TOWN OF STAFFORD TOWN BOARD MEETING
OCTOBER 9, 2023
Supervisor Clement opened the monthly Town Board Meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30pm. Councilman Pacer, Councilman Panek, Councilman Schramm and Councilman Duyssen were in attendance with Highway Superintendent Boldt and Town Clerk Radley.
In addition, were residents, Don Mullen, Andrew Darling, Eric Wies, Steve and Sheila McQuillen, Terry Young, Charlotte Maser, Joe Magee, Gary Snell, Charlie Giacchino, Phyllis Darling, Cathy Worthington, Donna Voorhees.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the Financial Report, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve the Town Board Meeting of September 11, 2023, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve the Fire Department Report, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve the CEO/ZEO Report, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve the Assessor Report, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Resolution 50 Approval of Acquisition of an Easement by the Monroe County Water Authority Pursuant to §1096 (6-A) of New York’s Public Authority Law was read by Supervisor Clement. Councilman Duyssen made a motion to accept this Resolution, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
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Resolution 51 Approval of the Sale of the 2019 Chevy 2500 Double Cab Pick Up Truck with Plow was read by Supervisor Clement. Councilman Duyssen made a motion to accept this Resolution, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Charlotte Maser spoke about her concerns regarding the Red Osier and the loud band concerts being held in the summer months. She is not against the patio being used for concerts, just asking that the volume be lowered when some of the bands are playing. She feels that the noise level is not relaxing and does not have the capability to close her windows to eliminate the noise. Charlotte has spoken to the owner and did not feel that resolved the issue. Charlotte was then referred to the Zoning Officer who was present and introduced himself. Mrs. Maser and Don Mullen will address the issue later.
Steve McQuillen spoke to the Board of his neighbor having a possible trucking business at his residence and believes it is not a legal business. There are at least three trucks in the yard that come and go at all hours; believed to be a delivery company. His concern is that it may grow. These trucks leave very early in the morning and is bothersome to the neighbors. Steve was also referred to the Zoning Officer to discuss this matter.
Water District #12 was discussed, Eric Wiess reported that 90% of the main is installed. The Thruway and Rail Road crossings are not finished yet; boring still needs to be done. This should all be completed by the end of the year with restoration to be done in the spring. If there are any complaints, the should be sent to Clark Patterson Lee to handle. There was a question of who makes the connection for the water hook up. If the pipe is out of the ditch and ready, the contractor would be able to connect.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to accept the Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 1, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a 5-0 vote.
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Eric Wiess, the Engineer from Clark Patterson Lee spoke of the survey that was printed in the Spring Newsletter. Eric presented the Board with a map of the results, Red indicates that water is not wanted in that area, Green is the color for residents in favor of obtaining water. There are a few ways to determine if another district will be formed. There could be another survey sent with cost estimates, or a public meeting to discuss the possibility. The density of the area would most likely lead to a lower cost for debt service and income levels also influence cost.
Horseshoe Lake Rd. was discussed; in the past this area was considered a water district, and it has not materialized, no one is sure why at this point. One possibility is that not enough of the residents were in favor of obtaining water.
The Town of Bethany at one time was to include Fargo, Sweetland and Clapsaddle Rd. That is no longer the case, they have reconfigured their district and have gone to PVC pipe. They are considering joining their district with the Town of Batavia at Route 63.
The Route 33 project has also changed their ideas to go through Horseshoe Lake Rd. This is not finalized and not sure that is the way to go yet.
Town Clerk Radley reported that the Tentative Budget was given to her on September 28, 2023, and now is in the hands of all Town Board members.
Councilman Schramm made a motion to hold a Public Hearing for the Preliminary Budget on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 7:00pm, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
The County Office of Emergency Management sent a request for updates on the Hazardous Mitigation Plan which is tied to FEMA and funding. Councilman Panek made a motion to table the letter from The Office of Emergency Management System until next month for more information, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
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Cathy Worthington spoke about the Budget, she will be out of town for the Public Hearing and asked if this would be conducted through Zoom, it was stated that it will not be available by Zoom and a copy of the budget will be available at the Public Hearing, she may get a copy after that and email any questions then. Another question was about the litigation for Pontillo and the attorney fees. There has been no bill presented yet, so no fees are known at this time. The court date has not been set yet and will be at the County level, not in Stafford. The last question presented was on average how much time is spent on Town business? Councilman Panek reported that he is in the Town Hall one to two hours every week, he answers emails and phone calls frequently as well; therefore, it amounts to 212 hours in the Town Hall and 260 hours outside of the Town Hall on Town business. During the time when Wind Turbines were an issue, there were many more hours spent. Cathy responded that she would like to know because she is running for office and needed to budget her time; it was suggested that she may need to budget 400 hours per year for this. The State also has a reporting when a newly elected official begins that runs for three months to report your time spent of the office one is elected to.
Andrew Darling questioned the Comprehensive Plan; will it be reviewed soon? The consensus was that it may not be necessary since we have stayed true to what we currently have. Most of the development in town is on Route 5 and 33, not on Route 237 or any County roads. The cost for this project last time was $35,000.00. When the plan does not meet the needs for what we have then it will change.
There has been no interest lately on a gas station or solar in Town.
Charlie Giacchino asked about a Town Policy on Jake Brakes for the semi- trucks. They are quite bothersome at times early in the morning to the point that the truck’s brakes will shake the house. It was reported that there is no ordinance and that this is unenforceable.
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Town Clerk Radley reported that the Christmas Tree project is still in the process of becoming a reality but must find a new source for trees. She will update on the situation soon.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #10 General Fund in the amount of $22,871.56; this is a difference of $60.05 because of a charge for gas which is not allowed by Terry Maid, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #10 Highway Fund in the amount of $11,562.30, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #10 Capital Projects in the amount of $1,656,622.88, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Eric Wies then addressed spoke about the possibility of the development of a new district for water; a survey versus petitions or permissive referendum to get the project underway. This will be taken under advisement later.
The area of Fargo Rd., Clapsaddle Rd. with Bethany was also discussed. Monroe County Water Authority does not believe that this could happen because of the lack of water pressure. 500 gallons of water per minute is required and only 250 gallons of water per minute is currently occurring; this is for Fire Protection purposes. Monroe County Water Authority does not allow Booster Stations. Joe Magee brought up the point that the elevations previously used were incorrect and that this would be acceptable with the correct elevations. Eric disagreed with that point stating that the per gallon requirement is for Fire Protection and that the Water Authority will not allow water on this basis.
Councilman Schramm made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:58pm to talk about personnel issues and invited Highway Superintendent Boldt and Town Clerk Radley into the meeting, second by Councilman Duyssen. This passed on a 5-0 vote.
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Upon returning from Executive Session at 9:45pm Councilman Duyssen made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:45pm, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara Radley
Town Clerk/Tax Collector