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Home My WebLink About2007-01-09 TOWN OF GROTON - MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING ORGANIZATINAL MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2007 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, John Norman, Gary Coats, Elizabeth Brennan, Matt Cooper, April Scheffler. RESOLUTION #07-001 - 2007 ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS/APPOINTMENTS Item 1 —Depository. - MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel. Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that the First National Bank of Groton be designated as the depository for all monies coming into the hands of the Supervisor and Town Clerk of the Town of Groton. Item 2 — Official Newspaper — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler. Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that the Groton Independent be designated as the official newspaper of the Town of Groton with notices also to be published in the Freeville Shopper. Item 3—Law Firm —MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark,Morey. RESOLVED, that Victoria Monty/Francis Casullo of the law firm of Pomeroy, Armstrong & Casullo be retained as Attorneys for the Town of Groton. Item 4—Zoning Officer—MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler. Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey Town Board Minutes Page 2 January 9, 2007 RESOLVED, that Gary Coats be appointed Zoning Officer and Building and Fire Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Groton. Item S—Constable— Vacant Item 6 — Deputy Supervisor - MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool. Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that Donald F. Scheffler be appointed Deputy Supervisor for the Town of Groton. Item 7 — Deputy Highway Superintendent — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark,Morey RESOLVED, that Peter Carr be appointed Deputy Highway Superintendent for the Town of Groton. Item 8—Deputy Town Clerk—MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel. Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that Tena McClary be appointed Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Groton. Item 9—Bookkeeper—MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler. Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that Elizabeth Brennan be appointed as Bookkeeper for the Town of Groton. Item 10— Court Clerk—MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool . Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED,that Margaret Palmer be appointed as Court Clerk for the Town of Groton. Item 11 — Part Time McLean Crossing Guard — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool. Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that Margaret Albern be appointed part-time McLean School Crossing Guard for the Town of Groton. Item 12— Town Historian —MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler. Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Town Board Minutes Page 3 January 9, 2007 RESOLVED,that Rosemarie Tucker be appointed as Town Historian for the Town of Groton. Item 13 — Town Health Insurance — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED,that full time employees to have 80% of Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Insurance coverage paid for by Town. Item 14 — Town Board Regular Meetings — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that the Town Board will hold their regular Town Board Meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 — 7:30 P.M. to review invoices and 7:30 P.M. for the Board Meeting, at the Town Hall on Conger Boulevard, Groton,NY. Item 15 — Fix Salaries of Town Officers — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool. Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby fix the annual salaries of the following Town Officers and employees at the amounts respectfully stated and that such salaries shall be paid at the time respectfully specified: a) Glenn E. Morey, Supervisor $ 8,500.00 Biweekly b) Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman $ 2,000.00 Quarterly c) Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman $ 2,000.00 Quarterly d) Richard B. Gamel, Councilman $ 2,000.00 Quarterly e) Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman $ 2,000.00 Quarterly f) April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk $35,000.00 Biweekly g) Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent $52,952.00 Biweekly h) John J.Norman, 1st Town Justice $ 10,500.00 Biweekly i) A. D. Dawson, 2nd Town Justice $ 10,500.00 Biweekly j) Gary L. Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement $19,500.00 Biweekly k) Rosemarie Tucker,Historian $ 1,000.00 Quarterly Item 16—Set Hourly Rates—MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED,that the Town Board does hereby set the hourly rates as follows: a) Deputy Town Clerk $11.25 per hour b) Court Clerk $13.47 per hour c) Bookkeeper $17.17 per hour d) Custodian $10.67 per hour e) Crossing Guard $10.09 per hour Town Board Minutes Page 4 January 9, 2007 Item 17 - Appointment of Representatives to Town and County Programs — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED,to appoint the following as representatives to Town and County Programs: County Youth Recreation Programs—Glenn E. Morey Environmental Management Council—Vacant Tompkins County Transportation Council— Sheldon Clark Tompkins County Human Services Coalition—Teresa Robinson Tompkins County Planning Board—Vacant Groton Youth Commission—Glenn Morey, Teresa Robinson, Peggy Ficken Tompkins County Youth Advisory Board—Carol Griep Tompkins County Recreation Partnership—Colleen Gloster-Gray Tompkins County Fire, Disaster and EMS Advisory Board—John Miller Item 18 — Supervisor's Appointment to Committee Members — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED,that the Supervisor's appointment of committee members be approved as follows: Finance—Glenn Morey&Donald Scheffler Machinery—Sheldon Clark Building—Richard Gamel&Donald Scheffler Fire Department- Ellard Sovocool Personnel—Glenn Morey&Donald Scheffler Zoning,Bldg. and Fire Code—Richard Gamel HUD Loans -Ellard Sovocool& Glenn Morey Light Districts—Richard Gamel Fixed Assets -Ellard Sovocool Senior Citizens—Sheldon Clark Recreation Committee—Donald Scheffler Zoning Review Committee—Glenn Morey Highway—Sheldon Clark Planning Board—Rotating Attendance Appeals Board—Rotating Attendance Item 19 - Set fees for Town Services —MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel. Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED,that fees for the Town services be set as follows: 1) Certification of Taxes/Search $ 5.00 1st yr., $1.00 ea. addn. yr. 2) Photocopies- 8 1/2 x 11 $ .25 3) Photocopies- 8 1/2 x 14 $ .50 4) Photocopies - 11 x 17 $ .50 5) Transcript of Marriage $10.00 6) Marriage Certificate $10.00 7) Marriage License $40.00 Town Board Minutes Page 5 January 9, 2007 8) Town,Village, County Maps $ .50 9) Mileage- Town Officials $ .44 10) Dog Licenses $18.00 unaltered $10.00 altered 11) Returned Check Fee $20.00 12) Fax Copies - Transmit $ 1.00 per page Receive $ .25 per page 13) Duplicate Tax Receipt $ 1.00 14) Town Directory $ 5.00 15) Land Use &Dev. Code $10.00 16) Mobile Home Ordinance $ 5.00 17) Certified Copies $ 5.00 18) Paper Copy of Comprehensive Plan $25.00, CD $15.00 19) Town of Groton Zoning Fee Schedule: Building Permit Fee: $0 - $4000 $25.00 > $4000 $25.00+ $3.00 per$1000 over$4,000 Building Permit Renewals: 1/2 of the original fee and upon approval by zoning officer. Agricultural Buildings- .... $ 25.00 Swimming Pool, Above Ground- $ 25.00 Swimming Pool, In Ground- $ 50.00 Wood Stove- $ 25.00 Shed- $ 25.00 Deck- $ 25.00 Cellular Tower $ 2.50 Per$1000 of Construction Cost Demolition Permit ... $ 25.00 Site Plan Review/Special Permit ... <2000 sq. ft. $100.00 >2000 sq. ft$250.00 Junk Yard Annual Inspection• .... $ 25.00 Subdivision-Minor $ 30.00+ $20.00 Per Lot Major ....$ 50.00+$20.00 Per Lot Rural- $ 20.00+ $20.00 Per Lot Flag Lot $ 30.00 Boundary Change- $ 25.00 Planned Unit Development . ..$200.00 Application for Variance- .$ 50.00 Flood Hazard Area Comb. District:... $40.00 Flood Zone Certification- $ 10.00 Certificate of Conformance- $40.00 Additional Fees: a) If a public hearing is required,the applicant shall pay the cost of advertising fees. b) Costs incurred by the Town of Groton for engineering, planning, legal and other necessary expenses for the purpose of reviewing any application with regard to an item covered by this fee schedule shall be paid by the applicant. c) The applicant shall be responsible for costs incurred by the Town of Groton for the review and/or preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement if said statement is necessary. d) When Fees Are To Be Paid: All fees required by this fee schedule shall be paid to the Town of Groton at the time the application is presented. No permit/certificate will be issued until all fees, costs, and/or expenses are paid in full. Town Board Minutes Page 6 January 9, 2007 Item # 20 - Miscellaneous Appointments, Fees, Etc — MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the following miscellaneous appointments, fees, etc: 1) Annual Retainer Fee for Legal Services rendered by Pomeroy, Armstrong, and Casullo be set at $10,000.00 annually. 2) Authorize Highway Superintendent to give pay raises effective January 1, 2007 3) Authorize Annual Association of Towns Training School—February 18- 21, 2007, in NYC; Sheldon Clark and Barbara Clark to attend. 4) Appoint Sheldon Clark and Barbara Clark as Delegates for Annual Association of Towns Meeting 5) Appoint contact people for Drug and Alcohol Testing Program — Richard Case and Glenn Morey. 6) Appointment of Town Planning Board Member — Reappoint Barbara Clark for a term to begin January 1, 2007 and end December 31, 2013. 7) Appoint member to Zoning Board Member — Reappoint Steven Thane for a term to begin January 1,2007 and end December 31,2011. 8) Appoint members of Zoning & Building Code Review Committee— Lyle Raymond, Monica Carey, Mary Gloster, Steven Thane,Julie Graham,Doug Albern. 9) Appoint members of Agriculture Advisory Committee — Daniel Carey (Chairperson), Noreen Atkins,Marlin Houston,Robert Fouts. RESOLUTION#07-002 -CONTRACT WITH MONDORF & FENWICK,PPLC FOR AUDIT OF 2006 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark,Morey. RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby retain the services of Mondorf& Fenwick, PPLC to audit Financial Statements including Justice Court for the year ended December 31, 2006 at a fee of$6,000.00. RESOLUTION#07-003 - APPROVE 2007 DOG CONTRACT WITH SPCA MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes—Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Town Board Minutes Page 7 January 9, 2007 RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby approve the 2007 contract with the Tompkins County SPCA for the purpose of dog control in the Town of Groton at a fee of$11,508.20. RESOLUTION#07-004 -AUTHORIZATION TO PARTICIPATE IN COOPERATIVE PURCHASING OF HIGHWAY SERVICES WITH TOMPKINS COUNTY MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark,Morey. RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton be hereby authorized to participate with Tompkins County in the cooperative purchasing of various highway services. RESOLUTION#07-005 -AUTHORIZE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO PURCHASE ON STATE BID MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. RESOLVED, that the Groton Town Board does hereby authorize the Highway Superintendent to purchase oil and related products from State Contract Bids as appropriate. RESOLUTION#07-006 -APPROVE FIRE AND AMBULANCE PROTECTION CONTRACTS MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that the Town Board does hereby approve the Fire and Ambulance contracts with the Village of Groton Fire Department and Fire Protection with the McLean Fire Department. RESOLUTION#07-007—APPROVE 2007 MUNICIPAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that the Town Board does hereby approve Energetix as Third Party Administrator for the 2007 Municipal Agreement Renewal for the Drug and Alcohol Testing. This concluded the 2007 Organizational Items. Town Board Minutes Page 8 January 9, 2007 MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the minutes of the December 12, 2006 meeting as presented. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 217-242 of the 2006 Highway Fund in the amount of $124,611.94 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the 2006 Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Number 1 of the 2007 Highway Fund in the amount of $18,017.00 was presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the 2007 Highway Bill for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 411-438 of the 2006 General Fund in the amount of$16,377.83 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the 2006 General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 1-13 of the 2007 General Fund in the amount of$39,373.07 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the 2007 General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey. Claim Numbers 52-56 of the Special Grant (HUD) Fund in the amount of $36,718.60 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. Monthly Reports: Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/Highway Clerk— Submitted monthly report and requested budget transfers. Town Board Minutes Page 9 January 9, 2007 RESOLUTION #07-008 — 2006 BUDGET TRANSFERS—GENERAL TOWN WIDE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2006 Budget Transfers: General Fund— Town Wide: From: Contingency A1990.4 $2,459.53 To: Insurance A1910.4 ..485.00 Court Clerk, Personal Services A1110.13 .280.63 Buildings, Personal Services A1620.1 .1,444.41 Control of Dogs, Contractual A3510.4 .23.00 Historian, Contractual A7510.4 161.55 Social Security A9030.8 64.94 RESOLUTION#07-009— 2006 BUDGET TRANSFERS—GENERAL FUND PART TOWN MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2006 Budget Transfers: General Fund—Part Town: From: Contingency B1990.4 $395.63 To: Municipal Association Dues B 1920.4 25.00 Deputy Clerk, Personal Services B8010.12 ..370.63 RESOLUTION#07-010—2006 BUDGET TRANSFERS—HIGHWAY TOWN WIDE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2006 Budget Transfers: Highway Fund— Town Wide: From: Services for Other Governments, Personal Services DA5148.1 $11,100.17 To: Machinery, Personal Services DA5130.1 1,752.36 Brush&Weeds, Personal Services Da5140.1 1,099.07 Health Insurance DA9060.8 8,248.74 Town Board Minutes Page 10 January 9, 2007 RESOLUTION#07-011 —2006 BUDGET TRANSFERS—HIGHWAY TOWN WIDE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2006 Budget Transfer: Highway Fund— Town Wide: From: Services for Other Governments, Contractual DA5148.4 .$75.684.00 To: Machinery Equipment DA5130.2 75,684.00 Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer — Submitted monthly report for the Board's review. I have been covering for George Senter in the Village for three weeks. He will return the favor later in the year. A lot of my time this last month has been spent on Planning Board issues but we have them ironed out now and we will be moving ahead on that. Mr. Coats asked about attending a conference. Councilman Clark asked about a wind generator and heights. Mr. Coats said it had been dealt with within the code because there are provisions for heights for silos and wind mills and things like that. He spoke briefly about the outdoor wood furnaces that are popping up all over and that he is trying to make sure that they all have a building permit and are installed legally because it is his understanding that the new governor has plans to ban the installation of these furnaces. If they are installed legally now they will be considered pre- existing, non-conforming. RESOLUTION#07-012—CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO ATTEND CONFERENCE MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves payment of expenses for the Code Enforcement Officer, Gary Coats, to attend the NYS Building Officials Conference in Liverpool, New York, February 28—March 2, 2007. Richard C. Case, Highway Superintendent—Absent April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk/Tax Collector — Submitted her monthly reports and 2006 year end report for the Board's review. Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town — As Gary alluded there has been some Planning Board issues we've been dealing with. I am going to have what Monica is calling a training session before the meeting on the 18th to review procedures for site plan review. Town Board Minutes Page 11 January 9, 2007 John Norman and A. D. Dawson, Town Justices — Submitted monthly report for the Board's review. They informed that Board that Peg Palmer would be having surgery on her feet and out of work for at least a month but possibly 6-8 weeks. They asked to hire someone to help out and cover the court hours, approximately 10-12 hours a week. They had found someone, June Sheppardson, who is a judge in the Village of Moravia and a court clerk for the Town of Moravia and Town of Locke. RESOLUTION#07-013 —HIRE TEMPORARY PART TIME COURT CLERK MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the hiring of June Sheppardson as Temporary Part Time Court Clerk at the rate of $10.00 per hour starting January 10, 2007 for training and starting January 24, 2007 to work for 10-12 hours per week. Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator — Plans are underway for Winterfest 2007, scheduled for February 17 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Elementary School. There will be cross-country skiing, sledding, food, kiddy games, bounce house, adult photo shop and either a children's band or magician, yet to be determined. I will again be sponsoring the bonfire and miniature chicken BBQ. Viola has also been busy with grant workshops and youth league programs and training classes. RESOLUTION#07-014—ACTION ON RECREATION PARTNERSHIP MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey WHEREAS, Intermunicipal Recreation Partnership has successfully served thousands of young people throughout Tompkins County operating under a five year agreement that expires December 2006, and WHEREAS, the Recreation Partnership's governing board has begun but not yet concluded its internal reflection and process of seeking input from all municipal partners to evaluate and update the partnership agreement for the next five year period, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that Tompkins County, upon recommendation of the Health and Human Services Committee, agree to extend the current Intermunicipal Recreation Partnership Agreement through December 31, 2007 and be it further RESOLVED, that all terms, conditions, and financial commitments related to the Agreement remain in force through December 2007, and be it further RESOLVED, that Tompkins County will take prompt action on the proposed agreement for the period 2008-2012 to be prepared by the Recreation Partnership's governing board by May 2007. Town Board Minutes Page 12 January 9, 2007 Announcements: ➢ Planning Board—January 18, 7:30 pm ➢ Zoning Code Review—February 1, 7:30 pm ➢ 2007 Town Training—February 18-21 in NYC ➢ Groton Business Association Annual Meeting—January 18, 6:30 pm at the Groton Hotel ➢ Better Housing 26th Annual Dinner—January 26, at Statler Hotel ➢ Olde Home Days Murder Mystery Dinner Theater—February 16, Elm Tree Inn There being no further business, Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Gamel (much to Councilman Scheffler's chagrin). Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk