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Thursday March 8, 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 March 8, 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: J. Patrick Doyle, C.E.O. The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Todd at 7:01 P.M. Pledge of Allegiance The minutes of the February 8, 2018 meeting – a motion was made by Councilwoman Stetz to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Councilwoman Compton and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. Reports: At this time, a presentation was given by Ed Carey of Good Energy on the New York Municipal Energy Program. Through this program, the town could lower the cost of its gas and electric supply. The prices are based on bid cycles. Good Energy bids and then purchases the commodities in bulk and passes the savings on to municipalities without a contract locking towns in; we could join or leave at any time. This program is approved by the Public Service Commission. Nothing would change as far as billing; that would still come from NYSEG as they would remain our supplier. If the program is something the town board is interested in pursuing, Mr. Carey stated that passing a local law allowing it would be the easiest route. All town board members and Attorney Chirco wanted more time to review the information given by Mr. Carey until next month’s meeting. Supervisor—All town board members received a copy of the Supervisor’s Report and it is on file with the town clerk. Mr. Todd has been looking into investing money from two savings accounts into CD’s with the First National Bank of Groton because they have the best interest rates and there wouldn’t be a penalty for any early withdrawl. Councilman Benson made a motion to withdraw and allocate $200,000 from the General Fund Savings and at least $100,000 from the Highway Fund Savings and place it into two year CD’s at the First National Bank of Groton with better rates, seconded by Councilwoman Stetz and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. Mr. Todd reported that he has a meeting set up on Wed. March 14, 2018 here at the town hall with CEO Patrick Doyle and Janice Miller, to look at the truck bays ---PAGE BREAK--- and the possible options for renovation. Ms. Miller is an architect that lives in the town of Niles. Any grants that Mr. Todd has looked into seeing if the town is eligible for, require seeing architectural plans. Mr. Todd invited any available town board members to attend. CEO—J. Patrick Doyle was not present at the meeting, but submitted his report which Supervisor Todd reviewed. Highway Department—Peter Compton reported that the load test was done on the bridge on Old Genoa Road and it passed the test for the 15 ton weight limit. Upon completion of the test, it was suggested that we sandblast and paint the beams on the underside of the bridge. Mr. Compton has sent the corresponding paperwork to the state. Also, Mr. Compton reported that the new truck should be ready in approximately three weeks. Lastly, Mr. Compton asked the town board to please direct highway and water department questions or concerns to him. Water Department—Supervisor Todd reported that Patricia Dillon has informed him that she can no longer do the quarterly water billing for the town, due to personal reasons. Natalie Hingston has done the billing in the past, so upon Mr. Todd’s recommendation, Councilman Benson made a motion to appoint Ms. Hingston as the water biller, seconded by Councilwoman Stetz and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. Councilwoman Burnett asked at this time if the water billing system could be evaluated because she feels that the process may be “archaic”. Also, Ms. Burnett wonders if it could be a consideration that we use town funds towards the water department loan to try to get it paid off sooner. Councilman Benson suggested checking to see if the town would be penalized for doing so before taking any action. Town Clerk—Melanie Funk reported that revenue for February was $110.00. Also, Ms. Funk informed the town board that James Naylor’s term on the Board of Assessment Review expired in September and she has been in contact with Mr. Naylor who would like to be reappointed. Councilwoman Burnett made a motion to reappoint Mr. Naylor to the B.A.R., seconded by Councilman Benson and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. Town Attorney— Attorney Chirco reported that he was pleasantly surprised during the session of Locke Town Court yesterday at which John Hilliard and Bill Booth appeared. Both gentlemen want to clean up their properties and be in compliance with Town of Locke local laws. Mr. Hilliard has already done some clean-up work and both he and Mr. Booth will meet with Mr. Doyle at their respective properties to outline a plan of how they are going to remedy the situation going forward before the next court date of April 4, 2018. Old Business—Councilwoman Stetz started a discussion about the Planning, Variance, Assessment Review, and Ethics Boards. She has been talking to several people within the town checking on potential interest. The question arose of whether or not a Planning Board is legally necessary and Ms. Stetz called the Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development and was told no, one is not necessary. It is required by law that members of these boards attend a certain amount of training, so Ms. Stetz feels that since the Board of Assessment Review members get reimbursed for their training, then all other ---PAGE BREAK--- board members should also. Lastly, Ms. Stetz strongly feels that if the Planning and Variance Boards’ meetings are going to be advertised to be on at a certain date and time, that those boards should meet, regardless of having any business on their agendas or not. The meeting should at least consist of approving the minutes from the previous month’s meetings so those minutes can be made available to the public. Supervisor Todd made a motion to pay mileage to any board member that travels to attend a training session, seconded by Councilwoman Stetz and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. Councilwoman Compton will attend a meeting of the Summer Recreation Program on Monday Mar. 12, 2018 to review last year’s session to be able to plan this year’s session according to what worked well and what didn’t. Councilman Benson is still waiting for a response from NYSEG regarding the LED street lighting. New Business— Supervisor Todd asked the town board for their opinion on tasking the Planning Board with the project of investigating vacant or “zombie” properties within the town. This is something that Mr. Todd will contact Donald Francis, Planning Board Chairman about. Supervisor Todd made a motion to go through with tasking the Planning Board with this project, seconded by Councilman Benson and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. Audit of Claims— A motion was made by Councilwoman Compton to audit the claims, seconded by Councilwoman Stetz and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. So resolved Ayes 5. General Fund Voucher #35-51 $3480.78 Highway Fund Voucher #13-22 $3830.51 Water District Voucher #11-15 $471.51 Light District Voucher #3 $540.48 Public to be Heard—Gerald Sharpsteen stated that the Variance Board will meet on Mar. 15, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. at the town hall to approve minutes and discuss some things. Also, Mr. Sharpsteen inquired about the funds that were collected from logging the Locke Water Works as to whether that money could be used to pay on the water department loan. Mr. Todd will research that and report back at the next meeting. George Ketola spoke about the lack of “business” that the Variance Board typically has and he feels that it would be difficult to have or quarterly meetings due to having to hold public hearings as part of the appeal process. A motion was made by Supervisor Todd to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Stetz and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:34 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Melanie Funk Town Clerk/Tax Collector ---PAGE BREAK---