Approve Audit & Record Changes Former Village of Seneca Falls: Mr

SENECA FALLS TOWN BOARD YEAR-END MEETING DECEMBER 28, 2012

Approve Audit & Record Changes – Former Village of Seneca Falls: Mr. Earle noted they have been working on the Village books throughout the year; there have been a number of mistakes/errors in the way the accounting was done. He said the Comptroller’s Office has advised them to make changes and keep a log as to what changes were made and why. Mrs. Warfel has done that, and she is requesting Board approval to submit the AUD for the Village which is requested by the Comptroller’s Office. He added in addition to that, money is budgeted to have an Audit of the former Village books. The Town has asked the State to do an audit but they have declined, so the Town has to do it.

A motion was made to approve the changes in the former Village books and submit the AUD of the former Village to the State Comptroller by Sue Sauvageau and seconded by Duane Moore.

Mr. Bove stated he is nervous about approving changes he can’t view as he is already nervous about the Village’s bookkeeping. Mr. Earle said if any of the Board Members wishes to see the changes that were made, Mrs. Warfel will be happy to explain the changes. After discussion, Mr. Moore stated he feels comfortable with this; the Board is going to approve sending the Audit to the State, and then start the audit process.

The above motion made by Sue Sauvageau and seconded by Duane Moore to approve the changes in the former Village books and submit the AUD to the State Comptroller was carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes.

Approve Excellus to Administer COBRA: Mr. Earle stated if an Employee leaves employment with the Town, they are able to have COBRA insurance for a time; this is the situation with Patrick Cafolla, and it will allow him to obtain COBRA insurance.

A motion was made authorizing the Town Supervisor to submit the proper forms approving Excellus to administer COBRA insurance by Emil Bove and seconded by Duane Moore. No questions. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes.

Approve Purchase of Computers – Town Tax Collector and Clerk for Cemetery Records: The Clerk explained that both computers are very old and need to be replaced. She mentioned the computer being used for the Cemetery, and said that it has a lot of problems – sometimes not being able to back up; it also looks like both computers have been dropped. She noted they will be State bid price, and will not exceed $2,000 each.

A motion was made to purchase computers for the Town Tax Collector and Clerk for Cemetery records by Duane Moore and seconded by Emil Bove.

Mr. Bove asked if the computer that is being used for Cemetery records is one from the Village; the Town Clerk replied yes, it is. Ms. Sauvageau stated she was aware of the need for the Cemetery records, but not for the Tax Collector. She added the needs are quite different between the Tax Collector and Cemetery; the Tax Collector is only here for three months. Brief discussion followed.

Councilman Moore rescinded his motion to purchase computers for the Town Tax Collector and Clerk for Cemetery records, and Councilman Bove rescinded his second to the motion.

A motion was made to purchase a computer for the Cemetery records at a cost not to exceed $1,000.00, and to table the purchase of a computer for the Tax Collector by Duane Moore and seconded by Emil Bove. No questions. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes.

Approve Special Event – Antonina’s New Years Eve Ball Drop: Mr. Bove asked if they had their own insurance; Mr. Earle replied yes.

A motion was made to approve Antonina’s New Years Eve Ball Drop Event by Sue Sauvageau and seconded by Don Earle. No questions. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes.

Approve Payment #5 to J. O’Connell for TEP Grant Administration: A motion was made to approve Payment #5 in the amount of $2,565.00 to J. O’Connell & Associates relative to the TEP Grant Administration by Emil Bove and seconded by Sue Sauvageau. No questions. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes.

Contribution – SF Development Corporation: Mr. Earle stated this is the budgeted amount of $10,000.00 which will be used to pay Jean O’Connell & Associates to administer the Restore New York Grant for the Seneca Knit Project. Discussion followed relative to the Seneca Falls Development Corporation - it’s Board, legal matters that have been resolved, etc.

A motion was made to contribute the budgeted amount of $10,000.00 to the Seneca Falls Development Corporation by Duane Moore and seconded by Sue Sauvageau. No questions. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes.

Transfer DEC Permit From Village to Town – Water Treatment Plant: Mr. Earle stated Mr. Pickard discovered SENECA FALLS TOWN BOARD YEAR-END MEETING DECEMBER 28, 2012 that this is something that was not done – it was done for the Wastewater Treatment Plant but not for the Water Treatment Plant.

A motion was made authorizing the Town Supervisor to sign the form transferring the DEC Permit from the Village to the Town by Duane Moore and seconded by Emil Bove. No questions. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes.

Payment of Bills:

A motion was made by Emil Bove and seconded by Duane Moore to approve and order paid the following bills:

General Fund - $274,160.49 (Abstract #13) Vince’s Park Fund - $1,106.41 (Abstract #13) Miscellaneous Fund - $73,807.83 (Abstract #13) Water Fund - $49,633.98 (Abstract #13) Highway Fund - $32,867.53 (Abstract #13) Sewer Fund - $56,019.49 (Abstract #13) Recreation Fund - $27,358.40 (Abstract #13) No questions. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes.

At 1:45 P.M., a motion was made to go into Executive Session to discuss specific Personnel issues set forth on the Agenda and pending litigation by Emil Bove and seconded by Duane Moore. No questions. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes.

A motion was made to reconvene the Year-End Meeting at 2:45 P.M. by Sue Sauvageau and seconded by Duane Moore. No questions. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes.

Wage Adjustment – Michael Poole: Mr. Earle stated at the last Meeting, the Board approved the promotion of Michael Poole to Sergeant as recommended by Chief Peenstra at the starting wage of Sergeant. The starting wage for Sergeant is $20.88, much lower than the current wage Officer Poole is making as Police Officer – he is currently making $23.54 per hour. The Board needs to adjust his wage to be more than the beginning wage for Sergeant.

A motion was made to adjust Sergeant Poole’s wage to $24.48 per hour which includes the 2% pay raise Town Employees will be receiving by Sue Sauvageau and seconded by Duane Moore. No questions. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes.

Wage Adjustment – Joseph Jacuzzo: Mr. Earle stated at the last meeting, the Board approved the re-evaluation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Mechanic; after being evaluated, it was determined that the actual classification should have been Grade 8 instead of Grade 5.

A motion was made to adjust the grade level for Joseph Jacuzzo from Grade 5 to Grade 8 effective December 4, 2012, based on the determination that he started employment with the Town on a lower level than he should have been (salary going from $19.81 per hour to $24.30 per hour), by Emil Bove and seconded by Duane Moore. No questions. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes.

Wage Adjustment – Police Chief Peenstra: Mr. Earle stated in order to bring the Police Chief’s salary to a more competitive wage, it is recommended that his salary be increased to $68,000.00 beginning January 1, 2013; this increase will include the 2% all Town Employees will be receiving.

A motion was made to increase Police Chief Peenstra’s salary to $68,000.00 effective January 1, 2013, said salary includes the 2% increase Town Employees will be receiving, by Duane Moore and seconded by Sue Sauvageau. No questions. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes.

Being there was no further business, a motion was made to adjourn the Meeting by Emil Bove and seconded by Sue Sauvageau. No questions. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes.

Meeting adjourned at 2:50 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

NICALETTA J. GREER Town Clerk