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Home My WebLink About2021-01-12TOWN OF GROTON — MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 AT 7:30 PM THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD Town Officers Present.- Donald resent. Donald F. Scheffler, Supen'isor Crystal Young, Councilperson Brian Mlumpp, Councilperson Sheldon C. Clark. Councilperson April L. Seheffler, Town Clerk Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper Town Officers Absent.- Also Present.- resent.Richard RichardGamel, Councilperson Mack Rankin Michael Perkins. Highway Supt. Ellard Meister W. Rick Fritz, Code Official John Lawell Francis Casullo, Attorney A. D. Dawson, Town Justice John Norman, Town Justice 2021 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING RESOLUTION 421-001 - TOWN OFFICIALS AND WAGES MOVED by Supen'isor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Young RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following appointments and wages: Item 1 - Depository - First National Bank of Groton Item 2 - Official Newspaper - Cortland Standard Item 3 - Law Finn - Francis J. Casullo of Pomeroy. -A mistrong & Casullo. LLP, 16 Tompkins St., Cortland, N.Y.. 13045 Item 4 - Zoning Officer - W. Rick Fritz: Mike Anderson, Substitute Item 5 — Court Officer(s) - Vacant Item 6 - Deputy Supen'isor - Richard Gamel Item 7 - Deputy Highway Superintendent - Eric Satterly Item 8 - Deputy Town Clerk - Robin Cargian Item 9 - Bookkeeper - Charles Rankin Item 10 - Court Clerk - Kathy Barron Item 11 - Part Time McLean Crossing Guard - Margaret _ylbemn Kathy Carr, Substitute Item 12 - Town Historian - Rosemarie Tucker Item 13 - Health Insurance - Greater Tompkins Co. Municipal Health Insurance Consortium Item 14 - Town Board Regular Meetings - Second Tuesday of each month 7:OOPNI to 7:30 PM audit Invoices - 7:30 PM Board Meeting. Item 15 - _-\jmmlal Salaries of Town Officers - such salaries shall be paid at the time respectfully specified: a) Donald F. Seheffler. Supen'isor b) Richard Gamel. Councilperson c) Crystal Young. Councilperson d) Brian Mlumpp. Councilperson e) Sheldon Clark, Councilperson I) April Seheffler. Town Clerk g) Michael Perkins. Highway Supt. h) John Nonman, 1st Town Justice i) A.D. Dewey Dawson, god Town Justice j) W. Rick Fritz, Code Enforcement Officer $12.880.00 _-\jmmally Paid Biweekly $ 3.907.00 Annually Paid Quarterly Refer to $ 3.907.00 _-\jmmlally Paid Quarterly Res 2021-013 Paid PM $ 3.907.00 Annually Paid Quarterly, oe to on[hl}� $ 3.907.00 _-ommlally Paid Quarterly] Paid bl $ 54.658.00 _-ommally Paid Biweekly $ 73.100.00 _-ommally Paid Biweekly $ 18.205.00 _-ommlally Paid Biweekly $ 18.205.00 _-ommally Paid Biweekly $ 34.782.00 _-ommlally Paid Biweekly Town Board Altmites Page 2 Jwmarp 12, 2021 k) Charles Rankin, Bookkeeper 1) Rosemarie Tucker, Town Historian Item 16 - Set Hourly Rates $ 29.608.00 Annually Paid Biweekly_ $ 1.650.00 Annually Paid Quarterly Depute Town Clerk $ 19.39 per hour Court Clerk $ 19.12 per hour Custodian $ 16.26 per hour Crossing Guard $ 15.93 per hour Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION 421-002 - APPOINTMENTS MOVED by Councilperson Brian, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby makes the following appointments: Appointment of Representatives to Town and County Programs: Environmental Management Council — Peg Ficken Tompkins County Transportation Council - Sheldon Clark Groton Louth Commission — Brian Klumpp, Peggy Ficken, Glenn Morey Tompkins County Youth SenTiees Board — Jennifer Dean Tompkins County Recreation Partnership — Crestal Young Tompkins County Fire. Disaster and EMS Advisory Board —John "Jack" Miller Supervisors Appointment to Committee Members: Finance — Don Schetller- Richard Gamel Machinery — Sheldon Clark- Don Schetller Building —Richard Gamel-Brian Klumpp Fire Department — Richard Gamel Personnel — Don Schetller-Richard Gamel Zoning. Building and Fire Code — Brian Klumpp HUD/CDBG loans -Don Schetller-Richard Gamel-R. Charlton Wright Light Districts — Crestal Young -Brian Klumpp Fixed Assets — Richard Gamel-Don Schetller Senior Citizens — Sheldon Clark Recreation Committee — Crestal Young Highway — Sheldon Clark Tompkins County Council of GoNTermnentS (TCCOG) — Don Schetller Tompkins Co. Municipal Health Insurance Consortium - Charles Rankin (Don Scheffler. Alternate) Planning Board — Rotating Attendance -see attached Appeals Board — Rotating Attendance -see attached Joint Committee on Plan Structure and Design- Ellard Kiester-Don Sehetller CDBG Section 3 Coordinator- Brian Klumpp Contact people for Drug and Alcohol Testing Program — Michael Perkins and Don Schetller Authorize Crestal Young to attend Annual _association of Towns Training School Appoint Crestal Young as Delegate for _annual _association of Town Meeting Town Board Allmites Page 3 Jwmarp 13, 3031 Appoint Town Planning Board Members, Zoning Board of_ 1ppeals Members, Ethics Committee and_4gricultural_4dvismy Committee: Zoning Board of Appeals Term Expires 5 -Year Term December 31 (Ted Schiele 2021 (Vacant 2022 (Paul Fouts 2023 Carolann Darling 2024 (Patricia Gaines 2025 Plannine Board Member Term Expires 7 -Year Term December 31 ISam Rose 2021 (Lisa Malonev Hahn 2022 (Edward Neuhauser 2023 (Mark Baxendell 2024 ILeon Brockway. Jr 2025 (Monica Carey 2026 IDan Cerretani 2027 Term Ethics Board (Exp. Dec. 31) IDon Scheffler IDaniel CareN 2022 IJohn Miller 2022 IR. Charlton Wright 2024 IJohn MacLean 2024 AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Daniel Carey, Chair, Marlin Houston, Robert Fouts TOWN OWNED CEMETERIES COMMITTEE Rosemarie Tucker, Mike Perkins. April Scheffler Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Town Board Allnutes Page 4 Jmmary 12, 2021 RESOLUTION 421-003 - SET FEES MOVED by Councilperson Young, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby sets the following fee schedules: Town of Groton Clerk Fees Town of Groton Zoning Fees Letter size: $.25 Photocopies Legal Size: .25 New Construction - $ 45 per Sq Ft Ledger Size: .50 Commercial Transcript of Marriage $10.00 Alterations/Renovations $60 plus 3 Illi per $1000 of cost Marriage License & Certificate $40.00 Buildings within the Flood Hazard Area Town, Village, County Maps $.50 PL17S Applicant is responsible for all Town Engineering Mileage for Town Officials $.50 per mile Agricultural Buildings Dog Licenses Unaltered: $23.00 Altered: $11.00 Returned Check Fee $20.00 Fax Copies Transmit: $1.00/page Receive: $.25/page Town Director, $5.00 Land Use & Development Code $25.00 paper copy $15.00 CD Comprehensive Plan $25.00 paper copy $15.00 CD Certified Copies $5.00 Town of Groton Zoning Fees All building projects started prior to a permit being issued will be charged twice the regular fee. Residential New Construction - $ 45 per Sq Ft Alterations/Renovations - $40 plus 2 lin i per $1000 of cost Commercial New Construction - $ 60 per Sq Ft Alterations/Renovations $60 plus 3 Illi per $1000 of cost New Construction - $ 60 per Sq Ft Buildings within the Flood Hazard Area Alterations/Renovations - $60 plus 3 Illi per $ 1000 of cost PL17S Applicant is responsible for all Town Engineering consultation charges (see Additional Fees on last page) Agricultural Buildings $25 Building Permit Renewal '2 Original Fee & approval of CEO Non -Structural Roof Replacement No Charge Accessory Structures Pools, Decks, Sheds, $40 plus 2 Illi per $1000 of cost Detached Garages, Demolition Permit $25 Disability Ramp No Charge Fixed Appliance $25 Town Board Allnutes Fence 611: or higher/ Replace pool fence Garage attached to residence Green Energy Production - Small Scale Green Energy Production- Large Scale Junk Yard Permit Renewal Life Safety Inspection Letter of Conformance Page S Jmmary 13, 3031 $25 - Cemetery 1 -car = $30 _'-car = $60 3 -car = $9U + $3U for each car bay added $40 plus 2 00 per $1000 of cost $25,000 per megawatt according to the nameplate output rating Fee for renewal of permit Same as original $25 No Charge $75 Operating Permit $25 Operating Permit - Public Assembly -`-10O People No Charge Cellular Tower $200 plus $_' 50 per $1,000 of Construction Cost Sign Permit $1(1 Outdoor Fireworks/Indoor Pyrotechnics Permit $_'S Alanufacturers' Pyrotechnics Testing Permit Subdivision - Exempt Subdivision - Alinor Subdivision - Major Level One Subdivision - Alajor Level Two Administrative Lot Line Adjustment Cluster Development Planned Unit Development Site Plan Review (Land Use Permit) Site Plan Review for Echo Housing Special Permit - Cemetery Special Permit - Junk Yard Special Permit - High Density Housing Special Permit - Alining Special Permit- Large Scale Green Energy Special Permit - Alanufactured Home Park Special Permit - Sexually Oriented Businesses 1\ lass Gathering Permit $_'S Annually $50 $3U + $21i per lot $50 + $20 per lot Prelirmnary Review - $100 + $20 per lot Final Review - $100 + $20 per lot $25 Preliminary Review - $100 + $20 per lot Final Review - $100 + $20 per lot Tovm Board Review - $200 Site Plan Review by Plamang Board - $200 2000 sq It &; under - $100 2001 sq It &; over - $2UU No Charge $200 $4,500 $5,()()() $5,()()() $4,500 $5,()()() $7,51)1) $750 Town Board Alimites Page 6 Jwmarp 12, 2021 Application for Variance or Interpretation I $175 Additional Fees: 1. Fees listed do not include postage, which may be an additional charge at current postal rates. 2. If a public hearing is required, the annlicant shall nav the cost of advertising fees. 3. Costs incurred by the Town of Groton for engineering, planning, legal and other necessary expenses for the purpose of reviewing any application with regard to an item covered by this fee schedule shall be naid by the annlicant. 4. The annlicant shall be resnonsible for costs incurred by the Town of Groton for the review and/or preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement if said statement is necessary. 5. R'hen Fees Are To Be Paid: All fees costs and/or expenses required by this fee schedule shall be paid to the Town of Groton before any certificate/permit is issued. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION 421-004 CONTRACT FOR UDIT OF 2020 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MOVED by Councilperson Klumpp, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the contract for audit of Fiscal Year 2021 financial statements with Insero & Co. CPAs, LLP Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION 421-005 — APPROVE 2021 DOG CONTRACT WITH COUNTRY ACRES PET SERVICES MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Young RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the year 2021 contract with Country Acres Pet Services for the purpose of animal control in the Town of Groton. Fee remains at $20.100.00. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #21-006— AUTHORIZATION TO PARTICIPATE IN COOPERATIVE PURCHASING OF HIGHWAY SERVICES WITH COUNTIES IN N.F.S. MOVED by Councilperson Klumpp, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton is hereby authorized to participate with Counties Located within New Fork State in the cooperative purchasing of various highway senlices. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Town Board Altmites Page - Jwmarp 12, 2021 RESOLUTION #21-007— UTHORIZE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO PURCHASE ON NEW YORK STATE CONTRACT BID MOVED by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the Highway Superintendent to purchase oil and related Highway products from New Fork State Contract Bids as appropriate. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION 421-008 - AUTHORIZE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO GIVE RAISES MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Young RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the Highway Superintendent to give pay raises effective Januar, 1. 2021. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #21-009— APPROVE FIRE AND AMBULANCE PROTECTION CONTRACTS MOVED by Councilperson Young, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the Fire and Ambulance Contracts with the Village of Groton Fire Department and Fire Protection with the McLean Fire Department. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION #21-010— APPROVE 2021 MUNICIPAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING MOVED by Councilperson Young, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves Energetic as Third -Parte _administrator for 2021 Municipal _-agreement Renewal and for the Drug and _-alcohol Testing. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed THIS CONCLUDES THE 2021 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING MON ED 11% Comw I lll,:r�oll Noting, xCcotldcd 11% Cotuiolll,:r�on Khmillp, to allprox,: the mnml,:� of IIIC Inc ccI11IIC( X, 2020 lo%%ll ILlard ;1S p(C�CIIIc II Clark, Nomig, Khmillp, Gaind, S,;Ii,:111,:r RFSOIA TI0\ 021-011 - AI PRON F PAN Nil-ATOF2020 I\x OICES MON ED 11% Still,:rx icor SJwI11,:r, 11% Coilm; I lll,:r.oll Clark NN 11FREAS, xotwlwrfOr \11clrao I I fOr dw N-,:;ir 2020, munIl,:r,:J 55c, - 594 llcrr rrt w%%,:J and MkIllcd 11% 111,: Talus I Llard. b,: it R ESOLN ED, that dw lo%% it I Llard IIcrrhl allllrox,: .ald xotwlwr. fOr III,: acalunic and In III,: I olal alllotull;1� I'llio%% s All IGE,i Ejf PAPP— W�' k8 770�;Q;UI l� JPIRR WN-K-ik �CUOVWNWINW RKU N& PrIffeMAKINNUM X3 117? V4 t,7� !J91 A%VN - (`lark. N oung. Khollopp. Callorl. SWformcir RFSOIA TI05 021-012 - AI PRON F PAN Nil-ATOF2021 I\x OICES MON ED 11% Comw i lll,:r.on Khmillp, 11% Coilm: I lll,:r.oll Notilig NN 11FREAS, xotwlwr. fOr \11clrao I fOr III,: N-,:;ir 202 1, 11 till I - 15 %%,:r,: r,:% Idled and audlicd hl IIIc Talus ILlard, he II R ESOLN ED, that dw lo%% it I Llard IIcrrhl allllrox,: .ald xotwlwr. fOr III,: acalunic and In III,: I olal alllotull;1� I'llio%% s A%VN - (lark. N oung. Kfullopp. Callorl. SWformcir Alonth/l. Reports: (loaricli Rankin. 114H)kkcvper - Stillmm:d nlaniIIll rqloti. fOr III,: ILl;lrJ*cr,:%1,:%% and rreluc�icd a 1110go Ir;lllA%:r If%: to 10 111%: Caancdperxan. k1lo%% that h%: 1. changing Illor 11;1%1 moll of IGE,i Ejf PAPP— W�' k8 770�;Q;UI kA 11 R=ROMFONTISSIP, B °, MIMM _%ffl ISO R, ti —1W iN A%VN - (lark. N oung. Kfullopp. Callorl. SWformcir Alonth/l. Reports: (loaricli Rankin. 114H)kkcvper - Stillmm:d nlaniIIll rqloti. fOr III,: ILl;lrJ*cr,:%1,:%% and rreluc�icd a 1110go Ir;lllA%:r If%: to 10 111%: Caancdperxan. k1lo%% that h%: 1. changing Illor 11;1%1 moll of Town Board Allmites Page 9 Jwmarp 12, 2021 wages from quarterly to monthly since it works much better with bookkeeping and retirement reporting. RESOLUTION 42021-013 - MEND RESOLUTION 42021-001 MOVED be Supervisor Scheffler, seconded be Councilperson Young RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby amends Resolution 42021-001. Item 15, parts (b). (e). (d), and (e) to reflect that Town Councilpersons will be paid monthly rather than quarterly. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed RESOLUTION 42021-014 - 2020 BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS MOVED be Supervisor Scheffler, seconded be Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the following 2020 Budget _adjustments: General Fund, Town Wide: From: Contingence. _1990.4 ...............................$1.350.00 To: Justices, Clerk, Personal Semites ....................1.350.00 HighirayFund, Town [Title: From: Brush & Weeds. Personal Services, DA5140.1...... $50.00 To: Brush & Weeds. Contractual. DA5140.4...............50.00 Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed W. Rick Fritz, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer — Was not present but had submitted monthly reports for the Board's review. nlichael Perkins, Highway Superintendent - Was not present. Ellard heister, from the Highway Department was there to present a report. Ellard Keister, Highway Department - It's been a mild winter so far so the equipment is very well maintained right now. We've just started doing some tree and brush work to fill time this week. We've had a huge improvement on that be actually talking and communicating with landowners now. Before, we used to go in and decimate their property and everyone was ticked off at us. Now, they're up in anis with us when we first talk to them but before we leave, they are happy and willing to work with us. Our communication with the public has greatly improved. _-about a year ago I presented you with a new winter program for changing our blow blades over. That is going great. The first trek we put that blade on is barely showing signs of wear now, a year later. So, that plan to save money on the blades is working really well. As a side note, we have gotten everything from the Duke for plow equipment, and they no longer sell plow equipment. So, last week I put us into transition to get it through a different dealer, who just happens to be who Duke was getting it from in the first place. So, we are skipping the middleman Town Board Alimites Page 10 Jwmarp 13, 3031 and now they deliver right to our shop. We are trying to be pro -active with the equipment. With that being said, we are aware that we are behind on the replacement program. It caught us off - guard a couple of years ago, with no plan. I would like to propose a replacement trek for Truk #19. It's currently a salt trek, and one of the oldest treks in our fleet. It's been a salt trek since 2005 and has had multiple repairs for regular maintenance and wear and tear. It's been our mainline trek for the last 16 years as far as salt and snow removal. It runs the most. It's been a good and dependable trek. No engine replacements so far but the thing is deteriorating terrible. Currently, as Ben, our mechanic, saes it's hemorrhaging oil from all over that engine block right now. So, it's getting close to needing some serious engine work done. This trek has served its purpose and lived its timespan. With that being said. I have quoted with International, a new trek. This will be a six -speed automatic transmission with a stainless steel live -bottom box. This box seems to be the most productive, go -to box in the municipal world today. We can use it year- round. Truk 419 gets used only in the winter, a 3 or 4 -month trek, and sits all summer. It is strictly a salt trek. The proposal is to replace this with a trek that can be used year-round, therefore, keeping everything oiled and lubed. Taking that price tag and instead of using it 3 or 4 months, we're going to use it 12. It's going to be a mainline trek. It will be a front spinner: we need that on our salt treks for the hills. There's no way around that. The 2 -way front plow is 2 years old on Truk 419 and there is nothing wrong with it. So, instead of buying a $9.000 plow through Viking, we're proposing that we take the plow off of that trek and put it on the new one. In the past a lot of treks were ordered with a lot of chrome and fancy stuff that's added a huge price tag. This has none of that. The grab -handles are going to be black, and the mirrors, we're not going to make it a show trek, it's a work trek. Currently. International is offering a great 5 - year extended warranty. Now, with building plow treks they are heat treated, alloyed steel frame rails, to help them last longer. They've got stainless steel hydraulic lines running the length of the box. There will be painted rims, not the fancy chrome aluminum ones like were put on the last trek. _gain. I'd like to stress to you that this is going to be a trek that will be used year-round for asphalt, salt in the winter, ditching, hauling stone. With the stainless-steel box, we don't have the limitations like we do with the aluminum. Currently, we have one trek with the box set up like this, it's steel. If we need to do anything, especially this time of year, it's got pans in it that flip down and cover the bed -chain and we can do anything we need to in an emergency. This trek will be the same way. The total price of this trek is $193.862.86. International has it set up so we can do this in a payment program, which the salesman has been over with you guys before. We can break it down to multiple payments for 5 years if we want. I don't think we want to do that because we have a lot of other avenues we need to go down here with equipment and things like that. I'm proposing that we can do one payment for the trek, the cab and chassis itself, this year around October, of $123.486.00 to Stadium International. The second payment is for the equipment, the box, spinners, the hydraulics, controls, which is all done at Viking. That's going to be $70.376.86. Right now, we are looking at treks being 14 months out, which is why I'm proposing this to you now. If we get this passed tonight, wait the 30 -day pennissive referendum before we order, no matter what, we are missing next winter with this trek. If we wait another winter, we are waiting 3 winters away and putting us way behind the eight ball with the equipment. With the equipment program, we know what trek will need to be replaced after Truk 419 in the future. By purchasing the International that I presented to you, we can take the wear off the next trek throughout the season and limit that use. The next trek that is on the chopping block is a newer trek. Truk 428. We've been putting a lot of money into that trek. Couneilperson Hlumpp asked what year it was. Mr. Heister - It's a 2012. We have a couple of 2007's that are going to outlast that trek. Councilperson Hlumpp - We've pretty much bought all the treks new except for..... Town Board Alimites Page 11 Jwmarp 13, 3031 Mr. Heister - Yes. Except for the one you just bought, which was a 2013, and we've dumped almost $20.000.00 into that trick in the last 4 months too. Councilperson Hlumpp - That used trick that we purchased, what's the price tag on that trick new, plus or minus? Mr. Heister - So that trick new is a little more than the one we are going to order. It has more wing equipment and frames. They don't make that trick anymore but it's very similar to the one that we're ordering. It would be just a little more, maybe $3.000.00 more than the one we are ordering because of the wing equipment. What we're looking at doing is replacing a single axle with a tandem. Councilperson Hlumpp - My perspective is. I like the idea of going without the bells and whistles. I don't know why we did that anyways. As long as it can perforin the functions that you need it to do, that's the critical thing. My perspective is buying new versus used. We haven't really had an analysis done comparing the two options. Mr. Heister - I would throw that used idea right out the window. Councilperson Hlumpp - Let me finish. One of the things I considered when I got on the Board was the idea that I would spend money as if it were my own money, or that the Town of Groton was my company. Would I buy new or would I buy used and I don't really have enough inforination now to make that choice. I just want you to know that's where I'm coming from and I've never owned a new trick. I've always bought an older trick and they've worked out great. Instead of spending $55.000.00 I've spent $15.000.00 and put a few thousand dollars into it right away when I got it but I haven't spent a dime on it in a year and a half. Now, it's different, but I want to feel comfortable in the inforination as to why it's different. I'm coming from the other end so convince me that we want that new. Mr. Heister - I understand. I don't have a new trick either. The difference is that we're not here to make money: this is not a private company: we're here to serve the public who are paying taxes. We can't provide that service because we have tricks going down with constant maintenance issues. Trick 419 has constant maintenance issues. Councilperson Hlumpp - But those are all numbers that get factored in. I'm not saying buy cheap: buy something that can't function. I'm just saying we need to seethe numbers. Mr. Heister - But in eight years we're not finding that wonderful trick. No one is throwing away something because it's too good. As Don saes, no one throws anything out that's too good. The reason why we're getting rid of tricks is because there's something wrong with them. We're not getting rid of tricks just because we need something new and shiny and no other highway department is doing that. They're replacing their bottom of the line trick, buying a new trick, and updating from the bottom up, just like we are. So, now we're going to buy someone else's bottom of the line. We can't go out and buy a trick from a private business and turn it into a plow trick. They're too light: the frames are too light: they're not built for it: you'll destroy it. My point is that this used trick got us out of a bind: it really did. We had a problem with a frame and it got us out of a bind even though it's costing us money. But we are here to serve the public: we need to have the roads plowed: we need to have the roads fixed and maintained in the summer. If we have tricks that we're nickel and diming, every time they're in here in the shop, we're not providing that service. Councilperson Hlumpp - I don't want you to think that I'm saying that. Mr. Heister - But I'm saying that's the difference. This new trick should be able to last us. We're going to price efficiency -wise. You're not spending as much money on that other: you're going to be a little bit cheaper on that used trick but you're not providing the service that we are now. Town Board Alimites Page 13 Jwmarp 13, 3031 Councilperson Hlumpp - Why wouldn't you be providing that service? Mr. Heister - Because we haven't found a truck Net that's not going down with used problems. If we buy used trucks, we're going to have problems. Like I said, we're not going to get rid of our truck that's running 1000 o and everything is running great on it and neither is another township. If we're going to buy a used trek it's going to come from another town. Councilperson Hlumpp - There's a limited supply. Mr. Heister - There is. So, bought a $50.000.00 trek that we now have $70.000.00 into, and we plow part of the season with. That's put us behind a couple of times this year and we have other treks that are putting us behind. But the point is to provide the service that we have promised with less maintenance issues. We're going to get roughly 15 years out of a new one, that we're going to use year-round, versus spending half the money and get 5. Councilperson Hlumpp - Yes, but when this one gets 5 years old, it's going to start having the same problem as the other 5 -year-old trek has. Mr. Heister - No, the other trek, you're going to be buying a 15 -year-old tuck and then you're up to 20. No one is selling used. 5 -year-old treks. Councilperson Hlumpp - So, the 2013 was a 7 -year-old trek. Mr. Heister - Yeah, you bought a 7 -year-old trek and that's like a diamond in the rough that you even found that. We've never found a plow trek that wasn't totally scrap. Supervisor Scheffler - I've been looking, but I haven't seen anything. The difference too, is that if your trek goes down or my trek goes down, we have options. The wife will take you to work.... Councilperson Hlumpp - I'm not trying to be on one side or the other. I just want to be convinced that we need to buy a new trek. Councilperson Young - I think also that when you talk about the difference between a personal vehicle and a plow trek, is that you're buying from a person who is getting rid of it because theN do want a shiny new vehicle, not necessarily because it's bad. But I can see the difference as to why the highway departments that are getting rid of it, not just because they want something shinty and new, it's because it's not working and they're dumping too much money into it. Then theN unload it on us and then we're dumping too much money into it. But I get what Brian said, we talked about having something on paper so that if we were questioned, as Board Members, and asked if we were making the best decision, we could say. Nes, here it is showing how much a new trek costs and what we are paying in repairs and have that cost comparison. Mr. Heister - If we could find a clean, rust -free trek that's been around in salt for the last 10 Nears from another township for $40.000.00. That would be miraculous, but you're not finding those. We got the lead on the 2013 from the International salesman. I'll use that as an example. You're pushing about $70.000.00 in that trek currently. I don't see that truck lasting us over 5 Nears: maybe it does: maybe it doesn't. That truck's engine is known to be absolute garbage. The transmission in that trek is way under -powered for what we're doing although that's a personal preference. We've owned that truck for about 5 months. Problems are going to come up, maybe they're going to subside. That's kind of the trial period for us, but I don't thunk it's the solution to our equipment problems here. We can work on some numbers here and find some good examples to show you some used trucks to compare them. Would that help you? Councilperson Hlumpp - The biggest point you made is there's not a market there Town Board Alimites Page 13 Jwmarp 12, 2021 Mr. Keister - Our personal vehicles, they're getting salt blasted from the road brine. These are carrying the road brine and then they're taking it all day long even though we wash them out. Honestly, if Truk 419 didn't have the operator that it does right now, that trek would probably be in the junkyard right now. Josh takes great care of it: he keeps up on it: he's spraying it off: checking everything: contacting Ben when there's problems: and staying proactive on that trek. Every time he goes out right now, he's putting 3 quarts of oil in it. So, that's kind of an issue, but he's staying on top of it. If you had a driver in that trek that was not paying attention or didn't care or was ignorant to the problems, that trek would be in the scrapyard right now. Thankfully, we have guys around here that do take care of the stuff to be proactive. Councilperson Young - I think we need to see that comparison: you want to see that? Councilperson Klumpp - I don't really need to see the numbers because what I'm hearing is that the biggest thing is that there is nothing to compare it to. Supervisor Seheffler - I think we bought the only one I've seen. Councilperson Klumpp - Right and that's a good point. Supervisor Seheffler - We knew when we bought it that we had to put brakes in it and do a few things to it. After some additional discussion the following resolution was passed RESOLUTION 421-015 - UTHORIZE PURCHASE OF 2021 INTERNATIONAL TRUCK MOVED by Councilperson Klumpp, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the purchase one (1) new 2021 tandem axle International HV513 SFA 614 series dump and plow combination trek in the amount of $193.862.86 per Onondaga County Bid 48996. The purchase amount of $193.862.86 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 said resolution and requesting a referendum thereon. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Mr. Keister - _y year ago I talked to you about possibly hiring a laborer and get them trained and in position in case we have someone leave. We have 3 guys who are pretty close to going here. One is leaving next year. As I explained to you before, it's a lot easier to train these guys through the winter. I don't think, and you can correct me, that we can afford to hire somebody at an operator's rate. Last time we had that spot open, thankfully we didn't have to fill it because the individual didn't leave. But we didn't have anything for applicants applying for that job either. _y laborer's position would allow someone to come in, like I did when I was younger, and learn the ropes up through. Obviously, a laborer starts at a lower rate. To get them trained, to come into next winter and not be green with all of this. We've got a lot of safety and operational things that we can go over with them all summer long. The busiest work is in the summer. I know we're right in the middle of winter, but that gives us a little bit of time to start training somebody for the difference in the plows, different weather situations, operation of the equipment, and to train them Town Board Alimites Page Il Jwmarp 13, 3031 on safety aspects. Again, don't want to start someone in the winter program being green. It's bard on an individual and a driver. If we could find somebody that has a lot of plow experience that wants to come here and work, that's awesome, because we could throw all of this out the window. We have not found that yet. Mack came to us 2 years ago now as a great operator. He had zero plowing experience but thankfiully be had a lot of truck driving experience. You cannot make a truck driver into a snow plow operator. You need to have an operator. Mack is a great equipment guy, a great equipment operator, and be transitioned very nicely. We've seen it in other aspects where it doesn't work at all. You can get a driver who can drive standard but can't plow snow and they're very dangerous, and quite frankly, most of them get scared. Some of them get very intimidated because there is a lot going on. Again, there is a lot we can doing to train proactively for safety and other aspects of this. I'm not going to ask you to approve this, but table it and think about possible opening up a laborer's position so we can get somebody in here and start training them. April L. Scheffler, RMC, Town Clerk/Tax Collector - Submitted monthly reports and 2020 Annual Town Clerk report for the Board's review. A letter had been received from Melody Scheffler, chair of the Groton Community Council, wondering if we could store a box of historical records for them like we do for the cemetery. Clerk Scheffler thought it would be fine and suggested that there should be an agreement renewed annually, like the cemetery agreement, so that no one forgets that they are here. Consensus of the Board was that they were in agreement with the Clerk to store the records. An inquiry had been received about who was in charge of the Peruville Cemetery, which the Clerk had responded to. She had received a call from Ron Beck, chair of the McLean Cemetery Association and he said that they were in dire financial circumstances and wondered if the Town had any help available for them. He will probably come to the February meeting to speak to the Board. Francis Casullo, Attorney for the Town — Was not present. John J. Norman and A. D. Dawson, Town Justices - Were not present. Councilperson Crestal Young as Representative to Joint Youth Program — We met by email this month. The Director, Jennifer Jones, is still waiting on the school to allow the facility to be used for winter youth programs such as wrestling and basketball, but it's not looking good. The trails, the First Day Hike for 2021, the group was much smaller this year, but still an enjoyable bike with participants of all ages. Last year they had about 30 people and this year 12. Next year they're going to try to plan to grow the event by banding out trail stickers, making chocolate and snacks. Cabin Fever is cancelled. Spring planning is pending use of the school facilities. Ben Nelson, Groton Fire Chief - Was not present but had turned in an annual report to each of the Board Members. Supervisor Scheffler - I'd like to read part of Ben's report for the record: "In light of the current climate everywhere, we are not able to bold our annual installation banquet. Given this, and our bylaws requiring our chiefs be sworn in before January 31st. Mayor Chris Neville was on hand to officially_ swear us into office. I don't need to tell you all what a difficult year 2020 was, especially since the members of the Fire Department had to go into the dangers of COVID when everyone else was doing their level best to avoid it. We had the highest participation rate in recent history amid the looming pandemic. The members held together, stepped up their efforts, and allowed Groton Fire Department to do our job and come home safe. I couldn't be Town Board Allmites Page 15 Jwmarp 12, 2021 more proud of the crew that is the Groton Fire Department." Supervisor Scheffler said that be would like to echo those statements and thanked the Fire Department for everything that they do. RESOLUTION 421-016 - APPROVE 2021 FOODNET CONTRACT MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler. seconded by Councilperson Klumpp RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the 2021 agreement between the Town of Groton and Nutrition for the Elderly in Tompkins County. Inc., dba Foodnet Meals on Wheels in the amount of $5.300.00 for services rendered in serving congregate meals at Center Village Court and home -delivered meals to eligible recipients. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Supervisor Scheffler - The State Legislature passed a law on Labor Day that requires all public employers to have a plan in place for the continuation of operations and to protect employees in the event of another public health emergency declaration in New York State involving a communicable disease. RESOLUTION 421-017 - APPOINT COMMITTEE TO CREATE PLAN FOR CONTINUATION OF OPERATIONS IN THE EVENT OF A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARATION MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Clark RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby appoints Ellard Keister, Mackenzie Rankin, Crystal Young, and April Scheffler as a committee to create a plan for the continuation of operations and protection of employees in the event of another public health emergence declaration in New York State involving a communicable disease. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak. There being no further business. Councilperson Young moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson Clark, at 9:00 pm. Unanimous. April L. Sehefller, RMC Town Clerk