TOWN OF STAFFORD BOARD MEETING
JANUARY 9, 2023
Supervisor Clement opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:41PM. In attendance were, Councilman Panek, Councilman Schramm, Councilman Duyssen, Councilman Pacer, Highway Supervisor Boldt and Town Clerk Radley.
Others attending are Andrew Darling, Phyllis Darling, Gerry Wood, Gene Sinclair, Eric Wies, Kathy Hyde.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the Financial Report, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Schramm made a motion to approve the minutes of the Public Hearing of December 12, 2022, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the December 12, 2022, Regular Board Meeting Minutes, second by Councilman Pacer and 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 Panek made a motion to approve the CEO/ZEO Report, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Resolution 6 was discussed regarding the need for a Public Hearing for Water District #12. This meeting will be held on January 25, 2022, at 7:00 PM in the Court Room. This meeting will discuss the needed Board action and modifications to the project.
Councilman Panek made a motion to accept Resolution 6, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a Roll Call Vote as follows:
Councilman Panek Yes
Councilman Schramm Yes
Councilman Duyssen Yes
Councilman Pacer Yes
Supervisor Clement Yes
Kathy Hyde then asked a few questions regarding Water District #12; she was asking about the lack of communication to residents with this project. Mrs. Hyde’s concern is with the high cost of the debt service, it is frustrating, and she is considering selling her home because of the high cost. Supervisor Clement stated that a petition was sent around at the beginning of the project and that the majority of the Water District was contacted, not everyone is required to sign this petition to get the project underway. Monroe County Water Authority will reach out to all and get more information to all when the time comes.
Councilman Panek made a motion to send a letter to all Water District # 12 Unit Participants for the Public Hearing on January 25, 2023, at 7:00 PM, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Panek then addressed our Engineer Eric Wies about the possibility of extending water to other parts of Stafford underserved by water. There is a question as to the possibility of a town-wide water district to get all the Town with water. The solution will be to have a survey and QR code inserted in the newsletter sent to all Town Residents to get an idea if the water is wanted and/or needed in these areas.
The Association of Towns is looking for our Town to designate a Delegate to the Association. The Annual Conference is being held in New York City on February 19-22. No one is interested in attending and Councilman James Duyssen has been chosen to be the Delegate.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve Resolution 7 to Appoint Lori Frongetta to position of Sole Assessor; second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a Roll Call vote as follows:
Councilman Panek Yes
Councilman Schramm Yes
Councilman Duyssen Yes
Councilman Pacer Yes
Supervisor Clement Yes
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Councilman Panek made a motion to approve Resolution 8 Hours for Town Hall Personnel second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a Roll Call Vote as follows:
Councilman Panek Yes
Councilman Schramm Yes
Councilman Duyssen Yes
Councilman Pacer Yes
Supervisor Clement Yes
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve Resolution 9 Authorizing Budget Transfers for 2022, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a 5-0 vote.
The Code and Zoning Officer position was further discussed. The two gentlemen will be sharing the position; each working 12 hours per week one will work Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the other will work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Highway Superintendent Steve Boldt spoke of the old V-Plow we have and are not using; it is being painted and will have the past Supervisors, Town Clerks and Highway Superintendents listed. This will be displayed on Route 5 to be viewed by all.
Councilman Schramm spoke about the possibility of a tax incentive offered to the volunteer firefighters. Any volunteer firefighter with 20 or more years consecutively may be eligible for a tax reduction of 10%. The Assessor and Councilman Schramm are looking into this and will report back with more information.
Councilman Panek spoke of our ranking on property taxes in 2022. We rank now at fifth place down from third place. This information can be found online in the County site. He also reported on the Town and Facebook status. In his research, no other Town is using this platform to use for Town Business, just for general information and only a few Towns use this forum. The Town of Stafford is not interested in using this forum.
The Town Clerk asked about advertising for Recreation positions; is it advisable to place an ad in the Penny saver for positions needed? That is what is needed as well as reaching out to the school districts and seeing if there is interested in employment here.
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Councilman Duyssen asked about our speaker system in the Court Room there are speakers at the Judge’s bench that are not operable. We have one quote but need two more before we can have the work completed. This will be investigated and reported back to the Board soon.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #13 General Fund in the amount of $9,862.14, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #13 Highway Fund in the amount $6,516.66, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #13 Capital Funds in the amount $754.80, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #1 for General Fund in the amount of $24,047.35, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #1 for Highway Fund in the amount of $2,965.43, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #1 for Water Fund in the amount of $18.89, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 9:15 PM, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Upon returning from Executive Session, Councilman Panek made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:48 PM, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Respectfully Submitted
Barbara Radley
Town Clerk