November 14, 2007

 

This regular meeting was called to order at 7:25 pm by Supervisor Charles Howell with the following present:

 

Supervisor:                   Charles Howell                         Highway Superintendent:  Ron Walter

Council Members:              Phil Buckhout                     Town Clerk:  Judith Rowlands

                                    Gary Goodnough                  Bookkeeper: Becky Rury

                                    Greg Rury                             Guests:

                                                                                    Shell Wind Energy Project:

                                                                                    Tim O’Leary, Bryann Tait,

                                                                                    Kate Pacelli, Frank Howe, Dave Miller

                                                                        Health Insurance: Bill Chamberlain

Absent:             Gary Whitten           

 

GUESTS:   The Shell Wind group presented information about a Wind Energy Project.  The

goal of  this project is to provide an energy source that is renewable and affordable.  They

requested the Board to consider a zoning amendment to allow installation of temporary

meteorological towers to measure the wind in various locations in the town to determine

viability.   If determined viable, evaluation of socio-economic as well as environment impact

would be documented, public hearings would be held, and contracts with property owners

involved as well as the town would be subject to legal review.  Question and answer time and

discussion followed.

 

MOTION:            To authorize the Shell Wind Energy Group to proceed with the steps needed to

                        permit installation of  temporary wind monitoring devices, starting with

                        meeting with Town and County Planning Boards. (Howell/Rury).  All in favor.

 

Bill Chamberlain presented information about a health insurance option which would reduce

premiums by raising deductibles, with the possibility of the town setting up an account to

subsidize the employees’ deductibles. 

 

At 8:40 pm Supervisor Howell opened the Public Hearing for the 2008 Proposed Budget.  There

were no comments or questions, so the hearing was adjourned at 8:42 pm.

 

 MOTION:                  To accept the minutes of the October 10, 2007 regular meeting as written. (Goodnough/Rury).  All in favor. 

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

                        a.            Pat White: re: Phillips family plots & Anne Murley & Ruth Pierpont

                        b.            Sales Tax received $104,584.99

                        c.            State Aid $7,922.00 & STAR $571.96

                        d.            Senator Schumer re: ID theft resources (to be posted)

                        e.            Scipio Assessor Scott Snyder: re: 2009 Reval

                                    @ $10,500 each for 2008 and 2009

                        f.            Scipio Building/Code Enforcement Officer Mike O’Connor will report at the December 12th meeting

                        g.            Audit of books scheduled for December 12th meeting at 7:00 pm

 

                        h.            Town Historian Sandie Gilliland has set up a blog – scipiocenterny.blogspot.com

                        i.            Comprehensive Plan Committee meeting November 27th at 7:00 pm –

                                    all encouraged to come.

                        j.            Cayuga County Budget Hearings

                        k.            Training for new town officials – clerk to send information

                                    to Keith Batman and Mark Malys

                        l.            Letter from NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

                                    regarding the Sherwood Cemetery -  clerk to request

                                    Town Historian for input.

 

There was discussion regarding the possibility of the town providing up to 3 years of health

insurance coverage for employees retiring after 20 or more years of full time service to

the town.  Supervisor Howell will put together a draft proposal to consider at the December 12th

meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS:   

RESOLUTION:            To approve the 2008 Proposed Budget as the 2008 Final Budget. (Goodnough/Buckhout).  All in favor.

                       

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:  Ron Walter reported that the salt storage shed

needs repair.  He will contact Sunset Roofing to have it looked at.

 

NEW BUSINESS: 

The resignation of Robin Brown as Court Clerk effective December 31, 2007 was accepted with

regret.  Two applications for the position have been received.  The consensus of the Board was to

place an ad to allow an opportunity for others interested to apply.

 

There was discussion regarding health insurance options.  It was decided to revisit at the December 12th meeting.

 

MOTION:                   To approve the Supervisor’s Monthly Reports for September 2007.

                                    (Buckhout/Goodnough).  All in favor.

 

MOTION:                   To accept and approve the following vouchers for payment:         

                                    General:   Vouchers #   167-184              $  28,331.40

                                    Highway:  Vouchers #  64-71                  64,699.57

                                    TOTAL                                                  93,030.97

                                    (Goodnough/Rury). All in favor.

 

MOTION:                   To adjourn the meeting at 9:55 pm.  (Buckhout/Rury). All in favor.

 

The next regular meeting is scheduled for 7:30 pm Wednesday November 14, 2007, following

the audit of the books at 7:00 pm.

 

                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

                       

                                                                                    Judith Rowlands, Clerk