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Home My WebLink About2017-12-12TOWN OF GROTON — MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2017 AT 7:30 PM THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD Those present: Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor Richard Gamel, Councilperson Kelly Smith, Councilperson Randy N. Jackson, Councilperson Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town Also present: Glenn Morey, Jay Franklin, April Scheffler. MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Jackson, to approve the minutes of the,November 14, 2017 meeting as presented. Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler. MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the minutes of the December 4, 2017 special meeting as presented. Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler. Vouchers numbered 522-562 in the total amount of $46,801.95 were presented to the Board for their review. Vouchers for the General Fund in the amount of $9,808.24 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Smith, seconded by Councilperson Jackson, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler. Vouchers for the Highway Fund in the amount of $36,993.71 were presented for audit. MOVED by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler. Monthly Reports: Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper - Was not present but had submitted monthly reports for the Board's review and requested budget transfer. Town Board Minutes Page 2 December 12, 2017 RESOLUTION #17-072 - 2017 BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Jackson RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2017 Budget Transfer: General Fund - Town Wide: From: Contingent Fund, A1990.4 ................... $100.00 To: Personnel, Personal Services, A1430.1 ...... 1,000.00 Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTIONS #17-073 - 2017 BUDGET TRANSFER MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Smith RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2017 Budget Transfer: General Fund - Part Time: From: Contingent Fund, B 1990.4 ................... $2,301.00 To: Youth Program, Director, B7320.4 ........... 2,001.00 Zoning, Personal Services, B8010.12 .......... 200.00 Planning, Personal Services, B8020.12 ........ 100.00 Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed W. Rick Fritz, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Was not present 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. The tax bills have been delivered to the office and we will be busy getting them ready to go out. Victoria Monty, Attorney for the Town - Brought holiday cookies and had nothing else to report. John J. Norman and A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present. Councilperson Kelly Smith as Representative to Joint Youth Program - Youth basketball, they are still having scheduling problems. Apparently an outside group slipped in and bumped some youth sports and we found out the School doesn't have an official policy written. So, the School Board is going to look at that at their next meeting. Cabin Fever is going to be March 3rd. Jennifer is going to start "Dance Without Limits" for students with disabilities on Saturdays in January and February. Zumba will start January 3rd. Babysitting classes will be in February and March. Jennifer Jones will be certified as a lifeguard trainer, which will help us get more certified lifeguards available. Chuck's last day is December 21 St. Betty Conger is trying to do some fundraising to send 3 girls to Girls State this year. Glenn Morey, County Legislator - It's Kelly's last night tonight and I just want to thank you for your service. It's been a real pleasure working with you and I hope you have good luck in any future endeavors. The County is closing their accounts for next year. We have 4 new Legislators coming on. I have been in several meetings with them already and they seem to be very energetic and ready to go and make a difference in the County. Town Board Minutes Page 3 December 12, 2017 Jay Franklin, Tompkins County Assessment - Was there to give the Board information on extending the Cold War Tax Exemption. When the Town passed the local law to allow the Cold War Exemption, at that time the State only allowed it to be a 10 -year exemption. In the last legislative session they decided to allow it to continue in perpetuity as long as the municipality decides to allow it. There are currently only 15 veterans signed up in Groton. Back when I was trying to estimate how many Cold War Veterans are out there, I had talked to the Veterans Service and I got a number of 73 veterans for every 1000 residents. So, I estimated there were 353 possible veterans in Groton that would be eligible for this exemption. So, that formula really didn't work. If you were to let this exemption run out and the 5 veterans no longer received it, it would mean as 27 -cent savings in taxes for a medium assessed house in Groton. If you want to continue this tax exemption, you will need to pass a local law to do so by March 1, 2019. Mr. Franklin explained some of the various types of veteran exemptions that there are. The Board discussed the issue and felt that they would like to extend the exemption and would like to get a local law passed within the next few months. RESOLUTION #17-074 - EXTEND DEADLINE TO PAY TAXES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby extends the deadline to pay Groton Town and County taxes to February 7, 2018 for senior citizens who currently receive either a Senior Exemption or Enhanced STAR Exemption. Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #17-075 - STANDARD WORK DAY AND REPORTING FOR ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Jackson RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton (Location Code 30445) hereby establishes the following standard work days for these titles and will report the officials to the New York State and Local Retirement System based on their activities: Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Standard Social X Current Registration if Record of X If Record Title Work Name Security Term Begins # Tier Activities Not Day # & Ends 1 Result Submitted Elected Officials Town Clerk 7 April Scheffler 1/1/2014 22 99 12/31/2017 Highway 8 Richard Case, Jr 1/1/2014 28,73 Superintendant 12/31/2017 Town Justice 6 John Norman 1/1/2015 12/31/2018 16.55 Town Council 6 Richard Gamel 1/3/2017 3.71 Member 12/31/2017 Appointed Officials Planning Board 6 Monica Carey 1/1/2013 1.75 Member 12/31/2019 Ayes - Gamel, Smith, Jackson, Clark, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Town Board Minutes Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak Page 4 December 12, 2017 Supervisor Scheffler - Two years ago we appointed a Bicentennial Committee, more aptly named "The Team", to plan a celebration. This committee consisted of Robin Cargian, Betty Conger, April Scheffler, Kelly Smith, and Rosemarie Tucker. We, the Town Board, basically said, here's some money, it's not enough, but plan some sort of party. And plan they did. They produced a year-long celebration of Groton's 200th Anniversary with events throughout the Town all summer. With fundraising, donations, and support from the community they made us all aware of our history and proud to be Grotonians. That is a word by the way. As a small token of our appreciation, we, the Town Board, would like you to get together one last time and have lunch on us. (A card and gift certificate was presented to Clerk Scheffler on behalf of the Committee.) Supervisor Scheffler - Kelly, the decision to run for public office is a tough one. For most people there always seems to be more reasons not to run than to run. When you were asked by the people, you didn't hesitate. You threw your hat in the ring, ran with the bulls, and never looked back. You were never afraid to speak your mind, stick to your principles, and vote your conscience. These are attributes that make our people, our town, and our country great. Please accept our gratitude for your service to the Town of Groton. Announcements: ➢ Planning Board Meeting, December 21, 2017 at 7:30 pm ➢ Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting, December 27, 2017 ➢ NYS Public Service letter concerning winter energy costs and available publications and programs. Supervisor Scheffler has ordered some publications to have on hand. ➢ Dryden Ambulance letter concerning their new training center and programs offered. ➢ Next Board Meeting, Organizational Meeting, January 9, 2018 at 7:30 pm There being no further business, Councilperson Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson Smith, at 8:01 pm. Unanimous. April L. Scheffler, RMC Town Clerk