MINUTES
of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the
PRESENT:
Mayor Donald Hartill; Trustees Janet Beebe, Larry Fresinski, and Frank Moore; Bill
Mayor
Donald Hartill called the meeting to order at 7:40P.M. He opened the public
comment period. There was a reporter from the Ithaca Journal present. No
comments
Motion-To Close the Public
Comment Period
Trustee Beebe moved to close the public comment period. Trustee Fresinski seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Mayor Donald Hartill-
Aye Trustee Frank Moore-
Aye Trustee
Janet Beebe-Aye Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye
Next
on the agenda was the approval of minutes.
Motion-Approval of Minutes for February 3rd
and 12th, 2003
Trustee Beebe moved that the draft meeting notes, as reviewed and revised by the Board, are hereby adopted as the official minutes. Trustee Fresinski seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye
Trustee Frank Moore-Aye Trustee
Janet Beebe- Aye Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye
The
next item on the agenda was to discuss the budget. The Mayor has collected everyone’s
information and distributed the first round of a proposed budget. His proposal
shows an approximate 3% increase in the tax rate from $1.75 to $1.80. In this year’s
budget we are containing our expenses. This year includes our 20% share of the N.
Triphammer Road Project; a new truck and an increase for snow plowing. Another
significant increase is the hard hit we are taking with New York State
Retirement. The projections are that it will be up from 3% to 11%. We also start
making deficiency payments this year. Employee compensation rates are all the
same because Janet is still waiting on the employees’ written proposal. When
this is adjusted the Social Security and Medicare rates will also need to be
adjusted. The appropriated cash surplus will be fine-tuned after the Mayor
meets with Jodi Dake, Dennis Reinhart and Dave Putnam on Tuesday. The following
changes were discussed.
A1001 Last year’s assessed value was used
but Jodi will get the correct assessed
value and incorporate
it.
A1120 Sales tax revenue was increased from $475,000 to $500,000
A2401- Interest was increased to $35,000.
A2401R Capital Reserve interest was included
in the mayor’s first budget draft but it is not supposed to be part of the
budget. This item will be removed as will as the amounts for water and sewer
capital reserve.
A2590 Fees have not been increased but the Mayor needs to meet
with Ben to discuss what is appropriate.
A2665 $16,000 was allocated here but after the truck discussion
it was decided to keep the dump truck since it has low mileage and no problems.
A1620.2 $5,000 for a new digital copier and $1,200
for a LCD projector
A1620.21 Computer supplies increased from $500 to
$2040 to pay for DSL
A1910.4 Don asked what was in this line item
besides Bailey. Jodi informed him that unallocated insurance is Bailey, State
Ins. Fund and Lovell. That line item will need to be increased. Jodi will get the
Mayor a breakdown.
A5110.2 Dennis submitted to the board the
additional information that they requested at the last meeting. There are no
extended warranties for the truck that we presently have. There are no problems
with the truck and after looking at the cost of a new truck and what we would
get at an auction for the present truck, the trustees decided not to buy a new dump
truck this year. In previous years it was very cost effective to turn over our vehicles
every two years but this is no longer the case.
A5112.2 The Permanent Improvements number will
be adjusted once Jodi, Don, Dennis & Dave Putnam meet to understand what projects
will be done this year or encumbered.
A5142.4 The Mayor sees an increased expense in
snow plowing due to this year’s heavy snowfall. This item was set at $35,000
but we may want to increase it. Our base contract is $25,000 and then is adjusted
by the actual cost.
A5410.41 Greenway was increased to $16,500 to allow
for the completion of the project from
A7310.4 Youth
programs up 3% per Janet increased by $1000 to $24,000.
A9060.8 This amount was increased by $1,000 to
accommodate the increase in health insurance costs. Don was unsure if this was
enough. Jodi explained that the Village had to change insurance plans in
January because their plan was no longer available. To stay within the current
cost to the village, the employees had to go with a less attractive plan that costs
about the same but doesn’t offer the same coverage. This issue needs to be discussed
further.
A0962.2 Budgetary provisions for other
uses-Transfer to Capital amount was set at $356,442. This number is used as a
balancing tool. It will be adjusted with changes in the budget. The transfer to
Parks was increased from $40,000 to $45,000.
Frank prepared a summary of
his proposals for the water and sewer fund, which was
distributed to the board.
F1030 Special Assessment = $30,000 principal & $5000
interest
F2140 The Mayor proposed a number equal to last year but this
number was increased per Frank’s calculations. Surcharge is 33%.
F2401- Interest income was increased from
last year’s $3,000 to $3,600.
F8340.2 Will be adjusted after meeting with
Dennis & Dave.
F8320.44 Water purchases were increased by 3%
F8320.45 Engineering is 20% of the capital outlay
The possibilities of how to
improve the Highgate Circle Pressure Reducing Valve Station
were discussed. This item
needs to be included in the budget. Don thinks that a transfer in
from both the water and sewer capital reserve
will be necessary but we will see once all the
adjustments are made.
Appropriated fund balance will also be adjusted after Tuesday’s
meeting.
G1030 Represents principal, interest & $6,200 shortage from
the previous year which was borrowed from sewer fund.
G2120 Increased per Frank’s calculations
G2374 VCH sewer fee pass through amount equal to line item
G8189.4
G2401- Interest rates were increased from
$4,000 to $5,600.
G8120.2 Includes Kline Rd. bypass $58,000,
Sewer repairs $30,000,Additional N. Triphammer Rd. main replacement $150,000,
20% share ISTEA N. Triphammer Project $4,000
G8120.41 To video sewer lines
G8120.42 To repair the problems we find when the video
is done.
These
changes will be incorporated and put into the budget program. A new proposed budget
will be given to the board so it can be discussed again at the March 17th
meeting. At this time a budget public hearing will also be set for April.
During
the discussion on sidewalks, Frank asked about the future of Dart Dr. Don
stated that he was nervous about doing that project at the same time as N.
Triphammer Rd. The board discussed accommodating pedestrians on Dart Dr.
Stormwater drains down one side of the road would be necessary to install a
sidewalk on Dart Dr. There has been some reluctance of the residents on that
road to install sidewalks. Don explained that installing sidewalks was expensive.
To give them an idea, the Sheraton Drive sidewalk from the curve to N.
Triphammer cost $85,000. We had a grant to do that project a couple of years
ago.
Dave
Putnam suggested adding a line item for the unfunded Storm Water Discharge
mandate. The Village will have to develop a plan and enforce it. A writing of 1
or 2 additional laws will also be required. Mapping of the system can get very
expensive. GIS is the way to go and it
will be about $50,000. Jodi will call NYCOM or the controller’s office to find
out what code to use.
Dave
Putnam presented a Notice of Intent for Coverage Under an SPDES General Permit
for Storm Water Discharges From Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems. This is an unfunded mandate.The Mayor
proposed that the trustees allow him to sign this.
Resolution #3935 -To Authorize the Mayor to Sign the
Notice of Intent for Coverage Under an SPDES General Permit for Storm Water
Discharges From Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems
Trustee Moore moved this motion. Trustee Beebe
seconded the motion.
Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye Trustee Frank Moore- Aye
Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye Trustee Larry Fresinski-
Aye
Next
on the agenda were the Mayor’s comments. Don and Frank attended a sewer meeting
last Thursday that he would characterize as interesting. The bottom line is
that the process is going forward and we will eventually have sewers. EIS Consultants
are about one month from completion. They are redoing their mistakes. Farkas,
Herrick and Hartill meet with the Village of Cayuga Heights tomorrow. The draft
statement will include DEIS submission to DEC. The DEC process should be
completed by the end of the summer. The forced main is covered by bond act
funding but operations are not. The Village will have some maintenance responsibility.
Construction is 2-3 years away. The good news is we do not have to deal with
all the issues of running a sewer plant.
Don and Dave Putnam discussed options for running
the sewer line along the railroad bed verses uphill.
During
general discussion Larry read an article out of the NYCOM Bulletin on email and
F.O.I.L John O’Neil asked if the Village
was still considering underground utilities. The mayor stated that they are
scheduling a meeting with all the utility providers to see what has to be done.
Motion- To Adjourn
Trustee Fresinski moved adjournment. Trustee Beebe seconded
the motion.
Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye Trustee Frank Moore- Aye
Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye Trustee Larry Fresinski-
Aye
The
meeting adjourned at 9:45pm.
Jodi
Dake
Village
Clerk