HomeMy WebLinkAbout6_10_2020 Transcript Regular MeetingRestored copy of 06-10-2020RegularTownMeeting.mp3 at 14 June 2020
1:11:43
Supervisor McGee [00:00:00] Ok everyone I will call the meeting to order. This is a
regular Town board meeting Wednesday, June 10th of the Enfield Town board 2020
meeting virtually Via zoom. There is I see little instructions. There's no chat in the chat
window available. All meetings are recorded. Please observe the Town of Enfield General
Guide for Procedure and Civility resolutions on the Web site when participating in
meetings. The links to the documents and the agenda are available there. We're gonna
have the privilege of the floor in just a little bit. And there's an opportunity for everyone to
speak. You can use the raised hand button in the participant screen. And if you'd like to,
you'll go to the head of the list and then you'll be able to be called on and recognized. Also,
at the end of that, in case there's anyone who is on the phone, you can also do Star nine
using the telephone if you're calling in, in order to do a raise your hand or lower your hand
action. And. After everyone has had an opportunity to do that, who's raised their hands,
then I will unmue everybody and ask if there's anyone who was not able to make that
function work, who would like to speak for privilege of the floor.
Councilperson Bryant [00:01:36] I have a question, Beth.
Supervisor McGee [00:01:38] Yes.
Councilperson Bryant [00:01:39] How do I up the volume? s
Supervisor McGee [00:01:43] So on that laptop.
Councilperson Bryant [00:01:45] I mean,.
Supervisor McGee [00:01:47] I don't know.
Councilperson Bryant [00:01:48] I don't want to play games with it.
Supervisor McGee [00:01:50] Yeah. I don't know. Might be.
Councilperson Bryant [00:01:52] Maybe I found it.
Supervisor McGee [00:01:53] The bottom right hand corner.
Councilperson Bryant [00:01:56] No that's not it. I'll keep looking
Supervisor McGee [00:01:58] Is there a little speaker in the bottom right hand corner?
Councilperson Bryant [00:02:01] No, I haven't found it yet.
Councilperson Mehaffey [00:02:03] About the top. Right. F 12.
Councilperson Bryant [00:02:14] I can hear you all right.
Supervisor McGee [00:02:17] OK. Well, keep fiddling with it. Virginia using the
supervisor's laptop because her laptop was damaged. So I set her up today so she could
use that. All right. Let's see. I think that is all I have. There won't be any technical help
throughout the meeting. Just to let everybody know. Are there any additions or changes
requested for the agenda?
Councilperson Lynch [00:02:51] I had one resolution proposed at the request of the
highway superintendent regarding summertime funding. I communicated that by email to
the Town board. About an hour or two before the meeting.
Supervisor McGee [00:03:06] Well, we can put that down by the budget discussion.
Anybody object? OK. And I have a possible budget amendment. I'd like to speak with the
board about four Williamson software cloud applications for the Clerk, the bookkeeper and
the Town supervisor. So I am. Going to put that in new business. OK.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [00:03:56] I would just like to add a note that there were so
many relevant documents for this meeting that I created a separate page for them. And
that is linked from the announcement on the homepage of the website.
Supervisor McGee [00:04:10] Thank you. Right. So we can start with privilege of the floor.
And I actually am going to start privilege of the floor this evening. So I'll set my timer for
three minutes.
Supervisor McGee [00:04:43] How does an overwhelmingly white community like Enfield
take a stand against systemic racism? How can we speak out against the trauma and
dehumanization of our black and brown sisters and brothers? We can't ignore that the
lived experience of the majority of residents in the town of Enfield is not the same as that
of the black and brown community. We talk about it in person, online and in our families,
and we each have an opportunity in those discussions to grow and learn with one another
or to spread more division with our words. Let's start here. Black Lives Matter saying this
does not mean that you have not had a hard life as a white person. It means that the color
of your skin and unchangeable characteristic of who you are is not something that has
caused your life to be more difficult. You can acknowledge that Black Lives matter without
taking away from your personal experiences with pain and adversity. Don't say I'm not a
racist. We are all racist. We can not understand the experience of someone who carries
the weight of hundreds of years of systemic, mental, emotional, societal and economic
trauma and oppression in their hearts and in their minds with every breath they take. We
cannot fully see the privileges, even when our lives feel difficult, that we as white people
carry and wield every day to survive and succeed because we just expect that privilege.
It's natural to us because we carry the weight of hundreds of years of mental, emotional,
societal and economic favor in our hearts and our minds with every breath we take.
Feeling these feelings is not our fault, but recognizing them and ignoring the responsibility
to make it different is. Black lives matter. The common refrain all lives matter is often heard
in communities that don't experience racism moment by moment in housing, employment,
policing their neighborhoods, and when trying to access any of the same support and
opportunities that all humans deserve and some of us expect and demand. I ask that
everyone here close your eyes and think of the ways that you and your family and friends
think and speak about and act toward black and brown people. What does this look like in
the last month or year or lifetime? Be honest with yourself. If we were in the same room, I
would ask that you stand up if you would like others to think or speak of you or act toward
you in the same way, we would likely all remain seated because I know we understand
these things in the depths of our hearts and minds. I know we can feel the injustice of it
and we would not want it for ourselves. We understand this concept concepts and I
propose that we not just make a statement about it. I ask that we do something about it.
Let's become an example for rural communities with intention by having difficult
conversations and by working to be a place that welcomes diversity and where everyone
can thrive and engage and be andm excuse me, feel safe. I propose that we create a
council of residents and community leaders that will work to achieve this. I proposed this
council engage with our sheriff, Derek Osborne, and with new Enfield sheriff satellite
personnel so we can contribute to the conversations and work that is happening regarding
policing and systemic racism. Further, I requested the Enfield Town board invite and
encourage the public to use the Enfield town hall parking lot for public display displays of
peaceful protest. I propose that we be a part of the solution to overcome this history of
violence and oppression, even if we have not lived this experience ourselves. I want to live
in that airfield. If there's anyone who'd like to speak for privilege of the floor, please use the
raise your hand. Option.
Mike Carpenter [00:08:33] Can you hear me?
Supervisor McGee [00:08:35] I can hear you, Mike. Would you like to be on video?
Mike Carpenter [00:08:39] Yeah. I don't have a raise the hand on my screen.
Supervisor McGee [00:08:43] All right. Well, I'm going to ask you to start your video. OK,
let's go there. Right there.
Mike Carpenter [00:08:53] I have before I have more of a question. That's a little bit of a
comment. So we have some land that we're working on building some houses on for
people who want to move into Enfield specifically. And I've been through all of the site plan
review laws, and we don't have any problem there. I've talked to Dan and to. Alan
both about it. But I'm wondering if what we want to do might not be in keeping with what I
understood was a subdivision law, so I looked on the Web site for a subdivision law and
not find one anywhere. I find three iterations of the site plan review law. My understanding
a long time ago was that we never did a subdivision law. I talked to Dan. He thought that
we did do a subdivision law. So I just need to know if we have one and if I can if anyone
knows where to find it.
Supervisor McGee [00:09:52] One Second. I do think that we had one, and I know Dan
has said often that. It was kind of written as a boilerplate and has a lot of things in it that
we don't. Actually, have.
Mike Carpenter [00:10:07] I can't find it. I would add to that.
Councilperson Bryant [00:10:08] I agree that we I don't know if we really have one per
say that's been filed. There was a lot of discussion when I was still on the planning board,
and I don't know whether it got decided about certain things, certain parts of Clerk's. So.
Supervisor McGee [00:10:29] I don't see it on the Web site right now. But I can do a
search of the media in case it just got misplaced the like the link to it. So.
Alan Teeter [00:10:42] So this is Alan. I can answer that question.
Supervisor McGee [00:10:45] Oh, hi Alan thanks.
[00:10:47] We do have subdivision regulations and they have been approved and I do
have copies in my office, but they keep the planning board and the Town board is look
about updating them and they need updating. So the final version is not on the Web site.
Perhaps it should be. But we do have a copy of that. I can give that to Mike if he wants it
now down it.
Mike Carpenter [00:11:08] Alan Is it is it a law in place? How do I find out how to deal with
it?
Alan Teeter [00:11:14] I'm pretty sure it's a law that was passed many years ago and it's
been amended a couple times.
Mike Carpenter [00:11:19] If there's no mention of it anywhere on the Web site with all of
the other laws, there's dozens of other laws and it's not listed anywhere on it.
Alan Teeter [00:11:29] That's correct.
Mike Carpenter [00:11:30] I remembered what Virginia said that we had talked about it
never actually got done.
Councilperson Bryant [00:11:35] There. And there was this is going back way back. But
my memory was there were certain things that were troublesome. And when I left, it hadn't
been decided yet. So I don't know where it stands. I know here it would be frustrating.
Would do not know what the final is.
Dan Walker [00:11:54] I'm, uh Beth and everybody. I'm looking at it right now. July 10th,
2013 was when it was first passed by the board and was amended August 13, 2014. And
that amendment we reduced the we eliminated the need for simple 2 lot subdivision to
come to the planning board, the code enforcement officer. Does that, Mike, if you still have
your black book from the planning board a long time ago, it's probably in there.
Mike Carpenter [00:12:25] I'll take a look Dan and see if I can find it.
Supervisor McGee [00:12:27] And if you can, if you can connect with Alan and he can get
you what you need.
Mike Carpenter [00:12:31] That work for your Alan?
Alan Teeter [00:12:34] It does I have several copies in my office, so I'll be glad to give you
one.
Mike Carpenter [00:12:38] Thanks very much.
Supervisor McGee [00:12:40] Thanks, Mike. OK, let's see here. OK. Ellen.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [00:12:55] I am so so I just want to thank the supervisor for
making a declarative statement that Black Lives Matter. I have this week trained as a
street medic myself and also I'm trying to obtain signage. I've reached out to Anne
Koreman and I made a sign. I've just been too busy to go get one. So I applaud all of that.
But the idea that people would be invited to protest in front of the town hall seems to not
betray a ton of understanding of just how much this Clerk is working. I'm going to clock 12
hours today, and that's pretty much a normal day. So the idea that I would also be a point
person for protest activity does seem a little, you know, oppressive to me with the many,
many legal demands of the Town Clerk's office. And also with the need for continued
social distancing and the ROOP. So I'm already having a lot of residents that come to my
parking lot and they need accessible permits. I've never denied an accessible permit. They
need to license their dogs to prevent rabies. And so there's already a fair amount of traffic
here. So I would just ask the board to think about that. And then regarding the resolutions
that are on the table tonight. If one takes in total everything that is on the table tonight,
which is a proposal to change the Town, Clerk and highway superintendent to. Appointed
a proposal to make the supervisors term to be four years instead of two. And various other
proposals. There is a real serious risk for Enfield that we may wind up to be a completely
appointed Town as early as January 1st, two thousand twenty one. That is the earliest
days that we could be a fully appointed Town with a supervisor that is appointed a Town
Clerk that is appointed and a highway superintendent that is appointed. So that changes
the very nature of Enfield democracy during a pandemic. So that is just it's possible tonight
that the things that are set in motion tonight could lead to that conclusion on January 1st,
2021. So and the last thing I'd like to do is read a letter from Carlos a'Parlato, who wrote
this in Ulysses when Ulysses tried to change the nature of the position of Town Clerk.
"Another perspective on elected versus appointed Town Clerk position in Ulysses is a
majority of views he's Town board have put forward two ballot propositions for voters on
November eight. Propositions one and two, if passed, will change the elected positions of
Town, Clerk and Highway superintendent to appointed positions. Although I believe that
the board members promoting this effort have good intentions and raise some valid points.
The flip side, there is a flip side that voters should consider while the board members in
support of changing the positions for elected to appointed. Note that the current Town,
Clerk and highway superintendent are excellent. They seem to fear that in the future there
could be an abuse of power by the people in these positions. However, the reverse could
also be true. We may one day have an unethical Town board who does not make
decisions in the best interest of the Town. Once the separation of power between the
elected offices of Town Clerk or highway superintendent and Town board is removed, the
Town Clerk or highway superintendent will be at the mercy of a Town board who can hire
and fire at their pleasure for no good reason. The Town, Clerk and highway superintendent
could be in a position of having to decide whether to speak up against unethical actions of
the board or keep their job. Voters. It is up to you to decide where you fall on this issue.
See you at the polls November eight. And the final thing I'd like to say is that I talked to the
Board of Elections and there is a date upon which a special election in November in the
event of a resignation can be prevented. And that date is August 5th. So that's all.
Supervisor McGee [00:17:22] Thank you. I am going to unmute everyone, that's the
warning. Is there anyone else who would like to speak for privilege of the floor? OK, Bob
Lynch. I'm trying to unmute you. We cannot hear you.
Councilperson Lynch [00:18:04] There we go am I heard now.
Supervisor McGee [00:18:07] Yes.
Councilperson Lynch [00:18:07] I will speak. To reserve the right to speak later on to the
admirable, resolute resolutions and matters that you spoke to Supervisor McGee earlier in
this meeting. We need to memorialize it some way. Now to my prepared remarks on a
totally different subject. I watched the Democratic assembly candidates debate last night.
Maybe you did, too. Near the end, the moderator asked if you had your elevator moment a
minute or two with a stranger in an elevator. How would you sell your candidacy? Each of
the seven candidates last night talked about themselves. Their answers don't matter here.
But I got asking myself, how would you do it, Bob? In an instant, it came to me. I wouldn't
start with a statement, but a question. What don't you like about politics, weather in
Washington, Albany or here in Enfield? I think I know my answer. I don't like the fighting,
the rancor, the tribalism, the. I win. You lose smash mouth mindset. I'd respond. You know
what? I don't like it either. That's why I'm running or here tonight, serving as councilperson.
I'm not a career politician, a lawyer. And no, I'm not an activist. I'm just an old radio guy
from Gray Road who is reporting on Town boards. When her supervisor was in diapers
and her heir apparent wasn't even born. I know how good Town boards move. People
serve people and how bad ones do not. And right now, this board isn't serving you. First,
there was the black oak wind farm debate that ended last year with a rule laden effective
ban on commercial wind power. Then, just as the dust settled came the unnecessary and
senseless deletion of the Pledge of Allegiance. Now, tonight, the board will consider
stripping Enfield voters of the right to elect a Town, Clerk and highway superintendent.
Just because some people on this board don't play in the sandbox well with the
incumbents. No, that's not the way to do it. To quote former Congressman Gary Lee's
Gaffe, a highly apt description here. "Don't throw out the bath water with the baby". If you
don't like the highway. Superintendent Rollins or Town Clerk Woods find someone better
to run against them in 2021. Don't up end the whole system, leaving the highway
department in Town Clerk's office under the control of any three vote majority on the Town
board rather than the voters. Let democracy breathe. We need a uniter, not a divider. Is
the national call. I say it applies here in Enfield too. Let's deal with addressing the
pandemic, patching the roads, saving our school, helping the food pantry, not tearing this
town and each other apart yet again. I will proudly vote tonight against advancing the
hearing to hearing. That is, the office changes, the supervisor proposes and do so for the
good of the Town and for all of us. Elevator ride's over. We're at the top floor, I hope. Let's
get off together as friends. Thank you, board. Thank you.
Supervisor McGee [00:21:20] I don't see anyone else for privilege any board members
have anything further you want to say? OK. All right, so we will start with our NYStretch
presentation with Terry Carroll of Cornell Cooperative Extension and Lou Vogel of Taitem
Engineering. I am going to make Lou. I can find Lou. There you go. Let's see. I'm going to
make you a host so you can share your screen.
Lou Vogul [00:22:04] Hello, everybody.
Supervisor McGee [00:22:05] Hi there. Welcome
Lou Vogul [00:22:07] thank you. Glad to be here. And Terri, thanks for joining. I'll go
ahead and get my screen set up and turn if you want to.
Terry Caroll [00:22:20] Yes.
Lou Vogul [00:22:20] Should have some comments you do such a good job of that?
Terry Caroll [00:22:23] Yeah. I mean, let me set this up a little. So for those of you that
don't know me, I'm Terry Caroll. I worked for Cornell cooperative extension. I manage a
program called Clean Energy Communities in the Southern Tier where I work with
municipalities to help them learn about different clean energy and energy efficiency
measures that they can take. I've worked with the Town of Enfield. A bunch of different
times, was happy to work with them to become a clean energy community. I'm happy to
say that you were able to get one of the fifty thousand dollar grants. Hopefully once CoVid
starts to clear up, we can continue on that path of getting the solar array. But today we're
talking about something slightly different. It's not part of the Clean Energy Communities
program, but it is something that NYSERDA has asked myself and Lou to promote a little
bit. It's the New York stretch code. So Lou's going to do a fantastic job of setting up what
the stretch stretch code is, so I won't spend too much time on that other than to say, you
know, we had a really positive conversation with Alan, your code enforcement officer,
earlier today. And I hope that you look at this with an open mind. It's something that I think
New York State is slowly moving towards and it will eventually get to. And I think this is an
opportunity to really demonstrate real leadership in this area. So without further ado, I'll let
Lou, kind of take it away and explain what it what exactly it is.
Lou Vogul [00:23:42] Thanks, Terry. I'm Lou Vogel, president of Taitem Engineering in
Ithaca. and also Terry. I believe that it is in the next version of clean energy communities.
This will be measure. That's what I had understood. So this is something that is fairly
easily adoptable by the Town it and. It provides benefits, economic benefits and emissions
reduction benefits. And we think it's not a not a big lift where we're talking with all the code
inspectors and filling them in on what the changes would be. And so I'll just jump right into
it. We've got Q&A at the end. But I'm happy to take any. Questions. Although maybe that
would be too much.To much to work. So the stretch code is, as I said, a pretty easily
adoptable. We have an adoption guide that we can send along. I was part of the team that
put the measures together. We tried to not do anything that's out of the ordinary. I know
we have quite the quite the builder on on the call today. So I'm happy to hear from Mike at
any time. One one thing that we aimed for was that the the New York State Code, which
just about a month ago was adopted, that gets adopted automatically, that gets updated
every three years. And the intention is that the stretch code will approximately match what
that code will the code will be in three years. So just to give you an idea of how much
additional it takes to to make that happen, there are some advantages that some of these
are included in the exist the new addition of the code. But there are some methods that.
Homeowners can pursue and that the code inspector can ask for. That makes it not
difficult and doesn't add much work to his plate. This slide is just to give you an idea of the
fairly dramatic improvements in more stringent codes over the last 15 years or so, and
then the top business as usual line, if you're familiar with that sort of thing. But that's that's
how it would would be if if we didn't make this these changes. And then the downward line
is where the stretch code can take us to getting to the point of using less and less. Some
of the benefits are buildings are healthier. One of the requirements is to have an improved
ventilation system, something that resonates with the pandemic that we're going through
right now. And again, as Terri and I have talked about this quite a bit, but these buildings
that we're building today where we're hoping they're going to be there for many, many
years. And so these changes are all that they're just going to be continuing to save energy
and emissions over all those years. So if we may make them happen now, then we're
ahead. So many years. There is some opportunities for the local workforce to tap into this.
And the average energy cost savings is 11 percent. That's statewide. The cost savings
would be a little bit less here because of our low energy rates. Electric rates in particular,
gas also. So I'm just going to keep going fairly quickly. But these are some of the reasons
that we think a community would consider adopting NYStretch. Saves energy and money,
helps the environment and boost local economy. NY City local law includes in New York
Stretch, the city of Beacon just adopted it. I just heard today that another city or town in
Long Island will be adopting it. Ithaca. includes the New York stretch as part of their green
building code, which has not been adopted yet. But it is Aye to gain extra points in that in
that code. And then there's a number of other communities that are expressing interest.
But there have not been there have not been any in this area other than Ithaca.. So there's
two two sections to it. And I also want to say that it doesn't change any of the
administrative aspects of the code. All of that remains the same, something we talked
about with Alan this morning. A lot of your new buildings are manufactured housing. So
that that how that is impacted by the code does not change. I double checked on that and
what's called manufactured housing with which has wheels underneath it. Pretty much that
is not that does not have to abide by the local code. But modular housing does. So some
of those some of those buildings may also be required. And here's a slide, just highlighting
what the cost savings are per year, aggregated over a lot of different buildings, different
sizes of buildings. So there are some more detail drilled in costs that I can fill you in on.
But it's it's going to be somewhere around 12 percent. If it's if you're using electricity more.
Use natural gas or fuel oil. And for the residential section, there is not a huge change.
There's actually no change in this climate zone for our values. You felt like we were getting
getting to a good point with that. Windows are slightly better, but there is still. Still within
the Energy Star rating, so nature window will satisfy that requirement. I did check it Lowes
and I would say like 85 percent of the windows that are shown there are Energy Star. So
certainly easily available. Lighting. There's there's improvements in the percentage of
efficient lighting that is required. There's hot water, safe domestic hot water savings.
There's four different options that you can requiring that the ducts are in inside and
conditioned space and sized properly. And then the there is two requirements to be solar
ready and to be even ready. Electric vehicle already. But that is not. Saying that you have
to install any solar panels or a electric vehicle charger, it just simply means that you need
to have a great space in the panel, available capacity in the panel, and then run a conduit
either up to the roof or up to the garage in residential. And then the big change is that it
does require in this climate zone an energy recovery, ventilator, ventilator or heat recovery
ventilators or some acceptable. As opposed to just having exhausts, in large part, it's
because of the better sealed buildings that we have. And then also that ventilation system.
And then commercial buildings go through fairly quickly in this CoVid. There's the changes
are more significant. First, the impact of it. The cost savings are roughly the same. I didn't
save for the housing. The additional costs are somewhere around fifteen hundred to two
thousand dollars to accomplish this. And so there is a payback period for that. Somewhere
around 13 to 15 years in this area. And for residential, and then this is what it is for
commercial. And we are in a climate zone, six Aye. And then the additional cost is roughly
two dollars per square foot. And also realizing that these new buildings will will most likely
have a mortgage included. So that would be folded into the cost of the house over the life
of the mortgage. And then the changes for the commercial are, as I said, a little more
significant, additional our values in both the wall and the attic. This is a little bit of a
simplification. Bear with me on that. But it seems very close, windows are also slightly
better, but also within Energy Star with the air leakage lowered our chest, it is required for
that size of buildings between 25 and 50 thousand square feet. And similar to to the
residential, the more efficient lighting. Additional occupancy sensor locations are required.
And the DHS w domestic hot water is similar requirements. And also the ducting is to be
within the conditions. And then the E.V. ready in solar ready are essentially the same. Just
for some additional requirements, if you have more than ten parking spaces, that sort of
thing. And the if you do have available solar available roof space, you are requiring that
you maintain 40 percent are available to to putting placing your plumbing dents on the right
side of the roof. And then in addition, the. Any energy that comes into the building?
Electricity is generally monitored. But natural gas is also required to be monitored. That is
used. And that's for all all energy that comes in the system. And there's additional
requirements for elevators and commercial kitchens. And also commissioning of the air
barrier is added. Which is to just confirm that the building envelope has been corrected
properly. They're on their Web site and they searched his Web site for New York stretch.
They have frequently asked questions.Here's a few of them. And there's quite a few
documents that are available there. And again, happy to. Either Terry or I are both happy
to answer any questions at any time. And. As I said, bunch budget documents are working
on they. They're working the same single volume code manual, which isn't out quite yet,
but that will show that you wouldn't have to. This isn't currently an overlay onto the existing
code. So you wouldn't have to be slipping back and forth. And as I did mentioned earlier,
that the regular code did just a month ago get IDA. And if there's any question, so happy to
take them now and at any time position. I think sharing.
Councilperson Redmond [00:38:07] HI Lou can I ask you a question? Yes. I'm curious.
You said there's going to be an electric vehicle conduit. Going to be required. I just wonder
if that's going to include four off grid houses. We live off grid. And so the idea that we
would be able to use enough energy. You know, we're struggling to produce enough
energy for a house means it'd be a lot of extra solar panels to produce for an electric
vehicle. And as far as you know, being tied that way is just a little bit more. So will that kind
of requirement for a major renovation stick?
Lou Vogul [00:38:44] I don't know that. I've never been asked that. I know, Terry. knows,
I'll definitely find that out. No. I takes like three and a half KW for a car because a previous
to buying Volt, we had re producing all of our electricity in. And we haven't done it yet.
We're going to get additional. So I will find that out. I agree that there should be an
exception made, but I don't know. I don't remember seeing that. So.
Councilperson Redmond [00:39:19] OK. And then another question I had is you were
talking about the R value for the envelope and you'd mentioned Styrofoam in the roof. Will
there be alternatives to Styrofoam to be used?
Lou Vogul [00:39:30] Yes, Styrofoam I just used in order to because that's R5 per inch.
So it's an additional requirement is R5 the requirement. Doesn't actually say anything
about styrofoam. And that's in the wall. Not not a.
Councilperson Redmond [00:39:46] Do you know there are more natural products that
can can can measure up to that?
Lou Vogul [00:39:52] Yeah,.
Councilperson Redmond [00:39:52] I'm not sure wh... OK.
Lou Vogul [00:39:54] Our five free inches is not a is not a. Excessive number.
Councilperson Redmond [00:40:01] Ok thank you.
Lou Vogul [00:40:04] Terry, Any comments
Terry Caroll [00:40:06] Yeah, I know it's it's certainly not excessive, and I think what we're
starting to see more and more actually, if you drive down 96 and into Ithaca you'll see a
house that's being built on 96. Coming down the hill, it's on your left. It used wood fiber as
insulation, exterior insulation. And that's something that I think we're gonna see more and
more of using some of the leftover pulp products to create wood fiber insulation. And that's
it's right around there, I think an on and I value. So there's definitely more natural options
than using Styrofoam.
Councilperson Redmond [00:40:38] OK, great. Thank you.
Lou Vogul [00:40:45] Well, if there's no more comments, just let us know we'd love to help
you. Oh, there are some raised hands. I haven't.
Supervisor McGee [00:41:01] Actually, Lou, if you could make me the host again so I can
also unmute other people, because there may be other people like Alan or Mike or Dan
that would ask questions. And I just want to make sure they have an opportunity. So if you
run your cursor over my screen, you should see three little dots in a blue square and then
you'll see the option to make me host.
Lou Vogul [00:41:26] Got it. Absolutely. There you go.
Supervisor McGee [00:41:32] Thank you. Where is Mike now?
Councilperson Mehaffey [00:41:39] I have a question too.
Supervisor McGee [00:41:41] Go ahead. Mimi.
Councilperson Mehaffey [00:41:43] So on one of them, it looked like there was the
requirement for ventilation fans. Is that true?
Lou Vogul [00:41:51] Yes.
Councilperson Mehaffey [00:41:53] Again and again, I live in an off grid house and
running fans, we achieve the air flow by earth tubes going the distance and the contour of
the land, bringing in make up air. So running. I only have one half kilowatt system. So that
would be pretty hard to run. Fans all the time.
Terry Caroll [00:42:23] So there are some things that can qualify for this.
Councilperson Mehaffey [00:42:27] There are. So as long as you can prove that your
make up, there are some ways in turning over once an hour, whatever the requirement is.
Then.
Terry Caroll [00:42:35] There are passive there at their low voltage, low voltage ERV's
and HRV's that exist. And there's also some passive versions of them as well.
Councilperson Mehaffey [00:42:43] We're using.
Terry Caroll [00:42:44] Those are more complicated and not on the cutting edge. So you'd
have to check into that, especially the low voltage ones are using, you know, less than a
kilowatt hour a day. So they're they're pretty incredible.
Supervisor McGee [00:43:01] OK, I'm not ... I'm not able to on mute. Dan, as many times
as I've tried. But Alan. You're unmuted. Do you have any questions or comments about it?
I'm interested in your perspective.
Alan Teeter [00:43:12] No, I don't think so. I mean, I talked about it with Terry this
morning. Pretty much answered my questions. My only concern is the additional costs for
some of those lower income people in Enfield. But in general, I think it's a good idea. I
mean, energy saving is a great thing. And the houses we built last 100 years. Right here,
you know, if you pay back is ten or twelve years and know it's well worth it. So it's
something I would be supportive of. And the residential stuff I looked at was really not a lot
of extra stuff. It's not required now. So, yeah, I mean, I didn't see any issues with that. I
don't really have any other questions, I guess. Just answer Stephanie's question, the
energy code calls for R value. They don't care how you achieve the R value or whatever
you use. So it certainly doesn't have to be Styrofoam or anything else. So tons of new
products out there to use and also the energy covering recovery. Ventilators are in the
code now and are required. And I think Terry said today burned, you know, a couple watts
an hour something. It's really nothing at all for very low airflows... not a big issue there
either. So it's pretty much right. You know, the commercials look a lot more complicated.
Obviously, we don't have a lot of commercial buildings going in and bigger commercial
buildings to go in. I'd like to see them more energy efficient. I think that's a good thing. And
they in particular can afford it more. I think in over the long run, I think it'd be a good thing.
Supervisor McGee [00:44:53] Great. Thank you. I mean, I was concerned about the
manufactured housing aspect of it. We have over 500 manufactured homes in the town of
Enfield. And oftentimes people replace an old one with a new one and don't actually build
stick build. So I think that they are tending to build them more energy efficient now with
new guidelines. So I'm glad to see that that wouldn't prohibit this wouldn't prohibit people
from doing that if that was their option. Virginia, did you have any questions?
Councilperson Bryant [00:45:24] No, I'm living in a two hundred nine year old house.
Sort of out of the loop but, we keep trying. Yes, it's well insulated. That's all I can say and I
keep having it and I keep having energy surveys done and see what more I can do. I think
it's a challenge.
Supervisor McGee [00:45:45] It sure is, Bob.
Councilperson Lynch [00:45:48] I have a question for Lou. We live in a very progressive
county with a lot of progressive townships, and some of them are much more affluent than
Enfield is. I wondered if you knew of any other towns in this county who are close to
adopting stretch codes such as the town of Ithaca. or the town of Dryden or maybe the
town of Lansing. Or any of these communities close to it, closer than we might be.
Lou Vogul [00:46:16] That's, ...the town of Montre Falls, indicated interest in it, but they
haven't. I don't know that they've taken any steps that I can see they're used to doing that.
Terry Caroll [00:46:29] But let me jump in here first. So we started doing this. You know,
Lou, correct me if I'm wrong, maybe February or March of this year. And then,
unfortunately, CoVid hit. And as municipal board members, you're well aware that it's
taken up a lot of bandwidth. So we haven't been able to get to as many municipalities as
we'd like to talk about this. We had a great meeting in the town of Caroline, you know,
where I think they're still considering whether that's something they want to do. You know,
as Lou mentioned, the town and city of Ithaca, including this and their green building code,
which is going to go even a step further than this. So that's another aspect. You know,
we've presented to the town of Ulysses, you know, I'm hopeful that we'll see them look into
it a little bit more once things started to return to some level of normalcy. And, you know,
my hope is when we get to that level of normalcy that, you know, it's doing, I will be up
there to give this same presentation to the town of Lansing in the town of Dryden. But at
this point, we haven't been able to get on their radar yet, understandably,.
Councilperson Lynch [00:47:29] Because we are always in competition with other towns
for the person who wants to put down roots and build a house. And I don't want us to be
more restrictive than our neighbors. Our neighbors are also restrictive. It doesn't make it so
hard for us to be forward looking in this regard.
Terry Caroll [00:47:47] Yeah, I certainly understand that. That's something that we hear
from a lot of communities. One of the concerns, you know, one of the other concerns that.
Councilperson Bryant [00:47:53] Hate to interrupt, I have to leave the meeting for a
minute. There's somebody outside my door. I just want to let you know. I'll be right back.
Supervisor McGee [00:48:00] Okay. Thanks Virginia.
Councilperson Mehaffey [00:48:02] Well, somebody has got to be first,.
Supervisor McGee [00:48:05] Right? I mean, I don't know why we keep asking that
question about things. And actually, Lou, can you mentioned again what the average cost
of implementing these things is overall?
Lou Vogul [00:48:19] Residences, they estimated to be fifteen hundred dollars to two
thousand dollars.
Supervisor McGee [00:48:26] And then stretched over time,
Lou Vogul [00:48:28] Forseeable
Supervisor McGee [00:48:29] and the mortgage.
Lou Vogul [00:48:29] Housing. Right.
Supervisor McGee [00:48:30] And then again with energy savings.
Lou Vogul [00:48:35] Yeah,.
Supervisor McGee [00:48:35] Payback within 10 to 12 years. So I guess the question of
what's more restrictive comes to mind for me. I mean, again, I don't really think that it is
more restrictive. I think it's the way forward. I mean, the way people would expect that if
they buy a house, a lot of these things are expected to even be in it now already. So. And
if they're not, they're implementing them.
Terry Caroll [00:49:06] I think about two is, you know, something that Alan, you know,
revealed to Lou and I today is, you know, almost ninety five, nine, maybe even more of a
van field is using fuel oil and propane. They're now using the cheaper natural gas that you
see a lot of the other areas in Tompkins County having access to. And the savings that
you're going to see being on fuel oil, being propane are going to be dramatically higher
than it would have been on natural gas or some of these other things. And so, you know,
these particular four areas that are dealing with, you know, being on some of these these
higher cost fossil fuels, you will see more savings. You will end up seeing a shorter
payback, especially if fossil fuel prices rise. You know, that's certainly something that'll
help the payback period. Virginia's point of living in a 200 year old house. I'm living in one
hundred and eighty year old house that I moved into two years ago and trying to make
improvements. It's not easy. It's not cheap by any stretch. And so, you know, getting these
things go right the first time is critically important for all of your future owners is not just that
first owner,.
Supervisor McGee [00:50:05] Right.
Councilperson Mehaffey [00:50:07] Yeah, it's a lot cheaper to do it right, and it'll make
the house more salable. Centrally, we aren't going to be off fossil fuels. So if in three years
this is gonna be a requirement, why not do it now and do everybody a favor? You know,.
Supervisor McGee [00:50:21] So there was actually a proposal several years ago when I
was first on the Town board in Tompkins County or City of ithaca that I can't remember
which group it was that was trying to implement this, but they were trying to implement. I
guess that wouldn't be a requirement, but that they would tag houses through this through
the sale that were more preferable because they had implemented things like this. And I
found that to be really egregious. I especially for the town of Enfield and making it
challenging for people in the town of Enfield to get their houses seen if they didn't have
that specific seal of approval on it. But again, that means that they'd have to spend a lot
more money on a house that already exists in order to make it preferable. And in this this
direction, people are building houses for much with those costs being much lower because
they're implemented right off the bat. So. I don't remember what that was called or what
that initiative was, but I was kind of offended by it actually.
Lou Vogul [00:51:30] Putting a number on your house Terry and I were both involved with
that.
Supervisor McGee [00:51:36] Yeah sorry.
Terry Caroll [00:51:39] There's definitely concerns over that . And, you know, I won't lie.
Yeah. There's there's definitely concerns.
Supervisor McGee [00:51:45] I mean, I appreciate the sentiment. I just thought for our
community that it would put us at a disadvantage. It would make our houses value less for
people that lived here. So, Mike ok
Councilperson Mehaffey [00:51:58] Maybe we could ask our planning board, since it has
a number of builders on it and they're involved in this, to really look this over carefully and
to come up with some questions that they can then fire away to to both of these great
people and get back to the board, because I'd like to move fairly quickly if this is something
that the planning board believes is a good option for us also.
Lou Vogul [00:52:23] I'd be very happy to talk with you, with your group, so please do
that.
Supervisor McGee [00:52:30] Great. OK. Hold on one second. I'm trying to unmuted Dan,
Dan. So are you OK with that? Can you guys know you're coming up soon.
Dan Walker [00:52:42] We can put that on th agenda once we get back to somewhat
normal?
Supervisor McGee [00:52:47] OK. And yeah. And then if they're I guess it says that
there's legislative documentation available. So if you can look that over as well. And if you
think that it makes sense for for us to adopt something like this and would like to ask us to
do that, then if you would propose that whatever resolution that they have for us and tweak
it to Enfield, then that sounds like a appropriate direction for that to come from, if that's
how you decide to do it.
Councilperson Mehaffey [00:53:22] And they keep and possibly have Alan at that
meeting also, so that the questions that he asked it, he'll be able to answer.
Supervisor McGee [00:53:32] I think Alan attends all the planning board meetings.
Councilperson Mehaffey [00:53:34] OK. .
Lou Vogul [00:53:37] We'll send the adoption guide on to you.
Supervisor McGee [00:53:41] Great.
Lou Vogul [00:53:42] It's pretty boilerplate.
Supervisor McGee [00:53:45] OK. Thank you very much, both of you, Lou and Terry.
Appreciate you coming.
Supervisor McGee [00:53:52] Is there any of.
Terry Caroll [00:53:54] Thanks for your Interest.
Supervisor McGee [00:53:55] Great information.
Terry Caroll [00:53:56] Thanks. Take care.
Supervisor McGee [00:54:01] Okay, monthly reports.
Supervisor McGee [00:54:08] Let's see, who do we have first Anne Koerman? Did I see
Anne Koreman here?There she is. Hi Anne welcome.
Anne Koreman [00:54:17] Thank you. I'll Try and make it run through these. There's quite
a lot of items. Soldiers try and do it as fast as I can and see if there's any questions. In
May, we passed a resolution in declaring Asian and Pacific Islander American Month and
we might do that every year. One of the reasons for that was because in the. In the area,
the year of CoVid. Hopefully it's only a year that we there's been a lot of people, a lot more
discrimination against people who are Asian. Then we did, too. I think I told you about the
testing machine we bought. I'll tell you again real quick. We bought for fifty five thousand.
We got a testing machine for the you health system to use. So that we'll hopefully get the
turnaround time a bit quicker for tests and their hours have expanded. So if you're not
sure, go look on their site there. But they're pretty much open almost all day long, every
day except Sunday. Let's see, April sales tax. The state took out seventy five thousand for
a portion of the aid funding. Overall, the county was down twenty seven point point one
nine percent. And for that, for May, we don't have the final numbers, but it looks to be
we're going to be down about 31 percent overall. And as far as like the highway, we've
we've scaled back on a lot of the projects that we were doing, what we might do, some
some chips sealing on some of the roads to help extend the life because the materials
don't cost that much money compared to repaving roads. The only road that I know of
that's going to be repaved is being done right now in the town of Ulysses. It's just a one
mile stretch on Podunk that that was just a continuation of just to finish up a project they
had started last year. We passed a resolution to give almost six hundred thousand dollars
for rental assistance for anybody outside of the city of Ithaca and INHS Ithaca
Neighborhood Housing Services is going to. Run the applications for us. The system that
starts on June 15th. You can apply and you can get up to three months of rental
assistance. Redistricting has been a topic. I don't know if I brought that up as far as the
legislative districts for the county, because the census information, when that comes in,
we're going to be off for maybe two or three years, (has been forwarded to an automated
voice messaging.) That's the size of our districts. So some some legislators are looking at
changing it, possibly to a one to two year term and then continue back on with the four
year terms.So we're going to have to decide that soon. The state has not said whether
they're going to do phase three starting Friday, just similar to what they did two weeks ago,
unless there was an announcement that I missed. I've been in meetings this afternoon, so
we might not know till Thursday, Friday or Saturday, which is quite a bit of a pain. But
we're just trying to roll with it the best we can. Weekly, we have a CoVid Town Hall and
with our administrator and a couple of other key people on our emergency operations
committee. And this Friday, it's at three thirty. A little bit different day and time. So it's
Friday at three thirty. If folks want to tune in and you can watch it on YouTube and ask
questions. And I'm going to be one of the guest panelists this week. So should be should
be entertaining. And let me run to my other page here. If there's anything he's trying to pick
out, the important things. Oh, we also last legislative meeting, we did a proclamation for
LGBTQ plus month and put up flags. I think Eight or Nine Flags. We have pride flags and
around the county on different county buildings. And then I dropped off a flag for you guys
to go too to Ellen. And also at the last meeting, I proposed a resolution condemning the
killing of George Floyd and institutional racism, and that passed 14 to zero. I think that's
about it.
Supervisor McGee [00:59:39] Thank you. Anyone have questions for Anne? Let's see
Stephanie. Stephanie, any questions? OK. All right. Thank you Anne.
Anne Koreman [00:59:59] Thank you.
Supervisor McGee [01:00:00] This is the second year that we've flown the pride flag in
Enfield. So thanks for bringing that over. Appreciate it.
Anne Koreman [01:00:06] Thank you for doing it.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:00:16] Oh, I just wanted to express that I'd love to continue
to work with and to get Black Lives Matter signs at the town hall.
Supervisor McGee [01:00:34] Thank you. All right. So we have my report. All right. So this
month, I set up the payroll system and prepared two payrolls, prepared two abstracts and
the checks and did the bookkeeping, solicited proposals from Williamson for cloud
systems, hired the bookkeeper and prepared all the documentation and bookkeeping
information necessary for that transition, facilitated two Town board meetings and planning
board meeting the technical facilitation. I solicited a proposal from NYcourts or Ncourt for
online payment processing reviewed the bill paying process, budgeting daily tasks and
Deputy Town Super with Stephanie, the deputy Town supervisor. And on the budget. Yes.
And tended to retiree health and dental insurance procedures. Provided technical
facilitation of the planning board meeting the meeting for bookkeeping process preparation
with the confidential secretary and the bookkeeper and Stephanie. And of course,
attended county and state calls with the Health Department and County Admin. And Tom
Reed Weekly coordinated a contract for the burial coordinator and got the mowing situated
with him. Met with TCCOG Emergency Response Committee. I worked with the sheriff and
deputies to coordinate work for and opening of the satellite and develop notifications and
navigated the partial and employment process for hourly employees. Met with Jean
Owens, the food pantry director, multiple times regarding procedures and the future of the
pantry. I met with Tompkins County supervisors three times and of course, the other list of
things that our regular duties. I am going to be moving into the bookkeeper's space. The
desk in the office at the back of the community building. That won't be used by the
bookkeeper, but we will use that laptop there and it will stay there for the confidential
secretary and the supervisor and the deputy Town supervisor in the event that she needs
to go in to do anything with the bookkeeper. And I will move my file cabinets and my file
files that are in the file cabinets over there to those file cabinets and vacate the town Hall,
the two file cabinets I have at the town hall, so I will step in and get mail. I will still need to
go in there for vouchers once in a while and to leave vouchers. But for the most part, I
won't be working in there much. Also, the when a little bit later, when we talk about the
court reopening, I would like to talk about the conversation that I had with that Ncourt, our
representative as well, for online payment processing through them. So that is the report
that I have. Ellen do you have. Does anybody have questions? Thank you.
Councilperson Bryant [01:03:51] Sorry I had to jump up and down.
Supervisor McGee [01:03:56] Ellen, do you have a Town Clerk report?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:03:58] I do, and I would like to add a brief proposal by my
deputy at the end of my report for participation in the Summer Youth Employment
Program.
Councilperson Bryant [01:04:10] Is that SYEP?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:04:10] yes, that's SYEP. So. And I believe my deputies on
right now. Patricia are you on?
Supervisor McGee [01:04:20] Let me find her.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:04:21] I don't see her.
Supervisor McGee [01:04:23] I see her.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:04:24] OK, perfect. OK. So I enrolled in a comptrollers class
entitled Fiscal Responsibility for the Town Clerk. Next month, my deputy and I will both be
participating in cash management for Town Clerk's with the Office of the State Comptroller.
I continue to meet and with other Clerk's for training, mostly remotely. I, you know, issued
licenses for three marriages and I learned to do that for the first time. That was exciting.
We got the dog licensing up to speed and I continued to work with the county to help
residents who are missing rabies and who need rabies to happen at a free clinic. So that
looks like it's happening in July. And I've encouraged many residents and I will encourage
many more to sign up for the Town emails, because as soon as I hear about a rabies
clinic, I will publicize that widely. I really think it's important that the residents be able to
access that service without an expense to themselves. I worked with the county's
guidance and, you know, the deputy supervisor to develop a ROOP for our office. And so I
noticed on the town's ROOP that it looks like a date target date has been set for the 11th.
So for us, that would mean the 12th. So hoping to reopen on that day. So I trained my new
deputy remotely and in person. I'm trying to emphasize remote work when possible. I
created a folder for transcription on the laser fiche. So now residents will be able to access
recordings and polished transcriptions of the meetings. We applied for the SYEP. But of
course, that is pending approval by the board. And that was expressed all through the
process. I worked with the new bookkeeper to switch our books to Williamson, our abstract
to Williamson. I, you know, met with the deputies informally to talk about like office
procedure as they moved in yesterday and my open hours and how we'll work together.
We worked with Williamson to integrate dog licensing. We worked with the county pretty
intensely to settle the first tax year. That is settled pending a final reconciliation of the
books, hoping to coordinate with the bookkeeper on that. We continue to publicize
documents and acted as the recording secretary for, I think, four, maybe five meetings. We
updated the website and worked on streamlining archives on the website, researched
marriages for residents and continued to provide access to accessible permits. And then
my deputy has a number of achievements that she's listed. She actually took over the
horticulture of our office, which was awesome. We've planted the planters and we repotted
our one plant. She is working with DECALS. They are going to do a new system. So they
communicated to us today that they are not training anyone on the old system, but they
will train us on the new system later this month. So she worked on training on dog
licenses, marriage license, orientation. She's been with me through that process,
accessibility permit orientation. And we worked on her notary application. So she's been
oriented to Blue Host, which is our email and starting to orient towards the website
updates. And we discussed vault procedures and records procedures. She organized her
drawers and her cupboard and helped with organizing the storage room. And she's really
been marked rocking the marquee updates. So we've had a really busy month and we're
excited for next month.
Supervisor McGee [01:08:24] Thank you. Anybody have questions? And signing up for
the emails for for the Town is done at the Web site on the right hand side, if you go to
Town of Enfield dot org, there's a place where you just enter your name and your email
address. And we'll keep you updated. Thank you. Buddy Rollins for the highway report. I
am trying to unmuted.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:08:56] I got Patricia. Patricia was going to give her
proposal.
Supervisor McGee [01:08:58] Oh, I'm sorry. Thanks for the reminder. Where did she go?
There she is. I unmuted her. And now she's gone.
Councilperson Lynch [01:09:10] Now she stepped away.
[01:09:14] You're not new problems.
Supervisor McGee [01:09:15] It's not that she's letting me unmute her. Patricia.
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:09:25] I'm right here.
Supervisor McGee [01:09:26] There you go. Muted. All right.
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:09:28] I have to find it because I. OK, here it is.
I'm more efficient than I thought I was. OK. The Town Clerk's office proposes hosting an
SYEP participant for the summer of 2020 for a period of six to seven weeks. Ten to twelve
and up to 20 hours per week on site or as conditions require, a hybrid on site and or virtual
remote employment. The individual will potentially fulfill general clerical responsibilities
accordingly in office, possibly general office work, including collecting, opening and
distributing mail, filing, answering telephones, taking messages and directing calls,
copying, faxing, assisting with mailings, including notices and assisting with the issuance
of drug licenses. Assisting with DECALS and applications. Assisting with applications for
marriage certificates, updating the marquis event, meeting announcements and greeting
customers per group standard remote. They would be involved in research, Web site
updates, email editing, transcription, software, transcripts. The commitment requires a
working relationship with the candidate as well as with Tompkins Workforce NY Youth
Department, Tompkins Workforce, New York Interim Director Jackie Mouilleseaux,
transition specialist Beth Hardesty, Christopher Dettmann and project assistant Amy
Callahan. Funding is provided by OTDA, the Office of Temporary and Disability
Assistance. The 2020 program is providing for over one hundred and fifty use and they
only have 20 to 40 work sites at this time and is subject to increases over the next two
weeks. Oversighted by Tompkins Workforce Development and operated by Tompkins
Workforce. New York the Town of Enfield New York will be responsible for health and
safety of the participant on the Town premises. Supervision and accountability, daily or
weekly monitoring of timesheet, and a weekly submission of the time signed by the host.
We would be the host Daily Inquiry of Health Status of Participant and an open line of
communication with the participant as well as with Tompkins workforce. New York
participant is technically an employee of Tompkins County, and the town of Enfield is
considered the host agency. This is a supportive employment opportunity for the
individual, as well as a welcome service to the town of Enfield, New York. The application
deadline was today. We have applied. We don't have to take them up on it. They're very
interested in working with us. So I did attend a workshop last week. It was fascinating.
Apparently, the city of Ithaca. has has foregone their commitment to SYEP at this time
because of ROOP standards. So they workforce. New York has the whole contract. They
have the home to shooting match with the Youths.
Councilperson Bryant [01:12:43] And if I could add something that I am very familiar
with, SYEP that has been many, many forms for probably over 30 years, are different been
in different acronyms. But it's usually been a very beneficial program for towns that have
participated or entities that participated because some nonprofits also utilize it. I'm not sure
what this year's version says, but it certainly has been something that has benefited.
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:13:16] Yeah, we're very fortunate to have some
participants living right in Enfield. Then I haven't really discussed it with Tompkins WFNY.
Councilperson Bryant [01:13:26] Have yearly, particularly with the Summer Youth
Program. The Enfield Council is unfortunately not going to happen this year. The high end
group, maybe some people would qualify. A higher age group is met.
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:13:42] Well, there varies. I've worked with three
individuals three youths on the site.And they're very sincere and hard working. They they
learn quickly and they're very capable.
Councilperson Bryant [01:13:56] If they're if they're well supervised. At least as my past
long time experience there's been. A great success rate.
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:14:06] Well, the individuals I worked with had
very supportive families, too.
Councilperson Bryant [01:14:10] I'm sure. I'm sure you've had that experience.
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:14:13] Was very helpful.
Supervisor McGee [01:14:15] So I. I would have concerns about distancing and being
able I mean, I would imagine my concerns are the same as what ethics czar. But. The
other thing I wonder is if we can we'll get a report later from ECC here just in a few minutes
about youth that were going to be. Camp counselors and they're no longer going to have
that position or probably not going to have that position if they've canceled camp. So it
may be good to connect specifically with Ed Enfield youth. And I also wonder if Allan might
be interested in doing this as well, because we're always talking about the trades not
getting enough attention and young people in any field that may not go to college, but still
need to be trained in trades and that not enough effort and finances have been put toward
that endeavor. So I'm just I'm just going to throw that out there.
Councilperson Bryant [01:15:23] And if I may throw something over here, if I remember if
I remember the proposals, that part of the training is for helping a coach who is helping
them understand how to handle money, other things. And I would think that it would be
highly appropriate that we do need people in the trades.
Supervisor McGee [01:15:44] Alan, did you. Alan, are you there?
Alan Teeter [01:15:50] I am. Unfortunately, my. internet seems to. I'm an I. So, yeah, it's
obviously something new to think about, but I have some interest.
Councilperson Mehaffey [01:16:01] I thought the deadline was today.
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:16:03] The deadline for application was today,
but they might extend it.
Supervisor McGee [01:16:08] I mean, it depends. I mean, if there are a lot of youth that
are not going to be working, there are a lot of adults that are not going to be working in this
summer months right now. So competition for jobs may be high. So as far as you know, as
far as an application, if we can look into that.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:16:33] So I was just I was going to say, you're going to.
Supervisor McGee [01:16:36] Ellen. Oh, go ahead, Ellen.
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:16:39] Go ahead.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:16:40] I was just going to jump in to say that I did file the
application.
[01:16:46] I did file it under a Town of Enfield. So I think that it would be relatively easy to
get an extension there. Of course, the typical work activities that I described were
somewhat different. But I even Patricia shared this with the highway superintendent and
we even discussed the possibility of someone helping with administration there. So I think
there's a lot. They seem very eager to work with us. And I think that especially if the
supervisor reached out to them, that that we could possibly wrap other departments in on
it.
Councilperson Bryant [01:17:19] Exactly. if the Enfield supervisor reaches out to the
grantor directly. You will have every possible chance to scurry once, some chance to
extend the time they're looking for applications.
Supervisor McGee [01:17:36] Mimi. Did you have a question?
Councilperson Mehaffey [01:17:39] I have a I. I am. Mostly in favor of it, particularly since
since both Ellen and her deputy are or seem anxious to do it right. I know that at this point
you feel a huge work burden and off and taking on. Yes. In my experience. Sorry. I put it
on silent, but it goes through my computer. I guess I have to turn it off right. My experience
has been with the Yes program. It takes a lot of energy and a lot of time. And it's definitely
worthwhile. And it's it's an amazing program. But it it does require more work, not
necessarily less, at least in the beginning. So just be prepared for that. And in terms of the
social distancing, what it means is when you're when you're in the office now, often one of
you is there and the other one is not. So you won't be masked unless unless a member of
the public comes in. But with somebody else there, you're gonna be wearing that mask the
entire time you're at work. So just keep that in mind. But if you're in favor of it, I'm in favor
of it because I think they're great programs and they they need to happen.
Councilperson Bryant [01:18:57] And I would think that if we talked to Vera Howe
Straight, people in the ECC, they would be in favor of it. They're really very depressed
about having to cancel the summer program.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:19:10] I was going to I was going to say that I had some of
the same fears Mimi, especially because now I've trained two deputies. And even though
Patricia is an amazing deputy, it is training. Is it in itself work? You're totally right about
that. One thing that Patricia explained to me and that I was really excited about is these
students will I'm excited that workforce is running it because these students will have pre
site training in just general workplace behavior and expectations of being in a professional
workplace. And then the other thing is they have access to a computer program called
Patricia. What was it called?
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:19:49] Metrics, the tompkins skill up America.
You can anyone has access to it. However, the counselors are the the what they called
Chris Dettman. And Beth Hardesty work with these individuals, these use at the computer
terminal on the metrics program. And it's a training program. It's computerized training
program in any number of fields, from medical to government to technical fields, computer
fields, et cetera. And they'll be in training eight hours a week, eight hours of the 20 hours a
week. If we can't use them, you know, if we can't use them more that, you know, more
than 12 hours or 10 hours. The other 10 hours will be spent in an extra training with
Tompkins workforceNY.
Councilperson Mehaffey [01:20:46] Am I hearing it right? They have worked with this
program before with you. And.
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:20:52] I did at Challenge. I worked with three
youths who are all disabled and they were all very capable at the front desk. I trained them
all in reception and information specialization.
Councilperson Mehaffey [01:21:04] So it sounds like you know where you're in for and
you're ready for it.
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:21:07] Yeah. Right. Yeah. It's a challenge but,
you know, they had such great family support and such great support from the program
that, you know, it's it's almost foolproof.
Councilperson Mehaffey [01:21:22] No, I was warned....
Councilperson Bryant [01:21:22] I have I have to adult. I get it right. Sorry. Go ahead,
Virginia. Oh, I'm sorry. Mimi.
Councilperson Mehaffey [01:21:28] That's OK.
Councilperson Bryant [01:21:30] I have been away from T.C.A. for Town three years, but
we always SYEP youth working in two or three sections of our programs. And they always
came to us, you know, they had this background through Labor Department where they
didn't come to us raw off the floor, so to speak. And some of them worked in
weatherization. Some of them worked in the front desk. You know, it administrative stuff.
And I can't remember maybe I wrong, talk to lee, but I can't remember a bad experience.
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:22:08] I found they were very mature for their
age.
Councilperson Bryant [01:22:11] Yes, they. They're very, very anxious to be succeeding.
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:22:16] The age limit is 14 to 24. So we had 17
year olds to 21 year olds.
Councilperson Bryant [01:22:25] I know. I know. But TCA hired two or three to continue
working in various areas of the administration and during the time I worked there.
Supervisor McGee [01:22:36] OK. So I am going to move that the Town of Enfield
coordinates or cooperates with with the SY E.P. and develops process. And I'm going to
suggest through the Town Clerk's office. Ellen is the one that made this application. My
preferences that she's the one that coordinates it for. And if anybody wants to talk to her
about it, Alan or Buddy or otherwise, they should connect with Ellen. So I'm moving that
we engage with the S. Y EP to have youth employed through this program with the town of
Enfield.
Councilperson Mehaffey [01:23:20] Second
Supervisor McGee [01:23:25] Any any amendments or changes to that motion. Anybody
wants to make.
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:23:32] Well, it's really a partnership with
Tompkins workforce. New York and the SYEP program. And we it's a it's a it's a
partnership with Tompkins Workforce development, too. It's a great start. And bridging
things with the county and community.
Councilperson Bryant [01:23:53] That's the beauty of it that's why it's worked.
Supervisor McGee [01:23:55] So. OK, so I made the motion. We have a Second to it. Any
other questions about it?
Councilperson Lynch [01:24:03] Sounds like a good program. You might find somebody
who is going to be a future leader. Come up and this will be her first is her first opportunity
to serve in Minnesota government. I totally support it.
Supervisor McGee [01:24:20] I guess I would also ask that we really connect with ECC
about this, particularly Vera, if we can, and and see if there aren't Enfield residents that
would benefit from this program. Before other candidates,.
Councilperson Bryant [01:24:42] I definitely agree with that.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:24:44] I wonder if we could. Is there a way because we're a
Town that we could limit it to Enfield residents like we do...?
Supervisor McGee [01:24:53] I think we can do it. Can't we do that with our choice? I
mean, with our candidates. I mean, we can tell them you can tell them that your preference
will be residents of the town of Enfield, specifically because we had young people here
that were going to be employed through a program that the town of Enfield funds. And now
that's not going to happen. Oh, I'm sure. And if you know what, you can coordinate it. But if
anybody has any problems or any questions, please have them call me. I'm happy to be
that. Connection. So. All right, Ellen, go ahead and Call the vote.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:25:26] OK, councilperson Lynch, Councilperson Bryant.
Councilperson Bryant [01:25:32] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:25:33] Councilpersons Lynch.
Councilperson Lynch [01:25:35] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:25:36] Councilperson Mahaffey.
Councilperson Mehaffey [01:25:38] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:25:39] Councilperson Redmond.
Councilperson Redmond [01:25:40] Aye.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:25:43] Supervisor McGee.
Supervisor McGee [01:25:44] Aye.
Supervisor McGee [01:25:44] Thank you. Thank you, Ellen, for putting that together. All
right. Now I'm trying to unmute Buddy for a highway report. There we go. Go ahead,
buddy.
Buddy Rollins [01:26:07] We're back to full workforce and we started doing our summer
programs. Working on the last mile Aiken Road to get it prepped to repaved as one of the
programs after chips come through. And then doing regular maintenance on the other
roads. We have three major pieces, equipment that'r down for major repairs. Two 10
wheelers, and one is the gradall we had the town of Ithaca. take the gradall to Syracuse to.
To the dealership up there to get repaired, it'll probably be all three major repairs.
Councilperson Redmond [01:26:55] Is the gradall the one that was donated?
Buddy Rollins [01:27:01] No, there's a grader.
Councilperson Redmond [01:27:03] OK.
Councilperson Bryant [01:27:06] Any idea of the estimated cost,.
Buddy Rollins [01:27:08] The grader is the gradall is like the escalator. But it's just a
different type.
Supervisor McGee [01:27:12] ok
Buddy Rollins [01:27:15] No estimate. Yet, On the gradall. And no estimates on the
trucks. I don't. The great I will get an estimate on the trucks are just going to get fixed. And
I'm looking. I put in for a request. I don't know if it's going to be discussed or not, for the
Freeze to be lifted so we can continue on to get our summer work done and move on from
there. That's all.
Supervisor McGee [01:28:00] OK, any board members have questions?
Councilperson Lynch [01:28:05] In terms of the expenditures to regarding the spending
freeze, as I recall, we have a fifty thousand dollar limit on expenditures, about Town board
approval. Can't we just when the bills come in, when the expenses are estimated just vote
by Town board to authorize.
Councilperson Mehaffey [01:28:33] We can't wait for the bill to come in because then it's
already spent. So it would have to be before. The materials got ordered or the work was
done.
Councilperson Bryant [01:28:44] Exactly.
Supervisor McGee [01:28:45] Well, on the repair, though, if they're on separate and if
they're separate invoices, if they're separate repairs.
Councilperson Mehaffey [01:28:53] Right. Right.
Supervisor McGee [01:28:56] I don't think they're gonna be fifty thousand dollars. Maybe
they are if they are, then we should probably put those up. Put those out of their misery
and be done with it. So I guess we'll know better when we have an estimate.
Councilperson Bryant [01:29:14] You know, I think we have to have estimates before we
go forward on anything like that.
Councilperson Lynch [01:29:20] Buddy, you best waited for her to solve this is to come
up with estimates in advance of a town board meeting and then bring them to our
attention. And if they're justified, will approve of.
Councilperson Bryant [01:29:35] Exactly.
Supervisor McGee [01:29:38] Stephanie, did you have a question? How are you?
Councilperson Redmond [01:29:40] Yeah, buddy, how are you doing for materials right
now?
Buddy Rollins [01:29:51] I don't know. You've got the stone bill in tonight or not? That
came in last minute. That was some. Fifteen thousand dollars and three thousand for oiling
the highway and probably getting ready to spend fifty thousand this month between
Dusting and making grader mix.
Supervisor McGee [01:30:17] So, yeah, that invoice was not in in time for the Town board
to have three signatures on that. So.
Buddy Rollins [01:30:24] Well, it can happen on Monday. So we're to?
Supervisor McGee [01:30:28] Well, there there are things that we're dealing with as far as
time restraints and trying to stagger people being in the office and signing.
Buddy Rollins [01:30:37] So that's not my credit report. I don't care. OK.
Supervisor McGee [01:30:42] That's that's your problem there. I mean, I never had a
problem before.
Supervisor McGee [01:30:46] It's not a problem.
Councilperson Lynch [01:30:48] I provided my signature, but when I signed, no other
signatures were on it. So maybe mines the only one. I signed Monday.
Supervisor McGee [01:30:58] So I think. Any other questions? Proposals?
Councilperson Lynch [01:31:10] They question with regards to the summer position that
Buddy had asked me to put forth a resolution on that, I think the the way we worded the
hiring freeze, I think that the super intendant highway superintendent has to justify that
position, at least verbally, so that then we can authorize a waiver of the hiring freeze to
accommodate that. So, buddy, why do you need.
Buddy Rollins [01:31:48] No, I usually have someone help because we have extra work
to do. In the summer sign work, Mowing Flagging on Bad. Where we have to have flaggers
for sure. Which we should have flaggers all the time. But we use radios instead unless
we're on curves and real bad places. We know where it's bad we have a flager. So that's
just extra help then I have guys on vacation. So you always have summer help.
Councilperson Lynch [01:32:27] And I presume this money is in the budget, I presume,
because we've done it in years past, we didn't anticipate CoVid when we did the budget for
this current year. So I presume there is budget line money for this position. Yes.
Supervisor McGee [01:32:42] So can you reallocate tab or tasks and utilize the summer
youth employment program for some of this work?
Buddy Rollins [01:32:53] What was that again?
Supervisor McGee [01:32:54] I said, can you? Ellen has sent you information about the
summer youth employment program. Can you reallocate some tasks to other people and
have some of those tasks that could be done by someone through that program? Instead,.
Buddy Rollins [01:33:11] I have no idea. I don't know that much about that program and
not the experience they would have or anything.
Councilperson Bryant [01:33:22] No, I know something about it. And there are often
people who would be well suited to that kind of a program, particularly with the background
of where first New York for they're prepared to be an employee. So you might consider
that.
Supervisor McGee [01:33:39] Yeah, and didn't we just say that the age is up to age 24?
Councilperson Bryant [01:33:45] Exactly.
Supervisor McGee [01:33:45] Potentially so.
Councilperson Bryant [01:33:48] And they are the ones that are most in need.
Supervisor McGee [01:33:52] Right. And the Town would not be the entity paying for that.
Councilperson Bryant [01:33:57] No.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:34:00] Oh, I was just going to say that with the changeover
of the abstract, I did not have time to do this previously, but I just scanned the voucher that
Buddy was referring to and sent it to the board.
Supervisor McGee [01:34:12] ok
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:34:14] Did that.
Supervisor McGee [01:34:16] Thanks. So is that correct about the age? Limit. Ellen.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:34:23] I is Patricia still on the call, she actually did the
presentation. I don't.
Supervisor McGee [01:34:29] Think she said it was 14 to 24 .
Councilperson Bryant [01:34:30] Eight or 10 to 20.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:34:33] Did you say 18 to 24, Patricia?
Councilperson Bryant [01:34:34] It should be. Well,.
Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Speno [01:34:36] It's the age limit is 14 to 24. Need working
papers up until age 18 or seventeen or eighteen. But I did want to add that to your income
level. The requirement is for the family income is 200 percent above poverty level. So it's
it's good, you know. A little better than most programs.
Supervisor McGee [01:35:02] So we've hired an intern before for summer help. And that
seemed totally doable. So I would ask I personally would ask that the highway
superintendent work with Ellen to look into that and see if there's someone who would be,
especially if there's someone who would be an Enfield resident who would be suited for
that.
Councilperson Bryant [01:35:28] And that's where I think we need to talk to Barrelhouse
Straight.
Buddy Rollins [01:35:33] And that's just what you said, we hire we hired to Intern, which
came from Cornell local roads, which trained by them for three days, and then it's just like
what Mimi said, it's sometimes just more work to get them out in a field and work than what
it really is.
Supervisor McGee [01:35:53] OK. If you hired summer help person, you'd have to train
that person to do that work as well.
Buddy Rollins [01:35:59] I would go to the personnel department and get experience
people. There is experience people that put in applications for those jobs.
Councilperson Redmond [01:36:09] Maybe you could check with the SYEP and see if
they have someone that would qualify.
Councilperson Bryant [01:36:14] Definitely.
Councilperson Lynch [01:36:23] Buddy do you want your resolution offered tonight? If
so, I will move it.
Buddy Rollins [01:36:29] Yes, I would, please.
Councilperson Lynch [01:36:31] OK.
[01:36:32] Now the protocol, of course, it wasn't pre filed. So does the board have to
accept the addition of this resolution before a file?
Buddy Rollins [01:36:41] I sent them all email
Supervisor McGee [01:36:44] I don't mind hearing the resolution as long as it's not a two
page resolution about a one sentence issue.
Councilperson Mehaffey [01:36:50] No. I don't know how we can look at it in the without
the context of the budget discussion.
Councilperson Bryant [01:36:59] I don't know either.
Councilperson Mehaffey [01:37:00] I can't allocate more money till I have that discussion
with the rest of the board. So I can't weigh in on this. It would have to be a no until I know
more about what our budget is, because a budget line is not necessarily money in the
bank. We have to remember that a budget is based on projected revenues, not money in
the bank. So, you know, I, I, I just need to know where we stand a little bit better.
[01:37:32] I mean, I look at it like,.
Councilperson Lynch [01:37:34] You know, it's amended downward.
Supervisor McGee [01:37:38] What did you say Bob.
Councilperson Lynch [01:37:39] A budget is a budget until the board decides in its
collective wisdom that it should be amended downward? And that money is still there.
Councilperson Mehaffey [01:37:48] We have a hiring freeze. So I'll stay with the hiring
freeze.
Councilperson Bryant [01:37:54] I agree.
Councilperson Redmond [01:37:56] I think it would be beneficial to look at the SYEP first
before we decide on this anyway.
Councilperson Lynch [01:38:02] How do I get the impression that there isn't a majority
support for this resolution, so I won't bother to move it tonight? Perhaps, Buddy should
look into that. SYEP option? If that doesn't work, he can come back at a future meeting
and I can enter that resolution at that time.
Councilperson Redmond [01:38:23] I agree.
Councilperson Bryant [01:38:23] I agree
Supervisor McGee [01:38:28] All right. Is there anything else? All right. Thank you, buddy.
Code enforcement report. Alan. Where is Alan? He was there. Maybe his Internet, his.
Foiled. him once again,. I'm here, I think.
Supervisor McGee [01:38:53] Oh, there he is. Hi. What's your different device than
anyone? You want to stay off of video just so your connection stays stronger?
Alan Teeter [01:39:01] Yes, that's fine. OK, so go. So code enforcement from Aye, I did
issue five new building permits. One was for a new modular home on Iradell Road and one
was for a solar permit. Good news is they started to work on the Communications Tower
Fisch Road. I did a couple inspections up there. They've poured concrete to the footing.
And that's up out of the ground. Probably couple of weeks ago. So I expect it in another
couple weeks. So start assembling the power according to their schedule and hopefully be
online, you know, once a month and a half or so. I did, also you the commercial size
greenhouse Hines Road. So I think going to be starting that pretty quick. I do have my new
building codes finally downloaded onto my computer. I had a few only options before, but I
do have it correctly download now, so that's good. I've been reviewing them a little bit, but
there's a lot of information there. Lastly, I'm looking forward to having the office open soon,
although communications have been working well with emails, phone calls, you, you, Lysa,
Dropbox. So that's been working pretty well. But that people coming out again to meet
them in person. That's pretty much all I have. Any questions?
Supervisor McGee [01:40:26] I did want to ask you, Alan. We had passed a resolution to
make it so people who were applying, who needed a public hearing would pay the cost of
the public hearing notice. So can you tell me how many we've had in the last five months
or so since we put that in place and how that if you've received the funds for those public
hearing notices.
Alan Teeter [01:40:57] I have not. I think there's probably only the one that on Hayts
Road. That's kind of it kind of slip by me, so.
Supervisor McGee [01:41:07] OK. So if we could make sure that we keep an eye on that.
And then if Ellen, if you can get public hearing notices for planning board to Alan with the
cost so he can recoup that from the applicant. That would be great.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:41:22] Yes. It was around the realm of forty something
dollars. And I there was one that I inherited. That was something along the line of ninety
dollars, but I didn't place that one. And I'm not sure that it was planning board might have
been something else.
Supervisor McGee [01:41:40] And Alan, you may want to look at the resolution or the
permit list that we had. I didn't. We add it to that. Your permit sheet because there may just
be a flat fee.
Alan Teeter [01:41:55] Yes, I don't believe so, but I would certainly take a look at it.
Supervisor McGee [01:41:59] OK. I thought we added it to the schedule of permit costs.
So, Ellen, do you have your hand up to speak about something or is that. Do I need to put
it down?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [01:42:10] I had it up to mention that going forward. And today
the code officers report and the EVC report are provided with the documents on the page
that I mentioned.
Supervisor McGee [01:42:22] OK, great. Thank you. All right. Any questions for Alan?
OK. The volunteer fire department report.
Alan Teeter [01:42:35] OK, for last month, there were a total of 17 calls, 10 E.M.S. calls.
Three service calls. One motor vehicle accident, three mutual aid calls. One to
Trumansburg and two, to Newfield or perhaps the other way around. I'm not sure. I can't
read my notes very well. And then the training is coming up this month on the 11th. We're
doing a scene size up training which will be a PowerPoint presentation. On the 18th, we're
doing a gear inspection and our turn out here on the 25th. We're having training on Gorge
Rescue. I think they'll probably at the station going protocols for that. Last couple of things.
Next officers meeting will be on June 30th. And we have an upcoming blood drive. I
believe on the 21st of July, I'll let you know next month. And the Red Cross has asked us
to extend out to two days because of the amount of people coming in. It's taking longer
than anticipated. Apparently, they did get out there last night, about nine o'clock at night.
So they've asked to extend about two days. So we voted the other night to go out and let
them do that.
Supervisor McGee [01:43:52] OK. You guys are back to regular operations and meetings
and trainings. How are you doing that at this point?
Alan Teeter [01:44:00] Pretty much last month, we went back to having our general
meetings and board directors meeting with the socially distance at our meeting room.
We're doing the same thing with our training. I'm doing the PowerPoint presentations. I'm
going to start up with our trainees again with hands on maintaining social distancing. I
think we'll be all set and back on track this month.
Supervisor McGee [01:44:23] Thank you. Anyone else have questions? All right. Thank
you, Alan. You're welcome. Dan Walker, planning board report.
Dan Walker [01:44:37] Yes. Well, we didn't do anything this month. We just canceled the
meeting, there wasn't a lot of activity? We had our planning board meeting, virtually. And.
Several of the planning board members had very poor connections, so I didn't feel we
could get too many positive things done with with Via zoom type meetings right now. So
hopefully we can. When we can open up again, we can have a meaning in person, soon.
Supervisor McGee [01:45:21] Well, it seems like you could have conversation once you
get. You know, they don't have to have an Internet connection. They can call in using a
phone or a landline. But it seems like, especially if you were to take on the NYStretch
information, I don't know how long that whole process would take for you, but it seems like
you might be able to do that. So a lot of that if if you have that information from Lou and
Terry, if you could forward it to the planning board and then have them review it and then
send their comments and email and have some start of a conversation in that way. So
we're not. So you have some communication and we're getting a process going.
Dan Walker [01:46:01] We can do that. But there hasn't been that much activity in the
Town. Alan, did you say there was one? Subdivision. We've talked about before.
Alan Teeter [01:46:23] That's correct. I have not got the survey map yet, but there's going
to be a three parcel's subdivision down off Van Austin road on Town Thomas Road.
Dan Walker [01:46:36] OK.
Alan Teeter [01:46:36] So the survey will probably be done in the next week or so. You'll
be on the agenda for next month.
Dan Walker [01:46:43] OK, good. So we will try to get the. Everybody on board with phone
calls and we'll get information out from our next meeting virtually if we still have to, and we
can open up sooner.
Supervisor McGee [01:47:02] So just to let you know, Dan, that it takes some significant
coordination for the meetings. So if we can have notification of that, if it had a board with
that and notices can go out. Meetings can be planned. The ideas and the information can
go out much sooner than the meeting. That's very helpful because, you know, canceling is
quick, but setting it up and setting it up. Good. I have to coordinate it and facilitate it takes
a while.
Dan Walker [01:47:32] I'll keep that in mind. OK, great.
Supervisor McGee [01:47:35] All right. Any questions for Dan? Ellen, do you have a
question for Dan? OK, thanks, Dan.
Dan Walker [01:47:48] OK.
Supervisor McGee [01:47:49] TCOG.
Councilperson Lynch [01:47:52] TCOG has not met since we last convened. They will be
meeting later this month. They meet only once every two months now. There is one county
matter which I can bring to your attention. Anne Koreman briefly touched on. And that's
regarding redistricting. I monitored the Governmental Operations Committee meeting of
last Thursday. And there are two proposals that are being advanced. In any case, you're
probably not going to see a change in the redistricting of Tompkins County until 2023
because it just can't get the statistics from the new census done in time to recalculate the
districts, reconstruct them in time for the twenty twenty one election when all 14 seats of
the legislature will come up. So Town of Enfield is still going to be divided down the middle
for at least another two years. The two options briefly, that are being considered are.
Supervisor McGee [01:48:44] Is this a TCOG issue?
Councilperson Lynch [01:48:46] This is that this is a municipal inter municipal question
that will come up, I'm sure, at the TCOG meeting this week or this month. And that is the
two options are to have the to have a two year term elected in 2021 and then in 2023 have
four year terms elected. The alternative by Mike Lane, the Dryden legislator, is to have just
a one year period elected in 2021 and then in 2020 to put the legislative terms, make them
consistent with the gubernatorial terms. So you would be voting for the the the county
legislature in the same year you'd vote for the governor. So two options. They probably will
go before the county legislature next Tuesday. So monitor that if the town of Enfield
wanted to take a position on either one of those options. They certainly could.
Supervisor McGee [01:49:49] Anybody have questions for Bob? About the TCOG
information. Thank you. All right. Quarterly reports. I do not see Maureen here.So. I don't
see her for the. AMC report. So Enfield Community Council Courtney Bailey said she
wanted to be on to give a report. At the June meeting. I don't see her either. Does anybody
see Ann Rider?
Councilperson Bryant [01:50:38] I was at their last meeting.
Supervisor McGee [01:50:39] OK.
Councilperson Bryant [01:50:40] As a liaison and their was, as you can imagine, a ton of
discussion about whether or not to have Summercamp. And there was a lot of, what I don't
want to say handwringing because that's not appropriate. But it wasn't really decided at
that meeting. But then I read the subsequent emails. We talked about it. I just listened. But
we talked about it back and forth. And it really seemed like there was really putting it out
there very straight and forward that having a summer camp with the kind of restrictions
that would be appropriate for CoVid 19 would be totally inappropriate for children. And
then they came out with their formal announcement.
Supervisor McGee [01:51:31] ...and they did mention, it was like two days later and said
they weren't going to have summercamps.
Councilperson Bryant [01:51:38] I think there are it's a good a good resource for SYEP
and other things we might do with youth. Because they were talking about coming down
the pike. If there was a way to do special events and someone. But nobody knows what
we can do or not do. Certainly that voiced very strongly by many members of the people
on the board. But no camp
Supervisor McGee [01:52:08] oK? So I'm not. Thank you, Virginia. I'm not seeing either
Courtney or Ann here, so. All right. But yes, Ellen, I would stress that if you could
communicate with Vera and I will come out and say what you want to do that, too. All right.
Well, maybe we can if we can both communicate and you can.
Councilperson Bryant [01:52:37] I am going to talk to Vera and give her some ideas that
I know from my background. And her talk to Patricia, too.
Supervisor McGee [01:52:44] OK, great.
Councilperson Bryant [01:52:45] And then talk Alan to.
Supervisor McGee [01:52:48] All right. Thank you. Lisa Monroe, let me find you. There
you are. Lisa, welcome. Lisa's reporting on the Tompkins County Youth Board. There she
is.
Lisa Monroe [01:53:07] Hi there. All right. Good. So, yeah, I just want to kind of echo what
Virginia was saying, because I'm on the council, too. So, yeah, it was quite a discussion.
And there's some work to be done around that. And I think there's some opportunities that
we could all jump on with that. I know I have my own three teenagers that need something
to do this summer. So, yeah. And I also want to thank you, Beth, and I hope it's OK to say
this. It's not really my report from the Youth Services, but your words during the privilege of
the floor, your encouragement of the Black Lives Matter charge. I mean, you know, I'm
here and I know this is a difficult time on many levels for people, but if I can help in any
way and Enfield. I'm here to do that. So I want to put that out there.
Councilperson Bryant [01:54:10] Lisa, I would like you to contact me through my e-mail.
Lisa Monroe [01:54:14] Sure.
Councilperson Bryant [01:54:15] Thank you.
Lisa Monroe [01:54:16] Thank you. So as far as a youth services in Tompkins County
Youth Services, we haven't had a board meeting since my last report March. But the pitch
program has happened virtually, which is great. Some of the organizations organizations
that we're actually in, it had pulled out because they were unable to do it because of
CoVid. However, the rest of the organizations that participated received a percent of their
asks, which was funded about seventeen thousand dollars out of the twenty thousand
dollars that was actually allocated to go toward that, including Enfield are E.C. C And the
CCE Rural Youth Services received five hundred dollars for Enfield generational program,
which is some to me as the director of the Office for Aging. I appreciate any kind of
intergenerational programing and representing the youth. It's important to me as far as the
budget, the resource allocation subcommittee of the Youth Advisory Board will be meeting
on this Wednesday. The results of that will be passed on to the full board on the virtual
meeting on June 22nd at. You know, all county departments have been asked to prepare
two budgets. Oh, a flat budget and one with a 12 percent reduction. So that is something
that the Youth Services is dealing with in pretty much municipalities can anticipate a twelve
percent cut across the board. Eight other agencies that are associated with youth services
could just anticipate a nine percent cut across the board. So that's kind of where we are
right now. I don't know for sure what it is and questions, but it's it's been a tough time. It's
kind of all I have to say.
Supervisor McGee [01:56:23] For sure. And we receive funds from the county for
Summercamp towards Summercamp. It's like eight hundred seventy seven dollars. And I
got that check. And then I was going to deposit it. And then I like, well, wait, we're not
having summercamp.
Lisa Monroe [01:56:39] Interesting.
Supervisor McGee [01:56:40] Though. Would you be willing to look into that and get back
down about that? Absolutely. OK. Because if we need to if that's, you know, if that's
something that's not happening, then I mean, E.C.C their processes, they would go
through and they would do their receipts and everything and provide a report and all that.
And if they don't have camp, they're not going to have that. So that's ah that funding is
contingent upon that.
Lisa Monroe [01:57:04] Absolutely. Yeah. I'll get back to you, Beth.
Supervisor McGee [01:57:06] OK, great. Thank you.
Lisa Monroe [01:57:08] You're welcome. Thank you.
Supervisor McGee [01:57:11] Anybody have questions for Lisa? All right. Thanks, Lisa.
Lisa Monroe [01:57:18] You're welcome.
Supervisor McGee [01:57:22] All right. Tompkins County Youth Rep Partnership, Mimi.
Councilperson Mehaffey [01:57:30] We've been meeting. Our next meeting is scheduled
for the June twenty third. But I think we're going to have another meeting before that
because the budget is really up in the air at this point. It looks like the county is going to
cut the budget for the rec partnership by about 12 percent. The city will then follow suit.
Those are the two big funders to that. I think they're over 50 percent of it. So we're kind of
looking at what that means. What they're suggesting is that everybody would get a 12
percent across the board cut or they're also being asked to produce a flat budget. I have
emailed them and at the last meeting I did ask them for a breakdown of a revenue
expense projection with a breakdown of fixed costs and projected programing given
whatever they know at the present. And I said our board is interested in looking at these
numbers to understand where the money went. With so little program offerings before
coming to next year's before committing to next year's budget, I'm open to another. I told
them I was open to another meeting prior to the twenty third. As long as we have more
information to base our discussion around. I don't want to just base our discussion around
what the county and the city is doing. There are a lot of fixed costs associated with these
programs. There are salaries. There are insurance. There is building maintenance costs.
Are still landscaping costs that go on. So it's not like, oh, there's no programing. So there's
no money spent. But I would like to be able to bring to the board where the six thousand
dollars that we give the REC partnership went, given that we won't have any youth
participating this year. And it's possible that they'll be able to get some fall stuff going.
They don't know at this point. It's it's why I asked for a projection for what programs they
might be providing and what those costs are. So that's where I am right now. If anyone has
any questions, I'm happy to answer them. But I'm looking for more information to give you,
because the only information I have at this point is, is that 12 percent by the city and the
county and they're projecting that the towns might do the same.
Councilperson Bryant [01:59:48] So thank you Mimi. Those are excellent questions. I
hope we get answers.
Supervisor McGee [01:59:53] I appreciate your putting that out there, because when you
first sent that email, that was my you know, my first concern is how do we know? I mean, I
don't mind keeping the funding in place if we know that it's used for, you know, continuing
development of some sort. But I'd really need to know what that looks like and what
they're. And it's so hard right now for anybody to make projections in future plans for
anything. So. So I got it. I got it. So thank you. Anybody else have questions for Mimi?
Thank you. Oh, right. So Becky is not here. Stephanie, do you want to give a report on the
IO?
Councilperson Redmond [02:00:38] Sure. So it's it's kind of at the same place they were
last time Becky gave a report. They're working on sort of reorganization and figure out
ways that they can reach a further audience and get more done with the money. But they
have they currently, I think, have about a 60 thousand dollar bank account in there.
They're deciding whether or not they're going to hire a full time Web, watershed manager
and a grant writer. So they're trying to figure out, you know, whether that would be
beneficial to them or not. They have placed a couple of grants this year to organizations
like Discover Cayuga Lake and Community Science Institute for, you know, keeping them
moving along and giving them some equipment that they need. So it's kind of a brief
report, but that's where they are.
Supervisor McGee [02:01:29] Thank you. Any questions? Thank you, Stephanie. All right.
So we don't have a representative for the consortium right now unless Mimi you have been
keeping track of that?
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:01:45] No.
Supervisor McGee [02:01:45] OK. Ellen. Did you have something to say about the
consortium?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:01:57] I did. I did so because we don't currently have a
representative and because I had volunteered at the beginning of the year, I did attend
their last meeting. So I attended their last meeting and they were discussing a lot of
complicated things. And there's a lot of people on there. So I, I you know, I'm getting up to
speed. I understand that it's it's very complicated to manage such a large endeavor. And
so I plan to attend meetings until we can find a representative, because I don't feel that at
this time the Town court can devote the time that is needed. It is, but is a very important
endeavor. And I would just encourage any Enfield interested person to apply and I can
share with them the materials that I have.
Supervisor McGee [02:02:52] Do you want to post a notice on the Web site?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:02:54] I would.
Supervisor McGee [02:02:56] Great.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:02:56] That would be great.
Supervisor McGee [02:02:58] All right. Thanks for attending that. Yeah, it's complicated to
go to the meetings, but I think that the meetings actually are you can do it remotely even
when it's not during CoVid. At this point. So if somebody doesn't have to get all the way up
to T.C. three to do a meeting, then a lot of their meetings are up there at this point. And
yeah, it's complicated to administer it, too. So it's it's it's a lot. It's a lot of work. Thank you.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:03:25] I. Did. I did. I did read the last email sent last week
from them from the consortium. And they did update us that all deductibles are being
waived for CoVid related illnesses. So anyone that has the health insurance should know
that and and be aware of them.
Supervisor McGee [02:03:45] Great. Thank you. All right. Cemetery committee, is there
anything further with cemetery committee?
Councilperson Lynch [02:03:53] Not much. I can defer to Sue Thompson, who may have
some additional perspectives. All I can say is I mowed Budd Cemetery myself yesterday
because I thought it needed it. And presumably Matt Lincoln wouldn't get to it till months
end so. So Sue do you have anything to say?
Supervisor McGee [02:04:12] So. Suze dissing us. She's unmuted.
Councilperson Lynch [02:04:20] In any event,.
[02:04:21] Anyway.
Councilperson Lynch [02:04:22] Everything, perfectly stable.
Supervisor McGee [02:04:24] So I connected with Matt. I have a burial coordinator,
updated contract signed for him to step in and sign at the Town Clerk's office. So they'll
coordinate that. And also, I am going to because there is nobody to do this work. And it
needs to be done. I have asked him to look at the Town spots by the park and ride by the
sign and by the community building alongside of the building. That makes everything look
like garbage in Town. And it never gets tended to. And it's hard to find volunteers to do
that. So I've asked him to give me an estimate of what that would be and it would just
come out of the building fund. So. And I wouldn't expect to have that done any more than
like once every other month should take him an hour Max. All right, OK. So if there's
nothing else for the cemetery committee, I will move that we adopt the consent agenda,
which will include the audit claims and a resolution to appoint Stephanie Redmond, the
alternate to the Cayuga Lake Watershed Inter municipal organization. I spoke with Becky
and Stephanie, and they're both attending these meetings. So it's reasonable that
Stephanie would serve as the alternate to that and she's agreed to do that.
Councilperson Lynch [02:05:57] I'll Second it.
Supervisor McGee [02:05:59] OK, Ellen, would you read the audit claims, please?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:06:08] OK. I just wanted to give a shout out to the
bookkeeper for helping us really streamline the process this this month. So I'm going to
read the Town board authorizes the supervisor to pay general fund vouchers, one twenty
two to one thirty nine. Dated June 10th. Twenty twenty in the amount of ten thousand one
hundred and three dollars and four cents. Highway fund vouchers. Eighty to ninety two
dated June 10th. Twenty twenty in the amount of twenty nine thousand four hundred and
seventy two dollars and eighty two cents. Fire Department Fund Voucher 140. Dated June
10th. Twenty twenty in the amount of six thousand five hundred and sixteen dollars. And
twenty five cents.
Supervisor McGee [02:07:03] Thank you. And that fire voucher is for the quarterly
payment of workers comp. All right. And so let's see, what did I do, that resolution? So the
resolution is what number do we have, Ellen?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:07:20] I. Believe it's 51.
Supervisor McGee [02:07:24] Resolution twenty twenty fifty one to appoint alternate to
Cayuga lake Watershed Inter Municipal Organization, whereas the Enfield Town board
has determined that participation in the coordination and management of water resources
benefits the town of Enfield. And whereas the Cayuga Lake Watershed Inter Municipal
Organization provides support and coordination to municipalities for these concerns.
Therefore, be it resolved. The Enfield Town board appoints Deputy Town supervisor
Stepahnie Redmond. Stephanie Redmond, are you objecting, Stephanie?
Deputy Supervisor Redmond [02:07:55] Sorry, I haven't been.
Supervisor McGee [02:08:00] To the position of alternate. On behalf of the town of Enfield
on the Cayuga Lake Watershed Inter municipal organization. So are there any other
comments on the is there any discussion on the consent agenda? All right. Could you call
the vote, please, Ellen?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:08:18] Councilperson Bryant.
[02:08:19] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:08:21] Councilperson Lynch.
Councilperson Lynch [02:08:23] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:08:24] Councilperson Mahaffey,.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:08:27] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:08:28] Councilperson Redmond
Councilperson Redmond [02:08:30] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:08:31] Supervisor McGee.
Supervisor McGee [02:08:32] Aye Thank you. And I'm going to Second Ellen's comment
about Brian. He has been fantastic to work with. He has been great at Self starting just any
complicated thing that we came about. And Debbie. She did a fantastic job keeping things
in order, and so it's been easy for me to find things, it's just been very time consuming to
do it and coordinating it, getting things to him and setting up with the retirement system.
Just access for him to get on and be the reporting person for that still isn't complete
because they have a very integrated system. And but today we had, you know, went
through payroll things and just he there was an issue with trying to find how we would
report and make payment for something. And I reached out to Debbie with a text. It took
like 15 minutes for her to get back to me with just a simple little thing. And then I sent it to
him and he had it done in less than a half an hour. I mean, so everything is going very
smoothly with him. I'm really, really pleased with how quickly he's getting things in order.
And I'm hoping that those tasks can become even more streamlined. When we talk later
about the Williamson Cloud.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:10:04] I also I just wanted to Second your comment. Brian
has been fantastic and Debbie really had my back. Through my entire first few months and
was so understanding and kind. So, you know, it's two different flavors. But I wasn't trying
to imply that anyone was better.
Supervisor McGee [02:10:22] Oh, no. Yeah. I mean, I have been great. Yeah, they've
been terrific. So I appreciate that. All right. So we'll move on to old business proposals for
new laws appointed and elected. So there's information provided for. So there's actually
two proposals for each of these positions. And actually, to your comment earlier, Ellen,
there is no Mecca's mechanism for the Town supervisor to become an appointed Town
supervisor unless there's a vacancy and a Town supervisor is appointed for that for the
rest of that term.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:11:10] Right. But if you understand incumbency. Which I
believe everyone on this board doesn't understand, incumbency like the political power of
incumbency.
Supervisor McGee [02:11:20] Hmm.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:11:22] And then the term was to become four years. It could
essentially be a five and a half year appointment.
Supervisor McGee [02:11:30] Essentially, it could be there have been Town supervisors
that have served for many, many more years than that with two year appointments. So it
just depends on how they're. What a great job they're doing. You know, I if I if the
supervisor had a four year term and I loved how they were doing it, then I would have I
would vote for them for another four year term and be happy with eight years. You know, I
mean, if they're Town wanted to put term limits on that, I suppose they could do that
ultimately. But I'm not attached to it personally because I'm not gonna be one of the people
benefiting from it. So except that I'll be living in a town where there will be an opportunity
for a town supervisor to have time to learn and get to know the process and to work with
their own budget before they have to start running for office again in 14 months.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:12:21] I hear you. The Town Clerk also has an extremely
steep learning curve.
Supervisor McGee [02:12:25] Mm hmm. And that's why an appointed position would be
terrific, because then the Town would be beholden to having that be more appropriately
handled, the tand more appropriately paid for the Town court.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:12:42] The Town Clerk, the Town courts office. The idea
that that that someone would trade the dignity of elected office for minimum wage or a
living wage for this work is sort of laughable. It's not $15 an hour work.
Supervisor McGee [02:12:57] Only our worry right now a board our. This is a board
discussion right now. So we're going to move on. All right. So there are two proposals for
the Town, Clerk and the highway, one is for the term to end it only in the event that the
voters determine that they want the positions to be appointed, that the terms would end
December 31st of this year. The other proposal is for the end of this existing term. So I
guess what I would do is move that we begin a discussion on these three local laws.
Councilperson Lynch [02:13:57] As I said at the outset, that I will oppose those local
laws as the supervisor is Advance. I gave my reasons for privilege of the floor. I've also
written extensively about it. I will not be redundant. Will not be repetitive. Will not state the
same things over again. One thought that came to my mind during the week.
Supervisor McGee [02:14:18] We're not going to discuss it, discuss it unless there's a
Second to discuss from Second of the most.
Councilperson Lynch [02:14:25] I do not. I do not Second.
Councilperson Redmond [02:14:28] Second. I'd like to at least have a discussion about
it.
Councilperson Bryant [02:14:32] I feel we need to have a discussion about it. It's not
going to take place tonight. Totally. It's a discussion that needs appropriate time to look
over and think about. For the benefit of the Town population.
Supervisor McGee [02:14:51] OK, so either way, we would have to have a public hearing
on each of the ones that are proposed. So I guess to move forward. Do we want to set a
public hearing on the town supervisor position being changed to four years from two
years? Do you want to move that to public hearing?
Councilperson Redmond [02:15:28] I would like to hear what people have to say about it.
What their concerns are and what the benefits they see in it.
Councilperson Bryant [02:15:35] No, I'm actually I feel that being just a matter of
appointed rather than elected. I've never felt comfortable with the way Town was operated,
I guess because of my background in business, that it just has been very difficult.
Supervisor McGee [02:15:55] So right now I'm proposing I'm asking whether or not will. I
guess I will move that we set a public hearing date for the proposal of the term of
supervised Town supervisor being changed from two years to four years. And.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:16:21] Second that
Supervisor McGee [02:16:22] Mimi did you Second?
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:16:24] Yes.
Supervisor McGee [02:16:24] OK. Is there more discussion?
Councilperson Bryant [02:16:37] Where are we going with the idea of appointed versus
elected?
Supervisor McGee [02:16:41] Right now we're trying to eliminate this within the motion
made to have these discussions. So the first one, because there's not more than one
proposal. I'm just putting forward that we would have a public hearing on this so we can
hear the public comment on this issue.
Councilperson Bryant [02:16:56] That would be appropriate because it's not going to be
a short deal. You know, we're not slamming it down on anybody. So, yes, I would
understand that. Now.
Supervisor McGee [02:17:08] All right. Any other?
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:17:11] I think there's a lot of there's pros and cons if there is
a huge learning curve, as you've pointed out, a number number of times, Beth. And you
did each supervisor, when they get elected do, inherit somebody else's budget, which is
also brought up by you. And it's a very good point. And then they have to run again well
before they even see what their budget is doing and how it's working. And before the
public can see whether it's working or not working so well, I. I sometimes cringe because
maybe I don't want that supervisor for four years. I also think to give anybody a fair shot,
they need those four years in order to establish policy and see it through. I mean, you can't
even get a grant and get real up in two years. There's no way you can do that. You know,
you've been to one AOT meeting. You know, it it just doesn't make sense to have the
supervisor position be two year position. The Clerk also has a huge learning curve and
have had to have them run again. You know, a few months after may.. You know, maybe
they inherited, you know, messy books. or maybe they, you know, took a while to get up to
speed. I don't think we're going to know, you know, where our Town Clerk is and that she
is not going to know in 14 months when before she has to decide whether she or he to run
for reelection. So I'm in favor of a public hearing. I don't know how I'l vote on it in the end,
but I want to hear what the public has to say about it.
Supervisor McGee [02:18:55] OK, And to. I'm not opposed to it because the question has
come up several times about whether or not the two positions, the highway superintendent
and the Clerk, should be elected or appointed. So the mechanism is in place for that vote
to happen for the public to make that decision. And if the public decides that they would
like to have the positions remain elected, I think it's totally reasonable. In the next term to
put forward a four year proposition for those two terms, because I do think that the same
situation applies for the positions. And like you said, Mimi, there is a big learning curve. If
there's a new highway superintended that comes in, they have to the employees have to
get acclimated to them and their work style and they have to learn that department, that
highway department. It's totally reasonable to me that this would be four year terms.
Because of that. So I would come to I would come to a Town board meeting and ask after
the public determines how they would like these positions to be administered, if we would
increase those positions to 40 times.
Councilperson Bryant [02:20:13] Well, I'm not going to add a lot of verbiage that you've
both stated exactly how I feel.
Councilperson Lynch [02:20:19] Bob, did you have comment? Yes. If the public hearing
is to be held on establishing a longer term for the Town supervisor, it should also be held
for extending the highway superintendants term and a Town Clerk's term to four years as
well.
Supervisor McGee [02:20:41] Well, then you should put together those laws to propose
them and meet the 90 day deadline.
Councilperson Lynch [02:20:49] I've done That was put forward a month ago.
Supervisor McGee [02:20:51] OK.
Councilperson Lynch [02:20:52] Didn't you read them?
Supervisor McGee [02:20:55] Probably not.
Councilperson Lynch [02:20:55] They're Here. They'd been filed for about six weeks or
so, maybe two months.
Councilperson Bryant [02:21:08] I have to add, I've been I've been troubled since I
started serving in the Town board. By the way, it works. In terms of employees and where
they were positions that mean a term for a two year super supervisor, Town Clerk, I mean,
how can you learn your position? You can't miss your subtrend genius.
Councilperson Lynch [02:21:34] But the flip side of that is to have...
Councilperson Bryant [02:21:36] That I mean, you're not serving the Town population
properly.
Councilperson Lynch [02:21:42] What happens if you get a bad supervisor or a bad town
clerk or a bad highway superintendent? Present company excluded. Ten years down the
road, we're not on the board. We have a bad town supervisor...
Councilperson Bryant [02:21:53] Based on Supervisor McGee. There's really agenda.
Supervisor McGee [02:21:57] Bob is speaking Virginia. Bob is speaking.
Councilperson Bryant [02:22:01] I'm sorry, go ahead. Oh, yes.
Councilperson Lynch [02:22:03] You. What if you get a bad Town supervisor again,
present company excluded. Ten years down the road, you get somebody who is borderline
crooked. OK, or he steps on all kinds of people's rights and authority. And you just want to
get him out of there or her out of there. And you can't because there four year terms. I like
the two year term better. I even like it for the ministerial positions of highway
superintendent and Clerk. But I think if you're going to increase the term of office for the
Town supervisor, you should also do it for elected positions of Clerk and highway
superintendant.
Supervisor McGee [02:22:44] OK, so, yes, Stephanie.
Councilperson Redmond [02:22:49] I personally don't think that is something that should
be up to the Town board to decide one way or another, and that's why I think we should
have a public hearing. And I think that it should be put to a vote for the people to vote on. I
think if these were given to the populace's, they could decide whether or not they thought it
would be better to have a two year or four year term. And then, you know, if they thought it
was beneficial to have a two year or four year then, then they should be their voice. They
shouldn't be the five of us deciding this.
[02:23:17] Right.
[02:23:18] I agree with that.
Supervisor McGee [02:23:20] So, Bob, we can say the only. The other thing that I wanted
to do to kind of streamline it, we can certainly have the conversation after having a public
hearing. But I'm happy to have your proposals. At the public hearing and did they have a
question, a ballot question attached to them? That would be the question that would be on
the ballot.
Councilperson Lynch [02:23:51] Ellen, didn't I submit them to you? And I think I
submitted them to the all the board members.
Supervisor McGee [02:23:57] All right. So I'll take a look, see if I could find that. And so.
Let's make a motion than my motion is to set the public hearing date and I'll amend my
motion that we set them, set the public hearing date for all of the items.
Councilperson Lynch [02:24:15] Does this include the appointive nature of Clerk?
Supervisor McGee [02:24:19] Yes. Yes,.
Councilperson Lynch [02:24:21] I will oppose that.
Supervisor McGee [02:24:24] You don't want to have a public hearing, you don't want to
hear what the public has to say about it.
Councilperson Lynch [02:24:29] I will say that, as I said, and that privilege of the floor.
Councilperson Lynch [02:24:32] I don't want to tear this community apart anymore. It
won't be redundant.
Supervisor McGee [02:24:36] OK.
Supervisor McGee [02:24:39] All right. Well, I mean, a motion to set a public hearing date
and then I get a public hearing date to. Hear, comment on. How many did you have? Bob?
Councilperson Lynch [02:24:57] I have two,.
Supervisor McGee [02:24:58] OK,.
Councilperson Lynch [02:24:59] One for highway superintendent and one for Clerk.
Supervisor McGee [02:25:01] OK, great for the. Proposals that Bob put forward for both
of the proposals for length of term and changing the term to. Appointed from elected and
also the four year from two year term for the Town supervisor.
Councilperson Bryant [02:25:27] Seven different proposals.
Supervisor McGee [02:25:30] It'll be a very active public hearing.
Councilperson Bryant [02:25:34] Did you hear that I Second it?
Supervisor McGee [02:25:36] I did. So this is an amendment. Is there any other
discussion you heard on board? All right. Ellen, would you please call the vote on that
amendment?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:25:52] Before I call the vote, I'm going to say for the record
that I find the talk about.
Supervisor McGee [02:25:58] This is a board decision. We're voting. I've called the vote if
you'd like to call the vote. Please do that. We've we're not taking comment anymore about
it. Please, Call the vote.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:26:13] Councilperson Bryant.
[02:26:16] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:26:17] Councilperson Lynch.
Councilperson Lynch [02:26:19] Nay.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:26:21] Councilperson Mahaffey.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:26:24] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:26:25] Councilperson Redmond.
Councilperson Redmond [02:26:28] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:26:28] Supervisor McGee.
Supervisor McGee [02:26:30] Aye. Thank you. All right. So that was an amendment to the
motion to have the discussion about these. So we already decided we're going to have a
public hearing. So do we want to set a public hearing date? I mean, it could be fairly long.
So and actually we could put together another abstract because there may be a few
prepays and also a the one for Buddy that didn't get in under the wire. So we could add
that as well. For consent agenda. If We did it in a couple of weeks. There needs to be
reporting time. So. Time to advertise.
Councilperson Redmond [02:27:22] June 24th.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:27:27] Now works for me.
Supervisor McGee [02:27:37] I think that might be cutting it close for time. Could we do
the 30th?
Councilperson Redmond [02:27:44] On a Tuesday? Do you do not want to switch it to
the next to the Wednesday, just keep Wednesdays consistent the 1st?
Supervisor McGee [02:27:52] That's a Planning Board meeting.
Councilperson Redmond [02:27:54] Oh, that's right. OK. OK. That's fine with me to do it
on the 30th.
Councilperson Bryant [02:28:00] June 30th?
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:28:02] I can do it.
Supervisor McGee [02:28:05] You can do that, Mimi Second.
Councilperson Bryant [02:28:08] June 30th.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:28:11] Yes.
Supervisor McGee [02:28:13] And Ellen, are you gonna be in attendance or will Patricia
have to do that?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:28:25] I will definitely be in attendance.
Supervisor McGee [02:28:27] Great. So June 30th. And then that public notice will need
to go out this week.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:28:36] That will be a joy for me to do.
Supervisor McGee [02:28:39] You know, this is part of the legislative process. It's
happened in many towns. It happens in many more towns, more and more all the time.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:28:46] You are subverting the electoral process for our
special election and trying to ...
Supervisor McGee [02:28:55] All right, so we're going to do that on June 30th. 6:30?
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:29:01] Yes
Supervisor McGee [02:29:14] All right.
Councilperson Lynch [02:29:15] Can we have a vote on this?
Supervisor McGee [02:29:17] We can I move that we have a public hearing for the
proposals to change the terms and nature of the offices of Highway Superintendent and
Super and Town Clerk on June 30th, 6:30. Is there a second?
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:29:39] The public hearing as to whether or not to put it on
the ballot?
Supervisor McGee [02:29:42] Yes.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:29:43] Yes. OK, so we're not we're not having a public
hearing to change it. We're having a public hearing to put it on the ballot?
Supervisor McGee [02:29:50] So the public hearing is to hear public comment.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:29:53] Yes.
Supervisor McGee [02:29:53] And then the board votes whether or not to put it on the
ballot. So you vote to adopt a law and then the law does not go into effect until the voters
vote on it and approve it.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:30:07] I just wanted to be clear before the public hearing
that...
Supervisor McGee [02:30:11] This public hearing is about whether or not the voters get to
vote on it.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:30:16] Yes.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:30:17] Is it also about whether or not the voters get to vote
in November for the next supervisor? Can we talk about that, too?
Supervisor McGee [02:30:26] First of all, again, when you're elected to the Town board,
you can interject to the community, to the conversation anytime you like. If the person is
facilitating the meeting and the board agree, but you are not elected to the board. So I
would ask that you please refrain from making comments during the conversation.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:30:44] Absolutely.
Supervisor McGee [02:30:44] I'd appreciate that.
Councilperson Lynch [02:30:45] I would like to hear Ellen's comment.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:30:48] No.
[02:30:48] Totally inappropriate.
Supervisor McGee [02:30:55] All right. All right. So who seconded that?
Councilperson Bryant [02:31:08] I did.
Supervisor McGee [02:31:09] Virginia Second.
Councilperson Bryant [02:31:11] Yes.
Supervisor McGee [02:31:15] OK. Please, Call the vote.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:31:18] Councilperson Bryant.
Councilperson Bryant [02:31:19] Aye
[02:31:22] Councilperson Lynch.
[02:31:24] Proudly, no.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:31:27] Councilperson Mahaffey.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:31:28] Aye.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:31:30] Councilperson Redmond.
Councilperson Redmond [02:31:32] Aye.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:31:33] Supervisor McGee,.
Supervisor McGee [02:31:35] Aye. thank you. All right. All right. So the reopening plan.
Wehere is, Betty. Betty still here. There's Betty I'm going to unmute, Betty, because I, I just
wanted to ask her a couple of questions. Betty, I'm trying to unmute you are you there?
Betty Poole, are you there?
Betty Poole [02:32:30] Yes, I am.
Supervisor McGee [02:32:30] There you are. Hi. Thank you for providing all the
information that you have from the the district. It's been helpful. And I just wanted to
double check with you. Are you sure that you don't want a barrier? Because Norm is going
to be putting some together for the Clerk's office.
Betty Poole [02:32:55] Where first? Well, where would we put it?
Supervisor McGee [02:32:58] Just on the bench.
Betty Poole [02:33:02] I don't. Not the way we hold court there usually. Well, they could
put it down if he wanted to. But I don't think it's necessary at this particular point because.
We're only going to. I mean, it'll stay there permanently, correct?
Supervisor McGee [02:33:27] No, no,.
Betty Poole [02:33:28] It'll.
Supervisor McGee [02:33:29] It's. Yeah, it's just a temporary structure that has like stands
and then the Plexiglas goes across. There's like maybe eight inches at the bottom to pass
things through. And maybe if you had a court microphone, you could stick that toward the
bottom so you could capture conversation from people. But it's it would be a plexiglass
barrier that would cover the length of your bench or a portion of it.
Betty Poole [02:33:57] Oh, that's I, I didn't realize that it would be portable, that I had
something permanent. But yes, that's fine. I have no objections to that.
Supervisor McGee [02:34:09] OK. I can talk to him about that and have him do some
measurements and get that going. It just seems like that would be safer that we're doing in
the Clerk's office. Protecting the public as well as staff. So.
Betty Poole [02:34:30] Thank you for asking.
Supervisor McGee [02:34:31] Sure. So another question. So I did Mimi and I have
spoken to the and Ncourt people Ncourt in like like. I think it's Ncourt people a couple of
years in a row at EOT. And their program is not. It's totally it's like the preferred program
through New York State. That works with the courtroom program. And it integrates with
that very well. And there is no cost to the Town for that. And it could well reduce the need
for in person, which a lot of people are really hoping to be able to have that choice going
forward. So I did want to talk to the board and you about that possibility. Where are the
notes about that on the back of my agenda. So let's see. It's the preferred partner for
online payments with New York State's software. And people can enter their last name,
date of birth in the case number to access. It's easy to implement. They do all the work in
the setup and training for it for you. Payments and everything. Deposits are done like tri
weekly, they said. So everything is done automatically. And the cost is. What did they say?
Six point nine, nine percent plus a dollar. So if somebody had A, if I walked in and I had a
two hundred dollar fine, my charge would be fourteen dollars and ninety eight cents. If I
didn't have to go to court and that was an option for me, that would my time is worth so
much more than 14 dollars, and .98 eight cents in my life. And even less if it was one
hundred dollar fine. You know, seven ninety nine would be the fee for one hundred dollar
fine. And the person wouldn't have to travel to Enfield if they're from out of town. And it's
just one more option to provide service and access when they call it access to justice for
people.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:36:56] And they don't have to choose that option.
Supervisor McGee [02:36:58] No, they don't The other options are still available.
Betty Poole [02:37:09] We looked into this before and it took about a week for the moneys
to get in to the account. If it went through any court,.
Supervisor McGee [02:37:29] So they actually said they do tri weekly deposits now.
Betty Poole [02:37:34] OK. I'd like to. Look into it a little bit further myself.
Supervisor McGee [02:37:46] OK, well, I can connect the board and you with Tim. I think
her name is Tim Remington. I think that's his last name. And if anybody has questions
further about it, you know, there like I said, they do all the training. There's no setup fees
for that. It doesn't cost the Town anything to to use to implement the service. So I can
forward his contact information to all of you.
Betty Poole [02:38:16] OK. I would appreciate that.
Supervisor McGee [02:38:20] Great. Thank you.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:38:22] I think they say that they have a better rate of
collection because of that, also because,.
Betty Poole [02:38:28] Well, we have weakened our payments quite regularly. I you know
I extend the payments out for them. I'm very. Flexible with the individuals. We are now.
They can mail their payments in. With the bank check or a money order and I've received,
we can now. I checked with our council through the court, 6th Judicial Court. And they he
indicated to me that we can actually the window in back of the court, Clerks desk. We can.
Put a sign that says, knock on the window and we can accept payments. Through the
window, not all the way open with barriers, but we would have a face masks on and they
can pay that way as well if they're in the area and prefer to come in with cash.
Supervisor McGee [02:39:50] That's a very 20th century option still. And again, people
use credit cards, debit cards for things often. And that is the way I mean. I have kids.
That's all they use. They don't use cash ever. So being able to utilize something like this,
just like with what we've proposed for the Town Clerk's office, being able to make
payments online, it's it reduces exposure. It reduces people coming to the public place. It
reduces the inconvenience of people having to do that, too. So, you know, it's just one
more way that people can access taking care of these issues.
Betty Poole [02:40:36] OK, if you could give me the name of the individual you spoke
with. I'll be happy to talk with them.
Supervisor McGee [02:40:43] OK, thank you. I'll just I'll forward his last e-mail with his
proposal that it to. everybody.
Betty Poole [02:40:49] At least consider it.
Supervisor McGee [02:40:51] And what?
Betty Poole [02:40:53] At least consider it.
Supervisor McGee [02:40:55] Thank you. Does anybody else have any questions about
the court plan to reopen, Stephanie? No.
Councilperson Redmond [02:41:09] No, no it's good.
Supervisor McGee [02:41:11] OK. All right, so where's Alan? Alan hey there, Alan.
Alan Teeter [02:41:28] Hi.
Supervisor McGee [02:41:29] Thank you. You're you're your ROOP pretty long. And very
thorough.
Alan Teeter [02:41:38] OK.
Councilperson Redmond [02:41:40] My fault. I passed on a generalized boilerplate one.
So I had had a lot of information. He just had to fill in the blanks.
Supervisor McGee [02:41:48] Sure. No, I like that. I'm mean, you know, I'm I'm pleased
with the any other board members have questions about code office operations during the
reopening of. I guess I I think that we should also consider how frequently we have the
upstairs cleaned. And sanitized Pat does sanitized spaces, if there. But, you know,
employees are doing their own spaces. But the public space itself is used if it's going to be
used for the courtroom. People coming into the building or if depending upon if the Town
board is going to start meeting in there, the executive order right now runs through maybe
June. Twenty seventh for streaming meetings. But just because the. As long as we provide
access, just because it says we can reopen does not mean that we have to reopen. So I'm
just trying to make determination about what's safest for the public. As far as coming to
meetings and if you're going to meet in person the Town board, then you'll either need to
everybody bring their laptop so they can have the meeting in this same way in the same
room so the public doesn't have to come into the building or you'll need to invest in some
sort of audio visual equipment to make that. Streamed. Just over the room. That process.
So there's a lot for the board to think about in implementing returning to public meetings. It
seems like a lot of people participate this way. There is something to be said for meeting in
person. I like to meet in person. It's much easier to prepare for a meeting when I can hand
paper to people than preparing documents and stuff and making sure that everybody gets
them. Alan, do you have any questions or concerns? Alan.
Alan Teeter [02:44:20] I said I couldn't unmute myself, but no, I really don't have any
concerns. Not a lot of people come into my office at once, so I don't think they'll be an
issue. And I've done some inspections now. Last couple of weeks. And I don't think that's
going to be an issue either. I can see construction sites are fairly simple, fairly wide open.
So usually it's not much of an issue. But as far as a public building, I think, you know, that's
not going to be a problem. Monday may be more of an issue when courts there, but. I think
it won't be a huge thing for me here, I think for me, every.
Supervisor McGee [02:45:06] Good.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:45:08] Alan, are you enjoying meetings with people yet?
Alan Teeter [02:45:15] I have not met in person with anybody in the community building or
in my office.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:45:21] OK. No. I think when you do, we're going to need
signage on the doors saying masks must be warn. And then what? Also, when you're at a
construction site, they should be wearing a mask also as well as you. It's masks and
distancing. It's not just distancing. I believe.
Supervisor McGee [02:45:47] No, I think it's you wear a mask if you can not do the
distancing.
Councilperson Lynch [02:45:53] General standard, Governor.
Alan Teeter [02:45:56] So the way I've been doing it, if it's outside and I can, just since I
feel pretty confident not wearing a mask, but if I'm going in someone's house or IDA inside
inspection, I wear a mask out of courtesy and protect the owners and myself. So. I think I'll
continue to do that for now anyway.
Councilperson Lynch [02:46:19] Good plan.
Councilperson Bryant [02:46:22] Thank you.
Supervisor McGee [02:46:26] Right. I don't have any further questions for Alan.
Alan Teeter [02:46:30] ok
Supervisor McGee [02:46:35] Thank you, Alan.
Alan Teeter [02:46:36] Thank you.
Supervisor McGee [02:46:40] We have the highway superintendents I'm trying to unmute
him... If we could have a conversation about it. Did anybody else have questions about the
highway superintendent's report?
Councilperson Bryant [02:47:11] Not at this point
Supervisor McGee [02:47:18] It's a little faint, but I I wondered. I didn't see anything about
the break room and taking breaks together. Because generally that is recommended that
they they not do that. And I think it should be part of this plan. Is there a plan for that?
Buddy Rollins [02:47:48] Separate tables and they come in at separate times and we
clean every night or every morning.
Supervisor McGee [02:47:54] Can you put that in this plan?
Buddy Rollins [02:47:56] It should be in there.
Supervisor McGee [02:47:58] Is it.
Buddy Rollins [02:47:59] About breaks?
Councilperson Redmond [02:48:08] Are you able to stagger shifts at all? I didn't know
how doable that would be.
Supervisor McGee [02:48:15] She simply asked a question.
Councilperson Redmond [02:48:18] Yeah,.
Buddy Rollins [02:48:18] Not particularly.
Councilperson Redmond [02:48:20] OK.
Buddy Rollins [02:48:21] Mainly in their own vehicles and stuff. We all need to work
together before the end day one way or another, so. Somebody always needs a helper so
a helping hand doing something. But everybody run in their own trucks are a piece of
equipment most of time.
Councilperson Redmond [02:48:44] And you still have enough PPE and masks for
everybody when they have to stay together.
Buddy Rollins [02:48:50] Yeah, we're all set with hand sanitizer and stuff, mask and all
that.
Councilperson Redmond [02:48:57] OK.
Supervisor McGee [02:49:02] And do you have a log that's available that's in the template
log of people who are using what vehicle? No, there's mentioned in here about whether or
not someone knows whether or not somebody has been in a truck or that they've used the
truck prior. So they do ask about in the template having a log of who's used what, who's
cleaned what. After the fact
Buddy Rollins [02:49:28] I'm not logging none of that own only log and running is a
visitor's log. If anybody comes into the office area and the guy's log in every morning,
whether they don't have any symptoms or not
Supervisor McGee [02:49:49] So if many of the primary concerns are about people not
using the same equipment or the equipment being sanitized after use. How do we show
that that's being done? If we're asked.
Buddy Rollins [02:50:05] We're just doing it. We only are five guys.
Councilperson Bryant [02:50:10] Doesn't matter?
Supervisor McGee [02:50:12] How do we show if if we're called on that, how do we show
that? That that's being done?
Buddy Rollins [02:50:18] Because I said we're doing. And the guys have been instructed
to do it. That's in. And the instructions to.
Councilperson Bryant [02:50:36] But she doesn't. They don't need to be records of this?
Supervisor McGee [02:50:42] That's what's requested in that in the template. And I'm
pretty sure that Ellen is doing the same thing is providing logs as well.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:51:03] Right. I don't see anything about the break room.
Supervisor McGee [02:51:06] I don't either. I don't either. Can you tell us where that is?
Because it would really be included.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:51:18] I thought employees had to sign off on the three
questions every day before work.
Buddy Rollins [02:51:24] They do. I said that.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:51:27] So there there is a log on that.
Buddy Rollins [02:51:29] There is a log.
Supervisor McGee [02:51:29] That is what he just said
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:51:31] OK, I'm sorry I missed that.
Councilperson Bryant [02:51:40] Buddy it would be helpful if you wrote that down as a
procedure. And then we wouldn't have these questions.
Supervisor McGee [02:51:50] I do think that the break room situation is important. It is
one that they stressed and I would like to see that just added to this plan. And I also
there's one question, it says on the first page, prior to starting a shift, each employee will
either self certify or be examined by a qualified person that they that the following
situations exist. So who is that qualified person or are they just self certifying?
Buddy Rollins [02:52:53] Self certifying?
Supervisor McGee [02:52:54] Ok
Buddy Rollins [02:53:00] Said that three times now.
Supervisor McGee [02:53:03] And are employees going to wear masks when they have
to? This actually says you're only supposed to do one person in a vehicle. But last week
there were two people in a vehicle. And no masks. So how is that all be enforced?
Buddy Rollins [02:53:19] So you said.
Supervisor McGee [02:53:22] So I saw the soul. But that's OK.
Buddy Rollins [02:53:24] You got pretty good eyes certain way down the road with big
trucks running by you. I was at a stop sign and the Four Corners and Enfield. So. All right.
So I'm just asking that question, how is that how is that going to be enforced in order to
provide for the safety of people that have to have the instructions,.
Buddy Rollins [02:53:50] They have the plan, they know what they're supposed to do and
they have all the items they need. If you want to follow me around. And say whatever, then
do it. Can only, like Mimi said, you can lead them to water, but you can't make them drink.
Right.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:54:14] No. But it would be good if you would. I hope I hope
that you're also reinforcing that with them so. And I'm sure you will because you want to
keep them safe.
Councilperson Bryant [02:54:27] So the whole point of keeping them safe, you've got five
employees.
[02:54:33] You're the supervisor. I'm constantly walking around going, you know, it can't be
below your nose or it can't, you know, put the mask on or you can't have two people in the
walk in at the same time. It's it's it's a hard thing. It really is. It's changing everybody's
behavior that they've been doing for years. So it's just as a supervisor, the system is only
as good as that's enforced. And I know that you're concerned about them. So I'm sure
you're enforcing it..
Supervisor McGee [02:55:02] That's all.
Buddy Rollins [02:55:03] I wish the board they showed this much concern. Two months
ago when we were concerned about it.
Councilperson Bryant [02:55:14] Well, I know you're concerned about your employees. I
don't doubt that, but I do. I think that it's not out of the realm of possibility. You've been
enforce that they put masks on if there are 2, in the vehicle or whenever they need them.
Buddy Rollins [02:55:30] I've said they've been instructed to do that any time. Just like
what you guys said, you can't get be six foot apart. You're supposed to have a mask on.
Councilperson Mehaffey [02:55:39] OK.
Buddy Rollins [02:55:40] That's all I can do.
Supervisor McGee [02:55:43] All right. If you can add the break room information to the
plan and resent to the board, that would be great. All right. Thank you. Ellen. Their plan.
Thank you for putting that together so quickly. And I do. I would love to see us put together
a policy for electronic payments as soon as we can, because I would move to have those
payments done electronically. I think that that is really the smart way to go right now.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:56:46] So I think the supervisor did have a valid concern
about the fees being a little bit excessive for the integration with Williamson. But especially
if we're going to go to a cloud system, you know, it might be worth it. And then it's up to the
consumer to decide if if that is worth it to them. I'll never stop taking checks and cash here.
Supervisor McGee [02:57:10] Right. Yeah. I think that all the options should be open for
people. Personally, I do. But.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:57:16] And I think that I just wanted to clarify for the board
that the reason that the Clerk payments, you know, I feel like that was seen as an
overstep, but it came free with the dog software. So it doesn't go the other way like online
Clerk doesn't anyway. So it was a freebie. Add on that. I'm I just apologize for not thinking
more thoroughly about. And I do agree with developing in a state comptroller policy
because we have been doing things like scanning checks that could benefit from a policy.
Supervisor McGee [02:57:48] And just like for going forward to have procedure in place.
And who is overseeing what? Who who is inch, you know, who is responsible for what
information? And also the other question is, I think it would remove a lot of responsibility
and security risk from the Clerk's office if we purchased the swiper. And then you don't
have to you just take the card, you swipe it. You don't have to write down any card
information. We're not storing that information. I think the costs for that they said it is one
hundred and fifty dollars.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:58:25] Oh yeah. I had one hundred and twenty nine, but it
was in that range. Yes. And I agree with you there. That would remove any question of
impropriety. It also avoids the like jerm aspect of handling the Card.
Supervisor McGee [02:58:37] Sure. Yeah. You could. You could just have them swipe it.
Yeah. Sure. OK. So if we can. I actually was working with Stephanie and trying to adapt
some of that with our current credit card policy. And I did send it to Brian to have him take
a look at the board and suggested that we do that. And he did have a couple of comments.
But so I'll send those on and then. Do you think you'll be prepared, Ellen, to put together
something? Knowing the aspects of the Williamson program and what you would need in
the information you would have? And based on when is it that you're taking the cash
management? Programs.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:59:20] Oh, I think it's coming up sometime in June. Maybe
the twenty third is the date that comes to mind.
Supervisor McGee [02:59:26] Yeah. So could we have that maybe put together and
maybe have something to propose altogether by the July meeting?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:59:34] Yeah, I'd love to see what y'all are working with now.
I did reach out to Williamson because I was hoping that maybe they had some type of
canned policy that they give to municipalities. They don't really. So I. I'd love to see what
you guys are working on for a starting point.
Supervisor McGee [02:59:51] OK.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [02:59:54] Yeah. So any other questions about the ROOP are
totally welcome. I would like to. Continue offering. You know I have these great big
windows and one advantage of my current Clerk's office is that unlike some other town
halls in other towns, you don't really have to penetrate too far into, you know. So I, I at
least in the summer I've got a great vantage point that I can see where people pull up. So
it's really not very arduous to us to continue to provide the option of curbside service.
Supervisor McGee [03:00:26] Could you do a drive through on the side window now that
you don't have to put an air conditioner in that?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:00:30] Oh, my gosh, you're funny. Yeah. I mean, seriously,
if there was a sign on the corner of the building that said drive up window, you know,.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:00:38] That's a fantastic idea.
Supervisor McGee [03:00:40] Then people aren't hanging on the door handle. They're not
having to come in at all. I don't know what the height differences or if that is something that
would impede people's ability, but the window seems pretty low. To be able to do that.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:00:54] I don't think I've ever opened it all the way. I'm not
going to run over there right now. But that's definitely an innovative solution that's worth
looking at.
Supervisor McGee [03:01:02] OK, great. And Norm is in process of getting the materials
together to put the barriers up at Town. At twn hall on both counters, the lower one and the
higher one.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:01:12] OK, great, great. And I don't I don't foresee I mean,
did you guys have any other questions about my ROOP?
Supervisor McGee [03:01:22] No, I think it's pretty thourough I think it answers what we
need to answer as far as. Distancing and providing continuing to provide service and all
the ways that you continue to do that. Sorry.
Councilperson Mehaffey [03:01:37] Are you allowing the public in that space at this
point?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:01:41] No way. I am so so all along, I did have a challenge
during the pandemic, which is accessible. Permits are an essential service and I would
never deny anyone an accessible permit. So I had been providing those as a curbside
service. Six people, I think maybe seven now have utilized the online payments for dogs. I
did send out a huge stack of dog licenses to get people back going with that. And so
mostly those have come in by mail occasionally. Those have been provided by curbside
service.
Councilperson Mehaffey [03:02:18] So when you do reopen, I it seems like that space is
too small to socially distance. You would have to allow only one in at a time. Is that true?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:02:30] Yes. And that is another motivation to continue to
provide curbside because we wouldn't be able to allow children in, which puts parents in a
pickle. And then we you know, if someone was also caring for someone with disabilities,
they couldn't really leave that person in the car. So that's why this drive up idea is
fantastic.
Supervisor McGee [03:02:49] Yeah, that's what I was just thinking. Accessible permits
are a perfect opportunity to utilize something like that. So, I mean, it might be hard. You're
not gonna be paying attention to the window all the time, but maybe if we had some sort of
a little doorbell, they're very inexpensive that somebody could push, then it would ring
inside the office.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:03:08] I think we would be the only drive up Clerk's office.
So that was really good. And then I just did want to share with the whole board that
marriages have been able to continue and there's actually been quite a demand for that
service. So I have done some video notarization, but right at the start of this meeting, my
deputy served as a witness to a lovely couple. So really excited that marriages have been
able to continue. Thank you to the governor's executive order.
Councilperson Bryant [03:03:35] Right. And can I ask you, Ellen? Have you got your
notary now?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:03:41] Oh, of course you have. I am an voter. I am a notary.
I can. Thank you. And the testing begins again. As soon as testing begins again. Then
Patricia Speno will also be sitting for that exam. So we'll have 2 notaries, which is exciting.
Councilperson Bryant [03:04:00] That will be a.
Supervisor McGee [03:04:01] Great
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:04:02] So two other quick things is I wouldn't like this is I
don't know if I need board approval for this, but it's just a courtesy. We have a very
archival, beautiful Town Clerk's stamp that dates back to probably the origin of the Clerk's
office, but it's very difficult to maneuver. Right. So I would like to just purchase like a
duplicate for everyday use and sort of retire that stamp to like, you know, not permanently.
Supervisor McGee [03:04:34] What is the cost of it?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:04:36] I don't know. I think maybe 30 to 40 dollars.
Supervisor McGee [03:04:39] It would just that's an expensive ear off. And she would just
take that IDA a contractual line.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:04:43] OK, perfect.
Supervisor McGee [03:04:48] And if you need a actual credit card to make that purchase,
let me know and or you could even just send me the link to it. Or if you're not getting it at
Staples or something, if if they're not doing it where you generally have a credit card that
you can use for it. I do. If we can use the Visa card for that.
Councilperson Bryant [03:05:06] I'm glad you got that.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:05:09] Yeah, yeah, yeah. I actually got it on the campaign
trail. So Betha encouraged me to get.
Councilperson Bryant [03:05:13] Not that I'm planning to get married soon.
[03:05:15] Oh. Oh. And also I did want to mention to the entire town of Enfield that in order
to be fair and partisan, we are compiling an officiant list. And so far I have Judge Poole,
the supervisor, Daisy's daycare, and also Jean Owens would like to be on the list. So if
anyone else is a marriage officiant and would like to be listed, I just give the list to couples
and then they choose.
Supervisor McGee [03:05:43] Great news.
Councilperson Bryant [03:05:43] Good knows.
Supervisor McGee [03:05:45] Thank you. All right. So I will move these ROOP plans for
adoption with the amendment that we'll have the breakroom information added to the
Highway one, but otherwise that one, if the board is OK with the rest of the information on
that one, I that would be the only amendment that I would ask that be specifically added to
that plan and then forward on to the board and the Town Clerk. So I'll move that we adopt
these ROOP plans.
Councilperson Bryant [03:06:29] second
Supervisor McGee [03:06:29] Where the Town Clerk, the highway department, the Town
Court and for the Office of Code Enforcement, Virginia is.
Councilperson Bryant [03:06:43] I. Second it.
Supervisor McGee [03:06:46] All right. Thank you. Any other questions or concerns about
them? We can talk at a future meeting about how we're going to open up the Town board
meetings. What that will look like and how to move forward on that. I think there's still a
little more time on that. Unless.
Councilperson Lynch [03:07:04] The governor even allows it yet. Do they not think he
does?
Supervisor McGee [03:07:08] No, I think that the executive order goes through the twenty
seventh of this month. But I don't know that. I think the advice is to continue doing
meetings over the phone, through email and virtually as much as possible in order to
reduce the possibility of more than 10 people being.
Councilperson Lynch [03:07:28] Can we Put to a question of reopening Town board
meetings on the June 30th agenda.
Supervisor McGee [03:07:34] Sure. Thank you.
Councilperson Redmond [03:07:42] Betty Poole has a question.
Supervisor McGee [03:07:44] Yeah, I see that. Hold on, I'm just I want to make sure I
make this note before I forget.
Councilperson Bryant [03:07:50] What was the question about opening the board
meeting to the public in an open space on the 30th?
Supervisor McGee [03:07:55] So, no, we're going to put that discussion about when will
start considering Town word meetings and better than sorry, are public meetings in
person? I think that would include the planning board as well. We open question. June
30th. Betty.
Betty Poole [03:08:27] Yes. Yes.
Supervisor McGee [03:08:28] Do you have a comment?
Betty Poole [03:08:29] Yes. With regard to the roop. I don't think the court should be
included in that because we get our instructions from the state chief judge as to what we
can and cannot do.
Supervisor McGee [03:08:52] And we're following that. We're just adopting it as our
accepted plan, and that way we have met the obligations to have plans in place and have
them available to show people if we're asked for that.
Betty Poole [03:09:09] OK, OK. I just. I just wanted clarification.
Supervisor McGee [03:09:13] Yes. Yes. Thank you. OK. Any other questions from the
board? All right, would you please, Call the vote, Ellen...
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:09:25] I Have a procedural question? Do I have to vote
separately on the amendment or we can just vote on the motion with the amendment?
Supervisor McGee [03:09:31] I made the motion with the amendment, so.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:09:34] OK. OK. So Councilperson Bryant.
Councilperson Bryant [03:09:38] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:09:41] Councilperson Lynch.
Councilperson Lynch [03:09:42] Aye.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:09:44] Councilperson Mahaffey.
Councilperson Mehaffey [03:09:46] Aye.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:09:47] Councilperson Redmond.
Councilperson Redmond [03:09:50] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:09:51] Supervisor McGee.
Supervisor McGee [03:09:53] Aye. Thank you.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:09:58] I did. I did have one thing I don't know, that it needs
a vote as part of the roop. I wanted to extend my Saturday hours to start at ten thirty, and
that would give my deputy supervisor some independent work time with social distancing
where we're not both in the office and extend our hours a little bit. So I don't know. We
voted my hours in on resolution before.
Supervisor McGee [03:10:27] What are the hours that you want?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:10:30] I just want to extend Saturday's opening time from
Twelve Thirty, which is our current opening time to ten thirty a.m..
Supervisor McGee [03:10:43] Can you say that again?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:10:45] Right now we open at twelve thirty p.m. on
Saturdays. I would like to open at ten thirty a.m. and have my deputies staff from ten thirty
to 1:30.
Supervisor McGee [03:10:53] OK. I thought you said you wanted to be open from twelve
thirty p.m. to ten thirty a.m.. I was like wait what. Going to work. OK through. OK so I will
move that through the CoVid response we'll that the Town Clerk's stated office hours on
Saturday would be through what time.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:11:23] Ten thirty through four thirty.
Supervisor McGee [03:11:25] Ten. Thirty through four thirty.
Councilperson Lynch [03:11:31] Second that.
Supervisor McGee [03:11:35] All right. And you'll put this information out on the Web,
you'll change the information on the sidebar there and on the window and stuff. OK, great.
Any other questions?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:11:46] Are we sticking with the reopening date of the 12th
for the town hall? That's the other question.
Supervisor McGee [03:11:52] Are we OK with that?
Councilperson Redmond [03:11:54] I think, you know, it's actually the history, I think, on
Friday. So, I mean, that's what we're looking at anyway.
Supervisor McGee [03:12:00] That's Friday, right? Sure. OK. Would you call the vote,
please Ellen?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:12:07] OK, Councilperson Bryant.
Councilperson Bryant [03:12:10] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:12:11] Councilperson Lynch.
Councilperson Lynch [03:12:13] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:12:14] Councilperson Mahaffey.
Councilperson Mehaffey [03:12:16] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:12:17] Councilperson Redmond.
Councilperson Redmond [03:12:17] .Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:12:19] Supervisor McGee.
Supervisor McGee [03:12:21] Aye OK. So the next is the appointments to the Aquifer
Protection Committee. So we had lots of discussion about this. And the board had
approved that this committee exist. We had extra stipulations added to it that there would
be a planning board member and person from the agricultural committee or community.
And so we have both that are willing to serve on this committee. So and actually one
removal, Dave Barque has said that he is not able to serve at this time. So I am going to
move the following resolution, resolution twenty, twenty, fifty two, I think appointments to
the Enfield Water Protection Committee, whereas the Enfield Town board has created a
water protection committee and whereas the Water Protection Committee will research
and make recommendations to the Enfield Town board regarding water resources in the
town of Enfield. Therefore, be it resolved. The Enfield Town board appoints councilpersons
Stephanie Redmond as chairperson of the Water Protection Committee and further
resolved the Enfield Town board appoints the following residents to serve on the Water
Protection Committee. Julie Schroeder. Marcy Finley. Nancy Spiro. Becky Sims. Dan
Walker, Planning Board Chair. And Devon Van Noble, Agriculture Representative. Is there
any more discussion about that.
Councilperson Lynch [03:14:05] Move, an amendment, an amendment that would add
that the Town board will advertise on its Web site for additional members to this
committee? It will be. And applications may be accepted through July 30, first with the
Town board to consider additional members be added to the committee at its August
meeting.
Councilperson Redmond [03:14:35] I can Second. I'm excited to have more people
involved.
Councilperson Bryant [03:14:41] Thank you. So I would like to be involved.
Councilperson Lynch [03:14:42] I would too
Supervisor McGee [03:14:44] Why would you? Well, we can only have two board
members on it. Did you. Virginia, did you want to serve on that?
Councilperson Bryant [03:14:52] Yes, I do. I've been involved in water quality since
1959.
Supervisor McGee [03:15:01] All right,.
Councilperson Lynch [03:15:01] decide. We can decide this in August.
Councilperson Bryant [03:15:04] Yeah.
Supervisor McGee [03:15:05] OK. All right. So, Ellen, do you have that? Bob, can you
present that amendment in a sentence.
Councilperson Lynch [03:15:12] That we will advertise for additional members on our
Town Web site through and accept applications through July 30, first with a decision on
additional membership to be made at the August regular meeting.
Supervisor McGee [03:15:34] Great. All right, so any discussion on that amendment? All
right. Would you please call the vote on that amendment?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:15:46] I would just like to ask that the job description, like,
as it were, be provided to the clerk's office.
Supervisor McGee [03:15:54] OK. Stephanie, do you want to put something together for
that?
Councilperson Redmond [03:15:56] Sure
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:15:59] OK Councilperson Bryant.
Councilperson Bryant [03:16:02] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:16:03] Personal Lynch.
Councilperson Lynch [03:16:04] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:16:05] Councilperson Mehaffey
Councilperson Mehaffey [03:16:07] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:16:08] Councilperson Redmond.
Councilperson Redmond [03:16:10] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:16:11] Supervisor McGee.
Supervisor McGee [03:16:13] Aye. And is there further discussion on the appointments?
Councilperson Redmond [03:16:19] I just wanted to say that I was really excited to get
Devon Van Noble on there, he's a full time farmer. And. And in talking to him, I found out
he actually has a degree in environmental law. So a great addition for our group.
Councilperson Lynch [03:16:31] Good choice, Stephanie. Good choice.
Supervisor McGee [03:16:33] Thank you. OK. If there's no more discussion, we can call
the vote on that.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:16:41] Councilperson Bryant.
Councilperson Bryant [03:16:42] Aye.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:16:44] Councilperson Mehaffey.
Councilperson Mehaffey [03:16:45] Aye.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:16:47] Councilpersons Lynch.
Councilperson Lynch [03:16:48] Aye.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:16:50] Councilperson Redmond.
Councilperson Redmond [03:16:51] Aye.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:16:52] Supervisor McGee,.
Supervisor McGee [03:16:54] Aye. Thank you. And Stephanie, will you notify everybody
and let them know? And then as the chairperson, it will be up to you and your committee
when you're going to meet and that you'll need to decide if you're going to meet virtually.
We'll have to make that public or you can determine you're not going to meet until after we
set in-person meetings in place again. OK, Courtney. And this is a committee. This isn't
something that the Town Clerk or the deputy is going to be at to take minutes. It's not a
board, so.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:17:33] So will there be minutes taken, that's just a
procedural question.
Supervisor McGee [03:17:36] They can, as a committee, take minutes and it would be
great if they would have somebody who would put those together. Or they can have like a
course of work that shows their process, whether it's like if they've worked on a document
together that I was commenting and all of that can be minutes of a meeting showing the
work that they've done. All right. Thank you. And as far as the budget. Bob, you wanted to
talk about resolutions were those highway related for this budget.
Councilperson Lynch [03:18:20] The Resolution was the one that I withdrew earlier in the
meeting regarding that position.
Supervisor McGee [03:18:24] OK. OK. So as far as the budget goes, I, Stephanie and I
have worked going over the budget. And of course, now they're talking about 20 percent
reduction of AIM funding that's tossed around. Now, we've also heard about other funding
from other departments, a 12 percent reduction. So that means for us that costs might go
up. And so the full picture is that residents of the Town get a county bill on their Enfield tax
bill. And we don't have any idea what that's going to look like next year for them. And I do
think that it is really wise of us to consider that and determine how we can help ease that
potential burden for residents. Again, I don't have any idea what that's going to look like,
but all reports from the county are pretty, pretty challenging right now. So since that is
something that residents pay for on the same bill, especially, it is it's clearly something that
we need to tend to. So I would actually propose I will work to propose two budgets going
forward for the Town board to consider and. And having those available by September
30th. And that way you would have more options. Looking at the capital plan. Taking that
into consideration and staffing needs. And and also, you'd have to have options based on
how if if this is these other initiatives are voted on and they are put on the ballot, then you
need to think about what that's going to mean as far as appointed positions, what those
salaries would look like. I mean, I think you should look at those salaries look like anyway.
But but definitely if you're talking about a civil service position as opposed to an elected
position, that is one of the options of an appointed position then. Then I think that that's a
different salary discussion for sure. So you won't you won't vote on the budget until like the
20th in November or something like 15th November or something like that. So you would
have all that information in place to do that by that time. And you can make your tweaks to
that, to those budgets or make a determination based on the budgets that are proposed or
how you want to go forward. So right now, I I am going to start soliciting information for
next year. I'm looking and like I said, working on trying to develop a budget based on what
we know now or more than one budget and maybe even doing it wiser without actually
budgeting for regular aim funding to begin with. And then one with the aim funding for next
year. That's really not a huge amount for our budget. But there's so much that the Town
neglects to pay for, so much that they do pay for. Our budget increased last year for
highway like eighty some thousand dollars because we had room to do that. So there are
lots of things we're gonna need to look at across the board for next year in order to to
consider what residents might be facing county wide. So I am going to begin that process
over the next month.
Councilperson Bryant [03:22:30] MaI make a remark?
Supervisor McGee [03:22:32] Yeah.
Councilperson Bryant [03:22:34] You better face it, everybody. We're going to be
chopped. The state level. There's no question. So I don't think we I mean, I think, look,
what you're doing and you're proposing is the appropriate approach. There's no pie in the
sky. that's going to come down and bless us over the head.
Supervisor McGee [03:22:59] Well, it's hard. It's just so hard to predict right now.
Everybody's in the same position. And now we have put some things in place. We did
utilize our unemployment insurance in order to allow people to be home and be safe and
then relieve some of that from the budget. So that was a helpful decision that the board
made. And we need to get on top of it.
Councilperson Bryant [03:23:31] There's no question. But I don't think that we can dream
that there there's some will lose the sky. You draw money from on high because the state
budget is going to be chopping, chopping, chopping. That's what dwindles down.
Supervisor McGee [03:23:48] Yes. Did you have specific questions?
Councilperson Mehaffey [03:23:52] I do. Beth
Supervisor McGee [03:23:53] Yes.
Councilperson Mehaffey [03:23:54] You know, when the when the county budget comes
out, when they're. Does it come up before our shows that that's at the same time?
Supervisor McGee [03:24:02] Here it is. And they're starting their discussions very soon.
OK? Isn't it in the next month, Bob?
Councilperson Lynch [03:24:09] No, I think that generally they're about parallel. I think
the final county budget gets adopted just about the time. Ours does.
Supervisor McGee [03:24:17] Sure. But I think that they've said that they're starting their
conversations about it and looking at that budget now
Councilperson Lynch [03:24:23] Early this year.
Supervisor McGee [03:24:24] Yes.
Councilperson Lynch [03:24:25] They're going to have one budget that holds the line
and another would like a twelve percent cut.
Supervisor McGee [03:24:29] Right.
Councilperson Mehaffey [03:24:30] ...partnership has to have those in by July 1st.
Supervisor McGee [03:24:34] Right. So more than this year. The concern, I think, needs
to be what we learned from this year and how we move forward with next year as well. So
and also looking at the things that we expect to be able to pay for generally throughout the
year this year with our budget as it is and and then determining how we might cut back,
what things we might not do in order to alleviate some of that. So. All right. So you'll be
hearing about that in the next month, month and a half. And again, I mean, I may put out
budget requests, but I understand that it's last year I put them out in late July, which is
generally early. But it was good to have information out, get information that soon. So I will
probably do the same thing this year. And I totally understand that things are going to be
unpredictable. It'll be hard. And, of course, we'll all have to adjust to that, just like we're
doing now.
Councilperson Mehaffey [03:26:01] So Beth when you're putting out what you're asking
for the budget, are you asking? You said you're going to do two budgets. Are you going to
say, I want a flat budget and I want a 12 percent decrease budget?
Supervisor McGee [03:26:17] Well, if and when we ask for what we need a budget that
sticks with two percent. We don't get that. So, I mean, it would be great to have. You
should ask for what we need in order to keep them.
Councilperson Mehaffey [03:26:29] Keep it flat. If we. Right. It seems like we can't go
up,.
[03:26:34] Right No, I don't think we can either. But it also depends upon what our tax cap
looks like.
[03:26:41] All right.
[03:26:41] So we'll need to. I don't want our taxes to go up this year. Town taxes. We've
kept them. They've gone down two years in a row by small amounts and we've increased
the budget. So it's been it's been good to be able to pay for more things while still reducing
the. The per thousand the per the dollars per thousand. So it'd be great if we would be
able to do that. But I'd kind of like to see a reduction more than that. If we're going to make
up for it, try to help make up for the county shortfall.
Councilperson Redmond [03:27:21] I think requesting even a 20 percent decrease. Just
to see if we can get away with something like that. See what It would look like and how it
would impact our services is that might be a reality, especially if we go into an a second
wave of CoVid in the fall.
Supervisor McGee [03:27:36] We should ask Aissa what he's thinking.
Councilperson Redmond [03:27:40] I'll ask him.
Supervisor McGee [03:27:46] Yeah, he was pretty on the ball with that, wasn't he?
Councilperson Redmond [03:27:48] He is. Yes. You know what? Other men. Take
someone on a course with all that.
Supervisor McGee [03:27:55] All right. So that's where I am with this. And if you have any
other specific questions, feel free to or any specific requests. When I put out budget
requests, please feel free to email them to me. All right. So we have the cleanup days. I
mean, on you, buddy, we did have Emet in an email requesting that we discuss this. And I
think that there is definitely a need for it. I personally do. It's one of my pet preferences
here and I Enfield. So what are your thoughts on that body? And would we need to have
some volunteers for that?
Buddy Rollins [03:28:52] I think you missed a window to do that for the year.
Councilperson Lynch [03:29:02] Bob, did you have thoughts on that, you weighed in on
the email to the residents that contacted us about it. I'd like to see a clean up days period.
If it were feasible, if the highway superintendent thought something could be done, I'd like
to see it done. I think that the residents would like to have the opportunity, get rid of their
junk.
Supervisor McGee [03:29:33] Ellen,.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:29:34] I would just like to add. Like a view from downtown
that they have been already availing themselves of that opportunity. So there are some
there's a number of washer dryers, a TV. All that stuff is accumulating on the roadsides
now.
Supervisor McGee [03:29:49] Yeah. So is a problem this time of year. So, again, I guess I
mean, if that needs to be like a volunteer coordination, we've had volunteers do it in the
past. Jack had done it for a long time. And if that's something that is important to residents
and residents could volunteer to help staff that. I think that would be reasonable. Or is that
not something that you want to do for the residents?
Buddy Rollins [03:30:31] Are you talking to me?
Supervisor McGee [03:30:33] I am. I'm talking to you.
Buddy Rollins [03:30:35] I'll be.
Buddy Rollins [03:30:39] Like I said, I think you missed that window. It was canceled in
May. Nobody bothered to talk to me about it. We could have distancing and then held
them at the gate till they unloaded his stuff. And. And if we if the highway is going to be
about bound and doing this now, it would be October before we'd be able to do it.
Supervisor McGee [03:31:01] All right. Well, Bob, does October seem reasonable, do
better than not at all.
Councilperson Lynch [03:31:06] October probably is doable.
Supervisor McGee [03:31:13] Anybody else want to weigh in? All right. So since we have
a while before October, buddy, if you could get us some dates, that would be workable in
October. Most workable.
Supervisor McGee [03:31:31] OK, then we can agree to do that in October.
Buddy Rollins [03:31:38] OK.
Supervisor McGee [03:31:38] All right. Thank you.
Councilperson Lynch [03:31:40] We can talk about it maybe more at the June 30th
meeting.
Supervisor McGee [03:31:46] Yeah, I mean, but that's still quite early. I mean, I don't
think it takes a long time for body to coordinate those, um The dumpsters, so if I don't if
they're just getting back to work and stuff now, I don't want to give them a timeline.
Buddy Rollins [03:31:59] We'll be working with Cassella this year, too.
Supervisor McGee [03:32:02] Yeah, yeah, yeah. So would actually be great to know what
their cost is going to be and if they'll do the you know, they do the buyback for the
recycling that they apply that or does Teets do that?
Buddy Rollins [03:32:16] Teets does that. Teet's does that.
[03:32:17] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Great.
Supervisor McGee [03:32:20] I've had several people call me about tires and we even
know clean up. We don't take tires.
Supervisor McGee [03:32:26] Right.
Buddy Rollins [03:32:27] Well, I think several people call about that because they get
tires. Get rid of.
Supervisor McGee [03:32:33] Yeah, that's a tough one, because it would be great to be
able to get rid of a bunch of tires and Enfield. All right. So if you could if you could get us
that information. That would be really great. And we can talk that over and hopefully have
something planned by August, if that's enough time leeway for you.
Buddy Rollins [03:32:51] yea
Supervisor McGee [03:32:52] OK. Great.
Councilperson Redmond [03:32:54] I have a Question. If if tires are concerned, how
much will it combustor to actually, you know, deal with that?
Buddy Rollins [03:33:02] You can take them down. I think they charge two or three
dollars a tire. I'm not sure what this is, but.
Supervisor McGee [03:33:08] At solid waste, right?
Buddy Rollins [03:33:09] Yeah, they do take them at solid waste.
Supervisor McGee [03:33:10] yea
Councilperson Redmond [03:33:12] OK. I'm wondering if there are some residents that
would benefit from help with that, though. I'm not sure how much it's worth dealing with,
but just put it out there, if that's if that's worth us as a Town considering it,.
Supervisor McGee [03:33:27] I mean, I think you'd get into. I don't know that it already
cost us money for the Dumpster's and for disposing of stuff. And so then we'd be adding
the cost of all the tires on top of that. Unless you want to charge the residents for doing it.
And then you got to figure out how you're gonna charge the residents for doing it. And
then, you know, it's just one more task for them.
Buddy Rollins [03:33:46] We did falls in water that one year was that lesson here before.
And they. Soils and water. Were doing that. And that turned into a pretty good nightmare.
Councilperson Redmond [03:33:58] Well, good to know.
Buddy Rollins [03:34:00] You know, they just. That they get it up. They had to washed
some of the tires and all that because they can't be real dirty and muddy. And they
wouldn't take anything bigger than a car tire either. So I don't know if they're doing that any
place now. They did it in Lansing and Dryden and then we did it here one year and it
wasn't very successful. Yet still had to pay for. They just Done it.
Supervisor McGee [03:34:32] All right, that sounds good. Thank you. OK, moving
forward. The update on the town of Enfield policy, an employee manual. Considering how
challenging it is to navigate our policy manual that's now 16 years old. I am going to ask
Paychex. That's one of the services that they provide free for us to give us a sample of
what they have. That would be appropriate for a municipality just kind of as a guide. I also
have several other Town ones that have been provided by the Office of State Comptroller.
And Virginia has offered to be a part of that process. But I think what I'd really love to see
is any all department heads having a copy of the employee manual and then going
through it and noting it and board members as well. Notating their comments on it.
Recommendations.
Councilperson Bryant [03:35:41] ...definitely because it shouldn't be. That's a way to deal
with it from the get go,.
Supervisor McGee [03:35:46] Right?
Councilperson Bryant [03:35:46] It's not isolated.
Supervisor McGee [03:35:49] Yeah, I would really like to see what a department head
and the board's recommendations are on the current policy manual. I know that there have
been some suggestions for changes of the highway superintendent has done that in the
past. Our board members have. And so I think it would be really valuable to have that
information from. And even if. Well, although you can't be in the break room together now.
But if each of the highway employees and the and the appointed employees were to look it
over and, you know, just make notes of concerns or questions that they have going
forward, I think that would be valuable.
Councilperson Bryant [03:36:29] You know how I started out when I first came on the
board many years ago or whenever 2013 and it just got off the ground. But it involves input
from everybody who's employed by the Town. To Look at the you know, look at what we're
considering putting their input in.
Supervisor McGee [03:36:54] So I'm happy to make copies of that policy manual and put
it in everybody's mailboxes. I think as much as I hate to provide paper, it's much easier, I
think, for us to do it that way right now at this particular type of project. I think it might be
really helpful. So does anybody else have questions about that? Comments. Questions.
Councilperson Redmond [03:37:21] Do you have links to the other towns that you can
send along to?
Supervisor McGee [03:37:25] You have to look those up. Hold on. I have a very agitated
dog. So talk among yourselves.
Councilperson Bryant [03:37:31] Oh, God. I can understand that.
Councilperson Redmond [03:37:35] Mine, anything moves and mine, starts by barking.
Councilperson Lynch [03:37:40] My cat, almost Walked, across this computer about a
half hour ago.
Councilperson Bryant [03:37:44] Yeah, right. And I probably would be it is that it's
catography catography.
Councilperson Lynch [03:37:52] You know, I held her back. Well,.
Councilperson Bryant [03:37:55] Long story. You'll read it later.
Councilperson Redmond [03:38:03] These meetings will be far less exciting when we get
to meet in person. You know.
Councilperson Lynch [03:38:11] Enfield and pets. They go together.
Councilperson Bryant [03:38:18] My dog is so interested in what I'm doing. I have to
watch out for her. She gets too interested.
Councilperson Redmond [03:38:24] She must be big now.
Councilperson Bryant [03:38:27] Yes, she is about forty five pounds is big girl, and she's
learning her stuff. But then I have cats that walk over con halfway open and make hash out
of it.
Supervisor McGee [03:38:43] All right. Thank you, I'm sorry about that. OK.
Councilperson Bryant [03:38:49] CoVid or. Via zoom meetings is that you have these
inter interactions with the venue.
Supervisor McGee [03:38:59] My dog is not going to bother me at a Town board meeting
in person. All right. So employee manual links. OK. And the last item under new business
is the Williamson discussion. OK, so Brian and I spoke with Williamson and the process
that we used this month with Ellen doing the abstract directly using Williamson. It's much
more organized to do it that way. And and actually, they have a system. They have the
ability for us to have access for the supervisor, the bookkeeper slash confidential secretary
and the Town Clerk all in the accounting online server. So the Town Clerk would have their
own access into the accounting program itself just for entering the abstract. And then
everything would be like a unified process, very, very streamlined. And that right now, the
way it happens is the bookkeeper has to or the Clerk's sends like an Excel spreadsheet to
the bookkeeper. Then the bookkeeper puts all of that and enters the abstract into
Williamson and then has to do a backup of that, email a backup or put it in a Dropbox for
the supervisor or the confidential secretary to then print all the checks. And it's just a very
cumbersome system. So they do offer the after use actually after doing the last two
abstracts. I couldn't believe they didn't have a dashboard online to do this with. It was just
it was really quite ridiculous. So apparently they do. And so we did get a proposal and I did
send those proposals to you. But. It's actually less a lot less than that. So the new
proposal that we got, Bryant, it actually talked to them today as well and figured out a way
for them to add the device of the Clerk's computer as well to this one applications. So we
are only looking at adapting one program, which is the accounting program, and having
access for three devices. So be the bookkeeper's laptop supervisors laptop that's in the
office where where lan is as well, where I'm going to be. And then the bookkeeper and
also the Town Clerk. So they've sent a new proposal, and that is with the setup of so the
setup fee, as usual for one program, it was six ninety five and then it's forty five dollars a
month. And then the new proposal adds on. Instead of having the Clerk's program be the
same costs six ninety five and the 540 annually, we would just have an additional access
to the accounting software for her. And that is one seventy five one time setup fee with
three hundred and sixty dollars a year for access. So we're no longer utilizing their payroll,
which was one thousand seven dollars annually. That expired May 30th. So we're not
utilizing that anymore because we're using Paychex.So. It's really helpful with the
separation of duties to do it this way. There's lots of oversight there. It also, like I said, it
allows the Clerk to enter the abstract for Bryant to verify it and for the confidential
secretary or the supervisor to print the checks. Prepays can be done really easily. That's
something like the supervisor can just log in and do prepays and print checks as
necessary without having to. This also relieves us from having the bookkeeper to actually
have checks onsite for him. I really don't want that to be the case. I like the checks to be
kept at the Town.So let's see altogether. So it's. Eight seventy. Total for the set setup. One
time setup fee between the two for the for all three access and then 360 plus 540, which is
nine hundred a year for this. So you think Paychex is about thirteen hundred dollars for the
year? So really, ultimately. For all of this streamlining these processesWe're spending
about we're only spending about a thousand dollars more. And it also provides us more
security. Allan, did you have a comment?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:44:36] I have a couple of questions. So what? So would I
be losing access to Town, Clerk plus?
Supervisor McGee [03:44:43] No, this is in addition.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:44:44] This is in addition. OK. So it would just allow me to
enter the abstract directly in the accounting software instead of doing it in Town, Clerk
plus.
Supervisor McGee [03:44:53] Yep. And then you don't like send it to Brian. It's there.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:44:57] So OK.And the last question I have is, would this
have any capacity to solve my Williamson problem, which is that my deputy currently does
not have access on her computer to Williamson. So she can't process dogs or anything on
her computer. She would have to get on mine?
Supervisor McGee [03:45:19] I don't think so. This is a completely different this is different
than than yours, your program.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:45:25] OK. I think that that could be solved without dealing
with Williamson. We just have to network the two computers together. It's just a little bit
above my skill set.
Supervisor McGee [03:45:35] It could be. And I also wonder about. Can you ask
Williamson about that?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:45:40] I did. That's what they're going to.
Supervisor McGee [03:45:42] Would they charge you more?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:45:44] They put it. I'm not sure if they would charge me
more, but it would just be very cumbersome to, like, sink the two programs.
Supervisor McGee [03:45:51] Right.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:45:53] But I did Karen from Newfield suggested that they
have some type of I.T. service that they just subscribed to. So that could be an option. I
guess a lot of municipalities subscribe to a little I.T. support.
Supervisor McGee [03:46:09] So I did ask her about that. And there ought to Watkins
Glen, I believe. And they just it took a very long time because they do like a circuit, so they
only come in an area at a certain time. So I was concerned about how quickly they could
respond to problems. But, yeah, I mean, I think it's reasonable to have an I.T. service that
is here all the time in this area that responds to our cybersecurity needs and that sort of
thing. I definitely think that that we've talked about that actually. Alice and Sue talked
about that for a year at least.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:46:42] So I feel like. So I feel like you don't have the ability
to network two computers. I feel like you're skilled at your computer skills are just a tiny bit
above mine where maybe you could.
Supervisor McGee [03:46:53] It's not about skill it's about time, though. And plus, I don't
want to be cobbing together something for the Town at the Town has security
requirements and needs that don't necessarily they're not all attended to. It's it's taking a
long time for the Town to get into the 21st century in that regard. So I think that the Town
needs to pay attention to that and do it seriously because it's important because we
manage people's money. So, you know, anytime that the insurance company is on us all
the time about it, because they'd have to pay out if we had a phishing scam or something,
you know, ransomware, that would be devastating. And most of the towns that this
happens to have budgets under two million dollars, boys. So.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:47:46] I hear you there. I would say that the scams are
getting really sophisticated over when the pandemic first started. I got an email that
appeared to be from my boss at the Human Services Coalition, and it was pretty
convincing. But my I didn't fall for it. But I almost did, you know, because it was my boss.
She was like, get me something. I was like, okay, can we move on on this?
Supervisor McGee [03:48:10] Yes. OK. So anyway, I provided that and there's updates
on what the costs are and what the nature is of that. And I would like to move that, that we
implement that instead of the payroll service that we were using as.
Councilperson Bryant [03:48:29] Second. I want to move into the 21st century before I
die.
Supervisor McGee [03:48:38] All right. So I would move these funds out of the contingent
line. And Ellen, since this is a part of the bookkeeping of the Town, I don't think it's
appropriate that we take that the money for your access out of the contractual Town Clerk.
I think that should be part of the bookkeeper contractual. So I'm not so I'm suggesting that
we move money from contingent into that line. The bookkeeper contractual. Yeah. So I
have a budget amendment. If the board adopts that, we go forward with it. So I'm making a
motion that we implement the Williamson Cloud hosted software.
Councilperson Bryant [03:49:22] Second place.
Supervisor McGee [03:49:25] Now, you were right. Yes. Virginia seconds. Is there any
more discussion about it?
Councilperson Lynch [03:49:30] The only thing I'd ask is Ellen, what's your opinion of it?
You know, you don't know that much about it, but are you generally supportive of it?
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:49:38] I am generally supportive of it. I just learned how to
do the abstract and Williamson in the last two days. But I think a lot of the work that I've
done will not have to be repeated because I've added a lot of vendors and such. So I think
that it could streamline. And when I've worked with Brian, he seems very supportive and
interested in streamlining.
Councilperson Lynch [03:50:00] Sounds good.
Supervisor McGee [03:50:04] All right. There's no more discussion. Could you Call the
vote.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:50:11] Councilperson Bryant.
[03:50:14] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:50:15] Councilperson Lynch.
Councilperson Lynch [03:50:16] Aye.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:50:18] Councilperson Mahaffey.
Councilperson Mehaffey [03:50:20] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:50:21] Councilperson Redmond.
Councilperson Redmond [03:50:23] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:50:23] Supervisor McGee.
Supervisor McGee [03:50:25] Aye. Thank you. And so I just have to put forward a budget
amendment now in order to pay for it. So I don't know what. Number this is budget
amendment wise moving funds for Williamson clouds set up and annual service, whereas
the Enfield Town supervisor and bookkeeper perform financial tasks for the Town. And
whereas the confidential secretary and Town Clerk perform support tasks for the financial
management of the Town and whereas the town of Enfield utilizes the Williamson
accounting and budget preparation software. And whereas Williams cloud server provides
the ability for all of those responsible for financial recordkeeping to do so in unison, using
the same platform on a joint server. And whereas the Williamston Cloud program requires
six hundred ninety five dollars one time setup fee for two. For the Town supervisor and
bookkeeper devices and forty five dollars per month billed annually for Cloud Server
management and whereas the Williamson Cloud program requires one hundred seventy
five dollars one time setup fee for the additional setup of the Town Clerk's device and thirty
six dollars per month billed annually for cloud server management. And whereas the cost
of these additions exceeds the amount budgeted, therefore be it resolved. The Enfield
Town board authorizes Supervisor McGee to decrease a nineteen ninety point four
contingent by seven hundred sixty three dollars and increase a thirteen sixteen point four
bookkeeper contractual by seven hundred and sixty three dollars.
Councilperson Redmond [03:51:57] Second,.
Supervisor McGee [03:51:59] Thank you. Any other questions, please? Call the vote.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:52:07] Councilperson Bryant.
Councilperson Bryant [03:52:09] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:52:10] Councilperson. Lynch.
Councilperson Lynch [03:52:12] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:52:13] Councilperson Mehaffey.
Councilperson Mehaffey [03:52:14] Aye.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:52:16] Councilperson Redmond.
Councilperson Redmond [03:52:21] Aye
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:52:21] Sorry. Supervisor McGee.
Supervisor McGee [03:52:24] Aye. Thank you. Okay. Privilege of the floor.
Councilperson Lynch [03:52:32] The only thing I would say is if I don't think a resolution
is going to be needed on this, but Supervisor McGee, if you could post on the Town Web
site your comments at the beginning of this meeting concerning racial justice. I think we
would all benefit from it.
Supervisor McGee [03:52:48] Sure.
Supervisor McGee [03:52:59] OK. Ellen, your hand is up, do you have a comment? No.
OK. Right. Denny Hubble, I'm trying to unmute you. Where is he. I see him moving around.
Oh, there is.
Denny Hubble [03:53:27] Am I on?.
Supervisor McGee [03:53:28] You are welcome.
Denny Hubble [03:53:32] I apologize, I tried to get out earlier, but I'm not too computer
literate today, so I won't waste much your time because I was gonna go over some stuff
about the appointed positions, but I'll wait till a public hearing on that. I did want to touch
base. So on a couple things. You know, I've obviously been in the fire department for a
long time. I've been on our board of directors for like forty four years now. And I've been
through some Town boards and some supervisors and some different pros and cons
within the Town. But one of the biggest things that, you know, I learned when I was
actually a supervisor at the 911 center for 20 years, they sent me to numerous trainings on
how to deal with high stress situations. And one of the things that they always were. Or
drilling on all the time was the morale. And sometimes, you know, people are in positions
that they're their personalities don't jive. But you still have to find the best you can. in some
people and I think the two biggest positions in the fire company, one is contract time and
visiting Betty Poole, which nobody wants to visit Betty Poole is our highway department
and our Town Clerk they are the most visible to the to the general public. And I personally,
I think the highway department does a great job. They've been doing a fabulous job. When
I ask anything from the Fire Department they are there right there all the time. You know,
whenever I need something, they're there. The Town Clerk's position. I'll be honest, when
Ellen first said that she was, you know, going to run for Town, Clerk, and that was going to
be like 20 hours a week or whatever. I looked at it from a fire company's perspective and
thought, well, you know, she'll be in town. Ellen is one of our top responders, one of our
top EMT's. So I would love to hopefully get some time out of her. Why she was in Enfield
being the Town Clerk being close. But I don't know, maybe maybe things will go a little
smoother with her, new deputy and stuff like that. But she was totally overwhelmed. And if
I did get any time out of her for the fire department, she had to go back there and be there
till 2:00 in the morning. And that's just ridiculous to have somebody in that office alone till
2:00 in the morning. But the bottom line is, you know, I just hope that the Town board
would support these people, the morale of these people, and try to keep the morale of the
Town up so that we don't have some catastrophe where people are at each other's throats
and whether we like them or don't like them. I think that the Town board should try to
support them as much as they can. I'm not saying you don't now give some support. Well,
I think that you really should support him as much as you possibly can at all the time. So
basically, that's all I've got to say.
Supervisor McGee [03:56:44] Thank you to Denny. OK. If anyone else would like to
speak for privilege of the floor, if you could raise your hand. All right, I'm going to unmute,
everybody, so you can have an opportunity if that's not working for you. All right. All
participants are unmuted. Is there anyone who'd like to speak for privilege? OK. All right.
Do we have any announcements? Thanks for hanging in there, we had a long agenda this
evening, so I appreciate everybody's sticking with it.
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:57:38] I did have just one announcement.
Supervisor McGee [03:57:40] Surely
Town Clerk Ellen Woods [03:57:41] the new recycling guides for that start in July of 2020
are in. And as soon as we are reopening. Feel free to stop down, to pick one up or call
ahead. I'll have them out for you.
Supervisor McGee [03:57:57] Right. Anybody else? Julie. Julie. Julie. Julie,.
Julie Schroeder [03:58:12] Am I unmuted?
Supervisor McGee [03:58:13] You are. Hi, Julie.
Julie Schroeder [03:58:15] Hi. I'm a quick announcement. I had been doing a whole lot of
volunteering, making masks for the hospital, and they put out a new request for volunteers.
They are trying to do just a quick verbal screenings that they do when people come in. You
know, I haven't been in contact with have you had health changes blah, blah, blah. And so
they're needing volunteers to man each of the entrances to the hospital at various shifts.
So you could get in touch with the volunteer committee at the hospital if you thought you
would sit for three or four hours and just ask people those questions on their way in.
Supervisor McGee [03:58:51] Thank you, Julie. Thank you for doing that as well.
Councilperson Bryant [03:58:55] Thank you very much.
Julie Schroeder [03:58:56] If anybody needs that exact contact information, probably just,
you know, call the hospital, they have a volunteer.
Supervisor McGee [03:59:03] OK. Great.
Councilperson Lynch [03:59:06] Congratulations on your appointment to the committee.
Supervisor McGee [03:59:09] Yes.
Julie Schroeder [03:59:10] Thank you.
Supervisor McGee [03:59:11] Thank you for serving.
Julie Schroeder [03:59:12] Yeah. Looking forward to it. Really.
Supervisor McGee [03:59:14] I'm glad. I'm glad. It's good work.
Julie Schroeder [03:59:18] Thank you, guys. You guys are doing a lot of very hard work
here, and it's it's you know, I'm appreciating.
[03:59:27] Thank you.
Supervisor McGee [03:59:29] OK. If there's no one else for privilege of the floor and any
more announcements, I will make a motion to adjourn.
Councilperson Bryant [03:59:40] Second.
Supervisor McGee [03:59:41] All right. Thank you. Good night. All right.