JOINT TOWN AND VILLAGE MEETING
The Joint Town and Village meeting was held in the Town Hall
Board Room after the regular meeting of the Town Board at 6:30
p.m. with the following present:
Town Board: Robert W. Cantwell Jr., Supervisor
- Vivian Black, Councilwoman
- George Kittle, Councilman
- Justin Taylor, Councilman
- Donald Turcotte, Councilman
- Robert Boulton, Highway Superintendent
- Bonnie Rose, Town Clerk
- Kathy LaClair, District 1 Legislator
Village Board: Debra Sephton, Mayor
- Norma Zimmer, Trustee
- Tim Pacific, Trustee
- Todd Cerow, Trustee
- Joe Orobono, Trustee
- Geneva Miller, Village Clerk
Attendance: Mike Dano, Douglas Eberhart, Sherie Derrickson,
Pat Youngs, Polly Baril, Jim Mellor, Jean Mellor, Keith LaLonde,
Bob Purcell, Fred Brabant, John Kehoe, Gary Schleher, Mike
Christensen, Jim Yuhas, Daniel Schleher and Bud Baril.
Supervisor Cantwell opened Joint Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Youth Commission:
Mike Dano, Vice-Chairman of the Clayton Youth Commission made
a presentation to the Town and Village Boards RE: Youth Program
Safety Concerns and additional property needs. (See attached
letter.)
The Youth Commission wrote the letter to request the help of
the local Town and Village to help improve child safety and
recreation programs currently managed by the Clayton Youth
Commission:
Safety Concerns:
Webb Street – "No parking" zones and signs and cross
walks are needed with stop signs at both ends.
Graves Street – "No parking" zones and signs on both
sides. They are also asking the firemen to change their
practice schedule to avoid a potential accident during youth
activities. It also interferes with youth attention span.
East Line Road (Rt.#3) – "No parking" zones and signs on
the side of the road closest to ball field #1 and a
crosswalk from Town barn parking lot would be needed to
access arena fields safely.
Property Needs:
Lions Field – Would like to be a part of developing a
master plan for future improvements to this location. Could
use another little league diamond on this field if space
would allow and also would need electric and water service
to the existing diamond.
Arena Fields – Would like to be a part of developing a
master plan for future improvements to this area also.
Currently are completing (4) dugouts there and would like to
get electric and water service complete to each field #1 &
#2. We currently need more space for little league diamonds,
soccer, football and lacrosse fields, batting cages etc…
Mr. Dano also discussed current programs:
Baseball
Softball
Spring Soccer
Summer Soccer
Golf
Football
Basketball
In conclusion Mr. Dano stated that the Youth Commission
appreciates the Town and Village’s consideration in assisting
the youth commission to achieve the best possible for all the
kids of our community now and for many years to follow.
Mr. Dano also gave everyone the "CLAYTON YOUTH COMMISSION
FALL/WINTER SPORTS NEWSLETTER" 2005. www.claytonyouth.org
(See attached newsletter.)
Public Hearing, co-locating offices:
Motion by Justin Taylor, 2nd by Norma Zimmer
to open Public Hearing at 6:45 p.m. Motion carried.
- An opening statement was made by Councilman Taylor on
the purpose of the Joint Public Hearing. The purpose is to
get input from the public on co-locating public offices and
where to locate these offices. He stated that four months
ago all Dept. heads were given questionnaires on their
staff, equipment and physical structures. The Clerks were
the first to get their information in and had identified 159
procedures that they do and could possibly share services
with. The Consolidation Committee met with the Clerks and
went over these procedures (some could be shared and others
couldn’t be).
- Supervisor Cantwell opened the Public Hearing to the
Public.
- Fred Brabant stated that he thought it was nickel and
diming to consolidate or put all together in one place.
- Tim Pacific asked if the clerks had any ideas where to
locate, no suggestions were made.
- Mike Christensen asked why this had not been thought of
when the Fire Dept. first thought of moving out of the
Village Building. Supervisor Cantwell stated there were
other options being considered, Old Highway Garage, New
Building, etc. and then the Fire Department’s idea ended.
- John Kehoe asked if the Village Building was big enough
to hand both offices.
- Bob Purcell stated that when the Fire Dept. moves and
the big doors are gone there will be more room (especially
for parking). He stated that the building is well built.
- There was a suggestion that the Town and Village set up
a tour of the Town of Booneville Offices, they have just
co-located their Town and Village offices. The Town of Adams
is also in the process of doing the same. Both Boards stated
that this would be a good idea.
- Daniel Schleher stated that he thought it would be
hazardous to have both offices at the Village building
because of the kids playing in the park. He stated it would
be better placed near the Joint Highway Facility and lease
out the Village building.
- Douglas Eberhart stated that it was a good idea to
co-locate offices would have same hours and he asked who
pays what share of the expense.
- Bob Purcell stated that the Town and Village should work
on one entity and with no loss of jobs, do it through
attrition, streamline and operate as a business.
- Daniel Schleher said to evaluate the staff (special
skills that each employee has).
- Mr. Schleher asked if consolidation occurs, would it be
all Town or all Village.
- It was stated that by co-locating both could save on
heating expenses etc. and it would be more convenient for
the public to be in one place.
- Douglas Eberhart asked down the road would the Town or
the Village run meetings.
- Fred Brabant stated that the Ice rink expenses are high
and what the Town gets back from having the rink. Supervisor
Cantwell stated that it brings in revenue to businesses in
the Town and Village and also serves our youth in the
community.
- Bob Purcell stated that there should be a Town
Administrator in charge (one entity) and taxes should be
addressed.
- Supervisor Cantwell stated that this is the Town’s
objective to keeping the taxes low.
- Jean Mellor stated that it is a great idea to
consolidate, better efficiency, more personnel to draw from,
cross train people, more available to the public coming to
one building etc.
- Pat Youngs stated that all the offices should be at the
DPW building on East Line Road.
- Polly Baril stated that the Municipal Building would not
be as dangerous with the fire trucks gone and would have
enough space for parking and offices.
Supervisor Cantwell discussed what the projects the Town and
Village were working together on:
Frink America
Frink Park
Opera House
Community parks
- He stated that the community is doing aggressive things
and this being an election year; everybody is looking at us,
such as other towns and funding agencies. Other towns look
to us for guidance in doing new progressive things.
- Mayor Sephton thanked everyone for coming and stated
that we are in the limelight. She discussed the GIS survey
and Sand Shed (shared services). She stated that the Museums
are advertising jointly (share resources and ideas).
- Trustee Orobono supports co-operative objectives (make
sure still providing services and be responsive to the
public needs).
- Trustee Cerow stated that it is a good idea to tour the
Booneville and Adams offices that have been combined or
being combined.
Motion by Tim Pacific, 2nd by Norma Zimmer to
close Public Hearing at 7:55 p.m. Motion carried.
Motion by Justin Taylor, 2nd by Joe Orobono to
close Joint meeting of the Town and Village at 7:56 p.m. Motion
carried.
Respectively submitted:
Bonnie L. Rose, RMC
Town Clerk
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