MINUTES OF THE JAN 2022 REGULAR TOWN BOARD MTG
Town of Brant January 11, 2022 Regular Board Meeting
Jan 11, 2022. 6:18 PM. ID: 592782237
Transcript
00:18 - 00:23
Mark DeCarlo
All right. Barbara, you want to read that?
00:29 – 03:06
Barb Daniel
Public Notice of 2022 organizational meeting, and the first regular meeting of the Brant Town board, OK, Now, this was for both meetings so bear with me. Notice is hereby given that the Brant Town Board will hold their 2022 organizational meeting on Tuesday, January 4th, at 7 30 PM. Update: On December 30th, this meeting was held virtually due to increase in COVID cases locally. Now, first regular meeting…. Town board meeting of 2022 will be held on Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 at 7PM. Update: This meeting will be held virtually to attend the online meeting please follow the instructions attached to the bottom of this legal notice. There will also be a short workshop prior to the meeting at 6:30. The first regular meeting will be held on January 11th at the Brant Town Hall located at 1272 Brant North Collins Rd Brant NY 14027. Unless otherwise posted . Please call the Town Clerk’s Office for information. The posting of this notice and advising the legal newspaper complies with Article seven of the Public Officers Law remains open meetings. By order of the Brant Town Board, Barbara J Daniel Brant Town Clerk December 30th, 2021. And then we have instructions Town of Brant January 2022 Board Meeting Tuesday, January 11, 2022. 6:30PM-8:30PM Eastern Standard Time. Please join our meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, https://transcripts.gotomeeting.com/#/s/f472e8d920586c8f4177b0bf1067ebd0cedafc84cbf8322d05d080f92cc65ca2 You can also dial in using your phone for Supported Devices tap a one touch number below to join instantly. United States toll free +1 800-899-4679, touch telephone, plus (866) 899-4679. Comma, 592782237 pound. The United States, is a plus 5, 7, 1 area code, 317-3116, one Touch telephone 1 5713173116, with the code, 592782237-pound, Access code, 592782237.
03:14 - 03:20
Mark DeCarlo
All right, Approval of the minutes for December 14th, 2021 board meeting.
Linda Giancarlo
Aye
03:23 - 03:24
Mark DeCarlo
Motioned by Linda. Do I have a second?
03:25 - 03:25
Janice
Second.
03:26 – 04:08
Mark DeCarlo
Seconded by Janice, all those in favor? Clerk’s note: All board members responded with aye All those opposed? Carried. All right, I'm gonna, I'd like to table all the reports. Until next month because hopefully we can have something in person. It will be just easier. I’d like to move to the old business, some of the items that were tabled from the Org meeting from last week. Approval of Peter Czaster as heavy equipment operator for a one-year term, at a rate of $19.50 per hour. That's a correct rate we have discussed?
04:08 - 04:09
Janice
It is.
04:10 - 04:13
Mark DeCarlo
Ok, I'll make a motion to approve that. Do I have a second?
04:14 - 04:15
Linda
I'll second.
04:15 - 04:20
Mark DeCarlo
Seconded by Councilwomen Giancarlo. All those in favor? Clerk’s note: All board members responded with aye.
04:21 - 04:29
Bill Trask
Mark it’s Bill, the proper title is Motor Equipment Operator, M E O.
04:30 – 05:22
Mark DeCarlo
Got it, Motor equipment operator. All those opposed? Carried. Approval of the appointment of Carol Broughton for Secretary of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a one-year term at a rate of $13.20 per hour. I'll make a motion. Anyone have a second? Seconded by the Board. All those in favor? Clerk’s note: All board members responded with aye. All those opposed? Carried. Approval of appointment of Lynda Ostrowski Secretary to the Planning Board and Board of Assessment and review, for one-year term, at a rate of pay at $13.20 per hour. I'll make the motion.
05:24 - 05:25
Janice
I seconded it.
05:27 - 05:51
Mark DeCarlo
Councilwomen Ross seconded. All those in favor? Clerk’s note: All board members responded with aye. All those opposed? Carried. We have a planning board recommendation in regards to a special use permit. Does everyone have that report?
05:52 - 05:53
Linda
Yes
05:55 - 05:56
Janice
Yes
06:00 – 08:10
Mark DeCarlo
Alright. Lynda, did you want to read this? No, OK, at the Planning Board meeting January 4th, 2022. It was the recommendation of the planning board that the request for the special use permit to operate an auto repair shop on 10936 Southwestern Blvd be granted with the following conditions. One, property taxes must be kept current. This includes town county and school taxes. Two a handicap parking space must be clearly marked at the building, used as an auto repair shop three, any boats or trailers to be kept in the fenced in storage area. Four, because the current school taxes are in arrears. They have been added to the county payroll taxes. It's not available for payment at this time. Therefore, we agree that Mr. Lonkey must have the taxes in arrears brought current by March 15th of 2022, or the Special Use Permit should be rescinded. Five, the required storage area of fence cannot be properly installed this time due to the weather, therefore, Mr. Lonkey, was advised that the fence must be installed by April 15th, 2022, or the special use permit will be rescinded. Our recommendation is based on the following considerations. Number one, the areas currently zoned for commercial use. The proposed business area will not extend more than 500 feet from Southwestern Blvd to the curb cuts. For this property already exist and therefore the New York City permanent transportation was not required to be notified. Three, this business is compatible with other businesses in the area. Four the required DEC approval for this are sent or received from the operations that are collision shop. And five, a review of the short form EAF did not disclose any problems. Based on these considerations the special use permit should be granted with conditions cited above, respectfully submitted, Joseph Ostrowski, Planning Board Chairman.
08:12 - 08:13
Mike Muffoletto
I have a question.
08:13 - 08:13
Mark DeCarlo
Yes, sir.
08:15 - 08:20
Mike Muffoletto
The very first thing that you read about Property Taxes, what did that read?
08:21 - 08:27
Mark DeCarlo
It's just said that property taxes must be kept current. This includes all Town County & School Taxes.
08:28 - 08:29
Mike Muffoletto
I didn't hear it, OK.
08:40 - 08:40
Mark DeCarlo
Property Taxes must remain current, including all town County & School taxes
08:40 - 08:42
Donna Marien
Why are we going forward, if he's already in the rears?
08:46 – 09:14
Barb Daniel
She did try to pay, but it cannot be taken. Money cannot be taken by me or the county, so she had no choice. Like planning boards giving them, a ruling, but they got to bend a little bit because of the fact that she tried to pay me but I couldn’t take it. After a certain time, I can’t accept payments, I can’t even hold on to a check.
09:16 - 09:18
Linda
Doesn’t it just go on the next tax bill.
09:20 - 09:27
Barb Daniel
Exactly, and that's the problem, even the county won't take it right now, we’re getting the taxes in the next couple weeks, and then she could pay it then.
09:29 - 09:29
Linda
All right, OK.
09:30 - 09:39
Janice
There is a date, March 15th that they have to be paid or their permit will be rescinded, so I don't see a problem with that March15th
09:41 - 09:50
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah, we still need to refer to Erie County, and also, we have to have a public hearing where we would have to listen to the public's input before we approve it.
09:52 - 09:57
Donna Marien
So, therefore We can't even begin to approve it if we haven't had a public meeting.
10:01 - 10:08
Mark DeCarlo
Right our process today, is just whether to move it forward or not to move forward,
10:15 - 10:18
Donna Marien
OK, Thank you for clarifying.
10:23 - 10:36
Mark DeCarlo
We also have a letter from our Code Enforcement Officer, with the attached Planning Board review. So, I think those are legitimate questions, but I think that we could move it forward and have this public discussion, with a hearing set for March.
10:40 - 10:44
Donna Marien
Then we would set the hearing date for after the date the taxes can be paid, Correct?
10:47 - 10:50
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah, when were they started accepting payments Barb? March 1st?
10:52 – 11:04
Barb Daniel
February 15 is the first day. I always mail the tax bills on Valentine’s Day. It’s my way of saying I love you, that’s what I tell everybody. The deadline is March 15th
11:05 - 11:09
Mark DeCarlo
So by the time we have the public hearing, they will have had the ability to pay?
11:11 - 11:13
Barb Daniel
Yeah, they'll have the ability to pay. Let me see when the February meeting is.
11:19 - 11:26
Mark DeCarlo
We can't do it February, because there's not enough time to get a response from Erie County, so we would do it March 8th.
11:27 - 11:30
Janice
March 8th would be the meeting.
11:32 – 12:00
Mark DeCarlo
All right, so if there's no other questions, I'll make a motion to authorize the town to make the zoning referral to Erie County, and also to set a public hearing for March 8th, 2022 at 7:30 PM. Do I have a second? Seconded by the board. All those in favor? Clerk’s note: All members of the board responded with Aye All those opposed? Carried.
12:01 - 12:03
Barb Daniel
Perfect.
12:05 - 12:49
Mark DeCarlo
All right. I have on the agenda under New Business. Every annually with courts have to be audited. Last year, we used Drescher & Malecki to perform this audit since they're already under contract to do other auditing for the town as well light bookkeeping. So, I would make a motion to approve accounting firm Drescher & Malecki to perform the required Brant town court yearly audits. Does anyone have any questions?
12:49 - 12:53
Janice
Is it only going to be for that one department? The audit?
12:54 - 12:55
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah, this.
12:56 - 12:56
Janice
Handle money
12:58 - 13:21
Mark DeCarlo
Well, this particular resolution, is for courts, because it's required by the State Court system, to have that audit. We could definitely look at doing it for other departments. I would want to get an estimate from them on what the cost would be but we should look at that.
13:21 - 13:32
Janice
I think we should look into it, because, since I've been on the board, I don't think other departments that handle money have had official audits. I could be wrong.
13:33 - 13:37
Mark DeCarlo
Barb did your department have an audit? At one point, I thought we did.
13:37 – 14:07
Barb Daniel
The only audit we did have was with Joe Ostrowski, I think there was one time when the board had them do pretty much across the board, everybody. But, Prior to that, was.. I got them in my cabinet here, when what’s his name came through, Jason Wang. He looked at my books and then he corrected me on a few things and just stuff like that, but no, major audit.
14:07 - 14:14
Mark DeCarlo
Alright, so if it's alright with the board, I'll get an estimate for our next meeting on what the cost would be and we can look at moving forward just to have the whole town audited.
14:15 - 14:17
Donna Marien
That's a great idea.
14:17 - 14:27
Janice
I think that's a perfect idea. We need to be a little bit more aware of how our money is being transpired here.
14:27 - 14:30
Mark DeCarlo
I agree. All right. I'll go ahead, and I'll do that.
14:30 – 15:16
Bill Trask
Ok. But this, this is Bill this particular audit, you’re calling it an audit of the town courts. It's statutorily required that the Town Board review the records of the Town Court each year for a long time, I think the town board has hired Joe Ostrowski to do that for them each year and now you're basically turning the function to Drescher & Malecki as I understand this resolution, but just so you know that's a statutorily required review of the court records that the town board supposed to be doing but you're actually hiring this outside firm to do it for you.
15:18 - 15:20
Mark DeCarlo
Is that legal?
15:22 - 15:37
Bill Trask
Yeah, you can hire them but keep in mind that ultimately, if you accept their report, you're saying you as a town board are adopting their findings as your own.
15:38 - 15:40
Mark DeCarlo
Ok, so we can do that, but I would say.
15:40 - 15:59
Bill Trask
Just like the town board did for many years with Joe Ostrowski review and report. Ok, I'm just making, I'm just making the distinction this is legally required each year of the town Board for the court, as a particular department to review.
16:00 - 16:18
Mark DeCarlo
Ok. Thank you. And we do a partial review on a monthly basis of their accounts and their report to the Board, which is also financial report, but I would think this would be a little more though.
16:20 - 16:35
Bill Trask
Yeah. You do have the option of having each department that handles money audited. That's not a statutory requirement, like it is for the courts, but you do have that option as a board.
16:36 - 16:40
Mark DeCarlo
Ok. Councilwomen Marien you had a question.
16:41 - 16:49
Donna Marien
Yes, I do by having an outside auditing committee or auditing firm does that hold them more liable?
16:52 – 17:23
Bill Trask
The statutory obligation is yours as a town board, OK. So, while the presumption is this outside firm, which is a very well experienced and reputable firm, for doing auditing of municipal records, while they should know what they're doing, ultimately. if there's a mistake, it's not going to fall on them, it's going to fall on you as a Town board, I'm just pointing that out to you.
17:26 - 17:32
Mark DeCarlo
Ok, thank you. All right, so I'll make a motion, Do I have a second?
17:33 - 17:33
Janice
Second.
17:34 - 17:42
Mark DeCarlo
Seconded by Councilwomen Ross, all those in favor? Clerk’s note: All board members responded with Aye All those opposed? Carried.
17:43 – 18:18
Bill Trask
Just a suggestion on that particular item. It might not be a bad idea for whoever the liaison to the courts is on the Town Board and the Supervisor to ask Drescher and Malachi to walk you through the process that they follow so that you are taking your auditing responsibility as seriously as you as you should be. Don't just leave it to them and then say, OK, we accept your report. Find out what they actually look at.
18:19 - 18:20
Mark DeCarlo
Ok.
18:20 - 18:21
Janice
That would be Mike.
18:24 - 18:30
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah. Mike I’ll get together with you and we could set up a meeting with them if that's acceptable to you.
18:31 - 18:33
Mark DeCarlo
Sounds good, OK perfect.
18:39 - 18:47
Mark DeCarlo
OK perfect. All right. So, I got two bits of information from the assessor's office. Did you guys receive those?
18:48 - 18:48
Janice
Yes.
18:50 – 20:04
Mark DeCarlo
The first thing is the governor vocal has an executive order, which allows us to opt in as a town, and not require essentially a filing of renewed applications for both senior citizens and persons with disabilities for the tax exemptions. what I'd like to do is I'd like to put to a vote if we can no opt in on this, then, it takes some hardship away from those individuals. During this year, we're COVID is running rampant, and also it gives us some time to consider increasing the exemption amounts based on income. Because, you know, there's been a number of individuals in the town they've gotten Social Security and Disability raises, with COLA, has put them over the limit by $20 or $30, and then they're gonna have to pay an extra thousand dollars a year in taxes, that they can't afford it. So does anyone have any questions or discussion on that?
20:08 - 20:09
Donna Marien
I think it's a great idea to do it.
20:12 - 20:14
Janice
I’m in favor for the seniors.
20:16 - 20:40
Mark DeCarlo
All right, so, I would make a motion to, adopt the resolution by the town board. To opt in to Executive Order 11.1, which makes it possible for seniors, and persons with disabilities to have their 2022 property tax exemptions renewed without filing Renewal applications. Do I have a second?
20:41 - 20:41
Donna Marien
Second.
20:42 – 21:18
Mark DeCarlo
Seconded by Councilwomen Marien. All those in favor. Clerk’s note: all members of the board responded with aye. All those opposed? Carried. All right, that's excellent. And then, we have some time on the raising the limits. I guess I'd like to take a look at it and get some more data if possible. Because of this opt in that we just did; the increased limits won't affect anyone until 2023. So, we have the rest of the year to figure out what we want to raise those, too, what other data we want to look at before we make that decision. So, I'd like to table that. If there's no there's no issue with that.
21:31 - 21:32
Donna Marien
I'll second that.
21:34 – 22:06
Mark DeCarlo
All right. All those in favor of tabling that. Clerk’s note: all members of the board responded with aye. Opposed? Carried. Thank you. I'd like to make a resolution, to approve Highway Superintendent to go out and get bids and specs for a new truck for the highway that we have also approved for in our budget, Is there any discussion on that or questions?
22:09 - 22:15
Mike Muffoletto
The only thing I want to make sure is that it’s a plain Jane.
22:15 - 22:36
Ellsworth Nolan
Plain Jane? I want A/C. Mark, this has been talked about before about the buildings & grounds department for a pickup truck. We you guys be on board for possibly getting prices on 2 of them. Maybe we get a better deal.
22:37 - 22:45
Mark DeCarlo
I agree with that, that we budgeted for one, for each department. Yeah, if we could get, definitely get a better deal, that would be the way to go.
22:46 - 22:53
Ellsworth Nolan
Alright, so, could I work with the buildings guy there on getting prices?
22:53 – 23:00
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah, that would be perfect. If you guys can come together what you guys think you need for your department, then…
23:02 - 23:06
Bill Trask
A state bid state would be the place where they're looking, right?
23:07 - 23:08
Mark DeCarlo
Yes
23:11 - 23:14
Ellsworth Nolan
I'll use my truck so Allen doesn’t put anymore miles on his truck.
23:15 - 23:16
Linda
Good, good idea.
23:18 - 23:19
Jamie Nolan
Thank you.
23:21 - 23:25
Bill Trask
You want air conditioning Ellsworth; I suppose you want brakes also.
23:28 - 23:29
Linda
And proper tires.
23:37 - 23:38
Ellsworth Nolan
Thank you.
23:39 – 24:56
Mark DeCarlo
Thank you. Ok, so. The other thing is talking about buildings and grounds. We approved Allen Nolan in the org minutes last week, but the one thing that we have discussions with him, about, the board had discussions are, a couple of the board members spoke with, Allen, and, you know, he's making a rate of pay that's under, under the newer highway guys, that have less, time on the job, are making, we had agreed to talk about bringing him up. The two guys on the highway make $21.90 & $19.50 an hour. You know, Allan's currently making $20.81 an hour. So, what I would like to do is to bring him up at least, you know, he's been here over 10 years those guys are only been here a few and under a year. I think what we do, I think everyone on the board greatly appreciates what Allen does, I mean, he's intimately involved in all the facets of the town
24:59 - 25:03
Linda
Wasn't he included in the 2% rate increase?
25:05 - 25:42
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah, he was included with the rate increase. But, again, he's been here over 10 years. And, the gentleman that we just hired less than a year ago is making just like a dollar, almost a dollar less than he is. And the gentleman who's been here for, I think, around three years is making a good dollar, more, almost a dollar, actually more than a dollar more than he is. I mean…
25:43 - 25:49
Linda
They have different job titles though. Different responsibilities, or no?
25:50 – 26:10
Mark DeCarlo
They are definitely different responsibilities, but Allen is really running a whole department as far as all the maintenance for that town, he is doing all the water testing for all the wells. Running the pool. Yeah, what's that, Barb?
26:11 - 26:31
Barb Daniel
He just did the furnace, he had to do a whole complete, rebuild, a bunch of parts to it. He did the septic system in the back when there was a problem. He does things that are like how,
Mark DeCarlo
Many times, he saved us a lot of money, instead of bringing an HVAC, guys, it would cost us thousands of dollars to replace some parts and saved us, Saves us that money.
26:32 - 26:46
Janice
I have no problem, didn't discuss at a prior meeting that we're going to have a job description regarding groundskeeper?
26:46 - 26:52
Mark DeCarlo
Well, we have a job description for Civil Service, but I think we need to revisit that.
26:53 - 26:53
Clerks note: inaudible due to multiple people talking at once
26:57 - 26:58
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah, I'll get it, and I'll send it out to everyone
27:00 - 27:00
Donna Marien
Thank you.
27:02 - 27:04
Donna Marien
Is that one Mark that we can revise?
27:05 - 27:14
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah. We'd have to go to Civil service, but yeah, we could revise. The position could be changed. And the job title and the duties could be changed, as well.
27:15 - 27:26
Mike Muffoletto
Correct me if I'm wrong, Bill, if we do that, and some of these positions may have to go, we have to go fix for civil service am I incorrect or?
27:29 – 28:18
Bill Trask
Yeah, the job titles are prescribed by civil service rules, as are the job descriptions for those titles. And, depending upon how a particular title is categorized by the Civil Service rules, there may be restrictions on how you hire people, what qualifications they need, and so forth. So, you can look at it. You can delve into whether its different job title is appropriate for this, for the duties that Allen does. And he does know a lot of things, no doubt. But, before, you would adopt the creation of a new title, you'd want to make sure you know how that would affect his current status as an employee.
28:19 - 28:20
Mike Muffoletto
That's all. I wanted to make sure what does we've talked about this couple of years ago.
28:27 - 28:30
Janice
Mark, what were you looking at as far as raising him too?
28:32 – 29:04
Mark DeCarlo
Well, I guess I'm open to suggestions here, but my thought would be at least a dollar more than, our employee that's only been here for like, 2.5 years. What we really needed is we need some steps, in town based on years of seniority and things like that. So that it standardizes. And I think, in the future, we can do that. I think we did a good job of doing that in the Police Department, but we really need to address it and the rest of the town,
29:04 - 29:06
Janice
I agree
29:06 - 29:07
Mark DeCarlo
Then it's uniform.
29:07 - 29:07
Linda
Right.
29:07 - 29:10
Mark DeCarlo
Right now it's just kind of willy nilly, whatever the board wants
29:11 - 29:13
Janice
I agree, that's how it should be.
29:14 - 29:15
Donna Marien
Yeah.
29:17 - 29:21
Mark DeCarlo
Yes, I mean, listen, he's been here for over 10 years, and.
29:25 - 29:28
Janice
Daryl right, making $21.90, that’s what we raised him to.
29:31 - 29:34
Mark DeCarlo
Do you have a suggestion? What does the Board members
29:34 - 29:35
Linda
clerk’s note: inaudible
29:38 - 29:38
Donna Marien
Can we go to $22
29:45 - 29:52
Janice
I go at least $22.50 because Daryl is making $21.90 and he's only been with us a couple years.
29:52 - 29:56
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah, I agree
Mike Muffoletto
Well, this is why I didn’t want all these to be going flying up in price to being with.
30:02 - 30:07
Janice
Well, Mike, it comes a time that you really have to start rewarding people for their service.
30:09 - 30:11
Mike Muffoletto
I guess there's nothing to talk about then just ok it.
30:21 - 30:23
Linda
Do we have it in the budget to give them $23?
30:24 - 30:42
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah, I mean, we would be fine with that. Sales tax is starting to come back. I was going to bring that up later, but last year sales tax, we got $24,000 more than we budgeted for.
30:49 – 31:01
Janice
OK, so if we give him $23 times the 2000 hours a year, let’s see what that comes to.
31:02 - 31:03
Linda
46
31:05 - 31:12
Janice
Yes. 46.
31:12 - 31:13
Janice
Yeah.
31:15 - 31:22
Janice
Then we'd have to raise his cap because right now his cap is at $42,744
31:22 - 31:25
Mark DeCarlo
We could do that, right now, Daryl’s making $45,552.
31:29 – 32:05
Mark DeCarlo
And Peter’s making $40,560. Alan is making. $43,284. Nothing against the highway guys at all, but Allen's got a commitment to the town for over 10 years and, you know, our newest hire in highways only making, you know…. $2,500 a year less
32:09 - 32:12
[speaker unknown]
What if we gave him $23, Mark, what would that be a year?
32:13 - 32:21
Mark DeCarlo
23, about 46 thousand. $500 more a year than Daryl makes
32:21 - 32:25
Janice
Correct. But then, again, he'll be getting a truck.
32:27 - 32:28
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah, yeah.
32:28 - 32:30
Donna Marien
But don't forget, we're gonna save money there.
32:31 - 32:34
Barb Daniel
He uses his own tool too…..remember that.
32:36 - 32:47
Donna Marien
We're gonna save money by getting a truck, cause at least it’s a write off for us. Am I correct with that statement Mark?
32:50 – 33:09
Mark DeCarlo
Well, it's going to save us money, I think, because we're gonna save $3500 in mileage cost. In addition to that, you know, and we trade that truck in some day, we're gonna get a lot of that money back, or some of the money back.
33:10 - 33:14
Donna Marien
So all of our new vehicle that we're looking at, GPS and everything.
33:16 - 33:17
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah, I would say.
33:20 - 33:23
Ellsworth Nolan
Did you say GPS?
33:25 - 33:27
Donna Marien
Most of the new ones are coming with it
33:28 - 33:37
Mike Muffoletto
No you order the package. We're going to get a vehicle that is for work. It will have air and cruise but all the extras that you would get
33:42 - 33:45
Mark DeCarlo
Do they still have manual Windows.
33:45 - 33:46
Ellsworth Nolan
Yes.
33:47 - 33:50
Mark DeCarlo
Gotta get that.
Donna Marien
Forget it Ellsworth
34:00 - 34:00
Mark DeCarlo
What's that Mike?
34:01 - 34:13
Mike Muffoletto
I think you need power windows today? Especially if there's only one person in the truck and you're trying to see out the other side or whatever, right? I wouldn't recommend no power window.
34:13 - 34:17
Mark DeCarlo
I miss the crank. I used to like the crank windows.
34:18 - 34:19
Ellsworth Nolan
I agree with you Mike, power windows.
34:25 - 34:29
Mike Muffoletto
I’m just saying we are not going to go out and get leather and all the additional things.
34:32 - 34:33
Janice
They don't need that.
34:34 - 34:37
Linda
I trust Ellsworth would know what he's gotta get.
34:38 - 34:38
Jamie Nolan
Thank you Linda
34:45 - 34:48
Mark DeCarlo
All right, so do we want to talk about the pay rate?
34:51 - 34:53
Clerk’s note: inaudible due multipe people talking at once
34:55 - 34:56
Mark DeCarlo
Did you say 26?
34:58 - 34:59
Donna Marien
23
35:02 - 35:03
Mark DeCarlo
I heard Mike say 26.
35:16 - 35:17
Mike Muffoletto
I think Allen is going to be invaluable here.
35:22 - 35:37
Mark DeCarlo
I'll make a motion to raise Allen’s pay to $23 per hour. Do I have a second? Seconded by all of you. Can I get a roll call?
35:40 - 35:43
Barb Daniel
Supervisor DeCarlo?
Mark DeCarlo
Aye
35:45 - 35:51
Linda
Councilwoman Giancarlo, Marien & Muffoletto
35:54 – 36:23
Mark DeCarlo
Carried. Ok, then I think the last thing under new business, as we talked about allowing for a stipend for employees to opt out of the insurance. Can we have some kind of, I guess, some discussion on that and thoughts.
36:24 - 36:26
Linda
I'd like to look at the whole package more.
36:28 - 36:29
Mark DeCarlo
Ok.
36:31 - 36:38
Linda
I'd like to see what we are budgeted for, I'd like to contact Blue Cross Blue shield and get some rates.
36:40 - 36:41
Mark DeCarlo
Ok.
36:43 - 36:53
Linda
But, I think it's a good idea, but I'd like to, you don’t want to end up spending more money. You might have tried to…….. Now, our save money without anybody hurting.
36:53 – 37:01
Mark DeCarlo
Right now, for a single plan it costs $622. An employee for a single plan.
37:01 - 37:07
Linda
That's a lot, that's almost double what I pay at home for mine.
37:09 - 37:11
Ellsworth Nolan
I'm paying $1200 a month through the town.
37:13 - 37:19
Linda
Yeah, that's a lot. I'd like to look into that more.
37:22 - 37:29
Donna Marien
By doing that we needed to do something previously, but we should be doing something.
37:31 - 37:34
Mark DeCarlo
Yea. Go Ahead
37:37 - 37:38
Mike Muffoletto
What did you say?
37:39 - 38:07
Mark DeCarlo
Well, my thought was this is if we were to do a resolution offering buy out of $500 a month or I would say a buyout for the cost of the insurance with a maximum of $500 a month for now and then if we do get cheaper insurance that's reasonable that would, that would maybe lower that, that would allow us to at least put this in place for now.
38:10 - 38:35
Bill Trask
I don't think you want to be putting that kind of a policy in place, just, you know, shooting from the hip. Because once you put it in place, it's in your employee manual. Ok, and you're not… you’re not going to be able to go backwards….ok, so just be cautious about taking any steps before you actually do your homework like Linda's talking about.
38:37 - 38:37
Mark DeCarlo
All right.
38:41 - 38:45
Linda
I'll look into it and have it all laid out before the next board meeting.
38:47 - 38:49
Mark DeCarlo
Then the next board meeting, we could push this one through?
38:51 - 38:54
Linda
Well, yeah. Well, come up with a nice plan. I’ll talk to you before that.
38:58 - 39:11
Mark DeCarlo
Right now, we're using Evans as an administrator, and they can actually get us all the rates for Blue Cross as well, you know, for Blue Cross, independent health, and a couple others It gives us some options.
39:12 - 39:13
Linda
All right, I'll contact Evans.
39:15 - 39:15
Mark DeCarlo
Ok.
39:16 - 39:17
Linda
All right, thank you.
39:18 - 39:28
Mark DeCarlo
Thank you. Anybody have anything that they need to say? Or reports for the board?
39:31 - 39:41
Mark DeCarlo
Recognize the privilege of the Floor, does anyone have three minutes that they'd like to use to air any questions, concerns?
39:42 - 39:46
Ellsworth Nolan
I'm sorry, Mark, I didn't catch you. I got some things that I wanted to bring up.
39:46 - 39:47
Mark DeCarlo
Go ahead.
39:49 - 39:54
Ellsworth Nolan
I know I asked for these letters for the roads and the dog kennel, what’s gonna happen with that?
40:04 - 40:14
Mark DeCarlo
I'm gonna talk about it with the town attorney, and we'll figure out, OK, I have something for you, give me a week and I'll have something for you.
40:16 - 40:24
Ellsworth Nolan
The other thing, um, was there any talks about what we're going to do with the pond at the park by getting the dredge out or anything?
40:25 - 40:56
Mike Muffoletto
Yes, I was going to bring it up, but I don't have any answers yet. I’ve been working with local 13 trying to get them to come out and do it as a training exercise for their people. I think we're gonna get that done, but I'm still waiting for, because they have a ton of work. That they have committed to but I Kind of made it like, you really need to have that pond as a safety issue, so I think we're gonna get there, but I don't have an answer yet.
40:57 - 40:59
Donna Marien
Ok, thank you, Mike, for looking into that.
41:00 - 41:01
Mark DeCarlo
Thank you, Mike.
41:03 - 41:20
Bill Trask
I have a question, did the, town board and Highway Superintendent put together the agreement to spend highway funds that's required annually? That's usually done at the beginning of the year like this.
41:23 - 41:33
Mark DeCarlo
Let me look at my records I did sign an agreement, I want to say it was in December. So let me just verify that.
41:33 - 41:50
Bill Trask
It should have been done this fiscal year because you're spending money from the 2020 budget. And I, I almost think that that's an item that should be part of your re-organization meeting every year, or at least the very first regular meeting of the year in January.
41:53 - 41:54
Mark DeCarlo
Again, having that.
41:55 - 42:03
Bill Trask
The authorization to expend funds, know so that the highway superintendent can proceed with the work that he's doing on town roads, thanks.
42:04 - 42:04
Mark DeCarlo
Thank you
42:04 - 42:08
Ellsworth Nolan
I believe I did sign paperwork on that, Tracy gave me paperwork.
42:08 - 42:09
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah, I signed that as well
42:09 - 42:11
Bill Trask
Was that approved by the town board?
42:13 - 42:16
Ellsworth Nolan
I don't know if it was approved by the board or not Bill.
42:18 - 42:25
Bill Trask
Ok, That is something that should be approved by the board at an official meeting like this. It's not on the agenda, but.
42:27 - 42:46
Mark DeCarlo
All right, so I guess I'm I'll bring forward a motion to authorize a supervisor to sign, an agreement with the highway superintendent, to use Highway Funds for repair. Is that right, Bill?
42:49 – 43:36
Bill Trask
Well, there's, there's an actual form agreement that New York State provides to the towns. It talks about the lane mileage, it talks about the expenditure not to exceed whatever you've budgeted for it, for general repairs and improvements, OK? I'm looking at the one for the town of Eden that there. This is under Section 284, the highway law. I'm looking at the one that Eden is going to be doing tomorrow night with their Highway Superintendent. Ok, so it's called an agreement to spend Town Highway Funds pursuant to Section 284 of the highway law, OK, and Tracy probably has this form. It's familiar to previous years, so
43:36 - 43:41
Mark DeCarlo
I just spoke with Tracy and she has it in our office we just don’t have it on the agenda
43:42 - 44:11
Bill Trask
Ok, why don't, why don't you go ahead with a motion to authorize the Supervisor to sign the agreement to spend town Highway Funds for the Year 2022, pursuant to Section 284 of the highway law, and that way, once, the updated lane mileage and the budget amount is put in there. Both Ellsworth and you can go ahead and sign this, I think, actually all the board members need to sign it as well.
44:12 - 44:15
Mark DeCarlo
I'll make the motion, do I have a second?
44:16 - 44:17
Donna Marien
I’ll second it
44:18 - 44:25
Mark DeCarlo
Seconded by Councilwomen Marien. All those in favor? Clerk’s note: All board members responded with Aye. All those opposed? Carried
44:26 - 44:28
Barb Daniel
Would you like a Roll Call or no?
44:29 - 44:33
Bill Trask
Probably a roll call because you're authorizing the expenditure of funds.
44:35 - 44:36
Barb Daniel
Alright. Supervisor DeCarlo?
44:35 - 44:36
Mark DeCarlo
Aye
44:37 - 44:39
Mark DeCarlo
Councilwoman Marien?
Donna Marien
Aye
44:42 - 44:43
Barb Daniel
Councilwoman Gaincarlo?
44:44 - 44:44
Linda
Aye.
44:45 - 44:47
Barb Daniel
Councilman Muffoletto?
Mike Muffoletto
Aye
44:49 - 44:51
Barb Daniel
And Councilwoman Ross.
44:51 - 44:52
Janice
Aye
44:54 – 45:03
Bill Trask
Great. So that's the one that won't slip through the cracks now. A good idea to have that January first regular January Agenda each and every year. So it doesn't get forgotten. Ok?
45:04 – 46:06
Mark DeCarlo
We'll make sure we add that. Thank you. January, sales tax is in correspondence here, 18.36% greater than the corresponding 2021 year. 19.48% above last year at this time is our year to date. Again, we are over $24,000 of what we budgeted for, so there's some, one of the surplus for 2021. Also, we received official notification that the Town proposal for our basketball Pickle Ball court at the Town Hall will be approved. There were 26 proposals countywide and we 11 of them were accepted, and we were lucky enough to get ours accepted. We're gonna put a committee together to start working on that and get it, done this year.
46:08 - 46:08
Mike Muffoletto
Where are we putting it?
46:11 - 46:24
Mark DeCarlo
Well, what was proposed, is putting it facing the Town Hall to the left of the Town Hall in front of the playground there.
46:26 - 46:27
Mike Muffoletto
Ok, great, yeah.
46:27 - 46:38
Mark DeCarlo
We're gonna get like, outdoor lighting to, some really nice lighting we put in that so that you would be able to play either pickle ball or basketball or whatever late into the night.
46:40 - 46:43
[speaker unknown]
I think it's a good idea to have it at the town hall as well.
46:44 - 46:45
Mark DeCarlo
Thank you.
46:47 - 46:51
Mark DeCarlo
I'm going to challenge you to a game of pickle ball, even though I've never played before.
46:54 - 46:55
Mike Muffoletto
I haven’t either but I’m going to beat you
46:55 – 47:02
Mark DeCarlo
I bet you probably will. Approval of the abstracts.
47:11 - 47:11
Linda
I approve
47:15 – 49:00
Mark DeCarlo
Abstract 13 of 2021 prepaid an unpaid of 1-11-22 claims are $49,517.76.
General Fund Town wide Vouchers totaling $38,310.65.
General Fund Part Town vouchers totaling 3400 no, I'm sorry, $3543.82.
Highway town wide vouchers totaling $3971.81.
Highway Part town voucher Totaling $53.25.
Street lighting vouchers totaling $3638.23.
And abstract 1 of 2022 prepaid and unpaid as of 1-11-22 total claims, $20,969.65.
General fund town wide vouchers totaling $6,874.99.
General Fund part town totaling $8,234.13.
Highway town wide vouchers totaling $1,698.03.
Brant water dist. totaling $4162.50
and then Payrolls two Periods. All from periods: 11-21-21 through 12-18-21 total. The first one, general town wide totaling $53,327.41
General Part town, payroll, same period, $712.96.
Highway payroll town wide totaling $7,710.27.
I'll make a motion. Do I have a second?
49:05 - 49:05
Mike Muffoletto
Second.
49:05 - 49:20
Mark DeCarlo
Councilmen Muffoletto, can I get a roll call? Barb, I think you're muted.
49:34 - 49:35
Donna Marien
Did we lose her?
49:37 - 49:38
Mark DeCarlo
It says she is muted.
49:43 - 49:44
Mike Muffoletto
She got tired of listening.
49:45 - 49:47
Mark DeCarlo
She's given us the finger.
49:47 - 49:51
Janice
I know she has to look at her phone
49:53 - 49:54
Barb Daniel
Can you hear me now?
49:55 - 49:56
Janice
Yes.
49:56 - 49:56
Mark DeCarlo
Yes.
49:57 – 50:01
Barb Daniel
Ready? Supervisor DeCarlo?
50:02 - 50:02
Mark DeCarlo
Aye
50:04 - 50:04
Barb Daniel
Councilmen Muffoletto. Oh, wait, who was number 2 then?
50:12 - 50:13
Janice
Mike Muffoletto
50:14 - 50:43
Barb Daniel
Ok good. Councilwomen Giancarlo? She's muted. You are muted. Can you tell her? How do we let her know?
50:44 - 50:46
Mark DeCarlo
It says she's not connected to audio.
50:47 - 50:50
Barb Daniel
Yeah, It's showing an X.
50:51 - 50:51
Mark DeCarlo
That’s weird
50:51 - 50:53
Janice
That was what yours was showing Barb before
50:54 - 50:55
Mark DeCarlo
She can't hear us either.
50:58 - 50:59
Mike Muffoletto
She should be able to hear.
51:01 - 51:06
Barb Daniel
Here you go. What is she doing? I think she's. Can you unmute her, Mark?
51:07 - 51:09
Mark DeCarlo
I tried. I think she did it, it won’t let me.
51:11 - 51:23
Barb Daniel
Oh, shoot where did she go? She's gone. I could call her on the phone to get her vote.
51:24 - 51:25
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah, Maybe you should.
51:26 - 51:28
Barb Daniel
Hold on, whatever it takes, we gotta get this vote. Hold on.
51:31 - 51:35
Janice
While we're waiting Mark, have you thought of a day that I can come to your office, and we can talk.
51:38 - 51:42
Mark DeCarlo
Yeah, let me figure out the day though.
51:45 – 52:15
Barb Daniel
Ok, so you're, you're, yes, right? I know, it showed an X where your microphone would be. I asked Mark to unmute you, so he said he tried, but OK, well, we got your vote, so that's a good thing. All right. So, all right, And the next would be Councilwoman Marien?
52:16 - 52:16
Donna Marien
Aye.
52:17 - 52:19
Barb Daniel
Councilwoman, Ross.
52:29 – 53:17
Mark DeCarlo
Carried? Next meeting will be February 8th, 2022. And I'd like to make a motion to adjourn in the memory of Roseanne Sutter, Joseph Huffnagle Senior, Martha, Slagle, and Wayne Marion. Can I get a second from the whole board? Seconded by the whole board. All those in favor? Clerk’s note: All members of the board responded with Aye All those opposed? Carried. Alright, that's it, that's all she wrote. Thank you, everyone: OK. Have a good night.