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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 . • t A t t 4141M . . tt Is 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