Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-09TOWN OF GROTON -MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 AT 7:30 PM THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD Those present: Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilperson Kelly Smith, Councilperson Richard B. Gamel, Councilperson Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson Dan Ellis, Attorney for the Town Also present: Ed Neuhauser, Bob Fouts, Monica Dykeman, Charles Rankin, Richard C. Case, Jr., April Scheffler. MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool, to approve the minutes of the November 1 1, 2014 meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey MOVED by Councilperson Sovocool, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the minutes of the November 3, 2014 Joint Work Session Between the McLean Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners, the Town of Groton Town Board, the Town of Groton Planning Board, and the Tompkins County Department of Planning as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Vouchers for the General Fund in the amount of $12,208.43 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Sovocool, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Vouchers for the Highway Fund in the amount of $45,022.12 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Councilperson Smith, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Monthly Reports: Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review and requested budget transfers. Town Board Minutes Page 2 December 9, 2014 RESOLUTION #14-063 - 2014 BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2014 Budget Transfer: General Fund Town Wide: From: Contingency, Al 990.4....................................................$7,250.00 To: Employee Benefits, Group Medical Insurance, A9060.8 ........ 6,500.00 Traffic Control, Clothing Allowance, A3310.42 ........................450.00 Control of Dogs, Deputy Clerk Salary, A3510.12 ......................300.00 Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #14-064 - 2014 BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2014 Budget Transfer: General Fund Part Town: From: Contingency, B8010.12 ...............$1,000.00 To: Zoning, Deputy Clerk Salary.............500.00 Planning, Deputy Clerk Salary .......... 500.00 Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #14-065 - 2014 BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2014 Budget Transfer: Highway Fund Part Town: From: General Repairs, Contractual, DB51 10.4 .............$1,800.00 To: General Repairs, Personal Services, D1351 10.1 ........ 1,450.00 Employee Benefits, Social Security, DB9030.8........... 350.00 Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Was not present but had submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent - Things have been busy at the Highway Department. The shop has been active with repairs, New York State heavy inspections Town Board Minutes Page 3 December 9, 2014 and equipment changeovers for winter were just completed today. The annual inspection and pumping of the floor drainage filtering system has been completed and recorded. He asked for several resolutions pertaining to personnel. RESOLUTION #14-066 - RAISE FOR LUKE KNISKERN MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Gamel WHEREAS, Luke Kiskern has successfully completed the probation period as the Town of Groton Highway mechanic, be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves a $.50 per hour raise. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #14-067 - RAISE FOR EDWIN MOORE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Smith WHEREAS, Edwin Moore has successfully completed the probation period as the Town of Groton Highway cleaner/maintenance person, be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves a $.50 per hour raise. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed Mr. Case - Jeff Brockway has given notice of resignation from the Town of Groton Highway Department as of December 11 2014. Jeff is pursuing a new career opportunity at Cornell University. Jeff has served the Highway Department for 1 1 years and we all wish him well. With that being said, the Highway department has been short staffed since Rick Neville retired. He requested resolutions to fill 2 positions. RESOLUTION #14-068 - HIRE MIKE NEVI LLE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Sovocool RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the hiring of Mike Neville to the position of laborer for $15.50 per hour effective December 8, 2014. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed Town Board Minutes Page 4 December 9, 2014 RESOLUTION #14-069 - HIRE DONALD EVEN ER MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the hiring of Donald Evener to the position of laborer for $13.50 per hour effective January 1, 2015. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed Mr. Case - As discussed in the budget workshop and previous Board Meeting, I have completed the specifications for the new tandem axle dump truck. This vehicle will be purchased out of an already established equipment reserve account. This will require a resolution to purchase subject to permissive referendum. RESOLUTION #14-070 - PURCHASE 2015 DUMP & PLOW COMBINATION TRUCK SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the purchase one (1) new 2015 tandem axle International 5900 series dump and plow combination truck, complete with all plow equipment and sander body in the amount of $217,035.14 per Onondaga County Bid #7823. The purchase amount of $217,035.14 will be taken from the Town's Capital Highway Equipment Reserve Account, and be it further RESOLVED, that said purchase will occur unless a petition, in compliance with Section 91 of New York State Town Law, is received by the Town Clerk protesting said resolution and requesting a referendum thereon. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. Notice had been received from Monica Todd, owner of the Roman Village, stating that she intended to renew her liquor license. Consensus of the Town Board was that they had not objection to Monica Todd renewing her liquor license. Clerk Scheffler - The phone system will be installed on Thursday. There is a retirement party tomorrow for Aurora Valenti, the County Clerk. Work is still being done on Code edits. Discussion took place on setting up a work session, but it was decided to wait and set it up at the January meeting because of holidays and tax collection. Dan Ellis, Attorney for the Town - Updated the Board on the McLean Fire District's application for a flood development permit. It was determined by the Code Officer that the application was not complete, so a request was sent to the Fire District for the Town Board Minutes Page 5 December 9, 2014 remaining materials, specifically, they need to submit an encroachment analysis showing that the fill will not be pushing flood waters into the surrounding properties in the event of a 100 -year flood. John Norman & A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present. Councilperson Kelly Smith as Representative to Joint Youth Program - Youth basketball has a total of 80 boys and girls participating; wrestling has 23; and indoor cheerleading has 12 girls signed up and hoping for more. There's going to be a hazing prevention presentation by Travis Apgar at the High School on December 15 at 6:45pm. We discussed requesting bookkeeping and accounting from all of the youth programs, due January 1 St. Our Cabin Fever Festival is set for February 28th and Steve Southworth will be playing at the Legion that Friday night as a kick-off. We got a $975 celebrations grant towards the Festival. Councilperson Clark asked if the band on Friday night would be for the youth also and Councilperson Smith said, yes, they would be invited. Privilege of the Floor: Ed Neuhauser, Planning Board Chair - I just wanted to make the Board aware that in regard to the application by the Fire Department for the floodplain fill-in, if that is filled in how is the Town impacted by the July 18th letter from Ed Marx warning about filling in the floodplain and potential future liability to us for the bridge? It's an issue I think we have to address. It's an issue the Planning Board is addressing in terms of, if they fill it in, Ed Marx has come back to us and said you have potential liability issues for that bridge in the future if you fill that in and build that building. Supervisor Morey - That's the thing, Dan Ellis asked for the report. Until we get the report we can't do anything. Ed Neuhauser - I completely agree. My suggestion would be to hold off on any approval of that until the Planning Board makes a decision so that the Fire Department doesn't get that approval, goes and fills it in, and then what happens if the Planning Board doesn't approve it? Supervisor Morey - Well, the Town Board isn't going to make the decision, the Planning Board is. Ed Neuhauser - But this is something that's separate from the Planning Board, but yet it does impact what could potentially happen to the Town based on the July 18th letter from Ed Marx. I just wanted to bring that to the attention of the Board so they could consider that. Supervisor Morey introduced Monica Dykeman, Youth Services Director, who was there to talk about the youth employment services program that the youth program has had for the past two years. Another grant has been received this year to fulfill the second year of our three year contract in the amount of $4,500.00 through the United Way. Town Board Minutes Page 6 December 9, 2014 Monica Dykeman - There are not a lot of jobs in Groton and the busing to Ithaca is tough for kids with part time jobs. Adding the increase in minimum wage, many small businesses can't offer those jobs to kids. The idea was developed that kids would initially work between 50 and 75 hours and then the majority would then hopefully be hired on by the business they were placed with. It is working out very well with 13 kids going through the program so far. Some kids know what they want to do and are finding jobs in their career path while the ones that really don't know what they want to do are still learning job skills like filling out an application, doing an interview, asking for a reference, etc. Some of the community needs being fulfilled are parenting classes and childcare. One of the other programs is that the summer camp has some kids with special needs that go to BOCES in the morning and can't be served by traditional summer camps as they have high level autism or Down's syndrome and through this program we have been able to hire two kids who help these kids stay along with the group and it's been great. One mom said that this was the first time that her kid has interacted with another kid with Down's syndrome socially and she's in fifth grade. The contribution the kids are making to the community is a great thing. They are looking for more outside funding so the program can continue. Councilperson Clark asked where some of the kids worked and Ms. Dykeman said the recreation department, local businesses, the library, the school, the law office. Some of them have moved off the program's payroll and are now being employed by the agencies that they are working for. It is only Groton kids in Groton businesses. HEARING CONCERNING 301 PLEASANT VALLEY ROAD The Hearing was opened and closed at 8:04 pm with no property owners being present and no discussion taking place. Bob Fouts - My son Paul and I operate a dairy farm on Route 222 in the Town of Groton. I'd like to make you aware of an existing problem concerning building lot size. DEC ruling requires us to stay a minimum of 100 feet from existing wells with spraying of herbicides or spreading of cow manure. New York State Health Code requires new wells or springs that are used for a source of water for people to be a minimum of 200 feet from farmers' fields. However farm our agronomist and Gary Coats say it is physically impossible to stay 200 feet from the border of a building lot and place a house and also stay 50 feet from a well with the septic system on the lot size in the Town of Groton. On our farm we are well aware of the potential for polluting a water supply. In the past we have had manure juices show up in a neighbor's spring, silo juices show up in a well, and a strong possibility of nitrates in another well. We border on over 100 neighbors. We have to know the whereabouts of their water supplies. At this time there is only one well that we have to worry about. It's located on the Groton City Road. It infringes on our rights to not be able farm the land near it and the land currently lies idle, growing weeds. It would be good for us if zoning or whatever could be changed so that any new water supplies have a setback of at least 200 feet from not only our farm, but others. It seems like a waste of land but I was told that in Cincinnatus the minimum lot size was 5 acres. I would request that the Town Board look into whatever changes are necessary to eliminate the problem. Town Board Minutes Page 7 December 9, 2014 Supervisor Morey said that everyone had a copy of the paperwork that Mr. Fouts had presented and said that they would be discussing changes to the Code in January. SUPERVISOR'S PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, generations of volunteer firefighters belonging to the Groton Fire Department have put their lives on the line for the safety of the Town of Groton for 150 years, and WHEREAS, the Groton Fire Department is committed to providing the highest level of fire and rescue services to the residents of Groton and strives to provide an environment that focuses not only on emergency response, but on education, prevention, and preparedness, and WHEREAS, the Groton Fire Department continues its commitment to the community with its annual Halloween Party, the parade during Olde Home Days, various fundraising events throughout the year, and always opening its doors for the use of other organizations and school classes for bake sales, can and bottle drives, book sales, car washes, and rabies clinics, now THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Glenn E. Morey, as the Supervisor of the Town of Groton, New York, do hereby declare December 2014 as Groton Fire Department Month in the Town of Groton and urge all citizens to recognize and celebrate this 150th Anniversary of the Groton Fire Department. RESOLUTION #14-071 - SET DATE FOR 2015 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilperson Smith RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets the date for the 2015 Organizational Meeting for Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 7:30 pm. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith, Gamel, Clark, Morey Nays - Resolution Passed Supervisor Morey - I'm pleased to announce that we got a Community Development Block Grant awarded to the Town of Groton in the amount of $400,000.00. What this is going to be used for is 23 homes for the maximum of $40,,000.00 worth of repairs. They will be able to use all repairs, septic, insulation, new windows, roofs, painting, etc. We don't have the contracts yet, but they should be coming soon. Announcements: ➢ Planning Board, December 18, at 7:30 pm ➢ Zoning Board of Appeals, December 31 at 7:00 pm ➢ Home for the Holidays, December 13 in the Village of Groton Town Board Minutes Page 8 December 9, 2014 RESOLUTION #14-072 - AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN CONTRACT MOVED by Councilperson Sovocool, seconded by Councilperson Smith RESOLVED.. that the Town Board hereby authorizes Glenn Morey, Town Supervisor, to sign the contact and any other necessary documents for the Community Development Block Grant. Ayes - Sovocool, Smith.. Gamel.. Clark.. Morey Nays - Resolution Passed There being no further business, Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Smith, at 8:15 pm. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk