STATE OF NEW YORK November 9, 2011

COUNTY OF NEW YORK

TOWN OF MASONVILLE



The public hearings of the Town Board of the Town of Masonville was called to order at 7:30 p.m. regular meeting to follow.


PRESENT: Absent: Betty Scott

Supervisor: Craig DuMond

Councilmen: George Denys, Kathy Ryan, Mike Spaccaforno

Town Clerk: Pamela Walker

Hwy. Supt.: Chuck Smith



PUBLIC:

Everett Burrows, Tony Pacoraro, Steve Tiska, Jeri Brayman, Eliane Bradish, Bob Jackson, Judy Jackson (Justice), Ed VanPelt, Steve Roff, Laurie Burpoe, Gloria Patrick, Lorriane Kelkeisen


Craig opened the floor for questions on the budget.


FLOORTIME:

  1. Steve asked about the minutes that address the Hwy and what monies go for what projects. Steve expressed concerns that all work will not get done and resources may be placed elsewhere. Craig responded by saying that money allocated for certain roads and/or projects is a plan only and that sometimes the plan has to shift based on unexpected circumstances such as the recent flooding. Steve then asked about an agreement that the Hwy. Supt. is supposed to write up. Craig said he has never seen an agreement. Craig said that resolution #9, passed at the Organizational Meeting, covers the expenditure of Hwy.money.

The Public hearing was closed at 7:40 p.m.


Craig opened the floor for public hearing local law #2 2011 override the tax levy.


FLOORTIME:

  1. Gloria Patrick asked what the tax cap override was about. Craig explained that, in his opinion, the 2% property tax cap was the biggest political ploy a political has ever pulled off. First of all, the law was passed and then another law passed to circumvent the initial law. Second, the mandatory increases to retirement and health insurance alone (which a Town has absolutely no control over) were up 17% this year. Since the Town of Masonville has the smallest budget in Delaware County, a 2% increase would only allow for about $14,000 increase; the increase to health insurance and retirement alone was nearly $30,000. Before the budget was even started the Town was looking at a 6% increase without factoring anything else, such as the increase costs of fuel, diesel, insurance, road materials, maintenance, etc. This is a no-win situation for much small Town governments such as Masonville. The only way the Town could have come in under 2% would be to us a considerable amount of reserve funds. This would get us by this year but what about next years when we didn’t have the same amount of reserve funds to apply toward the budget? What if we had a major unexpected event happen and no “rainy day” money (reserved funds) to take care of it? Craig says even though most Towns are taking the politically expedient path he believes this is irresponsible, as it would drain reserve funds. The Boards approach was to cut the budget, and make hard decisions based on absolute need. The Board began the budget with a 24% increase and worked over hard over the past 2 months to bring the budget in at 7.29%. Although this sounds significant, due to the small size of Masonville’s budget this only represents an increase of .39 cents per thousand of assessed value or and increase of $39.00 for a typical 100,000 property. Considering the fiscal situation of the State, revenues being down, expenses being considerably up, the Board feels they did a good job with his budget for the taxpayers. Craig closed by saying that some folks may be quick to condemn or fault the building project at the Town Hall; however, this project was actually budgeted in last year’s budget and has no impact (increase costs) in this year’s budget. Moreover, the project was State-mandated as the Town had been cited for many structurally violations for the Court and Town Hall. If the improvements were not made, the Town risked losing local control of the Court and this would result in losing approximately 25,000 in revenue for the Town each year. This would be a significant financial hit long-term, year after year. Finally, Craig and the Board thanked Councilman Spaccaforno for all his pro-bono work, donation of materials and professional services, etc. in making the building project a reality. Mike has donated over $75,000 and has worked full-time supervising the entire project. This would have never been possible without his very generous contributions to our Town.


The public hearing was closed at 8:03 p.m.


Regular meeting was called to order at 8:04


MINUTES:

Motion by Mike Spaccaforno to accept minutes as presented, seconded by Kathy Ryan, all in favor carried.




FLOORTIME:

  1. Steve asked if Craig was ever able to talk to Linnea about the Veteran exempt law. Craig said no but he will.

  2. Lorriane asked about a wireless tower in the Town. Craig said at one time the Town was suppose to get one and that fell through. There has been talk about maybe putting one on private property.

  3. Lorriane spoke on the NYSEG energy efficient program and said that an assessment was down on the Town Hall the project would cost $1817.76 NYSEG would pay $1244.38 the Town would pay $573.38 but Town would have to pay prevailing wage which would bring the Town cost to $1062.00. Craig said he would look at this and then bring it back to the board.


CORRESPONDANCE:

  1. The Town clerk read a letter from Dave Barnes thanking them for all there help with the Town’s bicentennial.



HIGHWAY REPORT:

  1. Hauling sand to the stock pile

  2. Filling potholes

  3. Received a 150 gallon oil donation

  4. Working on Storm damage projects

  5. Town Hall- finished sheetrock, helped with doors finished insulation and built fuel tank pad

  6. Used crusher run on plowed part of Gould Dean, pilot program/ to see if its better than gravel

  7. Oil and stoned Herick Hollow, Pine Swamp and Morman Hollow

  8. First plowing of the season on 10/30/11.

Ed VanPelt asked about County Rt 20 and said there is some dirt at the bottom of the road that is not very slick when stopping. Chuck said he would look at it and see what he can do.

Steve Tiska Spoke on sidewalks and the road on Rt 8 is the same level and asked who takes care of it. Chuck said that the State takes care of them but he will make some calls and see what he can do.


COMMITTEE REPORT:

  1. George read the CEO report:

  2. Mike gave a report on the Town Hall and said it is moving right along. Chuck is working on the parking. Mike said the front of the Hwy. Building will match the Town Hall in spring. Bob Jackson thanked Mike also and said that he has saved the Town a lot of money.


RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution # 17 The intent to pass Local Law #2 to override the tax levy limit.

So moved by Kathy Ryan, seconded by Mike Spaccaforno, all in favor carried.


RECOMMENDED MOTIONS:

  1. Upon recommendation of the Town Supervisor; the Town Board adopt Local Law #2 of 2011; Local Law to override the tax levy limit established in General Municipal Law 3-c. So moved by Mike Spaccaforno, seconded by Kathy Ryan

  2. Upon recommendation of the Town Supervisor; the Town Board approve the 2012 Town Budget. So moved by Mike Spaccaforno, seconded by George Denys, all in favor carried.

  3. Upon recommendation of the Town Supervisor; the Town Board approve the posting of seasonal roads same as last year with the accept ion of starting date of December 1st. So moved by Kathy Ryan, seconded by Mike Spaccaforno, all in favor carried.

  4. Upon recommendation of the Town Supervisor; the Town Board to authorize the Town Clerk to post a Public Hearing for December 7, 2011 in regards to making a portion of Getter Hill seasonal. So moved by Mike Spaccaforno, seconded by George Denys, all in favor carried.



SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  1. Craig reported that he received a mortgage tax check as well as another check for reimbursement of the summer youth worker. Both are welcomed.

  2. Craig reported on the County budget and said that there is a 4.11 percent increase but did use 500,000 of reserve fund money, which he didn’t agree with. This will cause a future problem and Craig doesn’t like “kicking the can down the road”.



Motion by George Denys to pay all audited bills, seconded by Kathy Ryan, all in favor carried.


GENERAL:

170. Frontier 87.94

171. NYSEG 259.55

172. Kortright Creek financial 733.33

173. Selective 725.15

174. NYSEG 208.73

175. Time Warner Cable 229.10

176. The Walton Reporter 4.35

178. The Walton Reporter 3.56

179. The Walton Reporter 13.04

180. The Walton Reporter 9.48

182. Quill Corp 347.44

183. Quill Corp 130.82

184. Quill Corp 173.68

185. Quill Corp 523.68

186. Quill Corp 1118.64

187. Tammy Bayrnes ( election ) 25.00

188. Sh irley DuMond ( election ) 25.00

189. Rea Ann Lakin ( election ) 205.00

190. Ann Scott ( election ) 205.00

191. Grace Fisher ( election ) 205.00

192. Robert Sterchak ( election ) 205.00

193. Jess F. Howes 10, 131.68

194. Drogen Electric Suppply 1653.91

195. Taylor Concrete 3291.45

196. Mike Spaccaforno 50.32

197. Beach Plumbing & Heating 6500.00

198. Fisher Electric Co. 3682.50

199. Jason Ransford 3200.00

200. Barney & Dickenson 1255.00

201. Forno Enterprises 5564.50

202. C. Piazza Masonary 6000.00

203. Architectural 18,200.00

204. Laing Trucking 38.75

205. Interstate Battery 86.95

206. Paraco Gas 1703.58

207. Williams Farrow 5100.00

208. Tom Gascon 210.00

209. Fastenal 88.30

210. Marilyn Trachsel 39.00

211. NYSautsoh 150.00

212. The National Bank of Delaware Co. Walton 26,087.50

213. Service Education Inc. 950.00

214. Laurie Burpoe 600.00

215. Laurie Burpoe 29.04

______________

100,050.98


HIGHWAY:

150. Unadilla Bolt & Nut 98.73

151. Federal Property Assissance 550.00

152. Mile-x Equipment Inc 204.00

153. Cold Metal Services 100.00

154. Warrens Excavating 1392.00

155. E&R Popes excavating 1877.00

156. Five Star Equipment 73.00

157. Scoville Meno 54.16

158. Certified 163.78

159. Uni Select USA 176.41

160. Fleetpride 80.60

161. Harbor Freight 369.37

162. Dags Auto Parts 17.16

163. Tepco 27.00

164. Zee Medical 392.59

165. Mirabito 4851.89

166. Champlain Oil 1000.68

167. Thering Sales & services 180.00

168. Tallmadge Tire 440.00

169. Cobleskill Stone Products 9601.90

170. Suit-Kote 80,759.44

______________

102,409.41



The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m.




_______________________________

Pamela Walker, Town Clerk