TOWN BOARD Meeting Minutes
Marion Municipal Building
Monday, September 11, 2023
A Town Board meeting of the Town of Marion, Wayne County, NY was held on Monday, September 11, 2023 at the Marion Municipal Room.
Supervisor Bender called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm with a roll call done by Heidi Levan, Clerk of the Board.
PRESENT:
Jolene Bender, Supervisor
LaVerne Bliek, Councilman
Julie Herman, Councilwoman
Michael Cramer, Councilman
Absent: Ronald Lonneville, Councilman
IN PERSON ATTENDANCE: Caryn Devlin, Historian; Jeff Cragg, Chief Wastewater treatment operator; Gina Southcott; Tracy Whitney, Library Director; Kerry Sargent; Casey Carpenter, Times of Wayne County; Gavin Smith, Tim Boerman, Highway Superintendent ( arrived at 6:50pm).
Supervisor Bender asked everyone to stand and give the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Hearing:
- 6:30 – Elevator Library
The Public hearing opened at 6:30pm and the reading of the public hearing notice was skipped. Library Director, Tracy Whitney explained that the elevator in the library was in need of repair. The Town Board was aware of the situation and decided to replace the broken/worn parts instead of repairing them. Supervisor Bender asked three times if anyone had questions or concerns. Without anyone coming forward to speak, the public hearing was closed at 6:34pm on a motion from Councilman Bliek and seconded by Councilman Cramer and approved with all ayes in the room.
Discussion:
Councilman Cramer read a statement from Councilman Lonneville who was unable to attend this evening’s meeting. Councilman Lonneville thanked Town Clerk, Heidi Levan and staff for helping to distribute the monthly community calendar. Councilman Lonneville next thanked Judy Casler, the rest of the volunteers from the Marion Events Organization, and Marion Central School students who helped to make the Marion Fall Event a successful event. A special thank you to the Marion Highway Department who hung the banner for the festival, installed a large tent and a variety of other things to help make the Fall Festival what it was.
The Town Board next discussed the 2024 Town of Marion Budget.
Town Business:
- Speed Limit Reduction Review Huntley Road
- Speed Limit Reduction Review Owl’s Nest Road
Supervisor Bender stated that both speed limit studies that were completed determined that a reduction of speed was not justified at this time. This was determined by the NYS Department of Transportation.
Citizens Comments:
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
Committee Reports:
Supervisor Bender: Assessor, Zoning, Planning
Supervisor Bender stated the Assessor has been busy with school taxes. Supervisor Bender stated the Zoning and Planning boards have not been busy.
Councilman Bliek: Deputy Supervisor, Highway, Drainage, Water, Sewer
Councilman Bliek stated the new regional wastewater treatment plant located in Palmyra is about 40% done and has approximately one and half years to completion.
Councilman Bliek next asked highways superintendent, Tim Boerman to give an update on the highway department. Mr. Boerman stated a few miles were oiled and stoned in the month of August. The highway department repaired trucks, mowed and painted during the month of August.
Councilman Lonneville: Historian, Public Safety
Councilman Lonneville was not in attendance.
Historian Caryn Devlin stated a few hundred people walked through the Marion Museum, Jennie’s House, during the Marion Fall Festival. Ms. Devlin stated work has been being done at the museum and she is hopeful that the museum will be open in the spring of 2024. Ms. Devlin also thanked Supervisor Bender for attending the unveiling of the new historical marker located on the corner of Maple Ave. and Main Street in front of the old M & T bank. The original marker has been relocated to the Marion Town Park and thanked the Highway Department for making this possible. Ms. Devlin next stated the Wayne County Bicentennial committee sponsored the World Fife & Drum event at the Marion Town Park Sunday, September 3rd. It was attended by approximately 100 people. Thank you to everyone who attended.
Councilwoman Herman: Parks, Recreation, Town Clerk, Library
Town Clerk Heidi Levan stated the Town Clerk’s office was busy with hunting licenses and dog licenses during the month of August.
Councilwoman Herman next asked Library Director Tracy Whitney to give an update regarding the library. Ms. Whitney stated the book and bake sale earned approximately $1,000.00 from the Marion Fall Festival. The Friends of the Library purchased 4 new public access computers for the library. The 2023 summer reading programs had the highest numbers of participants. Ms. Whitney stated the library board would like all programs to be free so everyone can participate, this includes the yoga program. Ms. Whitney stated the library has been working hard at fundraising.
Councilwoman Herman next stated she is waiting to hear from Sarah from the NYS Division of Cemeteries with a final audit report. Councilwoman Herman will call her again this week and will report back to the board once she has received the report.
Councilman Cramer: Drainage, Judicial, Cemetery, Code Enforcement
Councilman Cramer stated the CEO was busy during the month of August with handling permits and property violations. Councilman Cramer next stated the Marion Drainage committee will be meeting in October. All meetings are open for the public to attend.
Councilman Cramer next asked Principal Account Clerk, Kathy Cauwels to give an update on the traffic light control panel. Ms. Cauwels stated the work should be done by the end of this year.
Correspondence:
Reports:
- Town Clerk August 2023
- Accounting
- Money Market August 2023
- Operating Statement September 2023
- Trial Balance August 2023
- Marion Fire District August 2023
- Assessor August 2023
- Code Officer August 2023
- Library August 2023
- Dog Control August 2023
- Justice
- Bonafede August 2023
- Bender August 2023
- Planning/Zoning Board August 2023
10.Sheriff August 2023
11.Historian August 2023
Resolutions:
- Approve Town Board meeting minutes August 14th, 21st and 24th
- Receive and file all correspondence/reports for September 11th, 2023
- Approve Replacement Valve on the Elevator at the Library
- Authorize Town Board to Set Public Hearing Local Law #6-2023 Amend Marion Town Code – Add Chapter 130: Cannabis
- Authorize Hiring MEO at the Marion Highway Department
- Payment of Claims
Resolution #903-23 Approve Town Board Meeting Minutes August 14th, 21st and 28th, 2023
On a motion by Councilwoman Herman and seconded by Councilman Bliek
ADOPTED: Ayes: 4 Herman, Cramer, Bliek, Bender
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board approves August 14th, 21st and 28th, 2023 Town Board meeting minutes.
Resolution #904-23 Receive and File all Correspondence/Reports for September 11th, 2023
On a motion by Councilman Bliek and seconded by Councilwoman Herman
ADOPTED: Ayes: 4 Herman, Cramer, Bliek, Bender
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 September 11th, 2023.
Resolution #905-23 Approve Replacement Valve on the Elevator at the Library
On a motion by Councilwoman Herman and seconded by Councilman Cramer
ADOPTED: Long Roll:
Councilwoman Cramer – Aye
Councilwoman Herman – Aye
Councilman Bliek – Aye
Supervisor Bender – Aye
Ayes: 4
Abstained: 0
Nayes: 0
The following resolution was approved.
WHEREAS, a Public Hearing was held on September 11, 2023 regarding the Library Elevator being in disrepair; now
BE IT RESOLVED, according to the Town of Marion’s procurement policy Guideline 6 except when directed by the Town Board, no solicitation of written proposals or quotations shall be required if it is a sole source situation; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Library Manager has stated that the elevator company KONE, Inc. has only one vendor who supplies the valve parts; and
BE IT RESOLVED, the Marion Town Board approves the valve replacement on the Library elevator for an amount not to exceed $8,938 to be expensed out of 16204.01.000.042 utilizing reserve funds and contingent account; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to the Library Manager and the Principal Account Clerk.
Resolution #906-23 Authorize Town Board to Set Public Hearing Local Law #6-2023 Amend Marion Town Code – Add Chapter 130: Cannabis
On a motion by Councilman Bliek and seconded by Councilwoman Herman
ADOPTED: Ayes: 4 Herman, Cramer, Bliek, Bender
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
BE IT RESOLVED, to authorize the Marion Town Board to set a public hearing to amend the Zoning Code of the Town of Marion to add Chapter 130: Cannabis; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the public hearing will be set for Monday October 9, 2023 at 6:30 pm at the Marion Town Board meeting room located at 3827 North Main Street; and
BE IT RESOLVED, Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to Daren Arrington, Adrienne Compton and the Principal Account Clerk.
Resolution #5 Authorize Hiring MEO at the Marion Highway Department
On a motion by Councilman Bliek and seconded by Councilman Cramer
ADOPTED: Long Roll:
Councilwoman Cramer – Aye
Councilwoman Herman – Aye
Councilman Bliek – Aye
Supervisor Bender – Aye
Ayes: 4
Abstained: 0
Nayes: 0
The following resolution was approved.
WHEREAS, Timothy Boerman, Highway Superintendent for the Town of Marion has recommended hiring a MEO; now
BE IT RESOLVED that the Marion Town Board accepts said recommendations and authorizes hiring David DeRue as a MEO effective September 18, 2023 at remuneration of $23.60 per hour: and
BE IT RESOLVED that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to David DeRue, Highway Superintendent, and the Principal Account Clerk.
Resolution #907-23 Payment of Claims Prepays
On a motion by Councilwoman Herman and seconded by Councilman Cramer
ADOPTED: Ayes: 4 Herman, Cramer, Bliek, Bender
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 4,374.86
Highway 9,260.80
Library 2,293.69
Sewer 7,488.30
Street Lighting 21.12
Total 23,438.77
Additional Citizen Comments
With no further business, on a motion by Councilman Cramer and seconded by Councilwoman Herman, Supervisor Bender closed the meeting at 7:55pm.
Next meetings are scheduled for:
Meeting/Workshop: Monday, September 18, 2023 @ 6:30pm
Meeting/Workshop: Monday, September 25, 2023 @ 6:30pm
_____________________________________________
Heidi M. Levan, Clerk of the Board