TOWN BOARD MEETING
December 15, 2014 Page 1 of 3
The regular meeting of the Richfield Town Board was held on Monday, December 15, 2014, at the Richfield Town Hall. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Supervisor Enjem. Other board members in attendance were Bond, Eckler, Palumbo, and Snyder.
Privilege of the Floor:
John DeFino again addressed the board on the subject of the damaged court laptop. At the November meeting the supervisor said the laptop was damaged by election inspectors on Primary Day. Maxine Armstrong, one of the election inspectors working Primary Day denied that anything happened. The inspectors working the elections have always been careful not to damage any town property. Motion by Bond, second by Eckler that the Town Board send a letter to the court asking the court to write a letter of apology to the election workers. Bond – yes, Eckler – yes, Palumbo – yes, Snyder – yes, Enjem – yes. Board member Snyder stated that how we interact with each other is important.
Motion to pay claims by Enjem. There was no second. The board discussed a number of vouchers that had issues. Vouchers # 249, 257, and 258 were signed for approval by the court clerk, not a department head. The board would like vouchers signed by department heads. Vouchers # 263, 264, 268, and 271 were all submitted without any department head signature. The clerk questioned why voucher # 275 was charged to an A fund, not a B fund. The membership in the New York State Floodplain and Stormwater Managers Association is for the benefit of land use and tax base outside the village. It will be changed. The board questioned two vouchers, # 269 and # 270, submitted by the supervisor. The board felt that some of the charges (mileage, etc.) are questionable. If the supervisor wants to volunteer and/or attend meetings etc., that is his choice but should not be a town expense. After much discussion the supervisor signed a number of the vouchers as department head and removed one of the charges on his mileage voucher. The vouchers still not correct will be completed and submitted for payment at the end of the year meeting. Motion to pay claims with the above changes by Enjem, second by Palumbo. Bond – yes, Eckler – no, Palumbo – yes, Snyder – yes, Enjem – yes.
A and B General $ 5,728.19
DA Highway $ 8,116.65
DB Highway $ 750.00
SL Street Lighting $ 81.73
Total $ 14,676.57
Motion to approve minutes from November 17, 2014, and November 19, 2014, by Bond, second by Snyder. Bond – yes for 11/17/2014, abstain due to absence for 11/19/2014, Eckler – yes, Palumbo - yes for 11/17/2014, abstain due to absence for 11/19/2014, Snyder – yes, Enjem – yes.
Dan Sullivan reported that changes to Local law # 2 of 1999 have been completed for a month and the board needs to act, vote on it tonight. A public hearing needs to be held before any action is taken. Sullivan, the supervisor, and others are working to get grant money for a boat wash for Canadarago Lake or raise funds for the project.
TOWN BOARD MEETING
December 15, 2014 Page 2 of 3
Highway Superintendent Kress has opened the gates to Bakers Beach, per DEC request. DEC maintains the site as lake access for ice fishermen. Kress recommended that the Air Temp charge for routine maintenance not be paid at this time because the fall maintenance was never done. The supervisor will call Air Temp to discuss this. We are still waiting for a price quote on a new burner.
The clerk will put copies of the fire report for the last two months in board meailboxes. 2015 tax bills will be coming out very soon; the supervisor will receive a call from the county to pick them up.
County Rep. Keith McCarty could not attend the meeting but left a report with the supervisor. The county will budget an additional $800,000.00 for road repair; and additional $50,000.00 for Cooperative Extension; the county is responsible for putting a new roof on Otsego Manor; the DMV is staying in Cooperstown; county taxes went down 2%.
Old Business:
The board needs to have a public hearing on the revised cell tower law; the anti-blight ordinance is waiting for input from the Planning Board; town officials have a link to the new website, the supervisor will contact the web site developer and arrange for payment after the 1st of the year; the board should act on the Climate Smart resolution. Dan Sullivan will get the wording of the resolution to the board.
Board member Eckler again asked about the $39.78 the town has held for a year that belongs to a retired court clerk. The supervisor will get it straightened out; Trust and Agency activity will not show on the Profit and Loss statement; the clerk needs to change her account number for the wind farm.
The board will hold an end of the year meeting on Monday, December 29, 2014, at 9:00 AM, and a 2015 re-organizational meeting on Monday, January 5, 2015, at 6:00 PM. A public hearing on revised Local Law # 2 of 1999 will also be held on Monday, December 29, 2014, at 9:00 AM. All meetings are at the Richfield Town Hall.
There was a brief discussion on the biomass venture that did not receive any grant funding this round; the group promoting the project will probably apply again. Board member Palumbo reminded everyone that grants can be good but do not come without responsibilities.
Board member Bond asked the supervisor if the Comptroller’s Office checklist has been given to the court because the board has tried unsuccessfully, with the exception of Judge Marzeski, to have the court turn over information and financial so the board can perform the due diligence audit the Comptroller requires. Attorney Merzig recommends sending a letter to court administration. If the attorney writes the letter there will be a charge. The supervisor will contact him to ask why he is charging an additional fee.
TOWN BOARD MEETING
December 15, 2014 Page 3 of 3
Motion to adjourn at 8:00 PM by Snyder, second by Palumbo. Bond – yes, Eckler – yes, Palumbo - yes, Snyder – yes, Enjem – yes.
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