TOWN BOARD Meeting Minutes
Marion Municipal Room
Monday, December 11, 2023
A Town Board meeting of the Town of Marion, Wayne County, NY was held on Monday, December 11, 2023 at the Marion Municipal Room.
Councilman Bliek called the meeting to order at 6:30pm and asked the Clerk of the Board to give a roll call.
PRESENT: Michael Cramer, Councilman
Ronald Lonneville, Councilman
LaVerne Bliek, Councilman
ABSENT: Julie Herman, Councilwoman
Jolene Bender, Supervisor
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Jeff Cragg, Chief Wastewater Treatment Operator; Marcia Lonneville; John Lonneville; Gina Southcott; Margi Taber; Casey Carpenter, Times of Wayne County; Nancy Spinning; Collin VanLaeken.
Councilman Bliek asked everyone to stand and give the Pledge of Allegiance.
Discussion:
Town Business:
- Town Projects
Councilman Lonneville stated John Cornell installed temporary portable heating at the Town Park main pavilion to allow contractors to finish their work on the kitchen,
Councilman Lonneville stated that the awning at the Town Hall were up and then taken down due to some damage that took place during installation as well as adding the lettering that was accidental left off.
Councilman Lonneville next stated that Tyler has completed the finishing touches at the Town Hall. The step outside the back exit of the Town Court has been ordered and will be installed once it arrives.
Councilman Lonneville spoke next regarding clean energy benchmarking that was needed to be completed for a grant from NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The benchmarking report is on the Town of Marion website.
Councilman Lonneville next stated the lights around the Town Park need to be LED lights and work from dusk to dawn. This is due to all the vandalism at the Town Park and for people who walk early in the morning.
- Tax Bill Insert
Town Clerk Heidi Levan has been working on an insert for the 2024 Town & County tax bills. This insert needs to be completed in the very near future so printing can be completed before the tax bill are ready to be mailed out.
Citizens Comments:
Collin VanLaeken from Western Wayne Ambulance introduced himself and stated he will be attending more Town Board meetings in the future to keep the Town Board updated. The Town Board was happy to meet him and look forward to hearing from him again.
John Lonneville asked why people would be in the town park after dark and would require lighting. The Marion Town Park sign states Dusk to Dawn. Does this no longer apply?
Gina Southcott asked if there was money in the budget to hire security personnel for the Town Park? The Board stated that there was not.
Committees: Chair Co-Chair
Deputy Supervisor LaVerne Bliek
Town Clerk Julie Herman Jolene Bender
Water, Sewer Laverne Bliek Jolene Bender
Public Safety Ronald Lonneville Michael Cramer
Judicial Michael Cramer Julie Herman
Library Julie Herman Michael Cramer
Parks, Recreation Julie Herman Ronald Lonneville
Assessor Jolene Bender Ronald Lonneville
Historian Ronald Lonneville LaVerne Bliek
Zoning, Planning Jolene Bender Michael Cramer
Highway LaVerne Bliek Michael Cramer
Drainage Michael Cramer LaVerne Bliek
Cemetery Michael Cramer Julie Herman
Code Enforcement Michael Cramer Julie Herman
Correspondence:
Reports:
- Town Clerk November 2023
- Accounting
- Money Market November 2023
- Operating Statement December 2023
- Trial Balance November 2023
- Marion Fire District None given
- Assessor November 2023
- Code Officer November 2023
- Library November 2023
- Dog Control None given
- Justice
- Bonafede November 2023
- Bender November 2023
- Planning/Zoning Board November 2023
10.Sheriff None given
11.Historian None given
Supervisor Bender: Assessor, Zoning, Planning
Supevisor Bender was not in attendance, so no discussion took place.
Councilman Bliek: Deputy Supervisor, Highway, Drainage, Water, Sewer
Councilman Bliek stated the joint Regional Wastewater Treatment facility is going well and ahead of schedule. Work will continue over the winter months.
Councilman Bliek next stated the new Wayne County Water & Sewer Authority water project in Newark is now completed.
Councilman Bliek next stated that the plows have been installed on the trucks and the crews are ready for snow. The Town Board also thanked Tim Boerman and the highway department for installing the holiday lights on Main St. They look amazing!
Councilman Lonneville: Historian, Public Safety
Councilman Lonneville stated the controls for the stop light in town will be replaced in the next few weeks.
Councilman Lonneville read the following:
I have great news on the museum. After 20 years and many hours of work by dedicated Historic Association members, Town employees, volunteers and contractors the plan is in place to complete this project and open the museum to the public.
I met with volunteer Nick Lucci on Saturday and he is ready to install the kitchen display areas displaying ceiling knob and tube wiring and a wall section of the old lathe and plaster. I also met with volunteer Peter Callahan and his son and they completed drywall sanding in the new addition. The Historic Association volunteers will be cleaning the week of December 11th in preparation for the open house on Saturday during the Christmas parade after the cleaning is completed, L & J Smith Home Improvements can do the finish trim work, painting and install the laminate flooring in the new addition. The Town’s ARPA funding work will finally be complete.
At this point, I would like to recognize and thank Caryn Devlin for accepting the Historian position when Carolyn Adriaansen retired. Caryn has started identifying, sorting and organizing the museum collection and getting things from notebooks to computer age. This is still a big challenge for the Historian and the Historic Association. Now that Caryn is leaving, the Historic Association held a meeting on Wednesday, December 6th to accept Caryn’s resignation with regrets and ask the Town Board to advertise for a new historian. The Historic Association will also be developing a plan to work with the new historian on the museums inventory and the collection which is located in the new museum, the old town hall museum, highway department and sewer department. As you can see this is going to take a well-coordinated effect of many people to maintain and support the continued history of Marion.
Thank you again Caryn for all of your dedication and support to the Town of Marion and Wayne County. As the Town Board liaison, I will keep you posted as we continue this very important Historic Association work for the Marion community and beyond.
Councilman Lonneville next stated that members of the Marion Historic Association would like to be part of the interview process. The Town Board agreed with this suggestion.
Councilwoman Herman: Parks, Recreation, Town Clerk, Library
Councilman Bliek asked Town Clerk, Heidi Levan to give her report. Ms. Levan stated the Town Clerks’ office was gearing up for Town & County taxes.
Councilwoman Herman was not in attendance, so no other discussion took place.
Councilman Cramer: Drainage, Judicial, Cemetery, Code Enforcement
Councilman Cramer stated the CEO report is in all the board members folders.
Councilman Cramer also stated that Drainage has been quiet.
Councilman Cramer next asked if the new cemetery software was ready to use. Town Clerk Heidi Levan stated it was not because she is still waiting on information from Norma Ameele to get started.
Resolutions:
- Approve Town Board meeting minutes November 13th and 27th
- Receive and file all correspondence/reports for December 11th, 2023
- Authorize Supervisor to sign 2024-2025 Inter-Municipal Agreement for Animal Control Services
- Authorize Supervisor to Sign 2024-2025 Contract with Humane Society of Wayne County
- Authorize Hiring of Assessor
- Authorize Training School for Newly Elected Officials
- Accept Resignation of Caryn Devlin as Town of Marion Historian
- Authorize the Clerk of the Board to Advertise for the Position of Historian
- Resolution # Audit 2023 Sewer Collection
- Payment of Claims
Resolution #1201-23 Approve Town Board Meeting Minutes November 13th and 27th
On a motion by Councilman Lonneville and seconded by Councilman Cramer
ADOPTED: Ayes: 3 Cramer, Lonneville, Bliek
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board approves November 13th and 27th Town Board meeting minutes.
Resolution #1202-23 Receive and File all Correspondence/Reports for December 11th, 2023
On a motion by Councilman Cramer and seconded by Councilman Lonneville
ADOPTED: Ayes: 3 Cramer, Lonneville, Bliek
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to receive and file all correspondence and reports for December 11th 2023.
Resolution #1203-23 Authorize Supervisor to sign 2024-2025 Inter-Municipal Agreement for Animal Control Services
On a motion by Councilman Cramer and seconded by Councilman Lonneville
ADOPTED: Long Roll:
Councilman Bliek – Aye
Councilman Lonneville – Aye
Councilman Cramer – Aye
Ayes: 3
Abstained: 0
Nayes: 0
The following resolution was adopted
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to sign the attached 2024-2025 Inter-Municipal Agreement for animal Control Services; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to Town of Williamson, Town of Ontario, and Principal Account Clerk.
Resolution #1204-23 Authorize Supervisor to sign 2024/2025 Contract with Wayne County Humane Society
On a motion by Councilman Lonneville and seconded by Councilman Cramer
ADOPTED: Ayes: 3 Cramer, Lonneville, Bliek
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to sign the attached 2024/2025 Contract with Wayne County Humane Society; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to Humane Society of Wayne County and Principal Account Clerk.
Resolution #1205-23 Authorize Hiring Assessor
On a motion by Councilman Cramer and seconded by Councilman Lonneville
ADOPTED: Long Roll:
Councilman Bliek – Aye
Councilman Lonneville – Aye
Councilman Cramer – Aye
Ayes: 3
Abstained: 0
Nayes: 0
The following resolution was adopted
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town authorizes hiring Michael Rados, as PT Assessor for the Town of Marion effective January 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025 to finish the current term of the Assessor; and.
BE IT RESOLVED,
The salary for 2024 will be $13.00 per parcel (2,143) for a total of $27,859.
Mileage will be reimbursed at the current New York State mileage rate, not to exceed $200.00. This will be further discussed during the budget review process for 2025.
The town will provide a desk phone that takes messages and can be accessed through your personal phone.
The weekly office hours are Mondays from 9:00 to 4:00. Additional office hours may be necessary throughout the year for specific business. The designated paid holidays are Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans’ Day. You will also receive two days of paid vacation leave.
A townwide reassessment will begin in 2025, with the understanding that it will be completed by the 2026 roll year. It is the town’s expectation that the valuation rates are kept at a level acceptable to New York State.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to NYS Real Property Tax, Michael Rados and the Principal Account Clerk.
Resolution #1206-23 Authorize Training School for Newly Elected Officials
On a motion by Councilman Cramer and seconded by Councilman Lonneville
ADOPTED: Ayes: 3 Cramer, Lonneville, Bliek
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
BE IT RESOLVED, the Marion Town Board authorizes Summer Johnson to attend training school for newly elected officials; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to Summer Johnson and the Principal Account Clerk
Resolution #1207-23 Accept Resignation of Caryn Devlin Town of Marion Historian
On a motion by Councilman Lonneville and seconded by Councilman Cramer
ADOPTED: Long Roll:
Councilman Bliek – Aye
Councilman Lonneville – Aye
Councilman Cramer – Aye
Ayes: 3
Abstained: 0
Nayes: 0
The following resolution was adopted
WHEREAS, Caryn Devlin has submitted her resignation as the Town of Marion Historian effective 12/31/23; now
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board regretfully accepts the resignation of Caryn Devlin; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to Caryn Devlin
Resolution #1208-23 Authorize the Clerk of the Board to Advertise for the position of Town of Marion Historian
On a motion by Councilman Lonneville and seconded by Councilman Cramer
ADOPTED: Ayes: 3 Cramer, Lonneville, Bliek
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
The Town of Marion is accepting applications for the position of Town of Marion Historian. Applications may be picked up at the Marion Town Clerk’s Office during normal business hours. Applications will be accepted until January 19, 2024, for further information contact Councilperson Ronald Lonneville
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to the Principal Account Clerk
Resolution #1209-23 Audit 2023 Sewer Collection
On a motion by Councilman Lonneville and seconded by Councilman Cramer
ADOPTED: Ayes: 3 Cramer, Lonneville, Bliek
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board did duly audit the 2023 Sewer Collection; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to the Principal Account Clerk
Resolution #1210-23 Payment of Claims
On a motion by Councilman Cramer and seconded by Councilman Lonneville
ADOPTED: Ayes: 3 Cramer, Lonneville, Bliek
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
WHEREAS, the Marion Town Board has received and audited the following claims: now
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Supervisor is hereby authorized to pay said claims upon receipt of the signed abstracts of audited claims from the Town Clerk.
Abstract
General 70618.90
Highway 67,244.22
Library 3,085.91
Water 50.00
Sewer 16,413.98
Street Lighting 820.09
NW Phase I 28,118.75
NE Phase I 7,512.50
NW Phase II 43,140.63
NW Phase III 23,645.00
T&A 914.45
Total 261,564.43
Resolution #1211-23 Amend Resolution #1003-23 and #510-23 Award Contract to Shores Edge Electric to Complete the Electric Upgrades needed to Renovate the Kitchen at the Town Park
On a motion by Councilman Lonneville and seconded by Councilwoman Cramer
ADOPTED: Long Roll:
Councilman Bliek – Aye
Councilman Lonneville – Aye
Councilman Cramer – Aye
Ayes: 3
Abstained: 0
Nayes: 0
The following resolution was adopted
WHEREAS, the Town of Marion sent out an RFP to obtain bids to renovate the kitchen at the Town Park; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Marion received 2 bids; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board amends the contract to Shores Edge Electric, to complete the electric upgrades needed to renovate the kitchen at the Town Park with a change order of replacing old lights with LED lights to coincide with the Town of Marion trying to lower monthly costs with more efficient lights increased amount of $ 1362.00 for a total amount not to exceed $ 6340.00 to be expensed from park reserve funds; and.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to Shores Edge Electric and the Principal Account Clerk.
Additional Citizen Comments – None
Resolution #1211-23 Payment of Claims
On a motion by Councilman Cramer and seconded by Councilman Lonneville
ADOPTED: Ayes: 3 Cramer, Lonneville, Bliek
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
WHEREAS, the Marion Town Board has received and audited the following claims: now
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Supervisor is hereby authorized to pay said claims upon receipt of the signed abstracts of audited claims from the Town Clerk.
Abstract
General $681.00
Total $681.00
On a Motion from Councilman Lonneville and seconded by Councilman Cramer, the Board moved into executive session at 7:20pm to discuss matters relating to proposed, pending or current litigation.
With no further business, on a motion by Councilman Cramer and seconded by Councilman Lonneville, Councilman Bliek closed the meeting at 7:30pm.
Next meetings are scheduled for:
Meeting/Workshop: Thursday, December 28, 2023 @ 1pm
Meeting/Workshop: Tuesday, January 02, 2024 @ 6:30pm
_____________________________________________
Heidi M. Levan, Clerk of the Board