Town of Williamson – January 8, 2013

The 2013 Organizational Meeting was opened at 7:00 by Supervisor Jim Hoffman. First on the agenda was to adopt the Rules of Order for the Town of Williamson’s meetings, both regular and special. Other topics covered in this session included Workshop sessions, Open Meetings Compliance, Location of Meetings (Town Hall), Quorums (2/3 of the Town Board), Chairman of meetings (Town Supervisor or Deputy Town Supervisor), Approval of Minutes, Agenda & Resolutions, Motions, Payment of Claims, Public Comment, Public Hearings, Record of Votes (recorded as required by the Freedom of Information Law), Procurement Policy, Amendment of the Rules of Order, Town Hall office hours, and the Advertising of the Closing of Town Offices for designated holidays.
– The Supervisor announced the following appointments and designations: Chase Manhattan Bank & Key Bank of New York, Williamson branches, will be the official depository for Town funds, using the same investment policy as adopted on 1/3/95;The Sun & Record and the Times of Wayne County will be the official newspapers for the publication of legal notices and advertising; Mark Plyter is appointed as Animal Control Officer for 2013; the Town Clerk as custodian of Petty Cash accounts; Councilman Anthony Verno as Deputy Supervisor; Chester Peters as Town Historian with a fixed salary of $858/year; James Hoffman as the voting delegate at the annual business session of the Association of Towns in NYC in February.
– Committee Liason Assignments for the Town’s Departments were announced for 2013; Town Officers & employees will be allowed 56.5 cents/mile for use of their personal vehicles while on Town business; various Town employees were authorized to attend workshops, conferences, and training sessions throughout the year.
– The salaries of the various elected and appointed personnel of the Town were established, noting that elected positions’ salaries may reflect the number of years in office and Library Personnel’s salaries are as approved by the Library Board of Trustees. The Water/Sewer and Highway Departments’ Union members’ hourly wages
were announced as per the 1/1/09 through 12/31/13 contract.
– The regular business meeting was opened at 7:30 with all Board members present. The first order of business was a Public Hearing on proposed Local Law #1, 2013 regarding the amending of Chapter 178 of the Zoning Ordinance. Councilman Tom Watson gave an overview of the changes which started as a discussion a few years ago. Meetings were held on August 2012 and October 2012 for public informational sessions. The Zoning Code should follow the spirit of the Comprehensive Plan, and should include the simplification of the zoning districts, incorporation of the best management practices, enhanced details, specific signage, and agricultural districts. There are 2 mixed use areas – Downtown Williamson and Pultneyville. Before the Zoning Updates are adopted, the Board will wait for 30 days to pass before action is taken to give the public time to comment on the proposal.
– Consent Agenda – The Board moved to approve the minutes of 12/27/12, accept the annual reports for the Town Clerk, Tax Receiver, the Registrar of Vital Statistics, the Town Clerk’s and departmental monthly reports, to pay the Library bills in the amount of $1,233.06 for 2012 and $367.18 for 2013, as audited by the Library Board of Trustees, and to accept the encumbrances, accruals, and accounts payables as well as budgetary transfers within the General, Highway, Water, and Sewer Funds.
– Correspondence – Information was received from NYSDOT advising the Supervisor that the Safe Routes to School Program infrastructure funds have been approved in the amount of $144,440. Also received from the DOT was correspondence regarding their investigation of Route 104 at Townline Road regarding tractor-trailer issues at the Baldwin Richardson Foods Company. A 7-year two month accident summary was compiled and it did not reveal a pattern of accidents correctable by any type of mitigation. An average of 2 accidents per year at this location would not be considered unusual, and no action will be taken at this time. An email from the Deputy Comptroller, Division of Local Government and School Accountability states that it has been determined that Williamson’s tax levy for 2013 was materially within the allowable limit (referencing the “tax cap”).
– Economic Development – Councilman Orbaker moved to authorize the Town Supervisor to sign a lease agreement with the Chamber of Commerce for use of room 205 in the Town Complex, with rent to be paid by the Chamber in the amount of $1.00 per month. Supervisor Hoffman presented the following individuals to be reappointed as 2013 members of the Williamson Marketing Plan Committee, as created in 2011 to establish a community development and marketing plan: Jim Hoffman, Nan Hance, Gary Manuse, Luke Cino, Mike Orr, and Laura Wayland-Smith Hatch. This committee is a citizen committee with only advisory powers and no authority to spend public funds. Councilman Orbaker moved to renew the operating license for 2013 for Old Dutch Properties Manufactured Home Park, having received an inspection and approval by the building inspector.
– Facilities – Councilman Bixby moved to authorize the Town Assessor to attend the NYS Assessor’s Association “Seminar for Ethics for Assessors”, to be held in Rochester on 1/18/13.
– Finance – Mr. Ram Shivastra of the Larsen Engineering firm gave an overview of the proposal to install a solar panel project at the front of the Town’s landfill. The Town’s goal should be to attain energy independence by producing 100% of the Town’s electric needs through solar power and the panels will be designed to produce 110% of the current useage. Any extra power produced can be sold back to the grid, and the project will pay for itself after approximately 20 years. Responding agencies have to be NYSERDA qualified. Mr. Shivastra will draft the Request for Proposals (RFP’s) following approval by NYSERDA. Supervisor Hoffman moved to advertise for the receipt of RFP’s for this solar panel project, with the RFP’s being accepted until 2/5/13 at 4:00 p.m.
– Planning – Councilman Watson moved to authorize advertising for an upcoming opening on the Planning Board as an alternate; applications are due by 1/25 at 4:00.
– Public Safety – Councilman Orbaker made a motion to request the Supervisor to give permission for the temporary assignment of justices from other city/village/town courts in the 7th Judicial District to Williamson’s court as the need arises.
– Public Services – Councilman Verno presented a resolution to reappoint these members to the Williamson Energy Conservation & Sustainability Committee: Jim Hoffman, Jim Verbridge, Craig Logan, Chip Bailey, Bill Bishop, John Manahan, Todd LaBarr, and Steve Smalley. The committee shall expire at the end of 2013 but may be renewed at the pleasure of the Town Board.
Councilman Verno also moved to authorize advertising to receive bids for a Screw Press project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Bids will be accepted until 1/31/13 at 2:00 p.m., at which time they will be opened and read.
Councilman Orbaker presented a motion to authorize the Highway Superintendent to attend a Local Roads and Bridges meeting in Albany on 3/5 and 3/6.
– Public Comment – Zoning Officer Steve Haywood advised the Board that application fees should be advanced from $50.00 to $70.00 for those applications that are to be reviewed by the Zoning Board of Appeals. This would cover the cost of setting up and taking down the signs that will be posted at the site of the properties that will be coming up for consideration. The Board will bring this proposal to the floor on 1/22, which is the date of the next regular meeting of the Town Board, starting at 7:30.
Adjournment was at 8:00.
Submitted by Monica Deyo

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