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Thursday January 12, 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 January 12, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. There were present: Craig Todd, Supervisor Sally Compton, Patricia Dillon, Thane Benson and Mary Alice Stetz, Members of Council Others present: Norman Chirco, Attorney Peter Compton, Highway Superintendent Melanie Funk, Town Clerk Approximately 8 Citizens Absent: Jerry VeVone, CEO The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Todd at 7:02 P.M. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag The minutes of the December 22, 2016 meeting – a resolution was made by Councilman Benson to approve the minutes with one correction, seconded by Councilwoman Compton and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. The correction is that the town water is tested for total coliform, not E. coli. A resolution was made by Councilwoman Dillon to appoint tonight’s meeting as the Town of Locke Organizational Meeting, seconded by Councilwoman Compton and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. Appointments Assessor—Lawrence Fitts Attorney for the Town—Norman Chirco Caretakers of the Waterworks—Ralph Crandall, Ken Funk, Michael Hingston Code Enforcement Officer—Jerry VeVone Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics—Natalie Hingston Deputy Supervisor—Patricia Dillon 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 resolution was made by Councilwoman Dillon and seconded by Councilwoman Stetz to accept the above appointments and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. ---PAGE BREAK--- Pay Periods, Depositories, and Official Newspaper 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—$19.86/hour Full-time Highway Employee with Equip. Qualifications—$17.71-$18.71/hour Full-time Highway Employee Equip. Trainee—$16.25/hour after three months Part-time Highway Employee with Equip. Qualifications—$10.71/hour Part-time Highway Employee without Equip. Qualifications—$10.51/hour Temporary Highway Employee without Equip. Qualifications—$9.75/hour Compensation of Automobiles—$.55/mile Official Newspaper—Moravia Republican Register, The Citizen, or Freeville Shopper Town Depositories—First National Bank of Groton and Community Bank A resolution was made by Councilwoman Stetz and seconded by Councilman Benson to accept the above Pay Periods, Depositories, and Official Newspaper and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. Officials and Salaries Supervisor—Craig Todd $6100.00/year Deputy Supervisor—Patricia Dillon $2000.00/year Councilpersons—Thane Benson, Sally Compton, Mary Alice Stetz $1900.00/year Town Justice—Phillip Franklin $8060.00/year Registrar of Vital Statistics—Melanie Funk $360.00/year Town Clerk/Collector—Melanie Funk $9740.00/year Water Collector—Melanie Funk $1390.00/year Water Billing—Patricia Dillon $1290.00/year Town Budget Officer—Natalie Hingston $7000.00/year Assessor—Lawrence Fitts $8000.00/year Records Management Officer—Melanie Funk $10.00/hour Highway Superintendent—Peter Compton $54110.00/year Historian—Esther Thornton $550.00 year Code Enforcement Officer—Jerry Vevone $8000.00/year Dog Control Officer—Country Acres Pet Service $615.00/month Court Clerk—June Shepardson $6835.00/year Bailiff—$20.00/hour Attorney—Norman Chirco $15000.00/year Cleaner—$14.85/hour A motion was made by Councilwoman Dillon and seconded by Councilwoman Stetz to accept the above Officials and Salaries and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. ---PAGE BREAK--- Reports: Supervisor— Craig Todd reported that he sent a letter to Zito Media regarding obtaining a franchise agreement and fee from them. Zito responded by letter stating they would like to pay three percent of their gross sales of subscriptions from the Town of Locke as their fee on a quarterly basis. Mr. Todd has requested that Attorney Chirco review the proposed agreement from Zito and report back at the February meeting. Mr. Todd read correspondence from the Association of Towns of the State of New York. They will not be holding Newly Elected Official training this year but will have their annual meeting and training in February in New York City. The Cayuga County Water and Sewer Authority sent a letter in regards to the grant that they had requested the town’s support for which stated that they were approved for the grant. Highway Superintendent Peter Compton attended the meeting they had today and reported that the meeting consisted of gathering a small amount of information from every town present that participated. A consulting firm will be hired to investigate the needs of each municipality within the next 20 months. A resolution was made by Supervisor Todd to move $25,000.00 of unexpended highway department funds to the truck equipement fund, seconded by Councilwoman Stetz and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. A resolution was made by Councilwoman Stetz to move $50,000.00 of unexpended funds from the General Account to the Building Reserve Fund, seconded by Councilwoman Dillon. The purpose of moving these funds around is to show “seed money” during the building grant application process because most grants require a 60/40 contribution toward a building project. A resolution was made by Councilwoman Compton to audit the town books on February 9, 2016 beginning at 6:30 P.M. at the Locke Town Hall, seconded by Councilwoman Stetz and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. At this time, Supervisor Todd read a letter from the Locke Fire District which contained a formal request for assistance with snow removal at the Locke Fire Department’s facility. Highway Superintendent Peter Compton responded to the letter stating that the Locke Fire District should be addressing him as head of the highway department, regarding this matter, not the town board. Also, Mr. Compton stated that the letter contains false information about the Town of Genoa plowing snow for the Genoa Fire Department. He spoke with the highway department about this matter and was informed they do not plow for the fire department. Councilwoman Dillon expressed her concern over the “health and safety of the town” and hoped something could be discussed between the two departments. Attorney Chirco’s suggestion was to send a letter back to the Locke Fire District explaining that the Locke Town Board can’t make that decision and that it is up to the discretion of the highway superintendent. CEO—Supervisor Todd read a report from Jerry VeVone and reviewed the year end report of all building permits issued in 2016. One of the two residents that were issued violation letters reached out to Mr. Todd and she will have her property cleaned up as soon as the weather permits. This resident was given an ---PAGE BREAK--- April 30, 2017 deadline to have this matter taken care of or it will be turned over to Locke Town Court. The other resident did not respond to the letter and will therefore be issued a court appearance letter. Water Department—Councilwoman Dillon reported that water bills have gone out. Supervisor Todd reported that the most recent repairs that need to be made to the water tower will be paid for by unexpended funds. A resolution was made by Councilwoman Dillon to have Highway Superintendent Compton contact the company that is going to make the repairs and get it scheduled, seconded by Councilman Benson and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. Current water rates were discussed as it has been brought up that they have never been changed and it is possibly the time to start looking into raising them. Highway Department—Peter Compton had nothing to report. Town Clerk—Melanie Funk reported that December revenue was $806.00. Also, Michael Hingston’s term on the Board of Assessment Review expired in September but Mr. Hingston wished to be put back on the board. A resolution was made by Councilwoman Dillon to reinstate Mr. Hingston, seconded by Councilwoman Compton and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. Ms. Funk also asked the town board’s permission to have Natalie Hingston’s name removed from the signature card at First National Bank of Groton on the Water Collector account. Councilwoman Compton made this resolution, seconded by Councilwoman Stetz and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. A motion was made by Councilman Benson and seconded by Councilwoman Stetz to hold town board meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 P.M. and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. A resolution was made by Councilwoman Stetz and seconded by Councilman Benson to authorize the utility bills and Master Card to be paid prior to the audit of claims to avoid penalties and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. A resolution was made by Councilwoman Dillon and seconded by Councilwoman Stetz to sign and pay for the following contracts for 2017: Town of Moravia Summer Recreation Program, Four Town First Aid Squad, Inc., Powers Library, and Transportation Project of Cayuga County and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. Town Attorney— Norman Chirco followed up on the discussion of the violation letters sent to town residents for issues with their property. Once Mr. Chirco receives all information from Mr. VeVone concerning people that are in violation, he will send them a certified letter asking them to respond to him. If they don’t respond, he will then arrange for and notify them of a date they should appear in court. Also, regarding the proposed franchise agreement from Zito Media, Mr. Chirco would like Supervisor Todd to find out what their gross sales was for last year to question whether or not a three percent franchise fee is even a reasonable offer. Old Business—Councilwoman Stetz reported once again on the progress with the town’s website. She has been in contact with Brian Lamb via e-mail at Cayuga County’s IT Department and he has agreed to help her. Unfortunately, they have ---PAGE BREAK--- yet to have connected with each other via telephone but Ms. Stetz will keep trying. New Business—Supervisor Todd requested that all town board members review the Town of Locke’s Setback and Lot Area Law prior to the next meeting. Audit of Claims— A resolution was made by Councilman Benson to audit the claims, seconded by Councilwoman Dillon and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. General Fund Voucher #1-26 $49,597.93 Highway Fund Voucher #1-8 $31,951.36 Water District Voucher #1-4 $184.94 Street Lighting Voucher #1 $18.71 Public to be Heard—No one from the public spoke at this time. In addition, Supervisor Todd reported that he is “working out the kinks” with the town’s new payroll provider, Martin Knobel. Everything seems to be going well so far. A resolution was made by Councilwoman Dillon to close the Town of Locke Organizational Meeting, seconded by Councilwoman Stetz and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. A resolution was made by Councilman Benson to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Stetz and upon roll call vote was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:13 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Melanie Funk Town Clerk/Tax Collector ---PAGE BREAK---