This Regular Meeting of the Brant Town Board was held on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at the Brant Town Hall, located at 1272 Brant North Collins Rd, Brant, New York at 7:00 PM.

Present were:

Mark DeCarlo                                    Supervisor

Donald Clark                                       Councilman

Donna Marien                                   Councilwoman

William Trask, Sr.                              Town Attorney

Barbara J. Daniel                               Recording Secretary

ABSENT:

Michael Muffoletto                        Councilman

 

ALSO PRESENT / SIGNED IN WERE:

Patty Friend                                         Town Historian

Janice Ross                                          Highway Secretary

Joyce Ellis                                            Resident

Joseph Ostrowski                                Resident & Planning Board Chairman

Debra Ritz                                           Resident

Tish Brady                                           Resident

Karl Simmeth                                     NYS Assembly DiPietro’s representative

The meeting opened at 7:00 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance.

RECOGNITION OF DIGNITARIES, OFFICIALS AND VISITORS: The Supervisor recognized Karl Simmeth, representative for the NYS Assemblyman David DiPietro.

MINUTE APPROVAL OCTOBER 9, 2018 REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING: Councilman Clark motioned to accept the minutes of the October 9, 2018 Regular Town Board meeting. Councilwoman Marien seconded the motion.  3 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

SUPERVISOR’S SEPTEMBER 2018 FINANCIAL REPORT: Councilman Clark moved and was seconded by Councilwoman Marien to accept the Supervisor’s September 2018 Financial Report as presented.  3 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

BUDGET MODIFICATION : No budget modifications were presented.

TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR’S SEPTEMBER 2018 FINANCIAL REPORT: Councilman Clark motioned to accept the Town Clerk’s September 2018 Regular Financial Report, seconded by Supervisor DeCarlo.  3 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

COURT CLERK’S SEPTEMBER 2018 FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR JUSTICES GIER AND KACZMAREK REGULAR AND BAIL ACCOUNTS: Councilman Clark motioned to approve both Bail and Regular Financial accounts for Justice Gier and Justice Kaczmarek for September 2018, and was seconded by Councilwoman Marien.  3 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S OCTOBER 2018 REPORT: Code Enforcement Officer’s October report was read by Code Officer Gary Brecker.  Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the report as read, seconded by Councilwoman Marien. 3 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

DOG CONTROL OFFICER’S OCTOBER 2018 REPORT: The Dog Control Officer read the October report. Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the October report, seconded by Councilwoman Marien. 3 ayes, 0 nays. MOTIONED CARRIED.

POLICE REPORT SEPTEMBER 2018: The September 2018 Police Report was read by Councilman Clark.  Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the report as read, seconded by Councilwoman Marien.  3 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL FOR HIGHWAY TO SPEND $3,000 ON BRAKE JOB: A request was made by Highway Superintendent Joseph Giambrone to spend up to $3,000 to perform a brake job on the single axle International.  The parts would be shipped in because they are not available locally.  Councilman Clark motioned to approve the purchase up to $3,000 for the brake job, and was seconded by Councilwoman Marien.  3 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT’S SEPTEMBER REPORT: The Highway Report for September 2018 was presented by Councilman Clark. It was also noted that the backhoe is in need of six to seven thousand dollars in repairs. The inventory report was also submitted. Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the report as read, seconded by Councilwoman Marien.  3 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT TO THE BOARD: Town Clerk Barbara Daniel presented her activity report for October 2018.  

Councilman Clark asked what is the status of the Court records scanning job.  He also asked why the project hasn’t been started.  The Town Clerk explained she has been ordered to hold back on advertising or hiring because the person to be hired to handle the records must have court experience.  Attorney Trask reiterated the same and explained the specialized requirements of this grant.  Attorney Trask advised the Town Board to approve the hiring of Judge Barone’s Court Clerk Rachel Miller of Hamburg for the Scanning Project.  The Town Clerk also advised the Town Board that we have submitted a request to allow the Town to hire four clerks to perform the project because to allow two clerks to fulfill 1,246 hours of work within seven months would require overtime, and per the Grant Writer, the State will not pay overtime.  Anyone hired for this project, will be required to pass a background check.   Councilman Clark then motioned to approve the hiring of Rachel Miller at an hourly rate of $15.00 per the NYS Records Management grant.  Councilwoman Marien seconded the motion.  3 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

No vote was taken to approve the Town Clerk’s report as presented by the Town Clerk.

PLANNING BOARD REPORT: The Planning Board reports for the meetings held on November 5^th and December 3^rd were presented by Chairman  Joseph Ostrowski.       Councilman Clark motioned to approve the reports as read, seconded by Councilwoman Marien. 3 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS REPORT:  No meeting held.

RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT: No report presented.

PARKS COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT: No report.

TOWN HISTORIAN’S REPORT: The Town Historian’s October Report was read by Town Historian Patty Friend.  She noted that the Town Accountant R.A. Gryksa reviewed her books.  Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to accept the report  as read, seconded by Councilwoman Marien. 3 ayes, 0 nays. MOTIONED CARRIED.

FIRE COMPANY REPORTS: Councilman Clark noted the Brant Fire Company’s Spaghetti dinner was a big success.

SENIORS REPORT: The Senior’s meeting will be on the 14^th of November therefore, the minutes will be presented at the December Town Board meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

SPEED LIMIT SURVEY RESULTS: Supervisor DeCarlo summarized the response he received regarding the speed limit changes being considered on a few of the Town Roads.  The results were 28 in favor of the change, 10 were against the change, and 5 had no preference..  He will scan the results to the board members for them review.  The speed limit survey will be discussed at the December meeting. 

LED STREET LIGHTS: Supervisor DeCarlo noted the Town will be making a decision to either purchase the existing poles for the or continue to rent them from the NYSEG.

GRANT FOR TOWN HALL GENERATOR: Supervisor DeCarlo noted that he will work with the grant writer to secure a grant to cover the cost of a generator for the Town Hall.  He noted that Assemblyman DiPietro’s office will assist in obtaining the grant. 

POLICE VEHICLE: Supervisor DeCarlo also sent a letter of intent for the purchase of a new police vehicle.  He is looking into a grant that will assist in the cost of the vehicle.  He noted that there is money in the budget to finance the vehicle regardless.

NEW BUSINESS

LETTER FROM D.E.C. REQUESTING ACCESS TO THE BRANT LANDFILL: Attorney Trask noted that New York State is conducting inspections of old landfills across the state.  He advised the Town Board to approve their access.  Councilman Clark motioned to approve allowing the DEC access to the Towns old landfill, seconded by Councilwoman Marien.  3 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

QUOTE RECEIVED FOR HIGH SPEED INTERNET INSTALLATION AT THE RECREATION BLDG: Supervisor DeCarlo noted a quote which was received for the installation of high speed internet at the recreation building.  The quote was $99.00 for the installation and $59.00 per month.  Councilman Clark asked if it was necessary, and would like to know the reason.    Supervisor DeCarlo responded that Lake Shore Youth Football stated they will pay for half of the cost.  Councilwoman Marien asked if their offer would be only during the times they would be using the building.    Attorney Trask advised the Town Board to review their new franchise agreement with Spectrum, which may contain a provision for free services.

VOTE TO EXTEND THE REFUSE CONTRACT WITH BESTWAY DISPOSAL ON ADDITIONAL YEAR:  Supervisor DeCarlo advised the Town Board that the contract with Bestway has one more extension option for the 2019 year.  The extension would increase the cost of refuse by 2.5%.   It was noted that the Supervisor would contact the Village of Farnham to confirm they are in agreement on the extension with the 2.5% increase.  Supervisor DeCarlo then motioned to approve the second one-year extension with Bestway Disposal with a 2.5% increase.  Councilman Clark seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was taken:  Supervisor DeCarlo-aye, Councilman Clark-aye, Councilwoman Marien-aye.  3 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

PUBLIC HEARING for the 2019 BUDGET:

At 7:30 PM, Supervisor Mark DeCarlo motioned to open the public hearing regarding the 2019 budget.  Councilman Clark seconded the motion. 3 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

BUDGET DISCUSSION:

Supervisor DeCarlo explained the recommendations he received from the Town Accountant.  He has suggested the Board add $13,334 to Budget Line A9901.9 “”Transfer to other funds” to prepare for possible upcoming “in-kind” expenses of the Senior Community Building Grant.  He then explained that to add that to the budget, would also allow the Town to build up the reserve fund for any unexpected expenses the Town may incur in 2019.  This would bring the budget increase to 2.687%.  He reminded the Board that in 2011, the reserve fund had a little over a half million dollars, and today it now has approximately $130,000 because it was being used to keep taxes down.

Councilman Clark expressed disapproval for the increase this late in the budget process.  Councilwoman Marien stated she would prefer to place a slight increase this year, rather than a big increase next year.  Supervisor DeCarlo stated the $13,000 would increase the taxes on a $100,000 home by $70 to $80.  The A fund portion alone, within that amount per hundred thousand would be approximately $38.00.

The wage increases were also discussed.  It was noted that the raise given to the Court clerks, was meant to span a three year period.  The Town Clerk stated that if the raises are removed for the Court Clerk’s she was ok with removing Town Clerks also.  Debra Ritz stated she is against raising wages if it will increase taxes.  The question was asked about the Court clerks being able to devote the time for the grant.  Attorney Trask responded the previous backlog the Court Clerks had is being caught up and therefore they will have time to devote to the grant.  Debra Ritz asked about the revenue generated by Court.  It was noted the revenue was approximately $385,000. 

Debra Ritz stated she is against any Town Official getting a raise. Brian Rott asked what happened to the days when public officials came in to do a public service to the residents, and work for free.  He then stated they should work two years and move onto other jobs, stating these positions should not be a career.  He expressed that this includes the position of Town Clerk.  The Town Clerk responded that she does not know anyone who can afford to work 40 hours a week for free, stating there is a heavy workload in the Town Clerk’s office,  and she does not come into work once a month.

Debra Ritz spoke of her concern that the Town is relying on parking tickets to balance the Town’s budget, and she does not want the money used to provide raises for everyone.  She prefers more services instead.

Supervisor DeCarlo explained there is inflation and increases to the cost of living.  He explained that he is not asking for 10 or 11%.  He went on to explain that what has been done in the last 15 years is increase spending at a level that is unsustainable.  He stated that instead of taxing people for the services, the extra spending was paid for by tapping into the fund that was supposed to be the Town’s cushion.  Attorney Trask added that allowing the fund balance to dwindle to dangerous levels with the Tax Caps now being imposed on Towns is not wise.  He added that it is not sustainable to not have tax increases year after year, adding there is no Town that will survive with that strategy.

Supervisor DeCarlo noted that the reserve funds were at 80 to 90 thousand, but the fund is being built back up again.  Attorney Trask responded that is a dangerous level.  Councilman Clark then stated that he has seen departments grow where there was once no department, mentioning Buildings and Grounds.  He stated that it has grown from the $20,000 it once cost to cut the lawns to a department that now costs over $90,000. 

It was then decided that no vote would be taken and the Board must meet to discuss the budget further.  Supervisor DeCarlo attempted to contact Councilman Muffoletto but received no reply regarding the decision on announcing the next date that a special meeting could be held.  At this time, a quorum would be required and the Board members would need to be available to attend.

At 7:53 pm, Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to close the public hearing, seconded by Councilman Clark.  3 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

TOWN BOARD REPORTS:

Councilman Muffoletto:  Absent

Councilwoman Marien: No report

Councilman Clark: No report

Supervisor DeCarlo:  No report

RECOGNIZED PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:

Debra Ritz from Mileblock Rd: Wished Supervisor DeCarlo a happy birthday

Tish Brady from Lotus Bay Estate Drive:  Wants to commend police department for visiting their home to check on things while they were away.

Patty Friend of Brant Farnham Road: How do you get the speed limit survey.

Debra Ritz of Mileblock Road: Advised the Town Board that they should have included a speed limit survey to her, as well as her father.  She stated she did not receive one and she is for the speed limit reduction and suggests 45.  Supervisor DeCarlo stated he will email her one.

Joyce Ellis of Brant Farnham Road: Suggested the Town reduces the speed limit on Hardpan to 45 mph.  Supervisor will also send her a survey by email.

Correspondence:

Supervisor DeCarlo received a nice letter from a visitor to the Town whose dog became locked in their car.  With assistance from the Brant Police, the car door was unlocked.    

Sales tax is up 6.27% from the corresponding payment in 2017, and the Year to date is up 5%

Jason Peters sent a letter requesting to be reappointed to the Planning Board.

Supervisor DeCarlo then read Abstract 11:

Abstract 11 of 2018

*Prepaid and unpaid as of 11/13/18 Total Claims $­­­­­­­­42,432.29

Gen Fund Town wide Vouchers Totaling: $23,466.15

Gen Fund – Part Town Voucher Totaling: $9,768.24

Highway T.W. Vouchers Totaling: $6,157.70

Highway P.T. Vouchers, Totaling:  $581.05

Fire Protection:  Vouchers:  Totaling: $0

Street Lighting:  Voucher Totaling:  $2,459.25

H Capital Projects:  Vouchers Totaling:  $0

Lotus Bay Sewer Dist. 1:  Vouchers:  $0

Brant Farnham Sewer Dist 2:  Vouchers Totaling:  $

Brant Water Dist 1:  Voucher:  Totaling $

PAYROLL (2 pay periods):

General Town Wide Payroll 10/1/18 – TO 10/27/18 Totaling $46,255.72

General Part Town Payroll   10/1/18 – TO 10/27/18 Totaling:  $678.60

Highway Payroll TW   10/1/18 – TO 10/27/18 Totaling:  $6,395.22

Highway Payroll PT    10/1/18 – TO 10/27/18 Totaling:  $0

Councilwoman Marien motioned to approve Abstract 11 of 2018, seconded by Councilman Clark. A roll-call vote was taken: Councilwoman Marien-aye, Councilman Clark-aye, Councilman Supervisor DeCarlo-aye.  3 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

It was also request to approve for prepayment a voucher submitted by the Assessor’s office for mileage and reimbursement of an assessor meeting.  Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the voucher, and was seconded by Councilman Clark.  3 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

Next regular Town Board meeting will be December 11, 2018 at 7:00 PM.

At 8:08 pm, All three Council persons motioned to adjourn the meeting in memory of the recently deceased Donald Janik and Susan Alessi.  All three council persons seconded the motion.   3 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

Respectfully submitted by,

Barbara Daniel

Brant Town Clerk