HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-04 Danby Town Board
Organizational Meeting Minutes
January 4, 2010
Present:
Supervisor: Ric Dietrich
Councilpersons: Leslie Connors, Dan Klein
Absent: Kathy Halton, Dylan Race (both attending training)
Others Present:
Pamela Goddard Town Clerk
Susan Beeners Code Enforcement Officer
Roy Casterline West Danby Water District Superintendent
Members of the Public:
Joel Gagnon, Ted Crane, Robert Roe, Ronda Roaring
Call to Order
Supervisor Dietrich called the meeting to order at 6:30pm
In an opening statement, the Supervisor explained that some portions of the 2010 Organizational
Resolutions would wait until the Regular Board Meeting on January 11, when all of the
Councilpersons will be in attendance. In addition, a comprehensive long term"Work List" and the
structure and meetings times of the Town Board will be reviewed at the Regular meeting.Additional
meeting times may be scheduled.
Privilege of the Floor:
Ronda Roaring is compiling a history of the correspondence between the NYS DEC and herself,
regarding the Traver Road Quarry,which she will bring to the Jan. 11 meeting. She also thanked the
Town Board for 100% attendance at Council of Government meetings in 2009.
Discussions:
Agenda Addition - Dan Klein requested an agenda item to formally ask the Highway Department
to prepare a statement regarding the potential impact of extended heavy truck use (for example, due
to gas drilling operations) on Town roads. Such a report might include an objective description of
current road construction and condition, and an estimate of potential damage and repair costs. The
estimate might be based on information contained in similar reports prepared by other municipalities
and states. Carl Seamon, Highway Superintendent, is to be invited to the Jan. 11 meeting to
summarize information from a forum presented through the Association of Towns.
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A general discussion ensued, regarding the development of road cut and culvert laws, methods of
testing the roads, traffic regulations, other potential impacts (such as "Thumper Truck" damage to
water wells), and how to keep costs from reverting to local taxpayers.
Rough Draft of Long Term Work List- Code Enforcement Officer Sue Beeners has asked the
Supervisor to add his priorities to this list. The Town Clerk will distribute this list to the Town Board.
A general discussion followed, about how to address these issues, structure the work, and set
priorities, goals, and expectations. Dietrich sees this as a"major challenge for the new year."
SPCA Animal Control- Comments have been submitted to Supervisor Dietrich.A contract has
been prepared, but will not be signed until he has an opportunity to meet with them to discuss
changes (relative to the previous contract) and ambiguities in the new contract.
Wood Boiler Grant-Dan Klein asked about the status of this grant. Dietrich explained that the
Town applied too late for funding.A second grant, for insulation and other things, has been
submitted. The possibility of resubmitting the original Wood Boiler Grant needs to be explored.
Councilperson Klein informed the Board that he will be absent from the February meetings, as
he will be out of the country on vacation.
Clerk's Report- The keys to the Town Clerk's office were transfered from Carol Sczepanski to
Pamela Goddard on January 1, 2010. Kathy Halton and Ric Dietrich were given their Oaths of
Office that afternoon, and Dylan Race received his on January 2. Minutes of the December meetings
were also received from Sczepanski.A preliminary inventory of Town Clerk files, for working
purposes, will begin in January.An independent, external audit of the Town Clerk's books will begin
on January 6 (the Town Board has allocated$3,000 for this audit).
Organizational Resolutions: January 4, 2010
Supervisor's Statement to the Board:
• Robert's Rules of Order will be followed at all Town Board Meetings, except when special roll call
vote is necessary. Roll call will be alphabetical with the Supervisor voting last.
•All meetings will begin and end at times to be specified during January's Regular Meeting.
• Method of claims for payment of all bills will be by voucher. Vouchers and items for the agenda
must be submitted to the Supervisor or the Town Clerk.
• The Town Board will audit all bills. Research will determine which section of Town Law requires
this supervision.
•All personnel matters will be discussed in executive session.
Resolution No. 1 of 2010 -Approval to Invest Idle Funds
Resolved,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorize the Supervisor to invest idle funds.
Moved by Klein, Second by Connors. The motion passed.
In favor: Connors, Klein, Dietrich
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Resolution No. 2a and 2b of 2010 -Approval of Year 2010 Salaries
Town Board, councilpersons, total 9,274.28 (4x 2318.57)
Town Supervisor 20,000.
Deputy Town Supervisor 50.
Assistant to Supervisor 10,000.
Bookkeeper 20,944.82
Town Justice 21,379.20 (2x 10,689.60)
Court Clerk 13,260.
Highway Superintendent 50,660.44
Highway Secretary 26,410.02
Zoning/ Code/Fire Enforcement Officer 44,554.25
Town Clerk 27,846.
Water Plant Operator(West Danby) 11,271.31
Water Plant Operator Assistant (West Danby) 3,154.13
Water Clerk(West Danby) 4,066.77
Swimming Area Director 1,000.
Total 263,871.22
Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorizes the Supervisor to pay the above salaries.The salaries
shall be paid prior to the first Town Board meeting of each month, and December payrolls will be adjusted to meet all
budget requirements.
Moved by Dietrich, Second by Klein. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Klein, Dietrich
Resolution No. 3 of 2010 - Payment of Bills
Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby approves a blanket resolution to authorize the Town Supervisor to
pay utility bills,freight, postage, contracts, and to conduct other normal proceedings, such as payroll, in advance of audit
in order to keep affairs moving on a timely basis, and be it further
Resolved,That a contract is not a bid award.
Moved by Connors, Second by Klein. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Klein, Dietrich
Resolution No. 4 of 2010 - 2009 Financial Report
Resolved,that the Town of Danby Town Supervisor, in lieu of preparing a financial report under NYS Town Law Article 3,
§29.10, shall submit to the Town Clerk by March 1, 2010 a copy of the report submitted to the State Comptroller required
by Section 30 of Municipal Law.
Moved by Klein, Second by Connors. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Klein, Dietrich
The citation of Section 30 should be researched.
Resolution No. 5 of 2010 - Town of Danby Official Newspaper and Bank Depository
Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby names the Ithaca Journal as its Official Newspaper and HSBC as
bank for the depository of Town Funds.
Moved by Klein, Second by Connors. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Klein, Dietrich
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Resolution No. 6 of 2010 - Town of Danby Attorneys
Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby names the firms of Miller Mayer, LLP and Thaler and Thaler as law
firms to represent the Town of Danby in all Zoning, Planning Board, and General Town of Danby business.The Town
Board reserves the right to seek other legal aid if it deems necessary.
Moved by Connors, Second by Klein. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Klein, Dietrich
Resolution No. 7 of 2010 - Mileage Reimbursement for Town Mileage
Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorizes reimbursements for private automobile mileage incurred
on Town Business to be paid at the rate of fifty cents ($0.50) per mile.
Moved by Connors, Second by Dietrich. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Klein, Dietrich
Resolution No. 8 of 2010 -Appointment of Water Commissioner
Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby appoints John Finley as Water Commissioner for the West Danby
Water District for a five term, as recommended by the Board of Danby Water Commissioners.Term of office begins
January 1, 2010 and expires December 31, 2014.
Moved by Klein, Second by Connors. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Klein, Dietrich
Resolution No. 9 of 2010 -Acknowledgment of Deputy Town Clerk
Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby acknowledges the Town Clerk's appointment of Robert Roe as her
Deputy Town Clerk.
Moved by Klein, Second by Dietrich. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Klein, Dietrich
Resolution No. 10 of 2010 - Reaffirmation of Town of Danby Procurement Policies and
Procedures (as approved in Resolution No. 24 of 1993)
Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby reaffirms the Town of Danby Procurement Policies and Procedures
as established in Resolution No. 24 of 1993.
Moved by Klein, Second by Connors. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Klein, Dietrich
Resolution No. 11 of 2010 -Appreciation of Roy Casterline
Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby thanks Roy Casterline for 35 years of wet and muddy service to the
West Danby Water District.
Moved by Klein, Second by Dietrich. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Klein, Dietrich
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the Organizational Meeting was made at 8:20pm.
Moved by Connors, Second by Klein. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Klein, Dietrich
Pamela S Goddard, Town Clerk
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