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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-8-17-Regular-Meeting Town of Enfield Public Hearing and Regular Town Board Meeting Enfield Community Building Wednesday, November 8, 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 6:30 p.m. She welcomed the Dollar General Store to the community and congratulated newly elected officials. Town Board members reviewed vouchers. Public Hearing on 2018 Preliminary Budget: Supervisor Rider opened the public hearing at 6:45 p.m. Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins of Enfield reiterated that a plan had been started for equipment replacement in 2015 but each year since then less has been budgeted in that line. The Town is behind on equipment replacement. Theresa Guler of Enfield stated she hopes the Town Board can stay on budget with spending for the highway department. They do a lot for the Town. Rich Teeter of Enfield asked the Town Board to consider looking into grants as there is a lot of money available if the right steps are followed. Supervisor Rider closed the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. Privilege of the Floor: Councilperson Beth McGee of Enfield thanked everyone for coming out to vote at the elections. Enfield elections were held for the first time at the new highway facility. Poll workers were grateful for the use of the facility, but shared some concerns with her including diesel fumes, dust, noise from exhaust fans, the grate in the floor where items could fall in and inadequate lighting by the road after dark. Theresa Guler of Enfield mentioned she had spoken with some people who live close to the new solar farms on Mecklenburg Road that were upset because they didn't receive notice the farms were being constructed. She requested that, in the future, neighbors be notified when a new solar farm is planned. Additions to Agenda: Supervisor Rider stated she was adding an item to New Business - DEA collection event. Consent Agenda: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 11, 2017, the minutes of the special meetings of October 4, 2017 and October 19, 2017, and the Audit Claims. Discussion: Regarding vouchers, Councilperson McGee asked what the $250 payment to Tompkins County Area Development would cover. Councilperson Carpenter, Bryant and Sims agreed they would like more information before approving payment of that voucher. It was pulled from the audit. Audit Claims: The Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #253 to 271 and #273 dated November 8, 2017 in the amount of $11,063.69 and Highway Fund vouchers #188 to #200 dated November 8, 2017 in the amount of $27,623.59. Public Hearing and Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, November 8, 2017 2 The following accounts have negative balances as of October 31, 2017: A1420.4 Attorney - Contractual -1,276.48 A1670.4 Central Print & Mail - 231.43 A8020.41 Planning - Escrow Account -2,872.50 Plus balance unpaid from 2016 -8,073.61 A8810.4 Cemeteries - Contractual - 597.98 DA5112.4 Extreme Weather Recovery - 200.00 DA5140.1 Brush, weed removal - Personnel -3,687.31 Vote on Consent Agenda: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Correspondence: Letters from New York State Agriculture and Markets stating the Dog Control Inspection Report completed on October 25, 2017 was unsatisfactory and the Municipal Shelter Inspection Report completed October 23, 2017 was unsatisfactory for the SPCA. Another inspection will occur approximately 30 days after the date of inspection and it is anticipated that all deficiencies will be corrected by that time. Letter from Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency stating a Payment In Lieu of Taxes Agreement went into effect on September 27, 2017 for Mecklenburg Solar, LLC, 1732 Mecklenburg Road. Notifications from NYSERDA that submissions had been approved for the second and third Benchmarking High Impact Actions under their Clean Energy Communities program. There is one more action to be completed before Enfield will be eligible to apply for a grant. Third quarter sales report of 2017 from the Tompkins County Finance Department. County Legislator's Report: Dave McKenna reported the tentative Tompkins County budget that was presented by the county administrator was amended by the legislature and accepted. Tompkins County is now accepting debit and credit cards for payment. The fee associated with using the cards will be paid by the customer. Highway Superintendent Report: Highway Superintendent Rollins stated he felt most issues mentioned by poll workers at the recent elections could be resolved. He felt parking was better at this new location. Superintendent Rollins notified the Town Board he has ordered a new 2 ton truck, so this year's equipment funds will need to be rolled over to 2018 when the truck will be delivered. The cost will be $67,000. This truck will replace the 2009 truck and the 2009 truck will replace the 2001 truck. The 2001 truck will be sold at auction. The new truck is a 5500 Dodge diesel dump truck and will be used to plow dead end roads, among other things. He did not rotate the loader this year since CAT went from a one to two year rotation program on leased equipment. The cost to rotate the loader in 2018 will be about $20,000, so money would need to be available for that expense in the equipment line. A budget amendment will be needed next month to pay for equipment repairs. The Gradall purchased this year needed $8,800 in repairs, but the machine was still a good deal. The money could be taken from the machinery line or the material line. Repairs needed at the highway building include replacing 2 building light transformers that are burned out, repairing 1 yard light that is out (on a pole), repairing 1 heater motor (for radiant heat) that is making noise, upgrading man door frames that need to be insulated, repairing exhaust fans and louvers so they move freely. Public Hearing and Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, November 8, 2017 3 Code Enforcement Report: Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter submitted his report that showed there were 5 building permits issued in October which brings the year-to-date total to 53. The Dollar General Store is now open. He has contacted NYSERDA for training and is waiting to hear back from them. Supervisor's Report: Supervisor Rider reported she attended the monthly TCCOG meeting, the County Energy Task Force meeting, the Health Consortium Board meeting, a TCAD committee meeting, a focus group sponsored by Elected Officials to Protect New York, and two round table discussions sponsored by Civic Ensemble regarding climate change. She spoke with Norm Smith regarding needed repairs before winter sets in, checked with the Food Pantry on progress in killing rats, and learned the cleaning person for the Community Building will be resigning. Committee Reports: Planning Board: Dan Walker, chairperson, reported there were no actions to review at their November meeting. A letter of interest for serving on the Planning Board was received from Lexi Hain and the Planning Board passed a resolution recommending her appointment. There are 3 seat available - 1 regular and 2 alternate. Dan was hopeful that if alternates are appointed they would attend all meetings so they could add input and be available to vote if a regular member was absent. He recommended the Board not take action on appointment until the organizational meeting in January, as several other letters of interest have been received. Councilperson McGee suggested setting a deadline for applications. At this time, 7:45, Attorney Guy Krogh arrived. Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson Bryant, that the November agenda be amended and approval of the appointment for the Planning Board vacancy be removed. She further moved that the deadline for appointment to the Planning Board be November 20, 2017 and requested the Planning Board to interview interested people at their December 6 meeting and forward their recommendations to the Town Board for their action. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider aye Councilperson Carpenter asked if the Planning Board would like to expand back to 7 members due to the increased interest in serving on the Board. Dan Walker stated it would be up to the Town Board to decide, but if alternates attended the meeting, there would be more active involvement in discussions without adding more members. Recreation Partnership: Supervisor Rider read the report submitted by Carolyn Tschanz which stated their last meeting was held October 24. The 2017 summer camps had good participation, although attendance in the theater camp and sailing camp was down. The Youth Bureau hosted a family jump rope program that had an amazing turn out. The 5 roller-skating nights at Cass Park saw record participation. Carolyn thanked the Town Board for the opportunity to serve as the representative to the Recreation Partnership for the past 6 years, but she will be resigning from the position effective December 31, 2017. The next meeting will be held December 19 at 5:00 at the Youth Bureau. Enfield Volunteer Fire Company (EVFC): The submitted report showed there were 29 calls in October of which 18 were EMS calls, 1 MVA, 3 service calls and 3 fires. There was 1 mutual aid given to Trumansburg and 1 mutual aid given to Newfield. There were 2 CO detector activations. November trainings include maintenance, new member orientation, refresher of fire ground operations, and SCBA training. The next officer's meeting is scheduled for December 5. Public Hearing and Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, November 8, 2017 4 Renewable Energy Advisory Committee: Councilperson Carpenter reported the committee has been meeting regularly with good attendance. They have been working on format issues and problems with existing solar laws being used as an example. They hope to have an updated solar law ready to be presented to the Town Board by the end of the year. They feel the wind law is not as urgent as the solar law, but hopefully a proposed wind law will be ready to present by late spring. They have felt it important to encompass different laws from different municipalities. Future meetings are scheduled for November 9, November 29, December 14 and January 4, 2018. Comprehensive Plan Writing Committee: Councilperson McGee reported the committee met in October and discussed wording and how the moratorium fits into the Plan. They have finished discussing what data to be included. They are recommending the Plan be updated once 2020 census data is available. Tompkins County Council of Government (TCCOG): Supervisor Rider reported at the last meeting each municipality reported on current happenings; the Emergency Services Task Force is winding up their work; it was recommended that every municipality in the County put the Cayuga Lake Watershed issues on their work agenda in 2018; the County is putting more mental health services in the jail and they will probably lose their double bunking exemption and have to board out many more prisoners. Councilperson Sims expressed interest in being the Enfield representative to the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization. Old Business: 2018 Preliminary Budget: Supervisor Rider stated a public hearing was held on the preliminary budget. Discussion followed on adding $1,000 for new Town Board member training and reducing the newsletter expense from $3,000 to $2,000. Councilperson McGee would like a commitment made that Town Board members go for training as they can learn a lot of valuable information. Councilperson McGee asked about the Beautification lines. Supervisor Rider stated she will do the paperwork for the 2017 reimbursement. This includes providing copies of receipts for amounts expended during the year. The appropriated fund balance in the SF fund is available since billing for Worker's Compensation was less than budgeted. Councilperson Sims stated she felt the need for more funds in the highway budget was very real. Councilperson Carpenter stated he felt a replacement schedule should be put in place so a plan could be made. Superintendent Rollins stated he gives information needed to make a plan each year, but Town Board members need to work on the plan. Councilperson Carpenter suggested hiring a Planner who could help write grants and help for long term planning on equipment. Councilperson McGee would like to have a budget committee meet monthly or quarterly and make recommendations. Supervisor Rider scheduled a Special Town Board meeting for November 13, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at the Enfield Town Hall. Final adoption of the 2018 budget is due by November 20, 2017. Replacement of Light Fixtures in Community Building: Supervisor Rider stated she spoke with the Department of Labor about a public works contract number for installing new lights in the Community Building. The Town needs to follow prevailing wage rules. Due to the Town's procurement policy, the lights would not have to be put out to bid. The contractor who is awarded the contract for the work would need to agree to pay prevailing wage. Councilperson Carpenter stated he was withdrawing all interest and support for this project. Supervisor Rider will contact at least two electricians on November 9 regarding this project. She will also ask about the highway lights and motor. Public Hearing and Enfield Town Board Regular Meeting, November 8, 2017 5 Councilperson McGee is concerned that people are offering to help and bureaucracy is getting in the way. She felt that the lights in the Community Building and repairs requested earlier in the meeting by Superintendent Rollins should be completed by December 31, 2017. New Business: Quote on Energy Improvements on Highway Building from NYSERDA: Supervisor Rider pulled this item from the agenda and she doesn't have information available yet. Contract with Enfield Volunteer Fire Company (EVFC): Supervisor Rider pulled this action item from the agenda. She stated a working document had been provided to Town Board members and that she would add this item to the agenda for the Special Town Board meeting to be held November 13. Councilperson Bryant left the meeting at this time - 9:30 p.m. Councilperson McGee stated she had a lot of information she will share with Town Board members before the November 13 meeting. She has requested information from the EVFC that has not been provided. She feels the safety of the Town is important and that the EVFC should comply with all laws. She is interested in making payments to the EVFC based upon compliance. The Town needs to consider how they can provide and pay for services most efficiently. She would like to see a one year contract with the EVFC. Supervisor Rider stated New York State recommends a five year contract. Attorney Guy Krogh stated the current contract could be carried over and the new contract could be made retroactive if there is no new contract by December 31, 2017. Councilperson McGee feels it is important to have information provided so the Town Board can see if the service being provided is good for the Town. She committed to having another draft of a contract to Town Board members by November 10. Privilege of the Floor: June Smithers of Enfield asked about a key to the Community Building that was approved by the Town Board. Alan Teeter will provide that to her. Walt Smithers of Enfield asked what could be done to repair Black Oak Road since the Black Oak Wind Farm would not be coming to Enfield, or helping with repairs to the road. County Legislator Dave McKenna stated he would look into the situation and get back to the Town Board. Councilperson Sims has left a message for the Tompkins County Highway Superintendent to call her regarding her concern with the road. She felt the more residents that called, the better. Enfield Highway Superintendent Rollins stated he had also left a message, but feels this is probably a low volume traffic road and won't receive top priority. The county will need to budget money for the project, but they have done some patching. Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee, to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alice Linton, RMC Enfield Town Clerk