January 16, 2008

 

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

 

Supervisor:                   Keith Batman                        Highway Superintendent:  Ron Walter

Council Members:              Gary Goodnough                  Town Clerk:  Judith Rowlands

                                    Mark Malys                           Zoning Officer:  Michael O’Connor

                                    Greg Rury                             Justice: Brian Dugan

                                    Gary Whitten                                    Guests:            Marilyn Chamberlain, Debra Kellogg,

                                                                                    Carol Lauzon, Kathleen Barran                                                                         

Supervisor Batman welcomed all and commended his predecessor’s service to the town.

 

GUESTS: 

Marilyn Chamberlain described her difficulties getting paperwork processed by the town assessor. 

She finally went to the county level, but by the time it was straightened out, she was billed for penalties.

The Board thanked her for coming, and assured her that her complaint will be looked into.  They

asked her to report back after the county’s legislative session when a determination will be made

regarding waiving the penalties.

 

MOTION:            To go into Executive Session to interview applicants for the court clerk postion.

                        (Goodnough/Malys.)  All in favor.

 

MOTION:            At 8:35 pm to resume regular meeting after Executive Session completed.

                        (Whitten/Rury).  All in favor.

 

MOTION:            To appoint Debra Kellogg Court Clerk effective immediately through

                        December 31, 2008.   There were two excellent candidates for the position

                        (Goodnough/Rury).  All in favor.

 

MOTION:            To accept the minutes of the December 26, 2007 regular meeting and the

                        December 26, 2007 Public Hearing as written. (Whitten/Goodnough).  All in favor. 

 

REPORTS:

The Supervisor opened discussion regarding regular meeting time.  It was decided to meet at 7:00 pm on the second Wednesday of each month.  There was discussion regarding support of collateral source bill.

He reported that Appleton Disposal has increased their fuel surcharges.

                       

RESOLUTION:                        To make the following budget modifications for the fiscal year 2007:

                                                Increase                        TA20, Insurance, by $157.32

                                                Decrease                        TA18, Retirement, by $142

                                                                                                TA26, FICA, by $ .37 (37 cents)

                                                                                                TA60, Other, by $14.95

                                                (Goodnough/Malys).  All in favor.

 

The Annual Report of the Town Historian was distributed.

 

Highway Superintendent Ron Walter reported that Appleton Disposal still has Scipio’s paper container, and Sunset Roofing still has not come to evaluate salt shed repair.

                       

Mark Malys reported that the Town Comprehensive Plan Committee consists of about 10-12 members.

They have been meeting monthly and are preparing a survey to send to residents.  Board members

received copies of the draft survey.

 

Code Enforcement Officer Mike O’Connor reported that stricter state codes regarding property

maintenance are now in effect.

                       

OLD BUSINESS:  There was a brief discussion regarding setting fees for wind towers. Gary Goodnough and Mark Malys volunteered to serve as a committee to determine fees. Mark emphasized the town’s responsibility to be diligent and thorough in making sure proper impact studies are done prior to approving any wind farm.  He distributed copies of a newspaper article about a wind farm in Herkimer County where a town was involved in a lawsuit because of alleged negligence in conducting the proper studies.

           

NEW BUSINESS:

MOTION:                   To make the following appointments (for 2008 unless otherwise indicated) :

 

NAME                         POSITION                                         SALARY

Gary Goodnough            Deputy Town Supervisor                     none

Cathy Komarisky            Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector            $7.50/hr

Sandie Gilliland              Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector            $7.50/hr

Rebecca Rury               Bookkeeper                                          $3300

David Thurston             Attorney                                              per billing ($ 6000 contractual)

Donald Beebee             Deputy Hwy Supt                                 none

Dodie Rowlands            Registrar                                             none

Sandie Gilliland              Deputy Registrar                                   none

Sandie Gilliland              Historian                                              $ 300

Michael O’Connor            Zoning/Bldg Code Officer             $5000

Zane Cramer                Zoning Board of Appeals                        $  125  (1/1/08 –12/31/13)

Philip Buckhout             Zoning Board of Appeals                        $  125  (1/1/08 – 12/31/08)

Bruce Hatfield              Planning Board Chair                           $  200

Neil Littlejohn                Planning Board                                                $  125

Randy Lawrence            Planning Board                                                $  125

Tom Olenych                Planning Board                                                $  125

Gary Mutchler               Planning Board                                                $  125

TBA                             Budget Officer                                     $  300

D J Grady                     Transfer Station Attendant                      $9.30/hr

Carl Collier                   Animal Control Officer                          $ TBA pending contract           

Dodie Rowlands            Records Management Officer             $  200

Sandie Gilliland              Deputy Rec. Man. Officer             none

Janet Buckhout             Cleaning of Town Office               $20/hr

Donald Beebee             Senior MEO                                        $13.80/hr

Douglas Beebee             Senior MEO                                        $13.80/hr

Roger Ward                  Senior MEO                                        $13.80/hr

Debra Kellogg               Court Clerk                                        $ 4250

TBA                             Comprehensive Planning Committee              none

 

MEETING NIGHT:                                  Second Wednesday of each month

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER:                       The Citizen

OFFICIAL BANK:                                    Bank of America

MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT:            Federal mileage reimbursement rate

 

SALARIES:            Paid quarterly with the exception of:

                        Dodie Rowlands, Clerk                (monthly)            Highway Dept                          (biweekly)

                        Carl Collier, Animal Control            (monthly)         D J Grady, Transfer Station            (biweekly)

                        Scott Snyder, Assessor                       (biweekly)

                       

COMMITTEES:

Highway: Greg Rury, Whitten

Building: Goodnough, Malys

Newsletter: Rowlands, Becky Rury, Batman

 

Signers on Town Bank Accounts:  Keith Batman, Gary Goodnough

Signers on Town Credit Cards:  Keith Batman, Ron Walter, Judith Rowlands

Delegate to the New York State Association of Towns:            Keith Batman

Alternate to the New York State Association of Towns:            Gary Goodnough

(Goodnough/Malys).  All in favor.

 

MOTION:                               To approve the standard contract with the Fire District for 2008.  (Rury/Whitten)

                                                All in favor.

 

MOTION:                   To approve the standard contract with John Heath for mowing for 2008. (Whitten/Rury).  All in favor.

 

MOTION:                   To approve the Sexual Harassment Policy without change for 2008. (Whitten/Rury).  All in favor.

 

Clean up Day was scheduled for Saturday May 3, 2008 from 10 am to 4 pm. 

 

COMMUNICATIONS:           

Jim Hotaling retirement party January 31.

DEC letter to Assemblyman Oaks regarding Groton discharge.

Southern Cayuga Ambulance letter regarding support.

NYS Association of Towns announcement and legislative proposals.

Assemblyman Brian Kolb town meeting at Scipio Saturday April 5, 2008 at 3 pm.

 

POINTS OF INFORMATION:

Scott Snyder is now assessor for the City of Binghamton as well as Scipio.

Mortgage Tax received $12,365.

Sales Tax received $78,422.

 

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

                                    General:   Vouchers #   1-16                      8,576.46

                                    Highway:  Vouchers #  1-7                          10.075.04

                                    TOTAL                                                  18,651.50

                                    (Goodnough/Rury). All in favor.

 

Supervisor Batman agreed to meet with the town assessor regarding making himself more accessible to

the residents by setting up regular office hours.

 

MOTION:                   To adjourn the meeting at 9:30 pm.  (Whitten/Goodnough). All in favor.

 

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday February 13 at 7:00 pm.

 

                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

                       

                                                                                    Judith Rowlands, Clerk