HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-11-17 Regular Meeting
Town of Enfield
Regular Town Board Meeting
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, October 11, 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 Highway
Superintendent Buddy Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Town Attorney Guy Krogh arrived at 7:45 p.m.
Supervisor Rider led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at 6:38 p.m.
Privilege of the Floor: Barbara Sadonovic of Enfield urged the Board to accept the proposed contract with
the Recreation Partnership. She mentioned that youth who are involved in these programs have
opportunities to meet students from other schools. This is especially important for rural and lower income
youth.
Marcus Gingerich of Enfield urged the Board to take into account the reassessment that was done in Enfield
during the past year when working on the budget. He understands if the Board needs to go over the tax cap,
but hopes the Board will take a hard look at what's right for the Town.
Additions to Agenda: Supervisor Rider stated she was adding an item to New Business - DEA collection
event.
Consent Agenda: Councilperson Sims moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to approve the
minutes of the regular meeting of September 13, 2017, the minutes of the special meeting of
September 18, 2017, the Audit Claims, and Resolution #2017-15.
Discussion: Councilperson Bryant questioned why there was a late fee on the Visa bill. Supervisor Rider
explained last month's payment wasn't received in a timely manner, but after four months time she can have
the late fee removed. There was also a late fee on the Culligan invoice. Supervisor Rider pulled that
voucher from the warrant and will ask Culligan to remove that late fee.
Highway Superintendent Rollins questioned why the budget amendments approved at the last meeting
weren't reflected in the September 30, 2017 financial report. The Machinery-Contractual line had $20,000
moved in and $200 was to come out of the clothing line instead of the Extreme Weather Recovery line.
Audit Claims:
The Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #234 to 242 and #244 to
251 dated October 11, 2017 in the amount of $10,572.04 and Highway Fund vouchers #175 to #187 dated
October 11, 2017 in the amount of $103,132.20.
The following accounts have negative balances as of September 30, 2017:
A1670.4 Central Print & Mail - 231.43
A8020.41 Planning - Escrow Account -2,872.50
Plus balance unpaid from 2016 -8,073.61
DA5112.4 Extreme Weather Recovery - 200.00
DA5130.4 Machinery - Contractual - 4,044.38
DA5140.1 Brush, weed removal - 6,651.81
Resolution #2017-51 Bond Payment
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield borrowed funds to construct our highway facility and now needs to pay
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 11, 2017 2
back the bond, now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, the bookkeeper is authorized, prior to October 15, 2017, to wire $16,246.88 for an
interest payment to The Depository Trust Company which holds the bonds.
Vote on Consent Agenda: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson
McGee aye, Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider aye.
Correspondence: Letters from Richard Snyder, Tompkins County Finance Director, listing properties in
Tompkins County with delinquent property taxes.
County Legislator's Report: No report.
Highway Superintendent Report: Highway Superintendent Rollins reported he met with Tompkins
County Soil and Water to arrange for the tire collection event on October 14. Most of the summer paving
has been completed and work has started to change over for winter.
Code Enforcement Report: Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter submitted his report that showed
there were 4 building permits issued in September which brings the year-to-date total to 48. The Dollar
General Store is near completion. He informed the Board his daughter will be building a home on Gray
Road and he has arranged with the Code Enforcement Officer from Owego to do the inspections. These
will be done as a courtesy for the Town so there will be no charge.
Councilperson McGee asked if fees were ever collected for code violations. Code Officer Teeter responded
if there are violations, tickets would be issued and fines would go through the Town Court.
Councilperson Sims asked if Code Officer Teeter would be willing to go through the steps for Energy Code
Enforcement Training as outlined by Terry Carroll of Cornell Cooperative Extension at the last meeting.
Officer Teeter said he would be willing to take part in the training.
Supervisor's Report: Supervisor Rider reported she attended the monthly TCCOG meeting, attended the
Board of Director's Meeting of the Tompkins County Health Consortium and presented the 2018 tentative
budget to the Town Clerk.
Committee Reports:
Planning Board: Dan Walker, chairperson, reported there was no meeting held this month. There is training
available in Dryden on October 16 that some members may be attending.
Recreation Partnership: Carolyn Tschanz stated a proposed contract was presented to Town Board
members. The contract had minimal changes from the previous contract. She mentioned if the Recreation
Partnership goes over the program budget, the Ithaca Youth Bureau would pay the difference. In 2016, 103
Enfield youth were served with a total of $5,527 being paid to the Partnership. The next meeting will be
held October 30 at 5 p.m. at the Ithaca Youth Bureau.
Enfield Volunteer Fire Company (EVFC): The submitted report showed there were 32 calls in September
of which 23 were EMS calls, 3 MVA, 3 service calls and 3 fires (2 mutual aid given to Trumansburg and 1
mutual aid received from Newfield). The next officer's meeting is scheduled for October 30.
Renewable Energy Advisory Committee: Councilperson Carpenter reported the committee has begun
going over items need for a new solar law. They are using the Town of Dryden law as a counterpoint to the
proposed law Dan Walker had prepared. They have brought in an advisor to get a better understanding of
aspects of the law. The committee will meet on October 12 to go over the second part of the proposed solar
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 11, 2017 3
law and on October 25 to work on further revisions. Meetings are also scheduled for November 9 and 29.
Information is being gathered for a proposed wind law.
Comprehensive Plan Writing Committee: Councilperson McGee reported the committee met in September
and discussed the Town's moratorium and how it should be addressed. They discussed public water and
what the future holds. They are seeking resources for updated demographic data and feel the Plan may need
to be updated after the 2020 census figures are released. The next meeting is scheduled for October 19.
Tompkins County Council of Government (TCCOG): Supervisor Rider reported the following items were
discussed: Clean Energy Communities competing for New York State grants; a new college program to
partner with municipalities on solving local problems; a NYMIR Workplace Violence training; a planned
meeting with the Cayuga Lake Watershed.
Old Business:
Update on Grant for Salt Storage Building: Councilperson Bryant has the registration for grant applications
partially filled out. She needs to know who will be the primary and secondary administrator.
Resolution to Override the Tax Levy Limit: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson
Sims to adopt Resolution #2017-52.
Discussion: Highway Superintendent Rollins questioned the second paragraph which referred to concerns
about replacement of highway equipment, culvert and bridge replacement, cold storage and storage
facilities. There is nothing in the tentative budget that reflects a salt barn, cold storage or increase in
equipment replacement.
Councilperson McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Sims to remove the cold storage and
storage facilities language from the resolution.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider nay.
RESOLUTION # 2017-52 LOCAL LAW TO OVERRIDE THE TAX CAP 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, and
WHEREAS, it is unknown at this time what our 2018 budget will look like, 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 Local Law #3 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.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 11, 2017 4
TOWN OF ENFIELD LOCAL LAW #3 OF 2017
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 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.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider aye.
2018 Tentative Budget: Supervisor Rider stated the version 3 presented includes a Town Planner and repair
of the Welcome to Enfield signs. She feels another budget meeting is needed before moving to a
preliminary budget. A meeting was scheduled for October 18 at 7:00 at the Enfield Community Building.
At this time Attorney Guy Krogh joined the meeting.
New Business:
Schedule Public Hearing on the Preliminary 2018 Budget: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by
Councilperson McGee to hold a public hearing on the 2018 Town of Enfield preliminary budget at the
November 8 regular Town Board meeting.
Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated after the public hearing changes can be made to the preliminary budget
before moving it to the final budget.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider aye.
Intermunicipal Recreation Agreement: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter
to adopt Resolution #2017-53.
Resolution # 2017-53 Recreational Partnership Contract
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield has been a longtime supporter of the Intermunicipal Recreational
Partnership and
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 11, 2017 5
WHEREAS, this entity plans, finances, provides and coordinates recreational services that supplement
and complement those offered by municipalities and
WHEREAS, families pay lower participation fees if they live in a member municipality, now therefore be
it
RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Board directs the Supervisor to sign the presented agreement and
continue our membership until December 31, 2022.
Discussion: Attorney Krogh was asked if he felt the contract was ready for the Town to sign. He felt the
agreement between the Town of Enfield and the Recreation Partnership was working and it appeared there
was a lot of participation. As long as Enfield was getting good value for their money, he saw no reason not
to sign the contract.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider aye.
Recertifying as a Living Wage Employer: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Sims
to adopt Resolution #2017-54.
Resolution # 2017-54 RECERTIFIYING AS A LIVING WAGE EMPLOYER
WHEREAS, one of our most cherished vales is dignity in work, and
WHEREAS, the growth in income inequality in recent years has created serious divisions within our
society and community; and
WHEREAS, our communities have a proud tradition of advocating for worker rights and promoting
economic justice; and
WHEREAS, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has called for an increase in the State's minimum
wage to $15/hour by 2021; and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Workers' Center, which certifies local living-wage employers, lists
currently more than 100 Living Wage entities across Tompkins County, a list that includes 5 municipalities,
encompasses more than 90 employers with work forces of less than 50 employees, and represents over
3,000 workers making, at least, a living wage; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield became a living wage employer in January, 2016; now therefore be it
RESOLVED that the Town of Enfield recertify as a Living Wage Employer, accepting the Tompkins
County Living Wage of $15.11/hour as our minimum wage, starting January 1, 2018 and agreeing to the
certification rules of the Tompkins County Workers' Center.
Discussion: Supervisor Rider stated she felt if this resolution was passed, Enfield would be viewed as a
leader in the community. Councilperson McGee stated she values people's work and would like to see the
Town set a wage that makes food and housing available to all employees. She feels if this minimum wage is
set, the Town should look at other pay structures for those above the minimum wage.
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye,
Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider aye.
Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, October 11, 2017 6
Replacement of Light Fixtures in Community Building: Supervisor Rider stated at a previous meeting the
Town Board voted to replace the light fixtures in the Community Building. The lights have not yet been
replaced and the food pantry has been complaining. If an electrical contractor is hired to do the job, it could
cost three times as much as what a local contractor could do the job for. Councilperson Carpenter agreed to
get specs on what to buy so the Town can buy the fixtures directly. He will bring the information to the
special meeting on October 18.
DEA Collection Event: Supervisor Rider reported she was asked by the Coalition for Safe Medication
Disposal if the Town would be willing to host an event on October 28th from 10-2. The Town would need
to provide a location and 3 volunteers. The Coalition would provide flyers and a public service
announcement.
Councilperson McGee suggested the Enfield Grange might be willing to facilitate the event. She will
contact them to see if they are interested. Otherwise, a longer lead-time would be needed to plan the event.
Privilege of the Floor:
Nancy Spero of Enfield asked if the USGS was willing to accept final payment for the Aquifer Study.
Supervisor Rider responded they would accept final payment and the check has been sent.
Announcements:
Councilperson McGee announced there would be a forum to meet the candidates for Tompkins County
Legislative District 5 on October 15 at 4:00 at the Enfield Grange. Anne Koreman and Keith Hannon will
both be present to answer questions. There will also be a forum to meet local Enfield candidates on
November 2 from 6:30 to 8:00 at the Enfield Grange.
Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved with a second by Councilperson Sims to adjourn the meeting at
8:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton, RMC
Enfield Town Clerk