HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-2023TOWN OF GROTON – MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2023, AT 7:30 PM
Town Officers Present: Town Officers Absent: Also Present:
Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor W. Rick Fritz, Code Official
Crystal Young, Councilperson Francis Casullo, Attorney
Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson
Brian Klumpp, Councilperson
Richard Gamel, Councilperson
Robin Cargian, Town Clerk
Ellard Keister, Highway Supt
Julie Graham, Bookkeeper
Mack Rankin, Dept. Highway
The meeting was called into session with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 PM.
Preliminary Budget
Supervisor Scheffler noted changes from the Tentative Budget to the Preliminary Budget as requested
by the Town Board and briefly gave the following highlights. The tax levy is up $60,000, assessments
are up 10%, $25,000 was added to repairs and equipment, and $10,000 to the building repair reserve as
per the State Audit Response. Highway Department wages are up $2.00 per hour, which is an increase
of 10%. Everyone else is a 3% pay increase. The tax rate is 4.72816% which is down 5 or 6 from last
year. A fund balance and a big sales tax revenue increase were used to balance this budget. The
bookkeeper added, there was a credit from last year that was utilized to remain under the tax cap.
RESOLUTION #23-095‐ ACCEPT THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR 2024 AS
SUBMITTED
RESOLUTION BY Councilperson Young, second by Councilperson Klumpp to accept the 2024
Preliminary Budget as submitted.
Ayes – Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Resolution Passed
Nays - Gamel
Charter Communication Franchise Agreement
Councilperson Gamel explained the 3% fee charged currently could go as high as 5% and questioned
the 15-year term. This information was sent to the board and Attorney asking if this was something
that could be negotiated. Councilperson Klumpp felt the board should not be committing future boards
to contracts if it can be avoided. The term is negotiable according to Attorney. Councilperson Young
pointed out the fee is charged to the subscriber. Councilperson Gamel will contact Jay Franklin at the
assessment office regarding Real Property Tax Law 626 and the Attorney.
MOTION #23-096- AUTHORIZE COUNCILPERSON GAMEL TO NEGOTIATE THE BEST
AGREEMENT BASED UPON ADVICE FROM THE ATTORNEY & ASSESSMENT
DEPARTMENT.
Town Board Minutes Page 2 October 24, 2023
MOTION BY Supervisor Scheffler, second by Councilperson Young to accept the authorization of
Councilperson Gamel to negotiate the best agreement with Charter Communications upon advice from
the Attorney and Assessment Department and bring a hard copy for approval of the Town Board.
Privilege of the Floor
No one wished to speak.
Ambulance Contract
RESOLUTION #23-097‐ CHANGES TO SECTION 4 OF THE VILLAGE OF GROTON
AMBULANCE CONTRACT TO ALLOW SOFT BILLING
MOTION BY Councilperson Gamel, second by Councilperson Klumpp to update the ambulance
contract wording from the Previous version:
4. DONATIONS:
At no time shall the residents of the Town be charged for the services provided directly by the
Village and the Department; however, the Village and the Department are permitted and
encouraged to accept donations and conduct fund-raising affairs. Mutual aid providers and other
responding companies or districts may charge Town residents for services in accordance with
the provider’s normal billing rates.
To:
4. DONATIONS:
The Village and the Department are permitted and encouraged to accept donations and to
conduct fund-raising affairs.
5. COST SHARING:
The Village Fire Department and Ambulance Service, Mutual Aid providers, and other
responding companies or districts may charge Town residents for services rendered in
accordance with the provider’s normal billing rates.
Ayes – Clark, Young, Klumpp, Gamel ,Scheffler Resolution Passed
Nays -
The Town Clerk was authorized to advertise for a Planning and Zoning Board Secretary.
There being no further business, Councilperson Gamel moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson
Young, at 8:00 p.m. Unanimous.
Robin Cargian, RMC
Town Clerk/Tax Collector