Town of Catharine
Town Board Meeting
End of Year/Organizational Meeting
December 29, 2009 

The meeting was called to order at 3:04 p.m.  by Supervisor Brace with the following members present:  Councilmen:  Wayne Chapman, Ronald Hoffman, George Tanner; Highways Superintendent: Larry Reynolds; Guest:  Glenn  Larison (County Legislator).  Absent was C. Michael Learn

Glenn Larison only member of the public in attendance, wanted to wish Tom a happy retirement  and good luck to John and the Board for 2010.   Glenn had us copy an email that came concerning the gas drilling and DEC and what they can do and can’t do.  It points out that there is so much gas under us, but that only 25% of it is extractable, and to put our drinking water in jeopardy for that small amount is ridiculous (according to the email).

Tom said thanks to the board and staff for the help over the last 5 years!  He learned a lot and enjoyed most of it!

Ron thanks Tom for doing what he has done by giving both of his time and his monetary donations.   George and Wayne second that. 

Add insurance information to the agenda under supervisor’s report. 

RESOLUTION 83-2009
RESOLVE that the minutes of the December 15, 2009 meeting be accepted as presented to the Town Board.
RESOLUTION by George Tanner, seconded by Wayne Chapman
VOTE 4 ayes, no noes

 Supervisor’s report:
Sue did up a report for the Highway side of the budget with recommendations for transfers and budget amendments. 
Sue suggested we use the available cash on hand to reduce the debt from Highway to General (not quite sure if it is just DA or DB or both).  Tom suggests that we do a resolution to use any and all available balance to pay off the debt then either do a resolution to write it off or carry it forward.   John asked which was preferred.   There were pros and cons both ways.  Tom suggested that maybe we pay off the the tax liability earlier this year for especially the Highway portion of the budget 

RESOLUTION 84-2009
RESOLVE that the Board authorize the Bookkeeper to pay off what can be of the loan from General to Highway and hold the remainder of the balance on the books until later in the year, therefore not writing off the balance at this point.
RESOLUTION by Wayne Chapman, seconded by Ronald Hoffman
VOTE 4 ayes, no noes   

Sue also gave us a budget adjustments she suggested for end of year balancing.  By doing the transfers, we will still have $19,098. to transfer to the equipment reserve.  There are also budget amendments to be made that will increase some of the revenue accounts according to the income.

RESOLUTION 85-2009
RESOLVE that the following budget amendments be made
DA5140.4             Debit     $792
DA5130.4             Credit    $490
DA5142.4             Credit    $302
DA9010.8             Debit     $3124
DA9030.8             Debit     $1061
DA9040.8             Debit     $361
DA9055.8             Debit     $2.00
DA9060.8             Debit     $2323
DA9060.8             Credit    $6871
TRANSFER to Equipment Reserve $19098.\
BUDGET INCREASES
DB1120                 Increase               $6150. 
DB9030.8             Increase               $260 
DB9040.8             Increase               $486
DB9055.8             Increase               $4.   
DB9060.8             Increase               $5400 
DB5112.2             Debit                     $61.
DB5110.4             Credit                    $61.
RESOLUTION by Ronald Hoffman, seconded by Wayne Chapman
VOTE 4 ayes, no noes

There is money left over in this year’s budget that needs to be put into CD’s .  Besides the Equipment reserve, there is the salt storage CD that will have $10,000 added to a new CD to mature in 60 days.   The building fund will also have some money added, but will have to start a new CD  as the other is not up for renewal yet.  The money from the town hall renovation,  has approximately 8815.62 left.  When we contracted with Jess Engineering, they indicated that it wouldn’t be over $5,000 for their services, so we will start the new CD with $3815.62 to mature in 60 days.  Bridge reserve will be rolled over with interest. 

RESOLUTION 86-2009
RESOLVE that the recommended transfers to CD’s be completed by Supervisor Brace so the new CD’s expire at the same time as the old ones.
RESOLUTION by Ronald Hoffman, seconded by George Tanner
VOTE  4 ayes, no noes 

2010 appointments: (these appointments being made by our Incoming Supervisor John VanSoest)Budget Officer                                  John VanSoest
Planning Board                                  David L. Sidle
Zoning Board of Appeals               Sandra Sidle
(David L Sidle has agreed to serve for another term on planning board, although he expressed hesitation about taking the position because of his lifestyle.  Sandy Sidle has agreed to serve another term on the ZBA.) 

RESOLUTION 87-2009
RESOLVE that the regular monthly meeting of the Town Board shall be held the third Tuesday of each month beginning at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of November when there will be two meetings, one the Wednesday after elections (for the Budget Hearing) and one on the 3^rd Tuesday,
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the official banks to be designated as the depositories for the Town of Catharine be the Tompkins County Trust Company of Ithaca, Odessa Branch, Chemung Canal Trust Company, Montour Falls branch and JP Morgan Chase Bank.
 AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the official Town Newspaper shall be the Watkins Review and Express, published in Watkins Glen, NY,
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the payrolls and utilities can be paid in advance of the audit of claims of the Town Board,
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the mileage for trips pertaining to Town business for the Town of Catharine, be paid as per IRS guidelines ($.50).  This reimbursement does not apply to meetings of the Town Board.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all elective and appointed officer’s health insurance be paid by the Town of Catharine and if family coverage is required the Town will pay 2/3 of the family’s share and the individual will pay 1/3.  (Highway employees health insurance benefits are paid in full by the Town),
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Election Inspectors rate of pay will be set by the County of Schuyler and be billed to the Town of Catharine.  This applies to the Voting Machine Custodian also,
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, there will be a year-end meeting held before the end of the fiscal year,
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following appointments, terms of office and salaries of the following officials and employees of the Town of Catharine for the year 2008 are hereby fixed in the amount set forth opposite each name and shall be payable at the time indicated:

RESOLUTION by Wayne Chapman, seconded by Ronald Hoffman
VOTE 4 ayes, no noes 

Highway report:  Everything working except the loader that will cost about $2-3000 to repair. After the first of the year, Larry will schedule a day to get it fixed.   Got faked out of a snow storm that was due today, but that was a good thing!  The roads are much less slippery in this cold.  The salt that was ordered has been delivered.  So far we are having a better than usual winter—we have 2 months behind us!   There was an overtime problem, on the time sheets, but it is all worked out.

 RESOLUTION 88-2009
RESOLVE that the following vouchers be paid G227-231 in the total sum of $16803.70 and H158-159 in the total sum of $25342.56 within funds according to the totals.
RESOLUTION by Wayne Chapman, seconded by George Tanner
VOTE 4 ayes, no noes

 New Business:  

There will be a change of insurance carriers for our Liability insurances.   Sidle’s insurance company has found a new company that will give us more coverage for the about the same amount of money.  The new company carries an A+ rating and seems to be a good choice.   John said that he is not an insurance expert and that we are using our agent as our eyes and ears for insurance.  Larry stated that there was a time when some governments didn’t have coverage because some companies didn’t want to cover governments.  His question would be what will happen if we decide this company isn’t for us, and we want to go back to the other company—would we be able to get coverage?  John asked about an audit process—the new company will probably not come in and do an audit.  Much discussion about whether or not to go this way, but George and Ron said that Sidle’s is a good company and will stand behind us.  

 RESOLUTION 89-2009
RESOLVE that we follow the recommendation of our insurance agent and change to the new company for the 2010 year.
RESOLUTION by Ronald Hoffman, seconded by George Tanner
VOTE 4 ayes, no noes

 There being no unfinished business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:51 p.m. with a motion by Ronald Hoffman, seconded by all in attendance. 

Oaths of Office were signed at the end of the meeting for the “new” board members. 

Again our Thanks to Supervisor Brace for his time serving the Town of Catharine residents! 

Respectfully Submitted

 Carmella P. Hoffman
Town Clerk/Collector