HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-15 Town Board MinutesNOVEMBER 15, 2017 5:00 P.M.
PUBLIC HEARING NO. 1
2018 PRELIMINARY BUDGET
A Public Hearing was held by the Town Board of the Town of Cortlandville at the
Raymond G. Thorpe Municipal Building, 3577 Terrace Road, Cortland, New York, concerning
the 2018 Preliminary Budget.
Members present: Supervisor, Richard C. Tupper
Councilman, Theodore V. Testa
Councilman, John C. Proud
Councilman, Gregory K. Leach
Councilperson, Kristin E. Rocco-Petrella
Town Clerk, Karen Q. Snyder, RMC
Others present were: Deputy Highway Sup't. Glenn Bassett; Town Residents; John
Reynolds, Pam Bassett, Doug Withey, Barb Leach, Andrea Niggli; Ann Doyle, City of Cortland
resident; Richard Cunningham representing Thoma Development; George Phillips, Southern Tier
Regional Director of RECLAIM New York; Sharon Stevans from Channel 2, Access TV and
Robert Crennan from the Cortland Standard.
Supervisor Tupper called the Public Hearing to order.
Town Clerk, Karen Q. Snyder read aloud the Legal Notice as published, posted and filed.
Supervisor Tupper offered privilege of the floor to those in attendance.
Douglas Withey was the only person to comment on the 2018 Preliminary Budget. He
asked the Board what they would have wanted to see remain in the budget that they could not
include without going over the tax cap.
Supervisor Tupper response to Mr. Withey was $300,000.00 was taken out of the
equipment of the Highway Department. By doing this the Board managed to stay under the tax
cap. Being the largest department of the Town this department also takes the biggest hit.
Councilperson Rocco-Petrella recognized Highway Sup't., Carl Bush for being very in -
tune with what equipment needs to be repaired or replaced. He has a program in place for
replacing and repairing equipment, so he is aware of what was coming up.
With no other comments or discussions heard, the Public Hearing was closed at 5:05 p.m.
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NOVEMBER 15, 2017
5:05 P.M.
PUBLIC HEARING NO. 2
ROYAL NISSAN OF CORTLAND, INC. CDBG GRANT APPLICATION
A Public Hearing was held by the Town Board of the Town of Cortlandville at the
Raymond G. Thorpe Municipal Building, 3577 Terrace Road, Cortland, New York, concerning
the 2017 NYS Office of Community Renewal (CDBG) Economic Development Grant
application of Royal Nissan of Cortland, Inc.
Members present: Supervisor, Richard C. Tupper
Councilman, Theodore V. Testa
Councilman, John C. Proud
Councilman, Gregory K. Leach
Councilperson, Kristin E. Rocco-Petrella
Town Clerk, Karen Q. Snyder, RMC
Others present were: Deputy Highway Sup't. Glenn Bassett; Town Residents; John
Reynolds, Pam Bassett, Doug Withey, Barb Leach, Andrea Niggli; Ann Doyle, City of Cortland
resident; Richard Cunningham representing Thoma Development; George Phillips, Southern Tier
Regional Director of RECLAIM New York; Sharon Stevans from Channel 2, Access TV and
Robert Crennan from the Cortland Standard.
Supervisor Tupper called the Public Hearing to order.
Town Clerk, Karen Q. Snyder read aloud the Legal Notice as published, posted and filed.
Supervisor Tupper offered privilege of the floor to those in attendance.
Rich Cunningham spoke on behalf of Thoma Development. The Public Hearing is two-
fold. It is to discuss the potential application the Town is submitting and to discuss any
Community Development activity that can be under this program. He explained the guidelines
for applying for the grant and what the money can be used for. He indicated Royal Nissan will
be relocating their Nissan Dealership, expanding their service department and will be adding 6
new positions to their existing 20. The 6 new positions must qualify under the CDBG income
guidelines.
With no other comments or discussions heard, the Public Hearing was closed at 5:10 p.m.
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NOVEMBER 15, 2017
5:10 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, Cortland, New York, with Supervisor Tupper
presiding.
Members present: Supervisor, Richard C. Tupper
Councilman, Theodore V. Testa
Councilman, John C. Proud
Councilman, Gregory K. Leach
Councilperson, Kristin E. Rocco-Petrella
Town Clerk, Karen Q. Snyder, RMC
Others present were: Deputy Highway Sup't. Glenn Bassett; Town Residents; John
Reynolds, Pam Bassett, Doug Withey, Barb Leach, Andrea Niggli; Ann Doyle, City of Cortland
resident; Richard Cunningham representing Thoma Development; George Phillips, Southern Tier
Regional Director of RECLAIM New York; Sharon Stevans from Channel 2, Access TV and
Robert Crennan from the Cortland Standard.
Supervisor Tupper called the meeting to order.
Councilman Proud made a motion, seconded by Councilman Testa to approve the Town
Board Minutes of October 4, 2017 as submitted. All voting aye, the motion was carried.
Councilman Proud made a motion, seconded by Councilman Testa to approve the Town
Board Minutes of October 18, 2017 as submitted. All voting aye, the motion was carried.
Councilman Proud made a motion, seconded by Councilman Testa to approve the Town
Board Minutes of November 1, 2017 as submitted. All voting aye, the motion was carried.
RESOLUTION #197 AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF VOUCHERS — NOVEMBER
Motion by Councilperson Rocco-Petrella
Seconded by Councilman Proud
VOTES: AYE -Tupper, Testa, Proud, Leach, Rocco-Petrella NAY-0
ADOPTED
BE IT RESOLVED, the vouchers submitted have been audited and shall be paid as follows:
Funds A, B, DA, DB Voucher #1110-1185
HE, HG, SS, General Fund
$ 208,682.36
SW General Fund B
$
21,210.21
Highway Fund DA
$
0.00
Highway Fund DB
$
149,313.03
Saunders Rd. Sewer Project HG
$
0.00
Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex HG
$
0.00
Sewer SS
$
26,497.41
Water SW
$
31,305.94
Funds CD1, CD3, CD4 Voucher # (None)
BMills Rehab CD1 $ 0.00
Town Wide Rehab CD3
$
0.00
Business Devl CD4
$
0.00
Funds SF, TA, TE Voucher # (None)
C'Ville Fire District SF
$
0.00
Trust & Agency TA
$
0.00
Expendable Trust TE
$
0.00
Supervisor Tupper offered privilege of the floor to those in attendance.
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NOVEMBER 15, 2017 TOWN BOARD MEETING PAGE 2
Doug Withey shook Greg Leach's hand and congratulated him on his 9 years of public
service on the Town Board. He also congratulated John Reynolds for his victory. He is pleased
to see the microphones are in place and would like to look into changing the Town Board
meeting time to make it easier for those who work to get involved. He would also like the public
to be better informed about topics that will be covered at the meetings prior to the meetings,
requesting the information possibly on the website.
Sharon Stevens comment on a couple of topics that came up in the last meeting.
Community Access for Cortland is the name of Channel 2. In 2012 the old equipment was
breaking down and Time Warner Cable would not help pay for replacing the old equipment. The
City of Cortland and the Town of Cortlandville helped pay for it. Without this equipment she
does not believe there would still be local broadcasting. This made it possible for the meetings
to still be aired. It was her understanding that in the end the City of Cortland paid the entire bill.
The Franchise Agreement does not guarantee that local meetings will be broadcasted only
that a channel be provided. She suggests that the Board consult with audio visual professional
and set up a remote camera system similar to that used by the County. Possibly live stream
meetings and archive them on to the website. This would free the Town from depending on
Charter Communications and a volunteer.
Councilperson Rocco-Petrella apprised the public that there is a new website in the works
that will be much more user friendly than the current one.
George Phillips from the non-profit non -partisan organization, RECLAIM New York,
stated he is concerned with the affordability crisis in New York State. He is trying to reach out
to elected officials around New York State. One of the big issues is mandate relief. He talked
about shared services and it sounds like most people are doing their part to combine their
services. He would like to keep businesses and people in New York State. He left information
about mandate relief with his contact information.
Councilman Proud made a motion seconded by Councilman Testa to acknowledge the
following monthly reports from the Town Clerk, Water & Sewer, Supervisor, NYS Ag. &
Markets, regarding the report of the Cortland County SPCA Dog Control Officer, and Code
Officer, Kevin McMahon for the month of October 2017. All voting Aye, the motion was
carried.
Councilman Proud asked Town Clerk Snyder if the issues with the SPCA have been
rectified. Town Clerk Snyder said she would make contact with them to see if the concerns have
been taken care of.
Councilman Proud, made a motion, seconded by Councilman Testa, to receive and file
correspondence from Charter Communications dated November 09, 2017, regarding
programming. All voting aye, the motion was carried.
Supervisor Tupper stated that there is no new contract in place with Charter
Communications but that it is the old contract we are working with.
Sharon Stevans indicated the old contract is fine and preferable to a new contract and
they cannot force us into a new contract.
Supervisor Tupper also spoke about correspondence from Byrne Dairy. He said it would
be copied and distributed to the Board members.
RESOLUTION 4198 APPROVE THE LOAN AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZE
SUPERVISOR TO SIGN THE COMMITMENT LETTER
BETWEEN THE TOWN AND ROYAL NISSAN OF
CORTLAND, INC.
Motion by Councilman Proud
Seconded by Councilman Testa
VOTES: AYE - Tupper, Testa, Proud, Leach, Rocco-Petrella NAY - 0
ADOPTED
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NOVEMBER 15, 2017 TOWN BOARD MEETING PAGE 3
BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board does hereby approve the Loan Agreement and authorize the
Supervisor to sign such agreement, between the Town of Cortlandville and Royal Nissan of
Cortland, Inc., for property located at 3901 State Route 281, Cortland, New York regarding the
loaning of funds by the Town's from the CDBG Program for the total amount of $108,000.00.
Supervisor Tupper said the money would be used for fixtures, furniture, and a new lift.
There is a little over $300,000.00 in the Economic Development CDBG account.
Supervisor Tupper made comments on the preliminary budget and how the Board got to
where they are now. When the Board members started with the tentative budget, they were
$500,000.00 above the budget from last year. There would have been a 30% increase in tax rate,
which would have been a $.93 per thousand of an increase. The taxes have stayed stable since
2005. After the last meeting yesterday, the Town Board managed to get it below the State 2%
cap. There have been 5 budget workshops. There are no lay-offs of personnel in this year's
budget.
Councilman Testa apprised the Board that if you looked at Scott or Homer, which are
smaller Towns, they are trying to combine them and share one judge or clerk. They are doing
smaller volume of business which makes them look good. But makes larger Towns look bad.
Councilman Proud said that the court system needs to be overhauled. The inefficiencies
are costing tax payers money. There are two drivers in the Town of Cortlandville budget. The
Cortlandville land taxe and the sales tax are where the Town receives revenue. The rate of
increase in land tax is not going up like it was. The assessments are not increasing like they were
and the development is not happening. The sales tax in Cortlandville is flat. There is a new era
that we are moving into as there is no sales tax on internet purchases.
Supervisor Tupper said that the proposed Village of McGraw's tax rate has decreased by
$.05, per thousand. The Board is trying to control as much as they can. If revenue does not
increase in time then services may have to be decreased.
Councilperson Rocco-Petrella thanked the Town department heads and Supervisor
Tupper along with the Town Bookkeeper Marcia Hicks for all their work on the budget.
RESOLUTION #199 TABLE APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS REGARDING THE
TOWN -WIDE HOUSING REHABILITATION GRANT
PROGRAM CDBG #287HR326-16
Motion by Councilman Proud
Seconded by Councilperson Rocco-Petrella
VOTES: AYE — Tupper, Testa, Proud, Leach, Rocco-Petrella NAY — 0
ADOPTED
BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board does hereby table approval of payment for the following
regarding the Town -Wide Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program-CDBG 4287HR326-16:
Town of Cortlandville Code Office- $150.00 (Building Permit Fees)
RESOLUTION #200 SCHEDULE A SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
Motion by Councilman Proud
Seconded by Councilperson Rocco-Petrella
VOTES: AYE — Tupper, Testa, Proud, Leach, Rocco-Petrella NAY — 0
ADOPTED
BE IT RESOLVED, a Special Town Board Meeting shall be scheduled for November 17, 2017
at 10:30 a.m. at the Raymond G. Thorpe Municipal Building, for the purpose of adopting the
2018 Preliminary Budget as the Final Budget for 2018.
Town Clerk Snyder apprised the Town Board that the Town Clerk's Office will be closed
on December 41h, 2017 to attend a training in Syracuse, NY regarding audits and IT provided by
the New York State Town Clerk's Association.
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NOVEMBER 15, 2017 TOWN BOARD MEETING PAGE 4
RESOLUTION #201 AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN THE AFFIDAVIT
REGARDING THE TOWN'S 2016 COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT TOWN -WIDE HOUSING
REHABILITATION PROGRAM BETWEEN THE TOWN AND
RENEE HAMMOND
Motion by Councilperson Rocco-Petrella
Seconded by Councilman Proud
VOTES: AYE — Tupper, Testa, Proud, Leach, Rocco-Petrella NAY — 0
ADOPTED
BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board does hereby ,authorize the Supervisor to sign the Affidavit
regarding the Town's 2016 Community Development Town -Wide Housing Rehabilitation Program,
between the Town of Cortlandville and Renee Hammond, 40 Clinton St., McGraw, New York
regarding the loan funds by the Town's CDBG #287HR326-16 Program for the total amount of
$30,107.60.
RESOLUTION #202 AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN THE OWNER -
OCCUPIED LOAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN AND
RENEE HAMMOND FOR THE TOWN -WIDE HOUSING
REHABILITATION GRANT PROGRAM CDBG #287HR326-16
Motion by Councilperson Rocco-Petrella
Seconded by Councilman Proud
VOTES: AYE - Tupper, Testa, Proud, Leach, Rocco-Petrella NAY - 0
ADOPTED
BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board does hereby authorize the Supervisor to sign the Owner -
Occupied Loan Agreement, between the Town of Cortlandville and Renee Hammond, 40 Clinton
St., McGraw, New York regarding the loan funds by the Town's CDBG Program for the total
amount of $30,107.60.
RESOLUTION #203 AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN THE AFFIDAVIT
REGARDING THE TOWN'S 2016 COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT TOWN -WIDE HOUSING
REHABILITATION PROGRAM BETWEEN THE TOWN AND
a DAVID PIERCE
Motion by Councilperson Rocco-Petrella
Seconded by Councilman Proud
VOTES: AYE — Tupper, Testa, Proud, Leach, Rocco-Petrella NAY — 0
ADOPTED
BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board does hereby authorize the Supervisor to sign the Affidavit
regarding the Town's 2016 Community Development Town -Wide Housing Rehabilitation Program,
between the Town of Cortlandville and Renee Hammond, 1159 Gallagher Rd., Cortland, New York
regarding the loan funds by the Town's CDBG #287HR326-16 Program for the total amount of
$28,193.00.
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NOVEMBER 15, 2017 TOWN BOARD MEETING PAGE 5
RESOLUTION #204 AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN THE AFFIDAVIT
REGARDING THE TOWN'S 2016 COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT TOWN -WIDE HOUSING
REHABILITATION PROGRAM BETWEEN THE TOWN AND
TAYRA FEDORKA AND CHRISTOPHER POWELL
Motion by Councilperson Rocco-Petrella
Seconded by Councilman Proud
VOTES: AYE — Tupper, Testa, Proud, Leach, Rocco-Petrella NAY — 0
ADOPTED
BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board does hereby authorize the Supervisor to sign the Affidavit
regarding the Town's 2016 Community Development Town -Wide Housing Rehabilitation Program,
between the Town of Cortlandville and Tayra Fedorka and Christopher Powell, 3770 Fairview Dr.,
Cortland, New York regarding the loan funds by the Town's CDBG #287HR326-16 Program for
the total amount of $32,550.00.
Councilman Proud made a motion, seconded by Councilman Testa, to receive and file
correspondence from the NYS Homes & Community Renewal dated November 08, 2017,
regarding Project (CDBG #287HR62-13 & 287HR326-16). All voting aye, the motion was
carried.
RESOLUTION #205 AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN THE "NEW
APPLICANT APPROVAL REQUEST" REGARDING THE
TOWN'S 2016 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT TOWN -WIDE HOUSING REHABILITATION
PROGRAM BETWEEN THE TOWN AND JERI ANN
MCCRACKEN
Motion by Councilperson Rocco-Petrella
Seconded by Councilman Testa
VOTES: AYE — Tupper, Testa, Proud, Leach, Rocco-Petrella NAY — 0
ADOPTED
BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board does hereby authorize the Supervisor to sign the New
Applicant Approval Request regarding the Town's 2016 Community Development Town -Wide
Housing Rehabilitation Program, between the Town of Cortlandville and Jeri Ann McCracken, 655
Lime Hollow Rd., Cortland, New York regarding the loan funds by the Town's CDBG Program for
the total amount of $5,690.00, for an emergency roof repair.
RESOLUTION #206 ADOPT RESOLUTION REGARDING CLIMATE SMART
COMMUNITIES IN THE TOWN OF CORTLANDVILLE
Motion by Councilman Testa
Seconded by Councilman Proud
VOTES: AYE — Tupper, Testa, Proud, Rocco-Petrella NAY — 0
ABSTAIN -Councilman Leach
ADOPTED
WHEREAS, The Town of Cortlandville (hereinafter "local government") believes that climate
change poses a real and increasing threat to our local and global environments and
WHEREAS, the effects of climate change will endanger our infrastructure, economy and
livelihoods; harm our farms, orchards, and ecological communities, including native fish and
wildlife populations; spread invasive species and exotic diseases; reduce drinking water supplies
and recreational opportunities; and pose health threats to our citizens; and
WHEREAS, we believe that our response to climate change provides us with an unprecedented
opportunity to save money, and to build livable, energy -independent and secure communities,
vibrant innovation economies, healthy and safe schools, and resilient infrastructures; and
WHEREAS, we believe the scale of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions required for
climate stabilization will require sustained and substantial efforts; and
NOVEMBER 15, 2017 TOWN BOARD MEETING PAGE 6
WHEREAS, we believe that even if emissions were dramatically reduced today, communities
would still be required to adapt to the effects of climate change for decades to come,
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Town of Cortlandville, in order to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and adapt to a changing climate, adopts the New York State Climate Smart
Communities Pledge, which comprises the following ten elements:
1. Pledge to be a Climate Smart Community.
2. Set goals, inventory emissions, plan for climate action.
3. Decrease community energy use.
4. Increase community use of renewable energy.
5. Realize benefits of recycling and other climate -smart solid waste management practices.
6. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions through use of climate -smart land -use tools.
7. Enhance community resilience and prepare for the effects of climate change.
8. Support development of a green innovation economy.
9. Inform and inspire the public.
10. Commit to an evolving process of climate action.
RESOLUTION 4207 AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN NYS CDBG
CERTIFICATION FORM AND CERTIFICATE OF SEQRA
CLASSIFICATION FOR ROYAL NISSAN OF CORTLAND,
INC.
Motion by Councilman Testa
Seconded by Councilperson Rocco-Petrella
VOTES: AYE - Tupper, Testa, Proud, Leach, Rocco-Petrella NAY - 0
ADOPTED
BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is hereby authorized and directed to sign the NYS CDBG
Certification form and the Certificate of SEQRA Classification for Royal Nissan of Cortland,
Inc. subject to Attorney Folmer's approval.
No further comments or discussion were heard.
Councilman Proud made a motion, seconded by Councilman Leach, to adjourn the
Regular Meeting. All voting aye, the motion was carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Q. Snyder, RMC
Town Clerk
Town of Cortlandville
*Note:
The final version of this meeting was submitted to the Town Board for their review on December 01, 2017.
The final version of this meeting was approved as written at the Town Board meeting of December 6,2017.