The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. Jim Frisch arrived at 7:40 p.m.

THOSE PRESENT:

William Dugan III, Supervisor
Lynn Odell, Councilman
Darwin Snyder, Councilman
Mark Jordan, Councilman
Jim Frisch, Councilman
Jim Bailey, Highway Superintendent
Rose Marie Belforti, Town Clerk

OTHERS PRESENT:

Bill Nivison, 1709 Goose Lane, Aurora
George Fearon, C.C. Legislator
Jason Haremza, Rochester, N.Y.

PLEDGE - REMEMBER ARMED FORCES

CONVOCATION

MINUTES & EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES: On motion by Darwin Snyder, seconded by Lynn Odell, the Regular meeting and the Executive meeting minutes for November 10, 2003 were approved as submitted.
VOTE: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays

REPORTS: On motion by Lynn Odell, seconded by Mark Jordan, the Supervisor's, Clerk's and Code Enforcement Officers Reports were approved as submitted.
VOTE: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR: Bill Nivison, Transfer Site Manager/Ledyard Highway part time employee, approached the Town Board concerning his position with the Ledyard Highway Department. He said that had heard rumors that his hours would be cut back and the current position would be changed to an "on call" status. The Town Board assured him that he would have full time work, as agreed upon, between the months of November and April. Beyond those dates, his employment would be on a "per needed" basis. Jim Bailey reported that both he and Bill Dugan had spoken with the New York Department of Labor as well as state and county agencies concerning rules and regulations regarding benefits extended from the municipality to an employee. They were told that a Town Board of a municipality may set their own standards for when an employee receives benefits. No legislation was cited.
Bill Nivison requested permission to join the N.Y. State retirement system.

RETIREMENT OFTRANSFER SITE ATTENDANT: Bill Nivison informed the Town Board that Dave Gifford, Transfer Site Attendant, will be retiring December 20, 2003.

APPOINTMENT: On motion by Mark Jordan, seconded by Jim Frisch, the Ledyard Town Board reappointed Steve Zabriskie as delegate to the Cayuga County Planning Board for 2004.
VOTE: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays

WATERSHED LOCAL LAWS PROJECT: Jason Haremza, an Associate Planner for the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council presented the Watershed Local Laws Project to the Town Board. He said; within the Finger Lakes region, watershed protection plans have been completed for Cayuga Lake. Preparation of each plan has been undertaken in partnership with the NYS Department of State, financed through grants from the Environmental Protection Fund-Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, and overseen by an inter-municipal organization comprised of the local governments and organizations involved in watershed protection. The watershed protection plans identify actions needed to protect and improve water quality, including capital projects and local development controls. Building on these watershed protection plans, the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council will develop specific water quality control laws and/or ordinances for local governments within the Cayuga watershed. The Council will prepare a manual of model local laws and case studies to reduce water pollution from non-point sources as a resource for local governments. The Council will conduct a series of workshops throughout the state's Great Lakes watershed to stress the importance of local development controls as a means for addressing non-point sources of pollution, as well as to provide information and examples of local laws and controls appropriate to a variety of local circumstances. Completion of the project is anticipated by June 2004. The Town of Ledyard does not have to participate, although the Council looks forward to working with the Town Board with the aim to protect Cayuga Lake. Supervisor Bill Dugan said he would be in touch with the Council regarding more details.

PROGRESS ON LAKE SHORE WATER/SEWER PROJECT: Bill Dugan informed the Town Board that the Water/Sewer District group has grown in size and that they have $2,300.00 at this time to put towards a feasibility study. They have incorporated, which will allow them to apply for government grants. The official name is The Sunset Beach/Honoco Road Water and Sewer District. Bill Dugan said that Attny. Fusco is their Attorney, although he thinks there may be a conflict of interest because Attny. Fusco represents the Village of Aurora as well. Bill Dugan said the Town of Ledyard has no responsibilities in the process at this time. The Town will be involved when the study is completed, and residents in the district vote on whether they want the district. George Fearon said the Town may need to have a Permissive Referendum, and that the Town residents outside the district should never be charged a dime for anything.

PROGRESS ON ZONING INITIATIVE: Bill Dugan informed the Town Board that he has had a few meetings with concerned citizens to look at Town zoning. Bill also met with the County Planning Board twice on this issue. He asked them to do some visioning with this group of citizens regarding zoning issues.

TRANSFER SITE ISSUES: Bill Dugan met with Tom Gunderson, Mayor of the Village of Aurora, and others regarding a change of use for the Ledyard Transfer Site. He said that MacKenzie Child's, other business's in the Village of Aurora, and Wells College would like to take advantage of the Ledyard Transfer facility. He has received a letter from Mr. Gunderson referring to the quantities of rubbish to be handled. He was invited to look at the Transfer operation in the Town of Schaneateles and also at a large private recycler in Syracuse, N.Y. Bill Dugan said there is money to be made on recycled card board, and that the Town of Ledyard is losing out on an opportunity to sell materials. Jim Frisch said that Schaneateles is not a likely comparable facility because they have 7500 residents as opposed to 1832 (not including summer residents) in Ledyard. He also brought attention to the fact that the Town of Schaneateles is much closer to the Syracuse facility than is Ledyard, so the cost for hauling large amounts would not be economical for our town. Bill Dugan also informed the Town Board that there is much more planning that would have to go into this project than he has where-with-all. Darwin Snyder brought up the concern that the private sector may be able to handle waste much more economically than a Town government. He also raised the question whether Town government should not get involved in a more extensive waste removal operation, and is it the function of government to provide for these needs? Bill Dugan said he would like to form a citizens committee to look at this question with the goal in mind to "define the transfer station". Lynn Odell said he would consider the idea of forming a committee to address these concerns, but that the business's that would like to see this become a reality should be the motivators and hire an engineer to see what could be done. Mark Jordan said these business's should put their desires in writing and the Town Board will deal with it. He said that they should commission a study, and not to limit it to the Town of Ledyard, but also Scipio and other nearby Towns as well. Bill Dugan said he would bring these comments to those interested in this issue.

LEDYARD TOWN MEDICAL INSURANCE AND TRANSFERS: On motion by Lynn Odell, seconded by Jim Frisch, the Town Board approved withdrawing from the Cayuga County Medical Insurance provider pool and to contract with another provider. They also approved the following transfers and encumbrances.

Transfers:
$2,477.72 from A9720.6 to A9060.8 for Medical Insurance $100.00 from B8010.4 to B3620.4 to balance accounts $15,600.00 from DA5130.4 to DA9060.8 for Medical Insurance $59.91 from DA2690 to DA9060.8 to balance accounts.

Regarding the transfers for Medical Insurance; the Town Board discussed the Medical Insurance payment due to the Cayuga County Treasurer's Office based on an oversight at the Treasurer's office. Lynn Odell said that he would like to see the contract before sending in the payment. The Board decided not to pay the requested amount until they have seen the contract and have had the opportunity to finalize plans to go with a new provider.

Encumbrances for Justice Court account A1110.4: Labor to build platform: $625.00 Carpets $120.00 Total: $745.00

VOTE: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays

DOG LICENSE FEE: On motion by Jim Frisch, seconded by Mark Jordan, the Local Fee for Dog Licenses will increase by $2.00 beginning in January 2004. This fee will be attached to both neutered/spayed and non-neutered/non-spayed dogs.
VOTE: 4 Ayes, 1 Nay (Lynn Odell)

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

HIGHWAY: Mark Jordan and Jim Bailey reported that the Ledyard Highway Department is putting new drainage on each side of Moonshine Road.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: Bill Dugan reported that Feher Rubbish Co. has completed the repair work on the Transfers Site and that he met with them regarding the invoices owed to them. Feher agreed to remove the late payment charges from the final invoice.

GRANTS: Darwin Snyder reported that he has not heard anything regarding the grant filed on behalf of the Ledyard Justice Court. He also reported that the Aurora Youth Program papers are in progress of being filed for 2004.

PLANNING BOARD/CODE ENFORCEMENT: Jim Frisch informed the Town Board that he will be attending the next Ledyard Planning Board meeting in December.

OLD/NEW BUSINESS: Lynn Odell reported that he called a medical insurance provider regarding carriage of medical insurance for the Town of Ledyard. He is expecting to have more discussion with the company and will report more on the matter at the End of Year Meeting on December 29, 2003.

Bill Dugan reported that premiums for the New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR) coverage will increase approximately 9% next year, 2004.

Darwin Snyder reported that he has contacted the Town Justices regarding Audit reports for 2003.

Darwin Snyder also reported that he will be traveling from January through March. He suggested that he take a reduction in compensation for Town Councilman, or resign from the Town Board if appropriate.

Lynn Odell suggested that it may be appropriate that the Ledyard Town Assessor, Scott Snyder submit a monthly report to the Town Board.

Jim Bailey informed the Town Board about an accident that occurred on September 8, 2003 involving a car attempting to pass a Town of Ledyard Truck, while in a no pass zone. The Town of Ledyard was reimbursed $6,800.00 for damage to the Town truck by the responsible party's insurance carrier.

PAY BILLS: On motion by Mark Jordan, seconded by Darwin Snyder, the bills on Abstract #012; #334-375, General Fund A=$17,593.37; B=$1,800.00; DA=$8,046.26; DB=$7,624.81 were approved for payment.
VOTE: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays

ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Jim Frisch, seconded by Darwin Snyder, the meeting was adjourned at 9:38 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted;

Rose Marie Belforti
Ledyard Town Clerk