June 8, 2021

The regular meeting of the Lee Town Board was held in the Town Hall, and was called to order at 7:02 PM.

Present were:  Supervisor John Urtz, Councilmen Karl Matt, Alan Trombley, Jamo Jones and Shawn Finster.

Also present: Town Attorney Evan Rossi, Highway Superintendent Bill Baker, Water Superintendent Josh Szyper and Planning Board Chair Ed Davis.

The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance.

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

Roll call:  Finster – Aye; Jones – Aye; Matt – Aye; Trombley – Aye; Urtz – Aye

Public Portion

Allison Johnson of 164 Northwood Circle addressed the Board to advocate the opening of the summer youth program.  Mrs. Johnson is an elementary school teacher who came to express her concerns of the board’s previous decision to not open the program for the 2021 season.  Mrs. Johnson stressed the importance of interaction and social skills for the children, as well as our program being affordable to those who cannot manage the fees for sports.  She went on to volunteer her services with whatever may be needed and states there are others willing to help as well.

At the May meeting the Board voted to not open the Program for 2021, the COVID guidelines were very strict for day camps, which is what the Board based their decision on.  The Town Attorney & Councilman Jones both spoke with the program coordinator, Ashley Engle, who stated she was reluctant to hold the program for the safety of the children.

Board members discussed the loosening of safety restrictions since May and desire to accommodate the wishes of the public.  A motion was made by Jamo Jones, seconded by Shawn Finster and carried to rescind the motion made in May and to run the Youth Program, following CDC guidelines, providing enough counselors can be hired in short notice as resumes were not requested.

Roll call:  Finster – Aye; Jones – Aye; Matt – Aye; Trombley – Aye; Urtz – Aye

Eagle Scout Jacob Pocchiari, of Pillmore Dr. who has offered to make repairs to Lee Cemetery was in attendance to clarify various details with board members for approval and anticipates beginning June 19^th.  A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Karl Matt and carried to approve Mr. Pocchiari’s request to increase funding from $500 to $750 due to the increase in lumber costs.

Roll call:  Finster – Aye; Jones – Aye; Matt – Aye; Trombley – Aye; Urtz – Aye

Brad Taylor of Kettle Hill Rd. requests approval of the board for a zoning change for parcel #171.001-1-16.3 at 9171 Route 26 to commercial in order to establish a utility trailer sales business as well as a real estate business.  Ed Davis of Planning stated the board was okay with the real estate business, but not in favor of trailer sales due to anticipated traffic issues on Stokes hill.  Mr. Taylor provided the Town Board with maps showing the proposed property is located adjacent to commercial zones.  Jamo Jones made a motion, seconded by Karl Matt and carried to hold a public hearing at 7:00PM on July 13, 2021, with the Town Board designating itself as lead agency for the purposes of SEQR.

Roll call:  Finster – Aye; Jones – Aye; Matt – Aye; Trombley – Aye; Urtz – Aye

Old Business

At last month’s meeting the Town Board discussed correspondence received from Andrew Day of Source Renewables.  This was a letter of intent to apply for a permit to build a 5 MW & 4MW array at 5990 Cemetery Rd.  It was announced that Attorney Evan Rossi responded by letter dated May 28, 2021 that the property indicated is in an R-20 zone which permits only residential solar systems.  Mr. Day was also notified the Town opted out of the NYS RPTL §487 tax exemption in response to his inquiry.

Sample local laws on dilapidated homes and clutter were sent to Board members for review; there was some discussion in favor of moving forward.  Attorney Rossi will draft local laws for Lee and forward to the Board for review.  Once agreed upon, a public hearing will be scheduled.

Councilman Jones reported that Rick Sherwood completed plumbing repairs at the upper bathroom at the Town Park.  John McMahon will postpone roof repair until the fall.  There was no new fogger purchase for the custodian to use at the Town Park, but he is disinfecting as required.

A motion was made by Shawn Finster, seconded by Jamo Jones and carried to open up the pavilions to reservations.

Roll call:  Finster – Aye; Jones – Aye; Matt – Aye; Trombley – Aye; Urtz – Aye

New Business

A motion was made by John Urtz, seconded by Alan Trombley and carried to put into effect the water restrictions: east of Turin Rd. may water on even days, west of Turin Rd. on odd day.  This is to conserve water in the summer months.

Roll call:  Finster – Aye; Jones – Aye; Matt – Aye; Trombley – Aye; Urtz – Aye

In 2018, the Town requested and was granted the request to remove section 3.3 of the Poll Site Agreement with Oneida County which addresses damages to voting machines.  The Town Hall is frequently used by the public and machines are sometimes left several days, this leaves them unattended by Town representatives.  The County has contacted the Attorney requesting 3.3 now be modified to read:  "The owner shall keep the voting machines and all necessary voting equipment locked and sealed. The Owner hereby agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless the county for any damage to the voting machine(s) and or voting equipment caused by the Owners employees and/or contractors while in the sole custody of the Owner.”   Board members discussed how to accommodate this by finding an area to store the machines other than the foyer.  A motion was made by Alan Trombley, seconded by Shawn Finster and carried by majority to accept the county’s request for above modification.

Roll call:  Finster – Aye; Jones – Aye; Matt – Aye; Trombley – Aye; Urtz – Nay

Highway Superintendent Bill Baker reported that debris was cleaned up at the West Branch Cemetery; he also mentions there are many overturned stones there and at Quaker Hill.  Supervisor Urtz advised Councilman Trombley to get a cost to upright them.  Mr. Baker also stated they cleaned up debris over at the park and mentioned the road paving will begin on Thursday.  He would also like to thank Joe Mastrangelo for donating a heavy duty cover for a catch basin that was replaced on Pillmore Dr.  Mr. Baker tells the Board he would like to have Wright’s Lawn Care come in to clean up the overgrown brush at the front of the Highway Garage; he would then like to clean up the old road maintainer to place in front.  Board members were in favor of this idea.

Mr. Baker obtained a quote from Megerell Tree Service for various projects totaling $7200.  A motion was made by Jamo Jones, seconded by Shawn Finster and carried to accept only the amount of $3200 to be paid for the damaged trees at the park, which are considered hazardous.  The remaining work will have to be submitted separately, and if exceeding procurement, will be compared with other contractors.

Roll call:  Finster – Aye; Jones – Aye; Matt – Aye; Trombley – Aye; Urtz – Aye

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

Roll call:  Finster – Aye; Jones – Aye; Matt – Aye; Trombley – Aye; Urtz – Aye

General - $26,428.69                                                                          

Highway - $9,925.86

Water - $6,053.33

A motion was made by Karl Matt, seconded by Shawn Finster and carried to adjourn.

Roll call:  Finster – Aye; Jones – Aye; Matt – Aye; Trombley – Aye; Urtz – Aye

Meeting adjourned 9:05 PM.