Regular meeting and Public Hearing of the Otselic Town Board on November 14, 2023, 7:00 p.m., Town Hall, South Otselic, New York
Present: Marjorie Davis, Supervisor; Sadie Allen, Charles Bishop, Jr., Darryl Fox, and Jay Graham, Town Council; Louise Perry, Town Clerk
Also present: Allison Miller, Councilwoman-elect; Joshua Buell; Sarah Hite; Nicholas Stark; Kurt Stark; Brian Franklin, Dog Control Officer
Minutes from the October 10, 2023 regular meeting and October 24, 2023 special meeting were distributed. Motion by C. Bishop, Jr. and seconded by D. Fox to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2023 regular meeting and the October 24, 2023 special budget meeting with the following corrections:
10/10 add-Councilman D. Fox requested a progress report on the AUD (Annual Update Document) reports
10/24- regarding Town Clerk salary, salary as it was in 2023
CARRIED
Nicholas Stark is unhappy that he is being charged 2 EDUs (Equivalent Dwelling Units) for the water improvement project. He stated that he owns a single-family home. He thinks everyone should be charged the same and that it is not affordable to the community.
Supv. Davis and Councilman D. Fox explained that great effort was taken to establish a fair system to collect from all land owners in the water district to pay the town loan for the project. Nicholas is being charged 2 EDUs because there are 2 kitchens in the home with unrelated residents in each section of the house.
The Public Hearing to discuss the Preliminary Budget for 2024 was opened at 7:10 p.m. The budget comes under the tax cap.
A. Miller asked about the funds in the 2023 budget for revaluation education, if there are funds in the 2024 budget for painting and care of the town buildings, would like to see better communication with the public such as a regular letter from the Supervisor on the website, asked if raises were based on merit, and the status of the AUD (Annual Update Document) reports.
J. Buell also asked about the $650 that was allocated in the 2023 budget for revaluation purposes.
Michael Foor-Pessin submitted a letter to be read during the hearing. He suggested that the Board not adopt the proposed budget until another budget work night be held to consider the following issues. He asked why there are no funds in the proposed budget for an independent auditor to audit the Supervisor’s books. He commented about the AUD reports for 2016-2017 that the Supv. Davis was paid to complete but they have not been completed. He questioned why there is not money in the proposed budget for hiring a bookkeeper. He asked about funds that had been put aside for a revaluation. He also remarked that money was not allocated for painting the Town Hall and Town Barn.
Supv. Davis reported that the 2016 AUD report has been accepted. The NYS Comptroller’s Office has been re-vamping their reporting system and the 2017 report is ready to be submitted as soon as their reporting system is ready. There is money in the 2024 budget for painting the town buildings. The money to begin the revaluation process is also still available.
There was a discussion among the Board about possible changes to the proposed budget.
J. Buell asked if there was money to make Christopher Freeman an official Code Enforcement Officer. He also questioned that Highway Superintendent S. Forrest was given a raise but was not present or available for information for highway planning.
The Public Hearing was closed at 8:10 p.m.
The next South Otselic Water District Advisory Committee meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on November 16. It was recommended to Nicholas Stark that he attend this meeting to discuss the EDU assignments.
Kurt Stark also commented regarding the EDU charges. He thinks the EDU charging plan should be dropped and water charges could be increased instead to pay for the project loan.
Councilman D. Fox reported that Justice-elect Erika Swayze will be attending training in Albany December 11-15. The Board would like her to submit receipts for her travel following her return rather than authorizing payments in advance.
DCO B. Franklin gave a report of his activities for the last month. He visited County Acres Pet Services in Homer to be familiar with their practices.
RESOLUTION #13-2023 Minority Business Owner
Offered by C. Bishop, Jr.-
Whereas, the South Otselic Water District has been granted funding to upgrade the water system infrastructure,
And whereas, an initial Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) of $650,000 has been received, allowing the project to begin,
And whereas, the water district and the town of Otselic has a legal and moral responsibility to be an equitable employer throughout the project,
And whereas, to receive the granted funds a Minority Business Officer (MBO) is required,
And whereas, that official is usually either the town supervisor or the town clerk,
Therefore be it resolved that Supervisor Marjorie Davis is hereby appointed MBO for the South Otselic Water District Capital Improvement Project.
Seconded by S. Allen and duly adopted by majority vote.
Aye votes: M. Davis, S. Allen, C. Bishop, Jr., D. Fox, J. Graham
RESOLUTION #14-2023 Authorization for Contract Signature
Offered by D. Fox-
Whereas, the South Otselic Water District has been granted funding to upgrade the water system infrastructure,
And whereas, an initial Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) of $650,000 has been received, allowing the project to begin,
And whereas, a person must be authorized to sign contracts and other related documents throughout the duration of the project,
Therefore be it resolved that Supervisor Marjorie Davis is authorized to sign an agreement for services with Dodson Associates for engineering design of said project.
Seconded by J. Graham and duly adopted by majority vote.
Aye votes: M. Davis, S. Allen, C. Bishop, Jr., D. Fox, J. Graham
RESOLUTION #15-2023 Agreement With HydroSource Associates
Offered by C. Bishop, Jr.-
Whereas, the South Otselic Water District has been granted funding to upgrade the water system infrastructure,
And whereas, an initial Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) of $650,000 has been received, allowing the project to begin,
And whereas, a hydrologic study must be completed to determine the best location of the secondary well,
Therefore, be it resolved that an agreement with HydroSource Associates be signed, thus hiring HydroSource Associates to complete the necessary hydrological study.
Seconded by S. Allen and duly adopted by majority vote.
Aye votes: M. Davis, S. Allen, C. Bishop, Jr., D. Fox, J. Graham
The water improvement project will begin with the work on the water tower. Specifications need to be written up for the road to the tower and three bids need to be requested. Drilling the new well would be the next step. Decisions on the proposed water district policy were tabled until the December meeting.
Councilman D. Fox has been seeking information on the cost of bookkeepers by speaking with town supervisors in the county. Only 3 towns in the county do not have a bookkeeper. The average cost is $7,000-$7,500.
Motion by D. Fox and seconded by C. Bishop, Jr. to authorize Supv. Davis to transfer funds currently in CDs (Certificate of Deposits), when they mature, as well as in existing saving accounts to Money Market accounts. CARRIED
Motion by J. Graham and seconded by C. Bishop, Jr. to adopt the Town of Otselic Budget for 2024 with the salaries of elected officials as follows: Supervisor $6,760; Town Board $765 each; Town Clerk $9.750; Justice $4,160; Highway Superintendent $62,400.
General Fund to be raised by tax $15,336; Hiughway Fund to be raised by tax $162,796; South Otselic Water District to be raised by tax $18,450; South Otselic Fire District to be raised by tax $73,042 CARRIED Aye votes: M. Davis, S. Allen, C. Bishop, Jr., J. Graham; No vote: D. Fox
Supv. Davis submitted her financial reports.
Bills read for approval:
General Fund Abstract #103-113 $3,763.26
Highway Fund Abstract #087-095 $8,885.82
SOWD Fund Abstract #047-054 $3,220.21
Total $15,869.29
Motion by C. Bishop, Jr. and seconded by J. Graham to approve payment of these bills except Highway Abstract #094 for K5 Truck Parts for $853.37 and Highway Abstract #095 for Burts Truck Repair for $2,644.11. CARRIED
Motion by D. Fox and seconded by S. Allen to approve payment of the Highway Abstract #s 094 and 095 for K5 Truck Parts and Burts Truck Repair. CARRIED 4-0, 1 abstain C. Bishop, Jr.
Motion by J. Graham and seconded by D. Fox to adjourn the meeting. CARRIED 10:50 p.m.
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