May 10th, 2010
6:30 p.m.
The Town Board of the Town of
Members present:
Kenneth Lauderdale Supervisor
Ted Fitch Councilman
Julie VanLeeuwen Councilman
John Sloan Councilman
Absent: John Metcalf Councilman
Also present:
John Addyman-Fingerlakes Times, Bruce Waterman-Water/Sewer Operator, Linda Wright-Assessor, Victor Townsend, Kyle Fitch, Leon Gaklik, Robert Breen, Sherri Fedele, Joseph Urwin, Jonathan Metcalf, Brittney Hall, Ruby Washburn, Florabelle Marriott, Sissy Grabbatin and Donald Colvin.
The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance.
A motion to waive the reading of the April 12th minutes and approve as distributed was made by Councilman Fitch seconded by Councilman Sloan. All members voted “aye” and the motion carried.
Clyde Savannah School District representatives, Dr. Theresa Pulos, Cathleen Milliman and Thomas Caprilla attended the meeting to introduce the 2010-2011 budget proposal. A slide show detailing the budget was given and a questions and answer session held.
Supervisor Lauderdale asked the percentage of fund balance used. Ms. Milliman noted that the maximum allowance for fund balance is 4% therefore anything over that amount would be used to lower the amount to be raised by taxes. There is currently approximately 2 million in fund balance allowing approximately 25% to be used for the proposed budget.
Donald Colvin attended the meeting in response to a letter he wrote to the Town Board regarding cell tower revenues. Supervisor Lauderdale read such letter for those present. Mr. Colvin spoke on the disparity of taxes in the Town, noting that the residents in the former village paid for the water district property and the sewer district property was given by himself for the use of sewer district two residents; therefore the revenues from the cell towers should be applied to reduce these residents taxes, not town wide taxes.
Leon Gaklik attended the meeting in the interest of MX motocross track bulldozing without a permit thereby violating the moratorium law. Supervisor Lauderdale noted that the CEO will further review.
Water/Sewer operator, Bruce Waterman, requested permission to purchase a new mower. The following three quotes were presented for consideration: Quotes reflect
Main & Pinckney Equip. Inc. Ferris Zero Turn 32HP $8,687.89
John Deere Zero Turn 29HP $10,183.24
John Deere Zero Turn 31HP $10,540.44
After much discussion regarding the distribution of the total cost between general fund, water fund, and the sewer districts, it was decided by motion of Councilman Fitch seconded by Councilman VanLeeuwen to authorize the purchase of a zero turn mower to replace the 1957 F800 Ford Tractor and finish mower. Board members Fitch, Sloan and VanLeeuwen voted “aye”, Supervisor Lauderdale voted “nay”.
After discussion, Councilman Fitch moved to purchase the John Deere 31HP Zero Turn mower from NYS at a price not to exceed $10,750.00, and instructed the water/sewer operator to discuss further cost reduction with John Deere. Councilman VanLeeuwen seconded the motion, all members voted “aye” and the motion carried.
Further discussion was held regarding the sale of the Ford F800. A motion was made by Councilman Fitch seconded by Councilman Sloan to accept sealed bids for the Ford F800 with finish mower at the June 14th Town Board meeting. Clerk to advertise. It was decided to table a decision on what to do with the John Deere GT235 and John Deere 318 until further review.
Town Assessor, Linda Wright, attended the meeting requesting permission to contact the Town Attorney in regards to NYS Real Property Tax Law Section 420 (a) & (b) criteria for the 2010 tax roll.
Joseph Urwin inquired on the mowing of cemeteries so he can put the flags up for Memorial Day. It was noted that the Town plans on mowing the cemeteries within the next couple weeks.
Sissy Grabbatin inquired about cell phone service. It was stated that the service should be available by the end of the month.
Supervisor Lauderdale presented to the board for their review a policy for violence prevention in the workplace, noting that the county suggests that the municipalities adopt such a policy.
Councilman VanLeeuwen reminded everyone that
Supervisor Lauderdale noted that the Savannah Chamber of Commerce requests that Main Street be closed on Saturday, June 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from the intersection of Route 31/89 to the Railroad Tracks for the purpose of Community Day Activities, further noting that the West parking lot will also be closed as this will be where the children’s activities will be set up. A motion was made by Councilman VanLeeuwen seconded by Councilman Fitch authorizing the closing of Main Street for the above stated times and locations for the purpose of the Community Days Activities. All members voted “aye” and the motion carried.
Correspondence:
1) Time Warner – Channel Updates
2) NYS Retirement System – Member Annual Statements
The following bills were presented for audit:
General Fund Abst. #5 Claim #101-121 $ 3,959.39
Highway Fund Abst. #5 Claim #67-78 $ 3,877.81
Water District Abst. #5 Claim #51-61 $ 2,831.46
SewerDistrict1 Abst. #5 Claim #15-17 $ 123.14
SewerDistrict2 Abst. #5 Claim #18-20 $ 814.27
SewerDistrict3 Abst. #5 Claim #13-14 $ 60.35
Sav.Lighting Abst. #5 Claim #5 $ 701.78
So.
CapitalProject Abst. #3 Claim #11-16 $ 6,284.15
A motion to approve the bills as presented was made by Councilman Fitch seconded by Councilman VanLeeuwen. All members voted “aye” and the motion carried.
As all business was complete a motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Fitch seconded by Councilman Sloan. All members voted “aye” and the motion carried.
Julie Carey-Town Clerk
