March 08, 2021: Regular Meeting

March 8, 2021

Town of Brutus

Town Board Meeting Minutes

The Town Board of the Town of Brutus held a virtual regular meeting on March 8, 2021 at 6:00 PM via GoTo Meetings application. The instructions for joining the meeting were posted on the town website and the office doors of town hall.

Present:

James Hotaling, Town Supervisor                    Thomas Flynn, Deputy Supervisor (6:50 PM)

John Abraham, Councilor                                Derric Slocum, Councilor        

Pamela Kelley, Bookkeeper/Assessor             Thomas Piascik, Town Engineer

Angela Skellington, Town Clerk                      

Absent: Steve Siracusa, Highway Superintendent

Guests: Sheriff Brian Schenck, Deputy Mayor Chad Platten, Planning Board Member David Lipiska, ZBA Member Jeff Hinman (7:15 PM)

Opening: Supervisor Hotaling called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM

Motion by Councilor Abraham to open public hearing on Local Law # 1 of 2021 – Prohibiting Sale and Possession of Dangerous Substances that are Mislabeled. Motion seconded by Councilor Chirco.

RES 22-2021 VOTE: 4 ayes, 1 absent, 0 nays. Carried.

Clerk Skellington stated that the public hearing was posted on town website, The Citizen newspaper, doors of town hall. The text of the law was on the town website. If someone pleads to this charge in town court, the fine would come directly to the town. Councilor Chirco asked if there was a way to track fines received. Clerk Skellington said that there is probably a report that could be run based on the penal code.

Guests to be Heard:

Sheriff Schenck spoke to the board about the success of the prescription drop-off that occurred at the town hall last summer that Councilor Chirco coordinated. He stated that he would like to continue doing these at various locations because heroin and opiate addictions usually begin with prescriptions and having extra prescriptions around can lead to problems. The sheriff’s office incinerates the drugs in an environmentally safe way.

Sheriff Schenck also spoke about the possibility of having Narcan training on site with the prescription drop off event. There is no charge for the training and it involves a short video. Once the training is received, the person receives the Narcan. He stated that there are a lot of people with family/friends/loved ones with addictions that would like to be able to save their lives. He also mentioned Nicks Ride for Friends which offers peer support. The Narcan video is on the Cayuga County website. If someone needed more Narcan, they can go on the Cayuga County website to request it. Asked if there are any restrictions on who can administer Narcan, Sheriff Schenck responded that anyone can do it after they receive training.

Councilor Chirco and Clerk Skellington will review dates to have the event, it will likely be a Saturday in May. The board members thanked Sheriff Schenck and he logged off of the meeting.

Adopt Minutes:

Councilor Slocum made a motion to adopt the minutes for the regular meeting of February 8, 2021, seconded by Councilor Abraham.

RES 23-2021 VOTE: 4 ayes, 1 absent, 0 nays. Carried.

Department Head Reports:

Supervisor Report, Town Clerk Report, Highway Superintendent Report, Bookkeeper Budget Amendments, Code Enforcement Report (via email), Water Operator Reports

The February Supervisor report will be presented at the next meeting.

Town Clerk Report:

·         Tax collection – report sent to board members showing what was paid and collected.

·         We signed up 35 people for the first dose of Covid vaccination.

·         Prepared letter requesting an extension for spending CDBG funds on Aqueduct Park Accessibility Project. 24-month deadline set to expire March 11^th and requested an extension for June 30^th. Sent copies of cancelled checks and voucher for the payments of work that is completed to Office of Home and Community Renewal. Of $274,014 available, we have paid out $257,186.

·         Registered for three webinars that are ½ days on contract administration for the Trolley Connection Trail project.

·         Forwarded emails to boards and staff for virtual required annual trainings.

Highway Superintendent Report

The Highway Superintendent report was forwarded to board members before the meeting.

·         Had fuel tank repaired at Barber Welding on truck 6

·         Pulled front plow off truck 5 to weld and brace rotted plow frame

·         Replace plow cutting edge on truck 3

·         Removed snow banks at town office

·         Picked up deer carcass on Pump Road

·         Sanded and plowed roads

·         Washed shop floors

·         Cleaned floor drains in truck bay

·         Sanded bus garage and schools

·         Mixed up more sand and salt

·         Fred did the monthly water reads and reports

·         Replaced metal on building from the ice falling off the roof

·         Repaired falling sign on Sarr Road and Townline Road

·         Picked up tires in ditch on Chamberlin Road

·         Cleaned up at park from the wind last week

·         Cleaned dog stations at park

·         Hauled 1b's from Elbridge for salt mixture

·         Cleaned and washed trucks

·         Picked up oil from Scott’s Mobile

·         Helped John with lighting in highway garage

·         Cleaned and sanded food pantry parking area

·         Trimmed some trees on Compton and Townline that were hitting plow truck

·         Pumped oil over to waste oil furnace

Budget Amendments

The Shady Brook Lighting District was planned to have maintenance turned over to Town and away from NYSEG to reduce their monthly bills.  This has not happened as soon as expected and funds that were planned to set up a reserve for this district will have to be moved to the street lights line item as follows:

            DR       SL962 Budgetary Provisions for other uses                              $2,400.00

                        CR       SL5182.400 Street Lights-Contractual                                     $2,400.00

The Highway fund bridge account is short again this time by $1,500.00. The most logical place to take the funds from to correct the shortage is the machinery account.  The Budget Journal Entry is:

            DR       DA5130.400 Machinery-Contractual                            $1,500.00

                        CR       DA5120.400 Bridges-Contractual                                 $1,500.00

Motion by Councilor Chirco to accept the budget amendments, second by Councilor Abraham.

RES 24-2021 VOTE: 4 ayes, 1 absent, 0 nays. Carried.

Board Area of Responsibility Reports

Motion by Councilor Abraham to pay Abstract # 3, second by Councilor Slocum.

RES 25-2021 VOTE: 4 ayes, 1 absent, 0 nays. Carried.

Correspondence

·         CC Water Quality Management Agency 2020 Year End Report

·         Syracuse Builders Exchange Buyers Guide

·         NYS Unified Court System – 2020-21 Justice Court Assistance Program Grant not approved

·         Charter Communications program changes & Franchise Fee

·         Erie Canalway 2020 Report and Calendar

·         NYS Municipal WC Alliance - $ 619 check for Loyalty Program

·         Hillside Community Backflow Prevention Device Report

·         Mercy Flight Central Thank You for support

·         Canalway Trail Times

·         NYS Public Service Commission – Case Proceedings

·         Underground Construction magazine

·         Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

·         Village of Weedsport Minutes

Old Business

Employee Handbook Review

Supervisor Hotaling suggested to the board members to add Martin Luther King Jr Day into the holidays that are observed and staff members are paid for. This would make a total of 12 which is consistent with the county and city. He also recommends listing the holidays in the Employee Handbook so employees are aware of what holidays they are paid for. If something were to change, the board could address it at the time.  The board members agreed that holidays will be listed in the new handbook. Clerk Skellington said that she would give the information to the consultant and a final draft will be sent to the board members to review and possibly approve at the April board meeting.

In the review process, it was found that there is a Drug and Alcohol Testing policy that is referenced that employees who drive the town vehicles would be subject to. The policy could not be found as adopted. This policy is listed in the current and the proposed handbooks. The consultant working on the current handbook would charge $1,400 to do the policy, the current drug and alcohol testing contractor would charge $ 250, and the clerk found a template on the internet that could be used with the town information. The board requested the clerk to check with the attorney on the template she found.

Highway Garage LED Lighting – possibly funded by NYSERDA Grant

The clerk was advised that the town is eligible for a $ 5000 grant for a clean energy project. She will obtain paperwork for costs of this project as well as LED lighting for Shadybrook Mobile Home Park. Amanda Mazzoni of CNY Regional Planning & Development Board offered to help the clerk complete the grant paperwork.

Land Purchase on State Route 31

The land was surveyed and there is a change in the property lines. It will be on the March 24, 2021 Planning Board meeting agenda.

Water for 8734 Weedsport Sennett Road

Supervisor Hotaling communicated that he and Engineer Piascik met with Mayor Winslow about the proposed water district of village water customers outside of the village and updating the water line from Sennett. The mayor will speak with his board about providing water to this address in the interim. The resident at the address wrote a letter to the village and copied the town about the experiences with the wells on her property and how long it has been occurring. She would incur the costs for hook-up.

Grants/Projects

Supervisor Hotaling spoke about a meeting that he had with Danielle Szabo of Cayuga Economic Development Agency about grant opportunities through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funds. Danielle would write the grants; the town would need to administer the grants. Supervisor Hotaling believes that the work would need to be done for these grants within two years.

Councilor Abraham asked about the previous Downtown Revitalization project. Councilor Slocum communicated that the group helping administer the grant did not work out.

Court Constables

The current constables do not meet the qualifications set forth by Division of Criminal Justice Services. The town would like to work with the village in obtaining qualified constables which could include the officers working for the Weedsport Police Department. Most of the officers also work for the Auburn Police Department. Supervisor Hotaling suggested a letter to be sent to the village.

Board of Assessment Review Candidates

Two applicants applied for the position and the information was sent to the board members. Supervisor Hotaling recommended appointing Ron Case to the position.

Motion by Councilor Chirco, second by Councilor Abraham to appoint Ron Case as a member to the Board of Assessment Review.

RES 26-2021 VOTE: 4 ayes, 1 absent, 0 nays. Carried

Clean Energy Community

Clerk Skellington resent the email sent last February for assistance and review of the press release for the Town of Brutus receiving this designation. She received an email saying that there were some changes in the organization and the person would review and get back to her.

New Business

Bilinski Roof Project

The building permit was submitted and the applicant paid the fee based on square footage in the amount of $495. The project is open on three sides, does not have a concrete floor, and does not have plumbing or electric. Code Enforcement Officer Ganey recommended to have the fee reduced to $ 50 which is the fee for roof projects. The board members agreed and the difference will be reimbursed.

Trees on the Trail near Clinton Road

Engineer Piascik said that there is a large cottonwood right on the trail that will need to be removed. He spoke to Highway Superintendent Siracusa who will have it removed.

Price of the survey of the trail is higher than expected. Engineer Piascik will speak with neighboring property owners with recent land surveys and with remnants of a fence from the railroad to see if future tree removal will be possible based on those items.

There are some large hickory trees on the trail west of Putnam Road. One is approximately 40 inches wide.

Shadybrook MHP Lighting – light out, crooked pole, conversion to LED

Highway Superintendent Siracusa is planning to change the light that is out and needs to know what type of light it is. Councilor Abraham believes the clerk has notes on this. One of the light poles is crooked and can be straightened at the base. Conversion to LED will begin with obtaining current pricing.

Electrical Vehicle Charging Zoning Code

Clerk Skellington explained that she received a call from a man who is writing a “White Paper” for the Town of Colonie on Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations. New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) has some reference material on the internet and includes Town of Brutus as a community that has code on Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations. The board did not have issue with Town of Brutus being listed as a resource for people to contact. If the town receives calls on this, the clerk will take the information and pass along to appropriate person such as code enforcement or town engineer.

Setbacks – Definition in Town Code

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Member Jeff Hinman joined the meeting virtually at 7:15 pm to speak to board members about a current issue. He shared that a resident wanted to build a garage near his home and the code stated that there is a 75-foot front setback. Because the garage was going to be closer to the road than 75 feet, code enforcement denied the building permit application and referred the matter to the ZBA for a variance. The members stated in the ZBA meeting that if the resident builds the garage to be even with the home, there would not be a variance required. Mr. Hinman is a licensed engineer and surveyor and took measurements after the meeting. No variance required was communicated to Code Enforcement and a building permit was issued. Now, the garage is closer to the road than the home. Code Enforcement Officer Ganey measured and found it only to be 60 feet from the road. It was found that the town code does not define where the 75 feet are measured from. Supervisor Hotaling stated that when he built his home in the 1970s, the code enforcement officer at the time said the measurement was 75 feet from the center line of the road. The code will need to state where the setback is measured from – middle of the road, town right-of-way, etc. Councilor Abraham stated that the Village of Weedsport measures from the center of the road.

It was agreed to request the assistance of the Planning Board to research and make recommendation of what the setback is measured from.

BJ’s Wholesale Club renewal in April

The board agreed to renew the BJ’s Wholesale Club for next year for full time employees and elected officials.

NYSERDA Grant of $ 5000 for Clean Energy project

Covered earlier in the meeting.

Other Business

Updates from Engineer Piascik

·         Final revisions/clarifications for the water district projects. Hoping to get offers for funding soon from USDA Rural Development.

·         Trying to get in touch with Jean Egenhofer of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historical Preservation for the CFA grant – Aqueduct Park Pier Restoration

·         The Design Report for the Trolley Connection Trail has been forwarded; the clerk has an electronic copy. Very large file.

·         Still communicating with Highway Superintendent Siracusa about the contractor for the observation deck. Trying to negotiate a lower price.

·         Highway department will be working on the bridge deck at the park,

·         Sketch of survey for State Route 31 property. Engineer Piascik asked if the owner is satisfied with the sketch. Supervisor Hotaling said that he is. Engineer Piascik will have the surveyor complete the final survey.

·         C&S will finalize the wetland and delineation report and the cost is $ 2,500 as the regulations have changed.

·         There is another round of BridgeNY grants available. Culvert grants deadline is April 15^th. Bridge replacement grants deadline is the beginning of May. Could possibly replace the twin culverts on Mills Road. There is a solid center section that gets clogged with debris and has to be cleaned every year.

·         Engineer Piascik asked if the board would like to pursue grants for Hamilton and Riverforest Road bridges. The board members agreed.

·         Councilor Abraham asked the status of the erosion issue of Putnam Brook across from the Weller Farm. Clerk stated this is an action item for the Hazard Mitigation Project and will need to work with Cayuga County Soil & Water District.

·         East Brutus Street Road improvements are scheduled for this year.

·         Potential work on State Route 34 through the village in the next few years. The road is extremely rough. Supervisor Hotaling recommended that the village contact the NYS DOT. Deputy Mayor Platten communicated that the village is beginning to meet two times per month to get caught up on some backlog items.

·         Engineer Piascik stated that C&S Engineers is likely to have PDF’s of the master plans for water and sewer for work done in the village many years ago. He will reach out to see if he can obtain them.

Supervisor Hotaling stated that he will be at a committee meeting this coming Wednesday for the Re-Water Canal project – the flood feasibility study.

Motion to close the meeting at 7:40 pm made by Councilor Chirco, second by Councilor Abraham.

RES 27-2021 VOTE: 5 ayes, 0 nays. Carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Angela M. Skellington, Town Clerk