HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-13-2009 TOWN OF GROTON - MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2009 AT 7:30 PM
PUBLIC HEARING ON 2010 PRELIMINARY BUDGET AT 7:45 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, Richard C. Case, Jr., Nick Babel, Donald
Palmer, April Scheffler.
MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the minutes of
the September 8, 2009 Board Meeting as presented.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
MOVED by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the minutes
of the September 15, 2009 Work Session as presented.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the minutes of
the September 22 , 2009 Work Session as presented.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
MOVED by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Gamel, to approve the minutes of the
September 29, 2009 Work Session as presented.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Claim Numbers 287-325 of the General Fund in the amount of $32,940.52 were presented for
audit.
MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the General Bills
for payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey.
Town Board Minutes Page 2 October 13, 2009
Claim Numbers 166-192 of the Highway Fund in the amount of$90,730.65 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.
Supervisor Morey offered Privilege of the Floor but no one wished to speak at that time.
RESOLUTION#09-063 - 2009 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2009 Budget Transfer:
General Fund-Part Town:
From: Contingency B1990.4 $308.95
To: Youth, Summer Jobs B7310.1 .141.63
Celebrations, Olde Home Days B7550.4 167.32
RESOLUTION#09-064 - 2009 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2009 Budget Transfer:
General Fund-Part Town:
From: Youth, Summer Jobs, Contractual B7310.4 $500.00
To: Youth, Summer Jobs B7310.4 500.00
RESOLUTION#09-065 - 2009 BUDGET TRANSFER
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED,that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2009 Budget Transfer:
Highway Fund-Part Town:
From: Disability DB9055.8 .$23.00
To: General Repairs, Personal ServiceDB5101.1 .23.00
Town Board Minutes Page 3 October 13, 2009
Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Submitted monthly report for the Board's
review. It's been really busy, especially with stick-built houses. There are five in progress right
now and at least four more before the end of the year. Mr. Coats told the Board about the new
owners of the 924 Lick Street property and the improvements they have been making to the
house. He and the Clerk had submitted two re-writes of sections to the Code for the Board's
review and will be working on the Flood Hazard section. There are a few other things they have
found that need to be fine-tuned and hoped to have everything ready for the Board as soon as
possible.
Richard C. Case,Highway Superintendent - Currently the Highway Shop is in the preliminary
stages of winter change-over. Chip sealing and shoulders have been applied to Lick Street and
Stauber Road, finishing these projects for 2009. Cobb Street has received two new cross-over
culverts. The Town's 1991 Chevy one-ton truck was sold at the Lansing Municipal Auction for
$3,240.00. Request was made to go out to bid on a tractor loader/broom combination to be used
as a mower, broom and parking lot snowplow. It is hoped to have recommendation ready for the
November Board meeting.
RESOLUTION #09-066 -PERMISSION TO GO OUT TO BID
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the Highway Superintendent, Richard
Case, to go out to bid for a new 2009 or newer, rubber tired tractor loader/broom combination
with the bid opening scheduled for Friday, October 30, 2009 at 1:00 pm at the Highway
Department.
Discussion took place concerning speeds traveled over Odgen Road. The Highway Department
had collected data from their speed monitoring sign and the majority of the vehicles were
traveling at 35 mph or less. Supervisor Morey said he would contact the person who
spearheaded the petition that was presented at a previous meeting.
RESOLUTION#09-067 -DEPOSIT MONEY FROM SALE AT AUCTION
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board approves depositing the money from the sale of the Town's
1991 Chevy one-ton truck into the DA5130.2 account in the amount $3,240.00.
April L. Scheffler, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Presented monthly report for the Board's
review. We will be hosting a New York State Archives Seminar here next Tuesday. Clerk has
submitted another Decentralization Grant application for next year's photo show as well as
submitted final accounting for this year. Deputy Clerk has passed her probation period and Gary
and I would like to ask for a 50-cent raise for her.
Town Board Minutes Page 4 October 13, 2009
RESOLUTION #09-068 - PAY RAISE FOR DEPUTY CLERK
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves a 50-cent per hour raise for Robin Cargian,
Deputy Clerk, retroactive to the beginning of the pay period, October 5, 2009.
Victoria Monty,Attorney for the Town - Did not have anything to report.
PUBLIC HEARING ON 2010 PRELIMINARY BUDGET
Supervisor Morey opened the public hearing at 7:45 pm. The public notice was read by the
Clerk as it appeared in the Town's legal paper, the Groton Independent, on Wednesday, October
7, 2009.
Supervisor Morey asked for public comments.
Don Palmer - Commented that it looked like there was a 2.5% for most of the employees that
does not appear to apply to the Town Board or Supervisor. He questions that move and believes
that they are entitled to an increase and they have not had one is several years. He also noticed a
decrease in the amount budgeted for the State retirement fund from 2009 and questions that. He
had heard that there will be major increases in State retirement.
Supervisor Morey- That is the next year. For 2010 it has gone down.
Mr. Palmer asked what the basis for that was.
Supervisor Morey said the State tells us how much we will pay and they had already done that
for 2010. He said that he and the Board declined raises because of the economic climate in
Tompkins County. Mr. Palmer said that he thinks it sends the wrong message to the general
public. Supervisor Morey said they think the message to the public is that they forwent the wage
to help other people out and keep taxes down. Mr. Palmer asked when the Board last had an
increase and several members thought it was last year or the year before. Supervisor Morey said
this was the most difficult budgets that he's had in the last 19 years of public service. The rate
decreased 1-cent per thousand from last year. It's a really tight budget with no fat whatsoever.
He applauds the Board and department heads for working tirelessly to do a great budget. Some
of the cost increases are fire and ambulance protection, retirement, insurance. However, there
should be a 20% decrease in health insurance next year because of the Tompkins County Council
of Government's proposed Health Care Consortium. During the final review we looked for ways
to decrease costs but increase efficiency. Since he started here in 2000, our equipment list was
pretty bad, critical actually, and a pledge had been made to never be in that situation again. The
budget is tight and extreme decisions were made and part of that was not taking raises for the
Board or the Supervisor.
Town Board Minutes Page 5 October 13, 2009
With no further comments, Supervisor Morey moved to close the Public Hearing, seconded by
Councilman Gamel, at 8:52 pm.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
PUBLIC HEARING ON 2010 FIRE &AMBULANCE BUDGETS
Motion was made by Supervisor Morey to open the Public Hearing on the 2010 Fire and
Ambulance Budgets, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, at 8:52 pm.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
There was no public comment. Supervisor Morey pointed out that both budgets went up $5,000
each due to State regulations that have been put upon them. Workman's Comp has gone up;
equipment they are required to have has increased; other requirements have increased; and there
has been talk of hiring two part-time people because of the requirements.
With no further comment, Supervisor Morey moved to close the Public Hearing, seconded by
Councilman Scheffler, at 8:53 pm.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLUTION #09-069 -APPROVE 2010 TOWN BUDGET
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the Town of Groton Budget for the Fiscal
Year 2010.
RESOLUTION #09-070 - APPROVE 2010 FIRE & AMBULANCE BUDGETS
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approve the Groton Fire Department and Groton
Ambulance Budgets for the Fiscal Year 2010.
A. D. Dawson, Town Justice - Monthly Justice Court reports were submitted for the Board's
review. Judge Dawson told the Board that they had received a second letter regarding the grant
that they had applied for. Everything still looks good and they should know by December 1St
what amount, if any, they will receive. He had heard that most courts that had requested grants
of $10,000 or less were being awarded the full amount requested. Their request had been for
approximately $4,200. Supervisor Morey asked what the grant was for and Judge Dawson said it
would be for audio-visual equipment for use in the Court Room and a Power Point presentation
projector. Judge Dawson said that he understood that this was one of the toughest years for the
budget and that the Board was probably surprised that they didn't fight over any issues but
presented what they wanted but said they would take what they got. He felt that it was good that
Town Board Minutes Page 6 October 13, 2009
they could all work together and thanked the Board for working with the Court and showing their
support over the years.
Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator - Marc Perosio is coaching youth
cross-county again at the Elementary School. We currently have 12 participants, grades 4-6, and
more are expected. The 2nd Annual Cross Country Series will be held at the Groton Elementary
School on October 17th at 10:00 am. This is for kids 7-13 years old and is held in conjunction
with Lansing, Dryden, and Ithaca recreation.
The kids' Halloween party will be Saturday, October 31, 11:00am - 2:00 pm, at the Legion, with
great help from the Ladies Auxiliary. We also hope to have hayrides, but that isn't finalized.
Mrs. Robert Eckert donated three huge boxes of Halloween supplies and decorations to Groton
Recreation and we thank her very much for that. St. Anthony's Church donated a ping pong
table, currently in storage at the Village,until we find a place for it. Thank you to St. Anthony's.
The GBA will be holding a haunted house at the Masonic Lodge, organized by Dale and Karen
Lane, on October 23, 24, 30, and 31 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. This is not for the very young.
Andrea Inman is coordinating a youth cheerleader program for 8th grade girls. There was a 1-
year gap between youth football cheer and J. V. and Varsity. Youth soccer and youth
football/cheer are going smoothly with 90 and 180 participants, respectively. The Scarlet Edge
Color Guard has about 20 participants. Viola is currently working on the Community Arts
Partnership Grant for next year's concert series.
Winterfest is slated for January 30, 2010. Roy Smith will be back with his dogsleds and Groton
Parent Teachers Organization will be doing a chili taste-off. Think snow!
The 150th Anniversary of the Village of Groton is June 11, 2010. There will be a meeting at the
Village on October 21St for anyone interested in participating, helping or with ideas. Call Chuck
Rankin for more information.
Work Sessions for Code Review were set for Tuesday, October 20 and Tuesday, October 27 at
6:00 pm.
Announcements:
➢ Zoning Board of Appeals, October 28 at 7:00 pm
➢ Planning Board, October 15 at 7:30 pm
➢ Intersection of Salt Road and Rt. 222 -Request for signage - I did get a letter back from
the State and they are going to investigate it further.
➢ Horse and Buggy signs for Clark Street Extension - Superintendent Case indicated that
they are in the 2010 Budget
➢ Signs on Odgen Road have or will be placed- grade sign, school bus stop, handicap and a
suggested speed limit.
➢ Vietnam Veteran Tribute Ride, October 17, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm - they will be at the
Terrance Graves Memorial during that time.
➢ High School forum - Learning From Our Youth - October 26, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm - with
Chris Bennett from Tompkins County Youth Services Department
There being no further business, Councilman Sovocool move to adjourn, seconded by
Councilman Scheffler, at 8:08 pm. Unanimous
Town Board Minutes Page 7 October 13, 2009
April L. Scheffler, RMC
Town Clerk