HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-10-11 TOWN OF GROTON -MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2011 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. Gomel, Councilman
Sheldon C. Clark, Councilman
Fran Casullo, Attorney for the Town
Also present: Dale Kenney, Chuck Rankin, Nick Babel, Dyan Lombardi, Joan
Packard, Greg Weiland, Patrick Jordan, Michael Morris, Elizabeth
Brennan, Richard C. Case, Jr., April Scheffler.
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the
minutes of the September 13, 2011 meeting as presented.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gomel, Clark, Morey.
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the
minutes of the October 5, 2011 Special Meeting as presented.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Clark, Morey.
Abstain - Gomel
Claim Numbers 278-310 of the General Fund in the amount of $13,994.64 were
presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilman Gomel, seconded by Councilman Clark, to approve the
General Bills for payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gomel, Clark, Morey.
Claim Numbers 148-171 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $47,337.58 were
presented for audit.
MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Gomel, to approve the
Highway Bills for payment.
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gomel, Clark, Morey.
Monthly Reports:
Elizabeth Brennan, Bookkeeper/Highway Clerk - Submitted monthly reports for the
Board's review and requested a budget transfer.
Town Board Minutes Page 2 October 11, 2011
RESOLUTION #11-068 - 2011 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 2011 Budget Transfer:
General Fund, Part Town:
From: Contingency, B1990.4 $1,172.40
To: Youth, Summer Help, B7310.1 1,172.40
Supervisor Morey - To let everyone know, this is Liz's last meeting with the Town of
Groton. She's going to retire after so many years of being with us. I want to say a little
bit about Liz. When I was running for Supervisor in the year 2000, I went over to a
neighbor's house and I thought my neighbor would give me the support I wanted him
to without even asking and the first thing out of his mouth was, "are you going to
support Liz and keep her as a bookkeeper?" I said, "Yeah, I thought so." He said,
"Since you're going to support Liz, I'll vote for you." I didn't know what was going on.
Finally I met Liz. We went out to lunch one day and we had a nice conversation and
she told me she was going to be straightforward with me and tell me exactly what she
thought. I can tell everyone that she did keep her word. She told me several times
exactly what she thought and what I should do with my ideas. Liz, you're the first
person we could call when we had issues with benefits or any problem with payroll.
You were always that first person. For over 20 years, you have served the community
with integrity, honestly, and professionalism. We may find someone to fill your position
but we'll never have a replacement for you, this very wonderful lady. The Town of
Groton community appreciates your service and wants to thank you for your
dedication. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement. Best of luck to you and
Ed and my God bless you.
Liz Brennan -Thank you very much.
Everyone in the room rose to their feet in a standing ovation for Liz Brennan.
Liz Brennan - I just want to say that I appreciate all the support that you guys have given
me over the years. Thank you.
All Board Members said thank you to her.
Gary Coats, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer - Was not present but did submit monthly
reports for the Board's review.
Richard C. Case, Jr., Highway Superintendent - The Highway Shop is on schedule with
NYS Inspections and PM Program. Equipment change-over to snow and ice
maintenance is underway. One mile of Cemetery Lane, from Church Street to the
Dayton Farm, has been motor paved. After a curing period, the shoulders will be
applied. De-icing sand is being stockpiled and mixed with de-icing salt. Mr. Case
asked for several resolutions.
Town Board Minutes Page 3 October 11, 2011
RESOLUTION #11-069 - ACCEPT RESIGNATION OF CLEANER AND HIRE REPLACEMENT
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby accepts the resignation of Kathy Foster as part-
time cleaner and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the hiring of Casey Keech to replace
the part-time cleaner at the continued pay rate of $12.53 per hour, retroactive to
October 1, 2011 .
RESOLUTION #11- 070 - PLACE MONEY FROM AUCTION IN
CAPITAL RESERVE EQUIPMENT ACCOUNT.
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
WHEREAS, the Town of Groton received $2,754.00 for equipment sold at the Municipal
Auction in Lansing, New York, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the placement of said money in the
Town's Capital Highway Equipment Reserve Account.
RESOLUTION #11-071 - PURCHASE 2012 INTERNATIONAL TRUCK
SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE RESOLUTION
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Clark
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorize the purchase from New York State
Office of General Services, Contract #PC62176, a 2012 Model 7500 Series tandem axle
cab and chassis International Truck for $89,485.00. The sum of $89,485.000, which
reflects the purchase price, will be taken from the Town's Capital Highway Equipment
Reserve Account, and be it further
RESOLVED, that said purchase will occur unless a petition in compliance with Section 91
of New York State Town Law is received by the Town Clerk protesting this resolution and
requesting a referendum thereon.
Mr. Case explained that this purchase would replace Truck # 28, a 20-year old 1992
Auto Car tandem dump plow truck. After the purchase and arrival of the cab and
chassis, the plow and dump body parts will be purchased when funds are available.
This will also allow the possibility of our shop doing some of the fabrication and
mounting of the equipment in our facility.
April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly Town Clerk and
Country Acres Pet Services reports for the Board's review.
Town Board Minutes Page 4 October 11, 2011
Francis Casullo, Attorney for the Town - Had nothing to report.
Councilman Donald Scheffler, as Recreation Coordinator - Youth football and
cheerleading is half way through the season with approximately 150 youth
participating. Games are on Saturdays and most are at Ross Field. Youth soccer is also
underway with 90 participants, as is Scarlet Edge Color Guard and Youth Cross Country
with 7 and 8 participants respectively. The annual kids Halloween Party will be held
Saturday, October 29 from 11 :00 am to 1 :00 pm at the American Legion. This is a
cooperative effort between Groton Joint Recreation, the Ladies Auxiliary, and Groton
Youth Services Helping Hands Program. Coming soon, is boys and girls youth basketball
and Winterfest is the last Saturday in January 2012.
Privilege of the Floor:
Dyan Lombardi - Just wanted to remind you and invite you to the presentation
tomorrow night at the Groton Church. (Presentation of hydraulic fracturing for natural
gas.)
Patrick Jordan from the certified public accountants firm, Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little,
Mickelson & Company, LLP, presented the Town Board with the report of the audit of
the financial statements of the Town of Groton for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Additionally, a report of the Town of Groton Justice Court audit for the year ended
December 31, 2010 was also presented. Mr. Jordan explained some highlights of both
audits and reported that no problems were found with the Town's accounting books,
the budget was being followed and there were no non-compliance items. Money
collected by the Justice Court was also being handled and reported appropriately.
RESOLUTION #11-072 - ACCEPT 2010 FISCAL YEAR AUDIT
MOVED by Councilman Gamel, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby accepts the 2010 Fiscal Year Audit of the Town
of Groton financial statements as presented by Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little, Mickelson
& Company, LLP.
RESOLUTION #11-073 - ACCEPT 2010 FISCAL YEAR AUDIT OF
THE TOWN OF GROTON JUSTICE COURT.
MOVED by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Scheffler
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby accepts the 2010 Fiscal Year Audit of the Town
of Groton Justice Court as presented by Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little, Mickelson &
Company, LLP.
Town Board Minutes Page 5 October 11, 2011
Supervisor Morey asked if there was any discussion on the 2012 Preliminary Budget or
2012 Fire and Ambulance Budget.
Councilman Scheffler said that there had been a discrepancy on the tool allowance
and he thought that everyone was confused when they didn't work it out. He asked
Dale Kenney to come forward.
Dale Kenney, Highway Department Mechanic, said that he had been at the
negotiations but was unsure if they were going to continue with the tool allowance,
increase the tool allowance, or discontinue the tool allowance and increase his hourly
wage.
Supervisor Morey set an additional Budget Work Session for Tuesday, October 18, 2011,
at 6:00 PM to discuss the overall Preliminary Budget as well as the tool allowance issue.
RESOLUTION #11- 074 - RESCHEDULE NOVEMBER BOARD MEETING
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby reschedules the November Board Meeting for
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 7:30 PM due to a conflict with Election Day.
RESOLUTION #11-075 - SET PUBLIC HEARING ON 2012 PRELIMINARY BUDGET
MOVED by Supervisor Morey, seconded by Councilman Gamel
Ayes - Sovocool, Scheffler, Gamel, Clark, Morey
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets a Public Hearing on the 2012 Preliminary
Budget for Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 7:30 PM and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets a Public Hearing on the proposed 2012 Fire
and Ambulance Budgets immediately following the first Public Hearing.
Announcements:
➢ Planning Board Meeting - October 20 at 7:30 PM
➢ Zoning Board of Appeals - October 26 at 7:00 PM
➢ Informational Meeting on hydrofracking for natural gas - October 12 at 7:00 PM at
the Community Church
There being no further business, Councilman Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by
Councilman Sovocool, at 7:57 PM. Unanimous.
April L. Scheffler, RMC
Town Clerk