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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-14 TOWN OF GROTON - MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2006 AT 7:30 PM THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD Those present: Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman Richard B. Gamel, Councilman Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman Victoria Monty,Attorney for the Town Also present: Dewey Dawson, Gary Coats, Elizabeth Brennan, Peg Palmer, Tyke Randall, Linda Shaffel, Lewis Thompson, April Scheffler. MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the minutes of the February, 14, 2006 meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 58-88 of the General Fund in the amount of $24,578.49 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 22-40 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $12,776.05 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 5-7 of the Special Grant (HUD) Fund in the amount of $3,692.22 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the HUD bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Town Board Minutes Page 2 March 14, 2006 Privilege of the Floor: A.D. Dawson — Reported as Deputy Town Historian that Sheldon and Barb Clark had transported the Civil War cannon back to Groton. The monetary donation for the return of the cannon was made by David and Helen Brooks who had a father who had been mayor of Groton during World War II and a brother who was killed during the Battle of the Bulge. A rededication ceremony is tentatively scheduled for July 4tH Supervisor Morey informed everyone that research had shown that the cannon had been located on land owned by the Town. Monthly Reports: Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/Highway Clerk — Annual Report was done and filed with State Comptroller. Opening books for new year so had no monthly report. Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer — There was $265,000 written in Certificates of Occupancy, which represents two nice houses. Two building permits for houses issued this week, one which will be using new, state-of-the-art technology. Life Safety Inspections are up to date. Places of Public Assembly must be done every year and plans are to rotate months each year. Buck Engineering has reported that there is no asbestos in the plaster and lath in the Lick Street property. There is 840 square feet of asbestos shingles and a small piece of linoleum and that is all the asbestos that needs to be removed creating many more options for the Town for the demolition of the property. A written report will be forthcoming. A letter had been sent to Mr. Muka to remove his belongings by February 15th. Richard C. Case, Highway Superintendent—Absent. April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk/Tax Collector — Submitted her monthly Town Clerk and Tax Collector reports for the Board's review. A letter had been received from the SPCA saying they were no longer going to personally deliver our tickets for overdue dog licenses. Clerk had called Mr. Lydon and told him that the Town of Groton's contract required that they deliver tickets. After he reviewed the contract he said that they would continue to personally deliver tickets this year but would have to renegotiate next year. Supervisor Morey said that Peg Palmer, Court Clerk, had pointed out that we could not be sure that tickets were arriving in the mail and they said that they would issue another ticket if necessary. Peg Palmer explained that you can't issue two tickets for the same thing and that they should take a look at correct Court procedure. A letter had been received from the After Prom Committee asking for a donation. Town Board Minutes Page 3 March 14, 2006 Clerk Scheffler and Peg Palmer reported to the Board about their planned records management project for the court docket books. Joe Degnan, from Brown's River Records Preservation, had advised that these very old, very acidic records should not be put into polyester sleeves, as they had planned to do, since this seals in the acid and the records will continue to deteriorate. Mr. Degnan suggested that we concentrate on the oldest, handwritten books for restoration and that many of the newer ones do not need to be addressed at this time. He will get back to us on a price for restoration of the oldest books. He also suggested microfilming all the books. Peg Palmer will look into a grant for microfilming. RESOLUTION#06-030—DONATE TO AFTER-PROM PARTY MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby makes a donation to the Groton Central School After- Prom Party in the amount of$50.00, to be taken from the A7550.4, Celebrations, Account and to be added to this month's abstract. Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town — Presented a memo concerning the charging of additional fees for post-construction building permits as well as a copy of an opinion of the Attorney General on the issue. Mr. Sims complied with the subpoena relative to Diverisfied by providing her with copies of the tax returns. A. D. Dawson & John Norman, Town Justices — Submitted their monthly report for the Board's review and were requesting expenses for classes and a teleconference. Peg Palmer explained that the teleconference was being held on the same night as the April Board Meeting. Part of the program was directed at town boards and supervisors on the fiscal responsibility and reporting of the courts and the responsibility of the boards to the courts. She was hoping that one of our Board Members could attend. RESOLUTION #06-031 —COURT CLERK TO ATTEND SOFTWARE USER GROUP MEETING MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves payment of expenses for the Court Clerk, Peg Palmer to attend the Courtroom Software User Group Meeting in Ithaca,NY. Town Board Minutes Page 4 March 14, 2006 RESOLUTION #06-032—TOWN JUSTICES AND COURT CLERK TO ATTEND TELECONFERENCE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves payment of expenses for Town Justices and Court Clerk to attend teleconference on Fiscal Responsibilty and Reporting on April 11, 2006. Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator — The annual Groton Winterfest was held February 18th at the Elementary School on what was probably the most brutally cold and windy day of the year. Outdoor activities were cancelled but around 350 people packed the gym and cafeteria for indoor fun. Home Depot again donated their time, materials and expertise to provide an assortment of kid-friendly, family woodworking projects; Vitamin L Held a concert; and there was a magician, a caricaturist, kiddie games and bounce houses and of course food. Viola Fitzgerald did a fantastic job of putting it all together on short notice and I would like to thank her and the many student volunteers for their efforts. Most of the slots have been filled for the summer concerts on Conger Boulevard. We intend to have a permanent recreation director hired and on board by April 1st. Duane Randall, County Legislature—Reported that the Spring Street bridge replacement plans were underway. Design should be completed in April; contract awarded in May; completion of construction in November. Budget is $435,000 with the County share of 80% and Town and Village share of 20%. McLean road and bridge project construction of Phase II should start this month or next. Doesn't include bridge construction which will probably be done in 2007. Suit Kote has the bid for Phase II. Wendy Skinner, Public Information Officer for the County has decided to take a job with TCAT and they will be filling that position. Linda Schoffel, Cornell Cooperative Extension Rural Youth Service Coordinator — Works with local program managers, Viola Fitzgerald and Monica Dykeman with youth development programs, after school programs and summer camp that teach life skills in a fun way and provide positive roll models. 2005 Annual Report for the Groton Youth Commission was presented with a summary of programs and number of participants. She also presented an evaluation report that was done in 2004-05. Supervisor Morey — We named the Zoning & Building Code Review Committee at the first meeting of the year and last Thursday we had two consultants present to us how to accomplish this task. It is a monumental task and will take about a year to do completely because of the SEQR requirements, the public hearing requirements and things like that. Bernie Thoma and George Frantz both made presentations. George seemed to have more of an understanding of the Ag & Markets Law and situations and would tie that into our zoning. I think that with an agricultural community that's exactly what we have to do, is tie the Ag & Markets into our zoning. He also stated that he would be sending our recommendations to them first as well as the County Planning Committee. I think it's a very important task that we have in front of us. I Town Board Minutes Page 5 March 14, 2006 think we should take it slow and do it correctly. So, I'd like to make the recommendation, from the Review Committee, to hire George Frantz as a consultant. Councilman Gamel — What needs to be changed in Zoning & Building Code that a year needs to be spent changing things? Are we changing things just to change things or are there things that need to be changed? Supervisor Morey — No, there's things that definitely, in the building code there's a thousand foot perimeter around the Village where you cannot have any business whatsoever. That should be reviewed and find out why they did it. On Route 38 we had an industrial zone where we found out that residential people could not add on or do anything to their houses without a special zoning permit to do that. So there's a lot of issues like that. When I first came into office in 2000 I asked the ZBA and the Planning Board to tell me exactly what needed to be done. The ZBA found something like five pages of issues that they had and the Planning Board had at least a page or page and a half. The building code is not as clear as it should be and there's things coming up, like towers, that we really don't have a handle on. Councilman Clark—Who's going to work with him on this? Supervisor Morey—The Review Committee. Councilman Gamel—What's something like this cost? Supervisor Morey - $14,000. Councilman Gamel—Why can't we go through the page and a half and do the things that need to be done without going through a year's worth of doing the entire thing for$14,000. Supervisor Morey—Because we've got to do it right. It was done in 1992 and was forced down everybody's throat and it was wrong when it first went through but everybody go sick and tired of the procedure because the Planning Board and ZBA did it themselves. If we have a professional do it they're going to take us through it. We won't have to have 15 different hearings; we only have to have three. Councilman Sovocool—Where are we taking the money out of to pay for it? Supervisor Morey—It will be out of"Engineering." Councilman Gamel—And you're sure that office has the best interest of this town and what the Town people want? Supervisor Morey—Yes. He was the consultant on the Comprehensive Plan. Councilman Gamel—I know he was. Supervisor Morey — Yes. I think he has a perfect understanding of what town law should be and shouldn't be and he also understands the agricultural community. Councilman Clark—But any changes that he does will be reviewed by us? Town Board Minutes Page 6 March 14, 2006 Supervisor Morey—The final approval is the Board's. Councilman Gamel—But will it be presented to us? The changes will be presented to us? Supervisor Morey—Correct. Clerk Scheffler — It's a local law that you have to pass. Is Gary going to be working on this too? Supervisor Morey—Yes, definitely. George will be communicating with him directly. Councilman Sovocool—I don't know if it's worth spending that much money on. Councilman Gamel—I felt the same way about the Comprehensive Plan. Supervisor Morey — You know I don't spend money if I don't have to. I think this is a good cause, we have to do it right and we need professional help. Councilman Scheffler — I think the Comprehensive Plan is there to tell us what direction to go on each of these issues. I say get this done once and for all and get it done right. There's a lot of contradictions. Supervisor Morey — I'm afraid that we have a lot of developmental land out there and I just don't want everybody coming in and throwing something up and six months later someone wants to do something else. I want to have an outside plan that says these are the procedures that we go through when we have building development and major subdivisions and things like that. That everybody has the same rules and regulations and they don't change every other time. I want everything to be precise and fair. Councilman Gamel—And you don't think that with major subdivisions right now that we have that? Supervisor Morey — No. We've got it under control, yes, from what we did three years ago. We have a motion and a second. RESOLUTION #06-033 —RETAIN CONSULTANT FOR ZONING & BUILDING CODE REVIEW COMMITTEE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby retain the services of George Frantz as consultant for the Zoning & Building Code Review Committee. Peg Palmer, Court Clerk — Gave a report on the Association of Towns of the State of New York Annual Meeting that took place on February 22, 2006 and for which she was the Town's designated voting delegate. Statements of cash receipt and disbursements for the years 2004 and Town Board Minutes Page 7 March 14, 2006 2005, financial reports for 2004 and 2005 and the 2006 budget was presented. Resolutions comprised most of the meeting and Ms. Palmer provided the Board with a list of the voting results as well as highlights of those resolutions that generated the most interest. RESOLUTION#06-034—PROCLAIM LESLIE C. GRAVES DAY MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Groton and the Village Board of the Village of Groton desire to recognize the accomplishments of a supporter of the Groton Community, Leslie C. Graves, and WHEREAS, Leslie C. Graves was the District Principal at Groton Central Schools from 1963 to 1983, and WHEREAS, Leslie C. Graves has been and still is active with the Groton Rotary, and WHEREAS, Leslie C. Graves has also been involved in the Town of Groton Historical Association, Groton Youth Sports and other community organizations, and WHEREAS, on March 15, 2006, the Groton Business Association will be honoring Leslie C. Graves as the recipient of the Third Annual Groton Business Association Recognition Award at the Groton High School, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton and the Village Board of the Village of Groton hereby proclaim Wednesday, March 15, 2006 as LESLIE C. GRAVES DAY to honor this Groton Community Supporter and his many accomplishments and involvements within the Town and Village of Groton. RESOLUTION#06-035—APPOINT BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes - Sovocool, Gamel, Clark, Morey Abstain— Scheffler RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby appoints John Miller, Fran Sovocool, Jean Morey and Dennis Butts to the Local Advisory Board of Assessment Review. Tentative date for Assessment Review was set for Thursday, May 11, 2006 pending coordination with County Assessment Office. Town Board Minutes Page 8 March 14, 2006 Announcements: > Agricultural Day, Coffee & Donuts with the Town Board, March 23rd at 1:30pm > GBA Recognition of Leslie Graves, March 15th at 6pm at the Groton High School ➢ Spaghetti Dinner, Groton City Church, March 18th , 4:30—7:00pm > Foodnet"Mayors for Meals", March 22nd > Municipal Officials Meeting, March 21St at the Ichobad, 6:00pm > Planning Board, March 16th ➢ McLean Community Council, March 15th, 7:00pm Spring road tour date was set for Wednesday, April 12th at 8:00am. There being not further business, Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Gamel, at 8:47pm. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk