7575 Van Buren Road, Baldwinsville, NY 13027
Town Board Minutes (04/15/08)
Regular Town Board Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Van Buren, held at the Van Buren Town Hall, 7575 Van Buren Road, Baldwinsville, New York on April 15, 2008 at 7:30 pm.
Ms. Mary Frances Sabin Councilor
Mr. Derek Shepard Councilor
Mr. Howard Tupper Councilor
Mr. Ronald Dudzinski Councilor
Mr. Harold Johnson Councilor
Ms. Patricia Dickman Councilor
Mr. Claude Sykes Supervisor
Mr. Jeff Brown Attorney
Mr. James Billings Engineer
Mr. Edward Parks Highway Superintendent
Ms. Lynn McCormick Town Clerk
Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call.
Citizens Comments: None
Approve minutes of the 4/1/08 Regular Town Board meeting:
126-08-000 MOTION BY Ms. Sabin, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to approve the minutes of the 4/1/08 Regular Town Board meeting as published.
Ms. Sabin – Yes, Mr. Shepard – Yes, Mr. Tupper – Yes, Mr. Dudzinski – Yes, Mr. Johnson – Yes, Ms. Dickman – Yes, Mr. Sykes – Yes
All Ayes – Motion Carried & Adopted
Terry Stamp, Canton Woods:
Ms. Stamp thanked the Board for having her and said she is excited about the things going on at Canton Woods. She said she wanted to talk about their 30th anniversary party which will be held on Friday, June 20th and Saturday, June 21st. She said Friday night they will be having a special evening of music and food, catered by Canal Walk Café, an official sponsor of the party. She said the Board members will be invited and asked them to save the date. She said on June 21st they will be honoring the seniors and their families with a picnic. She said due to parking area restrictions there will only be 200 people at the picnic so if you are interested in going call the center and sign up soon. She said they have many events scheduled to help defray
the cost of the anniversary events. She said they are having a fashion show on April 26th and tickets to the event are $8.00. She said they are also having a month long 50/50 raffle.
Ms. Stamp said things at the center are going well and they are continuing to grow, due in part to Golden Legacy. She said the current programs are going strong and new programs are being added.
Consider Receiver of Taxes attendance at NYSATRC seminar on 6/8-6/11 at a cost not to exceed $675.00:
127-08-027 MOTION BY Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Dudzinski, to approve the attendance of the Receiver of Taxes at the NYSATRC conference on 6/8-6/11/08 at a cost not to exceed $675.00.
Ms. Sabin – Yes, Mr. Shepard – Yes, Mr. Tupper – Yes, Mr. Dudzinski – Yes, Mr. Johnson – Yes, Ms. Dickman – Yes, Mr. Sykes – Yes
All Ayes – Motion Carried & Adopted
Approve referral of recommendation from Planning Board regarding asphalt plant to County Planning for tax parcel 055-08-18 and set Public Hearing to change said parcel to a Planned Industrial District:
128-08-052 MOTION BY Mr. Tupper, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to approve the positive recommendation from the Onondaga County Planning Board for the language change and the Van Buren Planning Board’s recommendation for the project to be in a Planned Industrial District and set a Public Hearing for May 6, 2008 at 7:35 pm.
Ms. Sabin – Yes, Mr. Shepard – Yes, Mr. Tupper – Yes, Mr. Dudzinski – Yes, Mr. Johnson – Yes, Ms. Dickman – Yes, Mr. Sykes – Yes
All Ayes – Motion Carried & Adopted
Mr. Brown asked the Board to reaffirm their resolution from the last meeting approving Local Law No. 3 now that the Onondaga County Planning Board has approved the language change.
129-08-052 MOTION BY Mr. Dudzinski, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to reaffirm motion no. 104-08-039, from March 18, 2008, approving Local Law No. 3-2008.
Ms. Sabin – Yes, Mr. Shepard – Yes, Mr. Tupper – Yes, Mr. Dudzinski – Yes, Mr. Johnson – Yes, Ms. Dickman – Yes, Mr. Sykes – Yes
All Ayes – Motion Carried & Adopted
Approval of permanent appointment of Cathleen Perkins to position of Parks Director, with an 8-26 week probation period:
130-08-038 MOTION BY Mr. Dudzinski, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to approve the appointment of Cathleen Perkins to position of Park Director, with an 8 – 26 week probationary period.
Ms. Sabin – Yes, Mr. Shepard – Yes, Mr. Tupper – Yes, Mr. Dudzinski – Yes, Mr. Johnson – Yes, Ms. Dickman – Yes, Mr. Sykes – Yes
All Ayes – Motion Carried & Adopted
Approval of contingent permanent appointment, with residency preference, of Heidi Anders to position of Recreation Supervisor with a probationary period of 8-52 weeks.
131-08-038 MOTION BY Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Dudzinski, to appoint Heidi Anders to a contingent permanent appointment, with residency preference and an 8-52 week probationary period to the position of Recreation Supervisor.
Ms. Sabin – Yes, Mr. Shepard – Yes, Mr. Tupper – Yes, Mr. Dudzinski – Yes, Mr. Johnson – Yes, Ms. Dickman – Yes, Mr. Sykes – Yes
All Ayes – Motion Carried & Adopted
Ms. Sabin asked if Ms. Anders understands what the contingent designation means for this appointment.
Mr. Sykes said yes.
Ms. Sabin said the town should have something in writing for the employee to sign in order to make sure they understand the civil service designation.
Mr. Sykes said the Personnel Committee should look into this type of paperwork.
Set public hearing on local law to permit the town to collect attorney fees from people who violate zoning laws:
Mr. Brown explained that this local law is to be used in cases where residents repeatedly refuse to comply with zoning codes. He said that situation can require the town to go to court and expend resources. He said this local law would mean that a resident who fails to comply with the law to the point that they must be taken to court could face not only fines for violation but also reimbursing the town’s attorney costs.
Mr. Brown said many other jurisdictions have this type of local law in place.
132-08-039 MOTION BY Mr. Tupper, seconded by Mr. Shepard, to schedule a public hearing to consider a local law to permit the town to collect attorney fees from people who violate zoning laws on May 6, 2008 at 7:40 pm.
Ms. Sabin – Yes, Mr. Shepard – Yes, Mr. Tupper – Yes, Mr. Dudzinski – Yes, Mr. Johnson – Yes, Ms. Dickman – Yes, Mr. Sykes – Yes
All Ayes – Motion Carried & Adopted
Budget Transfers:
133-08-007 MOTION BY Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Dickman, to approve the following budget transfer:
To: 6772.4A Senior Center $9,154.
From: 1990.4A Contingency $9,154.
This increase to the senior center line is being requested to provide additional funding for two items. The 2007 agreement was underpaid by $8,627.27 due to timing of receipts of bills from 2006 that were paid in 2007. During 2007, the town started paying on an annual basis. Prior to 2007, the town paid on a monthly basis. Subsequently, two 2006 invoices were received in 2007 that were not charged to 2006. Instead, they were charged against the 2007 amount. This created an underpayment for 2007. In addition, the 2008 amount which was also paid as a lump sum is $525.50 higher than budgeted.
Ms. Sabin – Yes, Mr. Shepard – Yes, Mr. Tupper – Yes, Mr. Dudzinski – Yes, Mr. Johnson – Yes, Ms. Dickman – Yes, Mr. Sykes – Yes
All Ayes – Motion Carried & Adopted
Committee Reports:
Mr. Dudzinski said the weather is getting nicer and Van Buren and Memphis parks are both open to enjoy. He said the pond is open for fishing and all DEC rules apply. He thanked Mr. Parks for the road to the lodge, he said the work done so far has been fantastic.
Mr. Johnson said he has seen the Highway Department out cleaning ditches and street sweeping. He reminded everyone that April 26th is Scrap Metal Day at the Highway Garage.
Mr. Parks said they have also been out doing lawn repairs from the winter plowing. He said they will also be able to take computers this year at no cost for Scrap Metal Day.
Ms. Dickman said the Insurance Committee met with a broker who they are hoping can find better health coverage with lower premiums.
Mr. Tupper said there is a Planning and Zoning Committee meeting on April 24, 2008 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall.
Highway Superintendent Comments:
Mr. Parks said they will be getting ready to pave soon.
Supervisor Comments:
Mr. Sykes said he attended the VIP opening of Quaker Steak & Lube. He said this should be a nice addition to the town and he wished them well. He said the official Grand Opening is April 16th.
Mr. Sykes said the town has received $300,000.00 in sales tax money that will be used for Seneca Knolls drainage improvements.
Mr. Sykes said he attended the Downer Street Corridor Study public meeting and they had about 125 people in attendance. He said they received some good suggestions and they will be having another pubic meeting in August.
Mr. Sykes said he received letters regarding the town’s state aid. He said the amount will increase 5% this year. He said the town’s Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) money will increase 22.9%. He said this increase is in large part due to the Highway Superintendents’ Association lobbying in Albany.
Mr. Sykes said he attended a meeting concerning the bid for salt. He said a representative from the County Executive’s office was also there. He said the towns have pointed out what they feel are the shortcomings of the county bid and are willing to give them a chance to make changes in the bid for next year.
Ms. Dickman asked Mr. Parks how much salt the town used in winter. Mr. Parks said around 5000 tons, but this winter wasn’t too bad.
Mr. Sykes said the budget format for the end of March has changed from what they used to get, but he thinks it is easier to read.
Board Comments:
Ms. Dickman said that according to the Assessor’s report she has met with 127 homeowners to discuss their assessments. She said she would advise anyone wishing to go before the Board of Assessment Review to come into the Assessor’s office to get the proper paperwork. She also encouraged them to bring in photos or any other documentation for the Board.
She said Ms. Golden has appointments left for informal meetings on April 17th and 18th and May 1st and 2nd. Ms. Golden and the Tentative Assessment Roll will be available on May 12th, 16th, 19th, and 23rd from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, May 12th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and May 17th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.
Citizens Comments: None
Engineer Comments: None
Attorney Comments: None
Mr. Sykes said he received two letters back from businesses interested in the Community Development program for business facades.
Mr. Tupper said they should have Code changes ready for the next meeting.
Ms. Dickman said the only people who will be notified of the next public Downer Street Corridor Meeting in August are those who attended the last meeting. They will not be doing another community wide mailing. She encouraged anyone who wishes to attend the next meeting in August to contact the Town Hall to be sure to be notified.
Mr. Sykes said he received an e-mail concerning the proposed local law to collect attorney fees from zoning violators who must be prosecuted. He read the following:
We cannot attend the 4/15/08 meeting. We believe that a local law that would allow the town to collect attorney fees from zoning violators is wrong. Passing this law will invite the town to pass more frivolous ordinances. Some ordinances have a detrimental effect on how some people have to live to survive.
Mr. Sykes said he agrees the town needs to be careful that our Codes are not too restrictive. He said when it comes to things like windmills and outdoor furnaces and items like that in which people are using to help lower their cost of living the town should be supportive.
134-08-000 MOTION BY Ms. Sabin, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to adjourn to the next regular own Board meeting on May 6, 2008 at 7:35 pm.
Ms. Sabin – Yes, Mr. Shepard – Yes, Mr. Tupper – Yes, Mr. Dudzinski – Yes, Mr. Johnson – Yes, Ms. Dickman – Yes, Mr. Sykes – Yes
All Ayes – Motion Carried & Adopted
Meeting closed 8:20 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn McCormick
Town Clerk
Dated: 4/16/08
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