March 13, 2012

The regular meeting of the Lee Town Board was held in the Town Hall, and was called to order at 7:30 PM.

Present were:  Supervisor John Urtz, Councilmen Kevin Gallagher, Alan Trombley, Patrick Hetherington and Karl Matt.

Also present was Town Attorney, David Rapke.

Highway Superintendent, Bill Baker.

The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance.

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Karl Matt and CARRIED to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting.

A re-draft of the Little League Agreement was provided to the Board with the requested change of which the "senior field" be added into the facilities portion of the contract.  A motion was made by Patrick Hetherington, seconded by Kevin Gallagher and CARRIED to enter into agreement with Lee Little League.

Roll Call:  Karl Matt - Aye            Alan Trombley - Aye     John Urtz - Aye

                        Kevin Gallagher - Aye              Pat Hetherington - Aye

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Patrick Hetherington and CARRIED to agree to the request submitted by Tappett Twirlers to hold their car show at the Lee Town Park on 8/15/12 subject to proof of insurance.

Roll Call:  Karl Matt - Aye            Alan Trombley - Aye     John Urtz - Aye

                        Kevin Gallagher - Aye              Pat Hetherington - Aye

The Health Insurance issue was discussed; Supervisor Urtz produced a policy this evening in addition to the policy submitted by Councilman Hetherington at last month's meeting.  A motion was made by Alan Trombley to accept the policy produced by Supervisor Urtz, Karl Matt seconded.  As roll call was being taken, Councilman Hetherington requested discussion.  Mr. Hetherington discussed minutes from 1967 which he believes states that all employees full or part time were offered coverage.  A guideline was created at some point by Supervisor Urtz to limit the eligible employees using the guidelines the State used for the retirement system to determine number of years of service; this was never officially voted on by the Board, but used as policy for a number of years.  Mr. Hetherington states he believes it is inappropriate to be using such a dated formula for determining eligibility.  Mr. Hetherington's proposed policy offers only full time employees coverage, with those hired after 1/01/1992 to pay 20%.  Mr. Hetherington proposes that any Medicare eligible employee use the Town insurance as a supplement rather than the primary.  Supervisor Urtz states that it is his understanding that Medicare is not comparable to the Town insurance and employers cannot discriminate due to age by not providing insurance.

Patricia Box of Pillmore Dr. states she has worked with Medicare for 10 years and that it is less expensive to use Medicare A & B with a supplement.  Supervisor Urtz states Medicare does not cover all that the Town's insurance policy does. 

Ms. Box, who is a part time employee of the Town states she was denied health insurance, questions why another employee who works the same hours as she does is covered.  Mr. Urtz responded that at the time that employee began coverage, he qualified. 

Supervisor Urtz reminded the Board there is a motion on the table made by Alan Trombley to accept the policy produced by Supervisor Urtz, with Karl Matt seconding. 

Roll Call:  Karl Matt - Aye           Alan Trombley - Aye     John Urtz - Aye

                        Kevin Gallagher - Aye              Pat Hetherington - Nay

Supervisor Urtz announced that there have been increases in the cost of water from the City of Rome at 22%.  It was suggested that the water bills increase $24 per 6 month period to cover the cost.  Councilman Patrick Hetherington states there is over $800,000 in the Water account reserve.  He suggests the Town use a portion of that money to absorb the increase while the Board has discussion on how water usage can be decreased.  He states the surplus is the "people's" money and it should be used in order to avoid an immediate rate increase, with plans to be made for the future such as metering.  Supervisor Urtz reminded those present that the reserve is there and increasing in order for the Town to one day execute the plans that were done in 2010 by Dodson Engineering for metering and/or looping.  Councilmen Trombley and Gallagher state they are not in favor of depleting the reserve as that money is to be used to offset the cost to the residents once these plans are carried out.  A motion was made by Patrick Hetherington to TABLE the rate increase for 6 months and have the Town absorb that cost so the Board can meet to discuss other solutions; there was no second.  A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Karl Matt and CARRIED to increase the water tax to $134 per 6-month period.

Roll Call:  Karl Matt - Aye            Alan Trombley - Aye     John Urtz - Aye

                        Kevin Gallagher - Aye              Pat Hetherington - Nay

A motion was made by Patrick Hetherington, seconded by Karl Matt and CARRIED to hold a public meeting at 7:00 PM on April 10^th, 2012 to discuss proposed Local Law #2 of 2012 "providing for the establishment of alternate (ad-hoc) Zoning Board of Appeals member positions and alternate (ad-hoc) Planning Board member positions and conditions under which same are entitled to act."

Roll Call:  Karl Matt - Aye            Alan Trombley - Aye     John Urtz - Aye

                        Kevin Gallagher - Aye              Pat Hetherington - Aye

A motion was made by Karl Matt, seconded by Alan Trombley and CARRIED to canvass and award the bids received at tonight's special meeting for the highway equipment storage building at 5:00 PM on 3/14/12.

Roll Call:  Karl Matt - Aye            Alan Trombley - Aye     John Urtz - Aye

                        Kevin Gallagher - Aye              Pat Hetherington - Aye

Councilman Hetherington would like to publicly acknowledge Gary Bartell of Delta Agway for his 21 years of service to this community, who has sold his business to Patty Waterman.  Mrs. Waterman is formerly from Morgan Plumbing who is quite knowledgeable in her field and Mr. Hetherington would like to thank Gary for choosing someone reputable to serve our community.

Councilman Gallagher would like to thank Karl Matt & his wife, Alan Trombley & his wife, John Urtz & his wife and Sharon Mortis for their work preparing for Saturday's (3/3/12) bicentennial kickoff.  Many people attended and it worked out well.

Highway Superintendant Bill Baker states that many people have approached him about the park bathrooms not being open.  The Town typically opens the bathrooms mid April.  With the unseasonable weather many people have been using the park so it was decided to check into pricing for putting a porta-potty up there until weatherization is done on the plumbing.

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Karl Matt and CARRIED to approve the bills.

Roll Call:  Karl Matt - Aye            Alan Trombley - Aye     John Urtz - Aye

                        Kevin Gallagher - Aye              Pat Hetherington - All but two highway bills approved due to question on conforming to the Town Procurement policy.

General     -       $   102,065.01

                                    Highway   -      $    23,929.00

                                    Water        -      $      1,658.15

A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Karl Matt and CARRIED to adjourn. The March 2012 Town Board meeting adjourned at 8:54 PM.