May 2010

The regular meeting of the Groveland Town Board was held on Thursday May 13, 2010 at the Town Hall.

Present: James C. Merrick, Supervisor; Burt Lyon, Bill Carman, John Driscoll, Craig Phelps, Councilman; Greg Adamson, Highway Superintendent

Absent: None

Other Attendees: Tim Sullivan,

 Supervisor handed out the monthly financial reports.

Information:

  • Liv. Co. Board of Supervisors minutes
  • Employee handbook – still in progress
  • Finalized town zoning map handed out and on website
  • Pre-Retirement Seminar flyer scheduled for 5/18/10 in Campbell NY
  • April 28, 2010 was the Cty Teen Recognition Awards – of the 97 teens Groveland had 4 students – Congratulations to: Kirstyn Applin, Evan Magnussen, Trista Teitsworth & Greg Ulbright
  • Time Warner Franchise – letter confirmed errors
  • 2010 Livingston County Summer Youth Employment – Check with Departments if can be utilized

Supervisor called the meeting to order @ 8:02 p.m.

 

Motion by Councilman Carman, seconded by Councilman Lyon the audited bills be paid. General Fund vouchers numbered 108-138 for $7,098.43; MVP Insurance voucher numbered 106 for $306.03 Highway Fund vouchers numbered 107-131 for $24,184.29; Cemetery District voucher numbered 4-7 for $587.18. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Councilman Lyon seconded by Councilman Carman to approve the minutes of April 8, 2010 as written. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Councilman Lyon, seconded by Councilman Driscoll to accept the monthly financial reports as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.

 

New/Old Business:

 

ASSESSOR REPORT – Bruce Knapp updated the board that the Tentative Assessment Roll has been filed with the Town Clerk. The informal hearings turn out was normal for an update year. May 27th is grievance day.

 

HIGHWAY REPORT – Greg reported the state is holding payments with chips & multi motto. We had some roll over chips good until May 15th, but state has changed the roll over date and we may not see that money. We should be okay. Councilman Phelps asked if we would start any new projects, Greg stated no not until the state is clear on their funding.

Greg has had a request from our Fire Department to help them in mowing of the ball field. They have gotten behind and their mower is too small for the length of grass. This would be a one time thing and they would be able to maintain it once the first mowing is complete. Greg expects it to be a 4-5 hour project. Motion by Councilman Lyon, seconded by Councilman Carman to allow a one time mowing of the ball field. Motion carried unanimously.

 

DRAFT FARMLAND PROTECTION PLAN – Public hearing notice read, Supervisor opened the hearing @ 8:05 p.m. Supervisor asked Chairman of the Advisory group, Craig Phelps to give an open statement. Phelps stated that the process has gone rather smoothly, started out with a larger community attendance but it has gotten smaller. Walter Kalina and Jeff Williams of CHA, LLC were present and did a Power Point presentation on the draft proposal. This proposal will be presented by CHA to the Livingston County Farmland Protection Board on 5/20/10 for their review, once they approve it then we send it to NYS Ag & Markets for their approval before we can consider adopting the plan. Board and Advisory Committee members are recommended to attend the 5/20/10 presentation.

Hearing comments:

Tim Sullivan- stated he grew up in Brighton where he could ride a horse to Rush. You can’t in Groveland because the land uses vary too much. He hopes the town pushes to complete a Comprehensive Plan. He is worried that we are rural and upcoming development needs to follow these proposed plans.

Councilman Driscoll – asked how do you recommend reviews be done; Walter suggested a website for recommendations of teaching better density.

Councilman Phelps – current land maps show residential but are definitely farming. Walter asked for him to review the maps and get the updates so he can make the changes.

 

RIGHT TO FARM – Town Clerk emailed the Yates County Model Law to the board members. Also contacted Liv. Cty Planning Department and Cornell Cooperative Extension to get other ideas. Councilman Lyon gave some background to creating a Right to Farm Plan. He suggested that the board put together all the samples that match the Farmland Protection Plan then turn it over to the Planning Board to create a potential local law. This should be done after the County Farmland Board reviews our drafted plan and suggest having a joint meeting with the Planning Board. A date will be determined at the June meeting.

 

TOWN ZONING LAW DRAFT- Due to the Farmland Plan ongoing review process it was suggested review of the zoning law draft be moved to July.

 

GROVELAND FIRE DEPARTMENT AUDIT – Resolution 3-2010 - Fire Departments Annual Report was reviewed.

 

WHEREAS, the Town Board has met at the time and place at its regular meeting to review the annual financial report dated April 1, 2009 thru March 31, 2010 submitted by the Groveland Volunteer Fire Department. At which the report was previously submitted at the regular Town Board meeting of April 8, 2010 to take home for review, now therefore be it;

 

RESOLVED this Town Board does hereby accept such Annual Report fiscal year ending March 31, 2010  and that such annual report be adopted, by this Board, be entered in the minutes of the proceedings of this Town Board.

  • The question of the adoption of the foregoing RESOLUTION was put into vote. Motion by Councilman Lyon and seconded by Councilman Carman and the results were carried unanimously.

 

SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERT SERIES DONATION REQUEST – Letter received from Supervisor Eric Gott for Livonia’s 15th concert season at Vitale Park on Conesus Lake. Motion by Councilman Lyon, seconded by Councilman Driscoll to donate $100 for the event. Motion carried unanimously.

 

EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK – Mr. Merrick obtained a paper copy that Kevin Niedermaier had drafted. Copies were passed out. Town Clerk stated she would not be able to make any changes since Mr. Niedermaier had the only electronic version. Supervisor asked Town Clerk to provide a copy to Attorney Randy Meyer and will also request an electronic version from Mr. Niedermaier.

 

ELECTRICAL CONCERN WITHIN THE TOWN HALL – Greg has had complaints from the Court and Town Clerk offices that the heaters and air conditioning system are working at the same time, especially when all thermostats are turned down or off. The thermostats all seem to be working properly and would be surprised to think 2 thermostats would be broken at the same time. Councilman Carman stated that is not unusual to have multiple thermostats break at the same time, also sometimes the mercury could be off. He suggested getting new ones.

Greg also asked if there was a way to change the direction of the A/C vent in the court office. He said yes, just by changing the diffuser. It will blow in all four directions as oppose to the one direction that it does now.

 

2010 CYCLING TOUR OF NY - Greg has received a letter that the cycle tour does have an area off Rte 408 and 63 and Abele Road that the tour travels on. They have done this before. They need a permit from the town of a letter of permission. Greg stated we do not issue permits for this type of thing. The tour is willing to provide a Certificate of Insurance listing us as additional insured. Motions by Councilman Carman, seconded by Councilman Phelps to have Greg send a letter of support. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Communication:

 

Councilman Phelps has concerns with budget line A8010.4a, it shows a large amount of money and is sure we paid out more than that for the Farmland Protection Plan. Supervisor will look into it. Phelps also concerned on how the budgets are compiled, he would like to meet with Baldwin around budget time.

 

Town Clerk handed out a summary sheet of the training she received. In addition, she created a sample Disclosure form that will be utilized at the annual organizational meeting. Councilman Driscoll suggested a vender list be created in order for each member to accurately fill out a disclosure form. Town Clerk will prepare.

 

Summary Town Clerk & Deputy Town Clerk Training: Aril 25-27, 2010 @ Saratoga NY

  • Code of Ethics & Disclosure discussed – done annually @ Organizational meeting – see handout – Fire Dept. falls under this as well.
  • Code of Ethics – town boards should have an appointed Ethics Board – set term
  • Posting of Section GML 800-809 mandatory posting – part of handout
  • Minutes – refreshed rules on Abstaining & Recusal
    • Abstain – can be present but NOT Vote or add to discussion
    • Recusal – you must leave the room
  • Credit card information – should list at annual meeting
  • Records Management Policy – should be in place for all departments – Town Clerk should create
  • NYS Dog license program – will end 12/31/10 – will need to purchase new tags and change laws and/or rates – more information & changes to come; state has not finalized
  • Town Clerk software company (BAS) will soon unveil upgrades to help with local level dog responsibilities
  • NYS Vital Records – reviewed laws and practices of death, birth and marriages
  • Tax Collection – updates on practices & legal obligations
  • Association of Towns held an open Q/A class: They are close to having the credit card law changed in legislation for us to utilize 3rd party companies and comply with NYS Comptroller’s office. Listened too many scenario’s occurring in others towns.
  • Local Law procedures will be changing to only electronic notifications to Dept. of State in the next couple of months
  • Justice’s right to choose their own clerk – justice suggest to Town Board, but the board still has the right to accept or deny
  • Justice cannot solicit a fee for performing a marriage ceremony, it is a suggested donation. (If a judge accepts to perform ceremony, they cannot request donation before ceremony, it is solely up to bride/groom to choose to donate)
  • Justice’s & Marriage Officers cannot perform ceremonies in town hall during regular office hours (considered double dipping)

Motion by Councilman Driscoll, seconded by Councilman Phelps to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting Adjourned at 9:45 p.m. The next regular meeting is on Thursday June 10, 2010 at the town hall.

 

Dated May 17, 2010                              ____________________________

Town of Groveland                                      Sandra L. Bean, Town Clerk

 

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