The Town of Stafford Town Board Meeting was called to order at 7:30pm by Supervisor Clement leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Also in attendance were Councilman Mullen, Panek, Duyssen and Pacer, Highway Superintendent Steve Boldt and Town Clerk Radley.
Also in attendance were, Sandy Swanson, Gerry Wood, Dale and Cathy Worthington, Phyllis Darling, Colleen O’Connor, Andrew Darling, Terry Young and Ed Schramm.
Councilman Mullen made a motion to approve the Financial Report, second by Councilman Pacer an approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve the Fire Department Report, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve the CEO/ZEO Report, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the June 13, 2022 Town Board Meeting Minutes, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Sandy Swanson of the Solar Study Committee spoke to the Town Board of the possible misunderstanding of the Study Committee and Solar Law. Much time was spent by this committee to ensure that the Town of Stafford was well protected from all potential Solar Companies coming into the Town of Stafford. Mrs. Swanson is asking for two community meetings to give an overview of the Study and Law for better understanding of the Law. It was suggested that the engineers, our lawyer and members of the Planning and Zoning Board attend as well as any interested community members.
After a brief discussion it was decided that a Special Town Board Meeting will be held during the week of July 25, and August 1, 2022, the exact date to be determined soon. This will be advertised in the Daily News, Genesee Valley Penny saver and our Website when dates are finalized.
Councilman Panek made a motion that a Special Town Board meeting well be held to review the Solar Study, open to the public at 7:30pm on a date to be determined in the week of July 25, and August 1, 2022; Councilman Mullen second the motion and was passed on a Roll Call Vote as follows:
Councilman Mullen aye
Councilman Panek aye
Councilman Duyssen aye
Councilman Pacer aye
Supervisor Clement aye
Councilman Mullen made a motion to adopt Local Law No. 2 of 2022, Rezoning Tax Map Number 8.-1-78.2 from Agriculture/Residential to Commercial; second by Councilman Panek and approved on a Roll Call Vote as follows:
Councilman Mullen aye
Councilman Panek aye
Councilman Duyssen aye
Councilman Pacer aye
Supervisor Clement aye
Peddler Permit fees schedule was discussed, and it was decided to table this until more information about fees were known. Town Clerk Radley will contact our attorney to get more information and respond next month.
A possible Water Benefit District on Coward Rd. in conjunction with Byron was discussed. It was stated that only three homes are affected, and the project is underway now in Byron. It would be beneficial to get water to those homes now if they are interested in it. A letter will be sent to the residents to see if there is interest in this project.
The Dog Enumeration for the year 2020 was discussed. Town Clerk Radley stated that in cleaning out the vault she came upon the postcards from 2020. Many were not opened and found checks and Rabies/Castration certificates in them. The returned postcards resulted in 128 residents claimed to own dogs totaling 165 dogs; 349 were reported and claimed in the computer system for 2020. 98 residents claimed not to own a dog. With 2500 plus residents, only 226 had replied to the census.
This was a difficult time to have the dog enumeration due to COVID and that may have been the best solution at that time; now that the threat of COVID is less maybe we should investigate a possibility of a personal enumerator to conduct this next year. The Town Clerk will seek a dog enumerator for next year when a stipend is decided upon by the Town Board.
Councilman Mullen made a motion to accept Resolution 29-Amendment 1 to Resolution 1 of 2022 Adoption of Salaries for 2022, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Panek made a motion to accept Resolution 30-Purchase a Chevy 2500 HD truck for Highway Department, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
The Accounting Firm of Lumsden/McCormick LLP was discussed for consideration of auditing the Town. Councilman Mullen made a motion to accept the professional auditing firm Lumsden/McCormick LLP dated June 30, 2022, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a Roll Call Vote as Follows:
Councilman Mullen aye
Councilman Panek aye
Councilman Duyssen aye
Councilman Pacer aye
Supervisor Clement aye
Supervisor Clement read Anne Sapienza’s letter of intent to retire October 1, 2022, as the Assessor for the Town of Stafford.
In the letter, Anne stated that she is willing to work as the new Assessor’s Clerk for a short time if a salary can be agreed upon. Also was her report for her end of the year.
Councilman Panek presented a proposal for the Assessor Inspections; it will be reviewed by our attorney and brought back next month for further review.
Cathy Worthington discussed the cable grant that was presented last month for clarification. The cable grant will not be managed by the Town of Stafford but will be with the county. It will be in two phases and completed in three years; by the all buildings will have cable.
Also discussed were the WD #12 water units. Why are residents being charged for the .5 units on vacant land, and why before the water is brought in? This needs to be investigated further with the engineers and our Assessor and brought back next month.
Code and Zoning Enforcement officer Gerry Wood reported on the Lathan property and possible illegal use of the wedding barn on the premises. We will need to ask our attorney to investigate this and report next month.
Cathy Worthington also asked about the PUD and the status of this project. Nothing is happening with this project currently. The neighbors are concerned about the natural barrier that has died out. It was determined that the owner of the PUD must replace the natural barrier as it dies out.
Councilman Mullen discussed the quotes from engineers for overseeing the Solar project. One was from Steve Mountain Engineering and other is from Clark Patterson Lee.
After a short discussion Councilman Mullen made a motion to acquire the services of Clark Patterson Lee to be our engineer of choice through the BW Solar Project, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a Roll Call Vote as follows:
Councilman Mullen aye
Councilman Panek aye
Councilman Duyssen aye
Councilman Pacer aye
Supervisor Clement aye
Councilman Mullen stated that the August 8, 2022 meeting will be his last meeting as Councilman as he intend to resign effective September 1, 2022.
Councilman Panek reported that a resident sent a letter of concern to him. More research into the matter as well as permission to address this publicly from the resident is needed before further discussion takes place. A review of the Comprehensive Plan will be involved also. He will report more on this at the next meeting.
There was a question about the Solar Company and the Town paying for services of the engineer. It was clarified that the escrow account of $150,000.00 is necessary for the two projects.
Any monies expended on engineering will come from the escrow and not from taxpayer dollars. BW Solar has already agreed to this arrangement.
We have not chosen a contractor for WD #12 yet because of the rising prices of supplies and no guarantees. We will also need to get a loan to pay expenses and when that is exhausted, we will obtain a USDA grant to defray any further costs of the project.
Councilman Mullen let the meeting at 9:30pm.
Supervisor Clement contacted Eric Wies or engineer for WD #12 about any new developments. Eric responded saying that the county is to determine if they want to contribute money for increasing the main from 8″ to 12″. When we get an answer, we can finalize the project revisions and reach back out to the USDA-RDA for the increased funding.
Linda Call inquired about the choosing of the Town Historian, at this point, we have not finalized this.
A question was asked about how to fill the vacancy of Councilman Mullen. The Republican Committee will appoint a replacement to fill out his term.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve Abstract #7 Highway Fund in the amount of $162,276.42, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve Abstract #7 General Fund in the amount of $31,843.89, second by Councilman Pacer an approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve Abstract #7 Capital Projects in the amount of $1,065.60, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
The Town Board plans on attending the Solar Study Review Committee meeting, Councilman Pacer is a maybe currently. We have a lawyer chosen who is specialized in Solar Law but have not retained them yet.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:38pm, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 4-0 vote, Councilman Mullen was absent.
Respectfully Submitted
Barbara Radley
Town Clerk