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Thursday April 13, 2017 The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Locke, Cayuga County and State of New York was held in said town at the Locke Town Hall, Main Street, Locke, NY on April 13, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. The meeting was preceded by a workshop to review and discuss the setback and lot area laws. There were present: Craig Todd, Supervisor Sally Compton, Mary Alice Stetz, and Thane Benson, Members of Council Absent: Patricia Dillon, Council Member Jerry VeVone, CEO Others present: Melanie Funk, Town Clerk Peter Compton, Highway Superintendent Norman Chirco, Attorney Approximately 6 Citizens The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Todd at 7:04 P.M. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag The minutes of the March 16, 2017 meeting – a motion was made by Councilwoman Compton and seconded by Councilwoman Stetz to accept the minutes as read and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 4. Reports: Supervisor—Craig Todd reported that this year there will be a census done this year for the town and he is looking for volunteers to complete this task. Once the material is received, the town has 120 calendar days to conduct the address review and send the updated material to the census bureau. Supervisor Todd read off resolutions that were proposed at the Annual Conference in February from the State of New York Association of Towns, which will in turn be brought before our state legislature. Also, a Locke resident contacted Supervisor Todd with a complaint about their neighbor’s property involving garbage possibly encroaching on this resident’s property. Supervisor Todd then contacted Mr. VeVone concerning this matter and he told Mr. Todd that the resident would need to contact the D.E.C. and the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Department because there is nothing he can do about it. Supervisor Todd was not satisfied with that answer and expressed his dissatisfaction with Mr. VeVone not performing to the town board’s standards, even after being spoken to about certain things. C.E.O.—Jerry VeVone was not present at the meeting. Highway Department—Peter Compton reported that five neighboring towns rented a “dirt elevator” together and are collaboratively cutting shoulders within the towns. It is working very well. Also, Mr. Compton spoke on the health savings account insurance and how that it was decided a few years ago that the deposits made to those accounts are done quarterly. At this time, the deposits are not ---PAGE BREAK--- made when they are supposed to be and Mr. Compton asked if this could be addressed. Supervisor Todd will speak to the town bookkeeper and request that the deposits be made in a timely manner. Water Department—Peter Compton reported that meters were read on March 28, 2017 and bills have gone out with two accounts that had higher than normal readings. Mr. Compton has been trying to get ahold of the homeowner of one of the properties, which is a rental home. Supervisor Todd posed the question, which was asked by a resident within the water district, of why a multi-unit home is only allowed the 10,000 gallon minimum usage amount but still required to pay multiple loan and maintenance fee charges? This is another topic that will need to be considered by the town board going further with the review of the rates and other things within the water district. Town Clerk—Melanie Funk reported that revenue for March was $802.00. Also, everything has balanced with tax collection. Supervisor Todd mentioned that he will contact Country Acres Pet Services to set a date for a rabies clinic. Lastly, Country Acres has also issued appearance tickets to residents of unlicensed dogs. Town Attorney—Norman Chirco presented the town board with the revised franchise agreement from Zito Media. Mostly all of the changes that the town board requested were made by Zito. A motion was made by Supervisor Todd to have a public hearing on the proposed franchise agreement with Zito at the May meeting, seconded by Councilman Benson and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 4 Also, Mr. Chirco has been made aware that the deed was never filed on behalf of the town for the land that was donated to the town at the monument site and informed the town board that he will take care of filing it. Old Business—Councilwomen Compton and Stetz reported that upon reviewing the last water billing, there are 142 hookups and 60 of those exceed the 10,000 gallon minimum usage amount. They will continue to put together proposed increases for going over that amount. Supervisor Todd asked Ms. Compton and Ms. Stetz to look into how other towns handle water billing for properties with multiple units. Councilwoman Stetz attended the recent meeting of the Owasco Lake Watershed Committee. There has been a watershed revitalization plan constructed. A new anaerobic composting technique is currently being used in the United Kingdom that is helpful in speeding up composting. Steven is updating the watershed rules and regulations. Dr. John Haffman is trying to get more funding to control algal blooms. Also, Ms. Stetz attended another training session for the town’s website and has created a ‘skeleton’ page. She has been putting headings on the page and inputting some information. New Business—None to report Audit of Claims—A motion was made by Councilman Benson to audit the claims, seconded by Councilwoman Stetz and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 4. General Fund Voucher #66-80 $9550.22 Highway Fund Voucher #32-40 $12033.93 ---PAGE BREAK--- Water District Voucher #20-25 $1645.69 Street Lighting Voucher #4 $600.08 Public to be Heard—Resident Dean Donald from Locke Community Church distributed maps to the town board as it pertained to his continued request on behalf of the church for the right-of-way to the property behind the town hall. He verbally listed some possibilities of what the church may use the property for. Two significant issues that Attorney Chirco mentioned are the expense to have a survey done if the easement was approved and it would be difficult to develop a description for the deed. There is still a discrepancy if the waterway is a ditch or part of the inlet, therefore Councilwoman Stetz would like Mr. Donald to provide them with the contact person at the D.E.C. that told him there aren’t any regulations on this waterway. Supervisor Todd also made a formal request for documentation as to how the waterway is classified. Resident Fred Mackey asked why all vehicles that belong to the town are not identified as such? He feels that it makes good business sense to have them all lettered or have a placard on them. Mr. Compton informed him that by law, only the ten-wheelers need to be identified. Resident Gerry Sharpsteen asked in regards to the cable franchise agreement with Zito Media, if competitors are not allowed to offer cable service in Locke? Attorney Chirco informed him that the agreement does not give them exclusitivity. Mr. Sharpsteen also asked, when the new town website is up and running, if the town board meeting minutes will be posted? Councilwoman Stetz informed him that the minutes would be posted, along with minutes from the other town boards. Lastly, Mr. Sharpsteen asked what the Planning Board is doing to be active within the town? Supervisor Todd responded by telling him that the town board has asked certain things of the Planning Board but they have not necessarily complied. It is sometimes very hard to find volunteers that are able to fulfill the needs of the boards within the town. Resident George Ketola passed out a letter signed by town residents which contained suggestions for the town board to consider while they are revising the current setback and lot area law. Supervisor Todd responded by saying that the council members are taking their time with this process to ensure they are doing a thorough job. A motion was made by Councilman Benson to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Compton and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M. So resolved Ayes-4. Respectfully Submitted, Melanie Funk Town Clerk/Tax Collector ---PAGE BREAK---