Work Session Minutes
WORK SESSION MEETING
November 6, 2019
The Work Session Meeting of the Town of Royalton Town Board was held on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at the Royalton Town Hall, 5316 Royalton Center Road, Middleport, New York. Supervisor Bragg called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
The following were present:
Supervisor Daniel R. Bragg
Town Clerk Marie L. Little, MMC/RMC
Town Board Members Lee Criswell, Bradley Rehwaldt, Joshua Walker, Carol Wittcop
Highway Superintendent James Spark
Water/Sewer Superintendent Brian Cummings
Town Attorney Robert Roberson for Thomas Brandt
Town Engineer Paul McGarvey – GHD
Dog Control Officer Scott Wymyczak
Highway Superintendent Spark advised the board members that his department is getting things ready for the winter.
Highway Superintendent Spark advised the board members that we have lost some shingles on the back of the town garage and have a leak in the parts room. They are going to do the repairs in-house, if possible.
Water/Sewer Superintendent Cummings advised the board members that we need to look at raising the sewer tap fee, which is currently $300.00. We are losing money as the bill received from Lock City Supply for the equipment was $549.07.
Discussion ensued regarding fees for Building Permits and other fees that we charge.
Water/Sewer Superintendent Cummings advised the board members that he has spoken with Keith Hurtgam, Town of Hartland Highway Superintendent, and he is interested in purchasing the mini excavator that we obtained from Huskey Cemetery when we took it over. The Fair Market Value is between $8,000.00 - $12,000.00. The Water Department has put in a new battery and changed the oil, etc. Discussion ensued regarding this issue.
Town Engineer McGarvey reviewed the report that he had submitted to the Town Board members. The Griswold Street Waterline Project is going to start in November. Engineer McGarvey discussed issues with the Sewer Treatment Plant Project.
Councilman Walker had nothing to discuss at this time.
Councilwoman Wittcop had nothing to discuss at this time.
Town Clerk Little advised the board members that we have received written notification from both Drum Oil & NOCO that they will both agree to extend our Fuel Contract for 2020.
Town Clerk Little reminded the board members that we will be holding a Public Hearing on November 18, 2019 @ 7:00 PM for the Local Law #2 for the year 2020 regarding the “Override of the Real Property Tax Levy”. This Local Law will be put in place in case we need it. If we do not need to utilize it, we can rescind in in December.
WORK SESSION MINUTES
November 6, 2019
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Town Clerk Little advised the board members that we will be holding the three (3) Public Hearings pertaining to the 2020 Town of Royalton Budget immediately following the first Public Hearing scheduled for that evening.
Town Clerk Little advised the board members that we have received three (3) applications from the Wolcottsville VFC for one (1) Social Member and two (2) Junior Members for their review. We will need to pass a formal resolution to accept these new members.
Town Clerk Little advised the board members that we have received seven (7) applications from Terrys Corners VFC for new Active Members for their review. We will need to pass a formal resolution to accept these new members.
Town Clerk Little advised the board members that we have received the 2020 invoice from Digital Towpath, the company that hosts our website. The annual fee is $850.00. Town Clerk Little asked the board members if there is any interest in changing our website host as we have received some complaints recently about how the information is listed, etc. Town Clerk Little stated that she will be happy to obtain quotes if the board members are serious about entertaining the idea of making a change. Town Clerk Little stated that she has done this four (4) times in the past and the board members did not want to spend the money. Civics Plus does a nice job on their municipal websites. Supervisor Bragg asked Town Clerk Little to proceed with obtaining a new quote.
Town Clerk Little advised the board members that we have received the information for the 2020 Annual Training School in NYC and asked if anyone is interested in attending. We have also received the information for the Newly Elected schools, which will be held in Henrietta and Albany in January, if anyone is interested in attended.
Town Clerk Little advised the board members that she has received information from the Fourth of July Committee and they are looking for donations for their 3rd Annual Breakfast with Santa Extravaganza & Basket Auction scheduled for Sunday, December 1, 2019 from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Hartland Fire Hall.
Dog Control Officer Wymyczak advised the board members that he would like to see them update our Dog Control Law for leashed dogs.
Supervisor Bragg discussed information regarding the proposed Solar Project. This may require an Article 10 hearing, depending on the size of the project in our town, to oppose the project. The towns of Cambria and Pendleton hired a law firm to oppose the project in their area.
Attorney Brandt explained the process that may need to take place if a Solar Farm Project were to move forward. Attorney Brandt stated that we may be better to get a head of the deal if the board chooses to help defer some of the expenses. Discussion ensued regarding a potential project in our area.
Attorney Brandt was asked to contact a legal counsel group on behalf of the Town of Royalton for the Article 10 proceedings.
WORK SESSION MINUTES
November 6, 2019
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Supervisor Bragg advised the board members that he spoke with Drew Reilly from Wendel regarding updating the towns Comprehensive Plan. He needs to know what we are looking at.
Supervisor Bragg stated that he would like to set up a joint meeting between the Planning, Zoning, and Town Board members to discuss the Comprehensive Plan. Supervisor Bragg will set up a meeting on a Wednesday to discuss this plan.
Supervisor Bragg advised the board members that he would like to fund the Comprehensive Plan update with excess sales tax monies from 2019.
Supervisor Bragg discussed the adjustments made to the 2020 budget since the last budget meeting.
The budget will be a 2.6% increase, which will equate to an increase of $.23 / $1,000.00 of assessed value.
Councilman Criswell asked Supervisor Bragg where we stand with the new windmill that they want to install on our town property. Supervisor Bragg stated that they did not like his proposal of $2,000.00 per year and 20% discount off our electric bills.
Councilman Rehwaldt had nothing to discuss at this time.
There being no further business to come before this board, Supervisor Bragg adjourned the Work Session at 5:45 PM.
Marie L. Little, MMC/RMC
Royalton Town Clerk