TOWN OF STAFFORD TOWN BOARD MEETING
MAY 8, 2023, DRAFT
Supervisor Clement opened the Town Board meeting of May 8, 2023, at 7:30 PM by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. In attendance were, Councilman Panek, Councilman Schramm, Councilman Duyssen, Councilman Pacer, Highway Superintendent Boldt and Town Clerk Radley.
Members of the public attending are Cathy and Dale Worthington, Phyllis Darling, Donn Branton, Linda Call, Jeremy DeLyser from CPL, Branden Moore from CPL, Jeremy Smith from Lumsden, Andrew Darling, James Pontillo, Leslie Krajewski, Tony Prinz, Gary and Linda Snell, Terry Young.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve the Financial Report, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Panek made a motion to accept the April 10, 2023, Meeting Minutes, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve the Public Meeting held on April 18, 2023, second by Councilman Schramm 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 Duyssen made a motion to approve the CEO/ZEO Report, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve the Assessor Report, second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a 5-0 vote.
1
Jeremy Smith of Lumsden/McCormick Auditing firm gave his report on the recent audit. The General Fund is about the same as 2021; no issues were found. Our Accounting Department does very well. The recommendation for Capital Assets is to consider an independent party to go over this.
Councilman Panek made a motion to approve Resolution 29 Farmland Protection Implementation Grant, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a Roll Call vote as follows:
Councilman Panek aye
Councilman Schramm aye
Councilman Duyssen aye
Councilman Pacer aye
Supervisor Clement aye
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Resolution 30 Surplus Equipment, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
The Awarding of the Contract for WD #12 was given to Sergi Construction, Inc.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to accept Resolution 31 Accepting Base Bid B, etc., second by Councilman Panek and approved on a Roll Call Vote as follows:
Councilman Panek aye
Councilman Schramm aye
Councilman Duyssen aye
Councilman Pacer aye
Supervisor Clement aye
2
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve Resolution 34 Authorizing the Supervisor to Sign Documents for WD #12, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a Roll Call Vote as follows:
Councilman Panek aye
Councilman Schramm aye
Councilman Duyssen aye
Councilman Pacer aye
Supervisor Clement aye
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Resolution 32 Requesting Change Order No. 1 from Sergi Construction, Inc., second by Councilman Schramm and approved on a Roll Call Vote as follows:
Councilman Panek aye
Councilman Schramm aye
Councilman Duyssen aye
Councilman Pacer aye
Supervisor Clement aye
Councilman Pacer made a motion to approve Resolution 33 Purchase a Chevrolet 2500 HD Truck, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 5-0 vote.
3
Linda Snell spoke of her Flag Project. She produced two new designs that may fit the Town of Stafford better and the price has come down. The original price quote was $195.00 to $225.00; now it is $175.00 plus the price of the brackets. These flags will be placed from the west starting at Clipnock Rd. on Main Road until the spot where the old railroad tracks were, near Murray Call’s and Stafford Painters. Then north on Route 237 until the Country Club; 17 flags in total. We will need a $500.00 deposit. This expense will be put on the Town Hall Contractual line.
Councilman Pacer made a motion to purchase the flags and have the Town Highway install them, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Mr. James Pontillo spoke; last month he called the Code Enforcement Officer he was familiar with and got no answer and called again. This officer was Gerry Wood; Mr. Pontillo called him unaware of the fact that Mr. Wood was no longer employed by the Town of Stafford. Mr. Wood informed Mr. Pontillo that Mr. Pontillo’s comment at the Public Hearing on January 25 was the reason for Mr. Wood’s termination. Mr. Pontillo stated that his only comment was a suggestion that Mr. Wood be suspended until allegations made were investigated. Mr. Pontillo just wants this clarified as to his comment.
Cathy Worthington spoke. She asked about the cost of the website. She was told the old company had increased the cost by 100%; the Town Clerk investigated a new web designer and found one that will save the Town $3,500.00 per year.
Highway Superintendent Boldt reported that people are leaving lawn waste at the Town Barns in plastic bags; he is asking only Stafford Residents leave yard waste at the Barns but loose, not in plastic bags.
Councilman Panek reported that an issue a resident has brought up is still being investigated and he will have more information for him soon. The solar project was brought to his attention at a local store and was told BW Solar was sold and the new company is not up to par just yet.
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Town Clerk Radley thanked the Town Board for their support and the opportunity to attend the Annual Conference in Syracuse. This Conference was highly informative and was a good review of what is done daily. The lawyers were present and confirmed that the agendas, minutes and other duties of the Town are being done well. The Clerk also reported that the taxes are in to the County and for the second year, they were right to the penny. The Clerk thanked the Town Board for the confidence they have given to her and extremely glad that she can provide that service with tremendous savings to the Town; not having to pay the County to receive the taxes.
Park Custodian Terry Young reported on the Soccer Club having a tournament on the previous Sunday. It was attended by over 200 people with no issues. The park was clean when they left, and no parking issues were found. Sean Herrick, the Coach wanted to Thank the Board for the support and to let the Board know that every team that used the park loved the facility.
Linda Call mentioned that May is National Preservation Month. She also reported that May 11 is the Day of Caring and that a group is coming to Illette Park and St. Paul’s Church to weed and mulch. This is something that is happening throughout the County.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #5 General Fund in the amount of $29,724.88, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #5 Highway Fund in the amount of $25,681.93, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to approve Abstract #5 Capital Projects in the amount of $220,145.43, second by Councilman Pacer and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Panek made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55pm, second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 5-0 vote.
Respectfully Submitted
Barbara Radley/Town Clerk