Minutes

June 16, 2016
Body:

MAY 12, 2016

The regular meeting of the Town of Hartland, County of Niagara, State of New York, was held on the above date at the Town Hall, 8942 Ridge Road, Gasport convening at 7:30 p.m.

Members present:

Supervisor W. Ross Annable
Councilman F. David Snyder
Daniel Hill
Joseph Reed
Clifford Grant - absent

Attorney Brian Seaman
Highway Sup’t. Keith Hurtgam
Hghwy. Administrative Asst. Janet Slack
Assessor/ CEO Michael Hartman - absent
Attended by Sign in sheet attached
Supervisor Annable called the meeting to order with all present standing for the pledge to the flag.

Minutes

RESOLUTION 55-2016

MOTION by Councilman Reed, seconded by Councilman Hill to adopt the minutes of the April 14, 2016 meeting as presented.

Ayes:   Annable, Snyder, Reed, Hill   Nays:   0          CARRIED

Abstract of Bills

RESOLUTION 56-2016

MOTION by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Reed resolved that the following bills, as prepared by the Clerk and having been reviewed by the Town Board, be authorized for payment in the following amounts:

May 12, 2016

Voucher #’s 2016000292 - 2016000384
General 28445.11
OWD 10483.68
Highway 235697.20
Refuse 18955.24
Ayes:   Annable, Snyder, Reed, Hill               Nays:   0          CARRIED

HIGHWAY REPORT:                                Read and filed

Superintendent Hurtgam reported the entire contracted amount of salt has been received and stored in the salt shed.  The crew has been cleaning ditches, patching potholes and repairing shoulders and culverts. 

WATER REPORT:    Read and filed

ASSESSOR / CEO REPORTS:  None

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:        

Mr. Kirker, Robson Road approached the Board with questions about the article in the Spring newsletter from the CEO concerning unregistered vehicles and storage units.  He has a race car and an ATV, both of which are not registered, and uses a trailer to store them.  He had previously lived in another Town where this was an ongoing problem with violations.  Supervisor Annable explained that the Code is intended for situations where the unregistered vehicles are abandoned, as well as the storage units, such as abandoned tractor trailers.  It was suggested that the wording of the Local Law be amended to reflect specific situations.  Attorney Seaman stated that to revise the wording would in effect cause stricter guidelines and it is not advisable.

OLD BUSINESS:                            

Supervisor Annable reported on the Healthcare Consortium.  All of the municipalities have agreed to participate, except the City of Niagara Falls. 

Healthcare Consortium Agreement

RESOLUTION 57-2016

May 12, 2016

MOTION by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Reed to approve the following agreement:

WHEREAS, the Greater Niagara Orleans County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium Study consists of twenty-six municipal entities throughout Niagara and Orleans Counties; and

WHEREAS, the Consortium’s goal is to reduce overall health care costs to municipalities through purchasing health insurance jointly; and

WHEREAS, an initial comprehensive review was completed by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. showing that significant savings would accompany the joint purchasing of health insurance through the Consortium, thereby reducing the overall operating costs to municipalities; and

WHEREAS, the Consortium, if adopted, should provide relief to taxpayers through efficiency and leverage provided by the Consortium; and      

WHEREAS, by consensus vote of the Consortium Ad Hoc Committee comprised of participating municipalities, it was directed that the Town of Somerset as lead agency for the participating members apply for a $250,000.00 grant from the New York State Department of State to further study the Consortium; and

WHEREAS,  the twelve towns in Niagara County, who are all participating members, in this project, each contributed $417.00 to date towards the cost of the grant writer to pursue the state grant; and

WHEREAS, the Consortium was successful in that the state grant was awarded and the Town of Somerset was designated as the lead agency for administering the grant; and

WHEREAS, as a condition to the Department of State $250,000.00 grant, the recipient must provide matching funds equal to 10% of the overall grant total; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Somerset, as the lead agency, is responsible for providing the $25,000.00 in matching funds as required by the New York State Department of State; and

WHEREAS, by consensus vote of the Consortium Ad Hoc Committee comprised of participating municipalities, it was agreed that participating municipalities would equally reimburse the Town of Somerset for the matching funds required to be paid by the Town of Somerset for this grant; and

WHEREAS, at this time and during the grant process, there is no obligation of any municipality to join the Consortium upon its final implementation; and

May 12, 2016

WHEREAS, in order to completely evaluate the full costs and benefits of a Consortium, it is essential that the grant project continue until its conclusion; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Somerset will seek reimbursement on a quarterly basis from the State for services and expenses rendered under this Grant, in which the State will deduct the matching grant portion; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Somerset will then submit quarterly to each participating municipality a voucher for its portion of the matching grant share; and

WHEREAS, this municipality is one of the entities participating in this project and will continue to benefit from the Consortium study and potential implementation; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in the spirit of cooperation, this municipal body agrees that the cost of the matching amount borne by the Town of Somerset shall be allocated amongst the current twenty-six participating municipalities in equal shares, with each Niagara County town who contributed towards the cost of the initial grant writer receiving a $417.00 deduction from this equal share in order to ensure that each entity contributes an identical amount towards this worthy project;, and be it further

RESOLVED, this municipal body does hereby authorize payment to reimburse the Town of Somerset in the amount not to exceed a total of $737.00 over a two-year period in quarterly reimbursements not to exceed $184025 for our share of the grant matching funds for this worthy project; and be it further

RESOLVED, that if any additional municipal entity joins this Consortium study, then this municipal body recognizes that the aforementioned reimbursements will be adjusted downward accordingly.         

Ayes:  Annable, Snyder, Reed, Hill   Nays: none    CARRIED

Eagle Scout candidate, William Woodman has completed his work at LeValley Cemetery.  William gave a presentation of the work that was performed.  He reported that with the help of some 20 volunteers and over 100 hours the project successful in restoring an entire row of stones.  It was with research, advice and great care, each stone was repaired according to its condition.  Woodman thanked the Town and Superintendent Hurtgam for the support and funds that were given.  Supervisor Annable recognized the work that William has done and in turn thanked him for the restoration.  Annable stated the some work will be performed on the cemetery, by the Town, each year to ensure that the cemetery is properly maintained and preserved.                         

May 12, 2016

NEW BUSINESS:                                                                        

The Town has received a request to add adult aerobics classes to the annual summer swim program.  There would be no additional cost as it will run concurrent with the summer schedule, using the same instructor.  Attorneys are reviewing the contract regarding whether this is permissible to the program.  It was decided to approve this addition, pending our Attorney’s advice.

A newly formed soccer league, LOYAL, which replaces the previous AYSO program is requesting to use the fields at the Hartland Park.  The request is for Monday-Friday, from 5:00 pm until 8:00pm.  The program will fun July 5th through August 13th , 2016.  This schedule would not interfere with the baseball and softball leagues.  The Board approved the request providing the league provides a certificate of insurance.

Part time Dog Control Officer, Barb Turrell has handed in her resignation due to conflicting family schedules.  The Town of Hartland extends a thank you for the many years of service that Mrs. Turrell has provided.

Resignation of DCO Turrell

RESOLUTION 58-2016

MOTION by Councilman Hill, seconded by Councilman Reed to accept the resignation of Barbara Turrell as Part time Dog Control Officer.

Ayes:  Annable, Snyder, Reed, Hill     Nays: none   CARRIED

Keith Ames has accepted the position of Part Time, per diem Dog Control Officer, pending Board approval.

Appointment of Keith Ames to DCO

RESOLUTION 59-2016

MOTION by Councilman Hill, seconded by Councilman Snyder to appoint Keith Ames as Part time, per diem Dog Control Officer.

Ayes:  Annable, Snyder, Reed, Hill  Nays:  none   CARRIED

Supervisor Annable recognized the Hartland United Methodist Church as they celebrate 175 years of Christian worship, this year, 2016.  The Supervisor read aloud a proclamation from the Town of Hartland in honor of the anniversary. (attached)

May 12, 2016

Proclamation for Hartland Methodist Church

RESOLUTION 60-2016

MOTION made by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Reed, it was unanimously agreed to recognize 2016 as the 175th anniversary for Hartland Methodist Church, and to deliver such proclamation to the steadfast congregation .   CARRIED

New York State Retirement System requires that each new term for Elected and Appointed, (those who do not participate in a time keeping record), keep a record of activities for a period of 90 days.  Those hours are then used to calculate a Standard Work Day for reporting to the NYS Retirement System.

Standard Workday Resolution for 2016

RESOLUTION 61-2016

MOTION by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Reed to approve the following Standard Workday for the new terms of Officials

Title

Standard Work day

Name

Current Term

Begin/ End dates

Record of Activities Result

ELECTED

 

 

 

 

 Justice

6

Joanne Sullivan

01/2016-12/2019

4.33

Justice

6

Brian Gross

01/2016-12/2019

5.45

Tax Collector

6

Katherine Hirner

01/2016-12/2019

2.92

Town Clerk

6

Cynthia Boyler

01/2016-12/2019

Recertification

APPOINTED

 

 

 

 

Assessor

8

Michael Hartman

10/2013-9/2019

Submits hours

Ayes:  Annable, Snyder, Reed, Hill  Nays: none  ADOPTED

A copy of this Resolution will be posted on sign board and website for 30 days and will be reported to the Comptroller’s office after June 14, 2016.

Supervisor Annable has contacted the Department of Army, expressing an interest in obtaining military equipment for use as a memorial to honor our Veterans.  One of the requirements to obtain the equipment it to resolve to maintain the equipment and be responsible for any costs associated with it.

Military Surplus Equipment for Memorial

RESOLUTION 62-2016

MOTION by Supervisor Annable, seconded by Councilman Reed that the Town will be responsible for all costs and maintenance to the donated military equipment as per specified in the filing of the application with the Department of Army.

May 12, 2016

Ayes: Annable, Snyder, Reed, Hill   Nays:  none   CARRIED

A new contract needs to be drawn with the Roy Hart Baseball and Softball league.  Certificates of Liability and Insurance must be filed.

Little League Contract

RESOLUTION 63-2016

MOTION by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Hill to enter into contract with the Roy Hart Baseball and Softball League, renewable annually.

Ayes:  Annable, Snyder, Reed, Hill  Nays:  none   CARRIED

The Gasport Committee for the July 4th celebration needs to have permission from the Town of Hartland to host a fireworks display.  The Town requires that the Committee carry the insurance for the fireworks along with this additional agreement.

Fireworks Agreement

RESOLUTION 64-2016

MOTION by Councilman Reed, seconded by Councilman Hill to allow the fireworks display at the Town Park for the July 4th celebration, with the condition that the Committee provide the proper insurance riders.

Ayes:  Annable, Snyder, Reed, Hill   Nays:  none    CARRIED

Adjournment

RESOLUTION 65-2016

MOTION by Councilman Reed, seconded by Councilman Snyder that since there is no further business to come before the board, the meeting be adjourned at   8:10 p. m.

Ayes: Annable, Snyder, Reed, Hill    Nays:   none    CARRIED

 

Respectfully submitted:  Cynthia S. Boyler