TOWN OF NORTH HARMONY
TOWN BOARD MEETING
Monday, 11/9/2020, 7:00 pm
ROBERT YATES, SUPERVISOR ABSENT
RICHARD SENA, COUNCILMAN PRESENT
DUNCAN MCNEILL, COUNCILMAN PRESENT
LOUISE ORTMAN, COUNCILWOMAN PRESENT
STEVE SENSKE, COUNCILMAN PRESENT
OTHERS PRESENT: Dale Robbins, Attorney; Howard Peacock, Justice; Anne Golley, Assessor; Brad Lawson, Zoning C.E.O.; Robin Miller, Bookkeeper; Will Ortman; Clayton & Helen Emick; Katie Zimmer, Court Clerk; Nancy Thomas, Town Clerk
In the absence of Supervisor Yates, Deputy Supervisor, Louise Ortman chaired the meeting.
- PLEDGE
- MINUTES: 10/13/20; 10/21/20
- MOTION # 108 OF 2020
- MCNEILL MOTIONED TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE 10/13/20 AND 10/21/20 TOWN BOARD MEETINGS AS PRESENTED BY THE TOWN CLERK WITH THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIONS:
- 10/13/20 minutes page 1: addition of Clayton & Helen Emick to “Others Present”
- 10/13/20 page 4: Motion # 96 of 2020 corrected to read “Mr. Sena motioned to charge $50 per boat per month…”
- SENSKE SECONDED. YES (4): SENA, MCNEILL, SENSKE, ORTMAN. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- PUBLIC COMMENT:
- ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Budget 2021 Adopted 11/5/20
- Building update
Mrs. Ortman said things are going pretty good since the move into the new building. She said the gutter work has been completed but there is still some finish work to be done (i.e. handicap door entry; trim on metal posts, etc.). She said overall we are in good shape.
- CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence has been received by the Supervisor and is available for review:
- Todd Button, Chaut. Co. Finance – Sales Tax Report 11/6/20 – Nov.-Jan. quarter 3% less than last year
Mrs. Miller said right now we are pretty comfortable. She said our 3rd quarter Sales Tax receipts
are $192,796.80 (up approx. $7,000 from last year).
- Assessor – September Property Transfers – Assessed Value $2,194,500; Sale Price $2,808,000 (+$613,400)
There was discussion between the board and Assessor Golley on what is causing such an increase in sales prices.
Mr. Sena noted that a lot of the properties were improved and maybe some of these improvements were not permitted or required no permit. He said some the assessed values as compared to the sale price are huge, up $300,000 – $400,000.
Mrs. Golley said when they receive the new deeds, they can access the realtor’s website and they can look at properties and compare what they have. She said there is a code that they can enter into their assessment program that will state there is a significant change from assessed value to sale price.
There was discussion that the last revaluation for North Harmony was done quite some time ago.
- OLD BUSINESS:
- NYMIR: NYS COMPLIANT – Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Training held – 15 staff attended
- Transfer Station
- Beicher submittal of new contract with price increase and wordage change
- BestWay – verbal quote – 2 employees at $80,000/yr. (offer expires tomorrow)
- Casella – quote $28/month per residential pickup (may require referendum) or $3,743/month and town would supply labor
Mrs. Ortman said our contract with Beichner expires 12/31/2020 and in order for them to renew the price will increase 10% and they require wording changes to the original contract as it relates to assisting people with their trash. Basically, someone must ask if they wish assistance with their trash. There was general discussion, and it was questioned whether the current 3 employees will be needed if they no longer assist patrons. Mrs. Ortman said the question is whether we accept any of the proposals or should we go out to bid.
Mr. Sena said he feels we should go out to bid.
There was discussion of the short time period we have to work with.
Mrs. Thomas said our current contract with Beichner is at $3,800/month.
Mr. Senske said if that is the case, then a 10% increase would be $4,560/yr. which would make the yearly cost just about $50,000.00.
Mrs. Ortman suggested that we just extend the contract for one additional year so that we could have additional time to study alternatives.
Mr. Sena said with that large a number it should go out to bid.
Mrs. Ortman said the reason Mr. Yates did not want to go out to bid is because he studied other towns and beat the bushes himself to come up with the alternatives to Beichner that we do have.
Mrs. Thomas said that when Beichner had submitted the requested bid for 2018 (2019) they had also included bids for 2020 and 2021. She said we had extended the contract for 2020 at the quoted price of $3,800/month.
Mr. Senske said even though it is a compromise, he feels that with only 6-7 weeks left if the year, timing is a factor and Beichner is still the least expensive option we have.
- MOTION # 109 OF 2020
MRS. ORTMAN MOTIONED TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT OF BEICHNER WASTE SERVICES INC., FOR THE OPERATION OF THE TOWN TRANSFER STATION FOR 2021 AT AN INCREASED RATE OF 10% OR $4,180.00/MONTH. MR. MCNEILL SECONDED. YES (3): MCNEILL, SENSKE, ORTMAN. NO (1) SENA. THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- NEW BUSINESS:
- RESOURCE CENTER – NEW BUILDING – Weekly house cleaning bathroom/high traffic areas; possible bi-weekly full cleaning
Mrs. Ortman said Mr. Yates had extensive conversation with the Resource Center for cleaning the new building weekly, or twice weekly for the restrooms and high traffic areas. She said his reason for using the Resource Center is because that organization is bonded and insured. She said he is also pleased that it is taxpayer dollars going back into the community to people that really need it. The hourly rate quoted by the Center is $26.62/hr. per person. There was discussion of how many hours per week would be needed to maintain the building.
Mrs. Miller said they use their own equipment.
Mr. Lawson said for being bonded and insured, his sense is that this is a good price.
Mr. Senske suggested a 6-month trial period and during that time determine how many hours are necessary.
- MOTION # 110 OF 2020
- SENSKE MOTIONED TO HIRE THE RESOURCE CENTER FOR A 6-MONTH TRIAL PERIOD TO PROVIDE CLEANING SERVICES AT THE TOWN BUILDING. MR. MCNEILL SECONDED. YES (4): SENA, MCNEILL, SENSKE, ORTMAN. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- BAN – BOCES ROAD PUSH
Principal owed 11/20/20 $54,488.71 BAN RENEWABLE: 11/19/21 $42,888.75
Principal pmt. – $10,000.00
Unexpended balance – $ 1,599.96
Interest pmt. @ 4.54% – $ 2,460.04
Mrs. Ortman asked Mrs. Miller to explain the sewer bill for repairs at Sunrise Cove for August and September.
Mrs. Miller said the sewer repair bill was revised by BPU and BOCES will pay their share directly.
Mr. Robbins said there are two pieces to this sewer bill; BOCES paid half of the bill for the repair that took place in 2019 to the BPU. Sunrise Coves half of the payment was to be billed thru their taxes in 2020 but was left off the bill by the County in error. This year there was another repair that took place and so in essence, BOCES again has paid their share directly to the BPU and Sunrise Coves portion will be more to include the 2019 and 2020 cost which should appear on this years tax bill for Cove residents.
It was noted that the BAN payment for the BOCES Road Push is a capital improvement cost payable by BOCES and not the town taxpayers.
- MOTION # 111 OF 2020
- SENSKE MOTIONED TO AUTHORIZE THE SUPERVISOR TO MAKE PAYMENT ON THE BOCES ROAD PUSH BAN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $54,488.71 DUE ON 11/20/20 AS FOLLOWS:
PRINCIPAL PMT. $10,000.00
ADDITIONAL PRINCIPAL PMT. FROM UNEXPENDED BAL. $ 1,599.96
TOTAL PRINCIPAL PMT. $11,599.96
INTEREST PMT. @ 4.54% $ 2,460.04
TOTAL PAYMENT $14,060.00
FURTHER, THE SUPERVISOR IS AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS TO RENEW THE BAN IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $42,888.75 WITH M&T BANK AND DUE ON 11/19/2021 AT AN INTEREST RATE TO BE DETERMINED WITH M&T. MR. MCNEILL SECONDED. YES (4): SENA, MCNEILL, SENSKE, ORTMAN. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- REPORTS:
ANNE GOLLEY, ASSESSOR
Mrs. Golley reviewed her November 2020 report for those present as follows:
In November the office has sent out the 2021 exemption renewals to the property owners. They will need to reapply by March 1, 2021.
The office has been reviewing building permits and doing fieldwork for the 2021 Assessment Roll.
The 2020 assessment roll will be forwarded next week to the County office for calculation of tax rates for Town and County tax bills. Chautauqua County Real Property Tax Service has informed us that the printing of the tax bills is on schedule and collectors should receive them timely to begin collection in January 2021.
Thank you for your continued support of the Assessor’s Office. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
HOWARD PEACOCK, JUSTICE
Mr. Peacock read into the record the Justice Court report for those present.
COURT REPORT FOR MONTH OF OCTOBER 2020
November 9, 2020 Board Meeting
$27,652.00 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 October 2020. We opened 353 new cases and closed 177 cases.
BRAD LAWSON, ZONING C.E.O. (Copy of Report in Minute Book)
Mr. Lawson reviewed his written report for those present. He thanked Mr. Yates and the Highway Department for their assistance in moving his office to the new building.
JOHN STOW, DCO
Mrs. Ortman said Mr. Stow’s report indicated that he had 2 calls this month. Both dogs were licensed and returned to the owners in the first call. The second call was a warning to license dogs.
DAN STRICKLAND, HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT
Mr. Strickland could not be present due to surgery recovery.
Mrs. Ortman said the CHIPS amount is $88,614.27; DOT amount $21.078.51. Total balance of funds for the highway is $360,671.41.
Mrs. Miller said the CHIPS reimbursements for the highway are as stated above and he will be submitting another claim for reimbursement sometime in December.
NANCY THOMAS, TOWN CLERK (Copy of Report in Minute Book)
Mrs. Thomas said she had nothing further to add to her written report.
ROBERT YATES, SUPERVISOR (Copy of Report in Minute Book)
Mrs. Ortman reviewed some the highlights of the Supervisors report for those present.
- MOTION # 112 OF 2020
- SENA MOTIONED TO ACCEPT THE TOWN CLERK AND SUPERVISOR REPORTS AS SUBMITTED. MR SENSKE SECONDED. YES (4): SENA, MCNEILL, SENSKE, ORTMAN. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
GF Vouchers
- MOTION # 113 OF 2020
- MCNEILL MOTIONED TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF THE GENERAL FUND VOUCHERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $36,023.39 AS REVIEWED AND AUDITED EARLIER. MR. SENA SECONDED. YES (4): SENA, MCNEILL, SENSKE, ORTMAN. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- HWY Vouchers
- MOTION # 114 OF 2O20
- MCNEILL MOTIONED TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF THE HIGHWAY FUND VOUCHERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $31.691.08 AS REVIEWED AND AUDITED EARLIER. MR. SENA SECONDED. YES (4): SENA, MCNEILL, SENSKE, ORTMAN. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- Capital Fund Vouchers
Mr. McNeill said we do not have a total for that fund.
Mr. Sena noted that the town is retaining $8,100.00 from the Empire total for things that need to be completed.
- MOTION # 115 OF 2020
ON A MOTION MADE BY MR. SENA, SECONDED BY MR. SENSKE, AND NONE BEING OPPOSED THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 7:46 PM.
Nancy Thomas
Town Clerk
