Case, Jr., April Scheffler. PUBLIC HEARING ON 2015 PRELIMINARY BUDGET MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, to open the Public Hearing on the 2015 Preliminary Budget, at 7:02 pm. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey The public notice for the hearing was published in the Town's legal paper, the Groton Independent, on October 22, 2014, shown on the Town's website and posted at the required places. Supervisor Morey - I'd like to thank all the department heads for being fiscally responsible for this budget and also the Town Board. It's a tight budget, which we usually have. we were able to accommodate the needs for the year 2015. we made difficult decisions and the end result was presented tonight. This year's budget was lowered 20 cents (per thousand) from the rate of fiscal year 2014 and is a 3% decrease in the 2014 tax rate. One of the difficult decisions we had to make was about raises and I'm happy to say that we did give everyone a raise. Some of the increased costs that the Board had to contend with were retirement and the health insurance went up 8%. During our final review, looking for ways to cut the budget, we looked for ways to decrease costs, but also look for ways to increase efficiency for the Town. The line items that were identified were items that would severely affect the future of the Town of Groton, such as reserve accounts that we have. No Board Members had any further comment, and there was no one present from the public. MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark, to close the Public Hearing at 7:05 pm. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey Town Board Minutes Page 2 October 28, 2014 PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2015 GROTON FIRE & AMBULANCE CONTRACTS MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, to open the Public Hearing on the 2015 Groton Fire and Ambulance contracts at 7:05. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey No one was present from the Fire Department, no Board Members wished to comment, and there was no one present from the public. MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Smith, to close the Public Hearing on the 2015 Groton Fire and Ambulance contracts at 7:06. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey RESOLUTION #14-058 - APPROVAL OF 2015 BUDGET MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilperson Smith RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2015 Preliminary Budget as the Final Budget for Fiscal Year 2015. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #15-059 - APPROVAL OF 2015 GROTON FIRE & AMBULANCE BUDGETS MOVED by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the Fiscal Year 2015 Contacts for the Groton Fire and Ambulance Service. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed Discussion took place on the property at 301 Pleasant Valley Road based on a written report that had been made by the Code Enforcement Officer. A structure had been damaged by a fire on August 4, 2013 has not been cleaned up. The Code Enforcement Officer reported that it is dangerous and unsanitary, open to the elements and is damaged so badly that it will never be a single family home again. Town Board Minutes Page 3 October 28, 2014 RESOLUTION #14-058 - DETERMINATION THAT STRUCTURE IS UNSAFE AND ORDER DEMOLITION MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark WHEREAS, the Town of Groton Code Enforcement Officer has inspected the premises located at 301 Pleasant Valley Road in the Town of Groton and submitted his report in writing to the Town Board as to his findings and recommendations; and WHEREAS, the Code Enforcement Officer has found that the structure located at 301 Pleasant Valley Road is an unsafe structure as defined in the Town of Groton Land Use and Development Code of 2011 and said structure cannot be salvaged or repaired; and WHEREAS, the Code Enforcement Officer's recommendation is that the structure be demolished and the debris removed; and WHEREAS, the Town Board has considered the Code Enforcement Officer's written report in making its determination; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS: 1. The structure located at 301 Pleasant Valley Road in the Town of Groton is unsafe. 2. The structure shall be demolished and the debris removed. 3. A notice shall be served upon the owners of record pursuant to Section 316.4 of the Town of Groton Land Use and Development Code of 2011 and advising that the hearing shall take place November 11, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed Clerk Scheffler had received two verbal estimates for replacing the Town Hall's outdated phone system. Consensus of the Board was to proceed with the better price from Armstrong Telecom. There being no further business, Councilman Clark moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Smith, at 7:22 pm. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk