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Home My WebLink About2024-03-20 Town Board Minutes MARCH 20, 2024 5:02 P.M. TOWN BOARD MEETING The Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Cortlandville was held at the Raymond G. Thorpe Municipal Building, 3577 Terrace Road, Cortland, New York with Deputy Supervisor Guido presiding. Members present: Supervisor, Thomas A. Williams* Deputy Supervisor, Jeffrey D. Guido Councilman, David J. Donlick Councilman, Gregory K. Leach Councilman, Glenn D. Reisweber* Town Clerk, Kristin E. Rocco-Petrella Others present were: Town Attorney, John DelVecchio; Highway Superintendent, Larry Drach; Deputy Town Clerk, Abigail Albro; Assistant to the Supervisor, Amanda Rainbow; Linda Burghardt; Town Residents: Chris Newell; Pamela Jenkins; Bob Martin; Andrea Niggli; Bernice Potter-Masler; Barbara Leach; Dustin Smith; Cheryl Ann Crispell. Others present via Zoom video/telephone conference*: None. (Note: Councilman Reisweber was in attendance via Zoom videoconference. He did not vote or participate in discussion since as he was out of New York State.*) Deputy Supervisor Guido called the Regular Meeting to order. He explained that Supervisor Williams was joining via videoconference as he was ill. Councilman Reisweber was also joining via videoconference, although he was out of State and would not be participating in the meeting. Councilman Leach made a motion, seconded by Councilman Donlick, to approve the Draft Town Board Minutes of February 21, 2024. All voting aye, the motion was carried. RESOLUTION #110 AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN PURCHASE ORDER #0227 TO GARTNER EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC. FOR THE EMERGENCY PURCHASE OF A BOOSTER PUMP FOR THE TERRACE ROAD WELL IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4,000.00 Motion by Councilman Leach Seconded by Councilman Donlick VOTES: AYE – Williams, Donlick, Guido, Leach NAY – 0 NO VOTE – Reisweber ADOPTED BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board does hereby authorize and direct the Supervisor to sign Purchase Order #0227, as submitted by Water/Sewer Superintendent, Brian Congdon to be paid to Gartner Equipment Company, Inc., for the emergency purchase of a booster pump for the Terrace Road well, for the total cost of $3,290.00 plus shipping charges, for a total amount not to exceed $4,000.00. RESOLUTION #111 AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF VOUCHERS – MARCH Motion by Councilman Leach Seconded by Councilman Donlick VOTES: AYE – Williams, Donlick, Guido, Leach NAY – 0 NO VOTE – Reisweber ADOPTED BE IT RESOLVED, the vouchers submitted have been audited and shall be paid as follows: Funds A, B, DA, DB, Voucher #298-405 HG, SF, SS, SW General Fund A $ 329,174.78 General Fund B $ 11,650.31 Highway Fund DA $ 0.00 Highway Fund DB $ 19,002.94 Gutchess Lumber SC Project HG $ 4,600.90 MARCH 20, 2024 TOWN BOARD MEETING PAGE 2 C’Ville Fire District SF $ 0.00 Sewer Fund SS $ 83,633.91 Water Fund SW $ 53,611.74 Funds CD1, CD3, CD4 Voucher #(None) BMills Rehab CD1 $ 0.00 Town Wide Rehab CD3 $ 0.00 Business Devl CD4 $ 0.00 Funds TA, TE Voucher #(None) Trust & Agency TA $ 0.00 Expendable Trust TE $ 0.00 Deputy Supervisor Guido offered privilege of the floor to Bob Martin. Town resident, Bob Martin offered his comments on two topics: privilege of the floor and the need for the March 11, 2024 Special Town Board Meeting. First, he proposed changes to the privilege of the floor process, suggesting the Board allow five minutes per topic/agenda item, as well as the ability to sign up prior to the meeting for privilege of the floor. He emphasized the importance of public engagement for transparent governance. Addressing concerns raised by Supervisor Williams about the process's awkwardness, Martin urged for improvements. He cited instances of unanswered questions by the Board and offered specific examples. Mr. Martin questioned the necessity of the Special Town Board meeting held March 11, 2024 and the agenda item regarding the GLSC Concession Building. He highlighted concerns about the scope of the project and completion timelines. Mr. Martins full comments were provided to the Town Clerk after the meeting, which were provided to the Town Board and on file. Deputy Supervisor Guido thanked Mr. Martin for his comments. Deputy Supervisor Guido offered privilege of the floor to Linda Burghardt. Linda Burghardt, a volunteer with NY Citizens Audit, indicated that she was in attendance to answer any questions the Board may have regarding the updated resolution provided to the Board for adoption by the group. The Board had no questions for Ms. Burghardt. Deputy Supervisor Guido offered privilege of the floor to the public in attendance. No further requests were made. Councilman Leach made a motion, seconded by Councilman Donlick, to receive and file the following monthly reports: 1. Cortland Community SPCA – February 2024; 2. Town Justice Mathey and Town Justice DeMarco – February 2024; 3. Code Enforcement Officer, Desiree Campbell – February 2024; and 4. Town Historian, Nick Alteri – February 2024. All voting aye, the motion was carried. Councilman Donlick made a motion, seconded by Councilman Leach, to receive and file correspondence from Charter Communications, dated March 19, 2024, regarding programming services. All voting aye, the motion was carried. Under old business, the Board briefly discussed the New York Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System (NY Class). Councilman Donlick indicated that from what he researched NYCLASS was a good program noting the need for there to be discussion about how much money the Town would deposit with NYCLASS. Councilman Leach was not in favor of depositing money into NYCLASS voicing concerns for keeping the Town’s money in local banks where the funds are working for the community. He was also concerned that NYCLASS was not insured by the FDIC. Councilman Guido agreed that if the Board were to proceed with NYCLASS they would need to decide how much money could be committed. Since the full Board was not in attendance, the Board decided to table action. MARCH 20, 2024 TOWN BOARD MEETING PAGE 3 RESOLUTION #112 TABLE ACTION REGARDING DESIGNATING NEW YORK COOPERATIVE LIQUID ASSETS SECURITIES SYSTEM (NYCLASS) AS A DEPOSITORY FOR TOWN FUNDS Motion by Councilman Donlick Seconded by Councilman Leach VOTES: AYE – Williams, Donlick, Guido, Leach NAY – 0 NO VOTE – Reisweber ADOPTED BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board hereby tables action regarding designating New York Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System (NYCLASS) as a depository for Town funds, to allow the Board more time to research the matter. Under new business, Town Clerk Rocco-Petrella informed the public that the Spring 2023 edition of the Town’s newsletter, Talk of the Town was available on the Town’s website and at the following locations: Town Clerk’s Office, McGraw Village Clerk’s Office, Lamont Memorial Free Library. She also thanked her staff who have been hard at work on the Town’s new water/sewer billing software program/conversion and explained the new billing process to those in attendance. Attorney DelVecchio reported: Suit-Kote Corporation – Hydrant: Attorney DelVecchio informed the Board that Suit-Kote Corporation was working to install a new fire hydrant on their property where new propane tanks were approved to be located. While in the process of digging and installing the water lines to be run to the new hydrant, at the location it was proposed to be installed, it was discovered that Suit-Kote was mistakenly on property owned by National Grid. With Attorney DelVecchio’s assistance, Suit-Kote was put in contact with National Grid, and they were working to resolve the matter. Recodification Project: Attorney DelVecchio provided an update on his progress on the recodification of the Town Code. He was 40-50% through the initial review of the inquiries made by General Code. He expected there would be several local laws needed to address some of the changes to be made. He would work with other Town employees before presenting anything to the Board for consideration. Town Board Member reports: Councilman Donlick suggested the Board updated the Town Code to include provisions regarding camping, as the Town does not have laws in place to stop camping or prohibit squatters. He mentioned that there were several homeless encampments in the area. Attorney DelVecchio indicated that Councilman Donlick’s concern was one that he was working on through the recodification process. At this time in the meeting the Board proceeded with new business items. RESOLUTION #113 RESCIND TOWN BOARD RESOLUTION #32 OF 2024, “APPROVE RESOLUTION FOR AN AUDIT OF THE NEW YORK STATE 2022 GENERAL ELECTION AS PRESENTED BY NEW YORK CITIZENS AUDIT, CONTINGENT ON TOWN ATTORNEY APPROVAL” ADOPTED JAUARY 17, 2024 Motion by Councilman Leach Seconded by Councilman Donlick VOTES: AYE – Williams, Donlick, Guido, Leach NAY – 0 NO VOTE – Reisweber ADOPTED MARCH 20, 2024 TOWN BOARD MEETING PAGE 4 BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board does hereby rescind Town Board Resolution #32 of 2024, “Approve resolution for an audit of the New York State 2022 General Election as presented by New York Citizens Audit, contingent on Town Attorney approval” adopted January 17, 2024, because of the revised resolution presented to the Board for consideration by New York Citizens Audit. RESOLUTION #114 TABLE ACTION ON THE UPDATED RESOLUTION FOR CONSIDERATION AS PRESENTED BY NEW YORK CITIZENS AUDIT Motion by Councilman Leach Seconded by Councilman Donlick VOTES: AYE – Williams, Donlick, Guido, Leach NAY – 0 NO VOTE – Reisweber ADOPTED BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board does hereby table action on the updated resolution for consideration as presented by New York Citizens Audit for “a Legally Valid 2024 General Election”, to allow time for further review and discussion. There was a brief discussion regarding the audit of 2023 financial records to be completed by Insero & Co. CPA’s, whom the Town has had a longstanding relationship with. Councilman Leach noted the increasing cost of the annual audit over the last few years and asked if the Town should seek another option or firm. Councilman Donlick agreed that the Board should investigate it for next year. Supervisor Williams explained that the firm is of immense value to the Financial Administrator, Megan Johnson, as she can reach out to them throughout the year with questions. The Town does not receive bills for the additional services that Insero & Co. provides outside of the audit. RESOLUTION #115 AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT WITH INSERO & CO. CPAs, LLP TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF THE 2023 TOWN ACCOUNTING RECORDS Motion by Councilman Leach Seconded by Councilman Donlick VOTES: AYE – Williams, Donlick, Guido, Leach NAY – 0 NO VOTE – Reisweber ADOPTED BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board does hereby authorize and direct the Supervisor to sign the agreement with Insero & Co. CPAs, LLP to conduct an audit of the 2023 Town accounting records, for an amount not to exceed $20,750.00. Councilman Leach made a motion, seconded by Councilman Donlick, to receive and file correspondence from Insero & Co. CPAs, LLP, Certified Public Accountants, dated March 11, 2024, regarding the scope of services and timing of the audit of the Town of Cortlandville’s financial statements and compliance as on the year ending December 31, 2023. All voting aye, the motion was carried. Councilman Leach made a motion, seconded by Councilman Donlick, to receive and file correspondence from Supervisor Williams to Molly Reagan and the students at Saint Mary’s School for their invaluable contribution to the community in painting the Town’s Little Free Libraries. All voting aye, the motion was carried. MARCH 20, 2024 TOWN BOARD MEETING PAGE 5 RESOLUTION #116 ACKNOWLEDGE THE HIRING OF TWO (2) PART-TIME SEASONAL RECREATION ATTENDANTS AND ONE (1) PART- TIME SEASONAL LABORER FOR THE GUTCHESS LUMBER SPORTS COMPLEX BY RECREATION DIRECTOR, JOHN MCNERNEY Motion by Councilman Leach Seconded by Councilman Donlick VOTES: AYE – Williams, Donlick, Guido, Leach NAY – 0 NO VOTE – Reisweber ADOPTED BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board does hereby acknowledge the hiring of two (2) part -time seasonal Recreation Attendants and one (1) part-time seasonal Laborer for the Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex by Recreation Director, John McNerney as follows: Lawrence Brady PT Seasonal Recreation Attendant $18.00/hour Start date 3/9/2024 Michael Lippert PT Seasonal Recreation Attendant $18.00/hour Start date 3/16/2024 Jon Barnes PT Seasonal Laborer $17.50/hour Start date 3/13/2024 RESOLUTION #117 AUTHORIZE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO TRADE THREE 2020 FERRIS ISX3300 MOWERS FOR THREE NEW FERRIS ISX3300 MOWERS Motion by Councilman Leach Seconded by Councilman Donlick VOTES: AYE – Williams, Donlick, Guido, Leach NAY – 0 NO VOTE – Reisweber ADOPTED BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board does hereby authorize and direct the Town Highway Superintendent to trade three 2020 Ferris ISX3300 37hp zero turn mowers for three new Ferris ISX3300 40hp zero turn mowers with CNY Farm Supply (State Contract Pricing), as provided for in the 2024 Budget for the Highway Department, for the cost of $46,228.51 minus the trade-in value of $27,000.00, for the total cost of $19,228.51. Councilman Leach made a motion, seconded by Councilman Donlick, to receive and file the Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex (GLSC) Concession Building Construction Status Update, dated March 19, 2024, from John McNerney, Parks and Recreation Director. All voting aye, the motion was carried. With no further comments or discussion to be heard, Deputy Supervisor Guido adjourned the Regular Meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kristin E. Rocco-Petrella, RMC Town Clerk Town of Cortlandville *Note: The draft version of this meeting was submitted to the Town Board for their review on March 29, 2024. The final version of this meeting was approved as written at the Town Board meeting of April 3, 2024.