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Thursday January 11, 2018 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 January 11, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. There were present: Craig Todd, Supervisor Sally Compton, Mary Alice Stetz, Thane Benson, and Judi Burnett, Members of Council Others present: Norman Chirco, Attorney Peter Compton, Highway Superintendent Melanie Funk, Town Clerk Approximately 3 Citizens Absent: Patrick Doyle, CEO The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Todd at 7:01 P.M. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag The minutes of the December 28, 2017 meeting – a motion was made by Councilwoman Stetz to approve the minutes as read, seconded by Councilman Benson and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 4. A motion was made by Councilwoman Compton to appoint tonight’s meeting as the Town of Locke Organizational Meeting, seconded by Councilwoman Stetz and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. Appointments Assessor—Lawrence Fitts Attorney for the Town—Norman Chirco Caretakers of the Waterworks—Ralph Crandall, Ken Funk, Michael Hingston Code Enforcement Officer—J. Patrick Doyle Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics—Natalie Hingston Deputy Supervisor—Thane Benson Deputy Town Clerk/Collector—Natalie Hingston Deputy Highway Superintendent—Robert Orasi, Jr. Dog Control Officer—Country Acres Pet Services Historian—Esther Thornton Registrar of Vital Statistics—Melanie Funk Town Budget Officer—Natalie Hingston Water Billing—Patricia Dillon Water Collector—Melanie Funk Grants—Craig Todd Non-Smoking Officer—Peter Compton Fair-Housing Officer—Peter Compton A motion was made by Councilman Benson and seconded by Councilwoman Compton to accept the above Appointments and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. Pay Periods, Depositories, and Official Newspaper ---PAGE BREAK--- Attorney—Quarterly Town Council—June and December Water Collector—June and December Water Billing—June and December Town Town Court Registrar of Vital Statistics—June and December Highway Superintendent and Highway Employees—Bi-weekly Code Deputy Highway Superintendent Pay Rate—$20.46/hour Full-time Highway Employee with Equip. Qualifications—$18.24/hour Full-time Highway Employee Equip. Trainee—$16.25/hour after three months Part-time Highway Employee with Equip. Qualifications—$10.82/hour Part-time Highway Employee without Equip. Qualifications—$10.51/hour Temporary Highway Employee without Equip. Qualifications—$10.40/hour Compensation of Automobiles—$.55/mile Official Newspaper—Moravia Republican Register, The Citizen, or Freeville Shopper Town Depositories—First National Bank of Groton and Community Bank A motion was made by Councilwoman Stetz and seconded by Councilwoman Compton to accept the above Pay Periods, Depositories, and Official Newspaper and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. Officials and Salaries Supervisor—Craig Todd $6222.00/year Deputy Supervisor—Thane Benson $2000.00/year Councilpersons—Sally Compton, Mary Alice Stetz, Judi Burnett $1900.00/year Town Justice—Phillip Franklin $8220.00/year Registrar of Vital Statistics—Melanie Funk $360.00/year Town Clerk/Collector—Melanie Funk $9935.00/year Water Collector—Melanie Funk $1418.00/year Water Billing—Patricia Dillon $1316.00/year Town Budget Officer—Natalie Hingston $7140.00/year Assessor—Lawrence Fitts $8000.00/year Records Management Officer—Melanie Funk $10.40/hour Highway Superintendent—Peter Compton $55733.00/year Historian—Esther Thornton $600.00 year Code Enforcement Officer—J. Patrick Doyle $8000.00/year Dog Control Officer—Country Acres Pet Service $615.00/month Court Clerk—June Shepardson $6972.00/year Bailiff—$20.00/hour Attorney—Norman Chirco $15000.00/year Cleaner—$15.15/hour A motion was made by Councilwoman Stetz and seconded by Councilwoman Compton to accept the above Officials and Salaries and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. Supervisor— Craig Todd read the Town Historian’s report that was prepared by Esther Thornton. This report will be on file with the town clerk. Mr. Todd reported that he received a letter from an insurance company that graded the town on ---PAGE BREAK--- building codes. The town’s grade improved and Mr. Todd said that Patrick Doyle hopes to attend the February meeting to be able to explain this better to the town board. A letter was also received from the D.E.C. describing available grant money funds that could be used to start a town Arbor Day to plant trees. The deadline to apply is February 28, 2018. Lastly, a letter from the New York State Unified Court System was received notifying the town that the justice books need to be audited. This will take place at the February meeting. CEO—There was no report. Water Department—Highway Superintendent Compton reported that water bills have gone out. A couple of meter readings were high but he has since corrected the issues going along with those. Highway Department—Peter Compton didn’t have anything to report. Supervisor Todd inquired with Mr. Compton about whether his department is going to continue working ten-hour days. Mr. Compton replied that they are going to continue. The new truck is ordered and should be here in May or June. Town Clerk—Melanie Funk inquired with Court Clerk June Shepardson about whether or not John Hilliard appeared in court on January 3, 2018. Mr. Hilliard was present and is required to appear again on February 7, 2018. Town Attorney— Norman Chirco followed up on the discussion about Mr. Hilliard by stating that he did receive a letter from the Cayuga County District Attorney’s office stating he will be granted the VanSickle Authority upon providing their office with the appropriate documentation. Old Business—Councilwoman Stetz reported that she and Councilwoman Compton will not be able to attend the Newly Elected Official Training in Rochester for personal reasons. Councilman Benson is still going to attend. Also, Councilwoman Stetz has been informed by a few people that they can still access the old town website. To prevent this, Ms. Stetz suggested going to the Cayuga County website, locate ‘Locke’, and click and bookmark that location. Ms. Stetz voiced her concern with the Variance and Planning Boards failing to provide written reports or minutes of their meetings. They have been asked to produce this information and are not doing so; mostly due to not having regular meetings. Attorney Chirco suggested that he write letters to the board chairmen asking them to meet to at least approve minutes that can be made available to the town board and the public. Ms. Funk will provide Mr. Chirco with the necessary contact information in order to send the letters. Ms. Stetz would also like to see reports from the Town Assessor and the Town Justice. Councilman Benson reported as part of his investigative work toward obtaining L.E.D. lights within the light district, that he formally applied with N.Y.S.E.G. to purchase the existing equipment being used. The town should have a quote for this within 90 days. Mr. Benson will continue to work with the appropriate agencies on this and there will be more to report at the next meeting. New Business—Supervisor Todd initiated a discussion about the grant money that is available for Arbor Day. He feels that if the town was awarded the money, it could be used to improve the town monument site. Mr. Todd will be in charge of the application process for this grant money. ---PAGE BREAK--- A motion was made by Councilwoman Stetz to start the February 8, 2018 meeting at 6:30 P.M. for the purpose of auditing the town books, seconded by Councilman Benson and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. Audit of Claims— A motion was made by Councilman Benson to audit the claims, seconded by Councilwoman Compton and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. General Fund Voucher #1-15 $27,901.12 Highway Fund Voucher #1-3 $1,279.33 Water District Voucher #1-3 $308.21 Street Lighting Voucher #1 $591.94 Public to be Heard—No one from the public spoke at this time. A motion was made by Councilwoman Compton to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Stetz and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 P.M. So resolved Ayes 5. Respectfully Submitted, Melanie Funk Town Clerk/Tax Collector