September 30, 2010
Town of Brutus
Special Town Board Meeting
The Town Board of the Town of Brutus held a Special Meeting on September 30, 2010 in the Town Municipal Building, 9021 N. Seneca Street, Weedsport, NY 13166 to discuss the 2011 Tentative Town Budget and 2011 Fire Protection Budget and any other business that came before the Board.
Present were: Supervisor James Hotaling, Councilman Dave Miller, Councilman Robert Ward, Bookkeeper Pamela Kelley and Chris Petrus.
Supervisor Hotaling called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
Old Business
Used Plow Truck and Pick-Up Truck
The Clerk advised that she had failed to properly advertise the Board's resolution from the August 13th meeting for the purchase of a used plow truck from the equipment reserve fund subject to a permissive referendum. Since that time Superintendent Cunningham has located a used plow truck and a used pick-up truck that he would like to purchase for the Town. The used pick-up truck is subject to a bid process. Both purchases will not exceed the $60,000 previously approved. Councilman Miller made the following motion:
Whereas, the Town Board has determined that it is in the best interest of the Town to purchase a used plow truck and a used pick-up truck for the Highway Department, and
Whereas, the anticipated cost of both purchases will not exceed $60,000; and
Whereas, the Town has an Equipment Reserve Fund with enough monies to expend the $60,000 on said trucks; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Clerk is hereby authorized to advertise for the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $60,000 from the Equipment Reserve Fund for the purchase of a used plow truck and used pick-up truck, subject to a 30-day permissive referendum.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Ward.
Res 139-10 VOTE: 3 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Carried.
Health Insurance - Grandfather Clause
A letter was received advising the Town of a deadline to submit an application for Grandfather Status under the new Health Care Reform Act. The Clerk contacted Bill Chamberlain from the Finger Lakes Group (our health insurance contractor) and he does not recommend the Town pursuing this avenue as it may inhibit us in the future. The Board agreed with this assessment and an application will not be submitted.
New Tire Purchase
Superintendent Cunningham has advised that he needs to purchase new tires for International 10 Wheeler. All of the tires need to be replaced at the same time and the approximate cost is $3,200.00. He does not believe the truck will pass inspection with the current tires. He has money remaining in his budget to cover this expense. The tires will be purchased from State Bid. Councilman Miller moved to authorize this purchase, second by Councilman Ward.
Res 140-10 VOTE: 3 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Carried.
Dog Licensing
The Clerk briefly discussed the necessity of adopting a local law to undertake dog licensing as of January 1, 2011. She is working on the draft and asked for additional input from the Board on some of the particular aspects of the licensing procedure. The Board provided their thoughts and the Clerk will incorporate them into the draft. It will be available for their review at the October 11th meeting.
Water District 7 and Water District 8
The Clerk spoke with Rural Development today and they are instituting a new procedure for financing offers. A letter will be sent in the near future outlining the requirements. Water District #7 is not subject to the new procedures because all of the documents needed have previously been submitted to Rural Development. This project is on the list for funding, but the federal budget has not yet been passed so there is currently no money available to move forward with this project.
2011 Budget
The Clerk advised that the adjustments requested at the September 16th budget workshop meeting were made and the Tentative Budget was reviewed by the Board. A discussion was held regarding the raise percentage for Town Employees. The Board determined to use 3% for raises for employees with the exception of the Assessor Kelley, Deputy Clerk Hickey and Justice Maltese whose raises were calculated separately. An additional $10,000 was added to the Canal Park Reserve line item. These changes to the Tentative Budget do not change the tax levy. Councilman Miller made a motion to accept the Tentative Budget with these changes and seconded by Councilman Ward, the Tentative Budget was accepted. This now becomes the Preliminary Budget and a Public Hearing has been set for November 1, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. on the proposed Town Budget and Fire Protection Budget for 2011. The Clerk will place a legal notice in The Citizen.
Res 141-10 VOTE: 3 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Carried
There was no other business to come before the Board and upon motion by Councilman Miller, second by Councilman Ward and the meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
Res 142-10 VOTE: 3 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Kae Brentlinger
Town Clerk
