Town of Stafford Board Meeting August 8, 2022

Apr 27, 2023 | Town Board Meeting Minutes

The Stafford Town Board meeting was called to order at 7:30pm with Supervisor Clement leading the Pledge of Allegiance. In attendance were Councilman Mullen, Panek, and Duyssen; Councilman Pacer was absent. Also in attendance were Town Clerk Radley and Highway Superintendent Boldt.

In the audience were Dan Huntington, Ed Schramm, Anne Sapienza, Colleen McHale OConnor, Phyllis Darling, Cathy and Dale Worthington, Linda Call, Bob and Michelle Wood, Brooks Hawley, Terry Young, Len Jasinski, Sharon Jasinski, Susan Mattice, Bob Mattice, Andrew Darling, Bernie Corcoran, Mark Boylan, Harold Leanos, Gerry Wood, Sandy Swanson.

Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the Financial Report, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 4-0 vote, one absent.

Councilman Panek made a motion to approve with one correction, the Meeting minutes of July 11, 2022, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 4-0 vote, one absent.

Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve the Meeting minutes of the Special Town Board Meeting July 26, 2022; second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 4-0 vote, one absent.

Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the Fire Department Report; second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 4-0 vote, one absent.

Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve the CEO/ZEO Report; second by Councilman Panek an approved on a 4-0 vote, one absent.

Sandra Swanson spoke with a synopsis of the past few weeks. Sandra grew up in Stafford then moved to Bedford, Massachusetts before moving back to Stafford; she has a great love for her hometown. Since moving back, she has chaired a few committees that are dear to her heart. Sandra has an interest in renewable energy; she is the Chair of the Solar Committee and has dedicated many hours of study to this endeavor. There is a two-volume report on this with four reams of paper to compile all the research she has done. This was accomplished in August of 2018 with a committee of eight people, and 48 meeting dates. This led to our current Solar Law, which was adopted in June of 2019.

Solar projects are only allowed in Industrial Zones in Stafford; there are only two Industrial Zones currently and one is being considered for a Solar Project. A SEQR is needed and will be done with the help of our engineers; this will be done to protect the health, and welfare of the citizens of Stafford. Sandra also reported that the meeting will take place in two to three weeks from now and she will advise us as to when this will occur.

Supervisor Clement read a letter from the law office of Mark Young regarding the Lathan property; this will be discussed later in Executive Session.

Supervisor Clement then read a Resignation Letter from Councilman Mullen; this is his last meeting since his resignation takes effect on September 1, 2022. This letter was accepted, and gratitude was extended from the Town Board for Councilman Mullen’s’ dedicated service for the past 10 years. His expertise on the board will be missed.

Supervisor Clement made a motion for Councilman Panek to be the Deputy Supervisor to succeed Councilman Mullen on September 1, 2022, Councilman Duyssen second the motion. The motion passed with aye votes from Councilman Panek, Councilman Duyssen and Supervisor Clement; Councilman Mullen abstained, and Councilman Pacer was absent.

Councilman Panek made a motion to accept Resolution 31-to lease a Toshiba Printer for the Judge’s Bench, Councilman Duyssen second the motion and was passed on a Roll Call Vote as follows:

Councilman Mullen       absent

Councilman Panek        aye

Councilman Duyssen    aye

Councilman Pacer        absent

Supervisor Clement      aye

There was a discussion of the Water District #12-unit charging. The units are determined by the engineering firm and passed on to the assessor. This is the first water district that .5 units were charged. This may be a financing strategy and will be discussed with our engineer to clarify this.

Councilman Panek made a motion to proceed with the amount and application fee and, to move forward for the Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant, second by Councilman Duyssen an approved on a Roll Call vote as follows:

Councilman Mullen        aye

Councilman Panek         aye

Councilman Duyssen     aye

Councilman Pacer          absent

Supervisor Clement        aye

Councilman Panek made a motion to accept Resolution 32-With Reference to The Proposed Town of Stafford, Genesee County, NY Water District No. 12 Project, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a Roll Call Vote as follows:

Councilman Mullen       aye

Councilman Panek         aye

Councilman Duyssen      aye

Councilman Pacer           absent

Supervisor Clement        aye

Assessor Anne Sapienza spoke of the misunderstanding of her role as Assessor. She viewed the tape on Facebook of the July 11, 2022 meeting and wanted to clarify some statements made. All residents get a statement of the assessment and any changes that are to be made beforehand; no one from any auction sales called before the sale or since. All three auctions sales were more than the higher assessments. She stated that not allowing an assessor into your home is your right, she can not insist on entering; that is against the law, the grievance board then decides to keep the assessment as is or lower it. Also, if she is not allowed to enter the homeowner has the right to present photos and site plans of the interior at grievance. The need for her to view the inside of the home is to get a total idea of the value of the home. Another question is how often the assessor reviews properties. The properties are reviewed every year and are brought to 100% if needed at that time. Every six years the Assessor notifies the Supervisor that she will evaluate sales and keep the valuation at 100%.

Genesee County is the right size to have County wide Assessment; but the County is not willing to handle this because of the increase in manpower and expenses that will occur. The state is not willing to take this on either.

Supervisor Clement introduced Colleen O’Connor and state that she is willing to take the roll of Town Historian. Collen is eager to take this position and is looking forward to meeting an getting to know everyone better. Councilman Mullen made a motion to appoint Collen O’Connor as Town Historian, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a Roll Call Vote as follows:

Councilman Mullen      aye

Councilman Panek     aye

Councilman Duyssen aye

Councilman Pacer     absent

Supervisor Clement    aye

Linda Call spoke about Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Visitors Guide. We have sponsored a page in the past and would like us to continue that tradition. This year they are publishing the guide a month early and keeping the cost the same at $1800.00. She requested that we pay $1000.00, and she will solicit the area businesses for the remaining $800.00. Councilman Panek made a motion for us to pay $1000.00, second by Councilman Duyssen and passed on a 4-0 vote with one absent.

A possible Solar Project from the company of Sun East/Transit was discussed. In the letter read by Supervisor Clement, it was stated that the company would be willing to pay any fees incurred by the project and it has a threshold of 20 megawatts, called a Community Project. After a discussion, Councilman Panek made a motion to table this issue for a later date, second by Councilman Duyssen and passed on a vote of 4-0 with one absent.

Supervisor Clement read a letter from Eric Wies, our Engineer stating the fees for consulting on the BW Solar Review. We will ask if the fees include SEQR also; these fees are covered under the Escrow agreement with BW Solar.

Cathy Worthington spoke about the .5 units on the WD #12. We still don’t understand where they came from, no other district have this. An inquiry is needed with our engineer for the answer. We have Municipal Solutions working for us that has sought out all possible grants for the water project.

Also asked was whether we have retained the lawyer from Boston who is an authority on Solar Energy systems and litigation. We have not retained anyone as of this date. Will the lawyer fees be paid by the Escrow Account? Yes, they will be paid by the Escrow Account according to Dan Huntington, the BW Solar Representative.

Councilman Mullen spoke of the Solar Law and stated that it was passed to protect all citizens of Stafford and we should not be threatened by any litigation. He also stated that the tone of the meetings has gotten worse and out of control; this is one of the reasons he is resigning. He has given 100% to this town and wishes the best to all the residents; he will be at the meetings and won’t let Solar down. God has called him to serve and will continue to do so in some capacity.

Supervisor Clement addressed the tone of the meetings; he has always allowed people to speak their minds, especially on important subjects. Maybe it has gotten out of hand at times but people have a need to be heard. Phyllis Darling thanked Supervisor Clement on his openness, we appreciate being able to question subjects and get the answers to understand what is going on. Supervisor Clement maintains that all is good for the welfare of the town.

Councilman Duyssen made a motion to pay Abstract #8 Highway in the amount of $70,692.80, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 4-0 vote with one absent.

Councilman Duyssen made a motion to pay Abstract #8 General Fund in the amount of $51,870.90, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 4-0 vote with one absent.

Councilman Duyssen made a motion to pay Abstract #8 Water Fund in the amount of $45,835.14, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 4-0 vote with one absent.

Councilman Duyssen made a motion to pay Abstract #8 Capital Projects in the amount of $114.49, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 4-0 vote with one absent.

Councilman Panek made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 10:00pm, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 4-0 vote with one absent. Councilman Mullen left at 10:00pm.

Upon returning from Executive Session, Councilman Duyssen made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:10pm, Councilman Panek second the motion and it passed with a 3-0 vote with two absent.

Respectfully Submitted

Barbara Radley

Town Clerk

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