TOWN BOARD MEETING 7:00PM WEDNESDAY
October 4, 2023
ATTENDENCE: Councilman Darrin Smith Councilman Douglas Jordan Councilman Jason Spellicy Councilman Jason Lamb Supervisor Michael Davis
CALL TO ORDER
:
Supervisor Davis called the meeting to order at 7:00pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
NOCCOG – Joe Rowland
Mr. Rowland updated the Board regarding upcoming events as outlaid in the current October flyer The 39th Annual NOCCOG Dinner Meeting to be held on October 26, 2023, at the Woods Valley Ski area in Westernville. RSVP by October 20, 2023. NYS Tug Hill Commission 50th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Dinner, to be held on October 19, 2023. Current October NOCCOG flyer posted on Town Clerk’s bulletin Board for review.
COUNTY LEGISLATOR – Norman Leach, Sr.
Mr. Leach announced a new website on the County’s Website to give those directions to access county programs. Next Wednesday, October 11,2023, the Fireman’s Tax exemption will be voted on and expected to pass. On October 15, 2023. a ribbon cutting at the Wynn Hospital will take place. On. October 29
th, the intended date to switch over. The Sales Tax income that has come in is up 5.1%. We are in discussion with the Herkimer County 911 call centers to combine with our Oneida County 911 Center. We have texting ability, IM program responding to fires, nurse navigator program and a backup 911 center. Last night On Oct. 3, 2023, a preliminary Budget presentation from the County Executive was presented.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilman Lamb made a motion and second by Councilman Smith
to approve the September 6, 2023, Town Board Minutes. Motion carried:
Voting Record:
Councilman Smith Aye
Councilman Jordan Aye Councilman Spellicy Aye Councilman Lamb Aye
Supervisor Davis Aye
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilman Jordan made a motion and approved by Councilman Lamb
to approve the August 11, 2023. Town Board Minutes. Motion carried:
Voting Record:
Councilman Smith Aye
Councilman Jordan Aye Councilman Spellicy Aye Councilman Lamb Aye
Supervisor Davis Aye
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilman Spellicy made a motion and approved by Councilman Lamb
to approve the September 5, 2023. Special Town Board Minutes. Motion carried:
Voting Record:
Councilman Smith Aye
Councilman Jordan Aye
Councilman Spellicy Aye
Councilman Lamb Aye
Supervisor Davis Aye
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilman Lamb made a motion and second by Councilman
Lamb to approve the September 13, 2023. Special Town Board Minutes. Motion carried:
Voting Record:
Councilman Smith Aye
Councilman Jordan Aye Councilman Spellicy Aye Councilman Lamb Aye
Supervisor Davis Aye
APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS:
Councilman Lamb made a motion and second by Councilman Smith
to approve the vouchers. Motion carried:
Voting Record:
Councilman Smith Aye
Councilman Jordan Aye Councilman Spellicy Aye Councilman Lamb Aye
Supervisor Davis Aye
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
- The Supervisors Report for the month of September 2023 is complete and is on file in the clerk’s office.
- Town Clerk Patricia Cook read the Town Clerk’s Report for the month of September.
A motion was made by Councilman Jordan and seconded by Councilman Smith
to approve the September Town Clerk’s Report. Motion carried.
Voting Record:
Councilman Smith Aye
Councilman Jordan Aye Councilman Spellicy Aye Councilman Lamb Aye
Supervisor Davis Aye
All other department reports are on file in the Town Clerk’s office.
HIGHWAY:
Superintendent Clayton Conover provided a verbal report that the tree work has been completed. The sand is about halfway there and looks good. Volney Multiplex Inc. will begin on Oct. 10
th to install new Alarm System. The 2017 Kubota tractor clutch has worn out and needs to be replaced. White Farm Supply total cost of replacement is $8,757.37. The highway department requested a name of a contractor to install the new hot water tank. Town Board recommend Breathe Easy of CNY out of Constantia.
A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Lamb
to approve the replacement of the 2017 Kubota tractor clutch by Whites Farm Supply at a cost of
$8,757.37. Motion carried.
Voting Record:
Councilman Smith Aye
Councilman Jordan Aye
Councilman Spellicy Aye
Councilman Lamb Aye
Supervisor Davis Aye
COUNCIL REPORTS:
Supervisor Davis reported a correction of the sand bids from last month. The Town Board went with Preston Hill Gravel at a bid of $6.00 per yard and $4.00 per yard delivered. A savings of
$4.95 per yard less than other bids. Also, the quality of the sand is good.
Councilman Spellicy has been working with DEC, FEMA and our Codes Officer to bring all parties together to address a list of outstanding issues and violations and tour some of the areas of concern. The meeting is scheduled for October 5
th, 2023. Hopefully all working together will bring resolution and understanding of outstanding issues. An update will be provided at the next Town Board meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Water Extension:
Ron Cole from the proposed water extension, Supervisor Davis and Councilman Spellicy met with engineering firm with an updated cost of approximately $140 more per tax parcel owner. They reviewed the income level survey; it lines us up to get grants and zero percent loans. Can’t get this until it has passed. Currently waiting for the updated specific Map and Plan information. Once received they will send it off to our attorney for review. The committee will have to go again with a new petition that has been updated with required legal information. The goal is to have this circulated again and obtain 51% of the assessed value and have a Public Hearing and have those who are affected to attend and vote.
Website:
Supervisor Davis will meet with the creator of the new website, on Friday, October 6, 2023. Will begin tweaking the website to departmental needs.
Town Owned Property:
Councilman Smith reviewed the list of properties and their assessment values and met with others to discuss his findings and felt that the value of the properties helps us get loans. We have no intention of selling these properties currently. Also, a resident of the Town has expressed an interest in buying the railroad bed behind her house. The Board agreed not to sell the railroad bed at this time due to possible future corridor projects.
Broadband:
Installation was delayed due to a one quarter of a million-dollar bond. Just received word on Monday and will begin installing we did hear from them and they are on track.
Bridgework:
Met with County Engineer project manager and his assistant. Things are moving along. Looking at 2024 before beginning the project.
Version Cell Tower:
Met with engineers regarding the Cell Tower, they sent a map of its position. They are proposing to pay the Town $1,200 monthly, increasing that 10% annually and a $2,000 sign on bonus. We are looking to use the income to improve the Broadband projects.
NEW BUSINESS:
Judge Coady attended to discuss 2024 budget hours concerns. Judge Coady request to go into Executive Session to further discuss this.
A motion was made by Supervisor Davis and seconded by Councilman Spellicy
to adjourn into Executive Session @ 7:35pm to discuss personnel payroll. Motion Carried.
Voting Record:
Councilman Smith Aye
Councilman Jordan Aye
Councilman Spellicy Aye
Councilman Lamb Aye
Supervisor Davis Aye
A motion was made by Supervisor Davis and seconded by Councilman Spellicy
to come out of Executive Session @ 7:48. No Action Taken. Motion Carried.
Voting Record:
Councilman Smith Aye
Councilman Jordan Aye
Councilman Spellicy Aye
Councilman Lamb Aye
Supervisor Davis Aye
A written request for approval for the new ZBA member Michael Taylor to attend ZBA training at a cost of $10.00 was submitted.
A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Lamb
to approve ZBA training for Michael Taylor at a cost of $10.00. Motion Carried.
Voting Record:
Councilman Smith Aye
Councilman Jordan Aye
Councilman Spellicy Aye
Councilman Lamb Aye
Supervisor Davis Aye
Sylvan Beach Youthful Seniors – Representative Carolyn Woodcock
Representative Carolyn Woodcock and other seniors who attended expressed their concerns about funding Youthful Seniors bus trips. Board members explained that they only fund bus trips for primary residents of the Town of Vienna. Per regulations and oversite of our bookkeeper to stay within compliance a budget of $3,500 was set up for the Youthful Seniors in 2023 and no vouchers have been received from them. The Board also informed the group that another $3,500 has been setup in the 2024 budget. Board members expressed their desire to assist with other activities and still stay in compliance with regulations.
Assessor – Presentation by Phil Amway
The Assessor presented proposed changes to several local laws impacting the Assessment Department. The Assessor also, presented an action plan for implementing these revisions. Councilman Smith will review these changes in detail with the assessor, followed by a legal review by the Town attorney. Public Hearings for each local law change will be scheduled as part of the December 2023 Town Board meeting.
Northshore Ambulance:
Supervisor Davis requested representation from the Northshore Ambulance Committee to attend the October 4, 2023, Town Board meeting to answer question following a foil request. After vigorously discussing Town Board concerns with the Northshore Ambulance representatives the meeting came to an end.
A motion was made by Supervisor Davis and seconded by Councilman Lamb
to suspend at 11:59pm, December 31, 2023 the current three-year contract. Supervisor Davis requested that the Northshore Ambulance representatives attend the October 18, 2023, Budget workshop @ 12:30pm, with a proposed 2024 contract to include language regarding those without insurance who do not have to pay the service fee for ambulatory services and to include transparency of CFR’s, EMT’s and Medic’s salaries. Motion Carried.
Voting Record:
Councilman Smith Aye
Councilman Jordan Aye
Councilman Spellicy Aye
Councilman Lamb Aye
Supervisor Davis Aye
Public Comments:
Richard Mansfield asked permission to read a letter written by Richard Leos who was unable to attend the Town Board Meeting. Permission was granted. In his letter Mr. Richard Leos stated he was declining the Planning Board position because he did not want to give up his position on the Republican Committee.
A motion was made by Supervisor Davis and seconded by Councilman Spellicy
to adjourn into Executive Session @ 10.17pm to discuss personnel issue. No Action Taken.
Motion Carried.
Voting Record:
Councilman Smith Aye
Councilman Jordan Aye
Councilman Spellicy Aye
Councilman Lamb Aye
Supervisor Davis Aye
A motion was made by Supervisor Davis and seconded by Councilman Spellicy
to return from Executive Session @ 10.36pm. No Action Taken.
Motion Carried.
Voting Record:
Councilman Smith Aye
Councilman Jordan Aye
Councilman Spellicy Aye
Councilman Lamb Aye
Supervisor Davis Aye
A motion was made by Supervisor Davis and seconded by Councilman Spellicy
to adjourn at @ 10.38pm. Motion Carried.
Voting Record:
Councilman Smith Aye
Councilman Jordan Aye
Councilman Spellicy Aye
Councilman Lamb Aye
Supervisor Davis Aye
Respectfully Submitted by,
Patricia A Cook – Vienna Town Clerk
