HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-18-17 Special Meeting
Town of Enfield
Special Town Board Meeting
Enfield Town Hall
Monday, September 18, 2017
6:30 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Virginia Bryant, Town Councilperson Beth
McGee, Town Councilperson Becky Sims, Town Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins, Town Clerk
Alice Linton. Absent: Town Councilperson Mike Carpenter.
Supervisor Rider led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at 6:30 p.m.
Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak.
Town of Enfield 2018 Budget Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated she prepared the first version of a
tentative budget. The purpose of this meeting was to further discuss the tentative budget. She has not
received insurance figures yet for property liability, vehicles, or disability. She has received a verbal
estimate of a 5% increase in health insurance. She has received figures for NYS retirement and has plugged
in a 2% salary increase for everyone.
Highway Superintendent Rollins stated it is likely that CHIPS funds will remain the same as 2017, but he
won't know for sure until early in 2018. CHIPS funds need to be spent and then they can be reimbursed by
New York State. The income and expenses are a wash for CHIPS.
Councilperson McGee suggested that Town Board members and the Town Supervisor not receive an
increase in salary for this year. She suggested, based upon research that Councilperson Sims provided, that
the Town Clerk salary be increased to $20,000 for this year and then be looked at again next year for a
possible further increase.
Supervisor Rider mentioned the roof of the Community Building needs to be resealed and there are leaks in
the roof of the Town Hall. The "Welcome to Enfield" signs should be resealed and the expense of a
signboard for the Town might want to be added to the budget.
Highway Superintendent Rollins had put in a request for an administrative assistant who would be able to
enter data on roads into a highway computer program provided by Cornell Local Roads. This data could
provide useful reports and make information more accessible. An administrative assistant could also help
with correspondence and research on equipment and other purchases. He mentioned a new budget line
should be added to the A Fund for the highway superintendent clothing allowance. The town bookkeeper
had recommended using A5010.12. Councilperson McGee would like a more thorough assessment of what
could be accomplished by an administrative assistant. Superintendent Rollins also requested a cell phone
provided by the Town as he is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Supervisor Rider will provide a tentative budget that goes over the tax cap and one that stays under the tax
cap. She will consult with Town Attorney Guy Krogh to determine if the two previous votes on the tax cap
override need to be rescinded before a third vote is taken.
Councilperson McGee brought up a discussion of the Enfield Volunteer Fire Company's (EVFC) contract.
The past contract had increases of 1.3% the first year, 1.5% the second year, 1.7% the third year and 2.0%
the fourth year. Dennis Hubbell, president of the EVFC has asked for a one-time payment of $3,000 for an
audit plus a 2% increase. He had been asked to stay under the 1.84% tax cap. Councilperson McGee would
like to interact with the entire EVFC Board of Directors and see the other information that she has
requested such as by-laws, detailed budget, procurement policy, and debt information. She would like
confirmation that the EVFC is sustainable.
Enfield Town Board Special Meeting, September 18, 2017 2
At this time, 8:20 p.m., Councilperson Bryant was excused from the meeting.
Councilperson Sims confirmed the tentative budget was to be presented to the Town Clerk by Supervisor
Rider prior to September 30 and that the Town Clerk was required to present the tentative budget to the
Town Board by October 5.
A Special Town Board meeting was scheduled at the Enfield Community Building on Wednesday, October
4 at 6:30 p.m.
Privilege of the Floor: Mimi Mehaffey questioned why the court clerk received a 7% increase from the
2016 budget to the 2017 budget. Supervisor Rider will look into that. Ms. Mehaffey asked if the tentative
budget might include $600,000 extra in the highway 2018 budget. Supervisor Rider stated the highway
budget will be discussed at the October 4 special meeting.
Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to adjourn the meeting at
8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton, RMC
Enfield Town Clerk