Granby Town Board Regular Monthly Meeting
April 8, 2009 DRAFT
7:00 P.M.
Supervisor Williamson called the meeting to order leading those present in the salute to the flag.
Present for the roll call: Supervisor Ed Williamson and Councilors Carol Abbott and Matt Callen. Councilors Sue Richardson and Ellen Nowyj were excused. Also present: Highway Superintendent Lynn Moyer; Budget Director Bob Lyman; 9 residents and guests.
A motion was made by Councilor Abbott, seconded by Councilor Callen to dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 11 and 25 and accept them as written. Passed unanimously.
Public Comment
Fred Martin, chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, gave a detailed report of three Public Hearings held by the ZBA in 2008. He expressed his concern that Supervisor Williamson offered advice to one applicant. He was also supposed to receive information on setbacks from Attorney Chatfield but to date has not./ At the second hearing, there was to be a letter from the Town giving specific instructions to the applicant what he would need to do in order to meet Town requirements and have the variance approved. To Mr. Martin's knowledge, the ZBA has not received such a letter and the case is still open./ A decision was made on a third variance application while he was away on vacation. He felt it was not a good decision and could lead to neighborhood problems in the future./ Mr. Martin noted that he has asked the Town Board for alternate members for the ZBA but that has not been granted.
Supervisor Williamson responded that he always recommends that a variance applicant contact the Codes Department or a ZBA member with questions. He also noted that there was not money in the budget for an alternate ZBA member.
Mr. Martin concluded his remarks by announcing his resignation from the Zoning Board of Appeals, effective immediately. Town Board members asked him to reconsider but Mr. Martin was firm in his decision.
The full text of Mr. Martin's comments is on file in the Town Clerk's office.
Frank Fox also submitted his resignation from the Zoning Board of Appeals, effective immediately. He thanked the Town Board for appointing him to the position.
Rose Anthony recommended that the Town Board not accept Mr. Martin's resignation./ Ms Anthony invited the public to a party at her Bar celebrating 42 years on the corner of County Rt.8 and County Rt. 3.
Les Holmes commented that he feels there should be an alternate trained for the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Communications and Announcements
On Joey K Lane two meter pits have been placed on one property instead of one meter pit on each of two lots. The information and drawings have been submitted to Water District #3 Engineer Robert Guminiak for his consideration on moving one meter pit, thereby resolving the problem.
Another complaint has been received regarding the dust and noise on Sharp Road caused by Gilmore's 4 wheeler race track. A copy of the complaint was sent to DEC officer Lt. Jim Wrightmyer; Sheriff Ruel Todd; the Granby Codes Office; and the Granby Justice Court. An "order to remedy" has been sent to the Gilmore family. An agreement on times to operate the race track needs to be in place. If such an agreement cannot be reached, the Town Attorney will be asked to prepare a noise and dust Town Ordinance.
At the March 25th Town Board Meeting, two representatives from EDR Engineering spoke to the Town Board and others who were present regarding wind power: installation; planning; and regulations. The representatives have agreed to return and speak at a joint meeting of the Planning Board; Zoning Board; Codes Offices; and Town Lawyer and offer suggestions for a Town law regarding wind power. Information on wind power is available at the Town Hall for anyone interested.
Fulton Mayor Ronald Woodward has offered to extend the Water and Sewer line approximately 800 L/feet from the existing line to just past Discount Liquors on State Rt. 3. The Alliance Bank and Laundromat which are located in the Town of Granby already have water and sewer. The Town will need to form a water and sewer district and include these two businesses which have never been in a water or sewer district.
The Planning Board held a Public Hearing on March 3, 2009 and approved a motion to allow E&V Energy to install an additional 30,000 gallon propane storage tank on Johnny Cake Lane.
The US Census Bureau will be going door to door between April and July 2009 collecting information for the 2010 census.
Old Business
At the February 11, 2009 Town Board Meeting, the Board voted to remove the Water District #3 EDU from the old one room school house property at 269 S. Granby Rd. However, Oswego County Real Property Tax Director Dave Hastings would not sign off on the removal. John Snow, Jr., the person who made the request, has been informed of the decision.
New Business
The Granby Zoning Board of Appeals voted at its March 24, 2009 meeting to deny the variance request Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Duncan regarding their above ground kerosene and underground fuel tanks which do not have the proper setbacks from neighboring property owned by Ralph Hubbard. The matter has now been given to Attorney Ventry for compliance purposes.
Town Board members have received copies of "Requirement Revisions" to the Town Zoning regulations from the Granby Planning Board:
•1. Section III : Use regulations for farm labor camps.
•2. Minimum Standards for Road Construction as listed in the Subdivision Regulations.
•3. Section V Supplementary Regulations
E. signs and billboards
The Board was asked to review the changes. A Public Hearing on the changes must be held either by the Town Board or the Planning Board.
Motions/Resolutions
Resolution #18-2009 was made by Councilor Abbott, seconded by Councilor Callen as follows: under the provisions of Section 284 of the Highway Law to sign an agreement with Oswego County to spend Highway funds in the amount of $270,000 for the general repairs on 60.2 miles of Town of Granby highways.
Councilor Abbott aye Councilor Callen aye Supervisor Williamson aye
A motion was made by Councilor Callen, seconded by Councilor Abbott to have the Granby Planning Board hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. on changes in Zoning Regulations.
Councilor Abbott aye Councilor Callen aye Supervisor Williamson aye
Department Reports
Dog Control Officer: 29 complaints; 6 dogs picked up; 2 destroyed; 5 released; 0 dogs on hand.
Assessor: there will be no assessment increase this year unless there is a change in the structures on a property.
Town Clerk/Tax Collector: Deana Summerville has been appointed as the new Deputy Town Clerk/ Tax Collector./ Taxes have been returned to the County and everything balanced.
Highway Department: Highway Superintendent Moyer reported on the March activities of the Highway Department including: painting was done inside the garage; the loader bucket was repaired; old tires were picked up from the side of the road. The '64 Oshkosh truck runs well but has not been used for a number of years. It may be advertised for sale. The old roadside mower may also be advertised.
Codes/Zoning Department: 12 permits were issued and there were 43 inspections.
Cemeteries: after checking references, the bid for lawn care of cemeteries, as well as for mowing the Town Hall complex, was awarded to the lowest bidder, Abbott Enterprises.
County Legislator: Morris Sorbello announced that the next meeting would be Thursday, April 9th @ 7:00 p.m./ Oswego Co. is in the top 3 contenders for consideration of a solar panel business./ The chocolate factory is still in litigation./ There is stimulus money for Social Services to develop summer jobs./ The fire tower for the fire school needs to be rebuilt. / The audience questioned Mr. Sorbello at length regarding the Oswego Co. Social Services Director and were critical of her reappointment.
Payment of Town Bills
A motion was made by Councilor Callen, seconded by Councilor Abbott to approve payment of Town bills as audited for abstract #7-2009 in the following amounts: $9,725.72 from General Fund; $15,776.01 from Highway Fund; $83.57 from Wilobob Lighting; $2,620.08 from Dunkin Donuts Escrow.
Councilor Abbott aye Councilor Callen aye Supervisor Williamson aye
Other Discussion
It was asked if the Town is still planning to build the addition to the Town Hall. Response: It is, as soon as the grant check comes.
Is the Town land on Stoney Robby Road going to be sold? Response: the soil must be tested for any possible contaminants first. It will need an appraisal by a real estate agent. Then, with the Board's approval, it will be advertised for sale. It may possibly be sold in individual lots. The Town would probably handle the sale to save on real estate agent fees.
What is the $2,620.08 bill from Dunkin' Donuts escrow? Response: it is the lawyer's fee for being sure the new Dunkin' Donuts building is properly built. Dunkin Donuts put $3000 into their escrow fund to cover such expenses.
Dates of Next Meetings
Public Work Session: April 22, 2009 @ 6:00 p.m.
Regular Monthly Town Board Meeting: May 13, 2009 @ 7:00 p.m.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Councilor Abbott, seconded by Councilor Callen to adjourn the meeting. Passed unanimously. Time: 8:10 p.m.
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Town Clerk
