HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB-10/30/1995 4 5 -7
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
OCTOBER 30, 1995
WORK SESSION
Present: Supervisor Thomas Wickham, Councilman Joseph J . Lizewski (left at 9:55
A.M. to attend a funeral) , Councilwoman Alice J. Hussie, Councilman Joseph L.
Townsend, Jr. , Councilwoman Ruth D. Oliva, Justice Louisa P. Evans, Town Clerk
Judith T. Terry, Town Attorney Laury L. Dowd.
9: 10 A.M. - Mario Zulli, his daughter, and Town Investigator Edward Forrester met
with the Town Board to discuss the Zulli's complaints about the size of a garage
constructed,• by their neighbor Robert Laub, and his parking of two to five
limousines' on his property. Town Investigator Forrester recently advised the Zulli's
that Mr. Laub has been working to remedy several Code violation allegations. The
oversized garage was built to remedy the unenclosed storage problem, and the limos
may be parked on his property inasmuch as the NYS Dept. of Motor Vehicles states
a vehicle having limo, taxi, or livery plates is not considered a commercial vehicle,
therefore they are not in violation of the Code. The Zulli's appealed to the Town
Board to provide for limousines in a definition of commercial vehicles in the
Town Code, thereby strengthening the Code. The Board agreed to send this matter
to the Code Committee for review.
9:45 A.M. - Town Board interviewed Clement Charnews, Jr. for a position on the
Substance Abuse Committee (resolution 17) .
9 :55 A.M. - Town Board discussed a proposal by Patricia and Alvin Combs to trade
20 ft. of the easterly side of their property to the Town in exchange for 20 ft. of
the Town's property to the north of their property at Tasker Park, Peconic Lane,
Peconic. It was agreed that Jim McMahon and Jean Cochran of the Park, Beaches
and Recreation Committee, be consulted to be certain that the Town's property north
of Combs can still be utilized minus the 20 ft. strip. This will be discussed again
at the November 14th work session.----Board _again discussed payment to retired
Police Officer James Mellas for testifying on behalf of the Town in a lawsuit. After
due consideration, it was agreed Supervisor Wickham would write to Mr. Mellas and
offer him 250 of the amount between his police officer salary and his retirement
income.----Board reviewed proposed fees for disposal area permits and/or licenses,
and made changes to certain commercial contractor and garbage contractor fees
(resolution 18) .----Discussed adding additional units to the Fishers Island Sewer
District users accounts. Justice Evans .explained that there are certain units that
have more units in their buildings then they are being charged for (resolution
19) .----Request from Justices Price and Tedeschi for the Town Board to extend the
temporary, part-time status of Lucia Farrell to the end of January to assist the
Justice Court staff in handling a backlog from the summer months and case load from
the abolished Greenport Village Justice Court (resolution 20) .----Letter from the
Greenport Superintendent of Utilities Becht stating that there is a need to clean out
the west equalization tank at the Southold Scavenger Waste Treatment Facility.
This will have to be done before clean out and repairs to the grit chamber and pipes
can be made. Board agreed to advertise for bids for the service (resolution
21) .----Town Board discussed a letter from Legislator Gregory Blass informing them
that the 1996 Suffolk County Budget has transferred the cost of 65 public safety
dispatchers who receive 911 calls from emergency complaint operators only when they
impact Suffolk County Police District operations. Senior Accountant John Cushman
was in attendance during this discussion, and Supervisor Wickham asked him to draft
a resolution for the Board's consideration at the 4:30 P.M. Regular Meeting
(resolution 22) .
I
458 OCTOBER 30, 1995
EXECUTIVE SESSION
10 :40 A.M. - On motion of Supervisor Wickham, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva,
it was Resolved that the Town Board enter into Executive Session. Vote of the
Board: Ayes : Supervisor Wickham, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Townsend,
Councilwoman Oliva, Justice Evans. Also present: Town Clerk Terry, Town
Attorney Dowd.----Board discussed the Edward Scroxton grievance, which was heard
by the Board on October 17, 1995.
10:55 A.M. - Town Board reviewed a proposed "Local Law in Relation to Notice of
Public Hearings", the intent of which is to ensure that citizens are given notice of
public hearings on actions which will affect a specific parcel of property. All boards
will provide notice via newspaper, posting and mailing to adjacent owners. This
process will ensure uniformity in procedures of the various boards and commissions.
There were several questions which regard to the proposed law, i.e. timing, and
what distance for notifying .adjacent property owners. Linda Kowalski, secretary
to the Board of Appeals was asked to meet with the Board, and she gave input on
timing between filing an appeal, public hearing, and decision. Board agreed the
law should go back to the Code Committee for further .refining.
11 :05 A.M. - Supervisor Wickham briefed the Board on (1) proposed elimination of
one Trustee clerk typist in 1996. He said the President of the Trustees, Albert
Krupski has advised him that this would not be practical after consideration by the
Board of Trustees. The proposal to replace the typist with an Environmental
Analyst will be discarded. The amount allocated in the budget is the same as the
present , salary of the clerk typist, so the budget need not be changed.----He
advised that the proposal to change the duties of Building Inspector Gary Fish to
half time Building Inspector and half time Fire Marshall does not seem to be a
problem with the Building Department.----Supervisor, Wickham briefed the Board on
the Brown Tide Summit which was held on October 20 21 at Ronkonkoma.
11 :25 A.M. - Board reviewed the resolutions to be voted on at the 4 :30 P.M.
Regular Meeting.
11 :50 A.M. - Work Session adjourned.
REGULAR MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Southold Town Board was held on
October 30, 1995, at the Southold Town Hall, Main Road, Southold, New
York. Supervisor Wickham opened the meeting at 4:30 P.M. with the
Pledge of Allegiance to the _Flag.
Present: Supervisor Thomas H. Wickham
Councilman Joseph J . Lizewski
Councilwoman Alice J . Hussie
Councilwoman Ruth D. Oliva
Councilman Joseph L. Townsend, Jr.
Justice Louisa P. Evans
Town Clerk Judith T. Terry
Town Attorney Laury L. Dowd
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Would anyone like to move the audit of the bills?
OCTOBER 30, 1995 459
Moved by Councilwoman Oliva, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the following bills be and hereby ordered paid:
General Fund Whole Town bills in the amount of $171,849.16; General
Fund Part Town bills in the amount of $631 .84; Highway Fund Whole
Town bills in the amount of $56,390.34; Highway ,Fund Part Town bills in
the amount of $1,368.73; Ag Land Development Rights bills in the
amount of $111.95; Lighting/Heating Capital A/C bills in the amount of
$153,950.67; Tub Grinder/Stump Buster Cap bills in the amount of
$231,000.00; Sweeper & Payloader Capital bills in the amount of
$176,053.26; Fishers Island Dump Capital bills in the amount of $92.50;
Yard Waste Compost Capital bills in the amount of $86,000.00; Employee
Health Benefit Plan bills in the amount of $15,135.32; Fishers Island
Ferry District bills in. the amount of $10,416.49; Southold Shores .Road
Improvement District bills in the amount of $26,109.41; Shorecrest at
Arshamomaque bills in the amount of $52,218.82; Refuse & Garbage
District bills in the amount of $146,278. 14; Southold Wastewater
District bills in the amount of $17,896.67; Fishers Island Sewer District
bills in the amount of $2,268.33; Southold Agency and Trust bills in the
amount of $3,151 .78; Fishers Island Ferry District bills in the amount of
$1,156.69.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED that the minutes of the October 17, 1995, Town Board
meeting be and hereby are approved.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED:
Moved by Councilwoman Hussie, seconded by Councilman Townsend, it
was
RESOLVED that the next regular meeting of the Southold Town Board
will be held at 7:30 P.M., Tuesday, November 14, 1995, at the Southold
Town Hall, Southold, New York.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman. Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: This afternoon we have a public hearing at 5:00
o'clock regarding our Community Development Block Grants. We have a
series of items this morning for the Work Session. We had a relatively
light program for our Work Session this morning. It's on the Order of
Business on the back page of the agenda.
I . REPORTS.
1 . Southold Town Program for the Disabled Events for September,
1995.
2. Southold Town Animal Shelter Monthly Report for September,
1995.
3. Southold Police Department Monthly Report for September, 1995
460 OCTOBER 30, 1995
Il . PUBLIC NOTICES. None.
III . COMMUNICATIONS. None.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS.
1 . 5:00 on Citizen's Views on Local Needs to be met with Federal
Community Development Block Grant Funds.
V. RESOLUTIONS.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: At this time we are ready to take up our
resolutions. It's standard practice of the Board to give an opportunity
to anyone from the audience, who would like to address the Board for up
to a maximum of five minutes per person on any, of the items that are
before us tonight. So, we've got twenty-four resolutions. Any member of
the audience, who would like to address the Board on any of these
twenty-four resolutions, now is the time.
PAUL SPARA: Would you just explain Resolution 22, not the
opposition, but what the 65. dispatchers are?
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Resolution #22 calls on the Town of Southold,
and all , other towns to ask the County of Suffolk to reverse a decision
that the Budget Office has made, which is to throw into the County
General Fund all expenses related to Public Safety Dispatchers. Public
Safety Dispatchers heretofore have been paid out of the Police District.
The Police District does not include the five East End Towns, because we
each have our own Police Forces. Consequently the tax warrant, the
County portion of local taxes has not paid for those Public Safety
Dispatchers. Under the new system it's put into the General Fund
payable by all property tax parcels throughout the entire County, so
suddenly with this new system we would be asked, the Five East End
Towns would be asked to pay a share of those Public Safety Dispatcher
cost. We believe that's unfair, and our resolution 1 call on the County to
set that right. Is there anyone else who would like to address the Board
this afternoon on any of the resolutions in front of us? If not, I think
we're ready to begin considering the resolutions, that are. in front of us.
I . -Moved by Councilwoman Oliva, seconded by Councilman Townsend, it
was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of. the Town; of Southold hereby
authorizes the following modification to the General 'Fund Whole Town 1995
Budget to appropriate funds for the remainder of the year:
To:
A1670.4.400.600 Central Copying & Mailing $ 1,000.00
Contractual Expenses
Equipment Maintenance E Repairs
A1670.4.600.500 Central Copying E Mailing $ 1;000.00
Contractual Expenses
Express Mail
From:
A9901 .9.000.000 Interfund Transfers $ 2,000.00
Transfers to Health Plan
I .-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans,. Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
OC T OSEk 30, 1995 461
2 -Moved by Councilwoman Hussie, seconded by Supervisor Wickham, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby _
accepts the bid of Akzo Nobel Salt Inc., in the amount of $40.98 per 5r
ton, for supplying the Southold Town Highway Department with 500 tons
(more or less as may be needed) of Bulk Salt for Snow and Ice Control,
all in accordance with the bid specifications.
Z •-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
3•-Moved by Councilman Lizewski, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie, it
was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold 'hereby
authorizes Lawrence Healthcare Administrative Services, Inc. to pay
medical claims of Ruthanne Woodhull and Judith Terry, which claims
were submitted by the providers more than 90 days after the date of
service.
3.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
4.-Moved by Supervisor Wickham, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
accepts, with regret, the resignation of Stephen E. Angell, Chairman
and Member of the Southold Town Conservation Advisory Council,
effective December 31, 1995, and extends to Mr. Angell their sincere
thanks and appreciation for the expertise and time he has devoted to his
position.
4.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice - Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
5 •-Moved by Councilman Townsend, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to advertise for resumes for one
member of the Southold Town Conservation Advisory Council . to fill the
position to be vacated by Stephen E. Angell; term to expire June 18,
1997.
5 •- Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
6 .- Moved by Councilwoman Oliva, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
engages the services of Andrew D. Stype, Certified Real Estate
Appraiser, at a fee of $1,000.00, to conduct an appraisal for the Land .
Preservation Committee for consideration of the following property for
the Farmland Preservation Program; Lieb Vineyards, Bridge Lan• . and
Oregon Road, Cutchogue, 1 .68 acres E 12.96 acres. SCTM#1000-84-1-4.4
& 1000-73-1-3.4.
6•- Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
i
A 6 2 OCTOBER 30, 1995
f
7.-Moved by Councilman Lizewski, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie, it
was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
approves the amount of $288,700.00 for a ; bond for roads and
improvements in the major subdivision of Wildberry Fields at Southold,
all in accordance with the approval of the Southold Town Planning Board
and Engineering Inspector James A. Richter.
7.- Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
$•-Moved by Councilwoman Hussie, seconded by Supervisor Wickham, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
approves the amount � of. $345,425.00 for a bond for roads and
improvements in the major subdivision of Bayberry Estates at Southold,
all in accordance with the approval of the Southold Town Planning Board
and Engineering Inspector James A. Richter.
$•-Vote of the Town 'Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, . Councilwoman Hussie,! Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
9— Moved by Supervisor Wickham, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
authorizes the following modification to the General Fund Whole Town 1995
Budget to cover the purchase of a copy machine for the Recreation
Department:
From:
A7310.4.600. 100 Youth Bureau $ 1,289.00
(Mailing Administration)
A7.31U.4.600.200 Youth Bureau $ 1,500.00
(Youth Expo)
To:
A7020.2.500.300 Recreation Administration $ 2,789.00
(Equipment)
9 .- Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
10 .- Moved by Councilman Oliva, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
appoints the following individuals to the Steering Committee for the
Anti-Bias Task Force, for a one (1) year term, effective October 30, 1995
through October 30, 1996, they to serve without compensation:
Barbara Sommer Al Falkowski
Cindy Kumelos Viola Cross
Mark Cagen Bessie Swabb
Emma Parker Sabrina Crenshaw
Dorothy Wolf Lynda Clements
Rev. Martin Dozier Hiller Kahn
Ceorge Summers Ruth Oliva
Michael Zweig
10 . - Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, . Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
11 .- Moved by Councilwoman Hussie, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it
was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
appoints Irene R. Steward as Home Health Aide, effective immediately, at
a salary of $6.00 per hour, 17-1/2 hours per week, and Laura L.
Deptola as a Van Drive, effective immediately, at a salary at $6.00 per
hour, 17-1/2 hours per week.
11 .- Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, ' Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
OCTOBER 30; 1995 463
12 .- Moved by Councilman Lizewski, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie, it
was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
authorizes and directs Supervisor Thomas Wickham to execute the 1996
Individual Program Application(s) to the New York State Division for
Youth for the 1996 Juvenile Aide Program and the 1996 Youth Services
Program.
12 .- Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
13.- Moved by Supervisor Wickham, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
authorizes and directs the Town Attorney to take the necessary legal
action to draw upon the $156,000 Letter of Credit No. 771040 with the
Long Island Savings Bank, for major subdivision of Moores Lane at
Creenport, Section I (Pheasant Run), whereas the necessary
improvements have not been installed, and the Planning Board has not
received the required extension of the Letter of Credit which expires on
November 11, 1995.
13.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
14.-Moved by Councilman Townsend, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it
was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
accepts the bid of Stanley F. Skrezec, in the amount of $3,900.00, to
perform all work required for the demolition and removal of all
buildings, structures, foundations, footings, fallen trees, brush and
relative debris located at the Aanestad residence, 2605 Orchard Street,
Orient, N.Y., all in accordance with the bid specifications.
14.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
15.-Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Supervisor Wickham, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby grants
permission to Senior Planner Valerie Scopaz to attend meetings related
to her job responsibilities for the remainder of 1995; as follows: Travel
to New York City to attend meetings with the American Planning
Association's Metropolitan Chapter, and with the Regional Planning
Association, and to Riverhead or Hauppauge to meet with the Long
Island section of the Metropolitan Chapter; travel expenses to be a
charge against the Planning Board's 1995 budget.
15.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
16.-Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
authorizes the Board of Commissioners of the Fishers Island Ferry
District to accept the low bid of Thames Shipyard & Repair Company for
drydocking the MV MUNNATAWKET, all in accordance with the bid
specification: $9,900.00, plus $50.00 each for zincs, and the following
supplemental work as may be found necessary or required by a
regulatory authority after the vessel is on dry dock: (a) removal and
replacement of shafts - $2,000.00 per shaft; (b) renewal of strut
bearings - $1,250.00 per bearing; (c) propeller replacement - $750.00 per
propeller; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners is authorized to
enter into a contract with Thames Shipyard & Repair Company to
accomplish the aforesaid work, all in accordance with the specifications.
16.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
464 OCTOBER 30, 1995
17 .-Moved by Councilman Townsend, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it
was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
appoints Clement Charnews, Jr. as a member of the Southold Town
Substance Abuse Committee, effective immediately through October 24,
1996, he to serve without compensation.
17 .-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva.,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: The next resolution is a resolution is resolution
setting the fees for various uses of the Collection Center at the
Cutchogue Landfill. .Most of these fees are the same fees as they've been
for the last year, but at the last Board meeting we took an action, that
would take them out of the Code, and we are asked now to establish
those fees in a separate schedule, or a separate sheet, that would be
attached to it. So, the following fees are being established by
resolution of the Board at this time.
18.- Moved by Supervisor Wickham, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby sets
the following fees for the issuance of permits and/or licenses for
vehicles transporting refuse into any refuse disposal area maintained by
the Town of Southold, effective immediately:
Resident (non-commercial) - $10.00 1st vehicle, $5 .00 2nd vehicle,
issued at same time to same address.
Lessee - $10.00
Guest - $10.00
$2.00 per load fee for each non-commercial vehicle of less than one
ton capacity which possesses no permit.
$30.00 per load fee for each single axle truck which does not possess.
a permit.
$60 .00 per load fee for each double axle truck which does not possess
a permit.
$60.00 annual fee for each commercial vehicle transporting liquid septic
waste, together with an additional fee of $ .03 for
each gallon of liquid waste discharged.
$60.00 annual fee for each commercial contractor's' vehicle of one ton or
less capacity.
$60.00 annual fee for each farm vehicle transporting agricultural waste.
*$220.00 annual fee for each single axle vehicle transporting solid waste
(garbage)'.
*$220.00 annual fee for each commercial contractor's vehicle of more than
one ton capacity.
*$600.00 annual fee for each double axle and/or compactor type vehicle
transporting solid waste (garbage) .
*$600.00 annual fee. for each commercial contractor's double axle and/or
tractor-trailer combination of more than one ton
capacity.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby sets the
following fees, effective January 1 , 1996 :
*$200.00 annual fee for each single axle vehicle transporting solid waste
(garbage) .
*$200.00 annual fee for each commercial contractor's vehicle of more than
one ton capacity.
*$250.00 annual fee for each double axle and/or compactor type vehicle
transporting solid waste (garbage) .
*$250.00 annual fee for each commercial contractor's double axle and/or
tractor-trailer combination of more than one ton
capacity.
OCTOBER 30; 1995 4 6
18 .-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
19.-Moved by Councilman Lizewski, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie, it
was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
increases the number of Fishers Island Sewer District units billed to the
following individuals, to reflect the , actual number of units in their
buildings, effective with the 1996 billing:
Paul Vartanian - from 4 units to 6 units
Thomas Shillo - from four units to 7 units
Susan & Kevin Connelly - from 1 unit to 3 units
19.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
20.-Moved by Councilwoman Hussie, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it
was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
extends the appointment of Lucia Farrel, part-time Clerk Typist for the
Justice Court, for an additional three (3) months, effective October 30,
1005 through January 31, 1995, 17-1/2 hours per week, at a salary of
$7.09 per hour.
20.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
21 .-Moved by Councilman Townsend, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it
was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to advertise for bids for clean out
of the west equalization tank of the Southold Scavenger Waste Treatment
Facility, all in accordance with the bid specification to be approved by
the Town Attorney.
21 .-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman ' Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
22•-Moved by Supervisor Wickham, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie,
WHEREAS, the 1996 Suffolk County Operating Budget as proposed by
the County Executive transfers public safety communications from the
Police District budget to the General Fund budget; and
WHEREAS, sixty-five (65) public safety dispatchers receive 911 calls
from emergency complaint operators only when they impact Suffolk County
Police District operations; and
WHEREAS, the proposed transfer would result in the five East End
Towns providing financial support in the Police District for which they,
would receive no direct benefits; and
WHEREAS, the five East End Town and Village taxpayers will continue
to pay for their own 911 public safety dispatch systems; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby urges
the Suffolk County Legislature to transfer the public safety dispatch
charges back to the Police District and amend the County Charter as
needed to accommodate the change; and be it further
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and
directs to transmit copies of this resolution to all Suffolk County
Legislators, Suffolk County Executive Robert J. Gaffney, and the East
End Supervisors.
22 •-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
Moved by Councilman Lizewski, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it
was
4 6 6 OCTOBER 30, 1995
23.-Moved by Councilman Lizewski, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it
was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
authorizes the following modification to the General Fund Whole Town 1995
Budget to provide an appropriation for DEC monitoring expenses specified
in the Stipulation of Settlement previously provided for in the Solid
Waste Management District:
To:
A8160.4.500.400 Refuse S Garbage, Contractual' $ 10,000.00
From:
A9901 .9.000.000 I nterfund Transfers $ 10,000.00
Transfers to Health Plan
23 .- Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie; Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
COUNCILWOMAN HUSSIE: This last one refers back to #20.
24.-Moved by Councilwoman Hussie, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it
was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby
authorizes the following modification to the General Fund Whole Town 1995
Budget to allocate funds for extending the part-time Clerk Typist in the
Justice Court:
From:
A1110.1 .100.400 Justices, Personal Services $ 3,000.00
Sick Earnings
To:
A1110. 1 .200. 100 Justices, Personal Services $ 3,000.00
Part-time Employees
Regular Earnings
24 . -Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie,- Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: That completes the list of resolutions that are
available for Board consideration today. We have a public hearing, that
is scheduled to begin at five o'clock, ' and it's a little bit before five,
but I see some people in the audience, who might like to respond to it,
we might get started now.
TOWN CLERK TERRY: We can't start before five. It's advertised for five
o'clock.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: We'll hold the hearing at five o'clock. We have a
few minutes, that the Board would be pleased to have comment, and
receive suggestions and ideas from the audience. Let me just comment,
that I would like hold this part of the meeting strictly to five minutes.
It has long been a practice of the Board to have the comments from the
audience limited to five minutes, and we'd 'like to continue that a
little more carefully than we've done in the past. So, I'm going to be
keeping time tonight. " Would anyone like to address the Board on any
matter of their interests. Yes, sir, the gentleman in the back?
RON ECK: Supervisor Wickham, Councilwoman and Councilman, my name
is Ron Eck. I just moved into 2845 Peconic Lane, and I come down here
for another purpose, but I also wanted to know about the landfill fee,
and if I'm right in listening to you, it would be: a $10.00 permit for me,
and $2.00 per load?
COUNCILWOMAN HUSSIE: One or the other.
TOWN CLERK TERRY: The $10.00 permit is good for a year. It's for a
non-commercial vehicle, your car, or a pickup truck used
non-commercially.
RON ECK: My truck has non-commericial plate on it.
OCTOBER 30, 1995 46 7
TOWN CLERK TERRY: That's fine then. You're not using it for
business, that you're going to be transporting anything. That's good for
a year.
RON ECK: I'm disabled. I moved out here to be quiet, because I used to
work on the building, that I moved into, and the landlord said, Ron,
move in there, do what you want to the building, and I know you can't
work long hours, and whatnot, but he said, take care of it. I put some
flowers in front of the building already, and I fixed up my back
apartment, and whatnot, but there was another question I was going to
ask today, but I was told to go see Ray Jacobs by the Peconic
Postmistress. She told me to go see Ray Jacobs about that. It's like a
fishing pool out in front of the house there, and I would call it
Railroad Avenue, because the road there is about as long as the one in
Riverhead, and it's also longer than the one in Jamesport I'm sure, and
longer than the one in Mattituck. But, that road is used constantly by
eighteen wheelers, and there's about six, I call them, fishing holes, but
there's no fish in them, so I was going to see Ray Jacobs tomorrow to
see if he could do something about filling them up.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: I'm sure he will. Would anyone else like 'to
address the Board this afternoon on any matter of your interest?
DON SAYRE: My name is Don Sayre. I'd like to read a statement from
the Southold Fire District. I'm one of Fire Commissioners. I do have a
copy for the Town Clerk as well as members of the Board. The Southold
Fire Department has a serious problem with access to some private roads
within the Southold Southold Fire District. The private roads are
overgrown with brush and trees, and some of the road beds are full of
pot holes. This not only restricts the response time of emergency
vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, etc. and personnel, it also puts the
residents 'and their property at risk, damages our trucks and equipment,
and above all puts the safety of our volunteer firefighters in harm's
way. There are some areas with private roads that we can not get any of
our equipment into, not even our ambulances. The Town of Southold has
a Code in place to remedy this problem. Section 90-4 and 100-235C of the
Town Code specifically deals with unsafe premises and fire lane
standards. To give you a little background on what steps the Southold
Fire District has taken, on October 23, 1993 we sent letters to the
residents of an area explaining the problem and requesting that they
rectify it. There was no response, and on October 4, 1994 we, again,
sent letters, certified, return receipt, to the residents of the area
explaining the problem and requesting that they rectify it. Nothing was
done, and on May 24, 1995 we sent a letter to the Town Attorney to
pursue the residents compliance to the Tow Code. Still nothing was done,
and on July 14, 1995 a follow-up letter was sent to the Town Attorney by
our attorney William Class requesting compliance. Our attorney also
followed up with several phone calls which were never answered. On
September 13, 1995, we requested to be put on the Town Board Work
Session agenda for September 19, 1995, so we would be able to discuss
this matter with the Town Board. We were told that the agenda was full,
and that we would be put on the October 3, 1995 agenda. On September
26, 1995, which was a week before the October 3rd meeting, we were
informed that our meeting had been removed from the agenda and that
the Town would give us a letter that we could put on our stationary to
send to the residents. Since we have already done this, we informed
Mrs. Oliva we would not be sending another letter out and that we
wished the Town would take the appropriate actions for the residents to
comply with the Town Code. The Commissioners of the Southold Fire
District wish to extend an invitation to all members of the Town Board to.
set up an appointment with representatives of the Southold Fire District
and the Southold Fire Department to go to the different areas in our fire
district to inspect and show you the problems that exist. We can also
show you the size of the emergency equipment that we must get into
these areas. Public safety and the safety of our volunteers should be of
the utmost importance to the Town Board, and we respectfully request
your immediate attention to this matter. Thank you.
468 OCTOBER 30, 1995
COUNCILWOMAN OLIVA: Don, as you know we've had several
conversations about this, and we thought we should really take this back
to the Code, because our Town Attorney felt that she would have
difficulty in enforcing the Code, as it is written now, because it said
up to fifteen feet. Now, if people cleared six feet would that solve your
problem? I don't think so. Would it be eight feet? Would it be twelve
feet? I think we have to. put a definite footage in that Code Ordinance,
or into the Ordinance, so that it would clearly enforce something. It
would be very difficult to enforce this as it is written at this point.
DON SAYRE: Well, I recall the conversation that you and I had, but
disagree with that. I think that the reason the, fifteen by fifteen was
put into place is to give it some flexibility.
COUNCILWOMAN OLIVA: Mr. Sayre, it only says; up to fifteen feet.
DON SAYRE: That's correct, and I want to remind you, also, that the
Town Board at that time voted entirely, with the exception of Mr.
Wickham, for the law to go into place. There was public hearing. There
was no opposition to it, so that the people that were involved, or could
be involved, did not come to oppose it.
COUNCILWOMAN OLIVA: I don't think anyone' wants to oppose what
you're trying to do. We just think that perhaps the previous Board, and
the people that were there at the time didn't understand fully the
ramifications of just putting that up to, instead of putting a definite
footage in.
DON SAYRE: You were on the Code Committee, and you voted for it.
COUNCILWOMAN OLIVA: I was not on the Code Committee at that time.
DON SAYRE: I believe you were on the Code Committee, because we
had a meeting here with the five Fire Districts, the Village Warden, and
George Penny was the head of the committee, and I believe you were
there, and we- discussed this, went at great lengths with discussion on
this.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Don, I look forward to excepting your invitation.
I would like to go out, and have a look at these places. As you said, I
didn't vote for this, but I do see the need. I clearly see the need to
keep open thoroughfares for our fire equipment; to get in and out.
would prefer to put off about ten days, and then I'd like to get in touch
with you. I'd like to go out, and have a look at these places, and I'd
like to put in place the measures that would provide good excess for all
rescue and fire equipment without doing damage, ! and without sacrificing
the safety of our volunteers.
DON SAYRE: The problem I have with that is, we have a problem
now, and if you go changing the Code, you're .going to go six months
down the road.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: I'm not sure it needs is change in the Code
either, and I think there are steps the Town can take. In fact, you're
correct that I didn't support the law as it was proposed a couple of
years ago, but I did say at that time, and I'd ' say it now, there are
still other strong measures, that the Town can take to protect access to
make the life of the Fire. Departments, and the 'volunteers better, and
make them better able to serve the public safety needs of the town.
There are things we can do through publicity, through leaflets, through
letters. We can do those things, and in another ten days I'll be glad to
take a look at it with you, and we'll come up with something that I think
the Board could support.
DON SAYRE: I disagree with you, because you were on the Town
Board at that time. You've had time since that time, that you were on the
Town Board as a Councilman. You've been Supervisor for almost two
years. You knew that this law was on the books, and you haven't done a
thing with it.
OC T O7.ER 3.0, ,s95 4 6 9
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Until your proposals came to us recently, I
wasn't aware of serious problems. Ruth has pointed out some problems,
that she has with the legal side of it. Not withstanding those questions,
I'm prepared to go ahead with some steps that the Town can take to
support the Fire Districts.
DON SAYRE: Thank you.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: It's five o'clock. I declare a recess.
Moved by Supervisor Wickham, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED that a recess be called at this time, 5:00 P.M., for the
purpose of holding a public hearing.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend., Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,
Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
Meeting reconvend at 5:30 P.M.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: We'll resume comments from the audience
regarding any matter of their interest before us this afternoon. Yes,
sir, the gentleman in the back?
FRANK CARLIN: Frank Carlin, Laurel. On the other one, that I
mentioned just a moment ago. It's the one that receive from the County
on the Revenue Sharing on safety, which I understand you're going to be
receiving $227,000 in '96 from the County on Revenue Sharing, or safety
programs. It was right in the paper, Greg Blass, County Legislature
voted in there. What I want to know, do you intend to use some of that
money, you better read the paper then, if you didn't see it. Mrs.
Oliva, , you're making kind of a face up there. But, when you do
receive this money, do you have any plans in using some of this money
towards hiring some new police officers, being that it's for safety?
You'd better read the Suffolk Times. I don't know what page it's on, but
it was in there.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: So, there's a question to the Board, and I have
to say, I'm not clear about this myself. John, do you know anything
about this?
JOHN CUSHMAN: I think Frank is talking about the sales tax.
FRANK CARLIN : No,no. .okay, but it's still going to be under revenue
sharing for safety, and the amount coming to Southold Town is $227,000,
maybe you're getting a little more. My question is, do you, have any
plans in using some of this money to hire some police officers.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: I think the answer to that is, yes, Frank. It
goes into the General Fund-Whole Town, and consequently a good portion
of that will be used for police purposes.
FRANK CARLIN: That's good. So, you've got that amount to go for
some police officers. You got $240,000 coming in from Greenport. But,
keep mentioning it to you, I don't know what you're doing about it, this
COP Program, the Federal funding program.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: We have made application to that.
FRANK CARLIN: Community Oriented Policing Service, there's money to
be gotten there. When you add up these three things, they add up to
quite a bit. You could hire quite a few police officers.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: That's right.
FRANK CARLIN: I had a different agenda tonight, but I can't speak
on it, because I'm limited to five minutes, but you know I look at the
flag. I see I'm in the United States of America, freedom of speech,
amendment one. I look at other Town Board meetings, Southampton,
Riverhead, Creenport. I very seldom see the Supervisor say, got five
minutes, I'm going to cut you off, or pull out a timer, and all that
470 OCTOBER 30, 1995
nonsense. Last week you gave David Corwin here about fifteen minutes
to speak. I don't understand what you're trying to do here. I mean I can
understand if there's a lot of people in the room, and you got to get a
lot of people to speak. But, a lot of times there is only a few people
that want to speak, -and I have usually a pretty strong agenda, and I
can't do it in five minutes. I'm not asking that you give me anymore,
but it just don't seem right 'being in this country, that you're limited
to how you want to express yourself, or speak. I don't understand this,
and I never will, because I watched just recently, maybe three weeks
ago, Southampton Town Board had a . meeting on a public hearing alone
took seven hours. Seven hours on a public hearing alone, Tom. I want to
tell you something, Mr. Supervisor. This would have been a hot agenda.
I can't do it, because it takes more than five minutes, but you write
letters to me for five, minutes, understand this, all of you, you might
limit me for five minutes, but you can't limit me from using this pen
when I'm writing. Last week you mentioned to me, the man in black would
like to speak. The reason why I'm in black here, let me explain why.
This shirt was given to me from the owner of McDonalds, and it says on
there, McDonald's Mattituck, and I'm proud to wear it. Incidentally,
before I leave, Joe, how was the coffee the other night, or whatever you
had in McDonalds? You know you can go there, take a look at the place,
you don't have to buy anything. See how nice it is. Southold has taken a
step forward for a change, instead of two steps backwards.
SUPERVISOR W-ICKHAM: ' Thank you, Frank. You've used your five
minutes very effectively. Anyone else like to address the Board? The
gentleman in the back?
PHIL VANBOURGONDIEN: My name is Phil VanBourgondien, Southold.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I realize that the Budget is pretty
well settled by now, but there are a few things that bother me about
Town government. I fully expected that we would not have any increase
in taxes this year, but that is not the case. Personally, I believe you
should not have raised any salaries these past two years. We should also
be down-sizing Town. government. Down-sizing through attrition, not
layoffs, and I emphasize that completely. Yet, every meeting that
attend we seem to be hiring part-timers, part for this, and part for
that, and so on, and so forth. Government today is like any business
corporation, and the answer to the share holders through a Board of
Directors. You are our Board of Directors, and answer to the taxpayers.
If taxpayers are not happy, you are not reelected,. The Town of Babylon
has not had a tax increase in the past eight years. Under a Democratic
administration if they can do it, so can we. How do they do it? They
consolidated departments. They eliminated positions through attrition in
all departments of government. In other words, they were down-sizing,
and most important demanding more productivity from their employees.
Can you, the Board, honestly say that there has been an increase in
productivity in the past years? All departments of Southold Town
government are answerable to the Town Board, so just as you are to the
taxpayers. I fully believe in freedom of speech, but I get a little tired
of reading in the local papers the letters from ;the PBA, and Highway
Department Superintendent about how the Board is on them, and how
hard they work. It is true. Some of them do work hard, but some do
not. With all the labor saving machinery I would 'expect that the Highway
Department would need less men, than they've needed in the years past.
I've been out here twenty-one years, and I remember when they were
using push mowers along the sides of the road's. Today they're all in
fancy riding mowers, John Deeres, and going down, and they've got
big mowers, and they're doing everything. They do it twice or three
times as fast, and they have the same amount of employees. They should
have less. The reports from committees indicate that the Police
Department could be more productive. With the present pay scale for our
senior policeman, I'm surprised that everyone in town hasn't applied to
be a cop. Just a couple of other items on my agenda. The YMCA,
nationally, is a very wealthy organization. They could well afford to set
up in the center of Southold, preferable on a four lane highway in the
Peconic area, ' which would be more centrally located for all of the
Southold town people. Laurel Lake is a very sensitive area. I can't
believe you have not heard one word out of the North Fork Environmental
Council about your choice of Laurel Lake. They've been so quiet, there's
something wrong with them, because they're generally making their
OCTOBER 30, 1995 `t 71
hullabaloo about nothing. How about in addition to increasing
productivity all Town employees work a forty hour week like any other
business entity does in this country today? I never approved of the
lighting and sign codes, that the Board approved, nor of hiring a Sign
Code Enforcement person. The Sign Code was to keep our beautiful town
looking that way. Why are the politicians cluttering up our roads with
signs? Where is our Code Officer? I know that you will say, this is
tradition, but our town does look shabby with these signs all over the
place. ' This is people in Southold Town, who have had signs up for
twenty, thirty, forty years. They , need those signs to remain in
business. It's a tough, tough place to stay in business in Southold Town
today. To nit-pick and have to move them a foot or two is ridiculous.
Business signs are a tradition as much as political signs. Do these
political signs all have permits? Every other sign has to have a permit.
P.S. I, also, think that to do an appropriate job the Supervisor's term
of office should be four years, because two years is not enough. You
only have a year to work, and the second year is spent on politicking,
and to run for office the next time. That's not fair. It's not fair to
the person. It's not fair to the taxpayers. It should be a four year term
at the least. Thank you very much.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Phil, that's a very comprehensive review. I
can't respond to all of those comments, but I would just like to say,
that early on in your comments you raised the question of productivity.
think, by any objective standard, that productivity of employees in the
town is significantly higher .now, than it was two years ago. I think
there is more work being done per unit, or per person, than there has
been in the past.
TOWN CLERK TERRY: I agree with that one hundred percent. There are
more things put on us every day.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Is there anyone else in the audience, who would
like to address the Town Board this evening?
RON ECK: Just one question .I have. Ron Eck, Mr. Supervisor,
Councilwoman, I have in my hand a card. It's a disability card from the
veteran's hospital. I've been going to the V.A. hospital in Northport
since 1976. I've been disabled since 1976. The reason why I come back in
here, I stepped outside before, because I thought I had some applications
in my car, but I left them home. They are application for any veteran,
whether he is disabled, or not, to put in this application to get one of
these cards at the V.A. hospital, because the V.A. hospital is going to
be funded starting next year by how many people are registered in that
hospital. We need veterans, whether they're disabled or not, to fill out
these applications. I was going to ask if I could bring some to Mrs.
Terry to leave.
TOWN CLERK TERRY: I'm sorry. It's that we really only have things
that are government related to the Town of Southold, and please, don't
feel offended by it. It's the way it has to be.
RON ECK: I can't get out to these veteran's organizations out here to
tell them what is going on, but I have a man that's going to start going
into the V.A. hospital with me on the 16th of November.
TOWN CLERK TERRY: If you come and see me I can give you the name
of the Commanders of the legions, that you could call.
RON ECK: I belong to the American Legion in Riverhead. I belong to
the D.A.V. , which is the only one, Disabled American Veterans, which is
the only one on the North Fork, which is located in Riverhead. Garfield
M. Langhorne, I believe his name was. He was a young man, who threw
himself on a grenade to save his buddies. If anyone wants to join the
D.A.V. let them come see me on Peconic Lane. They'll spot me. They'll
see my truck.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Thank you, Mr. Eck. Is there anyone else who
would like to address the Board tonight?
4 7.2 OCTOBER 30, 1995
FRANK CARLIN: Just a short one, Tom. I agree with what this
gentleman said over .here, but you got to remember one thing. We had
thirty-six people on Highway Department years back, and since then we
had more roads added, and a lot more work involved in it. I disagree on
the amount of employees terms for Supervisor. , I think all Supervisor
and all Council should be two years, everybody, because I'll tell you the
reason why. If you vote for somebody, and they' turn out to be a .Lemon,
you don't have to put up with their nonsense for four years. You can
vote them out after two.
5:50 P.M. Councilman Lizewski left.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Thank you, Mr. Carlin. I think that
completes the comments from the audience. I'd like to turn to the Board.
If there's anyone on the Board, who would like to address the audience,
or other Board members.
COUNCILWOMAN HUSSIE: I would. This last, week the Supervisor's
Preliminary Budget was brought to us, and I tell you the public would be
wise to look carefully at how this money is to 'spent, especially in the
areas of personnel Solid Waste, and the Capital Budget. In 1993, the
Supervisor, who was then a Councilman voted against the 1994 Budget.
He said, and I quote, the Supervisor should; provide leadership in
spending, restraints by forgoing pay increase's for Town employees,
appointed officials, and elected officials, close quote. The 1996 Budget
provides for 20% raise for the Deputy Supervisor, two promotions, and
three new positions. Definitely not a spending restraint. When I argued
on this topic, I was asked if I had four votes to change the Budget. No,
I didn't. Then the rationale was given that the changes would not go into
effect until January, and if we did not want to _proceed then, we didn't
have to. That's unacceptable. If the money is in place, it's easy to go
ahead acid spend it. On Solid Waste I quote the Supervisor, again, in
reference to the 1994 Budget. Quote, it has not been explained to my
satisfaction why we need two and a half million ,dollars for garbage and
refuse, when the primary cost total only half of that, close quote. If
you look at the line to the Municipal Solid Waste' Removal you'll see that
$200,000, that 1 propose the yellow bags be reduced by. You'll find it
there. Now, that money . is squirreled away throughout the Solid Waste
District. There's no plan to lower the bag prices; and that cash cow will
continue to produce. The third part of the budget, that must have your
attention is the Capital Budget. It totals almost $900,000 for proposed
projects. The way it stands now is that those projects may, or may not
happen. This Capital Budget is the way to sidle into the back door to
borrow. It's a blank check. There's no assurance that the money will be
ever be spent as it was requested. Take a look at the Budget before
November 9th.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: This gives me an opportunity to outline a little
bit of what the Town Board did do, when it adopted a Preliminary Budget
for next year. We adopted that Budget last Friday. It's going to public
hearing on November 9th. That's a week from Thursday, at 3:00 o'clock
in the afternoon, and at 7:00 o'clock in the evening. Members of the
community are most welcome to come, and address the Board with their
comments at that time. I'd like to take this opportunity to just give a
few highlights of this Budget. Just give you a few of the more salient
features that I think the public would be interested in. First of all,
taking the five major funds, that we're concerned about, General Fund
Whole Town, Part Town, the two Highway Funds, and the Solid Waste
District. All and all the 1996 Preliminary Budget shows an increase in
spending of 2.4% over 1995. But, it shows a reduction in taxes of 1 .4,.
The reason the taxes can be reduced while spending increases is due to
the use of funds to balance it saved up during 1995. A portion of these
balances can be used as revenues in 1996, taking the place of taxes. Last
year the Board agreed to the policy that we would use a flat 50% of those
balances as revenues in the following year. This flat percentage
eliminates the tendency to use a large share in, certain years, and to
produce an artificially low tax rate, as was done in the 1994 election.
During 1995, that's this year, right now, the Town has spent less money
than was budgeted, and we took in as revenues more than expected. So,
that's resulted in the savings of about a million dollars in all five
funds. The principle source of these savings has been as follows,
i
OCTOBER 30, 1995 47 .3
$400,000, that the Town has saved through less than expected
contributions for the New York State Retirement System. The New York
State Retirement System told us, you ought to plan for this level, and
when they actually sent us the bills it was $400,000 less. There's been
about $100,000 in increased revenues from recyclables at the dump. The
market for recyclables have been a lot better than we anticipated.
There's been some $200,000 in additional expenses made available to the
General Fund Highways, and it's been a relatively light year in terms of
the expenditure needed to clear snow, and to take care of storms in the
Highway's Budget. In addition, this Town Board has managed it's
budgets with unprecedented care. The Police Budget for 1996 provides
for hiring five new people. Alice made the comment that we're going to
hire three new people. We're not. We're going to hire five new people,
five new Police Officers next year, including one who will be transferred
to the Juvenile Aide Bureau, and one new administrative officer, a
civilian, to relieve a police officer, who could do patrol duties. The
total spending for Police and JAB together would be up about 5% next
year. Spending in 1996 for the two Highway Funds is up more than 80
over 1994 levels. That's 4% for two consecutive years to make 80. But
it's insurance against severe storms, that the Town is going to have to
finance a major storm renovation, or dealing with storms. We have put
away $100,000 in the contingency in the Whole Town Budget, and $25,000
as insurance in the Part Town Budget if needed to take care of storm
damage. We've set aside $40,000 in this Preliminary Budget for an
affordable housing program based on existing housing stock, not new
houses, and that $40,000 would leverage $160,000 of Federal (tape
change) to include a Business Manager/Senior Accountant to better reflect
the duties of the current person holding that position at present. The
Town Board is proposing a grant's program to put into one fund, a
series of granting organizations, that are currently protected line by
line. That's a $30,000 appropriation, and we're continuing to finance
libraries 'at the same levels as 1995. The current budget we're proposing
a Solid Waste expenditure of $100,000 in a Capital Reserve Fund
earmarked exclusively for landfill closure. We're done a number of other
things, and as Alice said, we proposed to keep the garbage bag fees and
charges exactly the same, because we find that those charges exactly
finance the true costs, the complete costs of getting rid of all garbage
that comes in in those bags. Not just the contract cost to haul it out of
town, which is about two-thirds, but .if you add the additional cost of
handling the garbage at the dump, that cost almost exactly equals the
revenues that the yellow bags bring in. For the first time the Board has
adopted a Capital Budget separate from the operating budget. The
purposes of this Capital Budget are to plan ahead over a three year
period all of our capital expenditures to apply to capital investment the
same budgeting discipline, that we are required by law in the operating
budget, and to plan how best we can finance these from the various
appropriations. In 1996, we have called for approximately $300,000 in
appropriations from taxes to pay for Capital Investment. We've scheduled
the public hearings next week. We hope the people in the community will
come. I think you'll find the Board receptive to different comments, and
following pursuant to that public hearing the Board will adopt the final
1996.
COUNCILWOMAN HUSSIE: There are a few things . that I would_ like to
clarify. Number one, when I said there were three new positions I was
not referring to the Police at all. So, the fact that there are five
there, there are three others. Number two, the Supervisor says that
$1,000,000 was saved during this last year. If you recall last year
said that there was $800,000 too much in that budget. Number three, the
balances that have talked about from 1994, the Accountant will tell you
there was 1 .9 million dollars at the end of 1994. Number four, the
$100,000 contingency that we have in the Whole Town supposedly
earmarked for the Highway Department, if it's supposed to be for the
Highway Department, why isn't in the Highway Department? That
contingency fund could be used for anything. The fifth and last,
although you had about eight, or nine different points, the fifth one
want to talk about, if you look at the Budget you'll see it has about
$550,000 for the cost of getting rid of solid waste, only solid waste,
and if you look at the income from the Town Clerk's bags, all of that
amounts to the same amount. Who pays then for the waste that comes
over the scale?
4 7 4 OCTOBER 30, 1995
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Joe?
COUNCILMAN TOWNSEND: I'd like to respond to a couple of items, and
we've had quite long discussions on solid waste issue, and the particular
figure he's talking about, that Alice mentioned., It's true that the cost
for trucking of the garbage bags out of town, is around $300,000, three
hundred and .change, and it's true that we've applied—that we gained
$500,000 in income, and if the trucks that take it to Pennsylvania, or
wherever it goes, came house to house, and we didn't have to put it in
the landfill, if we didn't have to have, men to put it in those trucks, if
we didn't have to buy equipment to load those bags into the truck, then
we could probably get away with listing $300,00;0 for that expense, but
we have to maintain the building, and we have to buy and maintain the
equipment, and we have to pay the personnel to, do that. Consequently,
unless you want to put the $200,000 in the tax bill, you have to provide
these $500,000 worth of money to pay for that total service. A couple of
other things that she mentioned, she said three 'new positions. We're not
talking about three positions. We've changed some titles. We've tried to
respond to the Town's demand for different services, fire marshals,
without increasing cost. We have not increased costs dramatically in
these new positions. As far as the Fire Marshall, Inspector concerned we
just created a new position by applying half of a Building Inspector's
time to that job. As far as the Business Manager is concerned, we no
longer have Insurance Consultant. A Business Manager is going to help
us with audit, and all the things that the Insurance Consultant needs to
do. That will save us quite a bit of money. As far as. . l think in the
Trustees we talked about getting rid of a clerical, person, and putting on
an Environmental Consultant that also could do- clerical work. These are
consolidations of positions, and focusing on the job that has to be done
in town without increasing costs. So, to say that we're increasing the
number of positions, technically you are right, but the bottom line is to
reduce ,costs. She did mention the line for Deputy Supervisor. In the
past Deputy Supervisors have occasionally filled in for the Supervisor at
meetings, or substituted when the Supervisor wasn't available. Ruth,
since she is the Deputy Supervisor, has been putting in eight hour days
consistently, and in my opinion, certainly does considerably more than
any other Councilperson, and is entitled to recognition for the amount of
time she puts in. Of course, once again, that will be subject to hearing,
and if there is a fair -amount of testimony that should not be in, then we
can remove it. Lastly, Alice addressed the amount of surplus that was in
the Budget this year. It's true. There was a lot of surplus, and a lot of
it came from a sharp pencil, and careful spending, the new line of
budgeting that we initiated, which allowed us to keep track of expenses
and overtime, and things like that, but also, we were fortunate. Cod was
kind to us this year, didn't bring a lot of snow. We didn't have any
hurricanes, and so we were able to maintain a fairly good budget, I mean
a fairly good surplus in the Highway Department, and all the attending
costs that go with those things. So, we may not have that next year. We
may have some heavy snows. We may have a hurricane. That's why we
created that contingency fund to earmark at this time, and not just put
it in some sort of nameless line in the Highway Department. Lastly, she
mentioned the Capital Budget,, and I don't know where Alice gets her idea
about what a Capital Budget is for, but it's certainly not to increase
the debt. It's just the ' opposite. By planning ahead, you can eliminate
all the bonding expenses that we've paid years and years for the
acquisition of equipment, and 'other high priced items. That's the whole
reason you create a Capital Budget. I mean, everybody knows that. We're
not hiding money somewhere in the future. We've gone over with the
department heads what kind of major expenditures they're going to have
to make, and over the next three years we budgeted that money, so that
we can make those expenses without paying three ,times the value of that
equipment in interest. That's the reason we created a Capital Budget.
That's all I have to say.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Thank you.
FRANK CARLIN: I'd like to reply to you, Joe-.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: If this is a budget discussion, there will be a
public hearing, Frank.
OCTOBER 30, 1995 47 5
FRANK CARLIN: I just want to reply to what he said. Am I able to
speak this time, again?
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Can you keep it to a minute?
FRANK CARLIN: You didn't keep yours to five minutes. Joe, for you
say that one person does more than anyone else on the Board, if I was a
Board member, or Councilpeople, I would be insulted by that. Nobody
tells her she's got to work eight hours a day. Come on. You're talking to
Frank Carlin. If anybody deserves a raise, who puts in hours, it's
Judith Terry, the Clerk there. She's the one that if you're going to give
one, give it to Judith Terry then. You're talking to Frank Carlin, man.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Anyone else on the Board like to address any
of these issues?
COUNCILWOMAN OLIVA: I just want to reiterate on one thing, that I
think is very important. That the Board decided with the reserve that
they had to put $100,000 aside, so that we start saving up for the
capping and closing of our landfill, and I think this is a very important
thing that the Board has done, and the first time they've ever looked
ahead, and started to save ahead for something they know is going to be
a tremendous expense to the town, and I'm very proud of the Board for
doing it.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Do I hear a motion to adjourn?
Moved by Councilwoman Oliva, seconded - by Councilwoman Hussie, it
was
RESOLVED that the Town Board meeting be and hereby is- adjourned at
6: 10 P.M.
Vote of -the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
Judith T. rry
Southold Town Clerl