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Home My WebLink About2017-03-14TOWN OF GROTON — MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017 AT 6:00 PM THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD Those present: Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor Richard Gamel, Councilperson Kelly Smith, Councilperson Absent: Randy N. Jackson, Councilperson Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town Also present: Courtney Benjamin, Glenn Morey, Charles Rankin, April Scheffler. The Board Meeting had been originally scheduled for March 14th but was postponed due to a large regional snowstorm named "Stella." MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Smith, to approve the minutes of the February 14, 2017 meeting as presented. Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Scheffler. Vouchers numbered 72 - 125 in the total amount of $340,733.18 were presented to the Board for their review. Vouchers for the General Fund in the amount of $83,748.13 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Smith, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Scheffler. Vouchers for the Highway Fund in the amount of $256,985.05 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Smith, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Scheffler. Monthly Reports: Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper - Submitted monthly reports for the Board's review and requested budget transfers. RESOLUTION #017-22 - 2017 TOWN BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2017 Budget Transfer: General Fund - Town Wide: Increase Revenues - Justice Court Grant - A3089 ................$2,659.00 Increase Expenses - Justices Grant Funds - A1110.41 ............ 2,659.00 Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Town Board Minutes Page 2 March 16, 2017 RESOLUTION #17-023 - 2017 TOWN BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2017 Budget Transfer: Highway Fund - Town Wide: Increase Revenues - Interfund Transfers - DA5031................................$185,175.54 Increase Expenses - Machinery Capital Equipment Reserve - DA513 0.2R......185,175.54 From: Contingency Fund - DA1990.4.................................................$3,600.00 To: Machinery & Equipment - DA5130.2...........................................3,600.00 Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed W. Rick Fritz, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Was not present because he was taking classes, but had submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. 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. She gave a report on the Bicentennial Committee and said that the April opening ceremony was coming together. She had invitations for all of the Board Members. Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town - Was not present. John J. Norman and A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present. Councilperson Kelly Smith as Representative to Joint Youth Program - Youth basketball has come to an end and the 5th and 6th grade girls' teams were undefeated this year. The wrestling program, they had too many tournaments locally, but they might do another one. The Cabin Fever Festival was a hit and they actually broke even this year. The cost to the Village was $16.75 when it was all said and done. Jennifer is starting to get the spring and summer programs up and running. Youth baseball and softball registration is already open. There is one date left for the summer concert series. The Fourth of July plans are still up in the air. The activity booklet will be out in early May and she has ads out to hire pool director, lifeguards, and one or two arts and crafts people. Chuck advised us that the pool replacement grates should be in by opening time. They are getting new LED lighting in the bath house and either a ramp or lift for handicapped people. We're going to try to tie together the two surveys that were done with students and parents and have a community conversation on recreation assessment, probably in May. Glenn Morey, County Legislator - The Sanctuary County resolution did pass. Carl Haines, at Tompkins County Community College, had done a presentation on the state of the college. Mr. Haines is also retiring and they have three possible replacements. We need a Youth Commission Representative from the Town Board if anyone is interested. March 28th will be our first budget meeting for next year. RESOLUTION #17-024 - APPOINT BOARD OF LOCAL ASSESSMENT REVIEW MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby appoints John Miller, Fran Sovocool, Betty Conger and Jean Morey to the Local Board of Assessment Review, with Town Board Members as available. Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Town Board Minutes Page 3 March 16, 2017 RESOLUTION #17-025 - SET DATE FOR LOCAL ASSESSMENT REVIEW MOVED by Councilperson Smith, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets May 11, 2107 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Groton Town Hall, 101 Conger Boulevard, Groton, NY for the Local Assessment Review Hearings (Grievance Day). Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Discussion took place on a request from Ken and Carol French for a refund of their $70.00 application fee for a subdivision since they had withdrawn the application prior to the Planning Board Meeting. The Board addressed the fact that the application had been reviewed by the Code Enforcement Officer and the Deputy Clerk had spent a certain amount of time preparing maps and packets for the Planning Board. Because of the time that had been spent on the application, they decided to refund 50% of the fee. It was thought that the Board should establish a written policy for refunds. RESOLUTION #17-026 - REFUND 50% OF FRENCH SUBDIVISION APPLICATION FEE MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Smith RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the refund of 50% of the $70.00 application fee ($35.00) for a subdivision that had been submitted and then withdrawn by Ken and Carol French. Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #17-027 - ADD REFUND TO KEN AND CAROL FRENCH TO ABSTRACT MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby directs the Town Clerk to add the $35.00 refund payment to Ken and Carol French to the March 16, 2017 Abstract, making the total amount to be paid in the General Fund $83,783.13 and the total in all funds $340,768.18. Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Discussion took place on the Recreation Partnership Agreement that Supervisor Scheffler had asked the Board Members to review. None of them had any suggested changes to the agreement. Privilege of the Floor: Courtney Benjamin - Introduced herself as a new resident to Groton and said that she was there because she was interested and that she would like to become more involved in the Town. Councilperson Smith brought up an upcoming meeting at the County concerning a study for shared services for law enforcement for the City of Ithaca, and Villages of Groton, Cayuga Heights and Dryden. Mr. Morey said that at this point it is just a study, but in the past, people have wanted to have local police because of the response time and the kind of personal care you get when the police know the people. Mr. Morey will be at the meeting as well as Mike Holl, the Village of Groton Police Commissioner. Town Board Minutes Page 4 March 16, 2017 There being no further business, Councilperson Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson Smith, at 6:45 pm. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk