Full Text
Scipio Town Board Meeting The regular public meeting was called to order at 6:58 PM on Wednesday November 8, 2017 by Supervisor Mutchler with the following people present. Supervisor: Gary Mutchler Town Clerk: Tom Olenych Town Board Members: Howard Nelson Highway: Mark Chamberlain Leslie Baxter Code Enforcement: Mick Piechuta Mark Ferrari Gary Whitten Guests: Bruce Besner and Chris Carrick of CNY Regional Planning and Development. Motion to approve agenda for the town board meeting. (Nelson / Ferrari) All in favor. Issues to come before the board from town residents and guests. Chris Carrick handed out a written update (attached) on the status of the Solarize CNY municipal solar procurement project. The attorneys are still working on the details of the contract and Chris is hoping a final draft will be ready for the town’s consideration by the end of the year. Under the contract Abundant Energy owns and maintains the equipment and municipalities lease town property to Abundant Energy, normally $1.00 a year. In return the municipalities are charged a fixed rate for their electricity usage. The town has not yet determined which building will be used for the solar panels, so Howard Nelson asked about Abundant Energy’s time frame after a site is determined. Chris told the board nothing is set in stone and Abundant Energy is flexible in that regard. Mark Ferrari asked Chris who would supply power to the town should the town exceed its projected KW usage. Chris told the board any additional power would be purchased from NYSEG. And should the town have an overage of power the excess KW’s would be sold back to the grid at a rate of $.03 per KW. This “settling up” is usually done in April. Chris went on to explain that “Acts of God” were Abundant Energy’s responsibility but an old or dilapidated roof or structure that causes damage to any Abundant Energy equipment would be the responsibility of the town. Chris pointed out to the board the town’s zoning would need to be amended so as to allow the construction of the solar panels on town property. Chris will send Howard Nelson a copy of model zoning adapted by other municipalities. Motion to approve the minutes of the October 4, 2017 town board meeting. (Mutchler / Whitten) All in favor. Town Board Members reports: Leslie Baxter: 1) Both Leslie and Howard Nelson spoke to the board regarding a candidate running for the Cayuga County legislature who set up a campaign booth outside of the town’s polling place. ---PAGE BREAK--- When the individual was questioned by Howard and Leslie he told them that Supervisor Mutchler had given him permission which Supervisor Mutchler informed the town board he did not. There was also concern that some town residents entering the polling place were intimidated by this set up. Prior to adopting a town resolution prohibiting this from happening again the board felt it best to see if there are any existing town or state laws prohibiting this. 2) Leslie talked about 4 ditches in town the DEC feels need maintenance to assure proper drainage. She told the board there is grant money available to cover the cost of any materials, but the cost of labor would be the town’s responsibility. These sites involve approximately 3,650 feet of ditch with the approximate cost to correct set at $5,475.00 Mark Chamberlain, the highway superintendent, told the board he was aware of the 4 sites in question but feels only the Hicks Road site was the town’s responsibility. Due to the abnormally wet and rainy season his crews are behind schedule as it is so any work on the Hicks Road site would have to be done sometime in 2018. Mark Ferrari: 1) Mark informed the board he has received a quote of $4,400.00 to have a new judge’s door installed. If bulletproof glass is added the cost would increase by $2,000.00. Mark felt the quote on the door installed was high but the added $2,000.00 for bulletproof glass was not. He is waiting for other quotes which when received he will discuss at the next town board meeting. 2) In addition to the judge’s chambers new door Mark discussed the office remodeling project as well as a new roof for the town offices. He noted that any project over $35,000.00 requires the town to follow a bid process and any contractors hired for the job would be required to pay their employees prevailing wage. The board questioned whether a new roof for the town offices was necessary if the solar panels were not going to be placed on the town offices roof. To address that question Mark wants to make a physical inspection of the roof and trusses before the December town board meeting. But if the solar panels are to be put on the town offices Mark suggests the old trusses be removed and replaced with a flat membrane roof. . Howard Nelson: 1) Howard discussed the still open position of a seasonal, part-time, snowplow wingman for the upcoming winter season. After some discussion a small add was agreed upon which would be run in the Auburn Citizen. Town Supervisor’s report: 1) Supervisor Mutchler talked about the position of town constable which has not been filled for more than three years. Motion to remove constable from the list of town positions. (Mutchler / Whitten) All in favor. ---PAGE BREAK--- 2) Gary went over the financial report with the board and asked approval with the following transfer of funds/ From: A2701 Refund of prior year expenditures $228.80 To: A1910.4 Liability Insurance. From: A1990.4 Contingent $33.00 To: A1910.4 Liability Insurance Motion to approve the financial report. (Whitten / Nelson) All in favor. 3) Gary asked the board to approve the town budget for 2018 with the following changes being made to the tentative budget passed in October. Page 5: General liability insurance increased from $19,000.00 to $19,650.00 Page 7: Vital statistics reduced from $290.00 to $200.00. “ Ambulance contract decreased from $41,598.00 to $34,707.00 Page 14: Total appropriations $321,077.00 Interest and penalties decreased from $1,500.00 to $1,000.00 Page 15: Sales tax reduced to $260,277.00 Motion to approve the 2018 town budget. Mutchler – Aye, Whitten – Aye, Nelson – Aye and Ferrari – Aye. Baxter not present as she left prior to vote. Town Officers reports: Assessor: No Town Clerk: No Highway Superintendent: 1) Mark told the board his crews have been busy finishing up the last round of mowing for the year. In addition, all the town’s snow removal equipment has been set up and is ready to go for the winter season. 2) Mark also said he had met with a PESH inspector and there were no issues noted and everything was in order. 3) Lastly Mark noted that although the town is yet to hear back from the Allens regarding the letter the Allens received from the town’s attorney there has been no work on the ditches along their property on Hunter Road. Code Enforcement: Due to an important meeting Mick needed to attend in a neighboring town he actually spoke to the board earlier in the meeting. 1) Mick went over his written report which details his hours, miles traveled, permits issued, onsite inspections and visits as well as his comments, questions and concerns. ---PAGE BREAK--- 2) Mick told the board he received a memo from CNY Regional Planning & Development stating the town would need to amend its current permit application regarding solar panel capacity. In its current form solar panels up to 12 KW are permitted but anything larger is not. Under these guidelines the solar panel project for the town offices would not be permitted. Motion to approve a new Unified Solar Permit Application. (Mutchler / Whitten) All in favor. Other Business: None Approval of vouchers: General Fund 164 – 182 totaling $34,394.74 (Nelson / Ferrari) All in favor. Highway Fund (DA): 97 – 112 totaling $30,765.95 (Nelson / Ferrari) All in favor. Motion to adjourn: 9:41 PM (Mutchler) All in favor. Respectfully submitted, Thomas J. Olenych Scipio Town Clerk