HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-07-22-WTBI
TOWN BOARD MEETING
Town of Ulysses
July 22, 2014
Audio of the minutes are available on the website at ulysses.ny.us.
The meeting was held at the Ulysses Town Hall at 10 Elm Street, Trumansburg.
PRESENT:
Supervisor- Liz Thomas
Board members- Rich Goldman, John Hertzler, Nancy Zahler, David Kerness
Clerk- Carissa Parlato
Environmental planner- Darby Kiley
OTHERS PRESENT:
Notice of Town Board meetings are posted on the website and clerk's board.
Ms. Thomas called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
RESOLUTION 2014-144:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the agenda for the July 22, 2014 meeting
with the following additions: general announcements and a short discussion of the animal control
contract.
Moved: Ms. Thomas
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
aye
Mr. Kemess
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 7/22/14
Seconded: Mr. Kerness
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 8, 2014
RESOLUTION 2014-145:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the minutes for the July 8, 2014 as
edited by Ms. Zahler.
Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Mr. Kerness
2
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
aye
Mr. Kemess
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 7/22/14
OLD BUSINESS:
FARMLAND PROTECTION IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM — Authorize submission of
proposal to NYS Ag and Markets under the Farmland Protection Implementation Program
(FPIG)
Ms. Kiley provided some background on the program, also known as Purchase of Development Rights
(PDR). If awarded, the property in question will be preserved as farmland indefinitely.
She further shared that it's been a few years since the county's Ag and Farmland Protection Board has
had the opportunity to apply for these funds. The county group decided to support this farm and one in
Newfield. If funds are awarded, the town would co -hold the easement along with the county.
Ms. Thomas expressed concerns about the current use of land on the sloped areas.
RESOLUTION 2014-146:
WHEREAS, in 2013, the Town of Ulysses adopted an Agriculture and Farmland Protection
Plan with a Vision Statement as follows: "Ulysses will be home to a healthy and diverse
collection of farms that employ a variety of marketing strategies, are supported by community
members and local policies, and contribute to economically viable and environmentally sound
agricultural enterprises." And
WHEREAS, one of the goals of the 2013 Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan states that
farmers in the Town of Ulysses interested in the State's PDR program should be encouraged
and supported in their application by the Town and with County support, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board has identified
Glenwood Farms, an 80 -acre livestock farm on Glenwood Heights Road in the Town of
Ulysses within the Agricultural District as a high priority farm for protection through the use of
this year's PDR funding, and
WHEREAS, the owners of Glenwood Farms have expressed interest in applying for PDR
funding, and
WHEREAS, should funding be received, the Town of Ulysses and Tompkins County will work
together on project implementation and will co -hold the Conservation Easement,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT
I
RESOLVED, that the Town of Ulysses Town Board authorizes the submission of a Farmland
Protection Implementation Project proposal to the New York State Department of Agriculture
and Markets on behalf of Glenwood Farms.
Moved: Mr. Kerness Seconded: Mr. Hertzler
Discussion:
Ms. Zahler is concerned that not enough people knew about the funding/had the opportunity to apply.
Ms. Thomas expressed that she would prefer to wait to submit an application until the town's Ag
Committee is up and running and can be involved in the process.
Ms. Thomas
nay
Ms. Zahler
aye
Mr. Kerness
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Vote: 4-1
Date Adopted: 7/22/14
Ms. Kiley was excused at 7:45pm
NEW BUSINESS:
DOG CONTROL -
Ms. Thomas has been working with a coalition of other municipalities on animal control. The state
requires the town to have a shelter and dog control officer. The town contracts with the SPCA to
provide those services. The contract fees are based on population and activities. Enumeration is not
covered under the contract and will be an additional expense every 4-5 years.
Mr. Kerness was excused at Bpm.
RESOLUTION 2014-147:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the 3 -year agreement
with Tompkins County Animal Control for services during the period from 1/1/2015 to
12/31/2017 as spelled out in the 2014 Animal Control Services Agreement.
Moved: Ms. Thomas
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
aye
Mr. Kerness
absent
Mr. Goldman
aye
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Vote: 4-0
Date Adopted:
7/22/14
Seconded: Ms. Zahler
El
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Ambulance billing -
Ms. Zahler provided some updates on ambulance billing. The company she has been speaking with,
Medex, clarified that the town can bill users as much or as little as they choose.
Survey on housing needs of the aging -
Ms. Zahler met with the Office for the Aging who recently conducted a small, informal survey on
housing needs for senior citizens in Ulysses. The results revealed a desire for condo -style (low
maintenance) accommodations in Ulysses. Ms. Zahler noted that the board should take this into
consideration for future development.
Code enforcement -
Ms. Thomas relayed that the town attorney is having difficulty getting compliance from properties in
violation.
PERSONNEL POLICY UPDATE:
Ms. Thomas suggested that the board finalize all areas except the health insurance section.
The group discussed how to move forward on the health insurance portion and considered a system of
gradually raising employee salaries while lowering the town's share of costs.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MTG.:
Ms. Thomas noted the agenda items for the Aug. 12 meeting.
ADJOURN:
Mr. Goldman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:58 pm, seconded by Ms. Thomas.
Respectfully submitted
by Carissa Parlato, 7/24/14