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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-14-2023TOWN OF GROTON – MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2023 AT 7:30 PM Town Officers Present: Town Officers Absent: Also Present: Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor W. Rick Fritz, Code Official Richard Gamel, Councilperson Paul Lang, Town Justice Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson Randy Jackson, Town Justice Brian Klumpp, Councilperson Mack Rankin, Dept. Highway Crystal Young, Councilperson Julie Graham, Bookkeeper Ellard Keister, Highway Supt. Robin Cargian, Town Clerk Francis Casullo, Attorney (via phone) The meeting was called into session on a snowy evening with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30pm. MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp, to approve the minutes of the February 14, 2023 Town Board Meeting. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Motion Passed RESOLUTION #23-037‐ ‐ APPROVE TOWN CLERK & DEPUTY TO ATTEND NYSTCA CONFERENCE AND COVER ASSOCIATED COSTS MOTION to approve Robin Cargian and Denise Smith to attend NYSTCA Conference April 23-26, 2023 and associated costs. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Resolution Passed Nays- RESOLUTION #23-038‐ ‐ APPROVE GADABOUT CONTRACT MOVED by Councilperson Young, seconded by Councilperson Clark to authorize the Supervisor to sign the Gadabout Contract and pay the agreed fee of $1000.00 set forth in the budget. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Resolution Passed Nays- RESOLUTION #23-039‐ APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES MOVED by Councilperson Young, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, WHEREAS, vouchers for Abstract #3 for the Year 2023, numbered 47, 69-117 were reviewed and and audited by the Town Board, be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves said vouchers which will make the accounts in the Total amounts as follows: A GENERAL FUND 95,313.09 B GENERAL FUND PART TOWN 14,742.65 Town Board Minutes Page 2 March 14, 2023 DA HIGHWAY FUND 81,227.59 DB HIGHWAY FUND PART TOWN 5,061.31 SL2- PERUVILLE LIGHTING DISTRICT 91.90 SLl- MCLEAN LIGHTING DISTRICT 161.53 Total 196,597.77 Ayes - Clark, Young, Klummp, Gamel, Scheffler Nays - Resolution Passed Monthly Reports Julie Graham, Bookkeeper – Submitted report read by Supervisor. Bookkeeper’s reports were provided, the Fiscal Report was completed and submitted to the State Comptroller. Would like a resolution to attend the Association of Towns Finance School, May 8-9 in Geneva. There is a $200 fee which does not include meals or milage. RESOLUTION #23-040- -APPROVE JULIE GRAHAM TO ATTEND ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS FINANCE SCHOOL IN GENEVA MOVED by Councilperson Klumpp, seconded by Councilperson Gamel to approve the town bookkeeper Julie Graham, to attend the Association of Towns Finance School and cover associated costs. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Motion Passed Nays- W. Rick Fritz, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer – At training school, submitted his report. Robin Cargian RMC, Town Clerk & Tax Collector – Cloudpermit implementation is going well. The integration with Tompkins County Public GIS information was determined to be successful, which is an important part of the program. All forms, certificates, logo and fees have been shared. The next meeting is scheduled for the 15th. Thank you for the approval for Denise and I to attend conference. At conference we will be learning more about the new license a clerk is to issue under Domestic Relations Law for a “One Day Marriage Officiant.” The legislation allows a fee up to $25. In order to add this to the clerk fee schedule, it will need a resolution. The license is for the purpose of officiating the ceremony of one specific couple, whose names and dates of birth have to be listed on the license application. I do not have any information as to why this was added to the law. When people who were ordained online, or a couple to be married, would call and ask if an officiant ordained online was legal, we were told not to answer by the Dept of Health. That this was a legal question and advise them to contact an attorney. Councilperson Klumpp – The government shouldn’t be involved in marriages anyway. Robin Cargian RMC, Town Clerk & Tax Collector – This is now in domestic relations law. It was originally going to be issued by the Department of State but the Governor realized they had no money to do this and changed it at the last minute. Town Board Minutes Page 3 March 14, 2023 Councilperson Klumpp – I have no doubt it is in the law, but I doubt getting a marriage license was something in the original constitution. I disagree with the original premise as to why it was started. I will not be voting in favor of this as I don’t think government should be involved. Robin Cargian RMC, Town Clerk & Tax Collector – The law will go into effect on the 28th of March. I have no idea if this is something anyone at the Department of State will be looking at. It was sent to the attorney last week, but we did not hear anything back yet. Councilperson Young – Does this make you feel nervous that you will be taking money for this? Councilperson Gamel – Where does this put us as a town to be accepting this money and issuing this license? Why does someone ordained online- who is not really ordained, really matter? Supervisor Scheffler – That might affect the couple who was married? Robin Cargian RMC, Town Clerk & Tax Collector- We were told by the Health Department, a legal question that goes to the separation between church and state should be referred to an attorney. It does make me nervous to be accepting money, but it will become effective in the law and I have to issue these anyway. It takes a few minutes of our time and the town is keeping the permanent record, which does cost something. This will save an individual from having to get “ordained online.” They would get this license and perform the ceremony. This way, I will now have all of the contact information. Supervisor Scheffler – Should we not take any money for this and issue it? Robin Cargian RMC, Town Clerk & Tax Collector – I guess that would be up to you. I am still doing something. I still have to keep the record. I feel like there should be a fee. Councilperson Gamel- I say we wait until after we know more about it? Can you send them someplace else until you go to your conference and know what we are suppose to do with them? Do you think you will get one of these? Robin Cargian RMC, Town Clerk & Tax Collector - Yes I do, the marriage license is good for 60 days. As it gets warmer, chances are I will get one. My guess is I will get about 3 a year. RESOLUTION #23-041- -AMEND CURRENT CLERK FEE LIST TO INCLUDE A ONE-DAY MARRIAGE OFFICIANT LICENSE FOR THE FEE OF $25. MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Young to amend the current clerk fee schedule to include a One Day Marriage Officiant License for $25. Ayes - Clark, Young, Gamel, Motion Passed Nays -Klumpp, Scheffler Robin Cargian RMC, Town Clerk & Tax Collector – Quickly- Open Meetings Law also has changes. It used to say any document you will be reviewing at the meeting should be provided at the table or online, to the extent practicable. NOW it reads, documents to be reviewed at a meeting, need Town Board Minutes Page 4 March 14, 2023 to be on-line at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. If you have documents for review, please have them me by the Friday before the meeting. Highway Report: Ellard Keister, Highway Superintendent – I will need a certified resolution for the Highway Work Permit to allow the Town to work in the State Right of Way. It is signed but I need a resolution to go along with it. RESOLUTION #23-042 AUTHORIZE HIGWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO SIGN AND SUBMIT THE APPLICATION FOR UTILITY WORK TO THE STATE OF NY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp, to authorize the Highway Superintendent to sign and submit the utility work permit application to the NY State Department of Transportation. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Motion Passed Nays - Ellard Keister, Highway Superintendent- Truck #25 is down for a major repair, transmission – friction plate in a fly wheel, we are waiting on parts. I am fighting this snow storm with the spare truck without a wing on it as it needs hydraulic work which will wait until the summer. It is the truck we just re-built the motor in. As we know today, we have to keep putting money into it to keep it going. I apologize for being out last month for the meeting and the discussion regarding the mechanic’s position. We have a very abled body to take it over. I understand the wording of the highway contract, but he does not want to take the job for the previous resolved amount. It does put us in a hard spot as it would cost us more to send equipment out rather than fix in house. It would be a direct transfer from operator to the mechanic position, not a probation period giving a raise and another raise after that. The knowledge we can soak in and retain is incredible and 30+ year of tools. If the job were advertised, I do not think it could be filled as the county has had the same position open for 6 months at a higher rate and couldn’t do it. The department has agreed to open up the contract if necessary. I have gotten two different texts from taxpayers showing appreciation for the crew. Councilperson Young – Is Dale familiar with the computer system and software that Ben implemented? Superintendent Keister – Yes, Dale is very familiar. Mack was brought up to speed prior to Ben leaving. We have the dates, parts and what has been done on every truck. In the last two weeks, a lot of preventative maintenance has been accomplished. Councilperson Gamel – What will we do with Dale’s old position? Superintendent Keister – I will have to open the operator’s position back up. If you recall, I wanted to open this position up back in the fall to try to avoid the difficulty of training a laborer to become an operator during the winter. I will have to put it online and hope for the best. We have to compete with other town’s wages and that makes it difficult. Councilperson Young- I think the minimum wage increases have affected businesses and organizations. That it is definitely something we are going to have to take a look at. Town Board Minutes Page 5 March 14, 2023 Supervisor Scheffler – Even if we could find someone else this qualified, there is still a long learning curve. It would take them six months to a year to become accustomed to everything that goes on with these trucks. Superintendent Keister – I have not heard from any other highway department if they have every done and in-frame engine repair in house, like Dale did for us this year. The only reason why it took two weeks was because we were waiting on parts. Supervisor Scheffler – I understand all sides of this. I don’t agree with how it came about. I talked to Fran, who is not in favor of breaking a contract ever. We discussed the idea of the position being transferred from one to the other. I don’t know if this is appropriate. I know we have to do something. We could look into having two mechanics or someone having both titles of equipment operator and mechanic in future agreements. After Town Board consideration and phone consultation with the Attorney regarding the highway agreement contract, it was concluded that a raise upon the “agreement rate”, due to the new position, is allowed under the contract for the new mechanic. Supervisor Scheffler – The contract does say, no less than $.50 per hour to consider for next year. We could give more if we decided. To remain competitive Councilperson Young - I don’t think that is a bad thing, as we talked about the minimum wages having increased. Councilperson Klumpp – We can’t necessarily be competitive with Dryden. Their tax base is a little bit bigger. You brought it up because we are competing with them. If someone lives in Groton, it takes someone only a few minutes to get to work. We need to find those people who are willing to work because it also helps their community. Councilperson Gamel – We appreciate Dale taking it. I know it’s not exactly where he wanted to be but I think he is pretty close. He says he doesn’t want the tool allowance… Councilperson Young – Even though he says he doesn’t want his tool allowance; he could turn in some receipts. Superintendent Keister – That being said, I do plan on buying some shop tools next week for this reason. There is an expo that has a sale on Impacts which will be purchased through the shop. They will stay in the shop and will be added to the inventory list. Another thing we will be buying is a transmission jack. I was waiting to see if Dale would take the position before buying it. He says it is ridiculous that we can’t do our own clutches in house. Councilperson Clark – I get what you are saying about the tools. Dale would probably prefer those guys who are pitching in to not use his. Superintendent Keister – No, Dale doesn’t mind. We have a whole box of Mike Neville’s tools here too. We really owe these guys a lot for what they are willing to do. RESOLUTION #23-043--APPROVE OPENING POSITIONS FOR A MOTOR EQUIPMENT OPERATOR AND A BUILDING CLEANER Town Board Minutes Page 6 March 14, 2023 MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, Second by Councilperson Young, open a motor vehicle operator’s position as well as a cleaner’s position. Ayes – Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Resolution Passed Nays - Councilperson Young, Representative to Joint Youth Program- Everything is going great with Becky. Zoomba and open rec volleyball has up to 20 regular adult participants every week. They had 345 attendees for Cabin Fever. The skating night was a success and we will do another in April. Ellard, you will be happy to know that Chuck was able to check with St. Anthony’s Church about building ball fields for kids activities and they were on board. It needs to go through proper channels but there are discussions. There are grants to help with the initial creation. Superintendent Keister – That might be the only thing that keeps little league here. Coordinating the required 3 week advanced notice for field usage of 8 teams with the school, is very difficult. We have been looking for an alternative location for the last 3 years that is flat enough. If we could lease the land as the Town/Village, there is enough land there for at least 3 little league fields. I have spoken with Becky about the possibility of some softball or flag football. Obviously, we would have to put a separate line item in both budgets for maintenance. The Town and Village used to have summer youth workers which we could easily have them mowing and caring for them. We can talk with them about parking lot maintenance as that costs them something. Councilperson Young, Representative to Joint Youth Program – Thank you for that. Hopefully this will come into fruition. We have a lot of summer ideas, volleyball camp and a youth equine camp. We have to check on the liability of that. I will keep you posted on the pool painting and sand blasting. Everything is going really well. End of Monthly reports RESOLUTION #23-044 - DECLARE FAIR HOUSING MONTH MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, WHEREAS, in accordance with the Title VIII Fair Housing Policy of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and, WHEREAS, the Month of April 2023 has been designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office as Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity as Fair Housing Month, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton hereby declares and proclaims April 2023 as Fair Housing Month in the Town of Groton. Ayes – Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Resolution Passed Nays - RESOLUTION #23‐045 ‐ PROCLAMATION - POPPY TIME IN THE TOWN OF GROTON MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Gamel, WHEREAS, the Carrington-Fuller American Legion Post #800 Auxiliary works unselfishly throughout the Town of Groton, and Town Board Minutes Page 7 March 14, 2023 WHEREAS, the American Legion Auxiliary annually sponsors the traditional offering of the “POPPIES” to the Groton area, and WHEREAS, by offering these “POPPIES” the Auxiliary helps to benefit the needs of the disabled American Veterans by providing workshops and therapy for them through the Veteran’s Hospitals, NOW THEREFORE, I, Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor of the Town of Groton, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM, the month of May 2023 to be “POPPY TIME” in the Town of Groton and respectfully encourage all members of the Groton Community to generously support the Legion Auxiliary during “POPPY TIME”. Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Resolution Passed Nays - Tompkins County Youth Service Appointee RESOLUTION #23‐046 ‐ APPOINT BECKY KOENIG AS THE TOWN OF GROTON REPRESENTATIVE TO TOMPKINS COUNTY YOUTH SERVICE ADVISORY BOARD MOVED by Councilperson Gamel, Second by Councilperson Clark, to appoint Becky Koenig to the Tompkins County Youth Service Advisory Board replacing Jennifer Jones Ayes – Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel, Scheffler Resolution Passed Nays - The Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak. Community Advisory Committee, Brian Klumpp – The Community Advisory Committee is progressing. We have met with the Planning Board and are aiming to come before the Town Board with a rough draft of the proposed land use code changes at the April meeting. We may also be looking to ask for an extension of the moratorium at that time. Announcements: • Zoning Board of Appeals, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 7:00 pm • Planning Board Meeting has been Canceled for Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 7:30 pm • PERMA Member Conference is coming up May 11-12. If you want to go you will need to sign up soon. The town is getting a big award and someone should go. We do get an insurance credit for going. There being no further business, Councilperson Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson Clark, at 9:25 pm. Unanimous. Robin Cargian, RMC Town Clerk/Tax Collector