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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-16 Regular Meeting.pdf Town of Enfield Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Enfield Community Building Wednesday, February 10, 2016 6:30 p.m. Present: Town Supervisor Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Virginia Bryant, Town Councilperson Mike Carpenter, Town Councilperson Henry Hansteen, Town Councilperson Michael Miles, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Supervisor Rider opened the regular meeting at 6:33 p.m. by leading the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Privilege of the Floor: Daryl Anderson of 6200 Deer Run Lane, which is off Buck Hill Road in the Town of Hector stated he is an investor in the Black Oak Wind Farm. He stated the wind farm project has gone through a long process. He appreciates the work the Enfield Wind Farm Advisory Committee has done and hopes the project won't be killed, as it would be a bad outcome. John Burger of 1686 Hanshaw Road in the Town of Dryden stated folks who are not used to wind farms may feel they are an eye sore, but the Black Oak Wind Farm could work with residents and give them a benefit for working with the project. Martha Fischer of 772 Bostwick Road in the Town of Enfield encouraged everyone to work to make their homes more energy efficient by tightening them up. NYSERDA offers energy audits that will show where air leaks are. Cornell Cooperative Extension has information available to help homeowners. Dawn Drake of 105 Griffen Road in the Town of Enfield thanked the Enfield Wind Farm Advisory Committee for the work they are doing. She is in favor of green energy, but wants everyone to be safe. Marcus Gingerich of 101 Rumsey Hill Road in the Town of Enfield stated he agrees that it is very important to conserve energy. He thanked the board for their support and considering concerns of residents regarding the proposed wind farm. He hopes the board will continue to address concerns. John Fry of 8 White Hawk Lane in the Town of Danby is looking for land to purchase for a small business. He feels it would be appealing to locate near a wind farm and feels projects like the Black Oak Wind Farm produce clean energy. Joanne Cipolla-Dennis of 964 West Dryden Road in the Town of Dryden is an investor in the Black Oak Wind Farm and also feels conservation of energy is important. She does not like to see energy coming from fracking and coal powered plants, but likes wind energy. She feels this small wind farm is perfectly suited for Tompkins County. Mimi Mehaffey of 115 West Enfield Center Road distributed copies of a letter from Jude Lemke's attorney, Thomas J. Fucillo, Esq. The letter addressed the possibility of "vested rights" of the Black Oak Wind Farm regarding future changes to the Town of Enfield's Wind Law. He urged the town board to consider enacting a moratorium on construction of wind farms while it determines whether changes to its wind law are needed. Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 10, 2016 2 Consent Agenda: Supervisor Rider asked if anyone would like an item removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion. No request was made. Councilperson Carpenter moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant to approve all items on the Consent Agenda as follows: Approval of Minutes of the Enfield Town Board Regular meeting of January 13, 2016 and Approval of Minutes of the Special Town Board Audit meeting of January 20, 2016 Budget Amendments: Budget Amendment #2016-10 Insurance WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the General Fund line item A1910.4 titled “ Unallocated Insurance”, now therefore be it RESOVED, that the General Fund line A1990.4 titled “Contingent Account” be decreased by $112.39 and line item A1901.4 be increased by $112.39. Budget Amendment #2016-11 Buildings - Personnel Services WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the General Fund line item A1620.1 titled “Buildings – Personnel Services” now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the line A1990.4 titled “Contingent Account” be decreased by $2,000 and line A1620.1 be increased by $2,000. Audit Claims: The Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #30 to #60 dated February 10, 2016 in the amount of $21,335.43 and Highway Fund vouchers #18 to #37 dated February 20, 2016 in the amount of $11,889.92. Resolution #2016-33 Appointment of Planning Board WHEREAS, in the Organizational Resolutions of 2016 the Planning Board was inadvertently left out of the Board appointments, and WHEREAS, the Enfield Town Board feels this is a necessary and vital part of our Town organization, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Planning Board consist of Dan Walker (2020), Ann Chaffee (2018), Steve Given (2019), Calvin Rothermich (2016), Poney Carpenter (2017), and Henry Hansteen- Board Liaison. Resolution #2016-34 Custodial Agreement with Tompkins Trust Company WHEREAS, a Custodial Agreement for Deposits & Repurchase Agreements was executed between the Town of Enfield and Tompkins County Trust Company on December 1, 1996 and WHEREAS, this Agreement should be updated and Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 10, 2016 3 WHEREAS, our Attorney has reviewed the updated document, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Supervisor be authorized to sign this Custodial Agreement with Tompkins Trust Co. Resolution #2016-35 Appointments to Wind Farm Advisory Committee WHEREAS, there have been some changes requested to the membership of the Wind Farm Advisory Committee and WHEREAS, the Board can periodically and at will, appoint or remove members, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that Marguerite Wells be removed from the committee and Peter Bardaglio be added in her place and Julie Schroder be added to this committee as an alternate. Resolution #2016 -36 Alternate Clerk for Wind Farm Advisory Committee WHEREAS, Sue Thompson is not available for all meetings of the Enfield Wind Farm Advisory Committee, and WHEREAS, Alice Linton has stated that she can fill in, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that Alice Linton be appointed as the alternate Clerk at the salary of $14.34/hr. Resolution #2016-37 Return of Black Oak Wind Farm Building Permit Fee WHEREAS, in September, 2015, Black Oak Wind Farm applied for a building permit and gave the Code Officer a check for $600.00 and WHEREAS, soon after that they had to make changes to the project which precluded their ability to start building the permitted structure and WHEREAS, the Town does not wish to hold these monies for an unknown period of time, now therefore be it, RESOLVED, that the Bookkeeper be requested to return this permit money to Black Oak Wind Farm. Supervisor's Report: Attended the monthly TTCOG Meeting; Had the Town Mailbox moved by Patrick Head; Had the back boundary of the Park-and-Ride reflagged; Conferred with George VanValen on preparing the Park-and-Ride; Conferred with Ray Hubbell and Patrick Head on preparing the Park-and-Ride; Contacted Cortland DOT re: permit to work in the State right of way; Started to fill out the DOT permit; Discussed insurance needed for the Park and Ride and requested proof of insurance from Sprague Insurance for the DOT permit; Conferred with Kathy Spencer from LaBella re: needed work to update the SQER with changes being proposed to the Black Oak Wind Farm project; Conferred with TCAT several times re: lease for Park and Ride and other matters regarding relocating the Town Park-and-Ride; Spoke with Bret Jaspers of WSKG Radio; Conferred with USGS re: testing for lead in our test wells this spring; Attended the Health Consortium Executive Board in Herb Masser's absence; Attended a meeting at Soil and Water regarding work that is planned for this summer in the creek parallel to Trumbull's Corners Rd.; Met with Vanessa's Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 10, 2016 4 Cleaning Service twice to discuss and finalize cleaning the Town Buildings; Got 50 hard copies of the Housing Survey that County Planning is doing this month; Passed out Housing Surveys at the local Food Bank; Met with John Hewitt of La Bella Engineering to start assessment of Highway Building; Attended the Board of Director's meeting of Tompkins County Area Development; Met with Henry Hansteen and Guy Krogh re: guidance for the Town on going forward with the Black Oak Wind Farm project; Held a Special Meeting to conduct an Audit of Town financial accounts; Answered 20 calls from constituents re: the 30% increase in property taxes; Registered the Park- and-Ride easement and 3 well drilling easements with the County Clerk. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Hansteen aye, Councilperson Miles aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Carried Correspondence: Brochure from TC3 listing professional development opportunities; e-mail with information on training in municipal accounting; housing survey from Tompkins County Area Development. County Legislator Report: Jim Dennis reported the county legislature voted in support of moving the Black Oak Wind Farm along, but they have no land use control at the county level. All decisions regarding the Black Oak Wind Farm will be made by the town. The legislature is looking into police consolidation in order to save money. Highway Superintendent Report: No report. Code Enforcement Report: Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter reported in January there were 2 building permits issued, with 1 for a solar installation. He completed 11 inspections and 9 progress checks. He received 1valid complaint. He reported another solar farm is planned next to the recently completed one on Mecklenburg Road. Committee Reports: Wind Farm Advisory Committee: Councilperson Miles stated the committee has met 3 times. The first meeting was organizational, the second was trying to find common ground, and the third was starting to go through the actual wind law. They are about half way through the law and there are some obvious, and non-controversial, recommendations for change. The next step will be to continue looking for common ground. They are looking for technical advisors and have a lot of work still to do. One of the outstanding questions is if the wind law is changed, will it apply to the Black Oak Wind Farm. Planning Board: Chair Dan Walker reported there are two actions that came before the planning board at their last meeting. The first was a three lot subdivision on Applegate Road that was approved. There was also a preliminary presentation on the plan of a new solar farm adjacent to the current one on Mecklenburg Road. There was discussion of a third solar farm being planned on the other side of Mecklenburg Road. No documents for that have been received yet, but there will need to be a public hearing at some point. Recreation Partnership: Carolyn Tschanz reported the group met in December to appoint board members and officers and to set up meeting dates for 2016. They also met in January. Tompkins County Youth Services would like to come to the Enfield Town Board meeting in the spring to do a presentation. They need to start looking at a new contract that would be for 2018-2022. On February Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 10, 2016 5 22 the new recreation guide will be available, both in paper format and on-line at iybrec.com. The Recreation Partnership has started working with Ithaca High School on additional programming. Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: Chief Roger Lauper submitted his report showing there were 27 total calls in January as follows: 2 fires (both electrical); 20 EMS and rescue calls; 1 MVA; 1 service call; 1 mutual aid to Newfield; 2 good intent calls. February trainings will include a general meeting, mandatory OSHA trainings, ice rescue trainings at Trumansburg Fire Department. A chicken BBQ will be held on February 14. Facilities Manager: Councilperson Carpenter stated he would like to start work on the old highway building assessment, the community building assessment, and development of solar at the new highway building. He would like to form a committee to start work on a four year master plan on whether to build or remodel, and also to consider a park at the town owned land by the new highway facility. Long term, this is a good time to start thinking about these things. Comprehensive Plan Writing Committee: No report. Tompkins County Council of Governments: Supervisor Rider reported the group discussed their plan of work and putting money towards a police consolidation study, which is separate from the court consolidation study. Finish of Audit Meeting: Town Bookkeeper Debby Kelley's 2015 books were presented for audit. Supervisor Rider stated there is a general fund, a highway fund, a fire protection fund, and trust and agency fund. Payroll is done in-house. Debby asked a board member to sign off on bank statements that she reconciles, and the end of month reports. The chief fiscal officer’s annual report is attached and made a part of these minutes. Councilperson Bryant moved, with a second by Councilperson Hansteen to accept the audit of the chief fiscal officer and approve the books of the chief fiscal officer. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Hansteen aye, Councilperson Miles aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Carried Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant, to appoint Councilperson Hansteen to look over the monthly reports and bank account reconciliations of the town bookkeeper each month. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Hansteen aye, Councilperson Miles aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Carried Old Business: 2016 Town Budget: Supervisor Rider stated she has talked with several constituents and town board members about the 2016 budget. A mistake was made lowering taxes in 2015 by dipping into the fund balance. In 2016 the board was not comfortable taking so much from the fund balance, so less was put towards the budget. She also stated a substantial amount was in the budget for highway replacement vehicles and repairs, in addition to adding funds for a new code enforcement vehicle. She stated she has attended budget school, but has no professional help. Councilperson Carpenter will help with the 2017 budget. Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 10, 2016 6 Councilperson Miles asked if budget lines were overdrawn in 2015. Supervisor Rider responded that some were, but funds were moved around so that overall the total was not overdrawn. Councilperson Miles asked if in 2015 funds were borrowed from the fund balance and Supervisor Rider stated that yes they were. She is trying to get a student from Cornell to help with the budget next year and she will also talk to the Town of Danby deputy supervisor for help. Councilperson Miles asked if there is a plan to stabilize the future budgets. Councilperson Carpenter stated he would like to have a plan for the future. He would like to find out what percentage of the total budget highway funds are in other towns. Councilperson Bryant stated funds often need to be moved due to the weather. Supervisor Rider wants a ten to fifteen year plan for highway equipment, and a five year plan for the overall town budget. Councilperson Carpenter asked when the 2017 budget process would start. Supervisor Rider stated it would start in September, and she will do everything possible to keep the increase to 2% or less. Solar Farm Law Update: Supervisor Rider will provide a copy of the Town of Seneca Solar Farm law to board members. She will also get a copy of the draft Town of Enfield Solar Farm law for new board members. She would like to see the solar farm law address square footage and not kilowatts. The infrastructure will limit the size. She will plan a working session to fine tune the proposed law. Town Solar Panel Installation Update: Councilperson Carpenter has obtained informal price information from Taitem, Renovus and Fingerlakes Renewables, Inc. for a ground mounted 50 KW system on town property. The price estimates received were in the $100,000 range. He feels if the town decides to go forward with a solar system, it should be purchased and not leased. If the town buildings can be consolidated, we would reduce costs. He suggested we could finance half of the system this year and the other half in 2017. Fingerlakes Renewables, Inc. would allow the town to do a portion of the installation work and buy some of the materials. This could save a substantial amount of money. There are grants that may be available. Supervisor Rider stated this item is not in the 2016 budget, so the town would probably have to bond for the project. She will look into borrowing money and have this item on the March agenda. Update on the Park and Ride: Supervisor Rider stated the mailbox has been moved. The back boundary lines of the proposed Park and Ride area have been defined and she is working to get a Department of Transportation permit for working in the state's right-of-way. She is working with Patrick Head to do the necessary leveling of the site. Since the cost will be under $5,000, it will not need to be bid. Materials can be purchased at the state bid price. Highway Building Assessment: Supervisor Rider and Councilperson Carpenter met with LaBella. LaBella will contact Highway Superintendent Rollins to schedule a time to do a walkthrough of the building. Some of the wall panels will need to be removed. At the time of this walkthrough, a lift will be rented and the overhead heaters will be repaired by the company who manufactured the heaters. Once the assessment is completed by LaBella, it will be submitted to the town and the town board can determine how to finance repairs to the building. Supervisor Rider will put out bid requests for painting of the town hall again. Last year they were put out too late in the season to have any interest. Councilperson Hansteen mentioned it would be important to have the surface prepared before painting. Norm Smith has agreed to do minor repairs that are needed before painting can begin. Supervisor Rider will get bid requests out in the first part of March. Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, February 10, 2016 7 New Business: Senior Exemption Limits: Supervisor Rider stated the town clerk felt the senior exemption limits for property taxes should be reviewed. In 1990 a local law was passed giving a property tax exemption to residents 65 and older who had low incomes. Information was provided to town board members on a grid that shows most of the towns in Tompkins County and their exemption levels. Jay Franklin provided information on the financial impact of raising the income level for this exemption. At this time, Enfield is the only municipality in Tompkins County that does not allow a disability exemption. Jay Franklin, of the Tompkins County Department of Assessment, has been invited to the March town board meeting. Cleaning Service: Supervisor Rider stated Sue Thompson has resigned as the town hall and community building custodian. Supervisor Rider presented an estimate for Vanessa Cleaning Service, LLC to take over this job at $110 for each time the buildings are cleaned. Councilperson Carpenter asked how much Sue Thompson had been paid for this service. Supervisor Rider stated in 2015 she was paid a total of $1,157.52. Councilperson Carpenter would like the board to look for a resident that might be interested in the job for the $14.34 per hour rate that Sue would have been receiving this year. He will check with other cleaning services in the area to see if anyone is interested. Adjournment: Councilperson Bryant moved, with a second by Councilperson Hansteen to adjourn at 9:37 p.m. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Hansteen aye, Councilperson Miles aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Carried Respectfully submitted, Alice Linton, Enfield Town Clerk