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Scipio Town Board Meeting The regular public meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM on Wednesday July 11, 2018 by Supervisor Mutchler with the following people present. Supervisor: Gary Mutchler Town Clerk: Tom Olenych Town Board Members: Leslie Baxter Highway: Mark Chamberlain Mark Ferrari Code Enforcement: Howard Tanner Vivian Cunningham Gary Whitten Guests: Ann Robson, Ken Post, Marilyn Post, Maryl Mendillo, Wayne Pettit, Dee Allen, Matt Hooper of Duke Energy, David Murtha and Kyle Purdy both from ERM (Environmental Resources Management). Motion to approve agenda for the town board meeting. (Whitten / Mutchler) All in favor. Issues to come before the board from town residents and guests. There were no issues from town residents. Supervisor Mutchler introduced Matt Hooper of Duke Energy and David Murtha and Kyle Purdy of ERM to the board. These gentlemen were at the town board meeting to give the board a presentation regarding a proposed 96-acre solar panel farm to be constructed on the Carter farm north of Center Road. The panels would be a fixed tilt Tier 1 technology, top rated, design and once completed, approximate construction time to be 6 to 12 months, the project would provide energy to 3,200 homes. This would be an unmanned station with any maintenance required being done by local personnel. To date the principals have filled out a short SEQRA form, are preparing a RFP, request for proposal, for NYSERTA as well as an Environmental Impact Study for the New York State Dept of Environmental Conservation. The DEC impact study will look at the impact of the project on the environment as well as the impact on wild life and whether any historical sites will be affected. The permitting process is Howard Tanner the town’s CEO pointed out the next steps for the town is the planning board site review, the ZBA because there is no town ordinance for this, so a special permit will need to be issued and then back to the town board. In addition to the town’s zoning permitting process, as outlined in Kari Terwilliger’s AICP memo dated 6/28/2018 the proposal will also need approval from the DEC, the FAA, Cayuga County 239 committee Cayuga County Soil & Water as well The Scipio site was selected because it’s good farm land and easily convertible as well as it’s close proximity to the substation on the other side of Center Road. ---PAGE BREAK--- Vivian Cunningham asked what the benefit to the town was and that was not clear. The presenters felt there would be some tax benefit to the town but Vivian, who contacted Cayuga County Planning about the project, was told by county there would be no benefit to the town. This question will be answered at subsequent meetings Leslie Baxter was concerned about rain and melting snow runoff. The affects of runoff would be stabilized by using a ground cover of slow growing native grasses and any water runoff solutions would need to be approved by the DEC. As with the panels the maintenance and upkeep of the project would use local labor. The area would be surrounded by a chain link fence with cameras mounted around the perimeter for security. Wayne Pettit of the Scipio Volunteer Fire Dept. asked about fire hazards and if one panel caught on fire would it spread to the other panels. He was told it was not impossible for a group of panels to catch fire, but it was highly improbable the fire would spread to other groups of panels due to the spacing between the groups of panels. Wayne asked about training for the fire department and was told training was available, so the fire department could familiarize itself with what to do and what not to do in the event there was a fire. There was also some discussion of the need for smoldering blankets to be used for fire control but it was unclear who would be responsible for the cost of these blankets. The property would be leased from the Carter’s and the Carter’s have written a letter to ERM giving their permission for the project to go forward. The project would require a “special use variance” with the idea the land would be returned to farm land once the solar panel farm was ready to be decommissioned. There was some question about this as it was the understanding of some board members, members who previously served on the town planning board, that once a “special use variance” is issued it stays in effect forever and cannot be returned to its former use. The lease will contain language specifically outlining the decommissioning process which is expected to be 25 to 30 years after the initial startup of the project. Vivian Cunningham was concerned about the sun’s glare, coming off the panels, being a distraction to drivers. She was told that would be addressed in the final site plan application. Other questions to be covered in the final site plan application are hunting accidents, what happens if a hunter accidently hits a panel with a shotgun shell, how will the project be shaded from view, does the project increase the value of the land it will occupy and what impact will all the added truck traffic have on the roads? If the permitting / approval process goes smoothly throughout the winter months the project would begin sometime in the Spring of 2019 with the cost of the total project being estimated at between 35 and 40 million dollars. Most of this cost would be for the panels, 15 to 20 million dollars. Marilyn Post asked how many workers would be involved and was told, depending on what stage to project is in, it could range from 5 to 150. Lastly the board was told that the completed final site plan application would go to Howard Tanner first before being voted on by the town board. ---PAGE BREAK--- Motion to approve the minutes of the 2018 town board meeting. Due to computer problems the minutes were late getting to the board members and will be approved, as amended, at the August 8, 2018 town board meeting. Town Board Members reports: Leslie Baxter: 1) Leslie told the board the Water Shed Management Committee will have a public meeting in August to discuss the “9 Element Plan”, which it favors. 2) The next meeting of the WSMC will be on Tuesday July 17th. 3) Leslie also reported that aerators have been installed on Owasco Lake adjacent to Martin’s Point. The purpose of the aerators is to keep algae blooms from coming to the surface of the lake. The benefit to placing aerators as opposed to buoys is aerators do not require a permit from the DEC. 4) Lastly Leslie talked to the board about the Ensenore Road picnic area project and the question of what property belongs to the town. She talked with the grandson of the original property owner, who did not like the idea of a fence because he has the right of way. Keith Batman added the right of way would be clearly stated in the deed or it would not exist. A survey would need to be done, before going forward on this, to be clear as to what the property lines are. Past partying on this property has also been a problem in the past and would there be adequate parking. Leslie added there are volunteers ready to clean up the area should this go forward. The question to the property lines on Ensenore Road brought up a similar conversation regarding Fire Lane 26 but it was decided no survey would be needed as this area has existing property stakes in place. Motion to approve a survey of the property with the cost not to exceed $1,500.00 (Mutchler / Baxter) All in favor. Vivian Cunningham: 1) Vivian attended another meeting regarding the state and county initiative promoting shared services among county municipalities. The meeting centered around shard “judicial services”. Basically, there would be a shared court site and court officer (judge). Scipio would share in the support of the court officer and the cost of the building, but any revenues generated from Scipio court transactions would remain in Scipio. Mark Ferrari: 1) Mark told the board that to date he has only been contacted by one local contractor regarding the renovations to the town offices The issue of prevailing wages came up and the town board members felt it was important to make sure all state and county rules or regulations regarding prevailing wage considerations were to be followed with no execptions. Town Supervisor’s report: 1) Gary asked the board to approve the following request for transfer of funds. Debit A1330.4 Tax Collection – Contractual $200.00 ---PAGE BREAK--- Credit A1410.4 Town Clerk – Contractual. Debit A1990.4 Contingent Account $300.00 Credit A1620.44 Building – Heating Debit DA599 Appropriated Fund Balance $110,000.00 Credit DA5110.4 Improvements Capital Outlay Debit DA599 Appropriated Fund Balance $3,600.00 Credit DA5130.4 Machinery Contractual 2) Gary introduced Dee Allen who wanted to clarify who owns or maintains cemeteries once they’ve been abandoned for several decades. Keith Batman, a former town supervisor added that in these situations, the town would maintain the property, but it was unclear if the town would own the property. 3) Gary discussed the fire department’s efforts to separate out of the Scipio – Venice – Ledyard telling the board, the information gathered and presented to the Fire Commissioners had been approved and this could now go on to a public meeting. 4) Gary informed the board he had gotten a phone call from Sharon VanOstrand, asking that the cemetery next to their house on Indian Field Road be mowed, and that it had been taken care of by the highway department. 5) Lastly Gary read Becky Rury’s resignation letter to the board in which she cited having more time to travel and more time to spend with her daughter and granddaughter who live in Washington, DC. Vivian Cunningham asked if Becky’s bookkeeping / payroll clerk responsibilities could be shared services with other municipalities. Motion to accept Becky Rury’s resignation letter. (Mutchler / Whitten) All in favor Town Officers reports: Assessor: There was no report from the town’s assessor. Town Clerk: 1) Tom Olenych told the board he had scanned and sent a copy of Local Laws #1 and #2 of 2018 to the town attorney’s office and they would file these with the state. He will follow up with the attorney to make sure this has been done. 2) Tom will also print up a few “Help Wanted” signs, for the Bookkeeper / Payroll Clerk position opening up due to Becky Rury’s resignation, and he will see that one is placed near the transfer station door, the post office, Dugan’s Café and in the town’s bulletin board. Code Enforcement: Howard Tanner submitted his report detailing his activities for the month, permits issued, a certificate of occupancy issued, planning board reviews and any comments, questions or concerns he has. Highway Superintendent: 1) Mark Chamberlain told the board his crews have been busy spending five days paving roads with the towns of Venice and Genoa. Mark noted that several neighboring towns were involved in helping Venice and Genoa with the paving. ---PAGE BREAK--- 2) due to the heat Mark’s men have also been busy chinking town roads. 3) the highway department installed a cross culvert on Cork Street with another smaller one to be installed at a later date. 4) Mark also told the board his crews will be helping other towns with oil & chip starting next week. 5) lastly Mark said the new mower was working well and that Addy’s Power Supply had given the town a $200.00 break on it. Other Business: No other business was discussed. Approval of vouchers: General 113 – 129 totaling $15,145.89 (Whitten / Baxter) All in favor. Highway (DA): 66 - 75 totaling $13,875.34 (Mutchler / Whitten) All in favor. Motion to adjourn: 9:56 PM (Baxter) All in favor. Respectfully submitted, Thomas J. Olenych Scipio Town Clerk