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October 15, 2001
Town Board Minutes
Oswego Town Council Community Center
Supervisor: Jack Tyrie, Jr.
Town Board Members: Margaret Mahaney, Victoria M. Mullen,
Richard Pratt, Barbara Tierney
The regular meeting of the Oswego Town Board was held at 7:00 PM at the Southwest Community Center. The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Tyrie who opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was taken with the following members present:
Supervisor
Councilor
Councilor
Councilor
Councilor
Attorney to the Board
 Jack Tyrie, Jr.
Margaret Mahaney
Victoria M. Mullen
Richard Pratt
Barbara Tierney
Stephen C. Greene
Public Comment: Questions and concerns directed to the Town Board regarding the missing pages in the comprehensive plan, the ambulance contract, the budget and sub division regulations regarding roads.

Supervisor's Report: The tentative budget has been given to the board and his budget message as follows was read. "These budgets reflect my belief that, at a time when our constituents' face rising taxes at other levels of government, we have an obligation to hold the line at the Town level. There is no tax increase in my budget proposals. This flies in the face of the actions of the Town Board over the last few years. Board Members have repeatedly complained that taxes in this Town are too "low" and that "…people will just have to realize that they have to pay more taxes." It is time for the Board to pay as much attention to the spending of nearly $700,000 in the Highway Budget as to how I spend the $100 petty cash fund. It is time for there to be an examination of why it was necessary to raise Highway Taxes by nearly 30%, in 2001, and, believe it or not, one Board Member wanted to raise them another 20%. It is also time for the Board to ask questions when presented with requests for unbudgeted funds. Over the past three years, the Board has repeatedly approved unbudgeted spending without asking a single question. This led to additional spending of more than $300,000, totally depleting the Highway Surplus. Again, an examination of these facts must occur before approving any further increases in the Highway Department.

It is time for Board Members to disregard party affiliation when making spending decisions. Rather than asking who has requested funds, the question should be, is there another way to provide the service which would be more cost-effective? Primary among our considerations must be the needs of our Town taxpayers." Supervisor Tyrie met with college officials regarding the ambulance billing problems and parking issues at Snygg Hall.

Town Clerk's Report: Total sales for September $5532.75 with $1331.38 being paid to the Supervisor. The Historical Society honored Dr. Charles Groat at a reception on October 14, 2001 on his retirement as Historian.

Resolution 2001-262 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board approves the minutes of September 10, 2001 and September 18th special board meeting. Moved by Councilor Tierney and seconded by Councilor Mahaney. All ayes motion carried.

Resolution 2001-263 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board removes from the audit of bills all bills paid from line item DA5142.4. Moved by Supervisor Tyrie and seconded by Councilor Pratt. All ayes motion carried.

Resolution 2001-264 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board has audited and approves the payment of the following bills as amended by resolution 2001-263.
General Fund
Highway Fund
Sleepy Hollow Sewer
Ontario Heights Sewer
Lighting Districts
$13960.02
11306.31
1126.68
46.39
133.82
 v-356-405
v-130-142
v-16-18
v-12
v-8
Moved by Councilor Mahaney and seconded by Supervisor Tyrie. All ayes motion carried.

Resolution 2001-265 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board approves the addition of the agenda item regarding the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Motion by Supervisor Tyrie and seconded Councilor Mullen. All ayes motion carried.

Resolution 2001-266 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board schedules a public hearing for discussion of the proposed Oswego Town Emergency Plan presented by the Emergency Planning Committee. Be it further resolved that said hearing shall be held at the Southwest Community Center on November 19, 2001 and will commence at 6:45 PM. Moved by Supervisor Tyrie and seconded by Councilor Mullen. All ayes motion carried.

Item D: Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board authorizes the Town Constables to enforce parking regulations within the Town of Oswego. Moved by Supervisor Tyrie and seconded by Councilor Mahaney. Discussion followed.

Resolution 2001-267 Motion by Councilor Pratt and seconded by Councilor Tierney to table item D. 4 ayes, 1 nay Mahaney, Mullen, Pratt, Tierney aye, Tyrie nay

Item E: Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board approves the Town Comprehensive Plan as presented by the Town Planning Board and as amended to include changes presented by the Town Historian, Justin White, updated census figures presented by the County Planning Office, and agricultural information presented by the Town Assessors' Office. Be it further resolved that the Town Board thanks the former and present members of the Town Planning Board for the many hours of time and hard work, which went into the preparation of this plan. Moved by Supervisor Tyrie and seconded by Councilor Mahaney. After discussion of this item Councilor Mahaney withdrew her second.

Resolution 2001-268 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board requests the planning board review page 67 section 3 to eliminate specificity. Motion by Councilor Mahaney and seconded by Councilor Mullen. 4 ayes, 1 nay Mahaney, Mullen, Pratt, Tierney aye, Tyrie nay

Resolution 2001-269 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board commends Anne Sarkission on her receipt of a Silver Medal in Swimming at the 2001 Empire State Games. Moved by Supervisor Tyrie and seconded by Councilor Mahaney. All ayes motion carried.

Resolution 2001-270 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board congratulates Elmer Ackley on his induction into the Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. Moved by Supervisor Tyrie and seconded by Councilor Mullen. All ayes motion carried. Councilor Tierney suggested that we solicit on the town web page residents, who are deserving of awards, Supervisor Tyrie agreed.

Resolution 2001-271 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board approves the enactment of Proposed Local Law 2001-5 which would permit the appointment of alternate members to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board. Moved by Councilor Pratt and seconded by Councilor Mahaney. All ayes motion carried.

Resolution 2001-272 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board stands in solidarity with Americans of every race, creed, or political affiliation in expressing its horror at the September 11, 2001 murder of thousands of innocent men, women and children. Be it further resolved that the Oswego Town Board extends its sympathy to those who experienced personal loss, and our appreciation to emergency services workers everywhere, including Oswego Town Volunteer Firefighters, Oswego County Sheriff's Deputies, and NYS Troopers, and members of our community. Be it further resolved that the Oswego Town Board condemns all terrorist attacks on lives and property, including any action intended to disrupt a free and democratic life in any society, and supports the men and women in the United States Armed Forces who are fighting to end such threats, as well as other National, State and Local employees and officials involved in this fight. Be it further resolved the Oswego Town Board supports and appreciates other Nations and their Armed Forces, employees and officials involved in this fight. Be it further resolved that the Oswego Town Board, while recognizing the dangers of impinging upon freedom of speech, condemns any person who willingly and knowingly gives aid and comfort to any person or group, which engages in terrorist activities. Moved by Supervisor Tyrie and seconded by Councilor Mullen. All ayes motion carried.

Public Comment: A request was made to re-read part of the Supervisor's message on the budget, budget line item requests for ZBA should be increased, what is the status of the floor at the community center, what does the board want to do with the Community Center, and will the ambulance billing be reviewed? Has the town board looked at the schematic design of the proposed highway garage?

Resolution 2001-273 Motion by Councilor Tierney and seconded by Councilor Pratt to move into executive session at 8:25 PM to discuss pending litigation. All ayes motion carried.

Resolution 2001-274 Motion by Councilor Mahaney and seconded by Councilor Tierney to resume the regular meeting at 9:00 PM. All ayes motion carried. Motion by Councilor Mahaney and seconded by Councilor Tierney to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:01 PM. All ayes motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Theresa A. Cooper
Oswego Town Clerk