HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-13-12 Regular Meeting.pdf
Town of Enfield
Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
6:30 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Roy Barriere, Town Councilperson Chris Hern (who joined the meeting at
7:20 p.m.), Town Councilperson Vera Howe-Strait, Town Councilperson Debbie Teeter (who left the
meeting at 7:40 p.m.), Town Councilperson Ann Rider, Town Highway Superintendent Barry
Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton.
Supervisor Barriere opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. by leading the assemblage in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
TCAT Presentation: Nancy Oltz spoke about bus transportation provided to Enfield. Route #20
currently comes to Enfield and with the completion of the new highway facility Tompkins
Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) feels it is a good opportunity to expand their presence in Enfield.
They would like a Park and Ride at the new highway facility. This could also be a bus stop for those
who would be able to walk to the facility. TCAT would be willing to purchase materials for the turn-
around between the poles on Enfield Main Road.
Supervisor Barriere mentioned the board had discussed, at a previous meeting, the possibility of
using the old highway facility area for a new Park and Ride which would be ready to go now.
Councilperson Teeter is concerned about space being available for a new Town Hall and traffic going
in and out of the area at the new highway facility. She is also concerned that the old Park and Ride is
not well maintained and would like to see improvement there before a new Park and Ride is opened.
She would like the old highway facility used for a Park and Ride. She also asked if TCAT had looked
at the space at the old facility. She would like to see a survey taken of riders.
Councilperson Rider mentioned there is currently a walkway along Enfield Main Road so riders don’t
need to walk on the road. She asked if TCAT knew where walkers originated from. She asked if
there have been plans drawn up.
Nancy Oltz responded that no plans have been drawn up, she has not looked at the old facility, and no
survey has been taken on ridership.
Doug Swartz, Service Development Manager of TCAT, questioned if a Park and Ride was not at the
new facility, could there be a turn-around at the new facility.
Supervisor Barriere will meet with Nancy Oltz to see where parking could be at the old facility and if
a turnaround would be feasible at the new facility. TCAT will take a survey of ridership.
Privilege of the Floor: Mary Jo Lovelace of 2504 State Rt. 79 stated she is pleased to see discussion
of the moratorium on gas drilling on the agenda.
Margaret Bald of 4 Stone House Road stated she is in favor of a bus turn around at the new highway
facility and she is in favor of the moratorium on gas drilling.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, June 13, 2012 2
Approval of Minutes: Councilperson Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to
approve the minutes of the May 9, 2012 public hearing and regular board meeting.
Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye, Councilperson Teeter abstain,
Supervisor Barriere aye. Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Correspondence: Broadband Internet Access for All Residents of Tompkins County,
Recommendation to the Tompkins County Legislature prepared by The Tompkins County Broadband
Committee.
Copy of letter to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo from the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network regarding
hydraulic fracturing.
Agenda and meeting notice from Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council for June 19, 2012
meeting to be held at 737 Willow Avenue from 2- 4 p.m.
Notice from Sheen Housing with information on home repair funds that are available for low income
homeowners.
Tompkins County Area Development 2012 Annual Report to the Community.
State of New York Notice of Tentative State Equalization Rate for the 2012 Assessment Roll which
will continue at 100%.
Budget Amendments:
Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter to accept Budget Amendment
#2012-8.
Budget Amendment #2012-8
WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the General Fund Account, line item A7550.4,
titled “Celebrations - Contractual”, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the General Fund Account, line item A1990.4, titled “Special Items – Contingency
Account”, be decreased by $1,200.00 and General Fund Account, line item A7550.4, titled
“Celebrations - Contractual”, be increased by $1,200.00.
Discussion: Supervisor Barriere explained this amendment was necessary because previously only
$600 of the $1,800 total was moved to the Celebrations – Contractual line.
Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye, Councilperson Teeter aye,
Supervisor Barriere aye. Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Budget Amendment #2012-9
Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter to accept Budget Amendment
#2012-9.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, June 13, 2012 3
WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the General Fund Account, line item A1220.42,
titled “Supervisor/Bookkeeper - Contractual”, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the General Fund Account, line item A1990.4, titled “Special Items – Contingency
Account”, be decreased by $2,700.00 and General Fund Account, line item A1220.42, titled
“Supervisor/Bookkeeper - Contractual”, be increased by $2,700.00.
Discussion: Supervisor Barriere explained this amendment was necessary to purchase new payroll
software.
Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye, Councilperson Teeter aye,
Supervisor Barriere aye. Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Budget Amendment #2012-10
Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Howe-Strait to accept Budget
Amendment #2012-10.
WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the Highway Fund Account, line item DA5130.4,
titled “Machinery - Contractual”, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Highway Fund Account, line item DA5110.4, titled “General Repairs –
Contractual”, be decreased by $16,000.00 and Highway Fund Account, line item DA5130.4, titled
“Machinery - Contractual”, be increased by $16,000.00.
Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye, Councilperson Teeter aye,
Supervisor Barriere aye. Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Audit Claims:
Councilperson Howe-Strait moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter to authorize the
supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #169 to #188 dated June 13, 2012 in the amount of
$17,968.91 and Highway Fund vouchers #96 to #108 dated June 13, 2012 in the amount of
$20,660.21.
Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye, Councilperson Teeter aye,
Supervisor Barriere aye. Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
County Legislator’s Report: Dave McKenna reported the legislature has been discussing repairs to
the airport and county re-districting . He thanked those who attended the meeting last week on county
broadband service. Supervisor Barriere mentioned our contract with Haefele will be expiring and a
new agreement will be put together. A representative of Haefele will be at next month’s meeting.
Highway Superintendent’s Report: Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins presented an amended
284 form which shows plans for CHIPS expenditures. He plans to cut back on one project and change
two others. He also plans to finish Enfield Center Road and work on Griffin Road. Aiken Road also
has two bad spots to be repaired.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, June 13, 2012 4
Superintendent Rollins requested permission to sell the 1987 Ford tractor with rear broom at an
internet municipal auction since the new tractor has a broom and is working well. There are no
charges involved for the auction. The funds will be put back into budget line DA5130.2 and
insurance will be cancelled on the tractor once it is sold.
Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Teeter to authorize Highway
Superintendent Rollins to list the 1987 Ford tractor and rear broom on the auctions international
website and leave it to his discretion on whether to accept the bid, and then put the proceeds in
budget line DA5130.2.
Vote: Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye, Councilperson Teeter aye,
Supervisor Barriere aye. Councilperson Hern absent. Carried
Superintendent Rollins then asked the board for permission to fill in the floor drains in the old
highway facility and the catch basin hole in the parking lot beside the door to the Town Clerk’s
Office.
Supervisor Barriere asked why the drains should be filled instead of plugging them, in case there is a
need to use them in the future.
Superintendent Rollins stated they are somewhat plugged up already and don’t work well. Also, they
drain into the ditch. If there was a new use for the facility, a new drainage system would need to be
installed.
Supervisor Barriere asked to table the issue until July.
Superintendent Rollins reported there has been a rash of road signs disappearing – a stop sign and
post on Gray Road and road signs missing from Hines Road and Porter Hill Road.
Councilperson Rider asked if the missing signs had been reported to the local police department.
Superintendent Rollins replied they had not been reported. Councilperson Rider will follow up with
the police to see what needs to be done.
Councilperson Hern joined the meeting at this time.
Supervisor Barriere moved the new business items of the Moratorium on Gas Drilling and the Site
Plan Review Law forward at this time.
Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Rider to accept Resolution #2012-31.
Resolution #2012-31
RESOLUTION APPROVING LOCAL LAW #1-2012 – MORATORIUM ON AND
PROHIBITION OF GAS AND PETROLEUM EXPLORATION AND EXTRACTION
ACTIVITIES, UNDERGROUND STORAGE OF NATURAL GAS, AND DISPOSAL OF
NATURAL GAS OR PETROLIUM EXTRACTION, EXPLORATION, AND PRODUCTION
WASTES
WHEREAS, on February 8th, 2012, the Town Board of the Town of Enfield has approved to move
forward with a local law to effect a moratorium and prohibition of natural gas and petroleum
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, June 13, 2012 5
exploration and extraction activities, to include underground storage of natural gas, and disposal of
natural gas or petroleum extraction, exploration, and production wastes within the Town of Enfield;
and
WHEREAS, a proposed final draft of such law has been duly presented to the Town Board by the
Town Supervisor, in February, 2012; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing for the proposed local law has been held on t he 28thday of March, 2012,
and that the proposed local law has not substantially changed; and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Department of Planning has reviewed the proposed local law and
has determined that it has no negative inter-community, or county-wide impacts; now therefore it be
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield hereby approves this local law as
presented at the Public Hearing held on the 28th day of March, 2012; and further be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk file this Local Law with the Attorney for the Town of Enfield and
the New York Department of State.
Discussion: Supervisor Barriere asked for disclosure from town board members on the current status
of whether they have gas leases on their property. Supervisor Barriere stated all his property is under
a lease. Councilperson Howe-Strait stated all her property was under lease, but she is in the process
of working with a lawyer to determine if the lease has expired and if not, to make it null and void.
Councilperson Rider stated none of her land is under lease. Councilperson Hern stated none of his
land is under lease. Councilperson Teeter stated she believes her lease expired last month, but has not
looked at the lease to confirm that.
Councilperson Rider stated the board has had input over the past months and it is her believe that the
community wants a ban on gas drilling, but the correct step is to start with a moratorium.
Councilperson Teeter feels that many gas leases are expiring and there are mixed opinions on what
the future of gas drilling will be in the State of New York.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Hern to accept Resolution #2012-32.
Resolution #2012-32
RESOLUTION DECLARING INTENT TO ACT AS LEAD AGENCY FOR
SEQRA REVIEW, CLASSIFYING THE ACTION, IDENTIFYING INVOLVED AND
INTERESTED AGENCIES, AND SETTING PUBLIC HEARING UPON PROPOSED
LOCAL LAW #_ OF 2012 - THE TOWN OF ENFIELD SITE PLAN REVIEW LAW
WHEREAS, since 2008 the Planning Board and the Town Board have been working cooperatively to
develop a site plan review local law for the Town of Enfield to review certain land uses and
applications so as to preserve and protect the Town, its environment, and residents from the potential
negative impacts that certain developments can present or cause; and
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, June 13, 2012 6
WHEREAS, a proposed final draft of such law has been duly presented to the Town Board by the
Town Supervisor, as drafted, reviewed, and revised by the Planning Board; and
WHEREAS, the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) expresses a desire
that projects, including laws and rules that impact land use planning, be subject to review as soon as
is practicable; and
WHEREAS, Part I of the LEAF, together with supporting information, has been submitted for review
in relation to the proposed Site Plan Review Local Law and such LEAF is deemed complete; and
WHEREAS, as this Local Law seeks to regulate, among other things, the site planning of certain
land uses and applications so to mitigate and prevent negative community and regional impacts, the
Town Board believes it is best situate to conduct the environmental review as Lead Agency; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board hereby classifies the proposed action of adopting this Local Law as a
Type I SEQRA action pursuant to, inter alia, 6 NYCRR Part 617.4(b)(1); and
WHEREAS, even though a strict reading of who and what constitutes an “Involved Agency” and/or
an “Interested Agency” could or would show, by virtue of the fact that this action only envisions
passage of a local law, that there are few or no such Involved or Interested Agencies, the Town Board
none-the-less desires to achieve maximum input on this Local Law from all sources and thus opts to
identify, as set forth below, a broad range of potential Interested and Involved Agencies; and
WHEREAS, the public hearing for the proposed local law has been held on the 9th day of May, 2012,
and that the proposed local law has not substantially changed; and
WHEREAS, upon due deliberation and in consideration of these matters, the Town Board of the
Town of Enfield has duly
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Enfield hereby declares its intent to act as Lead
Agency for SEQRA review; and it is further
RESOLVED AND DETERMINED, that
1. This action is classified as a Type I Action pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617.4(b)(1);
and
2. The Town Board of the Town of Enfield proposes to be the Lead Agency for
coordinated environmental review, subject to the consent of, or any requests by,
Involved or Interested Agencies relative to input upon the SEQRA review or as to
what Agency should coordinate or conduct the environmental review as Lead Agency;
and
3. The Involved Agencies are determined to be the Tompkins County Planning
Department and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets;
4. The potential Interested Agencies are determined to be: the United States Army Corps
of Engineers; the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; the
New York State Department of Parks and Historic Preservation; the Towns of Ithaca,
Ulysses, and Newfield in Tompkins County, and the Towns of Hector and Catherine
in Schuyler County; the Counties of Tompkins and Schuyler; the Tompkins County
Health Department; the Tompkins County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board
c/o Cooperative Extension; the Tompkins County Water
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, June 13, 2012 7
Resources Council c/o the Tompkins County Planning Department; the New York
State Department of Transportation; the Ithaca City School District; the Enfield
Historical Society c/o Enfield Town Historian; and the Town of Enfield Planning
Board;
and it is further
RESOLVED AND ORDERED, that the Town Clerk promptly deliver copies of this resolution, the
SEQRA LEAF Part I, the proposed Local Law, and a SEQRA Notice of Intent to all Interested and
Involved Agencies for review and comment; and it is further
RESOLVED AND ORDERED, that the Town Clerk promptly deliver the above materials to the
Tompkins County Planning Department together with a request that the Planning Department
conduct its review and make proposals and recommendations under General Municipal Law §§ 239 -l,
-m, and –n, as applicable; and it is further
RESOLVED AND ORDERED, that the Town Clerk deliver a completed § 305-a Review Form to the
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets with such SEQRA materials and a copy of the proposed
Local Law.
Discussion: Supervisor Barriere explained the next step for the town board is to declare lead agency
and start the SEQRA review. Once the resolution is passed, all the involved and interested agencies
need to be notified with a Letter of Intent to Act as Lead Agency and a copy of the proposed law.
They have 30 days to respond and if there are no recommendations by any of the involved and
interested agencies, the board can immediately move forward with the proposed law as written.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye,
Councilperson Teeter aye, Supervisor Barriere aye. Carried
Councilperson Teeter left the meeting at this time.
Code Enforcement Officer’s Report: Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter reported in May there
were 9 building permits issued which brings the year to date total to 29, with 3 being new homes.
There was 1 Certificate of Occupancy issued, 1 Certificate of Completion issued, 29 building
inspections and progress checks, 1 complaint received, 3 fire and safety inspections, and 3 house
numbers installed. He has been working with owners on 3 apartment conversions, and reviewed plans
for possible new apartment buildings.
Committee Reports:
Planning Board: Alan Teeter reported John Rancich gave a presentation on several items he is
considering, including building more apartment buildings similar to what he has on Enfield Main
Road and Mecklenburg Road and the possibility of The Fingerlakes School of Message moving their
school to a new building at the corner of Applegate and Mecklenburg Roads. He reminded the
Planning Board that he did a study several years ago regarding public water for Enfield that would
involve tapping into aquifers and running the water up Mecklenburg Road, down Applegate Road
and Enfield Center Road. He would be interested in working more on this idea.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, June 13, 2012 8
The Planning Board also discussed two site plan reviews. One was for the existing Collegeview
North mobile home park. They have a planned expansion, but this was grandfathered in, so it did not
need approval. The other was for one of the apartment houses on Applegate Road that is adding a one
bedroom apartment.
Councilperson Howe-Strait added that she feels it is very important to get the new Site Plan Review
Law in place because the old plan is still being used and clarification is needed on some points.
Marcie Finlay spoke about information that she gathered and presented previously to the Planning
Board regarding an aquifer study. She spoke about an aquifer project study that the US Geological
Service and Tompkins County have been doing over the last couple of years. It is a project where th e
US Geological Service pays part of the cost, the county pays part of the cost, and the town would be
responsible for 35% of the cost. Several towns in the county have taken advantage of this, including
Danby, Caroline and Newfield. The benefits are that we can have a better sense of the aquifer under
Enfield, both for protection of the water supply and knowing if we have adequate water. It gives a
basis to know whether too much water is being taken out or not. The town’s portion would be
$90,000 which can be spread out over 5 years and it can vary from year to year based on the
availability of funds. Other towns have received help for their portion from grants. If the town starts
the project, they are not committed to the whole 5 year process. Marcie asked the board to start
thinking about this now, as the US Geological Service budget year begins in October, so in order to
look for grants there would need to be a commitment from the town. If other towns get ahead of
Enfield, the funding may not be available from the county. If the town makes a commitment, there
are people willing to help look for other funding. The work can be done in 3 years, but can be spread
out over 5 years for budget purposes.
Health Insurance Consortium: No report
Enfield Community Council: Ann Rider reported summer camp slots are filling up. Camp begins on
July 2. The ECC cooperated with the playground build at Enfield School, which was successful. The
ECC is sponsoring outdoor movies at the town hall and the newsletter is coming out the first of
July.
Supervisor Barriere returned to the Planning Board report. He stated they have a lot going on with
the Comprehensive Plan, the aquifer study, and identifying critical environmental areas. If there is
anyone who is interested in helping out, they should talk to Virginia Bryant or Mike Carpenter co-
chairs of the Planning Board.
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: No report
Facilities Manager: No report
Communication Access Committee: No report
Facilities Development: No report
Personnel Committee: No report
Tompkins County Council of Governments: Supervisor Barriere reported there were a few
presentations, including water resources and youth services. They had a discussion on the open
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, June 13, 2012 9
meetings law. There was an update on the gas drilling task force. Cell tower discussions have been
tabled at this time.
Update on Road Preservation Plan: No update
Park-and-Ride Update: The board will wait to hear back from Nancy Oltz at TCAT.
New Business:
Appoint an Assistant Bookkeeper: Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson
Rider, to appoint Brandon Cornell as assistant bookkeeper.
Discussion: There will be no difference in salary – it would be Mary’s salary transferred over to
Brandon during the time period that he is filling her position. Brandon has been involved with the
bookkeeping program and is familiar with it.
Councilperson Hern asked what period this would be for. Supervisor Barriere responded at the most
two months.
Vote: Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Howe-Strait aye, Councilperson Rider aye, Supervisor
Barriere aye. Councilperson Teeter absent. Carried
Announcements: Supervisor Barriere asked everyone to spread the work about the Volunteer of the
Month program and that next month a Haefele representative will be at the board meeting to give a
presentation.
Adjournment: Supervisor Barriere moved, with a second by Councilperson Rider to adjourn at 8:00
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton
Enfield Town Clerk