HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-9-17 Regular Meeting
Town of Enfield
Regular Town Board Meeting
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
6:30 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Virginia Bryant, Town Councilperson Mike
Carpenter, Town Councilperson Beth McGee, Town Councilperson Becky Sims, Town Clerk Alice
Linton. Town Attorney Guy Krogh arrived at 8:10 p.m.
Supervisor Rider led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at 6:35 p.m. She added the
Tompkins County Shared Services Plan under New Business.
Presentation by Casey Mastro from New York Power Authority: Mr. Mastro explained part of his job
is helping municipalities with energy efficiency projects in the central New York area. He helps pin point
areas for infrastructure revitalization, but does not work with new construction. It is in the interest of the
New York Power Authority to reduce the energy load in New York, as it reduces the load on the grid. They
offer full financing capabilities without the need to bond. It was suggested he could help the Town with
making the highway facility more energy efficient. He can provide Enfield with a list of energy
conservation projects and what the payback period would be for each one - such as LED lighting. The
Power Authority provides assessment, design and construction. The Town would not pay anything up front.
The first step for the Town would be to provide the square footage of any building to be considered. He will
forward his power point presentation to Supervisor Rider so she can forward it on for others to view.
Privilege of the Floor:
Barbara Sadovnic of the Town of Enfield stated she was in favor of the Resolution in Support of the New
York Health Act which provides universal coverage with public financing.
Carol LaBorie of the Town of Enfield spoke in support of the Resolution for New York Health Care. She
believes universal health care should be a right, not a privilege. Coverage would be tax based on ability to
pay.
Art Godin of the Town of Enfield spoke in support of the Resolution for New York Health Care. He
believes the single payer system is the most effective, efficient and appropriate use of government
organization.
Consent Agenda:
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to approve the minutes of the regular
meeting of July 12, 2017, the minutes of the special meeting of July 17, 2017, the Audit Claims, and
Budget Amendments #2017-15 and #2017-16.
Audit Claims:
The Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #191 to #211 dated
August 9, 2017 in the amount of $14,783.03 and Highway Fund vouchers #134 to #158 dated August 9,
2017 in the amount of $30,172.79.
The following accounts have negative balances as of July 31, 2017:
A8020.41 Planning - Escrow Account -2,872.50
Plus balance unpaid from 2016 -8,073.61
DA5110.12 Boots and clothing - 200.00
DA5140.1 Brush, weed removal - 983.29
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, August 9, 2017 2
Budget Amendments:
Budget Amendment #2017-15 Personnel Services – Boots and Clothing
WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the Highway Fund line DA5110.12 titled "Personnel
Services-Boots and Clothing”, now therefore be it
RESOLVED that the Highway Fund line DA5112.4 titled “Extreme Winter Recovery” be reduced by
$200.00 and line DA5110.12 be increased by $200.00.
Budget Amendment #2017-16 Personnel Services – Brush & Weed Removal
WHEREAS, expenses have exceeded the budget in the Highway Fund line DA 5140.1 titled “Brush, Weed
Removal – Personnel Services”, now therefore be it,
RESOLVED, that the Highway Fund line DA 5110.1 titled General Repairs- Services” be reduced by
$984.00 and line DA5140.1 be increased by $984.00.
Vote on Consent Agenda: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson
McGee aye, Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider aye.
Correspondence: Letter from New York State Department of Taxation and Finance certifying the State
Office of Real Property Tax Services established a final State equalization rate of 100.00 for the Town of
Enfield.
Letter from Schuyler County Transit notifying the Town they will be launching a new route from Schuyler
County to Tompkins County on August 28, 2017. The new route is designed to connect to TCAT Route 20
at the Enfield Park and Ride, offering residents another opportunity to make connections to Ithaca and
Cornell. The Schuyler County Transit route will extend with direct service to Cayuga Medical Center
which will give Enfield residents a way to get from the Enfield Park and Ride to Cayuga Medical Center
without first traveling to downtown Ithaca.
County Legislator's Report: No report.
Highway Superintendent Report: No report.
Code Enforcement Report: Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter reported there were 8 building
permits issued in July which brings the year-to-date total to 27. The Dollar General Store has started
construction.
Supervisor's Report: Supervisor Rider reported she oriented and prepared necessary paperwork for the
new cleaning person, Holly Morais; attended a TCCOG meeting; attended an energy roadmap task force
meeting; met with Dennis Hubbell and Councilperson McGee to discuss the Fire Protection Contract;
attended three Tompkins County Shared Services meetings; attended the Tompkins County Health
Consortium Board of Directors meeting; met with Councilperson Bryant four times to work at updating the
Policies and Procedures Manual and the Employee Manual; attended a Tompkins County Area
Development meeting; attended the historic walk in Enfield sponsored by the Tompkins County Historic
Society; attended the organizational Renewable Energy Task Force meeting.
Councilperson McGee asked if the Personnel Committee was working on updates for the Policies and
Procedures Manual and the Employee Manual also. Supervisor Rider responded the Committee would be
given a draft of the updated Manuals and their comments would be duly noted.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, August 9, 2017 3
Committee Reports:
Planning Board: Dan Walker, chairperson, reported there were no action items at the August meeting.
They are working to get the Site Plan Review Law completed as soon as possible.
Recreation Partnership: No report.
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company: The submitted report showed there were 28 calls in July of which18
were EMS calls, 1 MVA with injuries, and 2 service calls. There were 7 fire calls: 3 mutual aid given to
Trumansburg, 1 freezer motor, 1 trash fire and 2 smoke detector activations. The next officer's meeting is
scheduled for September 5.
Renewable Energy Advisory Committee: Councilperson Carpenter reported the committee met and
discussed the process and time line, and determined knowledge and interest level of members. They will
meet again on August 10 and August 23. There was discussion on the structure of the final product.
Comprehensive Plan Writing Committee: Councilperson McGee reported at the last meeting the committee
finalized editing of content. At the next meeting, on August 15, they will look at data that describes the
Town and determine a user friendly way to present data.
Tompkins County Council of Government (TCCOG): Supervisor Rider reported the draft Shared Services
Plan has been completed. The group is discussing cooperating on LED lights.
Old Business:
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to adopt Resolution #2017-43.
Resolution #2017-43 Local Law to Override the Tax Levy Limit:
WHEREAS, New York State has instituted a law that local municipalities should not adopt a budget
increasing property taxes more that 2% and
WHEREAS, the cost of employees’ benefits is increasing, and we have concerns about replacement of
Highway equipment, culvert and bridge replacement, cold storage and storage facilities and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that an increase of more than 2% may be needed, and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on this matter on July 12, 2017 and the public’s comments were
heard, now therefore be it
RESOLVED that a Local Law entitled “A Local Law to Override the Tax Levy Limit Established in
General Municipal Law §3-C”(following) be passed allowing there to be more than a 2% increase in local
property taxes for the year 2018. The Town Clerk is requested to notify the necessary bodied of this
enactment.
A LOCAL LAW TO OVERRIDE THE TAX LEVY LIMIT ESTABLISHED
IN GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW §3-C
Be it enacted by the Town Board of the Town of Enfield as follows:
Section 1. Legislative Intent: It is the intent of this local law to override the limit on the amount of real property
taxes that may be levied by the Town of Enfield pursuant to General Municipal Law §3 -c, and to allow the Town of
Enfield to adopt a budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018 and ending December 31, 2018 that requires a
real property tax levy in excess of the “tax levy limit” as defined by General Municipal Law §3 -c.
Section 2. Authority: This local law is adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law §3-c, which
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, August 9, 2017 4
expressly authorizes the Town Board to override the tax levy limit by the adoption of a local law approved by vote of
at least sixty percent (60%) of the town board.
Section 3. Tax Levy Limit Override: The Town Board of the Town of Enfield, County of Tompkins is hereby
authorized to adopt a budget for the fiscal year 2018 that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the amount
otherwise prescribed in General Municipal Law §3-c.
Section 4. Severability: If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this Local Law or the application
thereof to any person, firm or corporation, or circumstance, shall be adjusted by any court of competent jurisdiction to
be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but
shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this Local Law or in its
application to the person, individual, firm or corporation or circumstance, directly involved in the controversy in
which such judgment or order shall be rendered.
Section 5. Effective date: This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Discussion: Supervisor Rider reminded the Town Board this would be a precautionary measure only. The
Town Board can still choose not to go over the tax cap. Councilperson McGee stated she would like to wait
to vote on this Resolution until after the first budget meeting is held next week.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant nay, Councilperson Carpenter nay, Councilperson McGee nay,
Councilperson Sims nay, Supervisor Rider aye. Not carried.
Councilperson Sims moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant to adopt Resolution #2017-44.
Resolution #2017-44 Set Public Hearing for Best Value Law:
WHEREAS, the Enfield Town Board wishes to pass the following Local Law called "Best Value
Competitive Bidding and Procurement Law" and
WHEREAS, a public hearing is required before the passage of a local law, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that a public hearing on the matter be scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at 6:30
p.m. for the purpose of the public to comment on the following draft Local Law #2017-__ for the purpose
of being acted upon by the Enfield Town Board. The Town Clerk is directed to do the mandatory public
notices as required in MHRL§20.
BEST VALUE COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND PROCUREMENT LAW
Section 1. Title
This Local Law shall be known as the “Town of Enfield Local Law No. ____.” A local law Authorizing Best Value Competitive
Bidding and Procurement.”
Section 2. Legislative Intent and Purpose
The intent of this law is to allow the Town Board the option to award certain purchase contracts (including contracts for
services) subject to competitive bidding under § 103 of the General Municipal Law on the basis of a low bid or “best value”
as defined in § 163 of the New York State Finance Law.
Section 3. Authority
This local law is enacted pursuant to the New York Municipal Home Rule Law, as authorized pursuant to New York State
General Municipal Law § 103 and the New York State Finance Law (including § 163), and other provisions of law
authorizing the Town of Enfield to enter into contracts and engage in contracting for services.
Section 4. Best Value Competitive Bidding
A. Authority and Purpose.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, August 9, 2017 5
Section 103 of the New York General Municipal Law allows the Town to authorize, by local law, the award of certain
purchase contracts (including contracts for services) subject to competitive bidding under General Municipal Law § 103 on
the basis of “best value” as defined in Section 163 of the New York State Finance Law. The “best value” option may be used,
for example, if it is more cost efficient over time to award the good or service to other than the lowest responsible bidder if
factors such as lower cost of maintenance, durability, high quality and longer product life can be documented.
B. Award Based on Best Value.
The Town Board may award purchase contracts, including contracts for services, on the basis of “best value” as the term is
defined in New York State Finance law § 163. All contracts or purchase orders awarded based on best value bidding bases
shall require Town Board approval.
C. Applicability.
The provisions of this chapter apply to Town purchase contracts, including contracts for services, involving an expenditure
of more than $20,000, but excluding purchase contracts necessary for the completion of a public works contract pursuant to
Article 8 of the New York Labor Law and any other contract that may in the future be excluded under state law from the
best value option. If the dollar thresholds of New York General Municipal Law § 103 are increased or decreased in the future
by the State Legislature, the dollar thresholds set forth herein shall be superseded by such § 103 and this local law shall b e
read as if the number are amended to conform to said § 103.
D. Standard for Best Value.
1. Goods and services procured and awarded on the basis of best value are those that the Town Board determines optimize
quality, cost, and efficiency among responsive and responsible bidders, as set forth in the pro curement policy of the Town,
as time-to-time and hereafter amended by the Town Board.
2. Where possible the determination shall be based on an objective and quantifiable analysis of clearly described and
documented criteria as they apply to the rating of bids or offers.
3. The criteria may include, but shall not be limited to, any or all of the following: cost of maintenance; proximity to the
contractors; longer product life; product performance criteria; quality of craftsmanship.
E. Documentation.
Whenever any contract is awarded on the basis of best value instead of lowest responsible bidder, the basis for determining
best value shall be thoroughly and accurately documented.
F. Piggybacking of purchases.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Local Law, the Town of Enfield may, for purposes of public purchases, utilize the
provisions of General Municipal Law § 103 with regard to so-called "piggybacking" of purchases. The Town of Enfield may
piggyback whenever allowed by law, including but not limited to the following situations and criteria:
1. Pursuant to General Municipal Law § 103 the Town of Enfield may purchase through the bids solicited and bid lists
generated by the United States government and New York State (and its political subdivision s and school districts)
whenever such bids or bid lists are generated in a manner as complies with said § 103.
2. If not a bid or list generated by a New York State governmental body or agency, then whenever such contract or bid
lists were let in a manner consistent with or materially equivalent to the requirements of the State of New York as reflected
in the policy and language of said § 103.
3. The Town may also piggyback upon any contract or foreign bid or bid list specifically approved for piggybacking
through the New York State Office of General Services, as well as foreign bids and bid lists (mainly, of sister states) that
meet the above criteria for piggybacking as set forth in sections 4(F)(1) or 4(F)(2) of this local law, immediately above.
G. Procurement Policy Superseded Where Inconsistent.
Any inconsistent provision of the Town’s procurement policy, as adopted prior to the effective date of this Local Law by
resolution of the Town Board, or as amended thereafter, shall be deemed superseded by the provisions of this local law.
Section 5. Severability
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or the application thereof to any person, firm or
corporation, or circumstance, shall be adjusted by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such
order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to th e
clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or in its application to the person, individual, firm or
corporation or circumstance, directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered.
Section 6. Effective Date
This local law shall take effect immediately.
Discussion: Councilperson Carpenter questioned if there were any provisions in the law that were
inconsistent with the Town of Enfield Procurement Policy.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, August 9, 2017 6
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Carried.
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant to adopt Resolution #2017-45.
Resolution #2017-45 198 Enfield Main Road Property:
WHEREAS, Heather Benedict and her husband own the property at 198 Enfield Main Road and wish to
donate it to the Town, and
WHEREAS, the Town can find no public benefit to owning this property, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town will not accept the Benedicts offer.
Discussion: Councilperson McGee stated at the July Enfield Town Board regular meeting Town Attorney
Guy Krogh recommended the Town not accept this property.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter abstain, Councilperson McGee aye,
Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Carried.
Update on Joining the Amicus Brief from Columbia University's Environmental Law School:
Councilperson Sims reported she sent a long list of questions to Susan Kraham of the Columbia University
School of Law and hasn't heard back from her yet. One of the questions was how the Town of Enfield can
show support.
Grant for Salt Storage Building:
Councilperson Bryant reported she has a form to be filled out on-line, but first the Town needs to be
registered as an entity. Councilperson McGee stated she had done this previously and would coordinate
with Councilperson Bryant to provide this information.
Town Attorney Guy Krogh arrived at this time.
Information Sign for the Town:
Councilperson Sims stated she is continuing to look into a sign that would provide information on meetings
and the Town's website. Joe Dawson, a Town resident, suggested a sign could be built similar to one at the
Enfield Elementary School. He will provide more information.
Black Oak Wind Farm (BOWF): Councilperson Carpenter asked to have this item added to the agenda for
discussion. Councilperson Carpenter asked if any response had been received from BOWF. Supervisor
Rider stated no response had been received. Councilperson Carpenter asked if the Town was legally
required, or legally not required, to do anything regarding the letter sent to BOWF. Attorney Krogh stated
the Town should maintain status quo and suspend any actions. When the moratorium ends, BOWF will
have a certain number of days to respond.
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to put the subject of the BOWF time
lines / restrictions on the September agenda as Old Business in relationship to the letter sent to BOWF and
the moratorium law passed by the Town Board.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider nay. Carried.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, August 9, 2017 7
New Business:
Councilperson McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant, to adopt Resolution #2017-46.
Resolution #2017-46 SPCA Contract for 2018-2020:
WHEREAS, the Town is required to provide animal control services to the residents of the Town, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County SPCA has presented the Board with a three (3) year contract to provide
animal control services, and
WHEREAS, they are offering this service at no increase in cost, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Supervisor be authorized to sign said contract.
Discussion: Councilperson McGee stated the Town's options are limited for this service and she feels the
price is reasonable.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Carried.
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to adopt a
Resolution for Establishing Energy Benchmarking Requirements for Certain Municipal Buildings
WHEREAS, buildings are the single largest user of energy in the State of New York; the poorest
performing buildings typically use several times the energy of the highest performing buildings for the
exact same building use; and
WHEREAS, collecting, reporting, and sharing building energy data on a regular basis allows municipal
officials and the public to understand the energy performance of municipal buildings relative to similar
buildings nationwide, and equipped with this information the Town of Enfield is able to make smarter, more
cost-effective operational and capital investment decisions, reward efficiency, and drive widespread,
continuous improvement; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield Board desires to use Building Energy Benchmarking, a process of
measuring a building’s energy use, tracking that use over time, and comparing performance to similar
buildings, to promote the public health, safety, and welfare by making available good, actionable
information on municipal building energy use to help identify opportunities to cut costs and reduce pollution
in the Town of Enfield; and
WHEREAS, as such the Town of Enfield Board desires to establish procedure or guideline for Town of
Enfield staff to conduct such Building Energy Benchmarking; and now therefore, it is hereby
RESOLVED, that the following specific policies and procedures are hereby adopted and imposed as active
and affirmative financial internal control procedures of the Town of Enfield:
BUILDING ENERGY BENCHMARKING POLICY/PROCEDURES
§1. DEFINITIONS
(A) “Benchmarking Information” shall mean information generated by Portfolio Manager, as herein defined including descriptive
information about the physical building and its operational characteristics.
(B) “Building Energy Benchmarking” shall mean the process of measuring a building’s energy use, tracking that use over time, and
comparing performance to similar buildings.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, August 9, 2017 8
(C) “Commissioner” shall mean the head of the Department.
(D) “Covered Municipal Building” shall mean a building or facility that is owned or occupied by the Town of Enfield that is 1 ,000
square feet or larger in size.
(E) “Department” shall mean the Town of Enfield Clerk’s Office.
(F) “Energy” shall mean electricity, natural gas, steam, hot or chilled water, fuel oil, or other product for use in a building, or
renewable on-site electricity generation, for purposes of providing heating, cooling, lighting, water heating, or for powering or
fueling other end-uses in the building and related facilities, as reflected in Utility bills or other documentation of actual Energy use.
(G) “Energy Performance Score” shall mean the numeric rating generated by Portfolio Manager that compares the Energy usage of
the building to that of similar buildings.
(H) “Energy Use Intensity (EUI)” shall mean the kBTUs (1,000 British Thermal Units) used per square foot of gross floor area.
(I) “Gross Floor Area” shall mean the total number of enclosed square feet measured between the exterior surfaces of the fixed walls
within any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.
(J) “Portfolio Manager” shall mean ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, the internet-based tool developed and maintained by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency to track and assess the relative Energy performance of buildings nationwide, or
successor.
(K) “Utility” shall mean an entity that distributes and sells Energy to Covered Municipal Buildings.
(L) “Weather Normalized Site EUI” shall mean the amount of Energy that would have been used by a property under 30 -year
average temperatures, accounting for the difference between average temperatures and yearly fluctuations.
§2. APPLICABILITY
(1) This policy is applicable to all covered municipal buildings as defined in Section 2 of this policy.
(2) The Commissioner may exempt a particular covered municipal building from the benchmarking requirement if the
Commissioner determines that it has characteristics that make benchmarking impractical.
§3. BENCHMARKING REQUIRED FOR COVERED MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS
(1) No later than May 1 every year, the Commissioner or his or her designee from the Department shall enter into Portfolio Ma nager
the total Energy consumed by each covered municipal building, along with all other descriptive information required by Portfolio
Manager for the previous calendar year.
(2) For new covered municipal buildings that have not accumulated 12 months of energy use data by the first applicable date
following occupancy for inputting energy use into Portfolio Manager, the Commissioner or his or her designee from the Departm ent
shall begin inputting data in the following year.
§4. DISCLOSURE AND PUBLICATION OF BENCHMARKING INFORMATION
(1) The Department shall make available to the public on the internet Benchmarking Information for the previous calendar year :
(a) no later than September 1 each year for covered municipal buildings; and
(2) The Department shall make available to the public on the internet and update at least annually, the following Benchmarking
Information:
(a) Summary statistics on Energy consumption for covered municipal buildings derived from aggregation of
Benchmarking Information; and
(b) For each covered municipal building individually:
(i) The status of compliance with the requirements of this policy; and
(ii) The building address, primary use type, and gross floor area; and
(iii) Annual summary statistics, including site EUI, Weather Normalized Source EUI, annual GHG emissions,
and an Energy Performance Score where available; and
(iv) A comparison of the annual summary statistics (as required by Section 5(2)(b)(iii) of this Policy) across
calendar years for all years since annual reporting under this Policy has been required for said building.
§5. MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS
The Department shall maintain records as necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Policy, including but not limited to energy
bills and other documents received from tenants and/or Utilities. Such records shall be preserved by the Department for a period of
three (3) years.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, August 9, 2017 9
§6. ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
(1) The Commissioner or his or her designee from the Department shall be the Chief Enforcement Officer of this Policy.
(2) The Chief Enforcement Officer of this Policy may promulgate regulations necessary for the administration of the requirements of
this Policy.
(3) Within thirty days after each anniversary date of the effective date of this policy, the Chief Enforcement Officer shall submit a
report to the Town of Enfield including but not limited to summary statistics on energy consumption for covered municipal buildings
derived from aggregation of Benchmarking Information, a list of all covered municipal buildings identifying each covered muni cipal
building that the Commissioner determined to be exempt from the benchmarking requirement and the reason for the exe mption, and
the status of compliance with the requirements of this policy.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Town of Enfield Board, does hereby authorize and direct the
Supervisor to execute such other and additional documents as may be required for to perfect the resolutions
herein.
Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated she didn't realize there needed to be a Town Resolution passed when
she and Terry Carroll of Cooperative Extension were putting information in a spreadsheet.
Councilperson McGee questioned how much more cost saving/useful would this information be rather than
a full energy audit.
Supervisor Rider responded she thinks there may be a financial benefit coming from New York State if this
was done. This information would be shared with the public.
Councilperson McGee asked if establishing energy benchmarking requirements would be part of a grant
process.
Attorney Guy Krogh responded it might get additional points on a grant application.
Supervisor Rider withdrew her motion and will have more information available at the next meeting.
Councilperson Sims moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant, to adopt Resolution #2017-47.
Resolution #2017-47 Support for the New York Health Act A.4738(Gottfried)/S.4840(Rivera):
WHEREAS, the New York Health Act (“NYHA”) establishes the New York Health program, a
comprehensive system of access to health insurance for all New York state residents;
WHEREAS, NYHA provides universal health care coverage with no limitations to selection of health care
providers; and
WHEREAS, NYHA would eliminate deductibles and co-pays, and all health care costs would be covered
by a payroll tax similar to Medicare and a tax on non-payroll premiums, such as interest, dividends, and
capital gains; and
WHEREAS, the NYHA is estimated to save upwards of $45 billion for New Yorkers by eliminating
current administrative costs and by providing lower cost health care coverage for 98% of residents; and
WHEREAS, access to affordable health care coverage will significantly decrease with the repeal of the
Affordable Care Act; and
WHEREAS, the NYHA has passed the New York State Assembly three times, in 2015, 2016 and 2017;
and
WHEREAS, the NYHA has not passed the New York State Senate; now, therefore be it
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, August 9, 2017 10
RESOLVED that the Enfield Town Board
1) finds universal health care coverage is needed for Enfield and New York State residents;
2) supports the passage of the New York Health Act;
3) will send a copy of this resolution to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan,
Senator Jeffrey Klein, Senator Kemp Hannon, Senator Gustavo Rivera, Senator Thomas O’Mara, Assembly
Speaker Carl Heastie, Assemblyman Richard Gottfried and Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton.
Discussion: Councilperson McGee feels this is generally a great idea, but has some questions such as the
implications for established employers and their policies, and also displaced medical billers and insurance
workers.
Carol LaBorie stated there is a provision for the net savings to be used for retraining of people who lose
their jobs.
Barbara Sadovnic stated a New York State agency would run this program that would replace all private
insurance. There would be no deductibles or co-pays.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Carried.
Changing Streetlights to LED's: Supervisor Rider reported the City of Ithaca will cooperate with any
municipality that wants to do this by August 31. The Town would have to request buy-out information from
NYSEG and then savings can be estimated. Supervisor Rider stated the Town has 6 street lights. Dan
Walker stated it appeared from NYSEG bills that the Town owned the smaller, decorative street lights and
NYSEG only owns the large street light by town hall and several cobra head lights by the highway facility.
All members of the Town Board were in favor of requesting buy-out information from NYSEG.
Hot Water in Community Building: Code Officer Alan Teeter gave a brief history stating that in the past
when water was heated it had a sulpher smell, so the hot water was turned off.
Supervisor Rider stated she told the new cleaning person she would work on getting hot water for cleaning.
An on-demand hot water heater was recommended.
Councilperson McGee stated unless grease is present, hot water isn't needed for cleaning.
Announcements:
Supervisor Rider stated a draft Shared Services Plan has been provided by the County Administrator's
Office. Members of the committee that drafted the Plan will meet again for review and then each Town
Board will need to vote on approval. She stated this item will be on the September agenda.
Supervisor Rider stated a special Town Board meeting is scheduled for August 16 at 6:30 so there can be a
group effort on the 2018 budget. She will provide materials at the meeting for reference.
Councilperson Sims reported that both Cayuga Lake and Dryden Lake have harmful blue green algae
blooms which can cause adverse health effects. This algae is likely due to the amount of heavy rain this
year. Sightings of this algae should be reported to the DEC and everyone should stay away from the water
in these areas.
Supervisor Rider stated she received a catalog from TC3 which lists Professional Development Workshops
for this fall.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, August 9, 2017 11
Councilperson McGee questioned if the Renewable Energy Committee was a public meeting or a
committee meeting. Attorney Krogh stated if it is an advisory body it would generally not be subject to the
Open Meetings Law, but generally minutes would be required. Councilperson Carpenter agreed minutes
would be provided.
Privilege of the Floor:
Anne Koreman of the Town of Ulysses stated she has resigned from the Board of Directors of the Black
Oak Wind Farm. She will be running for a position on the county legislature.
Mimi Mehaffey of Enfield thanked the Town Board for their support of the NY Health Care Act.
Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved with a second by Councilperson Sims to adjourn the meeting at
9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton, RMC
Enfield Town Clerk