HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-9-2024 Reg meetingTOWN OF GROTON - MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2024 AT 7:30 PM
Town Officers Present: Town Officers Absent: Also Present:
Donald F. Scheffler, Supervisor Richard Gamel, Councilperson Dan Carey, Ag Committee
Crystal Young, Councilperson Monica Carey, Planning Board
Sheldon C. Clark, Councilperson Barry Siebe, Comm. Commish
Brian Klumpp, Councilperson Chris Skawski, Cornell Coop.
W. Rick Fritz, Code Official David Durrett
Robin Cargian, Town Clerk
Julie Graham, Bookkeeper
Ellard Keister, Highway Supt.
Mack Rankin, Deputy Highway Supt.
Francis Casullo, Attorney
The meeting was called into session with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 PM.
MOVED by Councilperson Klumpp, seconded by Councilperson Young to approve the Town Board
Meeting minutes of March 12, 2024.
Ayes – Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Motion Passed
RESOLUTION #24-032 ‐ APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES
MOVED by Councilperson Young seconded by, Councilperson Clark
WHEREAS, vouchers for Abstract #04 for the Year 2024, numbered 116-157 were reviewed 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 16,550.10
B GENERAL FUND PART TOWN 18,769.01
DA HIGHWAY FUND 3.723.35
DB HIGHWAY FUND PART TOWN 5.059.47
SL2- PERUVILLE LIGHTING DISTRICT 103.89
SLl- MCLEAN LIGHTING DISTRICT 200.62
Total $44,406.44
Ayes – Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Resolution Passed
Nays -
Monthly Reports
Julie Graham, Bookkeeper - You have my report. The Annual Report has been submitted to the
State. There is a budget transfer needed.
RESOLUTION #24-033 - APPROVE BUDGET TRANSFER
Town Board Minutes Page 2 April 9, 2024
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp, to approve the following
Budget Transfer:
From: A1990.4 Contingency………………………….…$2000.00
To: A1410.12 Information Aide ………………...$2,000.00
Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Resolution Passed
Nays -
W. Rick Fritz, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer: Explained the NY State Stretch plan has been
adopted into the new 2025 codes. One of the major changes will be new homes will not be allowed to
have any fossil fuel-burning devices installed. Every home will have a required charging station.
Preexisting homes will not be affected. Third-party inspections will be required for electrical,
plumbing, and energy efficiency. The price per square foot of a new home with these adopted codes
will be around $400. The Town of Groton was in Region 6, which will be removed, and the Town will
now be in Region 5 due to climate. Code Officials will also be required to have more training hours per
year. The following report was submitted.
Building Permits Issued: 7 New Businesses: 0
Permits Completed: Fire Safety Inspections: 0
Permits Renewed: 2 Building Inspections:26
Sign permits: 1 Certificate of Occupancy/Compliance:4
Site Plan Reviews: 0 Violation Notices: 2
Subdivisions: 2 Complaints: 2
Life Safety Inspections for March 2024: Inspected - 0; Completed - 0
Training Hours- 48
Highway Superintendent, Ellard Keister - Reported on the progress of the replacement truck
ordered 3 years ago after visiting the Viking plant. Sitting on the lot are at least 250 truck chassis
waiting to be finished as the plant gets one to two completed per day. Our truck is there, but the second
one is not along with the 200 trucks the State has ordered. It was eye-opening. The architect for the
front entrance has yet to submit an invoice, drawing or make contact other than measurments. We may
need to get another company. The cleaning position opened and was filled by former highway
employee Don Evener.
RESOLUTION #24-034 - APPROVE DONNY EVENER FOR BUILDING CUSTODIAN
POSITION AT THE PREVIOUS RATE.
MOVED by Councilperson Klumpp seconded by Councilperson Clark to approve the replacement hire
of Donny Evener to the cleaning position at the previous cleaner’s rate.
Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Resolution Passed
Nays -
On the topic of employment and a reference for budget time, the spot that was open for a motor
equipment operator with a CDL, starting at $20.50, was only reviewed by applicants who were
throwing applications everywhere or were not from the area. It is still available. For reference, the
Village of Groton just opened a position with the same qualifications for a motor equipment operator
starting at $25.00 an hour with similar benefits. This is $4.50 higher than we are at and $1.50 more
than the highest-paid person here. Upon investigation, we are no longer able to train in-house for the
CDL, so waiting for school kids to graduate is not an option. We do not have the turnover and the cost
Town Board Minutes Page 3 April 9, 2024
to have a certified in-house trainer up to date, it would not be worth it. This is something to keep in
mind for budget time as something needs to happen.
As we have the expertise, equipment connections, and manpower, the Town Highway Department has
been asked to build the road (Railroad Street) before the new fire station. Once we have the plans, we
will be there so if you see Town of Groton Highway Department trucks at that site, it is an inter-
municipal project. Fuel for our equipment as well as any rentals will be at the Village's expense. This is
our way that we can give back to the community.
Councilperson Clark had concerns about the cracks beginning on Old Stage Road. The Superintendent
reminded the board there is a standing offer to ride with him to view all the lane miles that need repair
or replacement. Ideally, the roads should be on a 5-year oil and stone rotation. A full report on the cost
per lane mile was given at budget time. He estimated about $400-500k would be needed to keep “the
good roads good” but this also would mean raising taxes. As the budget is not going up as much as
asphalt, this forces us into creative avenues such as putting everything into a grinder first and then
adding oil and stone the following year. We also build the road out an additional 6-12 inches to keep
heavy agricultural equipment from constantly breaking the edges down. These things can stretch our
dollar but also mean some road repairs must wait.
Town Clerk, Robin Cargian - A report was submitted. The clerks will not be attending the New York
State Town Clerk’s Conference this year and requested approval to attend the Tax Receivers and
Collector’s Conference in June costing roughly the same amount.
RESOLUTION #24-035 - APPROVE TOWN AND DEPUTY CLERK TO ATTEND THE NEW
YORK STATE TAX RECEIVERS AND COLLECTOR’S CONFERENCE IN JUNE.
MOVED by Councilperson Klumpp seconded by Councilperson Young to approve the attendance and
payment of expenses for the Town Clerk and Deputy to attend the New York State Tax Receivers and
Collectors conference June 9th - 12th in Lake George, NY.
Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Resolution Passed
Nays -
Attorney for the Town, Fran Casullo - I spoke with the project lead for Delaware River Solar
projects and Mr. Buhl. Delaware River is looking for the Town to accept the application as complete
but that won’t happen tonight because Mr. Buhl will need more time to review the SWIPP. To expedite
a process, the board could make a resolution that once the Code Official, Engineer, and myself are
satisfied with the application as complete, the board then authorizes it to be sent to County Planning.
RESOLUTION #24-036 - AUTHORIZES THE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY
DELAWARE RIVER SOLAR TO BE SENT TO COUNTY PLANNING UPON APPROVAL
OF THE ENGINEER, CODE OFFICIAL AND ATTORNEY.
MOVED by Supervisor Scheffler, seconded by Councilperson Klumpp to authorize the applications to
be sent to County Planning upon the approval of the Engineer, Code Official, and Attorney once
deemed complete.
Ayes - Clark, Young, Klumpp, Scheffler Resolution Passed
Nays -
The project manager would like to set up the tour, two board members at a time April 18th or the 19th.
Town Board Minutes Page 4 April 9, 2024
They will reach out to the board if that date works for everyone to do an in-person inspection. Not
much is happening with Yellow Barn currently.
Recreation Coordinator, Councilperson Young - Read from the following report.
The summer concert grant was awarded- $2,100 as well as the Community Celebration Grant of
$1,200. A request of $2,000 was submitted to United Way.
End of Monthly reports
Clean Energy Communities Coordinator
Christopher Skawski re-presented the clean energy communities grant program and the availability
options to possible point values on items the town has already invested in to reduce energy usage/waste.
This may help the Town qualify for additional money to be put back into the facility or community. The
Town is one action away from a $10,000 no-cost share grant which could be air sealing, weatherization
Town Board Minutes Page 5 April 9, 2024
of town facilities, adopting EV charges for public use, or EVs added to the fleet. There are larger grant
amounts, The next threshold would be $50,000.
Councilperson Young: We were able to change the LED lights which not only got us $5,000 but saved
us every month since. We have talked about the boiler and the doors, which these things may already
qualify us. We currently do not have a charging station here. I don’t know if we need one or not or if it
benefits us or not.
Christopher Skawski- The Town could get a site use arrangement if it is put offsite for the community.
This grant could be used to buy one and leave it up to the board if the consumer pays a fee or not.
Councilperson Young- We also participated in the Heat Smart campaign. If we have 5 documented heat
pump installations from October of 2021 it can get us a credit for a $5,000 grant. We get credit for code
training, but they don’t accumulate.
Christopher Skawski- Cornell cooperative extension offers a way to connect residents with a free
energy audit. They come to your home and look at your insulation and air sealing. This could encourage
residents to get a heat pump which would lead to more grant funding. I would be happy to send over
program information to connect to the Town Website.
Senior/Disability Exemption updates
The State legislature has increased the limits for senior and disability tax exemptions which we have
not increased in seven years. The board has a copy of the proposal to raise the income limits and will
need to review this plus any other additional items you may want to add into the law, such as an
applicant’s medical expenses could be deducted from their income, or they could qualify if they are out
on Workmen’s compensation. Please review both packets, decide what you think is best to propose it
as a local law.
Privilege of the Floor
Barry Siebe: I just want to comment that we participated in an energy efficiency study. I highly
recommend this especially if you have an older home with drafts. They come in and do an energy
reading that tells you where you have cold spots. It is a good way to beef up some of your insulation in
your homes. It was free and well worth the effort to do.
With everyone speaking that wished to be heard,
Announcements:
• Planning Board Meeting for Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 7:30 PM
• Zoning Board Meeting April 17, 2024 @ 7:00 PM
There being no further business, Councilperson Klumpp moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson
Young, at 8:36 PM Unanimous.
Robin Cargian,
Town Clerk