February 13, 2008
This regular meeting was called to order at 7:05 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 Town Attorney: Dave Thurston
Greg Rury County Legislator: George Fearon
Guests: Kate Pacelli, Rolland Dodge,
Keith Welch, DJ Grady, Tom Olenych
Absent: Gary Whitten
MOTION: To accept the minutes of the January 16, 2008 regular meeting
as written.
(Malys/Goodnough). All in favor.
REPORTS:
Supervisor Batman reported that Assessor Scott Snyder will be have regular office hours
at the Town office on Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:00 am. Historian Sandie Gilliland will give a verbal
report at next month’s meeting. Her written annual report was distributed in January.
Highway Superintendent Walter reported that Sunset Roofing
still has not come to
evaluate the salt shed
repair. The board requested that Ron
get estimates from other companies.
Town Clerk Rowlands reported
that Marilyn Chamberlain’s corrected tax bill has been
received from the county with
all penalties waived.
GUESTS: Several residents expressed concern about a future wind farm. Rolland Dodge recommended
that the board establish a steering committee to thoroughly research all aspects of such a project.
Keith
Welch shared information from Environmental Advocates of New York.
MOTION: To go into Executive Session at 7:15 pm. (Goodnough/Malys.) All in favor.
MOTION: To resume regular meeting at 7:30 pm. (Rury/Malys). All in favor.
MOTION: To agree to the Frontier Chemical Site PRP Group settlement/liability release, paying the $2,000.00 fee. (Malys/Goodnough). All in favor.
Supervisor Batman explained that in 1989 Frontier Chemical disposed of a small shipment of a hazardous waste for the Town of Scipio. The DEC is now requiring a clean up of the site near Buffalo. Since the company is now out of business, the PRP Group is offering previous customers an opportunity for settlement and liability release. Attorney Thurston has contacted the DEC and done other research.
Tom Olenych expressed concern about the speed at which the wind project is moving. He recommended
that the town do a lot of research on the health consequences of wind farms such as wind turbine
syndrome and fibro-acoustic disease, and to ensure compliance with NYS height regulations.
Supervisor Batman reported that he intends to appoint a special committee to look into all these issues We are all interested in determining what impact a wind farm might have on the community. George Fearon mentioned a power supply option called VEGA which various towns are considering.
Mark Malys reported that the Comprehensive Plan Committee is working on a final draft of a community survey to send out to about 800 residents, with extras available to pick up. Printing costs
are covered by the grant; the Comprehensive Plan Committee will collate and fold the surveys. The committee requested the town to cover the mailing costs (about $154.00), which the board approved.
Mark Malys distributed and reviewed the proposed building fee schedule. After discussion it was recommended to adjust the wind met tower fee to $1500.
MOTION: To approve building fee schedule as amended. (Malys/Rury). All in favor.
OLD BUSINESS:
After discussion, the consensus of the board was to support the collateral source bill.
Supervisor Batman reported that he contacted
Appleton Disposal, and they said they do not have a truck capable of
transporting the town’s paper container.
Gary Goodnough agreed to check on this.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION: To create Deputy Highway Superintendent position. (Malys/Rury).
All in favor.
RESOLUTION: To approve Animal Control contract with Carl Collier.
(Rury/Goodnough). All in favor.
MOTION: To authorize the bookkeeper to pay telephone and electric bills which
are due before the scheduled board meetings. (Malys/Goodnough).
All in favor.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Meeting Genoa broadband proposal
NYS notification of Sherwood as historic district
NYS Dept of Public Service notice on 315 area code
Notice of meeting regarding self-funding of Workers’ Compensation
Notice of Fire Chief’s Academy
POINTS OF INFORMATION:
Public Hearing on Restore NY in Albany February 27th.
George Fearon reported that there is a county resolution to streamline correcting tax bills where the correction is of a relatively small amount.
MOTION: To accept and approve the following vouchers for payment:
General: Vouchers # 17-31 5,880.80
Highway: Vouchers # 8-12 6,776.69
TOTAL 12,657.49
(Malys/Goodnough). All in favor.
MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 8:32 pm. (Rury/Goodnough). All in favor.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday March 12th at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith Rowlands, Clerk