TOWN OF STAFFORD BOARD MEETING
MARCH 14, 2022
The Town of Stafford Town Board Meeting was called to order at 7:30pm with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Supervisor Robert Clement. Also in attendance were Councilman James Duyssen, Robert Pacer, Ronald Panek and Donald Mullen, Highway Superintendent Steven Boldt and Town Clerk Barbara Radley.
Also in attendance were residents Phyllis Darling, Doug Nichols, Cathy Worthington, Laura Williams, Sean Herrick, Mike Lathan, Brooks Hawley, Terry Young, Michelle McEwen, and Andrew Darling.
Councilman Panek made a motion to accept the February 14, 2022 Town Board Meeting minutes, second by Councilman Pacer; the motion was approved on a 5-0 vote.
Cathy Worthington questioned the Financial Report in regards to the American Rescue Plan; where the money goes and has it been spent yet. Cathy was informed that the money is deposited in the General Fund and none has been expended yet.
Councilman Mullen made a motion to table the Financial Report until April; to give time to review this report, second by Councilman Panek approved on a 5-0 vote.
Resolution 17 Planning and Zoning Board Funding Approval was discussed. Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve Resolution 17, second by Councilman Panek and the motion was denied on a Roll Call vote as follows:
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ROLL CALL VOTE
Councilman Mullen nay
Councilman Panek aye
Councilman Duyssen nay
Councilman Pacer aye
Supervisor Clement nay
The Resolution was further discussed and amendments were made to pay the respective board members their employee rate for training seminars up to 6 hours.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve Resolution 17 as corrected, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a Roll Call Vote as follows:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilman Mullen aye
Councilman Pacer aye
Councilman Duyssen aye
Councilman Panek aye
Supervisor Clement aye
A discussion of the traffic on Griswold Rd. near Caswell Rd was held. There is a concern of speeding traffic and with a possibility of speed reduction. It was decided that a petition from area residents is needed before anyone can act on this matter.
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Also discussed is the possibility of a traffic sign warning of visibility concerns, and possibly a lighted sign showing the rate of speed one is traveling.
Sean Herrick spoke of the possibility of having the LeRoy Youth Soccer use our field behind Emery Park. His intent is to use our field for the under 18 girls traveling league to practice on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The league will provide us with liability insurance.
Councilman Panek made a motion to allow the use of Emery Park for soccer practice when we receive the insurance paperwork, second by Councilman Duyssen and carried on a 5-0 vote.
Terry Young asked that he be allowed to open Emery Park April 1 for use of the town’s people for walking and soccer practice. Many people are walking on the side of the road; this is a danger to the walkers. Terry is not asking for the bathrooms to be open yet; possibility of the rental of Port a Johns for use.
Councilman Mullen made a motion that Emery Park will open April 1, 2022, second by Councilman Duyssen and carried on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Mullen made a motion to approve Resolution 18 to Purchase One Way Snow Plow for the Highway Department. Councilman Panek second the motion and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Mullen made a motion to table Resolution 20 to Adopt Local Law 1, 2022 for Prohibiting Parking on all Town Roads due to changes in the Resolution being made, Councilman Panek second the motion and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Mullen made a motion to also table Local Law #1 of 2022 until Resolution 20 is passed, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
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There is a need for more storage in our basement for the records being kept in town. Shelving is the recommended for storage as compared to pallets. This will be revisited next month.
Cathy Worthington addressed the Town Board regarding the Water District #12, asking if the easements are in place and are the bids out. We must ask the engineer these questions, bids will be put in the paper then the contractors will bid on the project.
Cathy also asked about the Fire Department; the increase of 42% was in question if that will be a yearly increase or a onetime event. This is not known yet because the Fire Department has their own budget; the Town only gives them a Fire Tax, from there, the Department makes their own budget. The Town is confident that the Fire Department is acting in a very frugal capacity at this time.
Councilman Panek talked of the Cleaning Bids that were received. Eight bids were received, three were rejected for being a price more than the budgeted amount, two were not residents of Stafford; Stafford residents are given precedence; three were qualified and considered. One had a personal interview; the other two were phone interviews, all promising candidates. The cleaning will be three hours one week and four hours the next week, common areas only; the hallways, vestibule, bathrooms, courtroom and boardroom. The Offices will be cleaned by the office staff that uses the respective offices.
With the passing of our Town Historian Garth Swanson; we have a vacancy in that position. Councilman Panek made a motion that we will post the position on our Website, the Daily News Legal Ads, our Bulletin Board and the Pennysaver, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a Roll Call vote as follows:
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Councilman Mullen aye
Councilman Panek aye
Councilman Duyssen aye
Councilman Pacer aye
Supervisor Clement aye
Councilman Panek reported on the Batavian having an article regarding BW Solar addressing the County Planning Board for approval of the Solar Project at the Wood Farm in the Town of Stafford. The County Planning Board did not recommend changing the setback requirements the Town of Stafford has in place.
BW Solar will be at the Public Hearing for the Zoning Board on March 21, 2022 at 7PM.
Councilman Panek made a motion to pay Abstract #3 General Fund in the amount of $ 55,755.09 Second by Councilman Duyssen, approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to pay Abstract #3 Water Fund in the amount of $ 3,883.12 Second by Councilman Pacer approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to pay Abstract #3 Highway Fund in the amount of $ 41,345.60 Second by Councilman Pacer approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Mullen made a motion to enter into Executive Session with Gerry Wood at 8:50pm Councilman Duyssen second, motion passed on a 5-0 vote.
The Regular Town Board Meeting reconvened at 9:37 at which time Councilman Panek made a motion to hire Michelle McEwen for the Cleaning position at a rate of $20.00 per hour, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
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Councilman Mullen made a motion to adjourn at 9:45pm, second by Councilman Pacer approved on a 5-0 vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara Radley
Town Clerk