The Combination Regular and 2021 Organizational meetings of the Sidney Town Board was called to order by the Supervisor at 7:00 p.m. January 7, 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 |
| Sheila R Paul | Clerk |
January Presidential Birthdays
Millard Fillmore. January 7, 1800
Richard M. Nixon January 9, 1913
William McKinley January 29, 1843
Franklin D. Roosevelt January 30, 1882
As America entered the war these \’four freedoms\’ – symbolized America\’s war aims and gave hope in the following years to a war-wearied people because they knew they were fighting for freedom.
We look forward to a world founded upon essential human freedoms.
the freedom of speech and expression, the
freedom to worship God in his own way.
freedom from want.
freedom from fear
Four Freedoms Speech, January 6, 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
SILENT MOMENT OF REFLECTION/PRAYER
The following 6-part resolution is hereby offered for its adoption,
AYES: F. Selleck, P. Cordes. NAYES: None
Adopt 6-part resolution.
Highway: F. Selleck / P. Cordes
Hospital: E. Wilson / P. Cordes
Insurance: P. Cordes / F. Selleck
Zoning & Planning: F. Selleck / G. Pigford
East Sidney Lake: P. Cordes / E. Wilson
Finance: G. Pigford / F. Selleck
IT: E. Wilson / G. Pigford
DCO liaison: G. Pigford
Transition: F. Selleck / G. Pigford
APPOINTMENTS:
The Supervisor hereby announces his appointment of Eric Wilson for a 1-year term as Deputy Supervisor and the Clerk/Collector names, Pamela Gilbert as 1st Deputy Clerk/Collector, William Heath -2nd Deputy Clerk/Collector and Clarissa Riker -3rd Deputy Clerk/ Collector
The Supervisor announces his appointment of Karen Kropp as Bookkeeper to Supervisor.
APPROVE TOWN BOARD MINUTES of Regular Meeting held on December 12, 2020 Motion by Mr.
Wilson seconded by Mr. Selleck and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, P. Cordes, NAYES: None
Special Board meeting held on December 28, 2020 Motion by Mr. Selleck and seconded by Mr. Cordes and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, P. Cordes. NAYES: None
APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS:
General A Fund Voucher: 21-1 thru 21-30 in the amount of $38,176.71 Motion by Mr. Cordes seconded by Mr. Pigford and carried. AYES: E. Wilson, F. Selleck, NAYES: None
B Fund Voucher: No activity
East Sidney Lake Voucher: 21-1 in the amount of $137.98 Motion by Mr. Wilson seconded by Mr. Cordes and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, F. Selleck. NAYES: None
Highway DA Fund Vouchers: 21-1 thru 21-12 in the amount of $20,563.21 Motion by Mr. Selleck and seconded by Mr. Pigford and carried. AYES: E. Wilson, P, Cordes. NAYES: None
Highway DB Fund Vouchers: 21-1 thru 21-5 in the amount of $ 47,638.69 Motion by Mr. Cordes and seconded by Mr. Selleck and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, E. Wilson. NAYES: None
CM Hospital Fund Vouchers: 21-1 thru 21-12 in the amount of $ 11,542.17 Motion by Mr. Pigford, seconded by Mr. Wilson and carried. AYES: P. Cordes, F. Selleck. NAYES: None.
Total Vouchers paid: $ 118,058.76.
CORRESPONDENCE: Correspondence from Omar Siddigi Esq re-speed limit on Wheat Hill Road Receipt of petition from residents of Sidney Center. RESOLUTION No. 21-2 BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Sidney request that an appropriate speed zone be established on the following road: Wheat Hill Road from mailbox 1448 to mailbox 1884 be 30 mph: Motion made by Mr. Pigford and seconded by Mr. Wilson and carried. AYES: P. Cordes, F. Selleck. NAYES: None
RESOULTION No. 21-1 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Adopts provisions of Executive Order 202.83 Suspending the requirements of renewal applications as a condition to granting exemptions under sections 459-C and 467 of the Real Property Tax: Motion made by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mr. Pigford and carried. AYES: P. Cordes, F. Selleck. NAYES: None
The Association of Towns: The Link following gives information on the 2021 Training school and annual meeting. The Town is asked to name a voting delegate or an alternate. (more details at www.nytowns.org)
Membership for The Association of Towns: Dues are $ 1,000 a year. Motion to pay membership was made by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mr. Cordes and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, F. Selleck. NAYES: None
Delaware County Youth Bureau Program Funding Approval for 2020 in the amount of $ 1,415.00
“We, the undersigned citizens of Sidney, NY are opposed to efforts by the Town of Sidney to rezone
RESIDENTIAL homes in the hamlet of Sidney Center to Commercial, Light Commercial, or
Residential/Agricultural zones. We are in favour of Residential zoning that allows for small, low-impact and home businesses to be developed in the hamlet through a special use permit process.
Serious concerns raised by the people of Sidney Center have not been addressed, including changes to property taxes and the potential devaluation of homes. We question how rezoning will impact our quality of life and contribute to serious infrastructure problems that already exist in the Hamlet. Furthermore, we worry about future business-related issues due to a lack of code enforcement or oversight by the Town of Sidney, NY.
We ask that the Town Board create a plan in a transparent, inclusive manner and work with residents of the Hamlet. We want zoning that fits the small-town character of our community. The people of Sidney Center demand to have a say in our own destiny!”
The petition is signed by 93 residents of Sidney Center.
There was no immediate comment from the Board. A response will be drafted and reviewed by the Board prior to its release.
REPORTS/DISTRIBUTED:
Monthly reports of Supervisor, Bookkeeper and Town Clerk. Clerk is submitting checks totaling in $ 2,656.00 fees collected during December 2020.
HIGHWAY- Highway Superintendent James Roberts
Has agreement for the expenditure of Highway moneys. Pursuant to provisions of Section 284 of the Highway Law, we agree that moneys levied and collected in the Town for the repair and improvement of highways:
Crew was out during the snowstorm and rainstorm to maintain roads.
SUPERVISOR- Eugene Pigford
The Oath of Office for the Town Justice will be administered Wednesday January 13, 2021 at the Town Hall 6:30 pm
The NY State Veterans Office is interviewing candidates to fill the Sidney Veterans office one day per week. They hope to have a representative by mid- January.
BOOKKEEPER- Karen Kropp: Nothing to report
TOWN CLERK- Sheila Paul: 2021 Taxes are coming in.
Highway-Selleck & Cordes: Town truck being fixed.
Hospital- Wilson & Pigford: Site for COVID vaccines
Insurance-Cordes & Selleck: Zooming with Mike Sellitti, Bill VanGorder, Pete Cordes and Loddie Marsh (Sidney Center Improvement Secretary) Bill VanGorder from NYMIR wants a written plan on who is responsible for the Sidney Center Park. Pete mentions that Gene Pigford, Jamie Roberts need to meet and discuss responsibility of the Sidney Center Park.
Zoning & Planning– Pigford & Selleck: response to the Sidney Center petition with a letter that is being sent
to each person that signed it. Posting letter in Jess Howe’s, The Deli and the Post office.
East Sidney Lake– Cordes & Wilson: Report given by John Nolan on the Electric situation and has been working with NYSE & G. New service including 3 new poles that would be able to hook into the current service and give 2 X’s the service- one section would cover 24-28 campsite and the other section would cover up to 29 other campsites. The cost would be $ 2,951.2. Need a motion to accept cost. Motion made by Mr. Cordes and seconded by Mr. Pigford and carried. AYES: E. Wilson, F. Selleck. NAYES: None
Finance-Pigford & F. Selleck: Nothing to report
IT-Wilson & Pigford: Nothing to report
DCO liaison-G. Pigford: 6 incidents with calls. All incidents were resolved.
Transition-Selleck & Wilson: 3 new cameras installed in Town Building. Wet spot in crawl space that will need to be address.
Approval of NYMIR as Town Insurance carrier for 2021. Motion made by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mr. Pigford and carried. AYES: P. Cordes, F. Selleck. NAYES: None.
Jeremy Jacob’s Right of Way
The Town Attorney reported that while there is not a Right of Way issue, Mr Jacob’s does own the parcel regarding which some complaints had been received. He further stated that unless a complaining party wished to obtain a survey, the Town should end its inquiry.
Motion made at 8:10 p.m. by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mr. Selleck to enter executive session and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, P. Cordes. NAYES: None To discuss a legal and personnel matter.
Motion made at 8:16 p.m. by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mr. Selleck to come out of executive session and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, P. Cordes. NAYES: None
The Town Board approved Sheila Paul to be the Town Registrar at a salary of $2600 per year. Motion was made by Mr. Pigford and seconded by Mr. Selleck and carried. AYES: E. Wilson, P. Cordes NAYES: None
At 8:20 p.m. Mr. Pigford moved to adjourn meeting, motion was made by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mr. Selleck and carried. AYES: G. Pigford, P. Cordes. NAYES: None
Next Regular Board Meeting will be on February 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila R Paul, Town Clerk
