April 9, 2008

 

This regular meeting was called to order at 6:57 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 Historian: Sandie Gilliland

                                    Greg Rury                             County Legislator: George Fearon

                                    Gary Whitten                                    Guests: Rolland Dodge, Tom Olenych,

                                                                                    Keith Welch, Betsy Perkins

                                                                                   

GUESTS:

Betsy Perkins presented a business plan for a Country Store in the former Medical Clinic building.  She is in the process of purchasing the property.  Her goal is to provide the community and the public with a rural general store, with community displays, bulletin board, fresh baked goods and produce along with household staples.  The board thanked her for her presentation, and suggested that she attend the next Planning Board meeting on April 23rd to obtain information on the permit procedure.

 

MOTION:                   To accept the minutes of the March 12, 2008 regular meeting

as written. (Goodnough/Malys).  All in favor.  

 

REPORTS:

Supervisor:  Keith Batman reported that the temporary met tower has been installed.  He had previously

shared with the board information about the Southern Cayuga Ambulance service and funding, and

suggested everyone consider this and discuss at the May meeting.  Clean up day on May 3rd was

discussed; Mark Malys and Greg Rury volunteered to come and help with sign-in for at least part of the

day.

 

Town Historian:  Sandie Gilliland shared information about the State Historians’ Meeting she attended a few months ago, and more recently the Town Historian’s meeting.  She set up a blog, which has had more than 500 hits so far.  Various historical information is available on the blog, and she is in the process of putting the 1800 Scipio census online.  You can link up from the Town of Scipio website, Legislator Fearon’s website, or log on directly at scipiocenterny.blogspot.com. The county is offering old assessment records (back to 1851) to the Town Historians, and Sandie would like to make a permanent loan of these historic records to the town.  The History Corner at the Town Office displays maps, a one-room schoolhouse display, and other artifacts which have been donated.  It is encouraging to see that folks are taking an interest in browsing the Corner.  One of Sandie’s next projects will be a display of the cemeteries of Scipio.  She expressed appreciation for the Board’s encouragement and support of her as Historian.

 

Highway Superintendent:  Ron Walter reported that in order to meet insurance requirements, exit lighting needs to be installed at the back door.  He agreed to determine what is needed, and whether or not an outside contractor is needed.

 

Comprehensive Plan Committee: Mark Malys reported that the Comprehensive Plan Committee has received about an 18-20% return on the surveys sent out.  As far as handicapped parking signs are concerned, there are fire-lane restrictions and curbing requirements that need to be considered.  He, Mike O’Connor, and Ron Walter will discuss some more.  Ron is working on ideas for either lighting the flag, or arranging for it to be put up and taken down daily.

 

Justice Bench: Gary Goodnough reported that the measurements of the Justice bench are such that it needs to be made with removable parts so that it can be stored in another room when needed, for example on election days when space is needed for the voting machines.

 

MOTION:                   That the town accept the Justice’s grant of $1828.48 contingent upon

portability of the bench. (Whitten/Goodnough).  All in favor.

 

County Legislator: George Fearon reported that on election days, privacy booths will also be required.  In the not-too-distant future a new radio system will be required to link all emergency resources. Regarding Exit lighting on back door, he recommends considering LED due to its energy conservation and longevity advantages.

 

New Business: 

Assessment:  Supervisor Batman reported that the county has received a grant to look into the possibility of countywide assessment.  Already several towns have participated in consolidated assessment, receiving a rebate per parcel from the state.   It was decided to postpone decision on proposed town-wide revaluation for 2009 for now.

 

Disaster Plan:  Gary Goodnough volunteered to look over the town’s Disaster Plan, which needs to be reviewed and updated.

 

COMMUNICATIONS:        

School Budget presentation:  Keith will set up a date with the school; best date Wednesday May 14 at 7:00 pm (regular board meeting time).  It was decided to have the audit of the books in June.

 

Workers’ Compensation: town and local fire department need to remain on the same policy (paid for by the town).

 

MOTION:            At 8:15 pm to take a short break, and then go into Executive Session to discuss

                        Personnel Policy. (Batman/Rury). All in favor.

 

MOTION:            At 9:00 pm to end Executive Session and resume regular meeting.

                        (Malys/Goodnough).  All favor.

 

There was a brief discussion regarding wind farm project pros and cons.  It was agreed that the Town Board has a responsibility as Steering Committee to learn more about the short and long term issues such as environmental, legal, financial, energy conservation, and quality of life.  Supervisor Batman plans to meet informally with Shell Wind representatives and others to learn more about the process.

 

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

                                                General:   Vouchers #   49-59                                                    3,216.77

                                                Highway:  Vouchers #  20-21                                              3,107.68

                                                TOTAL                                                                               6,324.45

                                                (Goodnough/Rury). All in favor.

 

MOTION:                   To adjourn the meeting at 9:40 pm.  (Malys/Whitten). All in favor.

 

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday May 14th at 7:00 pm.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            Judith Rowlands, Clerk