HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-8-12 Regular Meeting.pdf
Town of Enfield
Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
6:30 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Roy Barriere, Town Councilperson Chris Hern, Town Councilperson Vera
Howe-Strait, Town Councilperson Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Debbie Teeter, Town Highway
Superintendent Barry Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton.
Town Supervisor Barriere opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. by leading the assemblage in the Pledge
of Allegiance to the Flag.
Public Hearing on the Proposed Enfield Community Council Contract 2012-2016: Supervisor
Barriere read the Notice of Public Hearing that was published in the Ithaca Journal and opened the
public hearing at 6:32 p.m. He explained the new contract would be a 5 year contract with the same
budgeted amount for 2012 as 2011 and a 2% per year increase for each remaining year.
Barbara Place of Rothermich Road complimented the ECC on providing a valuable summer camp
and life skills experiences and would like to see the programs continue.
Tammy Alling of Hines Road stated the basketball program has provided a great opportunity for her
son and supports the ECC.
John Gordon of Rothermich Road said he enjoys the ECC programs. He has made friends at camp,
played sports and generally had fun.
Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter to close the public hearing at 6:35
p.m.
Privilege of the Floor: Beth McGee of 173 Tucker Road is a member of Enfield Neighbors for Safe
Air and Water. She understands that the board may be considering a ban or moratorium on hydraulic
fracturing and would encourage the board to put a ban in place as it provides the greatest protection
against drilling. She reminded the board there are many in the community willing to help, as
everyone is in this together.
Chris Martelli of 57 Rothermich Road thanked the board and ENSAW for organizing presentations
on hydraulic fracturing. He supports a ban and would like our water protected by the state the same as
New York City and Syracuse. We need to protect ourselves and a ban sends a clear message.
Cris McConkey of 402 Aiken Road called the board’s attention to an article in the Oneonta Daily Star
about a 911 responder who is concerned about the spreading of fracking fluid/brine on roads. The
NYS Department of Transportation has been spraying a liquid on Route 327, but it is unknown what
the solution is. He feels Enfield will feel the impacts of gas drilling that occurs elsewhere.
Shelley Lovelace of 2504 State Route 79 stated how proud she has been with the town leadership in
moving forward with a ban. Some politicians have turned deaf ears on the situation, but Enfield has
listened.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 8, 2012 2
Mary Jo Lovelace of 2504 State Route 79 echoed Shelley’s statement that she is pleased Enfield is
joining other municipalities in working towards a ban to protect water resources for homes, farms and
industries.
Martha Fischer of 772 Bostwick Road has volunteered to be a liaison between the town and
cooperative extension regarding energy conservation measures in our homes. One side of the coin is
hydrofracking, but the other side is making our homes more energy efficient. Cooperative Extension
has various programs and presentations available. They also offer guidance for energy teams which
are small groups of homeowners working together to help each other improve their homes.
Jon Gordon of Rothermich Road stated “ban fracking”.
Barb Place of Rothermich Road encouraged the board to ban fracking. We have one earth, one place
to live, and if we mess it up we don’t have it.
Approval of Minutes: Councilperson Teeter moved, with a second by Councilperson Rider to
approve the minutes of the January 11, 2012 regular board meeting and the January 18, 2012 audit
meeting.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Correspondence: Annual notice of tentative special franchise full value for town assessment roll to
be filed in 2012. Units in Enfield are NYSEG, Verizon, Trumansburg Telephone Company and
Haefele TV.
Copy of letter from Enfield Community Council to Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County
returning grant of $3,000 for installation of bathroom in the Community Building as the bathroom
cannot be installed at this time.
Annual notice of NYSEG Gas/Electric Department Emergency Call List. This will be furnished to the
Enfield Volunteer Fire Department also.
Letter from Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County reminding Enfield of the Tompkins County
Community Beautification Program grants that are available.
Letter from Cornell University Graduate Field of City and Regional Planning notifying Enfield of
summer internships.
Enfield Community Council Quarterly Reports for the last three quarters of 2011.
Budget Amendment #2012-2
WHEREAS, expenses for death benefits were not anticipated for the 2012 budget, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Highway Fund Account, line item DA5110.1, titled “General Repairs –
Personnel Services”, be decreased by $601.40, and Highway Fund Account, line item DA9089.8,
titled “Employee Benefits – Other (Death)”, be increased by $601.40.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 8, 2012 3
Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter to accept Budget Amendment
#2012-2.
Discussion: Supervisor Barriere explained these funds will be used to pay for all unused vacation of
David Owens.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Budget Amendment #2012-3
WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the General Fund Account, line item A9055.8,
titled “Employee Benefits - Disability”, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the General Fund Account, line item A1990.4, titled “Contingency Account”, be
decreased by $150.00 and General Fund Account, line item A9055.8, titled “Employee Benefits –
Disability”, be increased by $150.00.
Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Rider to accept Budget Amendment
#2012-3.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Budget Amendment #2012-4
WHEREAS, expenses anticipated for the 2012 bond payment for the highway facility were
incorrectly coded in A1620.41, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the General Fund Account, line item A1620.41, titled “Buildings – Contractual
Bond Payment”, be decreased by $99,611.13, and General Fund Account, line item A9710.6, titled
“Serial Bond Payments – Principle”, be increased by $30,000.00, and General Fund Account, line
item A9710.7, titled “Serial Bond Payments – Interest”, be increased by $69,611.13.
Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Rider to accept Budget Amendment
#2012-4.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Resolution #2012-20 Resolution to Amend Warrant #1 for the General Fund and the H-Fund
WHEREAS, voucher #34 for warrant #1 of the General Fund was recorded in the wrong fund, now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, that warrant #1, voucher #34 of the General Fund be deleted and reduce the total sum
of all vouchers approved in warrant #1 of the General Fund to $41,852.43, and further be it
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 8, 2012 4
RESOLVED, that warrant #1 of the H-Fund, be amended to add voucher #13, in the amount of
$34.74, which was voucher #34 of General Fund warrant #1, and increase the total sum of all
vouchers in the H-Fund to $110,159.78.
Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter to accept Resolution #2012-20.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Audit Claims:
Councilperson Howe-Strait moved, with a second by Councilperson Hern to authorize the supervisor
to pay General Fund vouchers #38 to #71 dated February 8, 2012 in the amount of $15,412.88;
Highway Fund vouchers #25 to #39 dated February 8, 2012 in the amount of $16,522.32; Fire
Department Fund voucher #3 dated February 8, 2012 in the amount of $231,312.00; and H-Fund
vouchers #14 to #18 dated February 8, 2012 in the amount of $6,237.13.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Mary Cornell, Town of Enfield bookkeeper, presented quotes for new software from both
Williamson Law Book Company and Red Wing Software for general accounting and payroll. Mary
felt the Williamson Law Book software would be more suitable for the town as it is state specific and
Red Wing is more generic. By having both payroll and the general accounting on the same system,
they will be compatible and reports will be generated easily.
Supervisor Barriere stated that even though funds were not budgeted for the purchase of this
software, they could come from the contingency fund. He feels that, after being audited, the town
really needs to move forward to computerizing its financial records.
Councilperson Teeter moved, with a second by Councilperson Rider to purchase the Williamson Law
Book Company Municipal Accounting Software and Payroll Software for $5,900.00 along with a one
year support contract, installation and training in accordance with the quote recently received.
Discussion: Councilperson Howe-Strait asked if information would be entered back to January 1,
2012 on the new program. Bookkeeper Cornell responded that it would.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Highway Superintendent’s Report: Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins reported that the good
weather has allowed the crew to have time to move to the new facility. There are still repair parts to
be moved and then clean-up at the old facility.
Code Enforcement Officer’s Report: Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter reported in January
there were 4 building permits issued; 6 inspections completed; 8 progress checks; 1 complaint
received and resolved; 1 house number installed and 7 hours spent in training. The annual report was
completed and submitted to the state. He attended the annual Tompkins County Assessment meeting
and attended a 1 day training in Dryden on new energy codes.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 8, 2012 5
Committee Reports:
Planning Board: Mike Carpenter reported there was no meeting held in February. Some members
attended the Tony Ingraffea lecture on unconventional gas drilling. Discussion has started on the
Comprehensive Plan.
Health Insurance Consortium: No report.
Enfield Community Council: ECC treasurer Laurean Trenchard reported the annual meeting will be
held Wednesday, February 16 at 6:30, downstairs in the Community Building. The annual report will
be available. Basketball at Enfield School will be finishing up soon, but Zumba continues on
Mondays when school is in session. A group continues to work on a quilt to be raffled at the Harvest
Festival in the fall. The next ECC newsletter will be going out the first of April.
The Recreation Partnership has met and finds that participants in Danby, Caroline and Enfield have
similar needs and will coordinate to do a report on services that each community does.
There was no report on the Youth Board.
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: Art Howser presented the Annual Report for 2011. There are 55
active members with 13 Emergency Medical Technicians. In 2011 there were 361 responses of which
236 were EMS, 10 were structure fires, 25 were motor vehicle accidents, 34 were severe weather
calls, along with other investigations and mutual aid calls. They logged 8,146 personnel hours
between trainings and calls.
Art Howser also reported in January there were 43 calls including 34 EMS, 1 structure fire, 1 service
call, 1 propane gas leak, 1 carbon monoxide investigation, 1 brush fire, 1 motor vehicle accident, 1
assist with fire police, 1 power line down and 1 mutual aid to Trumansburg. Training for February
will include ice rescue, fire suppression, and pump training with portable ponds. NYSEG emergency
contact numbers are available and the new county paging system is to take effect next week.
Facilities Manager: Chris Hern reported a new programmable thermostat and a carbon monoxide
detector have been purchased for the town hall. He has 3 furnace estimates for the upstairs of the
Community Building with all warranties being about the same. The Lennox unit would be $3,750, the
Hile $2,700 and the Century $2,200. He recommended the Century unit with a 10 year warranty.
Councilperson Hern moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter to approve the purchase of a
Century furnace with a warranty of 10 years.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Supervisor Barriere asked Councilperson Hern to take some time to go through the old highway
facility and see what needs to be shut down – heat, water, etc.
Communication Access Committee: No report.
Facilities Development: No report.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 8, 2012 6
Personnel Committee: Councilperson Teeter reported the committee met and started going through
the personnel manual. Another meeting is scheduled for March.
Tompkins County Council of Governments: Supervisor Barriere reported two co-chairs have been
elected: Herb Engman and Richard Driscoll. The Recreational Partnership is scheduled for a
presentation at the next meeting.
County Legislator’s Report: Dave McKenna reported new committees have been formed. There is
now a focus on the Office of the Aging moving into their new facility and a new space for the
legislature.
Old Business:
Update on Road Preservation Plan: Supervisor Barriere reported he met with Buddy Rollins, highway
superintendent and Guy Krogh, town attorney to work on fine tuning a law. Dan Walker of the
planning board will be attending the next meeting.
Unconventional Gas Drilling Discussion: Supervisor Barriere reported the Town of Caroline has a
draft one year moratorium that attorney Guy Krogh has prepared. If Enfield followed that route it
would save them money and give us a year in which to see how the lawsuits on unconventional gas
drilling are resolved, and start an aquifer study. If a moratorium is in place, the town can move to a
ban without too much additional work. He feels that a one year time-frame will keep the board
focused, as a moratorium beyond one year may not hold.
Councilperson Teeter stated if the town enacts a moratorium, there should be goals. Supervisor
Barriere stated a moratorium would help keep the town focused on goals such as a road preservation
law, aquifer study, site plan review, comprehensive plan, and aquifer protection law.
Councilperson Howe-Strait stated she feels many controls will need to be in place for the Wind Farm
and that going from a moratorium to a ban would be back-tracking. She would like to have a ban on
unconventional gas drilling.
Supervisor Barriere stated there is an additional step for a ban rather than a moratorium and it would
be more time consuming. It could still be done.
Councilperson Rider stated she feels if a ban is enacted, the town will still have to keep its goals
regarding road preservation, comprehensive plan and aquifer study. The town can always go from a
moratorium to a ban.
Councilperson Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter, to direct town attorney Guy
Krogh to draft a moratorium for one year on unconventional gas drilling, in conjunction with David
and Helen Slottje, for the Town of Enfield.
Discussion: Councilperson Hern stated he feels a moratorium does enable justification for a ban later
on if our attorney recommends that route.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait nay, Councilperson Rider aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 8, 2012 7
Supervisor Barriere suggested a public information session be held, with Guy Krogh present, to
answer questions on the draft moratorium. A tentative date was set for Wednesday, February 29 at
6:30 p.m. at Enfield School for this question and answer session. Notice will be posted at the town
hall, corner store, web site and in the Ithaca Journal.
New Business:
Assignment and Assumption Agreement for the Wind Farm: Supervisor Barriere explained this
Agreement will recognize the name change of the wind farm from Enfield Energy, LLC to Black Oak
Wind Farm, LLC. The developer’s agreement stays the same.
Councilperson Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter to authorize the supervisor to
sign the Assignment and Assumption Agreement and Consent to Assignment between Enfield
Energy, LLC, Black Oak Wind Farm, LLC and the Town of Enfield as presented.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Approval of the Proposed Enfield Community Council Contract: Supervisor Barriere noted we held a
public hearing. The contract hasn’t changed much.
Councilperson Teeter moved, with a second by Councilperson Hern to authorize the supervisor to
sign the 2012-2016 contract between the Town of Enfield and the Enfield Community Council as
presented.
Discussion: Councilperson Teeter mentioned the town and community council worked together to
form the new contract. The basketball program is now receiving $1,000 per year in support from the
Enfield Volunteer Fire Department. There is no indication that any programming would suffer with
this new contract.
Councilperson Rider feels confident the community council can still provide programs and expand.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider recuse,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Review and Discuss Site Plan Review Law: Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter and Planning
Board Co-Chair Mike Carpenter moved to the table with the town board for discussion on the Site
Plan Review Law draft. Supervisor Barriere thanked the Planning Board for their work and the town
board members for their comments on the draft.
A lengthy discussion ensued on suggested changes to the draft law.
Disposal of Bookkeeper’s old laptop: Supervisor Barriere explained the old laptop has no value and
all information has been removed from it.
Councilperson Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Hern to properly dispose of the old
laptop.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 8, 2012 8
Close-out of Dave Owens’ vacation time: Supervisor Barriere explained there were approximately
fifteen days of vacation and sick time that Dave Owens used during the worker’s compensation
period. Two-thirds of that time will be paid back to the town and the beneficiary will be compensated
for that time. This resolution is to partially pre-pay the beneficiary now and not wait until worker’s
compensation sends a check in the amount of approximately $1,700. Supervisor Barriere is proposing
that $1,500 be paid to the beneficiary now and whatever the balance is later can be passed on to the
beneficiary.
Resolution #2012-21
RESOLUTION TO COMPENSATE DAVID OWENS’ BENEFICIARY FOR ALL UNUSED
VACATION AND SICK LEAVE COMPENSATED FROM THE WORKER’S
COMPENSATION BOARD AND AUTHORIZING PREPAYMENT
RESOLVED, that all funds awarded from the NYS Worker’s Compensation Alliance, to compensate
for all vacation and sick leave used by David Owens due to the line-of-duty injury occurring on
November 15th, 2011, be awarded to his beneficiary, and further be it
RESOLVED, that a $1,500.00 prepayment of those funds be awarded to his beneficiary
immediately, and the balance to be awarded when funds are received from the NYS Worker’s
Compensation Alliance.
Resolution #2012-21 was moved by Supervisor Barriere and seconded by Councilperson Teeter.
Discussion: Councilperson Rider expressed confidence that all monies will be received from the
state.
Supervisor Barriere stated it could take two or three months for the payment to be received from the
Worker’s Compensation Board.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Announcements: Greg Stevenson submitted the nomination for Volunteer of the Month recognizing
Dave H. Owens posthumously. Dave gave countless hours of assistance with the Enfield Volunteer
Fire Company, the Enfield Food Pantry and more. He never complained or asked for anything in
return and his work ethic was an inspiration to many.
Adjournment: Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Rider, to adjourn the
meeting at 10:20 p.m. No one opposed.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton
Enfield Town Clerk