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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-14-2019 Tonw Board Meeting Minutes ApprovedVirgil Town Board Meeting November 14, 2019 1 | P a g e TOWN OF VIRGIL REGULAR MEETING November 14, 2019 PRESENT: Supervisor John Kaminski, Deputy Supervisor Jereme Stiles, Board Members Eric Snow, Matt Denniston, Gary Pelton, Attorney for the Town Pat Snyder, Town Clerk/Collector Alane Van Donsel, David Coish Camden Group, Highway Superintendent Britt Morse, Sandy Price Cortland County Legislator, Wes Kryger Hope Lake Park/Greek Peak, Mack & Sylvia Cook, Teri Pelton, Clayton Moore, Sara Sirios 6:30 PM –THE REGULAR MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER Supervisor Kaminski called the meeting to order, followed by the salute to the flag. RESOLUTION #19-091 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Draft of the Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes dated October 10, 2019: Member Stiles moved to approve the minutes for Oct. 10, 2019 regular Town Board Meeting Minutes. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None Draft of the Public Budget Hearing dated November 7, 2019: Member Stiles moved to approve the minutes for Nov. 7th, 2019 Town Board Budget Haring Minutes. Member Denniston seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None. RESOLUTION #19-092 AUTHORIZATION TO PAY BILLS GENERAL FUND FOR OCTOBER 2019 NUMBER 011: Member Denniston moved to approve payment of the General Fund’s audited vouchers numbered 293-328 in the amount of $18,697.21. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None HIGHWAY FUND FOR OCTOBER 2019 NUMBER 011: Member Denniston moved to approve payment of the Highway Fund audited vouchers numbered 1179-1205 in the amount of $27,175.04. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None SEWER DISTRICT #1 FUND FOR OCTOBER 2019 NUMBER 011: Member Denniston moved to approve payment of the Sewer District #1 audited voucher’s numbered 2105-2122 in the amount of $25,785.16. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None They questioned WATER DISTRICT #1 FUND FOR OCTOBER 2019 NUMBER 011: Member Denniston moved to approve payment of the Water District #1 audited vouchers 3055-3061 in the amount of $4,796.58. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None MONTHLY REPORTS SUPERVISOR’S MONTHLY REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2019 LONG FORM: Member Stiles moved to accept the Supervisor’s Monthly Report in long form for October 2019. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays –None TOWN CLERK’S MONTHLY REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2019: Member Stiles moved to accept the Town Clerks Monthly Report for October 2019. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None SEWER DISTRICT OPERATIONS REPORT: Dave Coish was present from the Camden Group. Supervisor Kaminski asked Coish if the new pump had been installed yet. Coish said that had not be able to do so yet, as it has been too cold. He said that they are going to attempt it tomorrow. The new tank has been installed and Coish thinks it’ll be up and running by Tuesday. He said that it’s in the ground and the holes are prepared, but with all the rain and snow it has set them back a bit. Member Pelton said he’s going to stop down and check it out. Member Stiles moved to accept the Sewer Districts Report. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None WATER DISTRICT OPERATIONS REPORT: A representative from W2Operator’s was not able to be present this month. They submitted a written report. Member Stiles moved to accept the Water Districts Report. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes- Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER’S REPORT: Member Stiles moved to accept the Animal Control Officer’s Report. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays-None CODE ENFORCEMENT AND ZONING OFFICERS REPORT: A written report was submitted by Code and Zoning Officer Kevin McMahon. Member Stiles motioned to accept the Code and Zoning Officers report. The motion was seconded Member Snow. Vote: Ayes- Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None COUNTY LEGISLATOR’S REPORT: County Legislator Sandy Price submitted a written report and was present. Deputy Supervisor Stiles asked how the county budget planning was going. Price said that it has been revised and it will be voted on next Thursday night. Price said that they got it under the tax cap a little over 2%. She said there were many cuts and many of them she wouldn’t have supported in the past, but she is supporting this year because she has heard more people say they can’t afford to pay higher taxes. She said there are many items and services that people want, but more people want lower taxes. Kaminski asked about the solar project. Price said Virgil Town Board Meeting November 14, 2019 2 | P a g e that it has been voted down twice and she doesn’t understand why. She said some people don’t believe in solar, some don’t like the company, some wanted more money and some didn’t like using a company from outside of New York State. She doesn’t know what else they could do to generate income. Stiles asked if it would be a different outcome, if they went with another company. Price wasn’t sure. She said the project has been scaled back because the county would have had to upgrade the electrical lines. She said the company they were going with was vetted and came highly recommended. Stiles wanted to know how the county budgets for studies. Price said that it depends on where the study is being done. Like for instance the opioids study would come out of the Health department line, but they have a guaranteed grant for that study for three years. She doesn’t know what the state will do after that. But she feels it’s worth a try, maybe it will help us. Price said she has heard many positive comments about the Virgil Transfer Station and about Bo Nelson. She said that the town of Virgil is collecting more glass than all the other town in the county combined and this is saving the county money. Member Stiles motioned to accept the County Legislators report. The motion was seconded Member Snow Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None HOPE LAKE OPERATIONS REPORT: Wes Kryger was present and he said that the Nordic center will open as soon as the weather permits. Member Stiles asked if the bridge will hold up this winter. Wes thinks its ok. Member Stiles motioned to accept the Hope Lake Operations oral report. The motion was seconded Member Snow. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays- None VIRGIL YOUTH COMMISSION REPORT: No representative from the Youth Commission was present this month and no report was submitted. HIGHWAY DEPT. SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT: Highway Superintendent Britt Morse was present and submitted a written report. Morse said that they are on Winter hours and that the snow coming early this season. He said all the Seasonal roads have been posted. He will prepare a legal notice and he will submit it to the Cortland Standard and post it at the Town Hall. Member Pelton wanted to know if all the plows were ready to go? Morse said yes. Member Stiles motioned to accept the Highway Supervisor report. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None. OLD BUSINESS PLANNING AND ZBA TRAINING ON TOWN’S ZONING: Supervisor Kaminski said that they would like to set up a training of the Towns Zoning law for members of the Planning and Zoning Board. Attorney Snyder said that he would teach the class and it would be a combination of online training as well as classroom training. A copy of the proposed agenda is attached to the online agenda, the training is set for Nov. 25th at 7pm. The main reason for the training is to go over our local zoning law and Snyder is going to review some things and going to start upgrading the zoning law, he is looking for recommendations. SCHOOL BUILDING UPDATE: Supervisor Kaminski said that he spoke to the school two weeks ago. They are talking to the dormitory authority and the IRS on what, if anything they can do. He said they are still in limbo. Kaminski said that Superintendent Hoose sent a letter to the Governor. He said it is on file with the Town Clerk. Stiles said that Hoose is asking for assistance from the Governor regarding the empty school buildings. NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION # 19-093 ADOPT THE 2020 TOWN BUDGET: Supervisor Kaminski said that the town budget is going up .08¢ per thousand because of the raise in the cost of salt and sand. He said that no elected officials got raises, only some of the hourly employees. Member Stiles motioned to approve the 2020 Town Budget as presented. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None RESOLUTION #19-094 APPROVE GENERATOR CONTRACT WITH PENN POWER SYSTEMS: Member Stiles motioned to approve the Generator Contract with Penn Power Systems for the Virgil Sewage Treatment Plant. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None RESOLUTION #19-095 REAPPOINT JAMES MURPHY TO THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW: Member Stiles motioned to approve reappoint James Murphy to another five-year term on the Board of Assessment Review. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None. DISCUSSION ON THE TOWN’S FEE SCHEDULE FOR PLANNING AND ZONING: This item will be discussed that the next town board meeting. RESOLUTION #19-096 APPROVE WORKER’S COMPENSATION PLAN: Member Stiles said they got a copy of the contract from Bailey Place insurance for workers compensation insurance. The policy is through Perma insurance and is for thirteen months. All town employees and the Virgil Fire Department is covered for $36,965 and the policy will begin on Dec 1st. Member Stiles made a motion to approve the 13-month plan with Perma in the Amount of $36,965 through Perma. Member Denniston seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None. Community member Teri Pelton asked if the town will be accruing a penalty from the county for getting out of their plan? Supervisor Kaminski said that he hasn’t heard anything from them. Member Denniston said we are taking our claims with us. Deputy Supervisor Stiles said that the Village of Homer did the same thing and they set a precedence. Virgil Town Board Meeting November 14, 2019 3 | P a g e PROPOSED DOG CENSUS: Town Clerk Van Donsel wanted to know if the board was alright with putting a dog census notice in the tax bills to save the town money on postage. She is going to check with the New York state Tax Association to make sure there are no rules against that Attorney Snyder didn’t think there were any rules against it. Supervisor Kaminski said it was alright with the board to do so. GREEK PEAK MAINTENANCE BUILDING LEASE: Wes Kryger looked over the 2020 lease and said everything looked alright except that there should be an address change and the payments will be monthly. Supervisor Kaminski said that the board didn’t have to vote on it, as it was decided at budget time. APPROVE CREDIT CARD PURCHASING PROCEDURES: Supervisor Kaminski wanted to make it clear who has authority to have a credit card. He said that Walmart sent about 20 credit cards. Highway Superintendent Britt Morse said that the guys at the garage use the card to purchase clothes. He said they have seven cards at the garage. Deputy Supervisor Stiles said that the Comptroller would not be pleased with that set up. Stiles would like to see Morse have one and he would be accountable on what is spent. Stiles said he’d like to see Morse and Kaminski have one. Stiles said that the janitor shouldn’t be purchasing anything without permission. Member Stiles made a motion to have one Walmart Credit card at the high garage and one at the town hall to be signed out when use. Member Denniston seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None. REVIEW AND UPDATE TOWN’S ZONING LAW: Supervisor Kaminski said that the town is in the process of updating the local zoning law. There is going to be a training meeting held on Nov. 25th at 7:00 PM and anyone interested is welcome to attend. Attorney Snyder is teaching the class and he said this is not a situation where people show up, it’s going to be very interactive. He will be sending out a lot of information prior with links that participants need to look over. He said most of the work will be done at home. He has started distributing information and there is a lot to be done before Nov. 25th. Deputy Supervisor Stiles said that once the zoning law is updated there will be a public hearing held in the spring. He said that there are some weaknesses in the law and there are some things that should be taken out and the law consolidated. Snyder said he feels there is a lot that can be taken out based on a model that the county panning put out in 2007. Community member Teri Pelton asked if this would be a time when residents come with specific issues. Snyder said no, this is a lot more involved. He said that if she has an issue with a particular property she should meet with Kevin McMahon. Snyder said this has to do more with the legal aspects of the law. Stiles said this is more for Planning and Zoning Board members, but again anyone can attend. Town Clerk Van Donsel said that if anyone wishes to attend to giver her their E-mail and she will forward this information on to them. RESOLUTION #19-097 APPROVE SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY: Supervisor Kaminski said that the Sexual Harassment Policy has been updated. Member Stiles motioned to approve the Town’s Sexual Harassment Policy as presented. Member Denniston seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None RESOLUTION #19-098 UPDATE RESOLUTION ON SILVERADO 2500 PICKUP TRUCK PURCHASE: Supervisor Kaminski said that the board needs to revise how they voted last month. They approved a 2019 truck, but they couldn’t get a 2019, so they need to amend it to a 2020 truck. The price difference is $1400 more for a total state bid price of #32,924.25. Member Stiles motioned to approve changing the truck from a 2019 to a 2020 Silverado 2500 pickup in the state bid amount of $32,924.25 . Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None RESOLUTION #19-099 PURCHASE A SANDER BOX FOR HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT ON STATE BID: It was asked of Morse if he was going to sell the wood one on Auctions International. Morse said that it’s not good anymore and that they would use it for parts. Member Stiles motioned to approve the purchase of a new Western Tornado sander for the highway department in the state bid amount of $6306.00 including installation MDI in Auburn. The money will be out of the 2019 budget. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None. UPGRADE TOWN’S SERVER AND PURCHASE NEW COMPUTERS: The board was uncertain on the price. Member Denniston thought that the price was excessive. He said that he was going to inquire around to see if the price was reasonable. This item was tabled until next month. TELEMETRY LINE FOR WATER TANK: The electric line was Cut that goes to the water tank. There was some discussion about installing solar panels instead of digging a trench that will cost $40,000. Deputy Supervisor Stiles said that National Grid made the mistake and exposed the powerline because the line ran through someone’s property and no one knew it. He said that the homeowners have been patient, but it needs to be fixed. They discussed the idea of a Telemetry line that would cast around $4000. The board is entertaining that idea. DISCUSSION ON UPGRADING THE PHONE SYSTEM: Supervisor Kaminski said that when he first came on board, they updated the phone system, but now they are 12 years old and they are antiquated. He would like to get a price from Hafele to see how much it would cost to update the system. He said when the town hall expanded, they had to get used phones, because the current phone system isn’t being made anymore. DISCUSSION ON ROOF AT THE HIGHWAY GARAGE: Supervisor Kaminski said that the roof at the highway garage needs to be replaced and the it is long overdue. He said that last year they got a price of $86,000, but when they came in to do it the price jumped up to $120 thousand, so they didn’t do it. However, he said that it needs to get it fixed. Virgil Town Board Meeting November 14, 2019 4 | P a g e APPROVE REPAIRS TO TOWN HALL: There are some parts of the Virgil Town Hall that need preplacing. Supervisor Kaminski said that he soffits on the west end are coming off. Deputy Supervisor Stiles said that he will get some prices to get it fixed. RESOLUTION #19-0100 APPROVE WATER & SEWER RE-LEVY 2020: Member Snow asked why there were duplicate properties on the re-levy. It was mentioned that the two properties were different units owned by the same person. Member Stiles motioned to approve the Water and Sewer Re-Levy as presented. Member Snow seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None RESOLUTION #19-101 APPROVE HEALTH CARE CONSORTIUM INSURANCE FOR 2020: Member Snow is the Town representative on the Health Consortium board. Snow said that the town needs to relay to the consortium, if we wish to remain in the consortium in the year 2020. Snow said that this needs to be reviewed every five years. Snow said that he thinks everything looks fine as it is, but they need to inform them we approve staying on. Snow said that there will be a 5% increase in price in 2020. Member Stiles motioned to stay in the Greater Tompkins county Healthcare Consortium without any changes for the year 2020. Member Denniston seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None. 19/20 CECSD SNOWPLOWING & SANDING AGREEMENT: Supervisor Kaminski said that the School district will be taking care of the plowing and sanding themselves this season. Stiles said there was money put in put money in the revenue side of the budget for this and they will need to keep this in mind in 2020. RESOLUTION #19-102 TOWN BUDGET AMENDMENTS AS OF OCT. 31, 2019: Supervisor Kaminski said that there are some changes in the General fund, Water District #1 and Sewer District #1. Member Stiles motioned to approve the 2019 budget amendments as of Oct. 31, 2019 as presented. Member Pelton seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None CONTINUED DISCISSION ELECTRIC SUPLY CONTRACT: Supervisor Kaminski said that the towns electricity contract with Direct Energy is expiring the end of this year. He is going to shop around to try and find the best price and see if he can save the town some money. ROBBERIES AROUND TOWN: Supervisor Kaminski said that there were 9 places that were broken into around town. He said they got into his truck. Sandy Price said that they got into her truck too. The sheriffs are looking into it. They are going to check the cameras at the school. TRUCK FROM INTERNATIONAL: Highway Superintendent Britt Morse said that if they are going to order the truck from International, he needs to provide them a voucher, but he hasn’t figured out the box yet, he is still shopping for box. He said it takes at least six months to build the truck. He is looking at a 2.5-ton CD 515. He said the numbers on the chase and he is piggy backing on other towns. He said he would need the voucher next month. He will have a total bill including the box by next month. He said they cut the chasse to size for the box. He said that the price of the truck shouldn’t change. Deputy Supervisor Stiles said that they need to see all the numbers before they can move forward. Morse said he has all the numbers with the original box, but he thinks he can get it for less with a smaller box. He says he has the price of the box is out to bid. Morse said that he is going to sit with the rep. Stiles said that they will need to bond for the truck and they need to see all the numbers and they need to see need to see all the paperwork. STREET LIGHTS ARE STILL NOT FUNCTIONING: Sandy Price said that there are still some street lights that aren’t working properly. She said the town might consider replacing them. She said there is grant money available to do that. Stiles said that he worked on this last year. He talked to Tompkins County. All the lights were switched in that county. He said he wanted to piggyback on what they did. Price asked if they talked to the City of Cortland. The city administrator Mack Cook was present and he said that they are replacing all the lights with LED’s. It was mentioned that there was a letter written to the editor in the Cortland Standard saying how much it is actually costing. Cook said there was no way that person could know that information, as he would have been the one to talk to and no one spoke to him. The city bill for street lighting electricity was $387,000 a year. He was glad to see people being proactive. Sara Sirois said why bother with street lights. She said that town is not super walkable. Stiles said there are many areas of the town where there are street lights. He said there are some in Messengerville. He said they have them for safety reasons. Price said many of them are in and out, but the town still pays for them. CONSIDER JOINING AN ELECTRIC CONSORTIUM: Mack Cook said that the town might want to look at the model that the North county has. He said that many towns have a consortium. He said that we may be able to do that down here. He said that there are many models that can be followed. He said we might want to reach out to the Central New York Regional board. He said right now the town is renting the poles and crown heads and we will be renting them forever. He said we could have had them paid several times over. The Sodium bulbs are very expensive to run. He said that we may be able to join with sister towns to team up. With no further business to discuss, Member Stiles moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 PM. Member Snow seconded the Motion. Vote: Ayes-Members Pelton, Snow, Denniston, Stiles and Kaminski. Nays: None Respectfully Submitted by, Alane Van Donsel, Virgil Town Clerk