HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-05-05101=
MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING HELD MONDAY, MAY j, 1980 AT 7:30 Polo%
Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor
Verl Rankin, Jr., Councilman
Francis P. Carey, Councilman
Ellard. 11, Sovocool, Councilman
Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman
Benjamin J. Bucko, Town Attorney
Also present: Leland. Cornelius, L. Kenneth Wood, Mary Evelyn Dempsey,
Frank Satterly, Nancy McGuerty
I•Ir. Rankin moved that the minutes of April 7 and April 9 be approved as
mailed. Seconded by Mr. Carey. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Rankin, VanBenschoten,
Robinson. .
Claims #108 to #127 of the Highway Department and #101 to #x127 of the General
Fund were presented for audit. Mr. Rankin moved that the bills be paid and
the Clerk instructed. to draw warrant for them. Seconded by Mr. Sovocool.
Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Rankin, VanBenschoten, Robinson.
Attorney Bucko explained proposed ordinance for Games of Chance and procedure
for public hearings as follows: 1) Resolution for Public Hearing; (a) Notice
of Hearing; (b) Hearing; (c) Adoption subject to referendum or special election.
2) Resolution for Special Election: (a) Pick date and place of voting; (b)
Town Board as Inspectors; (c) Public Notice; (d.) Election. 3) Results of
voting verified by Inspectors; 4) Copy of Ordinance and Election results to
Secretary of State and State Racing and Wagering Board; b) Issue Licenses.
Mr. Sovocool moved to hold public hearing on Games of Chance Ordinance on
Tuesday, May 27, 1980 at 8:00 P.M. with a Special Town Board Meeting to be
held immediately following hearing to consider adopting ordinance subject to
referendum or special election. Seconded by Mr. Rankin. Ayes - Sovocool,
Carey, Rankin,VanBenschoten, Robinson.
Attorney Bucko reported on the John Anderson case. We can hold him in contempt
of court. Mr. Bucko has no answer as to what.the town can do to clean up.
A copy of Zoning Officer's report for April will be sent to Attorney Bucko
for his review.
Monthly reports from the Town Clerk, Zoning Officer, Town Justice and Quarterly
report from Audit and Control for Justice Court were reviewed by board.
Frank Satterly reported on Tompkins County Transportation Commissions resolution
asking that municipalities grant the Commission the authority to file applications
with Federal and State agencies to carry on a Rural /Suburban Transportation
Demonstration Program in the County. Mr. Satterly stated he had complaints from
other parts of the county that They are not included in program. Long range
plans may be Dryden, Cortland & Groton. He stressed the importance of a
representative from Town and Village of Groton to attend all meetings.
Board meeting recessed at 8:00 P.M. for public hearing on Land Sub- Division
Regulation changes.
Board meeting reconvened at 8 :03 P.M.
Since there was no one present to object to proposed Land, Sub - Division Regulation
changes, the board immediately took action..
RESOLUTION NO. 3 - ADOPT CHANGES IN LAND SLB - DIVISION REGULATIONS
Moved by Mr. Rankin, seconded. by Mr. VanBenschoten
Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Rankin, VanBenschoten,r Robinson
RESOLVED to accept changes in Land Sub - Division Regulations as ..presented
at hearing. A summary of the following changes and additions were
adopted.
Article III. Procedure in Filing
(a) The N.Y. State Environmental Quality Review act shall apply
to applications filed.
3.1.1 Submission of Sketch Plan shall be to the Chairman.
3.1.2 The Planning Board can continue discussions on the sub- division
application at a regular or special meeting. The sub - division
will be classified as major or minor as soon as possible. A
minor sub - division due to public health interest may be
required to conform to major sub- division requirements.
102
3.2.1 Minor sub- divisions shall comply with requirements of Article V,
Section 2.1.
3.2.4 The word. Chairman was inserted.
3.2.6 The Planning Board can. conditionally approve, conditionally
approve with modification, disapprove or grant final approval.
The method of approval, signature of Chairman and extension of
approval may be granted.
3.3.2 Word "chairman" inserted.
3.3.5.6 Changed to 3.3.6.
3.4.4 Changed 'L'o Tompkins County Health Department,
3.5.1 Changed to read "Town Attorney ".
401 Now reads "General ".
4.1.1 Redefined as "Character of. Land "..
5.1.1 Changed Section 2.1 (D) to 291 (C). P
5.2.1 Changed sanitation and water supply facilities to be approved
by Tompkins County Health Department instead of State Health
Department.
5.3 Eliminated word "conditional ".
5.3.1 The first sentence changed to read as follows: Five, (5)
copies of preliminary plat prepared.at a scale of not more
than one hundred (100) 'but preferably not less than fifty
(50) feet to the inch showing:
Frank Satterly continued his report on re- evaluation indicating that it was
a hardship for Groton people to go to Ithaca; two years is too often to be
reassessed; we were one of nine counties to go through phase one in 1978 and
are one of two counties to go through phase two in 1980. State has mandated
-that all counties be assessed at 100% market value. He also stated that he
didn't vote for gypsy moth ban because he felt it was confined mostly to a
few parks affecting mainly oak trees. Mr. Satterly also reported that John
Gains, Director of County Youth Program, has a summer youth training program
in Ithaca which Mr. Satterly will. try -to get Groton youth in. He also
indicated some concern on Nubia bridge being closed. Bill Mobbs will have
an answer by the end of the month on what the county is going to do with
bridge.
See corrected RESOLUTION NO. 4 - RELATING TO RE- TVALUATION OF PROPERTY IN-THE
Resolution TOWN OF GROTON
No. 9 Moved by Mr. Rankin, seconded by Mr. Sovocool
(wordage) Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Rankin, VanBenschoten, Robinson
IMREAS, the Tompkins County Assessment Department has re- evaluated
the property in the Town of Groton under the guise of complying with
state mandates, and
WHEREAS, the assessments imposed. and increased, by the assessment
department raise questions as to the validity, fairness and accuracy,
and
WHEREAS, it is understood by the residents of the town that other
areas of the State are not complying with the mandates placing the
burden on the residents of the Town of Groton and County, and
WHEREAS, the increase in assessments is another means of not only
increasing the tax burden on the residents but higher spending by
the representatives of the county government,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton on behalf
of the residents of the Town of Groton hereby request the Tompkins
County Assessment Department to readjust all assessments to those as
shown on the 1979 assessment rolls and that it impose a moratorium on
any new assessments until all municipalities enforce any state mandates
on an equal basis.
Correspondence:
Letter from State Cable TV Commission regarding toll free number for complaint
calls effective May 1, 1980 - Phone (boo) 342 -3330. This service is available
to anyone in the state.
n
is
Attorney Bucko's letter to GeTacche with copy to State Cable Condmission
r8gard ng an explanation of delay in McLean- Cortland Road.line extension.
Received reply from Ceracche indicating delay i%las totally beyond their control
due to delivery prob elms of var91ous materials and equipni nt. Geracche has
already credited $9,J2 to each account which was the sales tax on th8 con-
atxuc'tion fees.
Letter f3'om Bill Mobbs of the Tompkins County Highway Department informing us
that they plan to replace Stevens Road biidge duxing the 1980 season.
Letter frrom Department of Audit and Control notify -ing us that they will
discontinue furnlshing torms with blank torn budget forms,
Letter from James A. Mason, Vice Ohairman, Ithaca- Toirnpkins County T2z� ispor"tation
Coir.missio�n asking that municipalities grant 'the COJILfILIssion the authority to file
applications with Fedex'al and State funding agencies to carry{ on a Rural uburban
Transportation Demonstration Program in the county. They attached a. suggested
resolution for towns to adopt and submit not later than May 30, 1980. After
some discussion regax'ding services .in our area, the following resoliAions vrere
adopted:
RE3011 TION NO. , - AUTHORIZING THE I1HACA.'J10HPr,.[NS COUNTY TRANSPORTATION
COMMISSION TO SPONSGR AiND FIL1�, APPLICATION TO FEDERAL
AND STATE FU1V:NC AGENCIES FOR FUNDING ASSISTANCE FOR
RURAL SUBUR39d TRA14SPORTATION .DEMONSTRATION PROCRfiITS
AND TO MPSAGE. SUCH DEMOIISTRATION PROGRAMS ON AN AD
Ji0C BASIS
Moved by FJr. Rankin, seconded by Mi. Carey
Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Rankin, VanBenschoten, Robinson
WHEREAS, the Ithaca,- ''oi�Lpkins Oounty Transportiatiori Coirnission is preppring
project plan for increased opportunities. for. rLtcal suburban transportation
in Tompkins County, and
WI tE the airuf�ission has requested pexrn� scion from the municipalities
which created the Commission to authorXoze the Commission to make application
to Federal and Mate funding agencies to initiate a program for a two or
three year Rural Suburban TranspoxAatyon ]demonstration Program, and
WHEREAS, the CommiF;fAon has agreed to submit the project plan to the
m�znicipalit.ies for review and comment prior to. acceptance of any grant
offers from funding agencies, and that the individual municipalities
will be kept involved in the parocess to insure a unified.. cooperative
approach, therefore 'be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Groton does encourage and authorize the
Ithaca - Tompkins County Transportation Commission to file application for
funding assistance So:r.` said program and to geperally administer, expend
funds, and establish polio{ during the demonstration pex'iod, keeping each
municipality informed as to prcgaress.
RESOLUTION ISO. 6 TOWN OF GROTONS FORKAL ENUB, ST TO B INCLUDED D11 I
THE ITHACA- TOMPHIN COUOTY RURAL, /SUBURBAN TRANS-
PORTATZON .DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
F
Moved by Mr. Rankin, seconded by Mr, Carey
Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Rankin, VasnBenachoten,, Robinson
kWEREAS, the Tompkins County Transportation Corrtmiaeiort has requested
cooperation from the.rAunicipalities in the.county for funds to develop
a projected Ru'rdl /Suburban 'IL ansporta.tion Demonstration Program s T4.tem,
and
WHEREAS, the- .cou.nty government. has alT4ays solicited municipalities irL
the county 'to cooperate with propgsed prp jectr6 without extending the
benefits to all municipalities, and
. WMREAS, the Town of Groton being located, in the northeast section of
the county is excluded from most pxojected programs, yet, supports the
proposals fox many improueMents,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton supports the
application for fimd.:ixg of the pro�o!�sad Rural /Suburban Tranuorta.tion
D monstra,t:ion Program and formally requests that the Town of Groton be
included in the project and that any transportation coverage provided
under the pro-ject include Groton.
1 0.
Letter #`ram 1?ivision of Er�uali t'ion and Assessment zegar�Ung one year
fxeeze on 1980 agx"yeultura,l value assef�,sirnents ,
Discussed Zoning Of'ficer's report and !ta.tement at end of report, Consensus
of the Board was that Mr. Brown is right and the Town Attorney should, take
care of. Town Board directed that a letter be sent to Town Attorney with
copy to Mr. Brown.
Letter received from Mary Adams resigning from Town Planning Boat. Board
accepted csignat7 on Kith a letter of appreczatioin for time served to be*
sent to Mazy.
Lotter received From Marie Bancroft, Assistant Coordinator of Gadabout,
inquirin if 'the Tawas will be able to do anything for 'them this year {1980)
by means of funding. Trey would also like to be included in the 1981 Town-
Budget,
L. ter from Assemblyman Sam MacNeil indicating the Revenue Sharing Aid. Loss
Fi res : Town of Groton , $9,214; Village of Gi7oton - $3, 8' 6.
Invitwtion from Groton Centx'al School Art ]department to all Town Officials
to atte
n�nd Art Fantasy on Saturday, May 17 fx`om -5* 30 to ;00 P, �+], in the
H. S, Gyiga ,
Letter from N.Y.S. Association of Magistrates urging our support of Assembly
bill number 10900, Senate 2397 A which would increase a 41 -yeas old rate of
State rcirobuTsement to municipalities of $5,00 for a fine i,nposed fox a
violation of a state traf'fio law to a u1are realistic $15.00 per case .being
returned to the municYp �.ities. .
USOLUTIOR NO. 7 RELATING
AND +ILL
RELATION
Haved by MiI . Sovocool, seconded
Ayc�s - Sovocool, Carey, .Rankin,
TO INCREASING THE FEES PAID TG TOWNS
AGES FOR VARZOUS SERVICES RENDERED IN
'I'0 CRIMINAL AC'J% :10NS A14D PROCEEDINGS
by Mr. Rankin
Va-nBcnsehoten, Robinson
WHEREAS town and village dour'ts hear and deterioine cases involving
�ialations of state law, and
WHE€ ZAS fines and penalties collected by such courts axe paid to the
state in recognition of the fact that such violations are
state offenses, and
WHEREAS in recognition of the sexvices provided by such local courts,
the State of New York has provided in section -1 of the
General Municipal Law that towns and villages shall be rein,
bursed for services rendered in such cases in the amount of
$5.00 per case, Arid
W EREAS the amount of $J.00 was originally set forth in the Code of
Criminal Procedure, section 740 -a, 'try Chapter 737 of the Laws
of 1939, and, has remained. unchanged for the past 41 years, and
WHEUAS the per case costs of the operation of local coixrt have
increased 8ubstantia,lly since 1939 while no increase in re-
imbursement by th'e state to local governments for court
services has been granted, and
WHEREAS the net result, is that the burden of the said additional cost,
of adrrinistCx1ng this state operation is borne by taxation of
local real praperty rather, than by general taxation,
NOW T ER&FORE BE IT RT OLVED that this body does hereby strongly urge
the Legislature and the Governor to act favorable on pending
leg? slation Nhich would increase the amount x'eturned to towns
and villages to $15.00 instead of the present inadegi ate $5.00
limit, as set by the present provisions of law (Senate 7�A;
Assembly 10900) , and be it fuxther
RESOLVED that a copy of this reso Lotion be forthwith forwarded to the
]ion HUGH L. CAREY, Governor; HOCK.. WARREN M. ANDERSON, President
Pro Tern of the Senate; HON. MANFRED ONRENSTELN, Senate Minority
Leader; HON, S'TAC LEf FliiK, Spoaker of the Assembly; HON. DANIEL
B. WALSH, Assembly Major]Lty Leader; HON. JAMES L. =Y, Assembly
Minority Leader; HOR . JESS J . PRESENT, Ghfrin . , Senate. EoamIttee
on Local Government; HOPI. JADJ S W. MG CABE, Chmn. , Assembly
Committee on Local Gove7nmentf�b; HON. WI=AN T. SMITH, local
State Senator ,p and HON, HUGH S. MAC NUL, Local State Assemblyman.
Moved by Mr. Rankin, seconded 'by Mr. Carey that the Town pay voucher for
fire numbers from Federal Revenue Sharing Funds in the amount of $313.28
with the stipulation that the Fire Department put them up. Ayes - Sovocool,
Carey, Rankin, VanBenschoten, Robinson.
Moved by Firs. Robinson to recess board. meeting and go into executive session
to discuss acquisition of real property. Seconded by Mr. Rankin at 8:45 P.M.
All ayes.
Board meeting reconvened at 8:55 P.M.
Supervisor Robinson stated. that the board had unanimously agreed to table
Mr. Websters letter regarding acquisition of real.property until the next
board meeting.
Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded. by Mr. VanBenschoten, to authorize Highway
Superintendent Leland Cornelius to attend Cornell School for Highway
Superintendents on June 2 - 4. Ayes - Sovocool., Carey, Rankin, �JanBenschoten,
Robinson.
Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded 'by Mr. Sovocool, authorizing Highway
Superintendent to draw up specifications for a 10 -wheel dump truck -snow plow
to be bid June 2, 1980 at 8:00 P.J]. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Rankin,
VanBenschoten, Robinson.
Supervisor Robinson has received 1980 Census information and will send. to
census committee that board appointed.
There being no further business, Mr. Rankin moved to adjourn meeting,
seconded by Mi. Sovocool at 9:10 P.M.
Colleen D. Pierson
Town Clerk
MINUTES OF A SPMIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING HELD TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1980
At a Special meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Groton, held on the
27th day of May, 1980:
Present: Supervisor Teresa Robinson, Councilmen Verl Rankin, Jr.,
Ellard L. Sovocool, Francis P. Carey, Gordon C. VanBenschoten
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING
FOR THE CONDUCT OF
CA14ES OF CHANCE IN
THE TOWN OF GRO'T`OT11
BE IT P&TACTED by the Town Board of the Town of Groton as follows:
Section I. TITLE. 'Phis ordinance shall be known as the Games of
Chance Law of the Town of Groton.
Section II. DEFINITIONS. "Authorized organization" shall mean an
authorized organization as defined in subsection 4 of section 186 of
the General Municipal Law. "Games of Chance" shall mean a game of
chance as defined in subsection 3 cf section 186 of the General
Municipal law.
Section III. CA1%1ES OF CHANCE AUTHORIZED. Authorized organizations,
may upon obtaining a license from the Town Clerk, conduct games of chance
w* thin the Town of Groton as provided in Article 9 -A of the General
Municipal Lars and as provided further in this ordinance. Such games of
chance shall be conducted in accordance with the law of the State of
New York and with the rules and regulations adopted by the New York State
Racing and Wagering Board and pursuant to this ordinance.
Section IV. RESTRICTIONS. The conduct of games of chance shall. be
subject to the restrictions imposed by section 189 of the General
Municipal Law.
Section V. SUNDAY GAMES. Games of Chance may be conducted on Sunday
pursuant to this ordinance. However, no games of chance shall 'be
conducted on Easter Sunday, Christ►nas Day or New Years Eve,
Section VI. ENFORCEMEI1I'T'. The sheriff of Tompkins County shall exercise
control over and supervision of all Games of Chance conducted under duly
authorized license. The sheriff of Tompkins County shall. have all those
powers and duties set forth in and for the enforcement of Article 9 -A of
the General Municipal Law,