Town of Vienna
Town Board Meeting Minutes
May 1, 2024

ATTENDANCE:

Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Councilman Darrin Smith supervisor Michael Davis Councilman Jason Spellicy Councilman Jason Lamb Town Clerk Carol Huber

CALL TO ORDER:

Supervisor Davis called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

NOCCOG:

Lisa Belinger reported that there will be a virtual Freedom of Information Law session on Monday, May 6, from 10- 11:30 a.m. Also, a virtual Open Meetings Law information session from 2-3:30 p.m. free of charge. NYCOM Annual Meeting and Training School is May 15-17. Highway Superintendents Annual School is June 3-5. Tug Hill Commission meets May 20th in Central Square. Building Climate Resilience for Small Wastewater Systems Webinar is on May 21st• NOCCOG Scholarship Program for graduating Seniors that will be attending College in the Fall is available for Camden Students. NOCCOG GPS Mapping Program is available.

NORMAN LEACH:

Absent

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A motion was made by Councilwoman McEwen to approve the April 3,2024 Minutes and seconded by Councilman Smith.

Voting Record:
Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye
Councilman Darrin Smith Aye
Councilman Jason Spellicy Aye
Councilman Jason Lamb Aye
Supervisor Miehael Davis Aye

AUDITED VOUCHERS:

A motion was made by Councilman Lamb and seconded by Councilman Smith to approve the vouchers to be paid totaling $37,211.50.

Voting Record:
Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye
Councilman Darrin Smith Aye
Councilman Jason Spellicy Aye
Councilman Jason Lamb Aye
Supervisor Michael Davis Aye

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT:

Supervisor’s Report is filed in the Town Clerk’s office and will be posted on the Website.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT:

Town Clerk read her report. Monies received for the month totaled $2890.20.

A motion was made by Councilman Spellicy to approve the Town Clerk’s Report and seconded by Councilwoman McEwen.

Voting Record:
Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye
Councilman Darrin Smith Aye
Councilman Jason Spellicy Aye
Councilman Jason Lamb Aye
Supervisor Michael Davis Aye

ASSESSOR’S REPORT:

Assessor’s Report was filed in the Clerk’s office and will be posted on the Website.

CODE’S REPORT:

None filed, is to be turned in next week.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:

Town has been working on cleaning up the roads from winter, mowing, and working on culverts, Cleveland helped flush out some culverts. They received the new skid steer. The new plow truck should be ready in June or July.

They received some FEMA funding for $1170.47 for past years flooding.

COUNCIL REPORTS:

Supervisor Davis talked about the cracks in the driveway and parking lot of Town Hall. He would like to get Bi ds for sealing the entire Parking lot then have lines painted. He will contact the Village of Cleveland to possibly have them seal the cracks.

Councilman Smith reported that he attended the Planning Board Meeting on April 18th which they talked about updating the Cannabis Laws and Dollar General presented site plans to go over. Their next meeting is on May 16t h. We had our second Memorial Day Parade meeting and have been receiving responses back from letters sent out. Next meeting is on May 6th at 7:00 p.m.

OLD BUSINESS:

Phil Amway presented a Power Point Presentation of the progress of the computer and phone system upgrades. New emails are being used at Town Hall, but not Highway Garage yet. Keypads started being installed on doors. The old Councilman office housing the main Computer Tower, needs a vent in the door for ventilation of heat produced from equipment and heat from registers.

The website is about a week and a half away from being launched. The designer still needs to meet with Town Clerk and go over that part of the website.

Water Extension: A sample was given to Ron Cole on how to create maps and plans to go along with petitions. Still a few issues that need fixed with engineers. Should be ready by June.

NEW BUSINESS:

Code of conduct is now being printed on the back of agendas.

All Pest Proz treated the Town Hall. A motion was made by Supervisor Davis and seconded by Councilwoman McEwen to pay $84.99 in June to have the Rodent Repellent Spray again around the building. But not to continue services past the initial agreement.

Voting Record:
Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye
Councilman Darrin Smith Aye
Councilman Jason Spellicy Aye
Councilman Jason Lamb Aye
Supervisor Michael Davis Aye

PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS:

Question: Breanne Maracchion asked what the status of the Town Clerk’s salary is. Her understanding is that after 90 days the salary would be increased to $35,000 from $25,000.

Answer: There was no mention of going back to $35,000. At the last meeting, the Town Clerk was asked to provide the Board with some information, and she has. Everyone will know the status after Executive Meeting.

Question: Breanne Maracchion stated that she spoke with some of the other applicants for the position and they were all under the impression that after a trial period should their performance be adequate, their salary would go back to $35,000. Also, asked why some of the money was taken away to pay a Tax Collector when she is the Tax Collector?

Answer: We covered this at a meeting you were not at. It is because the Town Clerk is new and probably would need help to do this. We budgeted from the Town Clerk total budget a line item for a Deputy Clerk to assist with taxes. We also set her up to be trained in December. It is not that we took it from the Tax Collector, we did it to make sure that the money was in a line for that. We requested that Carol show us, and she did show us, that money can be moved around, and we budgeted that line in access. If there is any raises to be made, it can come from that money without raising the budget.

Breanne Maracchion stated, she is well worth $35,000.

Question: William Shaughnessy Jr. asked what the current salary of the Town Clerk is? How many hours is she putting in each week.

Answer: The budget is currently set at $25,000. We reduced the current hours from 5 days a week to 4 days a week. An elected official can work however many hours she wants because it is a salary position. At the 5 day a week position the Clerk worked 32 hours. We took away a day assuming the clerk would work 6 hours less. No Complaints have been heard about not being able to come in on Fridays. We also extended the hours on Thursday so people can get here to do business. Clerk also mentioned that not a lot of business happens after 3:00 on Thursdays.

Question: Mike Piper asked what is the average hourly rate based on Hours and Salary?

Answer: You will have to do the math on hours worked. The hourly rate would vary depending on hours worked, which is the point of a salary position. Clerk also answered that she works 30-32 hours per week.

Question: William Shaughnessy Jr. asked what is the most important or who is the most important part of running the Town?

Answer: The Ambassador to the Town is the Town Clerk and Highway Workers. The residents see and interact with them the most. We did a budget, discussed a budget and look at these things every year.

Breanne Maracchion stated that she foiled the recording of the November 8, 2023 meeting, and you were willing to consider an increase.

Question: Dean Maracchion stated that the job was misrepresented on the whole voting process, we voted for Town Clerk/Tax Collector. Also, who appointed the Deputy?

Answer: She is both. We transferred money from the Town Clerk to a Deputy Tax Collector Position to watch how much was contributed to taxes and for Carol to have a Deputy Tax Collector full-time. Carol appointed the Deputy Tax Collector.

Question: William Shaughnessy Jr. asked Carol what you were doing prior to this job.

Answer: I was a Human Resource Director for a large company and had 130 employees that I kept track of doing Payroll & Benefits.

Question: Richard Mansfield asked if the Clerk’ s position will account for 2 Deputies? Answer: The Clerk can have multiple Deputies beyond 2 as long as it fits within the budget. Question: Mike Piper asked Highway Supervisor about the status on the Oswego Bridge.

Answer: You probably will not see anything until next year. It is in the design phase now. The Town appointed the County as lead and the engineering is progressing.

Question: William Graham asked when you said Deputy Tax Collector, did you mean Deputy Town Clerk? Answer: No, a separate line item was put in for Deputy Tax Collector.

Question: Richard Mansfield asked if ultimately the responsibility still comes under the Town Clerk? Answer: The Tax Collector.

Question: Jack Cook asked, is her Deputy making as much as she is or visa versa? Answer: Deputy is an hourly position.

Question: Richard Mansfield asked, does the Clerk schedule her Deputies hours?

Answer: That is why the Board put in that line item to show how much money you had to have for those 3 months of operation. Two years ago, when the Clerk left, there was no training for the Deputy Clerk. Carol is in a far better position than anyone in the past 2 years.

Question: Mike Piper asked for clarification on the Public Hearing for Dollar General and Campgrounds.

Answer: Public hearing is for sub lotting on Kimball Road and 49 for recreation & repairs and Dollar General showed up with site plans.

Question: Jimmy stated that he was confused , and was the salary at $35,000 before she was voted in.

Answer: No, because of the terrible experience in the past and the Town Clerk is elected, the only thing we have control over is the Town Clerk Budget and Clerk Hours. Four people on the Town Board decided that because of the 4 write-ins and the work that was not being done in the past, they reduced the amount of money. After the budget was changed, I (Mike Davis), drove to Carol’s house and explained the situation. I (Mike Davis), called the other people that were running and said that the budget was set and will review how the Town Clerk is doing and we intend to increase the money. Do not remember the exact amount.

Breanne stated that the other candidates felt that it would be $35,000 after the initial time.

Answer: The Board dropped the ball when the former Clerk retired. The Board should have reduced the salary two years ago and built it back up depending on performance.

Question: Rick Roberts stated that it seems like the whole audience is behind her, but a few of you up there in my opinion have a negative view. That averages out to be $15 per hour and that is an embarrassment. Any updates on the cell tower?

Answer: Nobody is giving a negative view. What we are doing is having a discussion by ourselves. When the engineers are ready, they will bring it to the Planning Board. It is not just for emergency services, it is also because not many people have land lines anymore. 2025 would be the starting date of construction if everything is approved by the Planning Board or ZBA.

Question: William Shaughnessy Jr. stated that new OSHA Rules are coming, and we need the Public’s help. The average Fit Test for Fireman will go from $200 to $1600.

Answer: We are 100% behind you. The information has been passed around the Fire Stations. NY State does not utilize OSHA for public, we are not paid employees in the Fire District. We need to spread the word on our Website. Can anyone that has a digital sign please post information? We need to reach out to the Federal Legislatures and County Executives.

Question: Dr. Link asked if the RPI was put out.

Answer: The RFP will go out on Monday in the official newspaper.

Highway Supervisor stated that the Town Clerk works well with the Highway Department.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

A motion was made by Supervisor Davis to enter into Executive Session for Contract Litigationand Personnel Salary and seconded by Cow1cilman Smith at 8:10 pm.

Voting Record:
Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye
Councilman Darrin Smith Aye
Councilman Jason Spellicy Aye
Councilman Jason Lamb Aye
Supervisor Michael Davis Aye

A motion was made by Supervisor Davis and seconded by Councilwoman McEwen to come out of Executive Session at 9:03 pm.

Voting Record:
Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye
Councilman Darrin Smith Aye
Councilman Jason Spellicy Aye
Councilman Jason Lamb Aye
Supervisor Michael Davis Aye

A motion was made by Councilman Lamb to raise the salary of the Town Clerk by 10% and Seconded by Councilman Smith .

Voting Record:
Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye
Councilman Darrin Smith Aye
Councilman Jason Spellicy Aye
Councilman Jason Lamb Aye
Supervisor Michael Davis Aye

Councilman made a motion to end the Board Meeting at 9:05, seconded by Councilman Lamb and all were in favor.

Respectfully,
Carol Huber, Town Clerk