TOWN OF STAFFORD TOWN BOARD MEETING
FEBRUARY 12, 2024
Supervisor Clement opened the Regular monthly meeting at 7:30 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence in memory of Linda Call who put much effort into the Town of Stafford. In attendance were Councilman Panek, Councilman Young, Councilman Duyssen, Councilman Pacer, Highway Superintendent Boldt and Town Clerk Radley.
Also, in attendance were Florence Pascucci, Ray and Anne Reinagel, Chris Calice, James Liles, Frank and Betty Loncz, Daniel Ratka, Cathy Worthington, Steve and Penny Bartz, Robert Wolfe, Gerry Wood, James Neider, Nora and John Sands, Jim Balonek, Andrew Young, Benjamin Lombardi, Rodney Bobo, Annette Boldt, David and Dora Henry, Keith Buckingham, Denis Rohan Bob Jarnet, Christina Phelps, Don Mullen, Gloria Chapman, Shin Iburi, Donna Voorhees, Andrew Darling, Ed Schramm.
The future water district possibilities were discussed. Eric Wies and Jeremy DeLyser from Clark Patterson Lee were present to explain the process and ask questions. Nothing has been formed yet and only preliminary information is available. The Bethany Water District 5 was discussed and the possibility of water being available for the residents of Stafford on Clapsaddle Rd. and Fargo Rd. was discussed as well. It is unclear whether these areas will have water now or must form a new district, which will be determined later.
The survey from last spring was presented, ninety-five responses were given, 83 yes, 5 no and 6 unsure; this is a good indication of interest. At this time Town Clerk Radley gave the petitions collected from Annette Boldt from the Town canvassing she preformed on her own time. Those who did not sign the petition sent in emails or handwritten notes in favor of a town-wide water district as well.
The steps involved in this process were discussed, first petitions need to be accepted, and a 51% in favor of the project from the affected residents are required, then a resolution from the Town Board subject to Public Referendum which will lead to a public vote from 5% of the people who voted in the latest governors’ election. A Community engagement must occur, a survey and informational meetings will follow with a yes or no vote from the Board. The Town Board then acts on behalf of the residents for Grant Applications. Environmental concerns are the SEQR, State and Federal reviews with the DEC, Department of Health, USDA, and Ag & Markets; a full environmental review must happen.
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The Bids from contractors are accepted and decided on which adhere to terms and conditions for restoration; these will be completed at the final stage and will be completed in the condition before construction or better than before.
The rates and fees are first a debt service to the tax bill for each resident in the district, the Town will take out loans and grants to offset this expense and a water bill for water usage will be sent to each homeowner to be paid separately to the Monroe County Water Authority. The Debt Service is mandatory to each homeowner, the water bill is not, that is only if the homeowner opts to receive water, this part is not mandatory.
Mr. Wies gave the Board members a map and explained the colors of interest. The colors represented the density of homeowners in that area. These colors also represented what option is available. This map and accompanying information are preliminary and not available to the public currently.
Funding is available through the State in the form of a WIIA grant and the Federal level is the USRDA being the two key agencies.
The first step will be the Town approving a Resolution authorizing a Plan Map and Report for the district and to work with the Town Attorney. Then an income survey is needed to see what funding is available.
The Town Board’s view on this is that this needs to be investigated to see the wants of the people involved also, do whatever needs to be done to complete this project. The Town Board will have a Resolution at the next meeting to get this started.
Water District 12 is going well except for the RR Crossing. CSX has been contacted quite frequently to get the water line installed under the railroad. We have not gotten much response from them except that they have not gotten a flagger yet. Assemblyman Steve Hawley will be contacted to see if he can be of assistance.
Council member Panek made a motion to approve the Organizational Meeting of January 8, 2024, second by Council member Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Council member Panek made a motion to approve the Regular Town Meeting of January 8, 2024, second by Council member Young and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Council Member Pacer made a motion to approve the Fire Department Report, second by Council member Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
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Council member Duyssen made a motion to approve the CEO/ZEO Report, second by Council member Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Council member Panek made a motion to approve the Assessor Report, second by Council member Young and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Zoning Officer Mullen gave an update on his training, he has completed two-thirds of his training by March 22. His completion date for all training is targeted in May or June. Council member Young made a motion to accept this report, second by Council member Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Cathy Worthington questioned her tax bill and being charged a debt service for Water District 12 because she does not have public water yet. The board reported that the bills are coming in and being paid by the whole town to benefit this district. The engineering company being chosen was questioned regarding a bidding process. The engineering company does not need to go to bid because it is a professional service.
Council member Panek made a motion to accept Resolution 13-Approval of Water District Information, second by Council member Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Council Member Pacer made a motion to accept Resolution 14-Reappoint Carol Queal to the Board of Assessment Review, second by Council member Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Lumsden/McCormick and Laura Landers presented letters of interest in performing auditing for the Town of Stafford. Council member Panek made a motion to accept both proposals, second by Council member Young and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Council Member Pacer made a motion to approve Resolution 15-Budget Transfers, second by Council member Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Cathy Worthington asked what the Executive Session Litigation involved. It was explained that Executive Session is privileged and cannot be talked about in a public forum.
Annette Boldt has been instrumental in gathering signatures for the proposed town wide water district. This was quite a task that she took on her own and done an exceptionally excellent job in obtaining many signatures and informing residents on the project. She asked permission to contact CSX railroad and ask them to get a flagger soon to keep water district twelve moving.
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Town Clerk Radley asked permission to place an ad in the Genesee Valley Penny saver for a Dog Enumerator. Permission was granted and the ad will be placed soon. It was also reported that the tax season is going very well. Jane Scott and Barb Radley make a wonderful team and $2,421,631.76 has been collected as of February 12, 2024. The total Tax Warrant is $2,791,264.59 leaving only $369,632.83 to be collected.
Council member Panek reported on the tax comparison within the county. Stafford is the fourth lowest town entity in Genesee County. The County has passed a tax levy resolution for all towns only one town, the Town of Darien is less; we are at $300,000.00 and Darien is $227,495.00. Batavia is the highest at $1,225,300.00.
Council member Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract 14 General Fund in the amount of $7,637.10, second by Council member Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Council member Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract 14 Capital Projects in the amount of $32,870.00, second by Council member Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Council member Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract 2 General Fund in the amount of $43,118.63, second by Council member Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Council member Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract 2 Highway Fund in the amount of $29,129.34, second by Council member Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Council member Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract 2 Water Fund in the amount of $89,353.02, second by Council member Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Council member Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract 2 Capital Projects in the amount of $163,152.60, second by Council member Young and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Council member Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract 2 Fire Protection District One in the amount of $406,000.00, second by Council member Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Council member Panek made a motion to adjourn at 10:02pm, second by Council member Young and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Respectfully Submitted
Barbara Radley
Town Clerk/Tax Collector