HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-07-09 - TB TOWN OF ULYSSES
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
7/9/2002
PRESENT : Supervisor Doug Austic, Town Board Members Carolyn Duddleston, Sue
Poelvoorde, Lee Scott, and Robert Weatherby, Town Clerk Marsha Georgia, Highway
Superintendent Jim Meeker.
ALSO PRESENT : Richard Coogan of the Jacksonville Community Association, Jack
Fulton of the Trumansburg Fire Department, Christian Boissonnas of the Tompkins
County E . O.C. , Peter Penniman, Tompkins County Representative, and Floyd and Ruth
McMillen of 3868 Colegrove Road.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES : Regular Town Board Meeting 6/12/02
Noting minor corrections, Ms. Poelvoorde moved, seconded by Mrs. Duddleston to
approve the minutes of the Regular Town Board Meeting of 6/ 12/02.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted.
APPROVAL OF MONTHLY VOUCHERS
Mrs. Duddleston moved, seconded by Mr. Scott to approve monthly vouchers number
254 through 292, totaling $32,455 . 18 .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted.
REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
Trumansburg Fire Department Chief Jack Fulton
Mr. Fulton began by reporting that the Fire Department has received 140 calls so far this
year. Of these 140, 96 were for the Ambulance. 75 -80% of ambulance calls are called in
during paid staff hours. Mark Vann is serving as a liaison between the Fire Department
and the Village of Trumansburg. The Department is seeking to keep the ambulance
budget down as much as possible, and volunteers for the Fire Department have helped by
filling shifts during vacations, etc .
A committee meeting to set up the first fundraiser for the purchase of a new ambulance is
planned for next week. The Fire Department hopes to be able to purchase the new
ambulance in about 10 months. The current ambulance is about 7 years old, and is putting
on some mileage. In the hopes of avoiding additional mileage buildup from errand-
running in and around the Village of Trumansburg, the Fire Department is hoping to
acquire a second vehicle. They have approached the Village of Trumansburg about
purchasing its old police car. The current plan is to keep the old ambulance for secondary
use after a new one is purchased.
Tompkins County EOC
Mr. Christian Boissonnas reported that New York State is going to start an initiative to
start shifting from fossil fuel burning energy production to wind-source production. Soon,
I 1
P 1
1 1
■
Town of Ulysses
Regular Town Board Meeting
7/9/2002
there will be an option on NYSEG bills to purchase wind-generated power, at a higher
cost. Mr. Boissonmas stated that he will need the Town Board's views on this.
The Tompkins County EOC is also considering starting a program of regular water
quality testing for Cayuga Lake, and Mr. Boissonnas reported that Tompkins County
recently passed a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act.
Tompkins County Representative Peter Penniman
Mr. Penniman reported on the random drug testing program and cost. Mr. Penniman
relayed that the County is looking into the possibility of taking over more of the
management of the program, and has realized that it may be to the benefit of smaller
Townships to find their own contractors for the Federal mandated drug testing.
Mr. Penniman also reported that the County is dealing with the issue of bringing all
departments into compliance as far as protection of confidential records. This has
necessitated a good deal of relocation and rearranging of work spaces, to prevent
revelation of confidential information through PC screens that can be seen by the public.
The New York State Budget is showing a very urgent need for Counties and Towns to
lobby the State for departments and causes that seem to be getting pushed down to low
priority in the State budget process. Of particular concern are youth services and
Medicaid. The Medicaid levies paid by the County have seen large annual increases in
the past several years. Relatedly, Mr. Penniman noted that he has a copy of the State
Budget for review by anyone who wishes to look it over.
Mr. Penman concluded by reporting that Sales tax revenue is already up $ 1M compared
to last year and that the public safety radio communications improvement project has
been put out for bids. This project coincides well with State plans to revamp the statewide
system. The County has been unofficially informed that it will be, able to work with the
State on the specifications for the project, in order to tie the two new systems together,
and that the County can expect some reimbursement for its new system.
Jacksonville ! Community Association
Mr. Coogan reported that the J. C.A. realized the grant-funded : sidewalk project would
place a new sidewalk directly over an area that will be dug up to install Water District #3
water lines. Mr. Coogan asked Mr. Austic to find out if the grant cycle could be extended
in order to avoid putting time and effort into a new sidewalk that will shortly be dug up in
order to lay water lines. Mr. Austic stated he would inquire about this.
TOWN REPORTS
Highway Superintendent Jim Meeker
Mr. Meeker reported the highway department spent the month completing a second
roadside mowing, cleaning ditches .along Krums Corners Road, working on concrete
forms, and helping Tompkins County with its work on Waterburg Road. Mr. Meeker also
reported that he is working with Ward Hungerford on his signs survey. Mr. Meeker stated
that he has looked over Mr. Hungerford's work, and feels the survey will be a useful
source of information for the Town.
Mr. Austic asked about the new mowing tractor. Mr. Meeker stated that he expects it will
arrive mid-month.
Mr. Austic also asked Mr. Meeker to let him know if he has any major projects planned
for the next couple of months, and if he plans to put the roof repair project for the Town
Barns out to bid this year? Mr. Meeker will work on a bid advertisement to be published
for the roof repair project.
2
Town of Ulysses ( 9
Regular Town Board Meeting
7/9/2002
Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun
Mr. Austic read the Code Enforcement Officer's report for Mr. Rachun. Mr. Rachun
issued 5 building permits in the past month. Estimated construction costs for these
projects totaled $ 146,000, and $ 828 was collected in fees.
Town Clerk Marsha Georgia
Mrs. Georgia stated that although the monthly reports were submitted, and the
appropriate percentages of fees were turned over to Supervisor Austic, she did not have
the figures with her.
Mrs. Georgia reported that she expects to receive several pieces of new computer
equipment from the State in order to run the NYS DEC " decals" sporting license sales
program, set to become operational for the 2002-2003 sales season. She expected that
training on the program would have occurred already, but this has not been the case .
Mrs. Georgia also reported that she is finishing up the final reports for the two
L.G.R.M.I . F. Records Management grants. Microfilm copies of all Town minutes, a copy
of the minutes index, and a copy of the Archival Records inventory will be sent to the
Ulysses Philomathic Library, and a copy of the Archival Records inventory will be sent
to the Historical Society.
Board Members and Committees
Ms. Poelvoorde reported that she will bring in a copy of the freight study that was
conducted by Tompkins County. One goal identified in the study is the reduction of truck
traffic on NYS Route 89 by channeling freight traffic to Route 96. This would have a
very large impact on the Village of Trumansburg. Ms. Poelvoorde suggested the survey
be reviewed by the Town Planning Board.
Supervisor Doug Austic
Mr. Austic recommended action to modify the 2002 budget.
Mr. Scott moved, seconded by Ms. Poelvoorde to approve the following fund transfers:
Increase Justice contractual A1110 . 4 by $2,500, and increase Retirement A9010 . 8 by
$ 1 ,477, difference to come from unanticipated mortgage tax revenues in account A3005 .
Increase Planning contractual B8020 .4 by $20,000, difference to come from sales tax
revenue account 1120.
Increase Workers' Compensation account DA9040 . 8 by $722 . 06, difference to come from
snow removal account DA5142 . 1 ; also , Increase DB9040 . 8 by $703 . 75 , difference to
come from Sales Tax revenue account 1120 .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted.
OLD BUSINESS
Water District #3 Update
Mr. Austic reported that the archeological consultants have turned up a building
foundation of the Dann House in Jacksonville. This poses a definite complication,
however, specific actions cannot be decided upon until it is known whether or not the
water lines will go through that area.
Mr. Austic also reported that there is still an unresolved problem with the Woolf Lane
subdivision. Town Attorney Bruce Wilson has sent a letter to all residents of the
3
Town of Ulysses
Regular Town Board Meeting
7/9/2002
subdivision asking for signed release statements. If 75% of the !residents do not sign
release statements, the matter may go before a court.
Other Water District Update .
Mr. Austic reported that T.G. Miller is doing a map, plan and rr;port for a water system
for the Latter Day Saints church. This map, plan and report will be presented to the Town
as a water district request.
Mr. Austic also reported that the Village of Trumansburg has decided it would like to
build a new water tank, located either on Searsburg Road or Seneca Road. Mr. Austic
stated that the Village should allow Town residents along the road the tank is on, and
between said road and the Village to hook into municipal water at the cost of water.
Mr. Vanderzee, of Rabbit Run Road has hired a new engineer to look into a connection
for his property.
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Representative to Tompkins County's Planning Federation Committee
Ms. Poelvoorde stated she would be willing to serve on this new committee. The
committee will be established at the municipal officers' meeting„ taking place next week.
HEARING FROM INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS .
Floyd and Ruth McMillen , of 3868 Colegrove Road
Ruth McMillen complained about the presence of a stone pile at the Highway Barns. Mrs.
McMillen stated that she and her husband have consulted a lawyer, and that she will file a
lawsuit if the stone pile is not removed. Mrs. McMillen stated that she has asked
Highway Superintendent Jim Meeker to remove the offending stone pile that is sited on
or near the border between the Town of Ulysses and McMillen properties, and nothing r
has been done about her request. Mrs. McMillen further stated that the Town of Ulysses .
stole 20' of their property in a recent survey.
Mr. Meeker stated that he was never given a survey indicating that he is claiming land
beyond the property line, and that the stone pile, washout from which Mrs. McMillen
claims has and continues to contaminate her well, does not contain salt or other
contaminants.
Mrs. McMillen claimed that the Tompkins County Health Department is currently
conducting tests of both the highway barns property and the. McMillens' well, and stated
that she has NYS DEC and Tompkins County Health Department reports about the
situation of her well water and the Town Barns' property.
Mr. Austic asked Mrs. McMillen if she would bring copies of her reports to the Town.
Mrs. McMillen agreed to do so . In answer to a request from Mr. Austic that she state her
intentions in coming before the Board this evening, Mrs. McMillen stated that her
concern is with her water quality, and that if the offending stone pile is not removed, she
will take legal action against the Town.
Mr. Austic asked if Mrs. McMillen is aware of the water district, which includes her
property and which she could therefore be served by. Mrs. McMillen stated that she does
not care about the water district. Mr. Austic pointed out that the Town could give her 3
water, if water contamination from the Town Highway Barns is proven by reports to be
an actual problem. Mr. Austic stated that he would call the Health Department about the
situation.
CORRESP 0 NDENCE
No correspondence was discussed.
4
Town of Ulysses I
Regular Town Board Meeting
7/9/2002
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no further business, Mr. Weatherby moved, seconded by Ms. Poelvoorde to
adjourn the meeting.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
The meeting adjourned at 9 :00 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha L. Georgia
Ulysses Town Clerk
' e Y 10
MLG:kl
5