TOWN OF STAFFORD TOWN BOARD MEETING
NOVEMBER 13, 2023
Supervisor Clement opened the November 13, 2023, Stafford Town Board Meeting at 7:30pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. In attendance were Councilman Panek, Councilman Duyssen, Councilman Pacer, Highway Superintendent Boldt and Town Clerk Radley; Councilman Schramm was absent.
In addition, Phyllis Darling, Nora and John Sands, Bill Genagon, Timothy D. Lutey, Andrew Darling, Emily and Nick Insogna, Andrea Golino, Rob and Michelle Wolfe, Cathy Worthington, Susan and Rodney Bobo, Terry Young, Bob Reynolds, Vince Guarino, Harold Leanos, Don Mullen, Jim Balonek, Donna Voorhees, Pete and Michelle Klees, Gary Snell and Charlie Giachino were in attendance.
Councilman Panek made a motion to accept the Financial Report, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 4-0-1 vote, Councilman Schramm was absent.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 9, 2023, Town Board meeting, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 4-0-1 vote, Councilman Schramm was absent.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the minutes of the Public Hearing on October 24, 2023, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 4-0-1 vote, Councilman Schramm was absent.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the Fire Department Report, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 4-0-1 vote, Councilman Schramm was absent.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve the CEO/ZEO Report, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 4-0-1 vote, Councilman Schramm was absent.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the Assessor Report, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 4-0-1 vote Councilman Schramm was absent.
John Sands presented the Board with a petition signed by residents of Caswell Rd., Westbrook Rd., and Mill Rd. to obtain public water. The water in the area is of poor quality for most and wells are becoming dry. The petition will be given to our engineers to consider a water district either town wide or for this area and the residents will be kept informed on the progress.
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Councilman Panek addressed the issue of cable coming to the Town of Stafford for those who do not have cable yet. Councilman Panek has been consulting with the County Manager, Matt Landers who is seeking the grant for the County. The Town of Stafford is in Phase 1 of the project and the negotiations are ongoing with Spectrum. It was reported that at best it may be 24-25 months before we see cable.
The streetlight at Mill Rd. and Rt. 33 was mentioned; it is out and has been for some time. Highway Superintendent Boldt reported that this has been investigated and attempts have been made to have it repaired by National Grid. Mr. Bobo has called National Grid and was told that pole number did not exist so they could not repair it. Highway Superintendent Boldt will pursue this matter.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve Resolution 52 Official Undertaking of Municipal Officials, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a Roll Call Vote as follows:
Councilman Panek Yes
Councilman Schramm Absent
Councilman Duyssen Yes
Councilman Pacer Yes
Supervisor Clement Yes
The Councilman and Supervisor then signed the document to be forwarded on to the County.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve Resolution 53 Adoption of the 2024 Budget, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a Roll Call Vote as follows:
Councilman Panek Yes
Councilman Schramm Absent
Councilman Duyssen Yes
Councilman Pacer Yes
Supervisor Clement Yes
There was a question on the new Tax Rate per Thousand, the rate was $1.24 for 2023 and increased to $1.48 for 2024; it was explained that the increase was necessary with rising costs overall and the Water District #12 fees must be paid now before the grants are in place, we will receive money back when the grants are funded.
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Councilman Panek made a motion to approved Resolution 54, Increase 2023 Budget Line Items for Sale of Equipment-Highway, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 4-0-1 vote, Councilman Schramm was absent.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve Resolution 55 Authorizing Budget Transfers for 2023, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 4-0-1 vote, Councilman Schramm was absent.
There was an update on Water District #12. The transmission lines are in; the engineering firm is waiting to hear on CSX and the Thruway.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the total breakdown of prevailing wage and all the paperwork submitted for Water District #12, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 4-0-1 vote, Councilman Schramm was absent.
Cathy Worthington addressed the Town Board regarding her questions about the budget and salaries. Another question was about State Pensions, it is up to the individual to join the State Retirement program, it is optional. The budget line for the Supervisor for training was questioned, this is to facilitate training for anyone employed that requires training.
The Tax Collector was questioned also, $5,500 is for administration and $4,000 is for the processing and mailing of the tax bills. Auditing was questioned, we do not bid out for this, it is a specialized service for municipalities and the only company that did this in the past gave up this service; it was difficult to find another company to fill this need. Another question was about the bookkeepers; they are a Professional Service that we contract with the Town of Batavia every year and not known exact hours per week they give to Stafford since they perform most of the work from the Town of Batavia.
Security is for the court system, court appearances and jury trials.
The Assessor has no clerk, it was put in for the past Assessor who unfortunately had an accident and needed someone to fill in when she was out. This is no longer needed. When Lori was hired, she did not get full pay; since then, the positive feedback and the work that Lori has performed proved that she is worthy of a full salary.
The Attorney fee was questioned. The fact that there is a 0 in the lawsuit line. The current lawyer will not litigate, we have agreed with another law firm for litigation only and the fees for that will be out of the Attorney line. The Attorney we will retain for 2024 will be reviewed in January.
Adult Recreation is the LeRoy Stafford Senior Citizens. They meet monthly and any Stafford Senior Citizen is welcome to participate in the monthly luncheon or trip that is planned. The budget is approved for $4,000.00 for that service.
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Assessment Board of Review is an appointed position by the Assessor and approved by the Town Board at a rate of $100.00 each consisting of three members.
Cathy also asked about the entrance door, was it fixed? Yes, it was. Were the toilets fixed? Yes, they were all replaced along with the faucets; fixed by the Highway Department and Ed Schramm at significant cost savings, Thank you to all of them!
Councilman made Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #11 General Fund in the amount of $51,681.32, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 4-0-1 vote with Councilman Schramm absent.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #11 Highway Fund in the amount of $45,566.68, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 4-0-1 vote with Councilman Schramm absent.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to pay Abstract #11, Capital Projects in the amount of $559,728.55, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 4-0-1 vote with Councilman Schramm absent.
Councilman Panek made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 9:17pm to discuss personnel issues, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 4-0-1 vote with Councilman Schramm absent.
Upon returning to the Regular meeting at 9:58 pm, Councilman Duyssen made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:59pm, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 4-0-1 vote with Councilman Schramm absent.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Radley
Town Clerk/Tax Collector