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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 $400,000 and they may be forced to cut services. Ms. Thomas reported that she attended the Trumansburg Village meeting where it was reported that the Village was successful in obtaining the grant for the Winter Festival. At the meeting it was reported that the Village is moving forward with the purchase of the building owned by the Trumansburg Phone Company for a Community Center. The Village reported that it looks like the Phone Company is willing to take care of the problem with the lead paint and asbestos . Mr. Kerness stated that he maintains that he would like a breakdown of the financial outlook for the Community Center project. Supervisor Doug Austic previously distributed the monthly financial report to the Town Board and no questions were heard. Deputy Supervisor Richard Coogan had no report this month. { OLD BUSINESS 1 Advisory Committees (Boards) Resolution Water Advisory Board Mr. Ferrentino moved, seconded by Mr. Austic the following resolution : 1 Resolution to Establish a Resident Water Advisory Commission Regular Town Board Meeting 5 06/$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 $25 . 00 for each dog impounded pursuant to this law. Section # 12 : Effective Date : This law shall take effect upon filing with the NYS Secretary of State. The Board moved to set the public hearing for this also on June 26th, 2008 to be held at 7 : 15 pm on this proposed local law. Mr. Austic aye Mr. Ferrentino aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Ellis aye Ms . Marino aye Adopted. Hearing no further business Mr. Ferrentino moved, seconded by Mr. Austic to adjourn the meeting. Unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Marsha L. Georgia Ulysses Town Clerk MLG : mlg rq 1 1 1$