TOWN OF NORTH HARMONY
TOWN BOARD BUDGET WORK SESSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY, 10/20/2021, 6:30 PM
ROBERT YATES, SUPERVISOR PRESENT
RICHARD SENA, COUNCIL PRESENT
LOUISE ORTMAN, COUNCIL PRESENT
STEVE SENSKE, COUNCIL PRESENT
MIKE PFEIL, COUNCIL PRESENT
OTHERS PRESENT: Robin Miller, Bookkeeper; Nancy Thomas, Town Clerk
Mr. Yates opened the meeting at 6:30 PM with the Pledge.
Mr. Yates said this meeting is to discuss salaries this year. He said there are also some insurance increases to discuss at a later date. There was discussion of the valuation of the town and Mr. Yates said the amount per $1000.00 will not go up or come down in 2022.
Mr. Pheil said the assessor indicated that the town would experience an increase in tax revenue based on additional properties added to the roll even if rates do not go up.
Mr. Sena said there is no reason we can’t review the budget and have a decrease in taxes based on the tentative budget.
Mr. Sena noted that there is an error in Cemetery expenditures on page 9. and that should be corrected.
Mr. Senske said he has questions outside those related to salaries and suggested that board members email those to Mr. Yates and Mrs. Miller.
- MOTION # 163 OF 2021
MR. SENSKE MOTIONED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:45 PM TO DISCUSS A PARTICULAR PERSON’S EMPLOYMENT HISTORY. MR. PFEIL SECONDED. YES (5): SENA, ORTMAN, SENSKE, PFEIL, YATES. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- MOTION # 164 OF 2021
MR. SENA MOTIONED TO RE-ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:30 PM. MR. SENSKE SECONDED AND WITH NONE OPPOSED, THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
It was discussed that the Supervisor’s salary will be increased to $12,500.00/YR. The Court Clerk’s Deputy will be paid $18/HR. Mr. Yates said the Town Clerk’s request was approved and her Deputy will receive $18/HR.
There was lengthy discussion of Mr. Stow’s request which was a 37.5% increase. ($1,500 to $4,200).
Mr. Senske said Mr. Stow should continue to receive the $100/month salary and be paid at an hourly rate of $17/HR based on the hours he works in the active pursuit of dogs (increase of $4.50/HR). Mr. Stow also requested $3,000 to perform an Enumeration based on $2/per dog counted and an increase to his contractual based on projected enumeration mileage.
Mrs. Thomas said she had previously discussed with the supervisor and board conducting an enumeration by mail which should cost less than $1,000. She said many towns have already used this format and have been very satisfied with it. She said Mr. Stow would still be needed to do door to door on those who do not respond to the mail census.
Mr. Yates said Mr. Lawson, Mr. Peacock and the Highway Department have requested a 3.5% increase, and all indicated this was acceptable.
TOWN BOARD
10/20/2021 (Pg. 2)
Mr. Sena said the following is vacation information received from the City of Jamestown Highway Department: 1 year/5 days; 3 years/8 days; 5 years/10 days; 10 years/15 days; 15 years/20 days; 20 years/24 days (maximum).
It was discussed between the board that the town’s vacation plan is very competitive with others.
- MOTION # 165 OF 2021
MR. SENSKE MOTIONED TO HOLD A WORK SESSION ON MONDAY, 11/1/2021, AT 6:30 PM. MR. PFEIL SECONDED. YES (5): SENA, ORTMAN, SENSKE, PFEIL, YATES. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- MOTION # 166 OF 2021
ON A MOTION MADE BY MR. SENSKE, SECONDED BY MRS. ORTMAN AND NONE BEING OPPOSED, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:10 PM.
Nancy Thomas
Town Clerk