HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-13-17-Special-Meeting
Town of Enfield
Special Town Board Meeting
Enfield Town Hall
Monday, November 13, 2017
6:30 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Virginia Bryant, Town Councilperson Beth
McGee, Town Councilperson Becky Sims, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Absent: Town Councilperson Mike
Carpenter.
Supervisor Rider led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at 6:38 p.m.
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 #274 and 275 dated November 13, 2017 in the amount of
$1,242.43
Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider
aye. Councilperson Carpenter absent.
Town of Enfield 2018 Budget Discussion:
Supervisor Rider suggested a discussion of the highway equipment line. She stated at the end of October,
2017 there was $52,253.72 in the locked Equipment Reserve Fund. There had been a vote in December,
2016 to place leftover highway funds at the end of December, 2016 in Account DA231, the Equipment
Reserve Fund. That has not been done yet, but Supervisor Rider will research the exact amount left and
transfer the funds. The money had been placed in the general highway savings account. She is concerned
that sufficient funds be available until CHIPS reimbursement is received from New York State.
Councilperson Sims noted that Highway Superintendent Rollins had requested a salary of $58,000-$60,000
in his budget requests for 2018. She felt increasing his 2018 salary to $58,000 was reasonable and would
express confidence in the Highway Superintendent. She would still be committed to reviewing all Town
positions in the coming year. Supervisor Rider will research the amount of increased benefits that would be
needed to match the increased salary.
Councilperson McGee suggested if the newsletter was printed by BOCES, it would save the Town money.
She would be willing to write the municipal portion of the newsletter for the first two issues of 2018.
Councilperson Sims suggested having a conversation with the Enfield Community Council to see how they
would like to proceed with the newsletter. The Town Board would need to make a decision of how they
want to go forward.
Councilperson Sims suggested increasing the appropriated fund balance for the A fund from $20,000 to
$25,000. If $50,000 was added to the highway equipment line and $1,250 to Highway Superintendent
salary and benefits, the overall tax rate increase would be about 2.65%. All Town Board members present
felt that increase would be reasonable.
Supervisor Rider will put those figures into a proposed final budget.
Fire Contract:
Supervisor Rider asked Town Board members if a new Fire Protection Contract isn’t reached by the end of
the year, if they would be willing to ask the Enfield Volunteer Fire Company (EVFC) to continue with the
current contract until a new one was agreed on.
Enfield Town Board Special Meeting, November 13, 2017 2
Councilperson McGee mentioned that if a levy amount is included in the 2018 budget, and the contract
amount is less, the money could be left in savings to offset taxes for next year in the SF fund.
Councilperson Sims will ask the EVFC for a copy of their annual budget.
Councilperson McGee provided summary notes and recommendations for a Fire Contract. She would like
to have the information that the current contract says is to be provided. She has confirmed her requests are
appropriate with Town Attorney Guy Krogh and the State Comptroller’s Office. A FOIL request can be
submitted for this information if necessary. She feels it is valuable information for the Town to have. The
Town Board needs to decide how to pay the EVFC. They could pay the bulk amount in the contract by
January 31st and the rest could be paid in increments based on a compliance checklist. Another option
would be to pay an amount by January 15th and the rest could be paid quarterly.
The EVFC is asking for a one-time payment of $6,300 for the audit they have had completed. Supervisor
Rider felt this was an unexpected expense for the EVFC and it would go a long way towards a good
relationship if the Town agreed to share this expense. Councilperson Bryant would like to work with the
EVFC. Councilperson McGee would consider splitting this expense, but would not want that figure
included in the base amount for future percentage increases.
Councilperson McGee agreed to provide a draft of a new Fire Contract in the next few days.
Another special meeting was scheduled for Monday, November 20, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at the Enfield Town
Hall.
Privilege of the Floor: No on wished to speak.
Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee to adjourn the meeting at
9:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton, RMC
Enfield Town Clerk