HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-08 - TB TOWN OF ULYSSES
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
1 / 8 / 2002
PRESENT: Supervisor Doug Austic, Councilpeople Carolyn Duddleston , Sue
Poelvoorde, Lee Scott, and Robert Weatherby, Town Highway Superintendent
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Jim Meeker, Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun , Town Clerk Marsha Georgia,
Town Justice Roger Rector.
Also Present: Richard Coogan
APPROVAL OF MINUTES : Re • ular Town Board Meetin • 12 11 2001
After noting minor . corrections, Mrs. Duddleston moved , seconded by Ms.
Poelvoorde to approve the minutes of the Regular Town Board Meeting of
12/ 11/2001 as amended .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted .
APPROVAL OF MONTHLY CLAIMS
Ms. Poelvoorde moved , seconded by Mrs. Duddleston to approve 2001 monthly
vouchers numbers 536-577, totaling $57, 890 . 26, and 2002 monthly vouchers
1 - 18, totaling $46,424. 01 .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted .
Mr. Austic added that he received a bill from Barney, Grossman and Marcus for
the Tompkins County Towers' project lawsuit . The Town's share of the billing
totals $525 . 65 .
Mr. Austic moved that this bill be paid . Mr. Scott seconded .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted .
REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
Peter Penniman, Tompkins County Board of Representatives
Mr. Penniman was absent. No report was presented .
Trumansburo Fire Department
To of Ulysses
Regular Town Board Meeting
1 /8/2002
No representative was present. No report was presented .
Other: Richard Coogan, Jacksonville Community Association / Sharon
Anderson: Cavuga Lake Watershed Network
Mr. Coogan introduced Ms. Anderson , the watershed steward of the Cayuga Lake
Watershed Network.
Mr. Austic noted that the Ulysses Planning Board would be addressing the
Jacksonville Commercial Center Revitalization Program at their next meeting,
tomorrow night. Mr. Austic encouraged Mr. Coogan to attend the meeting , and
suggested that he remind the Planning Board that the program is, at this point,
just a concept, and thus should be reviewed at a glance, rather than with the
thoroughness of a Site Plan Review proceeding . Mr. Coogan stated that he would
attend the meeting . -
TOWN REPORTS
Highway Superintendent, Jim Meeker
Mr. Meeker reported the Highway Department plowed and salted as needed ;
with the mild weather, they also were able to haul sand for de-icing , cut brush
and helped the Town of Ithaca with a tiling project.
Mr. Meeker stated that the heaters at the Town Barns are in need of repairs, and
thanked the Town Board for the employees' gift certificates during the holiday
season .
Mr. Meeker reported that there is an upcoming culvert replacement project
planned on NYS Route 89 . The project is still a ways in the future, as it has not
been put out for bid as yet.
Code Enforcement Officier, Alex Rachun
Mr. Rachun reported issuing 4 permits, with estimated construction costs totaling
$430,000, and fees totaling $ 1 ,310 . Mr. Rachun noted that this reflects a typical
flurry of activity in construction that takes place throughout January and
February. Mr. Rachun also noted that one of the permits was for the expansion
'of the gas pump facilities at the Trumansburg Shur Save .
Town Clerk, Marsha Georgia
Mrs . Georgia reported that $ 543 was collected in fees during the month of
December 2001 . During 2001 , fees totaled $28, 220, an increase of about 7% .
Despite the increase, however, totals turned over to the Town of Ulysses
increased less than . 10% .
Mrs. Georgia also reported on Tax collection . To date, $299,350 has been
collected ; enough to pay the general fund balance of some $282, 000 .
Mrs. Georgia stated that work on the two LGRMIF grants continues, and will be
completed within the time generally allotted by LGRMIF guidelines.
Mrs . Georgia concluded by noting that three applications for the position of
Planning Clerk were received . 2001 Planning Board Chairman George Kennedy
conducted the interviews; Eileen Jacobs was selected for the position and will
start tomorrow night with the Planning Board meeting .
Board Members and Committees
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Town of Ulysses
Regular Town Board Meeting
1 /8/2002
No reports were made .
Supervisor, Doug Austic
Mr. Austic noted that the reserve account balances have not changed since his
December report. The general fund balance does not yet reflect subtraction of
this month's vouchers, but it does appear that there will be sufficient funds to
cover these without going over budget. The only account that is a problem is the
I Engineering account. Mr. Austic noted that the Board had expected the Town
would have already received the $ 500, 000 promised .
OLD BUSINESS
Update on Water Districts
Mr. Austic reported that the application for $3M in revolving loan funds has been
submitted .
Falls Tavern Request
Mr. Austic reported that he has received an estimate from Barton & Loguidice of
the costs for the firm to do the engineering and form a map, plan and report for
a Rabbit Run Road Area Water District.
Mr. Austic stated that he has spoken to the Village of Trumansburg mayor, Rod
Ferrentino about the recent surge in water district requests that have been
coming to the Town of Ulysses. Mr. Austic noted that Village of Trumansburg
water lines already run down Pennsylvania Avenue, South Street Extension and
Waterburg Road, heading towards the Hoffmire Farm for the Alpha House water
extension . It seems that it would be wise to run a pipe from the end of the water
line on Pennsylvania Avenue, and up South Street, providing potential service to
the whole area at once. The concerns relevant to this idea include the ability to
make the idea fair and appealing to those in the areas outside of the Village that
already have municipal water, and the fact that the pipelines previously
mentioned are rather old, and serve the Village of Trumansburg only as backup
lines. These pipes could pose a very large liability for the Town of Ulysses.
NEW BUSINESS
2002 Organizational
Mrs . Duddleston moved, seconded by Mr. Scott the following resolution :
BE IT RESOLVED Regular Monthly Board meetings of the Ulysses Town Board
will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 : 30 PM in the Ulysses
Town Hall at 10 Elm Street, Trumansburg, NY. Board review of monthly claims
will begin at 7 : 00 PM prior to each scheduled Regular Board Meeting .
t BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the designated news media is advised of the
foregoing schedule and those meeting notices are posted in accordance with the
open meeting law, on the clerk's bulletin board .
BE IT RESOLVED mileage at a rate of 34 . 5 cents per mile shall be paid to Town
Officials and employees conducting official business and driving their personal
vehicles and that such mileage shall be reported on the appropriate forms
provided .
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Town of Ulysses LI
Regular Town Board Meeting
1 /8/2002
BE IT RES I LVED the Highway Superintendent is authorized to incur expenses
not to exceed $3000 . 00 for repairs and maintenance of highway equipment
without prior Board approval .
BE IT RES o LVED the Building and Maintenance Chairman be authorized to
incur expenses not to exceed $ 1000 . 00 for emergency repairs and maintenance
following established procurement policy procedures.
BE IT RES u LVED the following bond undertakings for Town Officials is hereby
approved as follows :
A. Town Clerk/Tax Collector $250,000
B. Justices (2) $50000 each
C. Court Clerical $50000
D. Code Enforcement Officier $50000
E. Highway Superintendent $5,,000
F. Town Supervisor $500,000
G . Deputy Supervisor $50,000
H . Deputy Town Clerk $210,000
BE IT RESOLVED in lieu of the report required by Town Law Section . 29( 10),
the Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to submit to the Town Clerk a copy of
his annual report to the State Comptroller and that the Town Clerk shall cause a
summary thereof to be published in accordance with the law.
BE IT RES u LVED the Ithaca Journal and/or The Trumansburg Free Press shall
be and are hereby designated as the official Town publications.
BE IT RES o, LVED the Tompkins County Trust Company is designated as
depository in which the Supervisor, Town Clerk, Justices, and other employees
by virtue of their offices, shall deposit all monies coming into their hands and,
FURTHER RESOLVED the Town investments can be made at other banks as
outlined in the Towns investment policy.
BE IT RESOLVED the Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to pay in advance
of audit of claims for utilities, postage and contractual agreements which if
delayed may result in loss of discounts or the accrual of service charges.
Mr. Austic aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Mr. Scott aye
Adopted .
Supervisor Austic made the following appointments for 2002 :
A. Town Historian Esther Northrup
B. Deputy Supervisor Carolyn Duddleston
it
C. Liaison to Highway Dept. Bob Weatherby
D . Building Maintenance Doug Austic
E. Liaison to Library Lee Scott
F. Liaison to Village BD . Doug Austic
G . Liaison to Justice CT Sue Poelvoorde
The Board discussed the Planning Board appointment. Chairman George
Kennedy's term is up . Mr. Kennedy wishes to continue serving on the Planning
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Town of Ulysses 5
Regular Town Board Meeting
1 /8/2002
Board but he does not wish to be chairman any longer. At the last Planning
Board meeting no members expressed any interest in being chairman for 2002 .
Ms. Poelvoorde moved, seconded by Mrs. Duddleston the following :
Resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses appoints George Kennedy
to the Planning Board for a term of seven years expiring December 31st, 2008 .
Mr. Austic aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Mr. Scott abstained
Adopted .
Mr. Weatherby moved seconded by Mrs. Duddleston the following
appointments for 2002 :
A. Code Enforcement Officier Alex Rachun
B. Deputy Zoning Officer John Fahs
C. Deputy Code Enforcement Contract Village
D . Planning Board Chair
E . Bookkeeper Doug Austic
F. Zoning Board Member & Chair George Tselekis
G . Rep . Human Services Coal Vacant (to be advertised )
H . Board of Assessment Review (2 ) Stover / Duddleston
I . Election Custodians ( 2 ) Bennett / Northrup
J . Cleaning Contract Laurie MacCheyne
IK. County Youth Bureau Rep . Ben Curtis
L. Joint Youth Comm . Liaison Alex Rachun
M . Rep . Cable Commission Ben Curtis
N . Town Attorney Bruce D . Wilson
O . Public Access Rep . Ben Curtis
P. EOC Vacant (to be advertised )
Q. EMC Heather McDaniel
R. Planning Federation Rep . (inactive at this time)
S. Intermunicipal Recreation . Rep . M . Vonderweidt
T. Reps. To Joint Youth Comm . Deb Austic/NI . Vonderweidt
U . Planning Board Member George Kennedy
V. Ithaca/Tompkins Transportation
Council Planning & Policy Comm . Sue A. Poelvoorde
W. Waterfront Deve. Planning & Policy Sue A. Poelvoorde
X. TC Emergency / Disaster Comm . Fire Dept. Rep . (vacant)
Y. TCAD Rep ./Town of Ulysses Peter Penniman
Z. Fire/EMS Steering Committee Rep . Carolyn Duddleston
AA. Trumansburg Fair Board Liaison Robert Weatherby
Mr. Austic aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Mr. Scott aye
Adopted .
Mrs. Duddleston moved, seconded by Ms. Poelvoorde the following :
BE IT RESOLVED the following is the schedule of salaries and wages for 2002 :
ELECTED OFFICIALS :
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Town of Ulysses
Regular Town Board Meeting
1 /8/2002
Town Supervisor 6,E.52 yr
Town Council (4) 3,095 . 70 (ea ) yr
Town Clerk/Collector 36,490 yr
Highway Superintendent 43,073 yr
Town Justice (2) 11 ,1867 (ea ) yr
APPOINTED OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES
Deputy Town Clerk $ 12 . 00/hr
Deputy Supervisor negotiated as needed
Bookkeeper $ 15, 273 yr
Zoning Officer $ 13,654 yr
Deputy Zoning Officer $ 11 . 63 PH
Building Inspector $ 14, 387 yr
Justice Clerical $24,234 yr
Planning/Zoning Clerk $ 12 . 00 hr
Deputy Highway Superintendent $ 15 . 81 hr
Highway Employees $ 115 . 31 hr
BE IT RES o LVED all employees shall turn in a time card by the end of the last
day of the pay period, salaried employees shall do the same stating time used
for vacation, sick time, holiday or other time off to maintain accurate records of
benefit time used . No pay will be issued without the presence of a time card .
BE IT RESOLVED any individual wishing to be on the agenda, advise the
Supervisor of that intent at least one week prior to the scheduled meeting .
BE IT RESOLVED any individual having any special needs and wishing to attend
a meeting please advise the Town Clerk of the special requirements at least one
week prior to the meeting . (ADA)
Be It Resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses will do the Annual
Audit of the books for each department on January 12th, 2002 at 8 : 30 AM .
Mr. Austic aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Mr. Scott abstained
Adopted .
After some discussion, the Board set a date for the annual audit for 8 : 30 am, on
Saturday, January 12th, 2002 .
Investments : National Bank of Geneva
Mr. Scott moved , seconded by Mrs . Duddleston the following :
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve The
National Bank of Geneva as an approved depository for the Town of Ulysses,
contingent on the approval of third-party agreements, and said bank's latest
operating report.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
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Town of Ulysses
Regular Town Board Meeting
1 /8/2002
Adopted . Supervisor Austic will report this information to the National Bank of
Geneva .
Appointment: Planning Clerk
Ms. Poelvoorde moved , seconded by Mr. Austic to approve the appointment of
Eileen Jacobs as the Town of Ulysses Planning Clerk.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted .
Land for Tank and Pumping Station
Mr. Austic reported the Town of Ulysses has received a request to consider
placing the water tank for Water District #3 on a parcel belonging to the West
Hill Community Church . Mr. Austic met with Dan Lynch, the individual who was
selected to represent the West Hill Community Church in this matter. Mr. Lynch
has informed Mr. Austic that the church would prefer the tank to be located near
the site where an old barn was. The church would rather not sell less than an
acre, and a deed restriction does not allow the church to sell any of the parcels
for anything other than not-for-profit uses . Barton & Loguidice has informed Mr.
Austic that it would cost an extra $55,000 to reach a tank at this southwest
corner of this property, compared to the other location that was considered .
Mr. Austic stated that he could ask if the church would consider allowing the tank
to be placed at the northwest corner of the parcel .
The Board agreed that the church would not be a very feasible option.
Mr. Austic also reported that the land-owner of the parcel on Woolfe Lane, which
the Town has expressed interest in purchasing for the sitting of a pump station,
has agreed to the Town of Ulysses' offer. The Board agreed that Mr. Austic
should make a purchase offer to said landowner, contingent on the Town of
Ulysses receiving the promised $500,000 in grant funds and contingent on
Subdivision approval by the Town of Ithaca .
Personnel Manual : Attendance and Education Policy
Ms. Poelvoorde noted that the current attendance policy, revised in 1999, states
that " members of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board will be
allowed three consecutive unexcused absences. . . if a member exceeds the
number of allowed absences the Town Board may remove the member from the
respective Board he/she sits on, in compliance with Section 267 . 9 or 279 of
Town Law" .
Ms. Poelvoorde made the recommendation that the Town revise this policy by
removing the word "consecutive" . Ms. Poelvoorde also suggested that the Town
might want to revise the definition of an " unexcused absence", which currently
allows Planning Board and Zoning Board members to excuse themselves by
calling the "Chair of the Board, or his/her designated representative".
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Town of Ulysses
Regular Town Board Meeting
1 /8/2002
Mr. Rachun and Mrs. Georgia noted that both the Planning Board Clerk and the
Zoning Board Clerk remind the Boards by telephone, or, recently, be e-mail, of a
meeting the day of or shortly before meetings.
The Board agreed that the attendance policy needs to be amended and
enforced , and that attendance by Board members should be recorded to make
this possible .
Ms. Poelvoorde moved , seconded by Mrs. Duddleston, the following resolution :
Be it Resolved , that the Town of Ulysses Town Board does hereby amend its
attendance policy to read , " members of the Zoning Board of Appeals and
Planning Board will be allowed three unexcused absences per year. . . if a member
exceeds the number of allowed absences, the Town Board may remove the
member from the respective Board he/she sits on, in compliance with Section
267 . 9 or 279 of Town Law" .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted .
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No comments were heard .
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Austic reported on the receipt of a memo letter from NYS Assemblyman
Marty Luster's Office, informing the Town of Ulysses of a 2001 law that grants
New York municipalities the option of adopting a partial-real-property-tax
exemption for first-time homebuyers. The exemption provides a maximum of a
50% exemption for eligible property owners in the first year, which drops by
10% each subsequent year.
The Board agreed to consider this exemption . Mrs. Georgia will look into whether
or not other Towns have acted on it.
Noting one final matter, Mr. Weatherby moved , seconded by Mr. Scott, to
appoint Roger Rector as the Town of Ulysses representative to the Association of
Towns annual conference, that would take place in mid -February.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mrs. Duddleston moved, seconded by Ms. Poelvoorde to adjourn to executive
session,, as was requested by Town Justice Roger Rector, for the purpose of
discussing a personnel matter.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs . Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 9 : 15 pm .
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Town of Ulysses
Regular Town Board Meeting Cti
1 /8/2002
After discussing the personnel matter, Mrs. Duddleston moved , seconded by Ms.
Poelvoorde to return to the open meeting .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
The Board re-adjourned the regular meeting at 9 : 35 pm .
Back in the regular meeting, Mr. Austic moved , seconded by Mr. Weatherby to
approve the expenditure of up to $2,900 for the purpose of reimbursing Roger
Rector for time and funds lost as a result of the Town of Ulysses telling him at
the time of hiring , in 1976, that he was not eligible to participate in the NYS
Retirement Program .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted .
The Board briefly discussed the issue of "judge-shopping " by local police
agencies in the issuing of tickets. As has been previously discussed , this is a
difficult matter to monitor and enforce, and continues to be a problem in this
Town and others. Mr. Rector noted that he is willing and able to do his fair share
of half of the duties of Town justice, and it seems unfair for taxpayer's to pay not
only two justices positions, but also pay additional for the many hours of public
defender's legal services that Justice Christine Springer's court generates as a
result of her crowded court dates . The Board agreed that this does generate an
unfair and unnecessary expenditure of tax monies . Mr. Austic and Mr. Rector
both noted the fact that it is practically impossible to address this issue in any
sensible way .
ADJOURNMENT
Noting no further business, Ms. Poelvoorde moved , seconded by Mr. Weatherby,
to adjourn the meeting .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
The meeting adjourned at 9 : 55 pm .
Respectfully Submitted
Marsha L. Georgia
Ulysses Town Clerk / f ``�- tflj .
MLG : kI
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