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Thursday June 8, 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 June 8, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. There were present: Craig Todd, Supervisor Patricia Dillon, Sally Compton, Mary Alice Stetz, and Thane Benson, Members of Council Absent: Peter Compton, Highway Superintendent Jerry VeVone, CEO Others present: Melanie Funk, Town Clerk Norman Chirco, Attorney Approximately 4 Citizens The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Todd at 7:03 P.M. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag The minutes of the May 11, 2017 meeting – a motion was made by Councilwoman Stetz and seconded by Councilwoman Compton to accept the minutes as read and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 4. Reports: Supervisor—Craig Todd verified with Attorney Norman Chirco that the franchise agreement with Zito New York has been sent back to them. Mr. Chirco confirmed that it was and he also mentioned that he received a communication from Zito stating they would like proof of the certification that the notice for the public hearing was in the newspaper. Mr. Todd also asked Mr. Chirco when it took effect that the town no longer pays for internet service as part of the franchise agreement. Mr. Chirco responded that it should have been effective as of the last town board meeting when it was decided to sign the agreement. Upon receiving the certification of the public hearing being published and a copy of the most recent internet bill from the town clerk, Mr. Chirco will then address the bill with Zito. Mr. Todd attended another meeting on May 18, 2017 concerning the shared services for Cayuga County. Representative Keith Batman is going to recommend that no changes be made for Cayuga County for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. At this time, due to the deadline that the state has put in place, there is not enough time to gather effective ideas. Some examples of shared services would be having the county perform the town’s assessment instead of Larry Fitts or joining the Tompkins County Consortium for health insurance. Unfortunately if something that has been previously done before this time, it can’t be considered a shared service. There is an ‘opt out’ option but in order to do that, Mr. Todd would have to make a deposition as to why participating in shared services would be detrimental to the Town of Locke. ---PAGE BREAK--- Mr. Todd invited Dean Donald to speak concerning a group called, Lifeworks of Cayuga County, who are former substance abuse addicts that are interested in doing community service projects paired with the church, within the town. This group is very active and hopes to be able to set a date with the town to speak about some of the ideas they have. Mr. Donald feels that any events that could be planned would require use of the town hall. Therefore Mr. Todd would need to check with our liability insurance carrier to see what the regulations would be for doing something like this if it’s not a town-sponsored event. Mr. Todd read an invitation from the Locke Volunteer Fire Department to participate in their annual fireman’s field days parade on June 24, 2017 at 6:00 P.M. It was decided that once again the town board members will ride in the parade in Councilman Benson’s vehicle. Mr. Todd thanked Councilman Benson for his service to our country and for conducting the Memorial Day Service at the monument site on Main Street. He was pleased with the turnout despite the inclement weather. Lastly, Mr. Todd reported that he received a letter from the state informing the town that our equalization rate is being lowered from 100% to 98%. He spoke with Larry Fitts about this and he told him that this happens when property sells for more than what it’s assessed. The result of this is that we will now have to do a reassessment. C.E.O.—Jerry VeVone was not present at the meeting. A brief discussion took place about Mr. VeVone’s lack of attendance on Tuesday evenings when he is supposed to be holding office hours. The town board members are in agreement that they don’t feel the town is getting its money’s worth from his performance. Mr. Todd mentioned that he spoke with a gentleman that is possibly interested in becoming Locke’s Code Enforcement Officer. It was agreed upon again that whoever is chosen to fill the position needs to have proper certification. A motion was made by Councilwoman Stetz to interview Patrick Doyle directly before the next board meeting at 6:30 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Compton and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. Highway Department—In Peter Compton’s absence, Councilwoman Compton reported that she has the roadside mowing agreement with Cayuga County that needs to be signed. All of the oiling and stoning has been completed on all roads in the east portion of town. Water Department—Councilwoman Compton reported for Peter Compton that the water tower should be back online next Wednesday or Thursday if all of the testing comes back ok. Councilwoman Dillon reported that meters will be read on or around June 27, 2017 and bills will go out shortly after that. Mr. Todd asked Councilwoman Dillon to provide him with the number of customers and number of meters when she prepares the bills to go out. Town Clerk—Melanie Funk reported that revenue for April was $356.00 and May was $719.00. Also, she had a request from the Locke Volunteer Fire Department for the town board’s permission for American Fireworks to put on a fireworks display on June 23, 2017. Councilwoman Dillon made a motion to sign the agreement giving them permission, seconded by Councilwoman Compton and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. ---PAGE BREAK--- Mr. Todd announced that there will be a rabies clinic held at the town hall on June 10, 2017 from 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. Town Attorney—Norman Chirco will be checking on the status of Local Law #1 of 2016 because he filed it back in October, and has still not heard back about it. Also, Mr. Chirco has received a copy of the survey map of the property being deeded to the town and is now waiting on the description of how it will be worded in the deed. Once he receives the remaining paperwork, it will require some signatures and he hopes to have that transaction wrapped up next month. Old Business—Supervisor Todd brought up from the May board meeting that Gerald Sharpsteen is still interested on becoming a member of the Variance Board. Mr. Todd made a motion to appoint Mr. Sharpsteen to the Variance Board, seconded by Councilwoman Dillon and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. Councilwoman Stetz reported that we are in the final stages of completing the new town website with Bryan Lamb from the Cayuga County I.T. Department. Councilwoman Stetz also reported that there will be two information sessions pertaining to updating and revising the Owasco Lake Watershed Rules and Regulations. They are June 19, 2017 at Cayuga-Onondaga B.O.C.E.S and June 21, 2017 at Moravia High School. Councilwoman Stetz announced that the Office of the Aging will have a Walk to Remember on July 29, 2017 from 10:00 A.M.-12:30 P.M. at the Ward O’Hara Agricultural Museum to benefit Alzheimer’s Disease support and service programs in Cayuga County. Supervisor Todd requested that all board members be prepared to discuss the Setback and Lot Area Law in length at the July meeting. New Business—None to report Audit of Claims—A motion was made by Councilman Benson to audit the claims with making the correction to the Zito invoice, seconded by Councilwoman Dillon and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. General Fund Voucher #97-112 $6668.49 Highway Fund Voucher #52-62 $73256.21 Water District Voucher #31-38 $2602.69 Street Lighting Voucher #6 $489.53 Public to be Heard—Gerald Sharpsteen spoke on his feeling that there are sections of State Route 38 where the road conditions are so poor that he feels it is unsafe because drivers will swerve out of their lane to avoid potholes and hitting bumps with their vehicles. Supervisor Todd made a motion to have Attorney Chirco draft a letter to send out to the appropriate state agencies stating what the town’s concerns are and requesting that this issue be addressed, seconded by Councilman Benson and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. Fred Mackey asked if anyone on the town board knew why the Town of Locke owns four burial plots in Bird Cemetery. He went there to purchase one and was ---PAGE BREAK--- told the town owns four plots. Councilwoman Compton informed him they were purchased for any veteran who passes and does not have the means to be buried. Mr. Mackey stated that was a great thing for the town to do Gerald Sharpsteen inquired as to whether or not the fact that the town will no longer be paying for internet service is considered “a gift” to persuade the town to sign the franchise agreement with Zito. Supervisor Todd informed him that is not why he allowed the agreement to be put in place. No longer paying for internet service was a contract negotiation and is a common practice taking place in other towns too. Dean Donald asked the town board members what is done with income from logging the Water Works? Supervisor Todd told him it goes to the water district to cover expenses. Mr. Donald also informed the town board that the Locke Community Church donated $400.00 to the Moravia Summer Recreation Program. Lastly, upon Attorney Chirco’s recommendation to the church, they will be obtaining legal representation to assist them with their request for the right- of-way onto the town’s property. George Ketola asked what the benefits are for Zito New York, LLC. of having a franchise agreement with the Town of Locke. Supervisor Todd responded that the biggest benefit he is aware of, is that Zito New York, LLC. has permission to run lines within the town because of having the franchise agreement. Gerald Sharpsteen asked about the possibility of the town installing a drop box for residents to be able to leave water or other payments. There was some objection to this idea due to the fact that there could be some conflict with payments being made in a timely manner. A motion was made by Supervisor Todd to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Benson and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 P.M. So resolved Ayes-5. Respectfully Submitted, Melanie Funk Town Clerk/Tax Collector ---PAGE BREAK---