TOWN OF STAFFORD TOWN BOARD MEETING
JUNE 12, 2023
Supervisor Robert Clement opened the June 12, 2023, Stafford Town Board meeting at 7:30pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.
In attendance were Councilman Ronald Panek, Councilman Edmund Schramm, Councilman James Duyssen, Councilman Robert Pacer, Highway Superintendent Steven Boldt and Town Clerk Barbara Radley.
Attending also were Gene Sinclair, James Pontillo, Brian Quinn of the Batavia Daily News, Terry Young, Andrew Darling, Cathy Worthington, Brooks Hawley, Charlie Giacchino, Gary Snell, and Tony Prinz.
Councilman Panek made a motion to accept the Financial Report, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Panek made a motion to accept the Town Board meeting minutes of May 8, 2023, 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 Pacer made a motion to approve the CEO/ZEO Report, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve the Assessor’s Report, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Gene Sinclair, Code and Zoning Officer asked that his subject be taken up in the Executive Session.
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James Pontillo stated that he proposed a meeting last month and no one has gotten back to him yet; this matter will be discussed in Executive Session later this evening and someone will get back to him on this subject.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve Resolution 35 Appointing a Planning Board Alternate, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve Resolution 36 Clarifying Tim Thomas as Zoning Board Alternate, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve Resolution 37 Correction to Resolution 33 Pick Up Truck for Highway Department of May 8, 2023, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote. The correction was needed because the 2023 model trucks are no longer available, therefore a 2024 truck will be purchased.
Supervisor Clement read a letter from Huntington, NY addressing the Voter ID issue regarding voting in New York State. It was decided to investigate this issue in more depth and discuss this next month.
The Volunteer Firefighter Tax Exemption was discussed. Legislator Hawley was in attendance and will investigate this issue and report back to us.
Cathy Worthington asked about Water District #12, when is it going to break ground? We have no date at this time; the Water Authority will have a meeting with the residents involved to let them know when it will occur and to see who is going to hook up to the water. It is not known where they will begin the project, at Fotch Rd. or Clinton St. Rd. She then asked how long the minutes of the meeting are kept, they are kept in the Williamson Law Books forever. She would like to see more detail on the agenda for the resolutions and would like the Town Board Members to introduce themselves before each meeting.
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Highway Superintendent Boldt reported that Griswold Rd, from Waterman to Ivison is closed for paving. Today the transmission line at the Highway Garage had a malfunction and is currently being worked on.
Cathy Worthington then asked about her road, Batavia-Byron Rd., it is a County Road, and her question was Shared Services; does the Town maintain the ditches? Her ditch needs cleaning out and she is wondering who to contact. This would be the County.
Councilman Panek reported on the gentleman who is now representing Solar for the project formerly managed by BW Solar, this gentleman did not contact him with a phone number or email; Councilman Panek will get the information for his contacts from another source soon. The gentlemen’s concerns were the escrow of $150,000.00, what does that cover? It was explained that this is a type of insurance for taking the project down when the time comes. The company was also questioning the Value Protection portion of the law and that is so that people do not get “boxed in” by the solar array.
Councilman Panek then updated us on questions raised by Tony Prinz. The Code Enforcement Officer allowed Councilman Panek to access the records of Carolina Eastern Crocker from 1990 to the present. The fertilizer storage is behind the Prinz home and the residue is landing on his roof and pool causing problems. The Planning Board should review the Site Plan and ensure that the permits are being managed properly. Councilman Panek will need a month or so to do further research on this subject.
Supervisor Clement then addressed Mitch Bryan, proprietor of Shell’s Post. Mitch stated that he was at the meeting to observe and not bring anything up. He then stated that the corner has been a problem for 13 years and something needs to be done.
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Mr. Pontillo, owner of the corner lot spoke of the conditions also, he is asking for something to be done; he has wrapped the building three or four times and claims that it has been torn down, sections of the fence has been removed and damage done to the fence with snow build up. Many other complaints were made and states that he wants to cooperate and get things solved amiably.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #6, General Fund in the amount of $32,510.33, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #6, Highway Fund in the amount of $138,079.38, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #6, Capital Projects in the amount of $2,205.20, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #6, Water Fund in the amount of $8,319.74, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:39pm, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Upon returning from the Executive Session at 9:41pm Supervisor Clement asked Mr. Pontillo what his intentions were for the building on the corner. Mr. Pontillo would like to settle things and get the building completed. He did agree to plug up the holes and eliminate the “bird problem” and take care of the greenery around the property. He will report to the Code Enforcement Officer.
Councilman Panek reported on the Code Enforcement Officer that the applicants from the past may be asked if they are still interested in the part time position and be reinterviewed.
Town Clerk Radley reported on General Code paying a visit and went over some of the basics of using the General Code. In that conversation it was suggested that we could add the service of map link and enhanced zoning graphics, which would be a great improvement for the public as well as our staff. It will be investigated and implemented soon.
Councilman Panek made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:00pm, second by Councilman Duyssen and passed on a 5-0 vote.
Respectfully Submitted
Barbara Radley/Town Clerk