TOWN OF STAFFORD TOWN BOARD MEETING
DECEMBER 11, 2023
Supervisor Clement opened the December 11, 2023, Town of Stafford Town Board meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30pm with the following present, Councilman Panek, Councilman Schramm, Councilman Duyssen, Highway Superintendent Boldt and Town Clerk Radley, Councilman Pacer was absent.
In attendance also were Bob Reynolds, Terry Toung, Tim Botting, Chuck Malcomb, Cathy Worthington, Pete Klees, Gerry Wood, Mike and Jayne Jeffords, Bill Genagon, Lauren Humphrey, Andrea Golino, Don Mullen, Matthew Smith, Jeremy Delyser, John and Nora Sands, Gloria Chapman, Andrew Darling.
Councilman Schramm made a motion to approve the Town Board minutes of November 13, 2023, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 4-0 vote, Councilman Pacer was absent.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the Fire Department Report, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 4-0 vote, Councilman Pacer was absent.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve the Assessor Report, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 4-0 vote, Councilman Pacer was absent.
Lauren Humphrey representing the County Chamber of Commerce spoke about the Visitor’s Guide and our contribution to it. Lauren will take over the responsibility of getting the ads paid for; the Town of Stafford will pay the $1,800.00 for the ad and will be reimbursed for the $800.00 after Lauren solicits the businesses for the ads.
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Councilman Panek made a motion to support the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Visitors Guide page for Stafford, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a 4-0 vote, Councilman Pacer was absent.
John Sands spoke of the possibility of a water district on the Caswell, Mill, Westbrook and Griswold Roads as well as Route 33; he presented the Town Board with petitions for water and Internet access.
Councilman Panek reported that the Internet access is being pushed back by the County and should be started in 2025 but will check again with the County and report back on this issue.
The water coming to these areas was discussed in length and the steps to make this happen were discussed as well. It was reported that the main line may come through Randall Rd. and that would be where the line would branch off to accommodate this water district should it happen. A town-wide district vs. an individual district was discussed and it is uncertain which will occur, but it would be a few years before anything happens. We should know more about this by the February meeting.
An update on Water District # 12 is that the line is not under the Railroad yet, they have not lined up the flagmen. After that is done, they will fill the lines, sanitize and test the water before they release the water to the residents. This won’t happen until at least March or April of 2024.
Jeremy Delyser from CPL presented the Board with the Engineering Services Amendment No. 1 CPL Project R19.15203.00 to be signed by Supervisor Clement for Additional Fees and an Amendment to the Owner-Engineer Agreement Amendment No. 1. Supervisor Clement signed them.
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Councilman Duyssen made a motion to accept Resolution 60 – Approving Additional Engineering Expense and the Amendment to the Owner-Engineer Agreement Amendment No. 1, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a Roll Vote as follows:
Councilman Panek Yes
Councilman Schramm Yes
Councilman Duyssen Yes
Councilman Pacer Absent
Supervisor Clement Yes
LaBella Engineering Firm was represented by Timothy Botting for a Solar Project by Catalyze, also Chuck Malcomb who is the attorney for representation for the project on Batavia-Stafford Townline Rd. This is the same application the BW Solar company submitted in 2021. They would like a PILOT agreement, waiver of all setbacks and escrow agreements. They are prepared to attend the Zoning Board of Appeals in these matters for approval. They have researched our Town Codes and are willing to follow them.
The property value guarantee is in question, no precedent has been set. The Riga Landfill was an example of property valuation, no change in property value due to the Landfill. A Host Agreement was mentioned and will be investigated for the protection of the Town.
The Town Board will continue to investigate this matter with our lawyer, and Steve Mountain, an engineer.
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Councilman Schramm made a motion to approve Resolution 55 Approval of Training for Newly Elected Official, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Panek Yes
Councilman Schramm Yes
Councilman Duyssen Yes
Councilman Pacer Absent
Supervisor Clement Yes
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Resolution 56 Budget Amendments for 2024, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Panek Yes
Councilman Schramm Yes
Councilman Duyssen Yes
Councilman Pacer Absent
Supervisor Clement Yes
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Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Resolution 57 Adoption of Tax Levy for 2024, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Panek Yes
Councilman Schramm Yes
Councilman Duyssen Yes
Councilman Pacer Absent
Supervisor Clement Yes
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Resolution 58 Approval of All Reports from Water District #12 for December 2023, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Panek Yes
Councilman Schramm Yes
Councilman Duyssen Yes
Councilman Pacer Absent
Supervisor Clement Yes
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Councilman Panek made a motion to approve Resolution 59 Resolution Urging Governor Hochul to Veto A.04282B/S.3505B, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Panek Yes
Councilman Schramm Yes
Councilman Duyssen Yes
Councilman Pacer Absent
Supervisor Clement Yes
Cathy Worthington spoke of her agenda items. Councilman Panek reported that we are in compliance for the completion time and are on track for the final completion of 10/2024. The loan has an interest rate of 1.375%; the Grant is $1,639,000 for Rural Development, $1,065,000 for the WIIA Grant and a contribution of $416,200 from the County.
The Water District #12 Debt Service will be charged $504.97 starting with the 2024 tax year.
The engineering firm had a payment on November 15 for $292,150, the contract is for $325,000, Sergi Construction is $2,302,190.64, still within budget, Municipal Solutions as of November 15 is $34,376 with a contract of $56,900, the Town of Stafford has already paid $124,092.
Cathy then asked about the progress with the property across the street and what is being done. There has been no response from the homeowner, and this is still in process of being resolved; it does take a long time to resolve.
When did the Solar Company contact the Town? It was a couple of weeks ago.
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Gerry Wood spoke of complaints he is registering with the Code/Zoning Office regarding his neighbor. Gerry presented pictures of the neighbor’s property and asked that something be done to clean up this property of debris and junk cars. This has been going on for some time now and Don Mullen has been updated on this status. He will investigate this as he is able with the ongoing training and report any findings.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to pay Abstract #12 General Fund in the amount of $22,649.80, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 4-0 vote, Councilman Pacer was absent.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to pay Abstract #12 Highway Fund in the amount of $18,026.10, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 4-0 vote, Councilman Pacer was absent.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to pay Abstract #12 Capital Fund in the amount of $174,961.93, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 4-0 vote, Councilman Pacer was absent.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to pay Abstract #12 Water Fund in the amount of $23,334.23, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a 4-0 vote, Councilman Pacer was absent.
Councilman Panek made a motion to enter Executive Session for discussion on Professional Services at 9:50pm, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a 4-0 vote, Councilman Pacer was absent.
Upon returning from Executive Session Supervisor Clement made a motion to adjourn at 10:40pm, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 4-0 vote, Councilman Pacer was absent.
Respectfully Submitted
Barbara Radley
Town Clerk/Tax Collector