TOWN BOARD Meeting Minutes
Marion Court Room
Monday, February 26, 2024
A Town Board meeting of the Town of Marion, Wayne County, NY was held on Monday, February 26, 2024 at the Marion Court Room.
Supervisor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30pm and asked the Clerk of the Board to give a roll call.
PRESENT: Summer Johnson, Supervisor
Michael Cramer, Councilman
Julie Herman, Councilwoman
Ronald Lonneville, Councilman
Margi Taber, Councilwoman
ABSENT:
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Jeff Cragg, Chief Wastewater Treatment Operator; John Lonneville, Marion Zoning Board; Ashley Tack, Baseball Coordinator; Samantha Starks, Shadow Baseball Coordinator; James Moon.
Supervisor Johnson asked everyone to stand and give the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supervisor Johnson read the following statement:
The Marion Town Board will allow anyone who would like to speak for 3 minutes each with a maximum of 15 minutes of the meeting devoted to citizens’ comments. There will be time allocated at both the beginning and the end of the meeting.
Town Business:
- Town Projects
Councilman Lonneville thanked Councilwoman Taber, Councilwoman Herman and Councilman Cramer for volunteering to distribute the monthly community calendar.
Next Councilman Lonneville spoke regarding the estimates that were received from a variety of vendors for epoxy floors at the Main pavilion at the Town Park. Rochester Epoxy will be awarded the job because they are willing to move appliances at no extra charge and the floor will have a lifetime warranty.
Councilman Lonneville next thanked John Cornell and John Lonneville for installing the new furnace at the main pavilion at the Town Park. After looking at the ceiling, there is no way to add insulation and in turn air conditioning will not be feasible for the main pavilion. John Cornell reduced the estimated job cost of installing both air conditioning and heating.
Discussion:
- Recreation Software
Supervisor Johnson spoke regarding the need for a new software program for recreational programs. Supervisor Johnson met with Walworth Recreation Department and strongly feels this would be an asset for the Town of Marion. Supervisor Johnson also met with Marion Principal Account Clerk, Kathy Cauwels to see where money could be pulled from the budget to make this purchase. $5,000 would come from the Recreational Grant that the Town of Marion is receiving. This would be $5,000 from the Administration line of the grant budget. Another $2,000 would come from budget line 73104.01.0.095 – field trips, additional $3,000 from budget line 73104.01.0.093 Youth programs. There is $5,500 yearly cost in addition to the original cost of $9,588 to get the program started. Supervisor Johnson looked at a few other programs but liked this program the best because it’s only for municipalities to use. Supervisor Johnson feels this is a way to increase the recreational programs in the Town of Marion. Supervisor Johnson also stated it would take 16 weeks to get the program going so it can’t be used for baseball/softball registrations, soccer registrations or summer recreations registrations. The program would not be ready in time. Supervisor Johnson also stated that she did a quick poll on social media to ask how many residents think a software program is a good idea. 40 people stated they support the idea.
Town Board members had many comments and concerns.
Councilman Lonneville stated he would like to see more of a structure before moving forward. What is the plan for Summer Recreation? Who will be able to access the program? Supervisor Johnson stated it would be coaches, summer coordinator, herself, principal account clerk Kathy Cauwels and anyone else she feels would need access to the back end of the program.
Councilman Cramer asked where is the $5,500 coming from each year to maintain the software? This is $100 per week to maintain the program. Is it worth $100 a week for 2025? Councilman Cramer doesn’t feel this program is necessary at this time. Councilman Cramer also stated we should not be comparing the Town of Marion to the Town of Walworth. Walworth has a much bigger tax base and has a much bigger budget. It’s comparing apples to oranges.
Councilwoman Taber stated she also didn’t feel this was necessary at this time. We don’t have a summer recreation program established again. Once more programming is established it’s something to look at again but at this time, the Town can’t afford this software program. Councilwoman Taber also thanked Town Clerk Heidi Levan and Marion School District Superintendent Ellen Lloyd because without the two of them there would be no summer recreation program for 2024. No money was put into the budget for this program.
Councilwoman Herman asked how many people signed up for baseball/softball last year. How many people signed up for soccer. Councilwoman Herman also stated this program is a lot of money for a limited amount of people.
All town council members stated the Town of Marion needs a full program set up before making a purchase. The program is a good idea once all programs are discussed.
Citizens Comments:
Resident James Moon spoke and asked why the fees for Baseball/Softball fees increased for 2024 and why a volunteer fee was added. Ashley Tack responded stating the fees for Softball increased by $10. The fee if you choose not to volunteer did increase from $30 to $100.
Ashley Tack feels that the CivilRec program is necessary to increase the recreational attendance in Marion. This program would also allow residents to register their children any time of the day and use a credit card. Ms. Tack stated currently they can only use check or cash and that’s not easy for young parents. Town Clerk Heidi Levan stated for the last few years, residents have been able to come into the Town Clerk’s office and pay for recreational programs with a credit card. Ms. Tack stated most people can’t make it to the Town Clerk’s office during business hours. Ms. Tack also stated that former Town Councilwoman Joan Fisher also supported this software program back when she was a Town Board member.
Samantha Starks stated that the Town of Marion was willing to purchase software for a cemetery but not one for kids. Councilwoman Herman stated, the cemetery software was purchased using ARPA funds and funds that the Marion Cemetery Association had on their books but were unable to access due to NYS mandates but the Town of Marion can use. This software will not cost the Town of Marion taxpayers.
Correspondence: Letter written to NYS State Comptrollers office from Town of Marion
Resolutions:
- Amend Resolution #219-24 Authorize hiring James Miller for lawn care/maintenance at the Marion Cemetery
- Amend Resolution #220-24 Authorize hiring Charles DeRidder for lawn care/maintenance at the Marion Cemetery
- Authorize the Town Clerk to Inform the NYS Retirement System that Paul Bender, Justice has not Submitted a 3 Month Calendar
- Award Contract to Rochester Epoxy
- Authorize the Town Board to Accept the Final Response Letter to OSC for the Court Audit
- Authorize the use of $5,000 fee from the Summer Recreation Youth grant towards total cost of CivicRec implementation software
- Authorize the Supervisor to enter a 12-month contract for CivicRec implementation software Renewable in February 2025
- Payment of Claims
Resolution #227-24 Amend Resolution #219-24 Authorize Hiring James Miller for Lawn Care/Maintenance at the Marion Cemetery
On a motion by Councilman Lonneville and seconded by Councilman Cramer
ADOPTED: Ayes: 5 Cramer, Herman, Lonneville, Taber, Johnson
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board authorizes hiring James Miller for Lawn Care/Maintenance for the Marion Cemetery remuneration of $15/hour to be appropriated from account 88101.01.000.255; and
WHEREAS, the amount of pay was supposed to be $16/hr; and
BE IT RESOLVED, the amount of pay be changed to $16/hr; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to James Miller and the Principal Account Clerk.
Resolution #228-24 Amend Resolution #220-24 Authorize Hiring Charles DeRidder for Lawn Care/Maintenance at the Marion Cemetery
On a motion by Councilwoman Herman and seconded by Councilman Cramer
ADOPTED: Ayes: 5 Cramer, Herman, Lonneville, Taber, Johnson
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board authorizes hiring Charles DeRidder for Lawn Care/Maintenance for the Marion Cemetery remuneration of $15/hour to be appropriated from account 88101.01.000.255; and
WHEREAS, the amount of pay was supposed to be $16/hr; and
BE IT RESOLVED, the amount of pay be changed to $16/hr; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to Charles DeRidder and the Principal Account Clerk.
Resolution #229-24 Authorize the Town Clerk to Inform the NYS Retirement System that Paul Bender, Justice has not Submitted a 3 Month Calendar
On a motion by Councilwoman Herman and seconded by Councilman Cramer
ADOPTED: Ayes: 5 Cramer, Herman, Lonneville, Taber, Johnson
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
BE IT RESOLVED, the Marion Town Board Authorizes the Town Clerk to Inform the NYS Retirement System that Paul Bender, Justice has not Submitted a 3 Month Calendar; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to the Justice Bender and the Principal Account Clerk.
Resolution #230-24 Award Contract to Rochester Epoxy to Epoxy the Lodge Floor
On a motion by Councilman Lonneville and seconded by Councilman Cramer
ADOPTED: Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Long Roll:
Councilwoman Herman – Aye
Councilman Cramer – Aye
Councilman Lonneville – Aye
Councilwoman Taber – Aye
Supervisor Johnson – Aye
The following resolution was adopted
WHEREAS, the Town of Marion sent out an RFP to obtain bids to epoxy the floor in the lodge at the park; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Marion received 4 bids; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board awards the contract to Rochester Epoxy to be expensed out of 71104.01.000.004 using reserve funds not to exceed $10,197, the project to be completed no later than April 1, 2024; and.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to Rochester Epoxy and the Principal Account Clerk.
Resolution #231-24 Authorize the Town Board to Accept the Final Response Letter to OSC for the Court Audit
On a motion by Councilman Cramer and seconded by Councilwoman Herman
ADOPTED: Ayes: 5 Cramer, Herman, Lonneville, Taber, Johnson
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board accepts the final response letter to OSC for the Court Audit; 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 #232-24 Authorize the use of $5,000 fee from the Summer Recreation Youth grant towards total cost of CivicRec implementation software
On a motion by Councilman Lonneville and seconded by Councilman Cramer
VOTE: Ayes: 1
Nays: 4
Long Roll:
Councilwoman Herman – Nay
Councilman Cramer – Nay
Councilman Lonneville – Nay
Councilwoman Taber – Nay
Supervisor Johnson – Aye
The following resolution was not passed.
BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to use $5,000 administrative fee from the Summer Recreation Rec Youth grant towards total cost of the CivicRec software; 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 #233-24 Authorize the Supervisor to enter into a 12-month contract for CivicRec implementation software Renewable in February 2025
On a motion by Councilman Lonneville and seconded by Councilman Cramer
VOTE: Ayes: 1
Nays: 4
Long Roll:
Councilwoman Herman – Nay
Councilman Cramer – Nay
Councilman Lonneville – Nay
Councilwoman Taber – Nay
Supervisor Johnson – Aye
The following resolution was not passed.
BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to enter a 12-month contract for CivicRec implementation software Renewable in February 2025; 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.
Citizens Comments:
Jeff Cragg Marion Wastewater Treatment Chief Operator spoke. As the Town Board was made aware, there was a fuel oil spill at a resident’s home on Union Street. Mr. Cragg spoke to the Board regarding fees that will be charged to the residents for this emergency situation. Mr. Cragg is still waiting for a fine that the NYS DEC office may send to the Town of Marion. These charges will also need to be passed onto the homeowner. This was an accident, and the home is owned by new owners who were unaware that their sump pump was connected to the Marion Sewer lines. Mr. Cragg will update the Town Board as more information arrives.
With no further business, on a motion by Councilman Cramer and seconded by Councilwoman Herman, Supervisor Johnson closed the meeting at 7:35pm.
Next meetings are scheduled for:
Meeting/Workshop: Monday, March 11, 2024 @ 6:30pm
Meeting/Workshop: Monday, March 25, 2024 @ 6:30pm
_____________________________________________
Heidi M. Levan, Clerk of the Board