May 2009

The regular meeting of the Groveland Town Board was held on Thursday May 14, 2009 at the Town Hall.

Present: James C. Merrick, Supervisor; Burt Lyon, Bill Carman, Craig Phelps, Councilman; Kevin Niedermaier, Councilman arrived @ 8:07 p.m.; Greg Adamson, Highway Superintendent

Absent: None

Other Attendees: Tim Sullivan; Honorable Jenean Love

Town Clerk handed out monthly clerk report.

 Supervisor handed out the monthly financial report along with the Livingston County Board of Supervisor minutes.

 Supervisor called the meeting to order @ 7:56 p.m.

Motion by Carman, seconded by Lyon the audited bills be paid. General Fund vouchers numbered 110-146 for $6,261.34, Cemetery Fund voucher number 3 for $ 550.21, Preferred Care voucher number 114 for $4,340.16, Highway Fund vouchers numbered 115-142 for $7,225.27, voucher 113 voided to move into the Cemetery Fund. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Lyon, seconded by Carman to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on April 9, 2009 with clerical corrections. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Phelps, seconded by Carman to accept the monthly financial reports submitted. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Old/New Business:

 

HIGHWAY- Greg reported that the 1974 tank used for brine has caved for no apparent reason. Greg estimates a savings of $13,000 hauling our own brine. We include covering the entire dirt road as opposed to portions where houses are. A replacement trailer looks to be about $7,500. Motions by Carman, seconded by Phelps too authorize Greg to purchase a used tank for the use of hauling brine. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Greg mentioned a problem at the Lakeview Cemetery after the burial of Ruth Magee. The Quait family stone was placed on the wrong spot many years ago which needed to be moved to bury Ruth and when it was moved the foundation had some damage. He has authorized the replacement at the town’s expense.

 

911 numbering- Greg stated that the Correctional Facility is now allowing and requesting us to number their premises. This will be a very involved job that should entail approximately 40 hours and recommended having Steve Willison to do the leg work. Motions by Lyon, seconded by Phelps authorizing Greg to hire Steve Willison to assist in numbering the Correctional Facility.

 

CEMETERY MAPPING – Greg looked into the mapping proposal and has concerns if this is a viable solution. In 2006 the Association was given a price of $2500 that would provide a field map only. Now the quote is for $4500 for the same thing not including the new section. In the old section there are maybe 100-125 lots available to sell. If we want survey maps to show the names there is an additional charge of .82 cents per name. Greg thinks there are not enough lots to sell in the old lot to justify the job. Greg thinks we could lay out the new section ourselves fairly easy. Board all agreed.

Greg raises concern that we should clarify the current cemetery regulations with the number of cremations we should allow in each lot. The normal seems to be 2. Motion by Phelps, seconded by Lyon we limit it to 2 cremations per lot. Motion carried unanimously.

 

FARMLAND PROTECTION PLAN – Supervisor Merrick stated that the contract has been finalized and that Greg will be making a draw of 25%. A packet of the contract and RFP was passed out. He stated that we do not have to go out for bids since Clough Harbour is our Town Engineer. This works in our favor since we are looking to get a comprehensive plan within the scope of the grant and CHA has reviewed our zoning and worked on Hawthorn Hills Subdivision. We will send them a copy of the RFP so we have a layout of how they will provide this service.

Greg stated we need to get a committee together of the farmers or owners associated with farming together quickly and recommended that Craig head this up with his knowledge of Agriculture. Motions by Lyon, seconded by Carman to appoint Phelps as Chairperson to the Agriculture Committee. Motion carried unanimously. A sample letter from Town of Lima along with all the AG-2 district labels was provided. Greg suggested that letter responses should be back by the next meeting.

 

REASSESSMENT PROJECT 2010/RESOLTION 5-2009 – Bruce was present to answer any questions pertaining to the project. It was asked if the fee schedule in the proposal are new or the same. Bruce thinks they are the same, but the county sets them. Bruce indicated that Groveland over the past 3 years with the cap that we can claim a equalization rate this year of 94% which should make next years reevaluation not so bad.

Bruce stated that Livonia is considering doing reevaluations yearly as opposed to the countywide every four years. He is not sure how this can work especially with Conesus Lake.

Motion by Phelps, seconded by Niedermaier to do a resolution in support of the 2010 reassessment project. Motion carried unanimously. (See resolution #5-2009)

 

EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK – a letter from the court clerks was read in reference to the proposed handbook. The letter is looking for Labor Day to be added to the approved holiday schedule. In addition to the number of hours paid for holidays based on working hours. The Clerk’s indicate they lose hours on a holiday when they work an 8 hour shift, but can get only 4 or 6 hours for the holiday. The board agreed to add Labor Day effective immediately but chose not to change the holiday hour’s scale. Part-time employees should not be entitled to full-time benefits, but do not object to the clerks making up their hours without exceeded budgeted hours with their Supervisor’s approval.

Judge Love had a few other areas of the handbook that was reviewed, but no changes were made.

Niedermaier inquired about the board’s view of a workplace violence plan, he recommended we encompass the county plan to fit Groveland verbiage. All agreed he will prepare the changes.

 

JUSTICE GRANT BENCH LAYOUT – a drawing was provided by the Judges of the desire to place a bench in the hall. The bench would be placed in front of the kitchen area as a permanent fixture. Councilman Lyon raised his concern of chopping our only town hall; he feels it is not an ideal situation. The Code Enforcement Officer had provided information based on the judges diagram that the occupancy level would go from it current 117 to 50. The Town Clerk added that it would reduce it more during election time with all the tables required. All agreed and discussed the many options of moving and creating a bench to suit other uses.

 

Without compromising what the judges need and what the Town Hall functions are; a motion was made by Carman, seconded by Phelps that we apply only for the reconstruction of the town hall and turn down the Bench construction unless additional funding can be secured for an addition. Motion carried unanimously. Supervisor has asked the Town Clerk to consult the county grants man for verbiage to turn down part of the requested grant.

 

REZONING OF HAMPTONS CORNERS – copies of changes were handed out. Motions by Lyon, seconded by Phelps to schedule a public hearing to be held at the next regular meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Hearing set for June 11, 2009 @ 8p.m. Supervisor request the Town Clerk to ask the Chairman from the Planning & ZBA to attend if possible.

 

Communications:

 

Supervisor passed around figures from the past 10 years and stated he is still confident in Ban’s rather permanent financing.

Supervisor reported he is in receipt of a letter from Mr. Comer’s lawyers sent to the state but copied in the town with his concerns of the new bridge construction on Flats Road (State Rte. 258)

 

Lyon reported he had attended the recent Correctional Advisory Committee meeting and that the Annex is closing, but the facility is going to be putting $8 million of infrastructure which will include updated electrical.

 

Niedermaier stated he would not able to attend the next regular meeting.

 

Motion by Niedermaier, seconded by Carman to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 10:47 p.m. The next regular meeting is on Thursday June 11, 2009 in the town hall.

Dated: May 22, 2009      ________________________

Town of Groveland             Sandra L. Bean, Town Clerk

 

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