TOWN OF NORTH HARMONY
TOWN BOARD MEETING
MONDAY February 13, 2017, 7:00 PM
SALLY P. CARLSON, SUPERVISOR PRESENT
FRANK STOW, COUNCILMAN PRESENT
DICK SENA, COUNCILMAN PRESENT
DUNCAN MCNEILL, COUNCILMAN ABSENT, ILLNESS
LOUISE ORTMAN, COUNCILWOMAN PRESENT
OTHERS PRESENT: Dave Stapleton, Attorney; Pierre Chagnon, Legislator; Katie Zimmer; Louis Reig; Brad Lawson, Zoning C.E.O.; Howard Peacock, Justice; Robin Miller, Bookkeeper; Chris & Debbie Black; Nancy Thomas, Town Clerk
- PLEDGE
MINUTES: 1/9/2017
MOTION # 20 OF 2017
- STOW MOTIONED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE 1/9/2017 TOWN BOARD MEETING WITH THE FOLLOWING ADDITION: ELECTIONS: LOUISE ORTMAN, COUNCIL (Complete R. Whitney TERM: 1/1/2016 – 12/31/19). MR. SENA SECONDED.
YES (4): STOW, SENA, ORTMAN, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
PUBLIC COMMENT:
CORRESPONDENCE:
The following correspondence has been received by the Town of North Harmony and is available for review at the offices:
- NYS COMPTROLLER – ANNUAL UPDATE DOCUMENT FILED BY 5/31/17 FOR FISCAL STRESS EVALUATION
NYS-DEC ANNUAL TRANSFER STATION REPORT – Submitted by Beichner’s 2/3/17
CHAUTAUQUA CO. FINANCE – SALES TAX received $139,101.53 (down $7,585.08)
Mr. Chagnon said the decrease is mostly due to fuel sales.
- ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS
COUNTY FINANCE – FORCLOSURE PROPERTIES (12)
Mr. Stapleton asked if there was an avenue to request a hardship extension with the county on property taxes.
Mrs. Carlson said that is a good question and should be addressed to Mr. Caflisch.
ASSESSOR – DECEMBER, 2016 PROPERTY TRANSFERS
OLD BUSINESS
SUBDIVISION LAW (LL #1-2017)
Mr. Stapleton said the SEQR review and Public Hearing on the Subdivision Law had been held on
December 12, 2017. He said the adoption of the law had been tabled for further review due to language changes which were accepted without objection by the Planning Board Chairman Pat Rice. He said the original law had placed all authority for review and approval with the Planning Board. The Town Board agreed that the Planning Board should review and recommend and the Town Board should have final approval. The appropriate changes to the language were made by Mr. Stapleton’s office.
- MOTION # 21 OF 2017
- SENA MOTIONED TO ADOPT LOCAL LAW NO. 1 OF 2017, SUBDIVISION LAW OF THE TOWN OF NORTH HARMONY. MRS. ORTMAN SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, ORTMAN, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
SIGN AGREEMENT TO SPEND HIGHWAY FUNDS
As authorized by Motion #10-2017 the Town Board executed the Agreement to Spend Highway Funds which will be forwarded to the County Highway Department (DPF).
- INSURANCE INCREASE 5% $24,953 – BELOW BUDGET $25,000
Mrs. Carlson said that initially she had been told that the towns’ liability insurance would only increase by 2% this year. She said that was not the case and the increase was 5%. She indicated that the 5% was still not over the budget amount, but stated that next year we will get more specific figures during the August Budget process.
VACATION / PERSONAL TIME – NEW HIGHWAY HIRES EFFECTIVE 2/13/17
Eligible for vacation after one year employment. After meeting scale; vacation will be awarded on January 1st each year. Personal time will be awarded after permanent status attained.
MOTION # 22 OF 2017
MRS. ORTMAN MOTIONED TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS TO THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK EFFECTIVE 2/13/2017:
Eligible for vacation after one year employment. After meeting scale; vacation will be awarded on January 1st each year. Personal time will be awarded after permanent status attained.
- SENA SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, ORTMAN, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
AUDIT COURT/TOWN CLERK BOOKS
Mr. Peacock and Mrs. Thomas indicated their 2016 books are available for review/audit.
NYS RETIREMENT BILL RECEIVED
Mrs. Carlson said we have received the NYS Retirement bill in the amount of $66,299. She said this is almost $4,000 more than the original amount they had quoted.
NEW BUSINESS:
CERTIFY PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MEMBERS (4 HRS REQUIRED TRAINING)
Mrs. Carlson said that the Zoning Board of Appeals has been meeting with Dave Stapleton, Town Attorney, prior to each meeting for the purpose of educational training and the Planning Board has been meeting with Don McCord, Small Town Planning (as an independent consultant) for the purpose of educational training. She asked that the board certify as satisfactory their 4 hours of training as required by NYS Law, Chapter 662 of the Laws of 2006.
MOTION # 23 OF 2017
- STOW MOTIONED TO CERTIFY 4 HOURS OF LAND USE TRAINING BY ATTORNEY STAPLETON FOR THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS AND 4 HOURS OF LAND USE TRAINING FOR THE PLANNING BOARD BY DON MCCORD, SMALL TOWN PLANNING, FOR THE YEAR 2016 AS REQUIRED BY NYS LAW. MR. SENA SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, ORTMAN, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
NYS-ERS – Retirement System – Standard Workday and Reporting Resolution
Mrs. Thomas said she had received a letter from NYS & Local Retirement System, Pension Integrity Bureau dated 2/1/17 regarding the submittal of an updated Standard Workday and Reporting Resolution for all Elected and Appointed officials. She indicated that she had not had time to contact them yet for clarification and guidance as to what they need, but will do so and comply as soon as possible.
Subsequent to the board meeting, contact was made on 2/14/17, with Tiffany Fredericks, NYS-ERS, Pension Integrity Bureau, and it was determined that some elected/appointed town members need to complete a 90 Record of Activities, at which time a Reporting Resolution can be filed with the State.
HIGHWAY – 2018 FREIGHTLINER TANDEM AXEL CAB AND CHASSIS ON ONONDAGA CONTRACT BID
Mrs. Carlson said that the town had budgeted $232,000.00 for a new highway truck in 2017. She said Mr. Strickland would like to purchase a 2018 Freightliner Tandem Axel and Chassis truck and plow equipment at an Onondaga, NY bid of $214,132.70 with Fleet Maintenance, Inc. She said this will replace a 10 wheeler truck.
Mr. Sena asked what the town might receive at auction for the 10 wheeler.
Mrs. Carlson indicated she did not know at this time.
- MOTION # 24 OF 2017
- STOW MOTIONED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF A 2018 FREIGHTLINER TANDEM AXEL AND CHASSIS TRUCK AND PLOW EQUIPMENT FROM FLEET MAINTENANCE, INC. AS OUTLINED IN THEIR BID DOCUMENT AT A COST OF $214,132.70. MRS. ORTMAN SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, ORTMAN, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
SUPERVISOR’S WARRANT SATISFIED 2/9/17 – GF ($176,500) HWY ($559,226) SPECIAL DIST. ($316,115.22) TOTAL $1,051,841.22
CONGRESSMAN TOM REED – TOWN HALL MEETING AT SR. CITIZENS, SATURDAY, 2/18/17, AT 9:30 AM
REPORTS:
PIERRE CHAGNON, LEGISLATOR
Mr. Chagnon said the following occurred at the January, 2017 Legislature meeting:
- Lisa Schmidtfrerick-Miller of Ashville was re-appointed to the Chautauqua County Traffic Safety Board.
- Jeff Molnar, Peter Samuelson, and Barry Swanson of Bemus Point were re-appointed to the Chautauqua County Fire Advisory Board.
- We authorized amendments to the Fixed Base Operator and Hangar Lease Agreement at the Chautauqua County/Jamestown Airport, after negotiations resulted in increased rent paid to the County.
- We amended the Health & Human Services 2016 Budget for increased costs for foster child care and institutional child care. Increased cost of $220,000 carries a local share cost of $85,800 after increased State and Federal aid.
- We amended the Health & Human Services 2016 Budget for increased Handicapped Preschool Education tuition costs due to the increased number of children in the Preschool Special Education Program, and increased reliance on services provided outside of Chautauqua County. Increased cost of $250,000 carries a local share cost of $101,250 after increased State and Federal aid.
KEVIN OKERLUND, ASSESSOR
Mr. Okerlund’s report indicated that all exemption applications must be filed by 3/1/2017. He also indicated that second notices for exemptions will be mailed next week.
HOWARD PEACOCK, JUSTICE
Mr. Peacock read his January, 2017 report (included is yearly summary for 2012 – 2016).
$41,806.00 in fines, fees, and surcharges was collected by the Court and given to the Town of North Harmony CFO for the court cases reported to the NYS Comptroller for January, 2017. We opened 225 new cases and closed 271 cases.
Of the $41,752.00 collected by the Court in December, 2016 the Town retained $14,265.00.
On reverse is a copy of the January, 2016 report.
2016 SUMMARY 2015 SUMMARY
Collected by Court: $635,251.00 Collected by Court: $605,629.54
Retained by Town: $205,028.00 Retained by Town: $173,655.44
Cases Opened: 4287 Cases Opened: 5128
Cases Closed: 4177 Cases Closed: 4056
2014 SUMMARY 2013 SUMMARY 2012 SUMMARY
Collected by Court: $380,537.45 Collected by Court: $302,571.00 Collected by Court: $271,341.14
Retained by Town: $115,419.30 Retained by Town: $93,151.00 Retained by Town: $91,405.70
Cases Opened: 3066 Cases Opened: 2596 Cases Opened: 2206
Cases Closed: 2793 Cases Closed: 2276 Cases Closed: 2142
BRAD LAWSON, ZONING C.E.O. (Copy of Report in Minute Book)
Mr. Lawson reviewed his written report for those present.
BRAD LAWSON, FIRE COMMISSIONER, AFD
Mr. Lawson said the commissioners had approved the purchase of 4 new dry suits and they have been consolidating some vehicles for a cost savings to the department. He said they are working hard to get in a better financial position for future needs.
NANCY THOMAS, TOWN CLERK (Copy of report in Minute Book)
Mrs. Thomas gave a report on tax collection:
Original Warrant: $3,425,259.94
Full Payments: $2,856,392.55
Taxes Outstanding: $ 568,867.39
- MOTION # 25 OF 2017
- STOW MOTIONED TO ACCEPT THE TOWN CLERKS REPORT AS PRESENTED. MR. SENA SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, ORTMAN, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
SALLY P. CARLSON, SUPERVISOR (Copy of report in Minute Book)
- MOTION # 26 OF 2017
- STOW MOTIONED TO ACCEPT THE SUPERVISORS REPORT AS SUBMITTED. MRS. ORTMAN SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, ORTMAN, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- MOTION # 27 OF 2017
MRS. ORTMAN MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE GENERAL FUND VOUCHERS AS AUDITED AND REVIEWED EARLIER IN THE AMOUNT OF $125,081.46. MR. SENA SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, ORTMAN, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
MOTION # 28 OF 2017
MRS. ORTMAN MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE HIGHWAY FUND VOUCHERS AS AUDITED AND REVIEWED EARLIER IN THE AMOUNT OF $172,929.51. MR, SENA SECONDED. YES (4): STOW, SENA, ORTMAN, CARLSON. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- MOTION # 29 OF 2017
ON A MOTION MADE BY MR. STOW, SECONDED BY MR. SENA, AND NONE BEING OPPOSED, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 7:45 PM.
Nancy Thomas
Town Clerk
