TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD MEETING
MAY 10, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Supervisor
Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M. leading those present in
the Salute to the Flag. Present for the roll call were Supervisor Ed
Williamson, Councilors Eric Clothier, Tracy Doyle, Melissa Fortier and Lori
Thrall. Deputy Supervisor John Snow Jr.,
Planning Board Chairman Paul Ketchum and Highway Superintendent Jeff Richards
were also present. There were 14
Residents and Guests in attendance.
Councilor
Fortier made a motion, seconded by Councilor Clothier to dispense with the
reading of the minutes for the previous meetings of April 12th and
26th, all were in favor, none opposed.
Jane
Rice, a planner with Environmental Design and Research addressed the Board
regarding assisting the Planning Board in updating the Zoning Codes. She has reviewed them with Planning Board
Chairman Paul Ketchum and thinks they look great. She would work with the Planning Board and
the Town Attorney on the updates. Ms.
Rice will provide a scope of services for the Board’s review at the Work
Session.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Rose Anthony – She
was here a couple of meetings ago about getting sewer on State Route 3. She asked the Board if any progress had been
made. After reading the paper and seeing
the Contractor has backed out of the Nestle Plant cleanup she thought maybe we
could get Aldi’s and other businesses on this side of the river if we had
sewer. Councilor Doyle said he spoke to Fulton
Mayor Ron Woodward and suggested starting at NBT Bank to bring the sewer and
water down the State Route 3 Corridor. Mr.
Woodward agreed that would be the best way.
Ms. Anthony also wanted to make everyone in the in the Granby Fire District
aware of the vote on May 30 to build an addition on the Fire Barn.
Bob Coe – Mr.
Coe gave the Board complaint petitions from residents in Furdi’s Park about the
four-wheeler problem on County Route 3.
Supervisor Williamson said he had contacted the State Police, Sheriff’s
Department and the Codes Officer. There
is really nothing that can be done unless they can catch them riding in the
road. The Owner of the property is also
assisting.
COMMUNICATIONS AND
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The
Resident that submitted the petitions for a speed reduction on Wybron Road
stated that even though the petitions were two years old, the same residents
live on the Road and asked the Board to still consider a speed reduction.
Councilor
Doyle made a motion, seconded by Councilor Fortier to send a letter to the
County regarding reducing the speed limit on Wybron Road due to the design of
the road, Supervisor Williamson and Councilor Thrall were in favor, Councilor
Clothier was opposed.
Supervisor
Williamson reported the grant for the new plow truck has been through the three
agencies and we should receive the contract so we can get the $100,00.00 by the
17th or 18th of May.
Supervisor
Williamson stated the Town has received a letter from Attorney Scott Chatfield
regarding his invoice and a copy of a letter Mr. Chatfield sent to Judge
Seiter. The Board has a copy.
Councilor
Fortier made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Williamson to enter into
Executive Session for Attorney Client Privilege to discuss a pending legal
matter with Town Attorney Matthew Ward, all were in favor, none opposed.
The
Board entered into Executive Session at 7:26 P.M.
Councilor
Fortier made a motion, seconded by Councilor Clothier to re-convene the
meeting, all were in favor, none opposed.
The
meeting was re-convened at 7:36 P.M.
Councilor
Clothier made a motion, seconded by Councilor Thrall to accept the Terms
Settlement Stipulation and allow Supervisor Williamson to sign the Settlement
Stipulation on behalf of the Town Board, Councilor Fortier and Supervisor
Williamson were in favor, Councilor Doyle was opposed.
Supervisor
Williamson has been working on the 4-wheeler problem on Route 3 and Hanley
Road. The owner of the property is also
giving assistance.
Supervisor
Williamson has been informed the EDU assessments for Water Service Area 6A have
been completed.
Budget
Officer/Deputy Supervisor Snow Jr. attended a two-day Town Finance School and
learned a lot and will be setting some of those things up so that we are in
compliance with the proper management.
The
Codes Office has changed their hours and they are posted.
The
Town Board has approved the start of a Capital Project for a public water
project for County Route 85 and the side roads leading north including Ditzer,
5th St., Dolittle, Ridge, Philips and Rathburn Road between County
Route 85 and Phillips Road. The exact
boundaries of a proposed water district or service area are to be
determined. It is possible it will be
advantageous to form two separate projects.
All options will be explored.
Supervisor
Williamson is pleased to announce that Justice Edwin Winkworth will be Granby’s
Citizen of the Year for 2017. A ceremony
will be held to honor him at Family Fun Day on June 24th.
OLD BUSINESS
Highway
Superintendent Jeff Richards said he is looking at portions of Merritt Road,
Prall Road and Pinnacle Hill Road to pave this year. The Board would like to have more information
and pricing before entering into the 284 Agreement.
Councilor
Doyle made a motion, seconded by Councilor Thrall to hold a Special Meeting on
Tuesday May 16th at 7:00 P.M. to discuss the 284 Agreement, all were
in favor, none opposed.
Councilor
Thrall made motion, seconded by Councilor Fortier to approve the EDU Schedule
for Water Service Area 6A, all were in favor, none opposed.
Deputy
Supervisor Snow Jr. gave an update on the Shared Services meeting. Supervisor Williamson was unable to attend and
Deputy Supervisor Snow Jr. was at Town Finance School and also unable to
attend. Mr. Snow Jr. was able to find out that at the meeting, they discussed
County wide initiatives and formed sub-committees. The Town of Granby is in a
sub-committee with Hannibal, The City of Fulton and the Town of Volney. The next step will be to discuss more localized
efficiencies. Fulton Mayor Ron Woodward
is the Chairman of our sub-committee and will set the next meeting date.
The
Board indicated the price differences in the quotes for the interior LED
lighting were too large. Deputy
Supervisor Snow Jr. said he felt this was because each Contractor gave their
own idea of what needed to be done, so the quotes were not comparable. We need to put specs together so each
Contractor will be quoting the same options.
Councilor
Fortier made a motion, seconded by Councilor Doyle to approve Miller
Engineering to complete a draft Preliminary Engineering Report for County Route
85 and roads heading north, all were in favor, none opposed.
The
Town of Granby passed a local law establishing a Town Constabulary to promote
public health, safety and welfare in our Town.
It was not filed property, therefore being voided. To make this a local law, it needs to be
approved by the Board and a Public Hearing needs to be scheduled.
Councilor
Doyle made a motion, seconded by Councilor Thrall to approve the Constabulary
Law and send it to the Town Attorney, all were in favor, none opposed.
The
Board will be discussing the crowding of the Courtroom at the Work
Session. An invitation should be
extended to our Judges, Clerks and Constables to offer input or to attend.
NEW BUSINESS
Supervisor
Williamson asked the Board to start thinking about the EDU Schedule for Water
Service Area 7 and be ready to discuss it at the Work Session.
Deputy
Supervisor Snow Jr. asked the Board to consider signing up for Check Positive Pay
for the payroll account and Bill Pay for the utility bills. The cost of Check
Positive pay is $50.00 per month with a .02 cent charge per check. This will prevent fraudulent modifications to
the checks as well as bogus checks being presented to the bank.
MOTIONS AND
RESOLUTIONS
Councilor
Thrall made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Williamson to approve the use of
NBT’s Bill Pay and Positive Pay Systems, a roll call vote was taken;
Councilor Clothier Aye Councilor
Doyle Aye
Councilor Fortier Abstain Councilor Thrall Aye
Supervisor Williamson Aye
Councilor
Fortier made a motion, seconded by Councilor Thrall to transfer $13,000.00 from
the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund to cover the costs associated
with completing a Preliminary Engineering Report for County Route 85 and the
side roads heading north, all were in favor, none opposed.
Councilor
Thrall made a motion, seconded by Councilor Clothier to allow Budget Officer
Snow Jr. and Councilor Fortier to form a committee to assess the Town’s
financial condition and make suggestions regarding the establishment of
reserves
Deputy
Supervisor Snow Jr. read a Proclamation declaring the week of May 7th
through May 13th, 2017 Municipal Clerks Week. He thanked our Town Clerk for her service to
the Residents and announced Town Clerk Ingersoll received the designation of
Registered Municipal Clerk at this year’s Annual New York State Town Clerk’s
Association Conference.
Councilor
Fortier made a motion, seconded by Councilor Thrall to proclaim the week of May
7 to May 13, 2017 Municipal Clerks Week, all were in favor, none opposed.
REPORTS
FROM DEPARTMENTS
County
Legislator – Legislature Jim Karasek spoke to the Board
regarding the Shared Services Meeting stating that it was State Law that all
County Administrators, Executives and Supervisors need to put together a
coalition of all the Towns and Schools Districts and have a conversation about
what they think would help save money to the local tax payer. If a Municipality chooses not to participate,
they will be required to submit a report to the State as to why they did not take
part. Mr. Karasek also stated that the
sewer pump station on State Route 3 and Hannibal Street has more capacity
available, it just needs to have the pump changed.
Youth
Director – Supervisor Williamson reported that Family Fun
Day is all taken care of and the Youth Director is working on bike rodeos and
basketball programs for the summer.
Highway
Superintendent – Highway Superintendent Richards reported the
crews have been out cleaning up roadsides and filling potholes. The plow equipment is washed and
treated. They have started replacing
some of the road culverts this week. The mowers are ready to go. He has two quotes on mowers from Whites
Equipment. The County asked if we would
be interested in mowing County Roads. Mr.
Richards doesn’t feel this would be an option with our current equipment. The new grates have been installed in the
Highway Garage and are working well. The
salt dome is empty so the Fire Department can wash it. The person that was going to sandblast the
truck boxes backed out.
Justice
– Councilor Fortier said they will be discussing
the Court Room expansion.
ZBA –
Councilor Thrall stated there is a Work
Session on Zoning Ordinances Tuesday May 16th at 7:30 P.M.
Code
Enforcement/Zoning – There were 8 Building Permits issued at a
construction value of $105,990.00 with Building Permit Fees of $442.98. There were 4 Building Inspections conducted,
2 Building Permits closed, 15 Violation Inspections, 15 Violations issued and 8
Violations closed.
Town
Clerk/Tax Collector – Total revenue for April was $2,259.97. Checks were sent to NYS Ag & Markets in
the amount of $96.00 for the Spay/Neuter Program, the New York State Health
Department in the amount of $67.50 for Marriage Licenses a check to the Supervisor
in the amount of $2,048.95 for local shares and $47.52 to the DEC for fishing
licenses.
Buildings/Highway
– The fire protection system has been
installed. Supervisor Williamson will call
for CO2 detectors for the Office hallway, Highway Garage breakroom, the
Community Center meeting room and propane system area.
Historian – Historian
Snow Jr. said the Anniversary Book is going to be about the Town’s earliest
settlers. He has also been working on
Assessment records and he has archived Chattel Mortgages and Court
Records. Mr. Snow Jr. is working on a
display for Family Fun Day that will promote the Town’s 200th
Anniversary.
Deputy Supervisor – Deputy
Snow Jr. worked with the Auditors on Water Service Area 6A. He believes their field work is done and they
are working on drafting a financial statement.
He has already implemented some of the suggestions the Auditors have
given him. Our ledgers are all cleaned
up. He has given the Board a draft
budget for Water Service Area 6A. He has
analyzed the tentative tax roll and has made projections about what the tax
levy might be and he is working on the Trust and Agency Account. Mr. Snow Jr. then reported to the Board some
of the items he learned while attending Town Finance School. He has given the Board monthly financial
statements and asked if they would please look them over and if they have any
questions, please contact him. The Board
needs to designate someone to be in charge of the asset records. He does not mind doing that if the Board so
desires. We need look at our Investment
Policy, it has probably been ten years since it has been updated. He would like
to do this at the Work Session. We also
need to re-design our voucher system and audit departmental cash.
PAYMENT OF TOWN BILLS
Councilor
Clothier made a motion, seconded by Councilor Fortier to pay the Town Bills as
audited on Abstract #9 to include the invoice for Attorney Scott Chatfield,
Councilor Thrall and Supervisor Williamson were in favor, Councilor Doyle was
opposed.
General Fund $10,928.20 Highway
Fund $7,401.10
Wilobob Fund $94.88 SS1-Sewer
North $1,012.50
Att. Chatfield $467.74
DATES FOR UPCOMING
MEETINGS
Public
Work Session May 24, 2017 at 6:00 P.M.
Town
Board Meeting June
14, 2017 at 7:00 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilor
Clothier made a motion, seconded by Councilor Doyle to adjourn the meeting, all
were in favor, none opposed.
The
meeting was adjourned at 9:17 P.M.
