Typeset from the official record — motions and recorded votes are detected automatically. The official copy governs.
APPROVED
At the REGULAR MEETING of the Town Board, Town of Clay, Onondaga County, held at the Town Hall, Clay, New York on the October 18, 2021 at 7:30 P.M., there were:
PRESENT:
Damian Ulatowski Supervisor
Joseph A. Bick
Deputy Supervisor/Councilor
Eugene Young
Councilor
Brian Hall
Councilor
Ryan Pleskach
Councilor
Kevin Meaker
Councilor
Jill Hageman-Clark
Town Clerk
Mark V. Territo
Commissioner of Planning and Development
Robert Germain
Town Attorney
Ron DeTota
Town Engineer
ABSENT:
David Hess
Councilor
OTHERS PRESENT:
Russ Mitchell, Planning Board Chairman; Hal Henty, Planning Board Member; Debbie Magaro-Dolan, Zoning Board Member and Rob Bick, Town Assessor.
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Ulatowski at 7:30 P.M. All present joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Councilor Bick made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 4, 2021 Town
Board meeting. Motion was seconded by Councilor Meaker.
Ayes – 5 and Noes – 0. Motion carried. Supervisor Ulatowski abstained due to his
absence.
Cancellation and/or requested adjournments.
None
Correspondence:
There was no correspondence.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD – October 18, 2021 Town of Clay
2 REGULAR MEETING:
Budget – (IH) – TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF CLAY FOR THE YEAR 2022:
An informational hearing to consider the TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF CLAY FOR THE YEAR 2022.
Supervisor Ulatowski began by reading the attached budget message. John Shehadi, Comptroller for the Town, gave a brief power point further explaining the 2022 Budget and the portions of the tax bill (see pie chart).
Nancy Kinnetz asked if funds have been allocated for improvements to the website and ultimately for virtual meetings. Councilor Pleskach explained that currently there are no local firms available for an overhaul to the website and that they plan to retry the proposal after 2022.
There was a discussion about a Facebook account for the Town of Clay; there are technical concerns and it is not a secure platform unless access is limited. Councilor Pleskach explained that we need to dramatically overhaul the Towns digital footprint.
Nancy Kinnetz also asked about the separation of duties mentioned in the audit. Supervisor Ulatowski said that he would review this.
There being no more comments or questions, Supervisor Ulatowski closed the public hearing.
LIMIT ESTABLISHED IN GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW SECTION 3-C (PH):
A public hearing to consider adding a proposed Local Law to be entitled “LOCAL
ESTABLISHED IN GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW SECTION 3-C” to the code of the Town of Clay was opened by the Supervisor; proof of publication was furnished by the Town Clerk.
Supervisor Ulatowski explained that this in a precaution taken each year, however since the 2% tax cap was enacted in 2012the Town of Clay has yet to exceed 2% tax increase. Once again the Town of Clay has a 0% increase. He continued, that this will be rescinded at a later meeting.
There being no more comments or questions, Supervisor Ulatowski closed the public hearing.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD – October 18, 2021 Town of Clay
3
Meeting Date Change:
Councilor Meaker moved the adoption of a resolution cancelling the November 1,
2021, due to accommodating the Onondaga County Board of Elections, in setting up for Election Day, November 2, 2021. Motion was seconded by Councilor Hall.
Ayes – 6 and Noes – 0. Motion carried.
Budget (CPH) – 2022 SPECIAL DISTRICTS BUDGET for the TOWN OF CLAY:
Councilor Meaker moved the adoption of a resolution calling a public hearing
November 3, 2021, commencing at 7:35 p.m., local time, to consider the adoption of the proposed 2022 Special Districts Budget for the Town of Clay. Motion was seconded by Councilor Bick.
Ayes – 6 and Noes – 0. Motion carried.
Budget (CPH) – 2022 FIRE PROTECTION BUDGET for the TOWN OF CLAY:
Councilor Meaker moved the adoption of a resolution calling a public hearing
November 3, 2021, commencing at 7:38 p.m., local time, to consider the adoption of the proposed 2022 Fire Protection Budget for the Town of Clay. Motion was seconded by Councilor Hall.
Ayes – 6 and Noes – 0. Motion carried.
Budget (CPH) – 2022 UNIFORM WATER BUDGET for the TOWN OF CLAY:
Councilor Meaker moved the adoption of a resolution calling a public hearing
November 3, 2021, commencing at 7:41 p.m., local time, to consider the adoption of the proposed 2022 Uniform Water Budget for the Town of Clay. Motion was seconded by Councilor Pleskach.
Ayes – 6 and Noes – 0. Motion carried.
TENTATIVE BUDGET as the 2022 TOWN OF CLAY PRELIMINARY BUDGET:
Councilor Meaker moved the adoption of a resolution approving the TENTATIVE
BUDGET as proposed or modified, for the Town of Clay for the year 2022 as the REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD – October 18, 2021 Town of Clay
4 TOWN OF CLAY PRELIMINARY BUDGET for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2022. Motion was seconded by Councilor Hall.
Ayes – 6 and Noes – 0. Motion carried.
ADOPTION of the PROPOSED 2022 PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF CLAY (CPH):
Councilor Meaker moved the adoption of a resolution calling a public hearing
November 3, 2021, commencing at 7:44 p.m., local time, to consider the adoption of the proposed 2022 Preliminary Budget for the Town of Clay. Motion was seconded by Councilor Hall.
Ayes – 6 and Noes – 0. Motion carried
CLAY BRUSH REMOVAL DISTRICT NOS. 2, 3, AND 4:
Councilor Pleskach moved the adoption of a resolution authorizing the
advertisement of bids for the COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF BRUSH FOR CLAY BRUSH REMOVAL DISTRICT NOS. 2, 3, AND 4 within the Town of Clay. Said Bids to be received until November 1, 2021 at 11:00 A.M., local time. Motion was seconded by Councilor Bick.
Ayes – 6 and Noes – 0. Motion carried.
CLAY BRUSH REMOVAL DISTRICT NOS. 5, 7, AND 8:
Councilor Pleskach moved the adoption of a resolution authorizing the
advertisement of bids for the COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF BRUSH FOR CLAY BRUSH REMOVAL DISTRICT NOS. 5, 7, AND 8 within the Town of Clay. Said Bids to be received until November 1, 2021 at 11:00 A.M., local time. Motion was seconded by Councilor Bick.
Ayes – 6 and Noes – 0. Motion carried.
Project/ Securities (posting) – RIVERWALK SUBDIVISION SECTION NO. 5:
Councilor Hall moved the adoption of a resolution that the Town of Clay having
conducted public hearings to consider the construction and acquisition of sewer and drainage facilities located within RIVERWALK SUBDIVISION SECTION NO. 5, (Riverwalk Sewer District, Contract No. 1; Riverwalk Drainage District, Contract No. 1) and the construction of said facilities having been substantially completed in accordance with the Plans and Specifications thereof; The Town Engineers having REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD – October 18, 2021 Town of Clay
5 verified that the facilities have been satisfactorily completed and that the developer post the following security as shown under correspondence by the Town Engineers’ under date of October 13, 2021: Overland Drainage Facilities - $15,000; Maintenance Guarantee - $21,787 ($11,731 Sewer and $10,056 Drainage); Highway - $56,812; Monument Deposit - $1,800; Parkland Contributions - $15,000; Future Engineering/Inspection Fees - $12,700; and any other unpaid fees that may be owed by the Town of Clay for engineering, legal and/or administrative fees; and further contingent upon the developer having complied with all the requirements set forth in an Agreement between the Town of Clay and RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES, INC., that the Town accept title to such facilities.
and
Project/Easement– RIVERWALK SUBDIVISION SECTION NO. 5:
Move the adoption of a resolution accepting easements for sewer and drainage facilities located within RIVERWALK SUBDIVISION SECTION NO. 5, (Riverwalk Sewer District, Contract No. 1, and Riverwalk Drainage District, Contract No. 1) all as shown on a Final Plan prepared by Ianuzi & Romans Land Surveying, P.C., dated September 23, 2020.
and
Project/Warranty, Deed, etc. – RIVERWALK SUBDIVISION SECTION NO. 5:
Move the adoption of a resolution accepting a Warranty Deed, Dedication, Application and Release of damages for the roads located within RIVERWALK SUBDIVISION SECTION NO. 5; from RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES, INC., (Kenzie Grace Path, Spotted Turtle Run and Wolf Tree Path all having Permeable Shoulders). Motions were seconded by Councilor Meaker.
Ayes – 6 and Noes – 0. Motion carried.
Appointment – Zoning Board of Appeals:
Councilor Bick moved the adoption of a resolution appointing Ryan Frantzis to
Zoning Board of Appeals, to fill the seat previously held by Dennis Lyons. Said
term to expire December 31, 2024. Motion was seconded by Councilor Pleskach.
Ayes – 6 and Noes – 0. Motion carried.
Nancy Kinnetz asked how a person becomes an alternate to the ZBA. Supervisor Ulatowski explained that they would submit a resume to the Supervisors Office. An interview would be conducted based on a vacancy and an appointment would be made by the Town Board.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD – October 18, 2021 Town of Clay
6
The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 P.M. upon motion by Councilor Young and seconded by Councilor Bick.
Ayes – 6 and Noes – 0. Motion carried.
_____________________________________
Jill Hageman-Clark RMC / Town Clerk
The Tentative Budget for general and highway purposes totals $16.8 million. As proposed, the tax rate for Town residents remains the same for the second consecutive year. Total spending is $300,000 greater or .19% over the adopted budget for 2021. The increase includes necessary additions to contractual expenditures as well as employee salaries, wages & benefits.
The budget funds several Town maintenance projects which total $117,000; $20,000 is for the Highway Pole Barn roof, $20,000 for siding at the Senior Center, $77,000 for Improvements to Clay Park Central, Clay Park South and Meltzer Park.
The Town is continuing its effort to provide preventative road repair as a much less costly method for maintaining roads rather than waiting until costly reconstruction of the road surface is required. The 2022 budget includes a total appropriation for paving of $2,300,000 which is targeted to keep on schedule with road maintenance as determined by the Cornell Road Condition Survey.
In 2019 the Town’s Water Department embarked on a major project to install radio read capability for every water meter in the Uniform Water District at a cost of $876,000 all of which was paid for with available funds of the Water District. REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD – October 18, 2021 Town of Clay
7 This project is expected to continue through 2021 and 2022. The new meters are giving the Water Department the ability to more efficiently capture consumption thus providing additional revenue. Installation is being performed by Water Department employees to minimize the overall cost.
The Town has been and will continue to be proactive in securing grant funding for various projects throughout Clay. The more recent grants totaling more than $4.6 Million dollars include:
All-inclusive Playground Central Park Restroom Project Green Education Center Three Rivers Brownfield Environmental Restoration Program Three Rivers Brownfield Opportunity Area Highway Street Sweeper Gaskin Road Repair Project Town-Wide Street Lighting Switchover to LED
As always the Town of Clay strives to provide the best possible delivery of services to our residents at the least possible cost.