HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-23-STB Town of Ulysses
Special Town Board Meeting
January 23 , 2012
Present : Supervisor Roxanne Marino ; Councilpersons Elizabeth Thomas, Lucia Tyler,
David Kerness and Kevin Romer; Deputy Supervisor Sue Poelvoorde ; Zoning/Planning
Secretary Robin Carlisle Peck
Supervisor Marino called the meeting to order at 7 : 03 p . m .
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY BENEFIT POLICY
Ms . Marino stated the Town does not have a Short-term Disability Benefit Policy for employees .
She and Ms . Thomas gathered information from various employers in the county to determine an
appropriate coverage and provided the Board the information in a spreadsheet. The Board
reviewed the coverage options and a draft policy .
Ms . Marino moved, seconded by Ms . Tyler the following resolution :
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses amends the Personnel
Manual to include the following Short-term Disability Benefit Policy .
Short-term Disability Benefit Policy
New York State Disability insurance is available to all non-temporary employees that have been
employed for at least 28 calendar days by the Town or within 28 calendar days with a covered
employer. There is no employee contribution.
Town of Ulysses Short-term Disability Benefit
Short-term disability benefits are paid-for absences due to non-work related injuries or
illnesses . The Town of Ulysses short-term disability benefits are available to all full-time and
part-time employees who meet the above stated criteria for New York State Disability insurance
coverage . Elected officials or appointed board members are not eligible for Town of Ulysses
disability benefits * . Upon the submission of claims for benefit application, short-term disability
benefits will be paid after a 7 calendar day waiting period. Accrued sick, vacation or personal
time may be used during the waiting period. No sick, vacation or personal time will be accrued
while on disability .
Disability benefits are paid at 50% of the average of the employee ' s last eight weeks of
pay for up to 26 weeks . Employees may elect to supplement the pay benefit up to an amount
equivalent to their full pay (as determined above) with accrued sick, personal, or vacation time .
An employee ' s supervisor cannot deny the use of sick or vacation time during disability leave .
The payment from the NYS disability insurance carrier will be made directly to the
Town. If the employee receives a check from the disability carrier, he/she will forward it to the
Town of Ulysses Bookkeeper immediately.
A physician' s statement authorizing a return to work is required . The Town reserves the
option to require a second physician ' s opinion after the initial 3 months of disability . If the
employee does not return to work after a physician's release, the Town considers this a
resignation.
*Note : As per NYS law, reduction of elected official ' s salary is not permitted without a referendum . Elected
officials should still submit the NYS disability insurance application form in order to allow the Town to collect NYS
disability insurance payments .
Ms . Marino aye
Ms . Thomas aye
Ms . Tyler aye
Mr. Kerness aye
Mr. Romer aye
Adopted
TOWN OF ULYSSES 2
Special Town Board 1/23/2012
Ms . Marino directed that a letter be sent to all employees with the policy and also clarifiy that
long-term disability is not included in this policy . Long-term disability payments through Social
Security are not available until after 12 months of being disabled .
NEW YORK RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION COMMUNICATION
Ms . Marino noted Ms . Thomas had emailed information regarding the loss of EPA funding for
the New York Rural Water Association. The group is requesting that municipalities that benefit
from the program send letters to EPA requesting that they re-instate funding . Ms . Marino noted
that the group provided the Town assistance on the un-accounted for water loss . In addition, the
loss of funding for this group is especially concerning related to hydrofracking and the potential
impacts on water resources . The Board supported allowing Ms . Marino to sign a letter of support
on behalf of the Town of Board of the Town of Ulysses .
Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following :
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses authorizes Ms . Marino
to sign a letter of support to continue EPA funding for the New York Rural Water
Association.
Ms . Marino aye
Ms . Thomas aye
Ms . Tyler aye
Mr. Kerness aye
Mr. Romer aye
Adopted
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Ms . Marino stated Ms . Geldenhuys, Attorney for the Town, emailed the Board a summary of
where the Town is with the EMS issue . Ms . Marino went over the steps and timeframe for
forming an ambulance district. She noted that it will be very tight to accomplish the steps and
ensure that Town and Village residents are well informed of the options and are able to guide the
Board in making the final decision on how to proceed. The Board discussed the variety of issues
and concerns with the ambulance service options .
Ms . Tyler moved, seconded by Mr. Romer the following resolution :
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approves initiating the
process as required by Article 12 and 12A to form an ambulance district for the Town
outside the Village of Trumansburg .
Ms . Marino aye
Ms . Thomas aye
Ms . Tyler aye
Mr. Kerness nay
Mr. Romer aye
Adopted
The Board agreed to have Ms . Marino meet with Town of Dryden officials to discuss how they
formed their 4 town-wide districts . She will also get copies of resolutions used by Dryden.
Mr. Romer questioned if a RFP process will need to be followed to secure a contract for
professional ambulance services . The Board agreed to verify the procedure.
The Board set a tentative schedule for moving forward to form an ambulance district based on
the availability of the Board members .
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TOWN OF ULYSSES 3
Special Town Board 1/23/2012
2/ 14/ 12 — Review Draft District Formation document, finalize for public release .
2/21 / 12 — Release Draft District Formation document to public via legal notices, website .
2/28/ 12 — Hold Public Information session at Special Town Board meeting . Discuss costs,
impacts, etc .
3 / 13/ 12 — Hold Public Hearing, pass resolution if district formation is preferred.
OTHER BUSINESS
Ms . Marino stated considering the above aggressive action plan, the availability of the Board
members over the next month and the absence of the Town and Court Clerks she would like to
propose the Board postpone the yearly audit until March. The Board concurred.
Ms . Marino stated Ms . Kiley prepared a 2012 Work Plan for her areas of responsibility . The list
was distributed to the Town Board. The most pertinent is the Stormwater Audit. The Town
received notice from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation that the Stormwater
Protection files will be audited in February. Ms . Kiley is currently preparing a Draft Town Law
covering illegal discharges to the MS4 area. This law should be put in place soon. Ms . Kiley will
have the draft ready for the Town Board to review at the February 12 , 2012 meeting .
Ms . Marino noted that Ms . Thomas has taken on more responsibility while other staff is absent.
Ms . Thomas stated she is available to work beyond the allocated hours through May but wanted
to make sure the Board is aware that there will be budget impacts . The Board acknowledged the
fiscal impacts and will review the budget summaries for the next few months to track allocations .
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms . Thomas stated the minutes from the January 10, 2012 meeting were ready to be considered.
Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Ms . Marino the following resolution;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approves the minutes
for January 10 , 2012 , Regular Town Board meeting as amended.
Ms . Marino aye
Ms . Thomas aye
Ms . Tyler aye
Mr. Kerness nay
Mr. Romer aye
Adopted
The meeting was adjourned at 10 : 23 p .m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Carlisle Peck
Zoning/Planning Secretary