Home
Town Officials
Town Board
Agendas
Minutes
Town Hall
Supervisor Office
Town Clerk
Courts
Zoning Board
Planning Board
Assessor Office
Highway Dept
Bulletins & Notices
Town Job Openings
Meetings
Businesses
Historical Society
Dr Walker
Memberships
Announcements
Fire Dept
Town Map
Links
Site Map
October 21, 2002
Town Board Minutes
Southwest Community Center
Supervisor: Victoria M. Mullen
Town Board Members: Tim DeSacia, Greg Herrmann,
Margaret Mahaney, Richard Pratt
The regular meeting of the Oswego Town Board was held on October 21, 2002 at the Southwest Community Center at 7:00 PM. Supervisor Mullen opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was taken with the following members present:
Supervisor
Councilor
Councilor
Councilor
Councilor
Attorney to the Board
 Victoria Mullen
Tim DeSacia
Greg Herrmann
Margaret Mahaney
Richard Pratt
Stephen C. Greene
Town Clerk's Report: November 1st should be the date for hunters to obtain extra doe permits, no permits available for this area only in all the area 8's. Bob Burgess will be the next guest speaker for the Oswego Town Historical Society on October 24, 2002 at the Southwest Community Center, 7:00 PM.

Supervisor's Report: On Oct 2nd the town held an open house for the public to view the deteriorating town garage, residents were also invited to view the new location. The town was forced to hold a referendum on funding for the new highway garage I am happy to report this project is back on track. The referendum passed with a resounding 72 percent of the votes in favor of moving ahead. I believe the results are a vote of confidence in our town board, their hard work and their vision for the future of the town.

On tonight's agenda we have a tentative schedule for the project. Unfortunately with this delay we will no doubt have to pay more for the project. On January 1st new codes go into effect that we will have to meet. We are looking for a spring build.

Sleepy Hollow …we are waiting for the DEC to review the engineer's report, when they contract my office I will set up a meeting with the residents. I have been lobbying state officials for help with this project.

Ontario Heights… As you may have read the City raised the sewage rates for the district in 2001. There was misinformation in both the Pall times and the Daily News about this agreement. We have been able to negotiate a 5-year agreement, saving the residents thousand in retroactive fee increases, with no interest or penalties … I would like the residents to understand the town's conformity with the city had lapsed in 96. This problem was left to this board to remedy. Although we are not happy about the rate (which the city would not budge on). We were able to lock it in for 5 years and not the one-year as quoted in the papers. After five years any increase will follow the Consumer Price Index. An alderman was quoted in the papers about the rate the town of Scriba pays…the fact is Scriba pays the city a flat rate and they purchase their water from the city. The town does not purchase water from the city and pays a per gallon usage fee. Any comparison would be inappropriate. The town keeps consumption records and residents pay for what they actually use. It is more work for the town to keep detailed records, but benefits the residents.

I filed my tentative budget for the year 2003 with the town clerk on September 27th. This budget is the result of several months of work. I would like to highlight some of the changes that you may see in next year's budget.

Personal service accounts for safety and zoning enforcement was eliminated. These two accounts totaled $18.353 in 2002. For 2003 the board is looking to contract with Life Safety for a $10.000 annual fee. Contracting out has many advantages. The most obvious are the savings. Not only an 8 thousand-dollar saving in salaries, and Social Security payments also no contractual money will be needed, no training, supplies, or mileage etc. The board is looking for better service to the public at a reduced cost to the taxpayer.

Town Attorney lines have been consolidated into one account and lowered $ 2000. In 2002 total attorney accounts totaled $17.000. Consolidated amount is $15.000. Under the advice of the state comptrollers office, we stream lined these accounts, to save on budget modifications. I have also been concerned about the amount paid to attorneys who attend zoning and planning meetings when there is no business in front of the boards. We need to look at the way the town pays for zoning and planning attorneys.

The town web site maintenance fee which totaled $2400 in 2002 has been reduced to $500 for 2003, this is included in account #A1650.4. This amount more realistically reflects the amount of time that is put into maintaining the site.

Most contractual accounts have been reduced for 2003. A clear message has been sent, "Do more with Less"

The Highway Personal Service accounts includes the negotiated wage increase for 2003

The two building custodian accounts have been consolidated into one.

All special water districts have been eliminated, and the new consolidated water district is included. We have eliminated hydrant fees for the town and the taxpayer will have relief on their tax bills.

Since everyone went without at raise in 2002, and I have been impressed with the work ethic of most of our employees, I feel that they deserve a cost of living increase. I have included 3.5% increase for all returning employees. Please keep in mind the amount in the line item does not necessarily reflect the pay of the individual.

Youth personal services and contractual have been cut back for 2003. I spent the summer over seeing the summer recreation program. Low enrollment, and not having facilities to run a quality program for children, I am looking into revamping our summer program. There is funding out there and I will go after it.

We have added a line for Star reimbursement.

Included in this budget is a payment for the highway garage. There is NO increase in either highway or town tax in my budget.

I had to make some unpleasant decisions for 2003, but as the old saying goes, if we continue to do things the way they have been done, we will have the same results we, to me that is not acceptable.

Public Comment: Questions were raised regarding the new spec's for the highway garage, the date of the next town board meeting and many questions regarding the Driftwood Shore Road/right of way. Resident's are concerned with the lack of road repair at the entrance of this road/right of way.

Resolution 2002- 138 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board approves the minutes from the September 9th and October 7th, 2002 town board meeting and workshop. Moved by Supervisor Mullen and seconded by Councilor Mahaney. All ayes motion carried.

Resolution 2002- 139 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board appoints William Jackson, as community center custodian and set up person. Moved by Supervisor Mullen and seconded by Councilor DeSacia. All ayes motion carried.

Resolution 2002- 140 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board closes out the Sleepy Hollow capital project and transfers by way of inter-fund transfer, the balance of $20,767.59 to Sleepy Hollow Sewer District (SS1). Moved by Supervisor Mullen and seconded by Councilor Mahaney. All ayes motion carried.

Resolution 2002- 141 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board approves CME Associates to do engineering for the Oswego Town Highway Garage. Price not to exceed $4482.50. Moved by Councilor Herrmann and seconded by Supervisor Mullen. All ayes motion carried.

Resolution 2002- 142 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board approves Tom Arctander to revise drawings and specifications to include the addendum's included in the July 1st bids for the Town Garage Project. Materials to be submitted t the town board by Wednesday, January 22, 2003. Moved by Councilor Herrmann, and seconded by Councilor DeSacia. All ayes motion carried.

Resolution 2002- 143 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board approves the following tentative schedule for the highway garage project:

Monday January 27th……………advertise bids for 3 weeks
Monday February 3rd……………drawings available
Tuesday February 25th ………….bid opening 4:00 PM @ Oswego Town Hall
Monday March 10th ……………..Award bids at Town Board Meeting
April ………………………………Start work

Moved by Councilor Herrmann, seconded by Councilor Mahaney. All ayes motion carried.

Resolution 2002- 144 Motion by Supervisor Mullen and seconded by Councilor Mahaney to add to the agenda. All ayes motion carried.

Resolution 2002- 145 Be it resolved that the Oswego Town Board will hold a public hearing November 6th at 6:30 PM to hear all interested parties regarding the proposed preliminary budget. Motion by Supervisor Mullen and seconded by Councilor DeSacia. All ayes motion carried.

Motion by Councilor Mahaney and seconded by Councilor Herrmann to adjourn the regular meeting of the Oswego Town Board at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Theresa A. Cooper, RMC
Oswego Town Clerk