TOWN OF STAFFORD TOWN BOARD MEETING
MARCH 11, 2024, DRAFT
The March 11, 2024, Regular Town Board Meeting was called to order by Supervisor Robert Clement at 7:30pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.
In attendance were Councilman Panek, Councilman Young, Councilman Duyssen, Councilman Pacer, Highway Superintendent Boldt and Town Clerk Radley.
In addition, Gary Snell, Charlie Giacchino, Rob Chapman, Sean Hettrick, Don Mullen, Cathy and Dale Worthington, Donna Voorhees, John and Nora Sands, Andrew Darling, Eric Wies and Jeremy DeLyser from Clark Patterson Lee were also present.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the February 12, 2024, Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve the Fire Department Report, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the CEO/ZEO Report, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the Assessor’s Report, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Sean Hettrick spoke and asked permission to use Emery Park’s soccer field again for the girls U 18 league practices. The nets are in place and would prefer using the full field for practices and a Four Team Tournament in May just as they used it last year. Last year the team won one tournament and took second in four tournaments. His senior girls are doing well, two are going to GCC, one is going to Penn State, one to North Carolina all on Soccer scholarships.
It was asked what areas the girls are from; they are from all over the County but most from LeRoy.
The insurance is the same as before but pending at this point, it is now going through the state. Sean will bring a copy when he receives it, if for some reason the insurance does not materialize, they will not use our soccer field.
Councilman Young made a motion to allow the soccer team to use the park for practice and tournaments pending insurance, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
1
Supervisor Clement spoke about the GAM (Genesee Association of Municipalities) meetings. The Supervisor would like more participation from the Council members. It was decided that the May 16, 2024, meeting will be attended by Councilman Young, August 15, 2024, will be attended by Councilman Duyssen and November 21, 2024, will be attended by Councilman Panek, Councilman Pacer will be an alternate.
Eric Wies from Clark Patterson Lee spoke about the future water district in Stafford. The informal petitions that were signed were a good start for this project through the diligence made by Annette Boldt; it was very appreciated.
There needs to be a formal petition circulated as well as an updated survey and a Map Plan and Report drawn up; this consists of a District Map, a Plan and Project Costs.
We will try to advance Clapsaddle Rd. and Fargo Rd. before the other roads in town. The Town of Bethany has water coming on Clapsaddle Rd. and Stafford has six houses on that road as well, Fargo Rd. has six houses as well. This will be called Water District #14. Water District #15 will be the rest of the Town. If we hurry on this project with special meetings, we could have this going by June 14. This will be fast-paced and require special meetings. By the next Board Meeting, we need to advance the reports and develop a petition with the help of our attorney, accept the Map Plan and Report and petition. Then have a Public Hearing and SEQR to pass a Bond Resolution.
Supervisor Clement read Resolution 16 Pursuant to Town Law §209-B To Authorize Engineer to Generate a Map, Plan & Report for Proposed Stafford Town Wide Water District No. 14. This was noted that it should be changed to Water District 14 and 15. Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve Resolution 16, Authorize for Map, Plan and Report, second by Councilman Young and approved on a Roll Call vote.
Councilman Panek Yes
Councilman Young Yes
Councilman Duyssen Yes
Councilman Pacer Yes
Supervisor Clement Yes
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve Resolution 17 Video Recording Policy, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
2
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Resolution 18 Laison for Water District, second by Councilman Young and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Jeremy DeLyser gave an update on Water District #12. The contractor, Sergi Construction has added Chlorine for sampling of the water this week; next week the Health Department will certify the process. The services are in the ground and the public water is looking like it is possible next month to have water for the residents. Seventy-one residents have signed up for water and the railroad crossing only took a day to bore under, that went very smoothly.
We may need to reach out to the residents that have not signed up for a tap yet; it is much more cost effective to sign up now rather than later when the cost will be much higher.
Councilman Young made a motion to accept Resolution 19 to accept Water District #12 Information, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to accept Resolution 20 Water District #12 Project Budget Modifications, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Panek Yes
Councilman Young Yes
Councilman Duyssen Yes
Councilman Pacer Yes
Supervisor Clement Yes
Councilman Panek had a few questions about the process of the Town Wide Water District; would the census automatically have the Rural Development support because of income? No, not necessarily, if the income survey is too high and we cannot get the Rural Development help we may not get the water district to happen.
If this is the case, we may have incremental districts instead of a Town Wide District. If we have smaller districts, we may have to use EFC for funding. Also, we will be spending $10,000.00 to investigate the new district; if it happens, we will get the money back, if not, we will not.
The Town Wide district with permissive referendum first will send a mailer to all the residents in the district then a public hearing. The Town Board then makes the decision to form a district and a 30-day waiting period for anyone to come forward to challenge the decision and force a referendum.
3
After that time, a legal petition will be drawn up by Clark Patterson Lee and our attorney. Every parcel in the district will be asked to sign the petition; a no signature will function as a no vote.
Cathy Worthington then asked why there is no Financial Report again this month. It was explained that we had an internal audit, and the 2023 year has not been closed out yet.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to accept Abstract #3 General Fund in the amount of $68,275.46, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to accept Abstract #3 Highway Fund in the amount of $131,162.76, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to accept Abstract #3 Water Fund in the amount of $3,669.37, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to accept Abstract #3 Capital Projects in the amount of $322,171.52, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Young made a motion to enter Executive Session at 8:46pm, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Upon returning from Executive Session at 9:45pm, Councilman Duyssen made a motion to adjourn second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Respectfully Submitted
Barbara Radley
Town Clerk/Tax Collector