Town Meeting – February – 2021
February 28, 2021Town Meeting – April 2021
May 14, 2021Regular 2021 Sidney Town Board along with Zoom access was called to order by the Supervisor at 7:00 P.M. March 11, 2021, in the boardroom at 44 Grand Street, Sidney. Prior to the meeting, bills were audited by the Board.
| Present were: | ||
| R. Eugene Pigford | Supervisor | |
| James Roberts, Jr. | Highway Superintendent | |
| C. Peter Cordes | Councilman | |
| Frank Selleck | Councilman | |
| Eric Wilson | Councilman | |
| Joseph A. Ermeti | Attorney: Joined on Zoom | |
| Sheila R Paul | Clerk | |
| Dan Wilbur | Code Officer: Joined on Zoom |
OPENING COMMENTS BY SUPERVISOR
Andrew Jackson, March 15, 1767 James Madison, March 16, 1751
Grover Cleveland, March 18,1837
John Tyler, March 29, 1790
I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations. James Madison
On this auspicious occasion we may well renew the pledge of our devotion to the Constitution, which, launched by the founders of the Republic and consecrated by their prayers and patriotic devotion, has for almost a century borne the hopes and aspirations of a great people.
And let us not trust to human effort alone, but humbly acknowledge the power and goodness of Almighty God who presides over the destiny of nations, and who has at all times been revealed in our country’s history let us invoke His aid and His blessings upon our labors.
Grover Cleveland, 1rst Inaugural address, March 4, 1885
SILENT MOMENT OF REFLECTION/PRAYER
Moment of Remembrance – Nancy Hathaway
Nancy owned and operated Trackside Dining in Sidney since 1993 and was a member and supporter of several community organizations over the years. She had a passion for helping others, including being involved with local charity organizations and always sharing a smile and warm words to brighten someone\’s day. She always had special consideration for First
Responders and Veterans. Her kindness and generosity touched so many lives and her spirit will live on in those she impacted.
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
APPROVE TOWN BOARD MINUTES of Regular Meeting held on February 11, 2021.
Motion by Mr. Wilson seconded by Mr. Selleck and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, Mr. Cordes. NAYES: None
APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS
A Fund Vouchers: 21-66 thru 21-93 in the amount of $ 71,628.06 Motion by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Selleck and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, P. Cordes. NAYES: None
East Sidney Lake Voucher: 21-9 in the amount of $ 12,234.83 Motion by Mr. Cordes, seconded by Mr. Wilson and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, F. Selleck NAYES: None
Sidney Center Lights 21-3 in the amount of $ 222.79 Motion by Mr. Cordes, seconded by Mr. Pigford.
AYES: E. Wilson, F. Selleck. NAYES: None
Total General Vouchers: $ 84,085.68
DA Fund Vouchers: 21-32 thru 21-50 in the amount of $28,102.82 Motion by Mr. Selleck, seconded by Mr. Cordes and carried. AYES E. Pigford, E. Wilson. NAYES: None
Total Highway Vouchers: $ 28,102.82
Hospital Vouchers: 21-31 thru 21-45 in the amount of $ 31,484.52 Motion by Mr. Wilson seconded by Mr. Pigford and carried. AYES: P. Cordes, F. Selleck. NAYES: None.
Total Vouchers are $ 143,673.02.
CORRESPONDENCE
Letter received from the NY State Department of Transportation that the bridge crossing the Susquehanna River on Route 357 will be closed to vehicle traffic from mid-April through mid-July. It will be available for pedestrian and bicycle usage during that time.
REPORTS/DISTRIBUTED.
Monthly reports of Supervisor, Bookkeeper and Town Clerk. Clerk is submitting checks totaling $ 784.00 for fees collected during February 2021.
REPORTS/ORAL
HIGHWAY– Highway Superintendent James Roberts: Needs to place mowing bids (Sidney
Center properties) and heating bids in the Daily Star. The bids will be opened on April 1, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the Town Hall and successful bids will be announced at the board meeting on April 8th. Motion was made by Mr. Selleck and seconded by Mr. Cordes and carried. AYES: G.
Pigford, E. Wilson. NAYES: None
1991 Ford 9000 tandem dump truck with a 12-yard bed. Has front plow, no wing. We paid $73,000 would like to declare it as surplus and place it on auction international (online auction). Motion to place truck as surplus. Motion made by Mr. Selleck and seconded by Mr. Cordes and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, E. Wilson. NAYES: None.
Association of Towns: From a webinar that the Town Clerk took: Letter will be attached to minutes. Letter is to be sent to our Assemblyman Joe Angelino regarding CHIPS and AIM programs.
SUPERVISOR– Gene Pigford: Received a letter asking about the status of the reduction of the speed on Wheat Hill Rd.
Letter regarding the status of the Veterans’ office, as in January, we had a verbal agreement that they were interviewing to replace Pam Tanner that retired in December 2020.
BOOKKEEPER– Karen Kropp: Town of Sidney & The Hospital 2020 Budget Transfers &
Amendments. This is to finalize the financial statements of 2020. Will need motions at the end of each category.
General Fund:
From: To: Amount:
| A1990.4 Contingency | A1355.4 Assessors, Contractual | $ 150.00 |
| A1990.4 Contingency | A1410.4 Town Clerk, Contractual | $ 1,375.00 |
| A1990.4 Contingency | A1910.4 Unallocated Insurance | $ 4,000.00 |
| A1990.4 Contingency | A9060.8 Hospital & Medical Insurance | $ 2050.00 |
| $ 7,575.00 |
Motion made by Mr. Selleck and seconded by Mr. Wilson and carries. AYES: G. Pigford, P. Cordes. NAYES: None.
General Part-Town Fund:
From: To: Amount:
| B7140.4 Playground Contractual | B9030.8 Social Security | $ 205.00 |
| $ 205.00 | ||
| Motion made by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mr. Pigford and c Selleck. NAYES: None Highway DA Fund: From: To: | arried. AYES: P. Cordes, F. Amount: | |
| DA5142.1 Snow Removal, Personnel | DA5130.4 Machinery, Contractual | $ 17,500.00 |
| $ 17,500.00 | ||
| Motion made by Mr. Selleck and seconded by Mr. Cordes and ca Pigford. NAYES: None Highway DB Fund: From: To: | rried. AYES: E. Wilson, G. Amount: | |
| DB5110.4 General Repairs, Contractual | DB5130.2 Machinery, Equipment | $ 1,500.00 |
| $ 1,500.00 |
Motion made by Mr. Selleck and seconded by Mr. Pigford and carried. AYES: E. Wilson, P. Cordes. NAYES: None Hospital CM Fund:
From: To: Amount:
| CM 1989.42 Heat Oil & Gas | CM1989.44 Maint & Service | $ 11,150.00 |
| $ 11,150.00 |
Motion made by Mr. Selleck and seconded by Mr. Wilson and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, P.
Cordes. NAYES: None
- Peter Cordes made a comment that on the larger amounts, it would be nice to have a small explanation on the cause of the transfers.
- Eric Wilson made a comment that insurance costs have been increasing.
TOWN CLERK– Sheila Paul February 2021 taxes collections are complete, and checks were issued to the Town Supervisor and to the Delaware County Treasurer Office.
Appointed Julie Stevens as 1st deputy clerk as of March 8, 2021. Ordering the Daily Star, as it is our official paper.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Highway-Selleck & Cordes: Regarding the 357 Bridge, the state will be placing signs that the detour will be through Main Street Unadilla, to the back River Road will be use to relocate traffic as there was a concern regarding the S turn by Evergreen Cemetery. State is looking for minority workers.
Hospital- Wilson & Pigford: Eric Wilson is meeting with a representative of Upstate Bio-Metric Screenings this Saturday or Sunday to explore the possibility of having a rapid testing site for COVID available at the Hospital in Sidney.
What would hours of operation be and pricing involved. The current charge is $40 for the rapid testing in Afton so is assumed that it will be the same.
Having instant results will be very helpful as most testing sites take 3-5 days for results. It could be located the upper rear entrance, where Section 4 was located, to minimize traffic in the rest of the building.
Insurance-Cordes: Concern was expressed over the continuing escalation of the Town’s insurance premiums. It was suggested that we have the NYMIR representative come and do a 4– 5-year summary of factors prompting these increases.
Zoning & Planning: Pigford & Selleck – Still receiving input from the town residents regarding the Zoning Draft. Coop Plan Resolution: Per Teamsters Local 317 the new language is not acceptable “as it” does not protect the employee. Per our lawyer Joe Ermeti, we can accept the plan as is with the new language and without their approval and take their comments under consideration. Town can pass the resolution “as is” and they can accept or file a grievance. Resolution No. 21-3; Adoption of the Town/Village of Sidney, NY Continuation of Operations plan Specific to a public health emergency involving a communicable disease. Motion made to accept was made by Mr. Wilson and second by Mr. Cordes and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, F. Selleck. NAYES: None
East Sidney Lake: Cordes & Wilson – New shed for the entrance and electric is moving along. Not sure about the well casing. Eric motioned to have the seasonal rate increased to $ 1100.00 and that pavilion rental increase to $ 175.00 and seconded by Mr. Cordes and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, F. Selleck. NAYES None.
Finance-Pigford- The AUD end of the year report has been completed by the Bookkeeper, circulated to the Board members and forwarded to the state. See under Bookkeeper’s report.
IT-Wilson & Pigford: Having a few situations with the web page and should be fixed by tomorrow morning.
DCO liaison– Pigford: 5 days of actively in February: 2 lost dogs that were found needed licenses, 2 dogs missing (no report if they were found), call from Delaware Deputy about animal abuse, which turned out wasn’t in our serves area. A few calls about dogs chasing deer and she called the DEC.
Transition: Selleck and Pigford: Still working on the Grant, talking with Albany. Have installed exit signs in court, added more security cameras and added new light switches.
COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR:
Pete Cordes comment on the 2 new court clerks. There are two clerks in the court, Alexa Yoder who has been with the court for 1 year and Sierra Bullis who has been with the court for just about a month.
Beatrice Bishop who joined the meeting on Zoom has concerns about mask wearing in public areas in the Village and the Town Sidney due to COVID.
At 7:50 p.m. Mr. Pigford moved to adjourn meeting, motion was made by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mr. Selleck and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, Cordes. NAYES: None
