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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4_22_2020 Transcript Special Meeting4-22-2020 Special Enfield Town Board Meeting.mp3 Supervisor McGee ​[00:00:00] ​I'm going to call the meeting to order. This is a special town board meeting, the town of Enfield, Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 p.m. via the Zoom meeting portal. Supervisor McGee ​[00:00:15] ​So just a reminder that these meetings are all recorded. Supervisor McGee ​[00:00:28] ​In a minute, I'm going to put some links to the media, a meeting agenda and the resolution and budget amendment for the meeting in the chat window, and the chat is not available for group chat, but it will be available for links to documents on. Supervisor McGee ​[00:00:53] ​Let's say. So the general guide for procedure will be in there, also the civility resolution. Supervisor McGee ​[00:00:59] ​And just if you look at the bottom of your screen, you'll see a little chat button and you can open that up. And that's where the links will be. For privilege of the floor, the host will unmute you and unhide your video. You'll get a request about unhiding your video to speak for privilege of the floor. If you want to speak for pillage of the floor, you have to rename yourself. And if you're on the phone, we'll unmute everybody at the end for anybody on the phone who could not do the raise your hand feature, which if you are calling in by telephone you can do or on a cell phone you can do by doing Star 9. And that will put a little hand in front of your name on our screen or your phone number and we'll be able to see that you wish to speak for privilege of the floor. If this is problematic or you can't, if it doesn't work for you, then I will open up and unmute everybody. So anyone who wasn't able to do privilege of the floor will get an opportunity. Supervisor McGee ​[00:02:06] ​So make sure that you address all of your comments to the town board as a whole. And you'll get three minutes to speak as usual. Say there won't be any technical assistance throughout the meeting, so just the meeting will go on. Supervisor McGee ​[00:02:26] ​I think that is it. OK. Supervisor McGee ​[00:02:33] ​So we will begin with privilage. So if there is anyone who wishes to speak for privilege of the floor, you can hit the raise your hand button, which if you open up the participants button at the bottom of your screen, you'll see a list of names. And then there should be a button on that, that little window that says raise hand or lower hand. If so, if you. So if you use that button, then we'll say who goes first. OK. Supervisor McGee ​[00:03:11] ​First is Ed Heatherington Ed, are you there? Ed Heatherington ​[00:03:16] ​Yes, I am. Can you hear me? Supervisor McGee ​[00:03:18] ​Yes. Do you want to be on video? Ed Heatherington ​[00:03:21] ​Yeah. That's fine. Supervisor McGee ​[00:03:22] ​Hold on. You're going get a little message asking you if you want to start video there you go. Supervisor McGee ​[00:03:33] ​You're on. Ed Heatherington ​[00:03:38] ​Ok. Number one, concerning the budget. There's thirty five hundred dollars for the cemetaries and the board appears to care less about the maintenance. And so cemeteries. For years and years the town is paid to have the cemetaries maintained. Now you're looking for unpaid volunteers to do the work. What are you going to do with the thirty five hundred dollars? Just because it appears that none of the board has anybody buried in the cemeteries that I'm aware of. And with the appearance of an atheist on the board, you appear not to care about the town's mandated duty. To to maintain the cemetaries, many of your constituents, want the cemeteries maintained? What are you going to do to the highway superintendant gets badgered by his board and this is disgraceful. One board member states. She knows how much gravel she needs for a driveway. And apparently thinks the supplys of town roads. The town roads of the town roads have specifications, quite a difference from a driveway. She should spend time learning about the construction before she opens her mouth. Leave the highway superintendent alone. Let him run his department as he sees fit. He does not have an easy job. 3 The board is concerned about the budget. Then why is it that some people on the board are getting huge raises? And I don't want to hear about all the work involved. They knew what the job paid when they ran for the position. I think you owe the town more than it takes X hours to do the job. Beth, are you going to resign or not? You owe an explanation to the town's people. And five. Ed Heatherington ​[00:05:37] ​I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And to the republic for which it stands. Supervisor McGee ​[00:05:54] ​Thanks Ed. Ed Heatherington ​[00:05:56] ​Ok. Thank you. Supervisor McGee ​[00:06:06] ​All right. Let's say. Supervisor McGee ​[00:06:11] ​MACKENZIE. Mackenszie Newhart ​[00:06:12] ​Yeah,. Supervisor McGee ​[00:06:14] ​That's a request for. There you are. Mackenszie Newhart ​[00:06:16] ​Yeah. Supervisor McGee ​[00:06:17] ​Mackenzie Newhart? Mackenszie Newhart ​[00:06:18] ​Yes. Mackenszie Newhart ​[00:06:21] ​So I just wanted to say the pledge and be one of the flag wavers, I guess. So I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, for liberty and justice for all. And that's all I have to say, everybody. Mackenszie Newhart ​[00:06:41] ​Thanks, Mackenzie. Ed Heatherington ​[00:06:42] ​Thank you. Mackenszie Newhart ​[00:06:43] ​You're welcome. Supervisor McGee ​[00:06:52] ​All right, so there's someone that's listed as Galaxy S 10 E! GUEST. I'm going to unmute you and you're gonna have to tell me who you are before you're gonna be able to speak. Tammy Alling ​[00:07:08] ​Hello. Supervisor McGee ​[00:07:10] ​Hi. Who is this? Tammy Alling ​[00:07:11] ​This is Tammy Alling. Supervisor McGee ​[00:07:14] ​All right Tammy. Go ahead. Tammy Alling ​[00:07:17] ​I just have a few comments. I'm not really understanding how you can go from a 8 hundred dollar position to raise it to ninety two hundred. If I believe I read or listen to the minutes correctly. It's a little hard with the Zoom listening to minutes or listening to the whole thing. For over two hours it's ridiculous. Um, I understand the CoVid responses. I've also been on lay-off status. And for anybody who thinks that this is an easy position to be able to be laid off and to be able to go on unemployment when you have I don't know how many. I don't know if it's millions. I don't even know. But I called over a thousand times. Me, me, just so you know. To the unemployment, to talk to nobody still a thousand times. And I've been on the phone for hours waiting for somebody to talk to me, to still not talk to anybody. So for anybody to think that is so easy to go on unemployment and you're it's gonna be so great. I've received one week of unemployment out of three so far. So if you think it's so great, it really is not, especially when you're trying to raise a family and be able to function as a whole. Second without the town resources there. I'll have to tell you some of these mornings now that I'm essential. I've been a little nervous getting up and having to head out without knowing for sure if I had the highway department having my back on these roads. I'm leaving at six o'clock in the morning and I knew for a fact that the guys would be on my road before 6 o'clock when I left doing one sweep at least. So I knew I wouldn't have to worry. Now I'm not so sure about that, and it makes me a little nervous because you know of accidents and things happen. Who's liable? Is the town liable or who is liable for this whole mess? And it makes me a little upset to listen to the news, to the meetings, to the fact that I didn't hear a lot of badgering. If people don't agree with you, any of you or a lot of you, I should say, then honestly, it's just constant badgering and badgering and badgering. It's not pleasant to listen to two hours of that. And I would like to say the pledge also, because, you know, that's something that's very important, especially in this day and age. So I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. You know, and the thing of it is, is that you people are forgetting that this is important to all of us, especially now that I'm essential, again, going back wearing mask and all of these things. It's not something that's simple to go into all these uncertainties, protecting our town and worrying about each person as I encounter on in my everyday travels. I just don't think that any of you are honestly thinking about anyone else. I mean, maybe you are and maybe there's more that is I don't understand. But I'm sitting here and trying to figure it all out myself and decisions are being made. And my money, my town money that I honestly don't even have right now is being spent on stuff that I'm not sure if I'm in agreement with. So I think we'd better take a step back and do a little bit more thinking process on it before we just jump the gun and spent all of our money before we really know for sure how much money we are going to have. Tammy Alling ​[00:10:33] ​That's it. Supervisor McGee ​[00:10:36] ​Thanks, Tammy. Supervisor McGee ​[00:10:38] ​And I agree with you that we should be watching our money before we know how much we have. So thanks. Supervisor McGee ​[00:11:00] ​Bev Rollins, you got it. Are you there? Bev Rollins ​[00:11:03] ​Yes. Supervisor McGee ​[00:11:04] ​You got a little feedback going on. So if you have another laptop or something next to you or a phone that's feeding back. Supervisor McGee ​[00:11:12] ​And want to see this, such as a yet again. You've got a feedback loop going on with your sound, so you need to like move your laptop. If you if you and Buddy are sitting next to each other on two separate laptops, you'll have to go in the other room with yours. Supervisor McGee ​[00:11:28] ​Otherwise, it just feeds back totally. Bev Rollins ​[00:11:33] ​Is this better? Supervisor McGee ​[00:11:33] ​Yes it is. Thank you. Bev Rollins ​[00:11:35] ​I just want to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Didn't say it before? Not because I don't believe in it, but because I'm shy. I Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Supervisor McGee ​[00:11:59] ​Thanks Bev. Supervisor McGee ​[00:12:05] ​Okay. Supervisor McGee ​[00:12:11] ​I've unmuted everybody. So if you're talking we can all hear you. Supervisor McGee ​[00:12:16] ​So I just want to let you know if there's anybody on the phone or who could not get the raise your hand feature to work for them, this would be your time to speak up for privilege of the floor. Supervisor McGee ​[00:12:29] ​Is there anyone ? Roy Barriere ​[00:12:31] ​Yes, Beth. Supervisor McGee ​[00:12:34] ​Is that Roy? You want to be on video, Roy. Roy Barriere ​[00:12:36] ​Yes. Supervisor McGee ​[00:12:36] ​Hold on one second, OK? You should get a message. There you go. OK. Go ahead. Roy Barriere ​[00:12:47] ​OK. First of all, I'm a slow learner. Couldn't find the race hand button. Anyway, since I do have a couple of concerns about the resolution that was approved last week. One of em.. Supervisor McGee ​[00:13:00] ​One second, please, everybody, everyone is unmuted. Supervisor McGee ​[00:13:02] ​Everyone is unmuted. So if you are not if you don't want to be heard, and you want Roy to be able to be heard, please mute yourself. Supervisor McGee ​[00:13:10] ​Thank you. Go ahead. I'm sorry. Roy Barriere ​[00:13:14] ​All right. Anyways, I have a few concerns about the resolution. First of all, that was passed last week on the deputy supervisor. One issue you probably already thought of, but the resolution indicated ten thousand dollars for an annual salary. And it also indicated ninety two hundred dollars was to be transferred from savings into the deputies supervisors line item. Well, there's only 70 percent of the year remaining. So technically, there should only be seven thousand dollars in that account. So if I did the math right, you probably eliminated sixty five hundred dollars. Supervisor McGee ​[00:13:58] ​ You're right. So that's. Supervisor McGee ​[00:14:03] ​That's right. And that money will just fall back into the general fund at the end of the year. What's not paid? Supervisor McGee ​[00:14:08] ​OK. My second concern I have for a number of reasons. That resolution comes across as a bit unethical. I know that's a strong word, but mainly due to the timing. It was already mentioned you're in your second term. You knew what the job entailed. Supervisor McGee ​[00:14:32] ​And if if it was too much, you probably shouldn't have run or should should have brought it up, just like Bob said last week during the budget process. That's the time to really talk about something like that. Roy Barriere ​[00:14:54] ​I do agree with you, though. It's not a part time job. It's a lot more than a part time job. Roy Barriere ​[00:15:01] ​In fact, when when I ran for the position years ago, the salary at the time when I was running was only eighty five hundred dollars. Soon after that, it raised up to fifteen thousand. Still under minimum wage, based on the number of hours I was putting in well over 40 hours regardless anyone who runs for that position. More than likely has a strong commitment for community service. I don't think anyone runs solely for the money. I'm sure this pandemic has taken a toll on your workload, but it's affected many others as well. Many other towns, supervisors, mayors. What have you, including volunteers and first responders. Everyone's putting a lot of effort into this. Roy Barriere ​[00:15:52] ​So my point is that the timing was wrong and this whole resolution. Roy Barriere ​[00:16:00] ​And if you think about it, you had two other resolutions that you passed that same night trying to tighten the purse strings a bit, putting a freeze on buying equipment and a freeze on hiring. But yet you transfer funds from a savings account which should be saved for emergencies only. And that was to benefit into a theory that was to benefit your line. Supervisor McGee ​[00:16:32] ​So, right. Is that so if you can finish your thought, that would be good. Roy Barriere ​[00:16:37] ​OK. My last consumer is I'm having a hard time finding the minutes. Maybe they're not posted yet on the Web. If they're not, at what point do you feel they're going to start being posted or can we get hard copies of the minute? Roy Barriere ​[00:16:51] ​Just like Tami just said, listening through the the recordings for two hours is not fun. So anyways, I'd love to see minutes at some point. Thank you. Supervisor McGee ​[00:17:07] ​I agree. And Roy, I have a question for you. I've I've notified the secretary, as well as one of the assistant chiefs at the fire company about the governor's order to lower the flag to half mast, and that has yet to be done. That was like two weeks ago. So I'm I'm interested in why that hasn't been done yet. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:17:29] ​So so I can answer that. Supervisor McGee ​[00:17:31] ​Hold on. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:17:31] ​OK. Roy has. No, no. Don't go around. Right. Don't go around. Our chief and our president. Just contact them directly. They have not been contacted directly. Roy Barriere ​[00:17:43] ​Ellen is exactly right. I have no idea what's going on. Supervisor McGee ​[00:17:48] ​I'm just curious why it isn't just generally known. Supervisor McGee ​[00:17:50] ​So, I mean, I really didn't have to contact anybody or Highway Department did it? Supervisor McGee ​[00:17:55] ​Upon request, but that's right. All right. So is there. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:18:00] ​So I have someting for privledge of the floor. Supervisor McGee ​[00:18:02] ​Again. Supervisor McGee ​[00:18:04] ​So is there anyone else who would like to speak for privilege of the floor? Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:18:08] ​So I would. Supervisor McGee ​[00:18:09] ​Alright Ellen go ahead. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:18:11] ​OK. So I just I did want to answer Roy first about the minutes. So I sent minutes to the supervisor this week for just like approval. Right. I got some, you know, some I really didn't get any feedback. And so the next move is to send them to the whole board and they can offer me some feedback. This is my first time doing minutes. But they are all prepared and ready to go to the board. So as soon as they do like a cursory review, those will be posted. And I also out of my own money this this week, out of my own money, I purchased transcription software. So that will have like a monthly cost to it. But I'm more than willing to do it because of how much easier it makes doing the minutes. So it's very sophisticated software. So I anticipate them being available much more readily in the future. I also wanted to address the whole board about the idea that like the supervisor and myself knew what we were getting into. So I was told that this job was a twelve to 20 hour a week position. And my opponent was also told the same thing. The evidence I have of that is that she took a full time job at Cornell for the election. So the idea that anyone could do this while working another full time job is frankly like insane. Delusional comes to mind. There's no way this is a 40 hour week job. It's really like a 60 hour week job at this point with onboarding. There is no day that I do not wake up that I basically have to commit myself. Work business from when I wake up to when I go to sleep. That's how much work there is. And it's never done. So the idea that we knew what we were getting into, these positions have been advertised by the town of Enfield. You know, CoVid like the people in Enfield as part time positions. They're not part time positions. So I'm joined in the not making minimum wage club. And I'm also I have the honor of being the lowest paid clerk in all of Tompkins County. So, you know, just so people we can say why, but we're not the smallest town in Tompkins County. We have we have the population very similar to other municipalities. I looked at Danby today and there Clerk is making thirty eight thousand dollars. So, you know, I am service minded. But the reality is, is that for a long time, the Clerk's position and the supervisors position have been absolutely dependent on the clerks having other sources of income and the supervisor having another source of income, either from the spouse or what have you. Retirement state benefits. But the town is subsidizing these salaries with other income. And for me, that means two other jobs. Supervisor McGee ​[00:21:11] ​Thanks Ellen, uh... Supervisor McGee ​[00:21:16] ​Betty Poole. Hold on one second. I'm gonna mute everybody and then put and then put on. Supervisor McGee ​[00:21:23] ​Because everybody is talking. Supervisor McGee ​[00:21:32] ​Betty? Yes. Judge Betty Poole ​[00:21:35] ​Hi. Judge Betty Poole ​[00:21:37] ​I just wanted to respond to what Ellen just said regarding the town clerk's position. I was back years ago deputy town clerk for the Town of Ithaca. And of course, it was a full time position. Judge Betty Poole ​[00:22:03] ​I also accepted an interim town clerk position with the town of Enfield. And I had everything in my home. And I was able to accomplish everything. And I was also court clerk for Judge Townley of the town of Enfield, so I was actually working a full time job and two part time jobs. And I did manage and I was tax collector too for the town of Enfield. And this was back before they had the computers and I. I did it all by hand. Supervisor McGee ​[00:22:54] ​So I would say that it's just I just 20, 20 and also the judge has one day a week of court and has a court clerk that earns over eleven thousand dollars a year. So I really don't think that comparing what somebody did many years ago in this town... Judge Betty Poole ​[00:23:13] ​That's irrelevant to what I'm speaking. I'm talking about the town clerk's position. Supervisor McGee ​[00:23:19] ​Yep. Judge Betty Poole ​[00:23:19] ​OK. Supervisor McGee ​[00:23:20] ​Yep. Judge Betty Poole ​[00:23:22] ​I'm on call 24/7. Supervisor McGee ​[00:23:27] ​Who isn't? Judge Betty Poole ​[00:23:29] ​Yeah. I'm just saying. Judge Betty Poole ​[00:23:31] ​I'm on call 24/7 and... Supervisor McGee ​[00:23:34] ​I'm asking you who isn't? Judge Betty Poole ​[00:23:35] ​We don't bill the town for anything other than supplies. Judge Betty Poole ​[00:23:41] ​And postage. If you if you want to get into the the judge thing. Supervisor McGee ​[00:23:51] ​I don't, you're comparing that. Judge Betty Poole ​[00:23:55] ​I don't, but what I'm saying is. I understand that a lot of things have changed in the town clerk's office. But I find it hard to believe that it's a 40 or 60 hour job. Judge Betty Poole ​[00:24:16] ​All right. That's all I had to say. Supervisor McGee ​[00:24:27] ​All right. One last note, last call for privilege of the floor. Everyone is unmuted. Anyone else? All right. Is that everybody. Supervisor McGee ​[00:25:14] ​All right, so additions and changes to the agenda. I do have information about our bookkeeper that I need to talk about with the board. Supervisor McGee ​[00:25:27] ​So I can add that to. New business. Supervisor McGee ​[00:25:35] ​And tonight, we have Katie Reed from Solar Farms, New York. Here to do a presentation. Supervisor McGee ​[00:25:43] ​But before we do that is there, do any of the board members have additions or changes to the agenda. Supervisor McGee ​[00:25:56] ​All right. For some reason, Mimi I cannot see you up at the top. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:26:03] ​I can see... Supervisor McGee ​[00:26:05] ​You can see me. OK. Katie Reed, are you with us? Supervisor McGee ​[00:26:14] ​She is muted. Hold on. All right. There she is. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:26:17] ​Hi! Can you see me or.. Supervisor McGee ​[00:26:17] ​I'm going to ask you to start video so you can go ahead and do that. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:26:25] ​All right. Supervisor McGee ​[00:26:26] ​Got it. Hi there. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:26:27] ​Hi. Supervisor McGee ​[00:26:28] ​Hi. Welcome. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:26:30] ​Thank you. Thank you so much for having me. So I wanted to tell you, first I'll tell you a bit about myself and then I'll tell you why I'm here. So I. I've worked with Solar Farms... Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:26:46] ​I'm representing Solar Farms, New York. And we have that solar farm community solar farm in an Enfield, NY. Supervisor McGee ​[00:26:56] ​On Podunk Road. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:26:58] ​Exactly. On Podunk Road. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:27:02] ​And I've worked for Solar Farms New York for over a year. And I head up our Clean Energy Partners initiative. My career has been in fund raising for non-profits before then. So I look at the program, the Clean Energy Partners program, as a fundraising initiative or a way for us to contribute to communities. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:27:22] ​And I'm very. Our company is very concerned in community engagement. And working with the communities we serve. So we have community solar farms across New York state. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:27:40] ​And the electricity from our solar farms goes directly to the NYSEG grid. So that means that NYSEG Customers receive the energy from our communities. All NYSEG customers receive the energy from our community, solar farms. And as I mentioned, we like to contribute to the communities we serve. And one of the ways we do this is through the Clean Energy Partners initiative. And our clean energy partners are made up of 62 municipalities and non-profits, and we work with to educate the public on the benefits of renewable solar energy. And we partner with towns, with volunteer fire departments, with assisted living facilities, with environmental organizations and libraries and veterans groups and other kinds of nonprofits. Each time one of our clean energy partners enrolls. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:28:40] ​A solar farms New York member using a unique I.D. or through a special Web page we Solar Farms. New York contributes one hundred dollars to that partner. Some towns choose to direct funds to local organizations. Others retain the monies for town led initiatives. And we provide our partners with marketing support and and publicity materials. So the publicity, the materials may include posters or bookmarks or business cards and a letter announcing the partnership, too, that we send to residents and we pay for all of those marketing materials. We also recommend posting information about the partnership on the town Web site or a link to the the Web page that I set up for the for the town, which also has that unique, unique code in case someone would rather make a phone call to to sign up. And as I mentioned every time a clean energy partner constituent signs up. Solar Farms New York donates one hundred dollars or contributes one hundred dollars to that clean energy partner, whether it be a municipality or a nonprofit. And the Solar Farms New York member also receives savings on their guaranteed savings, up 5 percent, savings on their electricity costs. So that's the Clean Energy Partners program. And are the municipalities we partnered with are Dryden and Big Flats, Norwich and Mores, we've partnered with Naples... Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:30:36] ​We've we've partnered with eight or nine municipalities and some of them, as I mentioned, choose to have the hundred dollars directed to local organizations like Historical Society or a library or a Volunteer Fire Department. And some of them, like Naples, choose to retain the funds. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:30:58] ​And then. Direct them, use them as as as they as they would as they will. So um... That's the Clean Energy Partners program. Supervisor McGee ​[00:31:13] ​Thanks, Katie. Would you want to speak a little bit about the transition from Delaware Solar? Delaware River Solar to um.. Supervisor McGee ​[00:31:21] ​To ah... the business that purchased them? Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:31:27] ​Sure, so. So Solar Farms New York purchased the interests in New York Enfield on February 15th in twenty nineteen. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:31:42] ​And as I mentioned, we have solar farms across New York state so that it can include several nearby towns, some in Dryden and Big Flats. And we own and operate the solar farms. And as I mentioned, the solar farms, generates the electricity that goes straight to the NYSEG Grid. And we've got over 10000 members, our. So... Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:32:15] ​That's it's that's basically where we are and we we we bought the company. One hundred percent, so. Supervisor McGee ​[00:32:24] ​I do want to say that I reached out to them because we had not heard anything about our decommissioning fund payment for this year. And also, I wanted to check in on the pilot agreement that we have and they have been very enthusiastic about it and continuing both throughout the term of the the agreements. So it will be about 20 years on the decommissioning fund, I think. And well, it will be a 20 on the pilot agreement as well, because it was done through the IDA. So I have been pleased with conversations and they have actually they were the ones that brought up this program. And we're interested in partnering with Enfield, with the Clean Energy Clean Energy Partners program. So are there any questions for Katie from board members? Supervisor McGee ​[00:33:26] ​No. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:33:28] ​If you have if you have any questions in the future, I can I can give my email address, would that be helpful? Would that be useful for anyone? Supervisor McGee ​[00:33:36] ​I have that so I can share if it's the one that you've sent me e-mails from Katie. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:33:41] ​Yes. Councilperson Lynch ​[00:33:43] ​Thank you for being a participant in Enfield. Thank you. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:33:46] ​Oh, thank you. Know we're... Supervisor McGee ​[00:33:49] ​Thank you. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:33:49] ​I would be here. Oh, thank you. Supervisor McGee ​[00:33:51] ​So can you tell me what the process is generally for? For the municipality to begin becoming a partner with you? Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:34:01] ​Well, it depends on the municipality. Sometimes the supervisor will just say, yes, we'd like to be a partner. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:34:12] ​And sometimes it's the the the board that attempts board. Has a vote on it. Makes the decision and then it's not a sign on the dotted line sort of thing. You just say to me you'd like to become a clean energy partner. And then I work with you to get things going, like the letter and the marketing and all of that. Telling your residents about. Your constituents about it. Supervisor McGee ​[00:34:46] ​And the. So the town can either be the partner, then receive the funds and then disseminate the funds to organizations locally or the funds can be directed toward those organizations that we choose in our partnership, is that correct? Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:35:05] ​Yes, exactly. And for towns that decide to to have the right to choose the partners ahead of time so that the people signing up choose the partner, that funds will be allocated to um... We have a pull down menu. So on the website so people can just pull down if they if they sign up through the website. I put together, they would just use the pull down menu to select which which nonprofit they'd like to go to if they call up. They could just say to one of our customer care people that they'd like their funds to be directed to, you know, whichever nonprofit has been preselected. Supervisor McGee ​[00:35:53] ​Great. Thank you. [00:35:56] ​Well, I have a question. What does it look like for the average consumer? Do they when they get those things in the mail that say, do you want to get your energy from clean sources? Is that what we're talking about or is it something specific? Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:36:16] ​Well, it all all NYSEG customers receive the the energy generated by the community, solar farms like the community solar farm at Enfield, all NYSEG customers receive that. Some of that that electricity that's been generated. [00:36:42] ​It was the only difference that they've signed up through this different portal,. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:36:46] ​So well, people sign up through, people sign up for a Solar Farms New York account. And then what happens is that that they receive savings on their electricity costs. And and if if Enfield chooses to be on the clean energy partner, then one hundred dollars would be directed to either Enfield or to a nonprofit Enfield decides the funds should be directed to. [00:37:13] ​So when a customer signs up, are they signing a contract for a specific amount of time? Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:37:18] ​It's no, it's it's not a specific amount of time yup. People can cancel it anytime. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[00:37:24] ​So if the rates go up, they can change. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:37:29] ​Well, we don't. NYSEG, NYSEG determines the rates we give savings on the rates on the electricity costs and that the supply and delivery costs. Councilperson Bryant ​[00:37:46] ​And in terms of the nonprofit that might benefit if have a choice of the town? Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:37:53] ​It's the town would select a number of nonprofits within the community, yes. Councilperson Bryant ​[00:38:01] ​It's not the consumers. It's not what the consumer's choice might be individually? Supervisor McGee ​[00:38:06] ​We give them the options. So the town would choose which ones. And then there would be a dropdown menu whenever they sign up for an account and they could choose which one. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:38:17] ​And so sometimes, like big flats, his has chosen three community organizations. But Dryden has chosen eight community organizations. So the town you choose, you know, as many or as few as they as they'd like. Councilperson Bryant ​[00:38:35] ​Thank you. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:38:36] ​Thank you Councilperson Lynch ​[00:38:42] ​Sounds like a good opportunity that we still. I'd like some it would be nice if you, Katie, could send us something in writing so that we all have the information that we can study and maybe take some action in the future. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:38:55] ​OK. Supervisor McGee ​[00:38:58] ​Stephanie, did you have any comments? Councilperson Redmond ​[00:39:02] ​No, it sounds really interesting. I think that it could benefit our town. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:39:08] ​And we've donated, we've contributed. I don't know if I mentioned over hundred thousand dollars to communities across New York State. Supervisor McGee ​[00:39:18] ​And do you have any sense of how many more spaces you have for in-field residents to sign up? Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:39:25] ​I know that we do have spaces. I don't know the exact number of spaces. Supervisor McGee ​[00:39:33] ​Thank you. Supervisor McGee ​[00:39:36] ​Uh, one second. Supervisor McGee ​[00:39:40] ​And if you don't mind, Nancy has her hand up. I'm gonna see it. Anybody have objection to that? Nancy. Nancy ​[00:39:54] ​Hi. Just a quick question. If you have solar panels on your roof, you're not eligible to be part of this. Correct? Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:40:01] ​That is correct. That is correct. Yeah. Supervisor McGee ​[00:40:04] ​OK. That's... Nancy ​[00:40:06] ​So you can't have like if you wanted more solar, you can do part solar farm and part home solar. That doesn't work. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:40:13] ​Yeah. Now, unfortunately. Supervisor McGee ​[00:40:16] ​OK. Nancy ​[00:40:16] ​Thank you very much. Supervisor McGee ​[00:40:18] ​Thanks Nancy Supervisor McGee ​[00:40:21] ​OK. If there's nothing else. Thank you, Katie. I appreciate it. I'm sure we'll be talking soon. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:40:26] ​All right. Well, thank you so much. I'll I'll I'll send something to you in the next day or so. About... Supervisor McGee ​[00:40:34] ​Great, great... Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:40:36] ​Thank you so much for having me. Supervisor McGee ​[00:40:37] ​Thanks a lot. Appreciate it. Katie Reed - Solar Farms New York ​[00:40:38] ​Thank you Supervisor McGee ​[00:40:47] ​OK. Mimi, do you have a recreation partnership report? Councilperson Mehaffey ​[00:40:52] ​Yes, I do. I've got a couple of correspondance. It's the programs are pretty much in limbo, as everybody probably knows of the most recent correspondent did say. At this point, we've canceled spring sport programs for lessons, theater and arts programs. Essentially, any program that would have started prior to June 1st. Once we have a better idea of the situation, we may try to run some mini sessions of sports into the summer. Currently we're planning for summer camp, but with the understanding that things may change, summer registration is open on the community pass, letting families know if for some reason that we have to cancel, they will be refunded for any money that they've signed up for. The Stafford conducting interviews online and trying to pull together information for the camp permit application. After lots of discussion, we made the difficult decision to not try to meet the O.C.F.S. Regulations that would make us eligible to receive funding from DSS for qualifying families. With bringing on approximately 70 staff we did not feel we did not feel we would be able to meet the requirements. Anticipating this might happen, I submitted a grant for $5000 that would assist families in this situation. In addition, we will look to the Echo Fund for additional support as needed. We plan to do our best to make camp assessable to all families and especially the families that have relied on DSS support. And they have a Web site that could go to more information, which I'll put on to the town site. Cocucncilperson Mehaffey ​[00:42:46] ​The other correspondence I got this week was that because of that, because everything is in limbo, the budget is also in limbo. And this is usually the time that we work on the budget for next year's rec partnership. So they're recommending that we go by last year's numbers in terms of figuring out our Enfield share for the community rec partnership. That would probably do fine for Enfield because our numbers went down. Our costs went down last year. So I don't think that it would be an increase, but hopefully we'll have a meeting at some point via zoom and be able to talk about this more fully. Though the formula is more based on taxable property than it is participants. So it doesn't affect it much that they're going by a different years number. Supervisor McGee ​[00:43:46] ​Any questions? Councilperson Redmond ​[00:43:55] ​What's the echo fund? Councilperson Mehaffey ​[00:43:58] ​Echo Fund is a is a is an offshoot of the youth bureau that raises money for camp stuff. I don't know what the actual. But I can find out for you. Councilperson Redmond ​[00:44:13] ​Is it through individual donation or is it like a state funded program? Councilperson Mehaffey ​[00:44:16] ​Individual donations. Councilperson Redmond ​[00:44:17] ​Ok Supervisor McGee ​[00:44:24] ​Thanks, Mimi. Supervisor McGee ​[00:44:30] ​Moving on to the consent agenda. I move that we adopt a consent agenda and that includes the approval of the abstract. This is the second abstract of April. Councilperson Lynch ​[00:44:40] ​Second it. Supervisor McGee ​[00:44:40] ​Ellen do you want to read it this time? Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:44:49] ​Sure. The town board authorizes a supervisor to pay general fund vouchers 1 0 5 to 1 0 7. Dated April 22nd, twenty twenty in the amount of four thousand three hundred seventy six dollars and sixty five cents. Highway fund vouchers. Sixty nine to sixty nine. So just one voucher dated April 22nd. Twenty twenty in the amount of five thousand five hundred fifty nine dollars and 90 cents. Supervisor McGee ​[00:45:22] ​Thank you. Any discussion? Councilperson Mehaffey ​[00:45:27] ​Do we need signatures on that? Councilperson Redmond ​[00:45:30] ​I already got them. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[00:45:31] ​OK. Councilperson Redmond ​[00:45:32] ​Thank you. Supervisor McGee ​[00:45:34] ​All right. Ellen, would you please call the vote? Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:45:35] ​Councilperson Bryant. Councilperson Bryant ​[00:45:38] ​Aye Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:45:40] ​Council person Lynch. Councilperson Lynch ​[00:45:42] ​Aye Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:45:43] ​Councilperson Mahaffey. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[00:45:44] ​Aye. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:45:46] ​Councilperson Redmond. Councilperson Redmond ​[00:45:47] ​Aye Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:45:49] ​My Supervisoor McGee. Supervisor McGee ​[00:45:51] ​Aye. Thank you. Supervisor McGee ​[00:45:56] ​OK. Old business. CoVid 19 updates. Anyone who needs cloth masks for the municipality. If you email me and let me know. We do have a source for them. So just shoot me an email and we'll see what we can get from that. Also. Yesterday, I was invited to speak at the legislature meeting and about updates in Enfield, and we had a conversation with the Academy administrator, Jason Molino, regarding reimbursement from FEMA. And I know that there was some idea Bob mentioned that you had mentioned you had hoped that we would be reimbursed for payroll of that we had expended for hours, not worked, and that will not be reimbursed. The only way that payroll is going to be reimbursed is if employees are reassigned to duties that have to do specifically with CoVid 19 response. And that was not the case. So there will be no and no reimbursement for that money. Supervisor McGee ​[00:47:23] ​Sorry? Councilperson Lynch ​[00:47:24] ​We hope there will be. That was great. That was Jason Molino's comment. And I have the exact quote here. Supervisor McGee ​[00:47:30] ​That's fine. What I'm telling you right now is there will be none. Supervisor McGee ​[00:47:34] ​But I'm telling you, sir, I'm sorry, what? Councilperson Lynch ​[00:47:38] ​That wasn't what Mr Merlino said. He said there could be from the state, but he was doubtful. Supervisor McGee ​[00:47:44] ​At the legislature meeting yesterday? So I clarified with him. And if employees were reassigned to CoVid 19 activities, then there's generally about 75 percent reimbursement for something. But there will not be because this is just for regular highway work, so it will not be reimbursed. It's not specific work related to CoVid 19. And besides, it wasn't work. I mean, it was hours not worked. So I just want to clarify that that reimbursement is not happening. Councilperson Lynch ​[00:48:28] ​I can read you exactly Mr Merlino said into the record last night. Supervisor McGee ​[00:48:32] ​I was there. So if you want to email him and confirm again, this is regular work for the town, regular hours for the town, not CoVid 19 related. Supervisor McGee ​[00:48:49] ​Well, if it's not related to the emergency itself, there will not be any reimbursement. But you can go ahead and you can go along that line if you'd like. With budget conversations and stuff. But that's. It's not happening. Councilperson Bryant ​[00:49:14] ​And I'm seeing any point in doing that and reading anything when we already know there was no work done that was related to Coleman 19. That's more, you know, needless times. But but meaning... Councilperson Lynch ​[00:49:29] ​But there was at least a race that work that wasn't really covered. Nineteen might get reimbursed, but the governor's spokesman, the state spokesman was not very optimistic about that. And that was what Mr Melino told the legislature. Now if there was a supplemental conversation that our supervisor had with Mr Melino that was not on the record, his record. Well, that's information to me. Supervisor McGee ​[00:49:55] ​So I actually specifically asked him the question to clarify that specifically related to the town of Enfield that should have been on the recording. It was a conversation we had in front of the legislature. And he clarified that. Councilperson Lynch ​[00:50:10] ​...said I recorded it today. He said regarding individuals that have not been working throughout this response but are getting paid because you are required to pay them under the executive order from the governor. Executive order 2 0 2 point 0 4. Can you be reimbursed from FEMA? My understanding is that you cannot. Second question regarding New York state reimbursement, Jason Balino said, is the governor going to compensate us for requiring us to continue to pay employees who do not use accruals if they are non-essential and not working? And the response I did get from the state is that most likely at some point they will not be reimbursed for that. That is the exact quote from Mr Melino. Coucilperson Mehaffey ​[00:50:58] ​I'm skeptical saying the same thing. Can we move on? Supervisor McGee ​[00:51:00] ​Exactly right. Councilperson Lynch ​[00:51:03] ​There was an incling of hope. Supervisor McGee ​[00:51:07] ​OK. Well, you hang your star on that. OK. Does anybody else have any other CoVid updates? Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:51:18] ​I do. I do have two CoVid updates. Supervisor McGee ​[00:51:20] ​Great! Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:51:22] ​So today when I was discussing the end of the tax season with Jay Franklin, he asked if he could place because he's been diverted to work with the EOC. He asked if he could place a collection box for masks at the town hall. I personally, he was looking to cover all parts of the county. So I told him I thanked him for Enfield being included. And I personally think it could be OK to have a box for masks. But I said I would just. I promised him I would bring it before the board. And you guys can discuss it. And then I will get back to him after this meeting because he's looking to place them tomorrow. Supervisor McGee ​[00:52:07] ​Actually, he emailed me today and I told him to do it. OK. Yes. I mean, there's no reason why there can't be a box out there yet. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:52:16] ​And the other I guess two things now, per the governor's order, I can issue marriage certificates via video. So people should be aware of that in the town. And then I was just generally going to make everyone aware that in addition to our food pantry, the United Way and is now doing some food delivery. So if people feel that they're having a food emergency, they can call 9-1-1 and United Way can over some food. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[00:52:48] ​May 9 1 1 or 2 1 1. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[00:52:50] ​I was sorry 211, tell you that I definitely do not call them. Supervisor McGee ​[00:53:00] ​Okay. Councilperson Lynch ​[00:53:01] ​Also, one bit of optimism. We may be starting to flatten the curve at least locally, because I couldn't get today's Tompkins County Health Department results. They weren't available as of about 5:15 after 6:00. But so far, positive test results, 123 countywide. And that's been the same for, I believe, the past three days. And if you subtract the number of people who were recovered, that means only 29 active cases here. I know we're not out of the woods yet, but, you know, we are seemingly making some progress locally. Supervisor McGee ​[00:53:49] ​OK. All right. Anything else on CoVid 19? So I'm looking for Buddy and unmute him for the highway conversation. Buddy, are you there? Buddy Rollins ​[00:54:15] ​Yeah. Supervisor McGee ​[00:54:18] ​OK. Do you have any thing to add for the Highway Department Update? Buddy Rollins ​[00:54:20] ​Did you get my e-mail this afternoon? Supervisor McGee ​[00:54:24] ​Yeah I did. Buddy Rollins ​[00:54:24] ​Did the rest of the board get it too? Councilperson Lynch ​[00:54:30] ​Yes they did. Supervisor McGee ​[00:54:30] ​Yea Coucilperson Bryant ​[00:54:31] ​I get it. Councilperson Mahaffey ​[00:54:31] ​Yea Buddy Rollins ​[00:54:32] ​So I'd like them for you to read that publicly, please. Supervisor McGee ​[00:54:36] ​Go ahead. Buddy Rollins ​[00:54:38] ​I don't have it. Councilperson Lynch ​[00:54:41] ​As liason to the highway department you want me to read it? I got a copy right in front. Buddy Rollins ​[00:54:45] ​Yes. If you would, please. Councilperson Lynch ​[00:54:46] ​Thank you. Councilperson Lynch ​[00:54:48] ​This is from Buddy Rollins. Received this afternoon, dated April 21st. On April 15th. Twenty twenty. You stated that you were going to lay off Enfields highway employees under the New York State Highway Law. The town law. And supported the opinions of state officers and the courts. This action is a nullity and is ultra- veries. I hope I'm pronouncing that correctly. It is the duty of the elected highway superintendent and his or her responsibility to determine the work, health and safety of the town highway employee. The Highway Department will be resuming its work beginning April twenty sixth. Twenty twenty. I will be certifying the payroll and submitting it for payment as required by law. In note that this action is consistent. It should be, I note that this action is consistent with the past practice of the town. Next paragraph. The town board also purported to put a purchasing freeze put in place at the same board meeting. We already have in place the 2020 highway budget and a two eighty four agreement. You stated that the purchasing freeze was being put into place. The uncertainty of state funding as far as the highway budget is concerned. Any state funding is in the form of chips and is only a small part of the highway department's budget. My department will not exceed the previously approved budgeted amounts, and until the chip's money is received, we will not incur expenses which would rely upon the restricted chip's funding. Final paragraph in the future, it will be appreciated. If the town board would tend to their own business and leave the highway business to the duly elected highway superintendent to take care of like I have for the last 12 years. Signed by Buddy Rollins Enield Highway Superintendent. Buddy Rollins ​[00:57:02] ​And all that information was given to me by my attorney. And the legal part of it. That's I have. Supervisor McGee ​[00:57:19] ​Anybody else? Councilperson Lynch ​[00:57:21] ​Well, I'm glad. Buddys' he's coming back to work. Get his men back to work, and it kind of resolves this whole controversy. I'd say. Supervisor McGee ​[00:57:31] ​Really? Councilperson Lynch ​[00:57:31] ​I think so. Supervisor McGee ​[00:57:33] ​How is that? Why don't you elaborate on that? Councilperson Lynch ​[00:57:35] ​Well, if his men are coming back to work on the twenty six, that means we don't have to go through the controversy we went through last week with regards to partial unemployment. I mean, they're gonna be back working as I see it. Buddy Rollins ​[00:57:47] ​They'll be back working like we were before. Essential work. Supervisor McGee ​[00:57:53] ​So I guess I'm wondering why you laid off the highway department because the town board didn't do that. Buddy Rollins ​[00:57:59] ​Yes you did Supervisor McGee ​[00:58:00] ​...and I do hear you saying and other people saying that the highway department's been laid off, which is misinformation to the public because the town board did not lay off the highway department. So did you? And if you did, why? Because we made it possible for the employees to be able to only do essential work and have minimal hours for safety concerns and still get paid without impacting the budget. So did you lay off the highway department? Buddy Rollins ​[00:58:36] ​No the town board did it's in the minutes and then everybody heard it. Yes, you did. Supervisor McGee ​[00:58:42] ​No. Buddy Rollins ​[00:58:43] ​You pay me to pay the work. Councilperson Mahaffey ​[00:58:44] ​We did not.. Buddy Rollins ​[00:58:44] ​Gave me the note. Not gonna argue with ya. That's the way it is. Supervisor McGee ​[00:58:50] ​That's ok. There is no argument. Buddy Rollins ​[00:58:52] ​Right. Supervisor McGee ​[00:58:53] ​So the town board made a policy... Buddy Rollins ​[00:58:54] ​You're idiot. Supervisor McGee ​[00:58:57] ​It's very professional. Councilperson Mahaffey ​[00:58:58] ​All he said was that we're not going to pay for hours, not worked. Anyway, a matter of hours that you schedule and they work, they'll be paid for. We did. The good thing about laying people off. If you scheduled them for 40 hours. They'll get paid for 40 hours. That's all we said. Buddy Rollins ​[00:59:16] ​And you still don't have the right to do that. You will pay what I tell you to pay. [00:59:22] ​No, no, no, no, no. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[00:59:24] ​Where? The town lawyer has advised us and we're following his advice. So I certainly would not sign a time card or a paycheck that for hours not worked. After hearing what the what our lawyer had to say. Coucilperson Bryant ​[00:59:41] ​That's illegal. Coucilperson Redmond ​[00:59:44] ​I honestly don't really understand why there's an argument about this, to be perfectly honest. I see that there are people that want to get paid for hours, that they're not working. And it seems like we have a choice of how we're going to pay them either has to come out of the town budget or out of the federal government. And given that our town budget is extremely limited, it seems like having that come from the federal budget in form of unemployment would be the best and most prudent financially path to take financially path to take. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:00:14] ​That we from the town population, in terms of their tax burden and so on, have to be paying for time not at work. Coucilperson Redmond ​[01:00:24] ​And not only that, but it seems illegal for us to be taxed. Coucilperson Bryant ​[01:00:26] ​It is! Councilperson Redmond ​[01:00:28] ​From our... To spend on work, that's not being done. It seems much more appropriate to leave it to the federal government in the form of unemployment. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:00:36] ​And we were also told that that would be a form of gifting and we could be held accountable for that. We're not allowed to do that. So I don't know. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:00:48] ​It's totally illegal to sign a time card for timenot worked, period. Councilperson Redmond ​[01:00:53] ​Buddy, I'm curious, why do you want it to come out of the town budget instead of out of the federal government's budget for them to be paid for hours that they're not working? Coucilperson Redmond ​[01:01:02] ​Why is it that you want to burden our town unnecessarily, use taxpayer dollars for something, something that clearly can be covered by federal funds? Councilperson Redmond ​[01:01:22] ​Buddy, did you hear me? Councilperson Redmond ​[01:01:23] ​Hmm, maybe he's off line, I guess. Robert, maybe you could answer that question because you seem to be in the same front as a buddy on this, that you seem to want to come out of town funds instead of the federal government. When we're talking about hours to be paid for people that are not working, which seems illegal with our with our town funds, and there's a clear legal path federally for people to take to be paid for hours that are not worked. Why is it that you're fighting for it to come out of town budget when it's clearly not the fiscally responsible thing to do and could be illegal? Councilperson Lynch ​[01:02:00] ​Stephanie, because I think it's a question of separation of powers. It is a separation of who has the authority to do what. And from what I've read in the legal memos that were supplied by the attorney who was working for an association of Buddy's, apparently a member of I read that and I read the case law. And it seems like the operational matters are clearly in the hands of the elected highway superintendent, who is a separate town officer. And we have limited control over this other separate town officer. We have the power of the purse, but not the power of the shovel. Councilperson Redmond ​[01:02:38] ​We were talking about the power of the purse. Counclperson Mehaffey ​[01:02:41] ​We won't schedule them. We won't schedule them. We have the duty to pay them when they work. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:02:48] ​I fear that the only way that we can control their finances is if we make a budget decision and basically starve the highway and basically zero out some of the line items that we've budgeted so that we don't have a personnel budget anymore, which is of course, extremely dangerous. It could leave us really in the lurch and leave our residents in the lurch. But I think we have only the power of appropriation. I don't think we have the power of oversight. We don't have the power of scheduling. We don't have the power to say that the men have to come out at three o'clock in the morning and plow the snow or come out on Thursday afternoon and dig the ditch. I think that Bud is in control of his personnel. Councilperson Redmond ​[01:03:31] ​Well, yes, but we do have the power to determine whether we're going to pay for hours worked or not. That's that we're in charge of the budget. So we are in charge of what we're going to pay for. And if we're going to pay for hours that are not work, that's considered illegal, I believe. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:03:47] ​Well, we also have a timecard policy around that which we would be breaking. So I we we have town policy. We have our lawyer telling us not to pay people for not working. It seems like a no brainer to me. You know, you're right. We can't schedule them. You're right. We can't tell them what to do or when to do it. We're not trying to do that. We are just following our own town policy regarding timecards, saying when you work, you get paid. When you don't work. You either take benefit time or you don't get paid, One or the other. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:04:22] ​You know it's a legal question. And I think that was clear by what was said by the attorney that supplied Buddy information. Supervisor McGee ​[01:04:28] ​You keep talking about that attorney. and then you're making an assumption, Councilperson Lynch ​[01:04:31] ​A lot of law. It has It's an area. It's it's an area. It's kind of a gray area. Supervisor McGee ​[01:04:36] ​You're making an assumption that I didn't seek legal advice on that letter from that attorney. And when I read that, I saw that it was completely consistent with what the town did, which is how I responded. I also forwarded that to our town attorney who basically said there was nothing inconsistent. So I didn't need to respond. I don't even know why they're sending this to me, because it is not inconsistent with what the town board did. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:05:02] ​We didn't see his legal opinion. And again, as I wrote to you in what I wrote and submitted today is it's a legal question and the final arbiter is a judge and a lawyers can disagree. Just like town board members can disagree. And what may happen? I hope it doesn't, because it'll cost us money. It is if it is if this thing continues to go on and we continue to be at each other's throats with this, that what will happen is that somebody, whether it be the highway superintendent, whether it be his highway workers, will follow an Article 78 proceding and will be in court arguing it out. Supervisor McGee ​[01:05:41] ​So I guess that is what needs to happen. I mean, I I don't know what else to say. The town board has purview here. And if we want to bicker about that, if you want to continue to have contention over that, then that's up to you. That's fine. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:05:58] ​Did Robert answer Stephanie's question regarding why he wants the funds to come out of the town budget instead of out of the federal budget. Did you answer that question? Why? Why is that important to you? Councilperson Lynch ​[01:06:11] ​Because it's a matter of who has the power, who is the control. And I don't think we have the operational control over the highway superintendent. He makes His decision... Cocucncilperson Mehaffey ​[01:06:21] ​How is it operational? Supervisor McGee ​[01:06:23] ​It's not. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:06:23] ​It's operational because all we have is from what I read, that was done by the attorney. OK. That's what I read was all we have is the power of allocation. All we have is the power to decide every year how much we're going to budget for the highway department and the staff. And we don't have the power to make day to day decisions as to whether that's how we highway superintendant believes that the workers should be digging the ditch or should be staying home to stay healthy. Supervisor McGee ​[01:06:59] ​And so that's I think that's what I, just a minute, Ellen. That's why Buddy has the authority to schedule them for the hours that he sees fit. That is exactly what the town board said. There was no disputing that the town highway superintendent schedules the highway employees. And for whatever hours he was saying that he was scheduling them for maybe two days a week, where for a few hours a day, if that's how he wants to schedule them, that's reasonable for safety, if that's how he thinks that that needs to be done at this time. I totally agree. I think that's fine. This is an option that is feasible and prudent for residents of the town as well as for the employees. So I don't know why the term, why it was said, oh, well, good luck out there. The town board laid everybody off. That's such misinformation and so unprofessional. And it's just such a lack of leadership. You're supposed to instill confidence in the residents. Residents are supposed to feel safe in our town. That is just inciting. It's just it's really just disgraceful. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:08:13] ​Wasn't this matter resolved last week? What... Supervisor McGee ​[01:08:16] ​I thought it was. I don't even know... Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:08:20] ​Could I. Can I just interject with the definitions that might move the conversation forward? Supervisor McGee ​[01:08:25] ​Sure. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:08:26] ​I think a lot of what Robert what you and Beth are are not connecting on is. It's a question of our highway employee's salary employees that are guaranteed a certain salary or are they hourly employees? And I think that, you know, there's an answer to that question, and it's possible to change the nature of the position. But I think that that's where the disconnect is happening. I think people are or they're not distinguishing between hourly employees and salary employees in this situation. Because it's also possible to be paid for being on call, every organization has a different definition of how much you would get paid to be on call. I just learned that, you know, like if the town of Ithaca calls you in, they pay you for four hours for having called you in or Bang's if they call you. If you are on call for them, you get paid for one hour unless they call you in. So it's like a it's just salary versus hourly. And I think that there would. Anyway, that's all I'm going to say. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:09:46] ​Bob have you read the timecard policy of the town. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:09:49] ​No, I have not. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:09:51] ​OK. So I'd like you to read that because we would be going against the policy. The timecard policy to pay for hours, not work. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:09:58] ​But of course, the timecard policy has to defer to the law. It's subservient to the law. Maybe the timecard policy isn't legal. Supervisor McGee ​[01:10:13] ​OK. I don't even know why we have a government. I have no idea. It's meaningless. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:10:18] ​To iron out these kinds of things. Supervisor McGee ​[01:10:21] ​Well, it's not working very well, is it? All right. Anything more on this topic? So the Town Board made a policy, that's how we're moving forward. I don't see any anyone making a motion that we wouldn't go forward that way. So I think, as Bob said, town boards settled this last week. Budget concerns. So information about chips. I spoke with the rep from D.O.T. yesterday morning, and then there was more conversation this afternoon about it. There seems to be some kind of crystal ball searching about whether or not funding will be forthcoming and totally reimbursable? The common thought is that you should spend funds for chips first so you don't lose that money if you make a commitment to. If we had one project that was a capital project that we could get reimbursed for chips then Utilizing funds that are already in your budget to make those expenditures and then seeking like our policy is quarterly reimbursement for that the earlier in the year, the better that we can get reimbursement. So we're in a first batch, first round. Better our chances to avoid another two budget assessments later in the year where they could determine that we may not get reimbursements. It would be great if we could look at our plan. It would be actually great if like they're recommending at the state level that the highway superintendent would come to the board with a plan about how to make that happen. So if anybody's listening. That would be really a super way to move forward on that. Cocucncilperson Mehaffey ​[01:12:36] ​Bob, did you understand that? Councilperson Lynch ​[01:12:40] ​I did understand and I understand that because we've got a state budget czar who will decide from time to time as to how much money we have, the chips is somewhat flexible, shall we say. Supervisor McGee ​[01:12:54] ​It's part of the... budget amendment. Cocucncilperson Mehaffey ​[01:12:57] ​Did you hear the part about that earlier in the year you spend it, it might be more likely to get the money. So. So coming up with a plan to do some of that work earlier and try to get reimbursed. Might behouve us? Do you think you could have that conversation? Councilperson Lynch ​[01:13:15] ​Have that conversation with whom? Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:13:17] ​With Buddy to bring to the board a proposal for what projects to start with earlier in the year. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:13:24] ​Isn't Buddy still here or not? Supervisor McGee ​[01:13:27] ​I tried to unmute him and he did not. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:13:36] ​Well, I would hope that Buddy would be would still be. I hope he's still here. Supervisor McGee ​[01:13:41] ​He is still here. I tried to unmute him before I needed and he didn't want to discuss it. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:13:45] ​He didn't hear what the Town Board is saying. Supervisor McGee ​[01:13:46] ​He can hear what the Town Board is saying. Councilperosn Redmond ​[01:13:47] ​I think as a liaison we're trying to ask if this is something that you could make sure happens. Buddy Rollins ​[01:13:58] ​They get if you guys knew your job... as the town board, you already have the two eighty four agreement, which already states what we're going to spend the chips on, which is already staked. What we're going to do with it. And like you said, until we get the letter in the mail, saying that we have it, we can't spend it. Until it's been put in the budget. Supervisor McGee ​[01:14:25] ​Exactly. Cocucncilperson Mehaffey ​[01:14:25] ​Spend it to get reimbursed. Supervisor McGee ​[01:14:28] ​Right. I mean, you have to spend it to get reimbursed. if there are going to be three periods... Buddy Rollins ​[01:14:31] ​First thing you gotta do is wait for the letter! Supervisor McGee ​[01:14:31] ​...if there are three periods of time throughout the year that the budget is going to be reevaluated... Buddy Rollins ​[01:14:40] ​Don't know what you're talking about now. Supervisor McGee ​[01:14:44] ​I was just on a call today about Chip's funds today... Buddy Rollins ​[01:14:47] ​I know how I do chips. You don't. Because you listen. Supervisor McGee ​[01:14:52] ​Ok Buddy Rollins ​[01:14:55] ​And you can borrow money from the general fund to cover the chips. And actually you probably have to do that until you get the fund balance up to where we need to get it. And that was the whole purpose of doing the fund balance. Supervisor McGee ​[01:15:10] ​Well, that's something that the town board would have to authorize...and if the Town Board.... Buddy Rollins ​[01:15:13] ​Well you better figure out what you're doing and do it first because you don't understand the program. Supervisor McGee ​[01:15:21] ​So what we've asked for is to know the order of work so we can have money available in order to get the work done with the best chance of reimbursement from the state. So if you don't want to that... Buddy Rollins ​[01:15:35] ​I do this every year, I do chips money every year and I've always done it... Supervisor McGee ​[01:15:40] ​And if you don't seek reimbursement until the end of the year... Buddy Rollins ​[01:15:44] ​Because that's when the workis done!,. Last year. All Chip's money was spent by June. Buddy Rollins ​[01:15:51] ​No Supervisor McGee ​[01:15:53] ​Now, I know you told us that in a public meeting that that wasn't true, but the budget reflects that. Over 90 thousand dollars of that money was spent. Buddy Rollins ​[01:16:02] ​Ninety, we got one hundred and thirty. Supervisor McGee ​[01:16:05] ​OK, great. So you said no money had been spent. Buddy Rollins ​[01:16:08] ​Not gonna argue with ya... Supervisor McGee ​[01:16:09] ​I'm not arguing with you either... Buddy Rollins ​[01:16:10] ​Goodbye! Supervisor McGee ​[01:16:10] ​I am telling you the facts. Buddy Rollins ​[01:16:13] ​Goodbye. Supervisor McGee ​[01:16:13] ​So we were told that none of that money was spent at the time we asked about it, about the quarterly reimbursement. And do you see what happens? So because there there's no desire to have accountability to the people who pay for everything that goes on in this town. We just shut down and we don't have conversation anymore. So that's very volatile. It's unprofessional. It's manipulative. So it really is obstructionist. And we really need to be able to get beyond that so we can actually get work done in this town. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:16:45] ​Can I say something? Supervisor McGee ​[01:16:47] ​Sure. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:16:49] ​There have been many meetings where Buddys' been requested to be present that he is not been present. I consider that not only a unprofessional behavior, but not allowing us to look at what the town budget and what everything else is needed or left in the dark or reflect to make her own minds up. And luckily, we have someone in charge looks at the budget. I'm very upset about that. And I would think town residents would be, too. When you're requested to come to a meeting and you're an elected official or an appointed official, you come at least whatever. I am old. But wherever meeting I've ever been asked or requested to come, I. And I don't understand why it's happened over many, many meetings. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:17:40] ​There was one member this evening who said all you do is badgering, badgering, badgering. Ok? and... Councilperson Bryant ​[01:17:50] ​It wasn't a member of the board, it wasn't a member of the board. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:17:55] ​Ok. Ok. And so we've got to stop badgering all of us each,. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:18:00] ​But that was not a member of the board! Councilperson Redmond ​[01:18:08] ​I think the best way to stop this from being a badgering conversation is to actually have some progress and get something done. And so what is needed here is a is a proposal on how the chips money will be spent sooner so that we can get reimbursed. And I guess the question is, is, Robert, if you're willing to make sure that that happens. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:18:33] ​I think the entire board has to deal with it. I'm not the point person who has to deal with it. I'm not the point person who. Supervisor McGee ​[01:18:40] ​But you are. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:18:40] ​Buddy is the highway superintendant,... Supervisor McGee ​[01:18:42] ​But you are... you're the liaison to the highway department. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:18:46] ​So, yes. But I. I am the liaison. I am not the decision maker in the highway department.. Supervisor McGee ​[01:18:52] ​We didn't say that. So we asked that if you would please work with the highway superintendent to bring forward a plan for the town board as well as the highway superintendent. To have a conversation about how we might schedule work throughout the early part of the year in order to expend funds that we hope to get reimbursement for. If you don't spend those funds, let's say that we wait until later on in the year and then the money isn't there for us. The reimbursement after a couple of budget assessments, then just like they said on the call today, if you don't spend that money, how can they go for you and lobby for you and justify every year that you need that money if you don't spend it? So their take is you spend that money first. And if we can get one hundred and four thousand dollars just for chips alone from the state, I think we need that money. I mean, the work doesn't go away. The projects don't go away. Year after year, the projects just stack up. If they're not done, we already are behind on that. Because last year, the highway superintendent chose to do Rochamick Road without the board's approval first. So all of that planning went on without talking to the board about that when we'd already promised other roads were gonna be done prior to that. So we had one road that was used as a detour during the state bridge replacement and they were counting on having their road done. I don't even know when that's gonna be done anymore. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:20:31] ​So we signed to do forward agreement in January, did we not? And don't we? Doesn't that still commit us? Supervisor McGee ​[01:20:40] ​That is an agreement between the town board and the highway superintendent. It is not a guarantee that the highway superintendent is going to do that work. It's also not a guarantee that the town board is going to provide the funding to do that work. So it's an agreement about how you might go forward with work. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:21:00] ​Well, Buddy... Supervisor McGee ​[01:21:01] ​And he can't. And also he comes to us when he feels like it and asked us last minute for an amendment. Why can't the town board do the same thing? It's an agreement between the town board and the highway superintendent. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:21:17] ​Buddy's in the room is on the conversation. Why do we refer to him in third person? It's it's impolite. Supervisor McGee ​[01:21:24] ​He muted himself and he said he was done. But that is not impolite. I don't know what is. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:21:36] ​Buddy, you're still here? If buddies there, he can read, join us. Buddy, could you please come back? Councilperson Bryant ​[01:21:54] ​This is what I'm talking about. Totally inappropriate professional behavior of an elected official. Buddy Rollins ​[01:22:01] ​It'd be nice if it was like they just did and Virginia... You remember all the meetings that you missed through your lifetime in this town. Now back to the two eighty four, the two eighty four forum was done in January. That's what I just said. Everything that Beth's saying about the chips is what I do every year. I do not know what the hip hah is about other than her being arrogant. And the chip's money, when we get the letter, I will come to the board. The board's going to have to put it in the budget before I can spend it. And then the work will get done when weather permitting and the roads are ready to get done, what we slated to do. And I am not putting up with you. I did not promise to pave Rockridge Road to anybody. Rock and rock, Rockwell Road i'm talking about and Rockmidge Road was done two hundred thousand dollars under budget. And it had nothing to do with chips. And it did not do nothing except for getting Rockwell Road paved. Because it was more important to get that road done, that pike done than repave Rockwell Road. That some of the residents don't even want it done. They wouldn't even let me cut shoulders on it. So get your act together on this chip stuff, cause I am fed up with fighting with the town board over it every year, you get the letter, you get how it's supposed to be done and you do have co.. Supervisor McGee ​[01:23:46] ​Stop yelling now. I'm muting.. Buddy Rollins ​[01:23:46] ​Shut up! Supervisor McGee ​[01:23:46] ​...going to mute you. Buddy Rollins ​[01:23:46] ​I'll mute you! Buddy Rollins ​[01:23:49] ​No more mute you! Councilperson Lynch ​[01:23:53] ​Come on, guys. Everybody lower the tone. I. Supervisor McGee ​[01:23:56] ​I'm done with this conversation. Councilperson Redmond ​[01:23:59] ​I think we need to move on. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:24:04] ​What decisions need to be made tonight? Supervisor McGee ​[01:24:08] ​I think that we already expressed what we hoped would happen. So if you make that happen, then that's great. If you don't, then I guess the next town board meeting we have will be full of bickering again. So I make a motion that we move on. Councilperson Redmond ​[01:24:23] ​Second. Supervisor McGee ​[01:24:28] ​Any argument with that? . Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:24:29] ​should I call a vote? Supervisor McGee ​[01:24:39] ​All right, so the purchasing freeze. Anyone have any comments on the purchasing freeze? Councilperson Redmond ​[01:25:00] ​I feel like we've settled the amounts pretty well. Even with my naive layman's understanding of gravel. Supervisor McGee ​[01:25:11] ​So you do know that that amount basically locks the town board out of conversations about how money is spent. Councilperson Redmond ​[01:25:21] ​You mean for the $50000 on gravel? Supervisor McGee ​[01:25:26] ​On anything? Councilperson Redmond ​[01:25:30] ​How so? I thought that was the point of it, is that we decide how much we are willing to let get spent on uncertain things at this point. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:25:47] ​I thought we settled the purchasing last week. Do we need to revise it? Supervisor McGee ​[01:25:52] ​I'm just asking if the town board wants to be more part of a conversation about how money is spent. Or if they don't. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:26:00] ​I would like to be more a part of it as a town board member, I would like to be more part of the conversation of what is spent. We're in charge. We're we're not in charge, but we're. I want to say that we are the conservators of our town populations money that they put into the budget. I would personally like to be asked what's being spent there and not have any idea when it's a large project. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:26:38] ​I'm willing to leave as it is. I think we made a sound decision last weekend and I don't think there's any further need for greater micromanagement. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:26:58] ​Well, I'll say this, considering the relationship between the town's supervisor and the town board together and the town highway department director, I think there needs to be a little more oversight. Supervisor McGee ​[01:27:21] ​All right. Well... sorry? Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:27:29] ​In an ideal world, we would be having conversation before any large sums are spent right now to see where we are from week to week. I don't think those conversations are going to happen, and I think I agree with you that before somebody spends fifty thousand dollars on gravel, we should know what they're spending it on because we need to move ahead kind of slowly. But I'm not willing to change the agreement at this point until I see it being abused and then we can make a different decision. So... Councilperson Bryant ​[01:28:03] ​Well Mimi, you said it much more elequently than I could,. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:28:07] ​I want to trust that we're going to move ahead in a civil way and we're gonna make decisions together as one budget. It is not just your money and my money. "A" fund and "B" fund. I know it's set up that way, but in the end, there's only a certain amount of money there and the townspeople wait. We need to keep a tight rein on this budget to make sure we have enough money to last through the end of the year and we can continue to pay for all the highway department people that are working at that point. So I I'm I'm comfortable leaving it right now and and hoping for the best. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:28:47] ​You said that you said it better than I could. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:28:50] ​We can change it if it doesn't work. So. Supervisor McGee ​[01:28:54] ​All right. Councilperson Redmond ​[01:28:57] ​I think making it less than fifty thousand would really inhibit the amount of work that could be done. As far as if there is road work to be done this this spring. Supervisor McGee ​[01:29:12] ​OK, moving on. The Deputy clerk appointment. All right. So is Patricia here? I thought I saw Patricia on here. Ellen? Yep, there she is. Hold on. Woops, you ready? Patricia Speno ​[01:30:04] ​Hello. Supervisor McGee ​[01:30:07] ​Hi. Patricia Speno ​[01:30:08] ​Hi. Councilperson Redmond ​[01:30:08] ​Welcome. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:30:10] ​Hi. Patricia Speno ​[01:30:13] ​There OK. Patricia Speno ​[01:30:17] ​My name is Patricia Speno and I am honored to be considered for the position of deputy town clerk. I'll serve the people and community of Enfield conscientiously and fulfill the responsibilities required to the best of my ability. Deputy Town Clerk is a support position for the town clerk. I understand I will be expected to fulfill the responsibilities of the deputy town clerk and perform some of the duties of the town clerk in the event of her absence. I intend to achieve notary and become a passport acceptance agent as required. I meet the minimum requirements and bring public and private sector customer service experience to the position. I am confident working independently and as a team member, I live in Enfield. I graduated from SUNY Oswego as a nontraditional student with a Bachelors of Science and Business Administration and Economics. I am certified in engineering, drafting and design by SUNY Onnondaga Community College. I am a volunteer at GreenStar co-op and served as a Member of At Large on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. I coordinated a presentation on critical thinking for the Council Committee for the Council Members. I was a poll worker for the Tompkins County Board of Elections in the 2019 election. I was in Jefferson County prior to moving to Ithaca 10 years ago or Enfield. In Jefferson County, I was a member of the Firemen's Auxiliary, wrote a grant for a Regional Performing Arts Center in collaboration with the North Country Public Library System, and facilitated workshops for home energy efficiency with Cornell coöperative, the DC and contractors for the local community. I was employed by a government contractor in Watertown, NY. I take a lot of pride in being a contributing member of my community and participating in community efforts toward sustainable quality of life for residents. I believe I can make a difference for the town of Enfield serving as deputy town clerk and performing the work as outlined. Being mindful of the needs of the community and the responsibility of the position. Supervisor McGee ​[01:32:39] ​Thanks, Patricia. That's great. Thank you. Supervisor McGee ​[01:32:43] ​And do you prefer Patricia or Patricia? I... Patricia Speno ​[01:32:46] ​Patricia is fine. Supervisor McGee ​[01:32:47] ​OK. Patricia Speno ​[01:32:48] ​Anything but late to lunch. Supervisor McGee ​[01:32:52] ​I'm trying to unmute Ellen. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:32:55] ​Now I'm unmuted. Supervisor McGee ​[01:32:56] ​Yes. Sorry. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:32:57] ​So I just want to say welcome, Patricia. And I wanted to communicate to the board and the community that I was very impressed with Patricia's resumé, her cover letter. She actually set up her own Zoom interview without any assistance from me. I was really impressed by that. And she's faithfully attended the last two board meetings before this one in their entirety. And she still wants the position. So I'm very impressed by that as well. Cocucncilperson Mahaffe ​[01:33:28] ​I'm glad you said it. I was going to... Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:33:34] ​But speaking seriously hurt the position she's coming from. Is it workforce? And she shared with me that that is a county and state partnership. So I think bringing experience, working in county and state organization and also the, you know, environment of workforce, I think is gonna be very valuable. And another thing that she brings to the position is experienced with laser fiche. Supervisor McGee ​[01:34:01] ​Great. That's great because that's like it's such an important aspect to the archiving. Cocucncilperson Mahaffe ​[01:34:08] ​That would be helpful. Yeah. Supervisor McGee ​[01:34:13] ​Anybody have any other questions for Patricia? Coucilperson Lynch ​[01:34:18] ​I think she's a strong candidate. Welcome aboard. Patricia Speno ​[01:34:22] ​Thank you Bob Supervisor McGee ​[01:34:28] ​Would you like to. Would you talk a little bit, Patricia, about your your work experience and. You know what you've been doing recently? [01:34:39] ​Well, I work, I'm a receptionist and information specialist and Tompkins Workforce, New York. I work with 17 professionals who all have their own way of doing things. Customers too. I am a first contact person. You know, I when people come in the general, I serve the general public. The customer comes first. And there's a lot of policies and office culture, things that I have to work with. It is not my. You know, my my best quality, the office culture, however, I've learned a lot and I can change on a dime when the supervisor says I want it this way. That's the way it goes. You know, I feel pretty flexible. And, you know, and that respect and that I can grow through these experiences. I'm working on a special project for the youth department right now. This is a temporary position that I'm in. And it will be complete in June. However, I am available for this job. Now, it's a part time job that I'm working now. As I said, I'm first contact I. I Triage the customer. There might be four customers at once I answer the phone, I fax things I do the mail. Work. Make copies for customers as well as published materials for coworkers, staff members. I think the most important part of the job is triaging the customer see that they get the right kind of help as soon as possible whether they're on the phone or in person. Those things are very important that the appropriate assistance is available. And it is a very professional office. It is a government office. The government position as public service, a kind of a first for me. I am used to working in the private sector. My experience as a receptionist. I was at a Chamber of Commerce more. I also worked for an accountant. I did bookkeeping and tax preparation for him. So I feel a little familiar with some of the responsibilities that are coming on with this job. But I know I have a lot to learn. Shouldn't be, too. I think things up very quickly. I don't know how to explain what exactly you might be looking for in my current work experience. That might... Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:38:01] ​Well, I think you should just stop talking before they Supervisor McGee ​[01:38:09] ​No, I think you've answered the questions pretty good. Pretty well. So is anybody else any other questions? Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:38:15] ​I think that one of the things that workforce New York got us is to help people get through the unemployment process. Patricia Speno ​[01:38:22] ​Oh, yeah. Yeah. And it's all changed now. I mean, it's an employment process. We help people on the phone and on the computer, too. But unemployment. But the day before I left the job creation, the phones crashed. So many people calling unemployment. And and also on the Web site for unemployment. And made our computers and phones crash. That was it the whole system went down that way before then. They've rebuilt that. It's all redesigned. My coworkers, the staff members are working from home to fulfill the responsibility. Follow up on the unemployment reporting in that they are either unable to work or, you know, whatever the situation is, they're working full time from home on it. Supervisor McGee ​[01:39:22] ​Thank you, Patricia. Ellen, do you have anything else you'd like to say? Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:39:26] ​No, I'd just like to welcome Patricia. And I was very excited that two aspects of her application that I was excited about. I really love. You know, I was excited to bring my experience with 211 to this office. But I feel like experience with workforce is also very valuable because that's just another way to serve people. And I I love to connect more of our residents with the resources that they offer in terms of resumé workshops and all of that. She'll be in a position to know about those things. And the other thing I was going to say is that I was excited that she was excited about the free parking that we offer. Patricia Speno ​[01:40:14] ​The parking is is it's going to be a lot easier. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:40:17] ​Well, I didn't I didn't even realize that was like a benefit here. Supervisor McGee ​[01:40:22] ​You know, it's a premium in Ithaca. Patricia Speno ​[01:40:25] ​Yeah, it is. I parked in the garage, too. I bet there are there are free parking spots that are, you know, half a mile or a mile away from the office. I take advantage of that, too. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:40:38] ​But on a serious note, I was excited that Patricia shared with me that she has the freedom to make the deputy clerk roll her main role in terms of career. And so that's great, because one challenge of hiring for this position has been that it's a little bit too much work to do on top of a full time 40 hour week job. But it's only funded in the way it's funded. So I was excited to be able to find someone who has the freedom to make it their main focus. Supervisor McGee ​[01:41:13] ​Thanks. All right. So I will move that we adopt of, let's say, resolution. Number 44. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:41:28] ​Second Supervisor McGee ​[01:41:32] ​Deputy town clerk salary at ten thousand a year paid monthly, whereas the town board has established the essential office of the deputy town clerk to act with, for and in place of the town clerk as directed by the town clerk. And whereas it is necessary for the town of Enfield to provide adequate support for the town clerk and service to the town of Enfield. Therefore, be it resolved, the Enfield town board appoints Patricia Speno. To fill this position with an annual salary of ten thousand dollars to be paid monthly. Virginia seconded that. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:42:09] ​I did. Councilperson Redmond ​[01:42:12] ​Thank you, Virginia. Any more discussion? I just want to thank you all. This has been a great meeting. Thank you. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:42:21] ​And I want to say that. Yes. It's an added expense because we had budgeted seven thousand dollars for this position, but now we're proposing ten thousand dollars. I thought about this long and hard, but Ellen made a very persuasive case for supporting this position. It's going to be some added responsibility. I think we realize that the town clerk does need an effective deputy. And I think Patricia Speno will be that effective deputy. And so I know it's a little bit of a hit on our town budget. But I think it's a worthwhile hit. And I will support it tonight. Supervisor McGee ​[01:43:06] ​Stephanie? All right. Any more discussion? Councilperosn Redmond ​[01:43:10] ​Yes. Supervisor McGee ​[01:43:14] ​OK. Would you please call the vote Ellen? Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:43:17] ​Councilperson Bryant. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:43:19] ​Aye Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:43:21] ​Councilperson Lynch. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:43:22] ​Aye. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:43:24] ​Councilperson Mahaffey. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:43:25] ​Aye. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:43:26] ​Councilperson Redmond. Councilperson Redmond ​[01:43:27] ​Aye. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:43:29] ​My supervisor, McGee. Supervisor McGee ​[01:43:31] ​Aye. Supervisor McGee ​[01:43:32] ​Hi. Thank you. All right. And so because of that, we need to do a budget amendment. See the number twenty twenty number nine move funds for deputy town clerk appointments, whereas the Enfield town board has appointed Patricia Speno. Is it Speno, Patricia? Patricia Speno ​[01:43:56] ​Yes, it is. Supervisor McGee ​[01:43:57] ​OK, I want to make sure it's not Spano sorry. As deputy town clerk and whereas the Enfield town board provides compensation ten thousand dollars annually for the Deputy Town Clerk appointment. Therefore, be it resolved, the town board authorizes Supervisor McGee to decrease line A 201 general fund savings by five hundred dollars, an increase line A 1410.12 Personnel services deputy clerk by five hundred dollars. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:44:25] ​Second. Supervisor McGee ​[01:44:31] ​Any discussion? Supervisor McGee ​[01:44:36] ​Alright. Please call the vote. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:44:38] ​Councilperson Bryant. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:44:40] ​Aye. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:44:41] ​Councilperson Lynch,. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:44:43] ​Aye. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:44:44] ​Councilperson Redmond. Councilperson Redmond ​[01:44:46] ​Aye. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:44:47] ​Councilperson Mehaffey,. Councilperson Mahaffey ​[01:44:49] ​Aye. Town Clerk Ellen Woods ​[01:44:50] ​Superviser McGee. Supervisor McGee ​[01:44:53] ​Thank you. Welcome aboard. Patricia Speno ​[01:44:56] ​Thank you. Supervisor McGee ​[01:45:01] ​OK. Moving on the bookkeeper, so our bookkeeper, Debbie Kelly, has opted to resign. She says, I am submitting my resignation to the town of Enfield as bookkeeper to the supervisor. As of Monday, May 4th, 2020, I will do April bank statements and a month reports and payroll number ten on Monday, May 4th, 2020. It was a pleasure to work for the town of Enfield. So. I reached out to Debbie and thanked her. She's been a terrific asset to Enfield. She worked very hard to bring us into the 21st century as far as reporting the documentation of things. She's been a great asset and I will miss her. I understand this. Right now things are challenging for everybody. We all make decisions that are good for us. And I I wish her well. So. And with every challenge that comes before us. I always like to look for opportunity to maybe adapt to that in a different way. There may be other ways that we can modernize how we do things going forward, make things more efficient. One thing that has been discussed time and time again is the possibility of having a payroll service, do the payroll. And so Mimi has gotten information from three different payroll services. So I will send that information to the board tonight or tomorrow and we can begin that discussion next week if that's something that would work well. So we have quotes from three different agencies at this point. Did you have something you wanted to do? You want to talk about that at all Mimi? Do you have any information you want to share? Cocucncilperson Mehaffey ​[01:47:14] ​No, I I think that the payroll companies right now are in a position to negotiate. So I'd like to make sure that we do negotiate with them. It's an odd time of the year to be jumping onto payrolls. And they've lost a lot of businesses. So they seem hungry out there. So we'll need an ace negotiator. I think at least for the first year, we can get it for a very reasonable amount. So. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:47:46] ​Thank you for your research. Supervisor McGee ​[01:47:48] ​Sure. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:47:50] ​One problem solved. Another one arises. What else is new? Councilperson Bryant ​[01:47:55] ​They say one door closes... Another one opens,. Coucilperson Lynch ​[01:47:58] ​Right? Supervisor McGee ​[01:48:00] ​Well, again, and you know, I think that Debbie has left us in a really good position and I appreciate that. So. And I also have Alice as a confidential secretary, and she has agreed to work with me through this transition. And I really value her input as well. So we will go forward to find the best efficient systems. I will put this. The bookkeeper is a town supervisor appointment. So I will put this on the county site and we can put it on the town Web site when I get the job description. Where? I already have a job description that Debbie has reviewed a couple of times in the last couple of times as I've asked her to. And so I think that that will will be a good seed for that. And so, yeah, I'll get started on that this week. But I I don't know that we would have somebody in place by the fourth. I don't anticipate that we would. But I think that that as far as payroll, if we were to decide in the next week or so, if we were going to do a payroll service, that we could have that whole transition done well before the payroll, after the one that Debbie does last. So. So I I don't know that there would be a crunch there, but we'll have to wait and see. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:49:27] ​That's point of clarification. Would we if we had a payroll service, would we also have a town bookkeeper? Supervisor McGee ​[01:49:34] ​Yeah, there's a lot of other things that town bookkeeper does. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:49:38] ​Oh, my God. Yes. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:49:41] ​So the question is, how is this going to affect our budget as expense for this? Because we're having two entities do the work that previously was done by one person. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:49:51] ​I don't think we'll know that. So we have an idea of what if we're going to hire payroll service? Have to look at that. These are the other can't make a judgment on that. Now. Well, see,. Councilperson Redmond ​[01:50:06] ​What's the approximate cost of the payroll service? Supervisor McGee ​[01:50:13] ​Mean. Sorry, Mimi? Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:50:16] ​I think it'll be less than two thousand dollars a year. That includes W2s and all the quarterly reporting and tax filings, as well as all the payroll related and benefit tracking,. Supervisor McGee ​[01:50:33] ​Garnishments and all of that. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:50:34] ​yeah. Supervisor McGee ​[01:50:39] ​But there are other services also that we've talked about that they might like throw into that depending on how much they want your business. Councilperson Redmond ​[01:50:48] ​Right. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:50:48] ​So there are other there are other things that the payroll service could offer depending on the class that might be beneficial to our total cost all over for what we've been paying for. We still need a bookkeeper. Supervisor McGee ​[01:51:03] ​Yeah, I mean, the bookkeeper does the abstract, prepares all the payments, enters all of the entries into the budgetary software, tracks all payments and revenues. Also, does the annual update document in January and February or February makes the payments for our bond payment? Couple times a year just. You know, does all the end of the month reports.. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:51:35] ​they have to submitt the payroll too. Supervisor McGee ​[01:51:35] ​Before I set the payment statement reconciliation. So. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:51:40] ​You have to submit the payrolls too. Supervisor McGee ​[01:51:46] ​Sure, yeah, So I mean, it's it's work. Councilperson Redmond ​[01:51:53] ​I thought maybe that's an administrative job that we shouldn't value. I don't know, I guess that conversation will happen one way or another. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:52:01] ​Who would do the work in the interim? Because it's unlikely you're gonna get a bookkeeper onboard. By early May. Supervisor McGee ​[01:52:08] ​Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Maybe you could do it. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:52:14] ​No, thank you. Supervisor McGee ​[01:52:16] ​Why not? It's easy, right? The budget stuff, that's all easy. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:52:26] ​You need an experienced bookkeeper. Supervisor McGee ​[01:52:34] ​Ok... So I did want to make a point of clarification. Bob, you made a big issue about Stephanie being a signer on the account, on the accounts. What was your big issue about that? You were suggesting that I this meant that I had some nefarious purposes of having the deputy town supervisor do the budget because I was objecting to budget situations earlier. So that was what your comment was. So do you not understand that the deputy town supervisor is there to sign things when the town supervisor cannot? Councilperson Lynch ​[01:53:20] ​I don't know what you're talking about in terms of my objection. I don't object to that at all. Supervisor McGee ​[01:53:27] ​Well, you did make comments about it, implying that that was done in an effort for me to relinquish budgetary duties. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:53:43] ​I know that you expressed concern in early March about being a budget officer. You wanted to. Supervisor McGee ​[01:53:52] ​I'm asking you what you meant by that. Because that's misinformation. If you're using that information to imply that the town supervisor is expecting the town deputy supervisor to do something out of the ordinary, then that's incorrect. The town deputy supervisor is a signatory on the accounts so that they can serve in the stead of the town supervisor. So I just want to clarify that. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:54:18] ​But, Beth, you have it all wrong. I never said that the deputy supervisor couldn't or shouldn't do that. We had a vote on a resolution last week that specified that she could. And that resolution I opposed that resolution not because of any signatory responsibilities. I opposed it because it was going to mean a big hit on our taxpayers, increasing administrative costs of this town by almost 50 percent. Supervisor McGee ​[01:54:55] ​OK. Well, I'm clarifying. That the town deputy or the deputy town supervisor is in place with the privileges of signing on the accounts. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:55:11] ​That's where the resolution is. Supervisor McGee ​[01:55:13] ​OK. Right. You were complaining about that. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:55:17] ​I don't recall. I was complaining about that. I was complaining about the amount of money we're spending out of the budget. Supervisor McGee ​[01:55:33] ​You said in her elevated role, Redmond will be added as a signatory to the town's financial accounts, taking on some of the responsibilities McGee had made clear in early March that she wanted to relinquish. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:55:48] ​That's a fact. Supervisor McGee ​[01:55:51] ​You recall now? Councilperson Lynch ​[01:55:53] ​That's a fact, but I'm not insinuating anything. Supervisor McGee ​[01:55:56] ​So you weren't innocent? No, you said it. So I just want to be clear that I'm not relinquishing any duties, and that's misinformation. So you're gonna correct that? Councilperson Lynch ​[01:56:05] ​Are you're talking about for my news story I wrote about this meeting last week? Supervisor McGee ​[01:56:11] ​I'm talking about a story that you wrote. I wouldn't necessarily call it news. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:56:16] ​I think it's correct. I think it's correct. Supervisor McGee ​[01:56:18] ​OK. All right. Well, great. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:56:23] ​Of the record, you're not really relinquishing any. Supervisor McGee ​[01:56:27] ​No, I'm not. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:56:28] ​OK. Supervisor McGee ​[01:56:29] ​I'm not relinquishing anything. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:56:31] ​OK, we're clear. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:56:32] ​Then. Then why do we need the signature? Why is she now a signatory on the account? If that doesn't give you the opportunity at least to relinquish responsibilities should you choose in the future. Supervisor McGee ​[01:56:47] ​So all of the last deputy supervisors have been signatories. That was the point to have a person in place in the event that the town supervisor could not be available to sign something. If the town supervisor is sick, if the town supervisor gets hit by a car, anything can happen. Then somebody else, the deputy town supervisor, is a signatory on the accounts that they need to be on. Not all of them, but the accounts that they need to be on in order to conduct regular business. This is not unusual. There's nothing nefarious about it. I'm not relinquishing any duties. So please stop misinforming people or insinuating things. I'd appreciate that this is a common task of a deputy town supervisor. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:57:37] ​You may not be relinquishing it, but you did state for the record in early March that you wanted to give up the responsibilities of budget officer. You did indicate that. Supervisor McGee ​[01:57:48] ​And you just implied that Stephanie is a signatory because I want to relinquish duties. So I'm making it clear so you can make the correction. That is not why Stephanie is a signatory. She is a signatory on some accounts because all deputy town supervisors are and happen. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:58:09] ​I don't think there was a because reference. The public doesn't care about this. This is little law. Supervisor McGee ​[01:58:14] ​Well, I'm trying to inform people. So they know why Stephanie is a signatory on the accounts. That is a common practice. And that's actually one of the primary duties of the town deputy town supervisor is to be there in the event that the town supervisor cannot. So setting the record straight. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:58:36] ​What has not been adequately explained is why we need to have so much more administrative expense in this town. That's what hasn't been explained. Supervisor McGee ​[01:58:48] ​Does anybody else feel like that has not been explained? Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:58:51] ​I think it has. I think we need to move on. We've already voted. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:58:55] ​Yeah move on. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:58:58] ​We still we still pay far less than any other town in Tompkins County. So I think it's how people value the town. So I. I have. I have questions about that. I think people don't see it as worthwhile. It is worthwhile and it's a lot of work. So I don't have any problem with it. I move on. We've already voted on this. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:59:24] ​I have no problem. I think we should move on. Councilperson Lynch ​[01:59:26] ​I agree. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:59:27] ​Strangest conversation. Supervisor McGee ​[01:59:29] ​All right. Does anybody have announcements? Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:59:31] ​No. Supervisor McGee ​[01:59:34] ​All right. Then I move to adjourn. Councilperson Mehaffey ​[01:59:36] ​Second. Supervisor McGee ​[01:59:37] ​Thank you. Have a good night. Councilperson Bryant ​[01:59:41] ​Thank you.