HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-10 - TB TOWN OF ULYSSES
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
JUNE 10, 2008
PRESENT : Supervisor Douglas Austic ; Council Mr. Ferrentino , David Kerness,
Elizabeth Thomas and Lucia Tyler; Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia; Deputy Supervisor
Richard Coogan; Highway Superintendent James Meeker; Attorney Mariette
Geldenhuys.
OTHERS PRESENT : Jan Zeserson, Marvin Pritts, Thomas Mann, Diane Hillman,
Roxanne Marino, Paula Maguire, Jim Arey, Lee & Sherry Haefele, Allen & Laura
Carstensen, Dave Schurman, Paul Yongo, Warren Brown, Megan Carey, Tom Prislie,
Fred Bonn, Krys Cail, Tom Myers, Geoffrey Hart, Chris Thomas, Barbara Hotchkiss,
Jason Fulton.
Supervisor Austic opened the Regular Town Board meeting at 7 : 30 PM and led those
assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the previous meetings of March 27 , 2008 and April 24, 2008 for Special
Town Board meetings and for May 13 , 2008 and March 8 , 2008 for the Regular Town
Board meetings were reviewed and changes and corrections were approved .
Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following :
Be It Resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the minutes
of 3/27/2008 , 4/24/2008 , 5/ 13/2008 and 3/8/2008 with the changes and
corrections discussed.
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino aye
Ms . Tyler aye
Mr. Ellis aye
Ms . Marino aye
Adopted.
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
After discussion of the previous examined vouchers Mr. Ferrentino moved, seconded by
Mr. Kerness the following:
Be it Resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approved voucher # ' s
187 through 221 in the amount of $21 , 181 . 24 .
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino aye
Ms . Tyler aye
Mr. Ellis aye
Ms. Marino aye
Adopted.
Ms . Thomas asked to have the 2008 Budget put on the Town' s web page with the
explanation. Ms . Thomas also suggested that when putting the draft minutes on the web
page the Clerk type the word draft much larger.
REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tompkins County Representative Jim Dennis — absent .
Regular Town Board Meeting 2
06/x/2008
Trumansburg Fire Department Jason Fulton, Chief reported for the month ending
May 31st 2008 there were a total of 11 fire and rescue responses, 53 ambulance
responses, and 231 hours of in service training completed. Mr. Fulton reported that the
Trumansburg fire Department will no longer be handling the "car seat program" and the
trailer they were using for that will be used for another project.
Planning Board Report — no report given.
Comprehensive Plan Report Sue Poelvoorde reported that the CPR update committee
has been meeting and following the two public workshops that were done in April the
Bergman Consultants went back and revised the objective and action strategies and the
land use plan map . This has now been brought back to the committee and they have been
reviewing those revisions and have made additional revisions and will be getting those
back to Bergman . The CPC are hoping to have another public information sharing
meeting in July. The committee has talked about how the plan will be presented and
whether they should have Bergman be at that session but however that is not budgeted
and would be an additional $ 1200 above the contract price to have them attend. This is
something that needs to be presented to the Board and approved. The committee would
be more comfortable with Bergman leading the session and discussing the updates that
have been made.
Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Ms. Tyler the following :
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the
$ 1200 to hire Bergman for the presentation of the updated Comprehensive Plan at
a public informational meeting to be scheduled in July 2008 and
FUTHER RESOLVED that this be expended from B1440.4 Engineer/Consultant.
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino abstained
Mr. Kerness aye
Ms. Thomas aye
Ms. Tyler aye
Adopted
Ms. Poelvoorde said that she met with Bergman Assoc . , Monica Roth from Cooperative
Ext. , and John Wertis in reference to the Ag & Markets grant that the Town got. Ms.
Poelvoorde would like to ask to meet with Ms. Thomas and Mr. Austic because the CPC
intended to have this go hand and hand with the Comprehensive Plan and now they are
out of sink budget wise so Ms . Poelvoorde thought they could sit down and take a look at
what was proposed in the grant and see what can be done . Ms . Poelvoorde said that they
are out of sink with Bergman by $ 1770. Ms . Poelvoorde said that maybe some
adjustment could be done within the grant.
Ms . Thomas addressed hiring a new administrative aid for the CPC . Mr. Carver came to
the last meeting of the CPC and did very well taking notes and making revisions during
the meeting.
Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Ms . Tyler the following :
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the
hiring of Ben Carver for the typist position for the CPC at a rate of $ 14 . 72 per 11
hour to begin June 3rd, 2008 .
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino aye
Mr. Kerness aye
Ms . Thomas aye
Ms . Tyler aye
o �_
Regular Town Board Meeting 3
06/4/2008
Adopted
Water Survey Sue Ritter reported that she previously distributed to the Town Board a
cost breakdown on what the committee had determined it may cost to mail the water
surveys to the residents which totaled $ 1656 .
Mr. Austic moved, seconded by Ms . Thomas the following :
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve up to
$ 1600 for the mailing of the water surveys and
Further Resolved that the money be expended from B1990 .4 Comprehensive
Plan CE.
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino abstained
Ms . Tyler aye
Mr. Ellis aye
Ms . Marino aye
Adopted.
Mrs . Georgia said that she would like to speak with Sue later about some of the cost and
how she felt they could be reduced.
Black Diamond Trail Jan Zeserson and Marvin addressed the Town Board about the
Black Diamond Trail and how they would like to see the Town participate in helping
clear the trail etc .
Mr. Meeker, Highway Superintendent stated that he has offered to help where he is
allowed, such as installing culvert pipes . Mr. Meeker explained that he is not allowed by
NYS Highway Law to do work that is off the road right-of-way.
Mr. Austic stated that he had to agree with Mr. Meeker and the Town is more then
willing to help where they are allowed.
PUBLIC PRIVILEDGE OF THE FLOOR
Ms . Maguire asked for a review by the Highway Department on a road sign.
Mr. Meeker stated that he has contacted the County about the sign that she is referring to
and it is being taken care of.
Mr. Brown stated that he supports the Black Diamond Trail and would like to also say
what a great job that the Highway Department does now and appreciates the spirit of
support that Mr. Meeker expressed.
Mr. Bonn stated that he would like to see the Trail completed.
Ms . Cail said that she lives close to the proposed trail and also would like to see the trail
completed and hopes that the Town can help .
Mr. Prislie stated he would like to see the Trail completed and is looking forward to
having a nice bike trail .
Ms. Hotchkiss stated that she also is in favor of the Trail being completed.
Mr. Arey feels that the Tail would enhance the quality of life and is willing to put in labor
to help accomplish the completion.
Regular Town Board Meeting 4
06R v ' 2008
Alan Carstensen distributed a resolution that he had drawn up in reference to the 3rd party
billing for the ambulance service that the Village of Trumansburg is proposing and urged
the Town Board not to vote in favor.
Mr. Mann addressed the proposed local law that the Town Board is considering
proposing and thanked the Town Board and the Highway Department.
Ms. Marino suggested that the Town Board hold off taking any position until after the
Village of Trumansburg holds their public hearing on the changes to the ambulance
service.
TOWN REPORTS
Highway Superintendent James Meeker reported the following :
• Patched all Town roads
• Work on the Gradall, changed oil & filers
• Installed driveway pipe on Van Dorn Corners Road
• Clean ditch area out on Garrett Road and seeded and mulched
• Trimmed limbs for sign visibility
• Mowing roadsides
• Rabbit Run Road — Temporary "NO PARKING SIGNS" (Mr. Meeker showed the
Board the sign he intends to use)
Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun - absent tonight no report left.
Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia reported that a total of $ 11 ,647 .29 was collected in
fees for the month of May and those were turned over to the Supervisor along with her
monthly report.
Board Members and Committees
Ms. Tyler reported that she had attended the TCAT meeting and that it was announced
that anyone buying an Ithaca Festival button can ride free to Stewart Park to attend the
festival. Ms. Tyler also reported that TCAT's budget for fuel is now in the hole for
around $400,000 and they may be forced to cut services.
Ms. Thomas reported that she attended the Trumansburg Village meeting where it was
reported that the Village was successful in obtaining the grant for the Winter Festival.
At the meeting it was reported that the Village is moving forward with the purchase of
the building owned by the Trumansburg Phone Company for a Community Center. The
Village reported that it looks like the Phone Company is willing to take care of the
problem with the lead paint and asbestos .
Mr. Kerness stated that he maintains that he would like a breakdown of the financial
outlook for the Community Center project.
Supervisor Doug Austic previously distributed the monthly financial report to the Town
Board and no questions were heard.
Deputy Supervisor Richard Coogan had no report this month.
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OLD BUSINESS
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Advisory Committees (Boards) Resolution
Water Advisory Board
Mr. Ferrentino moved, seconded by Mr. Austic the following resolution :
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Resolution to Establish a Resident Water Advisory Commission
Regular Town Board Meeting 5
06/$Y2008
Whereas : At the time of the creation of water districts within the Town of
Ulysses and the Ulysses Water Public Law was adopted, it was the intent to create
a form of resident control over the operation of the water districts, and
Whereas : With four districts already formed or the potential for more districts, it
becomes increasingly important to establish a water advisory commission to help
the town board in its decision making in regards to water district operation and
maintenance, and
Whereas : It is the intent that this commission be composed of volunteers from
each district to take up questions involving water district management, be the
original investigator of complaints, extensions , and improvements of the Town' s
Water Districts, and advise the Town Board as to the resolution of these
questions,
Now Therefore it be Resolved : That the Ulysses Town Board does hereby
establish a Water Advisory Commission to aid the board with the operation and
maintenance decisions of the existing or previously established water districts
within the Town.
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino aye
Ms . Tyler aye
Mr. Ellis aye
Ms . Marino aye
Adopted.
Property Identification Sign Resolution
Mr. Austic introduced and moved the following resolution, seconded by Mr. Ferrentino :
EMS Parcel Identification Signs Resolution
Whereas : Historically there have been difficulties in finding address during
emergency responses in the Town of Ulysses, and
Whereas : The Town of Ulysses was successful in acquiring a grant of $20,000
from Barbara Lifon' s office to finance the purchase of parcel identification signs
for each parcel in the Town, and
Whereas : The parcel signs have been produced and the majority of them already
placed by volunteers from the Trumansburg Fire Department and others , and the
remainder will be installed shortly as time permits , and
Whereas : This project was initiated to aid property identification in both
emergency and everyday situations and is a direct benefit to the residents of the
Town of Ulysses,
Now Therefore Be it Resolved : That the Town of Ulysses will be responsible to
purchase and install the original property identification sign on each parcel
requiring one, and that there after the owner of the property is responsible to
maintain the sign in such condition that it can be easily visible and read from the
highway. In the future it will be the property owner' s responsibility to replace
damaged signs to continue the projects purpose of ease of property identification.
Mr. Kerness said that he felt the resolution needed some modifications.
Mr. Austic motioned to table the resolution. Resolution tabled.
Regular Town Board Meeting 6
06/62/2008
Ambulance Resolution
The general consensus of the Town Board was that they would table this resolution and
wait until after the public hearing being held by the Village of Trumansburg.
Other
Mr. Austic asked if there were any questions on the statement received from Ms .
Geldenhuys on her opinions of the "open meetings law". Ms . Thomas would like this
information re-email to everyone.
NEW BUSINESS
Highway Posting Law
Mr. Austic introduced a Local Law titled "Highway Posting Law" which reads as
follows :
Vehicle and Traffic Regulation
Whereas : Activities and events taking place within the Ulysses A2 Special
Agriculture District (Trumansburg Fair Association property) have increased in
recent years and at times interfere with the normal maintenance and use of Rabbit
Run Road, and
Whereas : Residents of Rabbit Run have voiced their desire to limit parking in
areas fronting their properties, and
Whereas : The continued long term parking on town highway right of ways of
Rabbit Run create a situation detrimental to the health and safety of both town
residents and participants of events held at the fairgrounds and the health and
safety issue has been noted by the Tompkins County Sheriff, and
Whereas : Article 41 of Vehicle and Traffic law allows for the regulation of
traffic on highways outside any village within the town. Section 1660 a- 18
specifically allows towns to prohibit, restrict, or limit the stopping, standing, or
parking of vehicles,
Now Therefore it be Resolved : The Town Board of the Town of Ulysses does
hereby adopt a policy directing the Highway Superintendent at his discretion to
temporarily post any town highway, for a period of up to thirty days, that restricts
parking and to install or realign existing permanent "no parking any time" signs to
accommodate requests from road ' s residents and to promote the health and safety
of all .
1
The Board moved to schedule a public hearing for June 26, 2008 at 7 : 00 pm on this
proposed local law.
Mr. Austic aye 1
Mr. Ferrentino aye
Ms. Tyler aye
Mr. Ellis aye
Ms . Marino aye
Adopted.
Dog Licensing Fee Local Law
The proposed Local Law for the increase of dog fees was introduced as follows :
Regular Town Board Meeting 7
06/0/2008
TO AMEND LOCAL LAW FOR 1979 INCREASING FEES FOR DOG
LICENSING AND IMPOUNDMENT FEES
BE IT ENACTED BY THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF ULYSSES AS
FOLLOWS :
Section # 1 . Purpose : The purpose of this law is to amend Local Law No . 1 for 1979
relative to dog licensing fees, age of dog required to license and
impoundment fees to be charged by the Town of Ulysses .
Section #2 . Section 3 : Prohibited Acts #F . (F of Local Law No . 1 of 1979 is hereby
amended to read as follows :
Section 3F . Is unlicensed when four months of age or older.
Section #3 . Section 10 of Local Law No . 1 of 1979 is hereby amended to read as
follows :
Section 10 : License and Impoundment fees . For licenses issued on or
after the effective date of this law, the following fees shall be charged : a
local fee of $ 10. 00 shall be charged to each spayed or neutered dog and
unsprayed or un-neutered dog; total fee for unsprayed or un-neutered dog
shall be $ 5 . 00 ; local additional charge of $25 . 00 for each dog impounded
pursuant to this law.
Section # 12 : Effective Date : This law shall take effect upon filing with the NYS
Secretary of State.
The Board moved to set the public hearing for this also on June 26th, 2008 to be held at
7 : 15 pm on this proposed local law.
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino aye
Ms . Tyler aye
Mr. Ellis aye
Ms . Marino aye
Adopted.
Hearing no further business Mr. Ferrentino moved, seconded by Mr. Austic to adjourn
the meeting. Unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Marsha L. Georgia
Ulysses Town Clerk
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