TOWN BOARD Meeting Minutes
Marion Court Room
Monday April 22, 2024
A Town Board meeting of the Town of Marion, Wayne County, NY was held on Monday April 22, 2024 in the Marion Court Room.
Supervisor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm with a roll call done by Kimberly Williams, Deputy Clerk of the Board.
PRESENT: Summer Johnson, Supervisor
Michael Cramer, Councilman
Julie Herman, Councilwoman
Margi Taber, Councilwoman
Absent: Ronald Lonneville, Councilman
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: John Lonneville; Samantha Starks; Kerry Sargent; Martha Lynch; Debbie Smith; Joan Fisher; Monica Deyo
Supervisor Johnson asked everyone to stand and give the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Hearing: None
Discussion:
The Town Board discussed the need to update the Town of Marion Comprehensive Plan which was last done in 2017. Supervisor Johnson attended a recent Planning Board meeting and emphasized to them to keep the Comprehensive Plan update on their agenda going forward. She will send emails to the Planning Board about setting up a new committee. Councilwoman Herman mentioned that the old plan had approximately 12-15 members on the committee. This time around only 6-8 members may be needed as it will be a revision. The 2020 census will be used in developing the new Comp Plan to apply for grants.
The Town of Marion was recently awarded a $10,000.00 grant through NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities program. The Town earned enough points from prior energy upgrades to receive this grant. There are guidelines as to what projects the money can be used for. A few ideas mentioned that are on the pre-approved list are LED lighting upgrades at the court, library, and highway garages; electric ATV with plow and other electric landscaping equipment such as weed trimmers and leaf blowers. The Town Board will discuss this more in depth at a future meeting.
Jim Miller and Chuck DeRidder started mowing this week at the Marion Cemetery. Three additional workers that were employed in previous years by the Marion Cemetery Association, will begin work soon. They will primarily be weed trimming, raking, and picking up sticks. A resolution for hiring will be on the next Board Meeting’s agenda.
Supervisor Johnson stated that a decision needs to be made about concessions at the Town Park during baseball/softball and summer soccer. Councilwoman Taber gave an update on her research:
- Mark’s Pizzeria is available to purchase pizzas, but they cannot staff a person at the Town Park.
- Clubs at the Marion High School: FFA is too busy right now. German Club may be interested, Spanish Club is interested.
- Walworth Recreation, for comparison purposes, does not sell concessions during youth sports. Cited that it was too time consuming and too much to coordinate and manage.
The Town Board decided that they would start the season with having Mark’s Pizza served by the Spanish Club if they are still interested. Councilwoman Taber will check back in with the school and Ashley Tack, baseball coordinator. Adjustments may need to be made as the season goes on. The park pavilion kitchen will not be used for concessions.
Town Business: None
Citizens Comments:
John Lonneville stated that the entire Comprehensive Plan needs going through, part by part, to determine which sections need updating. Much has changed since the first plan was developed such as additional water lines and the new wastewater treatment plant. Mr. Lonneville also asked if there is electrical power at the cemetery garage to charge landscape equipment. Both Councilman Cramer and Councilwoman Herman confirmed there is electric at the cemetery garage.
Reports: None
Resolutions:
- Authorize Marion Events Organization to use the Municipal Room lot on North Main Street
- Award bid to Bovet Landscaping
- Authorize payment of baseball/softball umpires
Resolution #410-24 Authorize Marion Events Organization to use the Municipal Parking lot on North Main Street for Farmer’s Market.
On a motion by Councilwoman Herman and seconded by Councilwoman Taber
ADOPTED: Ayes: 4 Cramer, Herman, Taber, Johnson
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
WHEREAS, the Marion Town Board authorizes the Marion Events Organization to host Farmer Markets in the Marion Municipal Parking Lot on North Main Street next to the Marion Elementary School; and
BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board does require an insurance certificate from the Marion Events Organization naming the Town of Marion as an additional insurance; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to the Highway Superintendent and the Principal Account Clerk
Resolution #411-24 Award Bid to Bovet Landscaping for mowing
On a motion by Councilwoman Herman and seconded by Councilman Cramer
ADOPTED: Ayes: 4 Cramer, Herman, Taber, Johnson
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
WHEREAS, the Marion Town Board sent out RFP’s for mowing and property maintenance; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board received one bid; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board authorizes John Bovet from Bovet Landscaping to mow the abandon cemeteries in Marion and perform mowing and maintenance on Town properties that are located on both South and North Main streets; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to Bovet Landscaping and the Principal Account Clerk
Correspondence: Email from Samantha Starks
Samantha Starks, Co-Coordinator for baseball/softball, requested that a check be issued for paying the umpires for the 2024 baseball/softball season. Councilwoman Herman suggested the Town Board add a resolution to this agenda.
Resolution #412-24 Authorize Payment of Umpires for the 2024 Recreation Baseball/Softball Season.
On a motion by Councilwoman Herman and seconded by Councilwoman Taber
ADOPTED: Ayes: 4 Cramer, Herman, Taber, Johnson
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
WHEREAS, the Marion Town Board agreed to have a check issued to Ashley Tack to pay for umpires for the 2024 baseball/softball season; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board authorizes payment to Ashley Tack who will provide receipts at the end of the season; with an amount not to exceed $1,000.00 to be expensed out of account 73104.01.0.200; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to Ashley Tack, Baseball/Softball Coordinator, and the Principal Account Clerk
Additional Citizens Comments:
Martha Lynch mentioned that she felt the summer recreation cost was too high per child and asked about senior citizen activities in the Town of Marion. Supervisor Johnson clarified that the price Martha was concerned about, is now lower due to receiving the grant from Wayne County. Councilman Cramer added that a few scholarships are available to those in need for Summer Rec. Members of the Town Board and citizens in attendance, also gave Martha information about the community calendar, programs at the library, Marion Events Organization activities, and the monthly senior citizen’s luncheon.
Joan Fisher stated that the proposed hiring process resolution from a former meeting was well written, but understands it needs more discussion. She asked when it will be talked about again. Supervisor Johnson will add it to an upcoming meeting agenda and the Town Board will discuss the hiring process in an open meeting.
Debbie Smith asked why in resolution # 2, (Award Bid to Bovet Landscaping for Mowing), the budget account number and cost was not listed. Supervisor Johnson stated that it was an oversight and referred to the 2024 Town of Marion Budget. The account number is 85104.01.0.232 Contractual Landscaping, and it is not to exceed $1800.00
John Lonneville spoke next and mentioned that the American Legion may be interested in sponsoring a scholarship next year for summer recreation.
Executive Session
The Board went into executive session to discuss the employment history of a particular person on a motion by Supervisor Johnson and seconded by Councilwoman Herman at 7:12 pm
With no further business, on a motion by Councilwoman Herman and seconded by Councilwoman Taber, Supervisor Johnson closed the meeting at 7:32 pm.
Next meetings are scheduled for:
Meeting/Workshop: Monday, May 13, 2024 @ 6:30pm
Meeting/Workshop: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 @6:30pm
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Kimberly A. Williams, Deputy Clerk of the Board