HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-18-17 Special Meeting
Town of Enfield
Special Town Board Meeting
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
7:00 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Mike Carpenter, Town Councilperson Beth
McGee, Town Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Excused: Councilperson
Becky Sims. Absent: Town Councilperson Virginia Bryant.
Supervisor Rider led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at 7:05 p.m. She added a
discussion of the Black Oak Wind Farm escrow account to the agenda.
Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak.
Audit Claims: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to authorize the
Supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #243 and 252 dated October 18, 2017 in the amount of $121.40.
Town of Enfield 2018 Budget Discussion:
Councilperson McGee questioned why the line for the website expense was under buildings instead of
records management. Supervisor Rider stated she was treating it like a utility expense. Councilperson
McGee reminded the Board that the line for the newsletter was to be reduced from $3,000 to $2,000. She
also suggested there be a line under revenues for cemetery burials in the same amount as the expense line
for cemetery burials.
Councilperson Carpenter asked what items would be included in the Building lines. Supervisor Rider
responded A1620.1 would include cleaning of buildings; A1620.4 would include fuel oil for buildings,
electricity, and pumping of the tank at the highway facility among other things; A1620.42 would be for
insurance claims, but none were expected. The Aquifer Study was paid in full in 2017 so there is no amount
budgeted for 2018.
Councilperson Carpenter asked why A1620.4, Buildings-Contractual was increased from $50,000 to
$70,000. Supervisor Rider stated she hoped this increase would allow some work to be done on the
highway building. Councilperson Carpenter suggested there was some important work that needed to be
done in the downstairs of the Community Building. This would include installing LED lights in the food
pantry area, replacing broken panes of glass to keep heat from escaping, and sealing areas where rodents
could enter the downstairs. He suggested that some of the work could be done by volunteers. Supervisor
Rider agreed to check with Town Attorney Guy Krogh to see if volunteer work would be allowed.
Councilperson Carpenter agreed to purchase the LED lights from Fingerlakes Electric, but he felt a licensed
electrician should install them.
Councilperson Carpenter moved, with a second by Supervisor Rider to provide June Smithers with a master
key to all buildings.
Discussion: A key is needed to access the closet where mops and water are available to clean the food
pantry area of the Community Building.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson
Sims excused. Councilperson Bryant absent.
Councilperson McGee suggested putting $30,000 for bridge repairs into reserves and leaving $20,000 in
DA5120.4 Bridge Repair-Contractual. The amount left in DA5120.4 at the end of the 2018 could then be
transferred into the Bridge Reserves Fund.
Enfield Town Board Special Meeting, October 18, 2017 2
Highway Superintendent Rollins asked to have it noted that for DA5130.2 Machinery-Equipment there
was $200,000 budgeted in 2015, $150,000 in 2016, $100,000 in 2017, and $50,000 in 2018. Also, leftover
highway funds from 2017 still need to be transferred into the Equipment Reserve line. He noted it is
confusing to look at the tentative budget and see that for 2015, 2016 and 2017 the Machinery-Equipment
amounts have been moved to the Equipment Reserve DA9950.9; however 2018 funds are in DA5130.2. He
noted the budget is going backwards each year and it will be very difficult to purchase any needed
equipment. He also requested the Town Board look into a salary increase for the Highway Superintendent
position. Councilperson McGee made a commitment to look into this for next year. She would like a fair
assessment to be made which would include a full assessment of the job. Superintendent Rollins mentioned
he often does a job himself during off-hours to avoid calling in an employee that would need to be paid
overtime for a job. This could involve removing a tree limb from the road or plowing a drift of snow.
Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to adopt Resolution #2017-55.
Resolution #2017-55 Move 2018 Tentative Budget to 2018 Preliminary Budget
WHEREAS, the 2018 Tentative Budget has been discussed at 4 public meetings this fall, and
WHEREAS, changes can be made to this budget until the Board passes this Budget, now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the 2018 Tentative Budget be moved to the 2018 Preliminary Budget.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson
Sims excused. Councilperson Bryant absent.
Black Oak Wind Farm (BOWF) Escrow: Councilperson McGee stated at a recent event to meet
candidates for the Tompkins County Legislature, Anne Korman, a BOWF investor, stated the project was
dead. Councilperson McGee would like an inquiry made to Attorney Krogh to determine if the Town would
legally need to be paid before BOWF assets were disbursed. She asked that a letter be drafted to BOWF by
Attorney Krogh that would remind them of their debt with the Town and that it is a liability that needs to be
paid.
Privilege of the Floor: Marcus Gingerich of Enfield stated he understood the concerns Superintendent
Rollins had about changing budget lines, and suggested putting a footnote on the budget to say an amount
was moved.
Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to adjourn the meeting
at 8:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton, RMC
Enfield Town Clerk