The meeting started with George Johnson explaining the town’s insurance to the board members and making necessary changes to the policies.  Mr. Johnson presented the board with a check for $1,257.00.  The way I understood the explanation for this check was it was a dividend check and the town should receive one for the next couple of years.   Mr. Johnson also suggested to the board as a result  of recent incidents in other towns that the board increase the policy on “Employee Dishonesty” from $10,000 to $25,000.

A motion was made to transfer $1,598.00 from Contingency to the Garage Contractual to cover the overage on the new garage doors that were installed last month.  This passed with no opposition.

Supervisor Howard then went on a tangent about how he wished someone would please explain the town budget to him and what all the accounts are.  Michelle did a very good job explaining to him that the State sets the accounts and that all of these figures have to be reported to the state not only by her but also by the Town Superintendent.  There is a purpose for all of these accounts.  Curt Rung then proceeded to explain to Mr. Howard the difference between contractual and salary. SCARY!!!

A motion was made by the board to close the Steuben Highway and General savings accounts and transfer them to the MBIA where they would earn interest.

The board approved the Town Clerks report but on a side note I would like everyone to know that this is the 6th YEAR that the taxes did not balance and as of the date of this report they are still not balanced with the County.  The tax collectors balance their taxes with the County the first week in April.  For anyone that is not familiar with the collection of taxes, these are computerized now..   When a tax payment is received the tax collector brings up the tax bill on the screen, tax collector marks it paid.  At the end of the day, the tax collector would then print out a report of that days payments.  That report should match your deposit.  Boom you are done. At the end of the tax season all your deposits should match her totals from

Curt has turned in a CHIPS claim of $35,029.88 to the state for reimbursement and has gone through 11-tons of cold patch so far this year.

Alice stated that the she received a letter from the state and the town is at 100%.  The Enhanced Star is $60,100 and the Basic Star is $30,000.  Grievance day is Tuesday, May 26th from 5 to 9.

Mike Scott reported he spoke to the lawyer handling the Mosher property and it is still in the hands of their lawyer.  In the mean time, another month of paying to have the septic tank pumped at the town hall.

The town board hired Clark Patterson Engineers to handle the paperwork for the Windmills.  There will be a public hearing in July on this project.  I will let you know of the date.

Motion was passed to give the donation of $400/each to the Summer Soccer League and the Youth Program at the Library.  This money is already in the budget for these programs.

It was also suggested that they give the museum the $500 that is budgeted for them.  Mr. Howard seemed to have a problem with this money going to them.  He felt that the town was giving away too much money and that this appropriated fund should go to Don Cady instead for mileage.  For anyone who isn’t aware, Don Cady is the Town Historian though I’m not sure when he was actually appointed.

I hope everyone has a great and safe Memorial Day Weekend!!!!!

Mr. Scott stated at the beginning of the meeting they had made a mistake on the budget figure from last year.  The increase the town of was looking at was now $80,806.74 ($17,772.93 of this figure is the fire district) which actually brings the increase down to $63,033.81.

The main concern during the evening seemed to be the pay increase for the Superintendent and the Assessor.  Here is a breakdown of salaries:

• Town Board 0% increase
• Town Justice $4,500 to $4,750 increase of 5%
• Supervisor 0%
• Assessors:    Alice  $4,800 to $6,500 increase of 35%   No increase for John or Randy (Note: There is confusion on how much Alice is actually making at this date.  Mike Scott quoted $4,800 for Alice and $3,000 for John & Randy each however; that doesn’t compute to $9,750 a year.)
• Town Clerk 0%
• Bookkeeper  $6,600 to $7,200 increase of 9%
• Code Enforcement Officer  $3,925 to $4,050 increase of 3%
• Dog Control Officer 0%
• Superintendent $32,000 to $36,000 increase of 12.5%

I am not against anyone receiving a well-earned raise and I’m sure that none of you are either but there seems to be some raises that are way above what is logical.  I believe our Highway Superintendent should remember that he also has a vehicle that he drives back and forth to work that is paid for with tax dollars.  I understand that he has to go out and check roads with it, but he only lives 5 minutes away. If this is too much for his budget should give that up.  He doesn’t seem to realize that the vehicle is part of his pay package.  Mr. Rung was also commenting that his employees had a clothing allowance.  What does he think his contractual account is? My favorite part of his heart felt speach though was if he did not receive this raise then they could find someone else.  So you are going to give up a job for $32,000 over a raise? Don’t you all wish you had this option?

There was a huge uproar among the people present, when it was stated how much of an increase the chairman of the assessors was asking for.  At this point there are no raises in the budget for anyone which is unacceptable.  As Paul Sadler stated his taxes are going up also and he should get his 3%.    He’s asking for a lousy $125 that comes out to $2.40 a week.  Come on Board think about it, think outside the box for a change.

By the end of the meeting the budget was trimmed another $47,452.11 bringing the increase in the budget to $15,581.70 (this is with no raises and does not include the $17,772.93 for the fire department) and a tax increase of 2.57%.  The majority of this figure are uncontrollable costs such as insurance, social security, retirement and so on.

The board is going to hold another meeting to go over the budget with the taxpayers on Thursday, November 13.  The board is not required to do this and it is nice of them to do this however; when you have this many concerned people do you really want to back to keeping every thing to yourselfs?  The public appreciates an honest, open board and would like to thank them for holding this other meeting.

Paul Plants of Plants & Goodwin brought in a copy of the plans for the gas line he would like to install along the town’s right-of-way from the Drum Road to National Fuel’s line on Zimmer Road.

Theresa Baldwin reported that someone has been driving their dirt bikes and 4-wheelers through the cemeteries.  She also stated that Christine Cole requested that she not mow between the town hall and their house.  They were concerned with paint chips.  Mike Scott requested Jane send them a certified letter requesting they attend the next meeting.

There was discussion that Betty Bartoo would longer be the Town Historian.  We will miss you Betty.  Mrs. Bartoo suggested that the board appoint Don Cady to the position.

Mr. Kozlowski questioned Curt if he had spoken to anyone from Groveland Correctional Facility concerning the prisoner work program.  Curt stated that the way he understood it someone from the Union had to be with the prisoners while they worked.  Mr. Kozlowski stated that this was not true and that he would call about the program.

Curt is putting out the bid the hauling of the sand and salt for the winter season.

Estimates from Overhead Doors were received.  The quotes for 3 doors were as follows:

• $11,164.52 with automated door openers
• $8,410.52 without automated openers

Curt stated the town should also look into replacing the windows in the highway garage.  Mike Scott suggested insulating around the windows for the time being.

No quotes were received for the new coal/wood stove for the shop.

The board received another complaint on the Ann Hampshire property.  The board advised Paul Sadler to issue her another ticket.  Paul stated that she was in court for the last complaint and was issued a fine.

Mr. Howard has received two letters of interest for the Town Councilman position.  They were from Ron Smith and myself.  The board is waiting on an official resignation letter from Jeff Harmon before an appointment is made.

Supposedly, the Town was awarded a $17,000.00 grant from the state.  Mr. Kozlowski says it was going into the CHIPS fund.  This is not possible though.  CHIPS funds is only for CHIPS programs.  I believe this grant was for the new ceiling in the town barn if this is so then it would be a Capital project.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Assessor Report September 2008

Highway Superintendent Report September 2008

Dog Control Officer Report September 08

The Fiscal Report was not approved this month. The board is questioning why transfers and corrections have not been done that they requested three months ago. There was also a question why the withholdings for the highway workers has not been corrected yet. Once the report is corrected I’ll have it back up for you.

Mr. Howard informed the board that the Town has received 2 petitions for Small Claims Assessment Review.

There will be a District III Legislative Meeting hosted by the Town of Wirt on July 29 at 7:00 p.m.

The Justice report was read. There was $950 taken in for the Town. This money is sent to the State Comptroller then the Town is reimbursed their respective amounts.

The Town Clerks report was accepted with total revenue of $126.68.

Superintendents Report highlights:

• Ditched on Zimmer
• Put up Stop sign at the bottom of Hicks Hill
• Grader (replaced solenoid and starter)
• Ditched on Monahan
• All paved roads are mowed
• D.E.C. inspected tanks- some repairs need to be done
• Is working with Mr. Kozlowski to get prisoners here to help out on the roads

There was discussion on taking bids for a new wood stove for the highway shop. Mike Scott is going to get some information and report back to the board next month.

Assessor’s Report:

• 2 Small claims received
• Alice attended “Deeds and Sales” on June 18 in Batavia
• Final roll is on file in the Town Clerk’s office
• Sales Information:
  • Elma Pangburn’s house sold for $61,800- her assessment was $45,200
  • 29.7 acres (vacant land) on the Pangburn Road just sold for $58,000

The board received a 180-day notice from Teamsters concerning contract negotiations. The current contract is up this year.

Mr. Dunmire inquired about the State Audit what the Town needed to do next. There was some discussion concerning having another meeting with the state auditor. Jane was checking with the State.

Gail Miller and Bob Dunbar addressed the Board concerning the recent problems they have encountered with the assessors. Mr. Dunbar had a list of information that was necessary in order for him to file a small claims review. However, Alice refused to help him. Mr. Scott stated that the board had informed the assessors that they were not to assess their own or a family member’s property. Mr. Reitz inquired to how far out this reached. He stated that in a small town such as Wirt everyone is related to each other somehow. What are the limitations?

Mr. Scott stated that it was a conflict of interest for Alice to help Ms. Miller and Mr. Dunbar. Mr. Dunbar stated that is fine, but Randy Harmon is never in town and John Day has not helped him. When he has phoned Mr. Day at his home he was asked not to call there because his wife did not want him to. Mr. Day informed Mr. Dunbar that if he wanted to get a hold of him he could go through his mother-in-law, Jane. Mr. Dunbar had asked Alice and Jane to have John give him a call and he never did. There was a unanimous vote from the board that Alice would provide Mr. Dunbar with the information and that Ms. Miller could pick it up from Jane on Friday.

Jane then stated that she was no longer going to send out minutes until after the board meeting of the following month. She stated that she had them done within the two weeks however she was refusing to send them out. Mr. Dunbar (and myself) inquired to why this is. He provides a self-addressed stamp envelope for her to send them. The board informed Jane that she was to send out the minutes to Mr. Dunbar.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Sadler informed the Board that Ann Hampshire has not done anything to clean up her property. The Board stated to send her a ticket. Bravo!!

Jamie Foster spoke to the Board about having inmates from the Groveland Correctional Facility (from Livingston County) perform work for the town all free of charge. Groveland will transport the inmates along with a guard. The inmates are allowed to run chainsaws and other equipment. The Town of Almond works with Groveland to help cut brush and clear roads. This to me sounds like a wonderful opportunity for the town. All of the roads in the town have brush that needs to be cleared away. The contact information was given to the town.

Another interesting tidbit that came out of this meeting was the fact that the Town had a $10,000 CD that was supposed to be cashed last month to pay back the general fund for the grader purchase. Well this was never done, the CD rolled over and now in order to get the money it will cost the town $100 to cash this.

Unfortunately this is all I have for you this month but I promise that I will be back next month with the full meeting.

Assessor Report June 9, 2008
Superintendet Report June 9, 2008

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Howard at 7:32 p.m. by Mr. Howard with the Pledge of Allegiance. The minutes from last month were approved after a couple of corrections were made. The minutes should read: “Mr. Robert Dunbar complained that he could not get the minutes within 2 weeks of the board meeting. The board replied Jane is doing what we told her to do. After some discussion it was decided that Jane WILL make the minutes public WITHIN two weeks with the word “Draft” on top of the paper”. The other change was that $200.00 will be paid to Kevin Hamilton not the Utopia Cemetery Association.

Public Comments:

Larry Thompson addressed the Board about the property located beside his property on the Watson Road that is owned by Jack Dell of North Tonawanda. Mr. Thompson stated that this is the 3^rd or 4^th time that he has addressed the board concerning the abandoned junk camper trailers on the property. Mr. Thompson spoke to Paul Sadler, Code Enforcement Officer, prior to building his new home and was informed that the trailers were in violation of the Junk Law that was adopted in 1965 and they would be taken care of. This is now 2 years later and they are still there. Mr. Sadler stated that he has sent Mr. Dell a certified letter but it came back unsigned. Mr. Dunbar stated that under the law that is enough proof to prove than an effort was made to contact a person and that he should proceed with the next step. Want to take bets on whether or not Mr. Thompson will have to go back to the board? My bet is that he will.

Theresa Baldwin requested that a cigarette butt container be placed outside the town hall so that everyone doesn’t have to look at the mess. Mr. Scott asked Curt if he would get a bucket with some sand and place out there.

Fred Tompkins, Mayor of Richburg, made a request that some of the town’s gravel be moved back by the town barn on Mill Street. The village plans on milling the street and paving it this summer. They would like it below street level. Curt stated he would get that done.

Fiscal Report: The fiscal report was approved once changes were made.

Town Clerk Report: Jane reported that the taxes balance this year. (What she failed to do was to give a big “Thank You” to the Town of Bolivar and Alma Clerks for all their help in making this happen) and that she collected 83% of the taxes for the Town “The Most in the County per Terry Ross”. Funny I thought the big “atta boy” should go to the town of Independence for collecting 93%.

Curt Rung presented his highway report and stated that the Clair Carrier Road had been ditched from one end to the other. Mike Scott thanked Curt for doing actually finishing a road that was started.

Assessors Report: Alice handed out her assessor’s report.

The General Bills were approved to be paid with the total amount of $4,032.07. They were all approved with the exception of the National Fuel bill which is still not correct.

The Highway Bills were approved to be paid with the total amount of $32,483.92.

At the close of the meeting, the Board passed a resolution to proceed with the NY CLASS program.

Town Budget as of May 12, 2008

Highway Superintendent Report May 12, 2008

Assessor Report May 12, 2008