TOWN BOARD Meeting Notes
Marion Municipal Building
Monday, November 23, 2020
A Town Board meeting of the Town of Marion, Wayne County, NY was held on
Monday, November 23, 2020 at the Marion Municipal Room and via Zoom on-line conference.
Supervisor Bender called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. This meeting was held at the Marion Municipal Room and via Zoom on-line conference service.
PRESENT: Joan Fisher, Councilwoman
LaVerne Bliek, Councilman
Ronald Lonneville, Councilman
Deborah Smith, Councilwoman
Jolene Bender, Supervisor
ABSENT:
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE (In person): Mark Plyter, Marion Dog Control Officer.
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE (via Zoom): David Vinke; Caryn Devlin; Bruce Griffin; Nickolas Edwards; Kelly Fernaays; Kristin Boerman; Oliver Family; Ashley Tack; Jackie DeMarco; Audrey Sloane; Benjamin Kier; Whitney Welch; Ashlie Frizelle; Kyle Smith; Anna Hofmann; Laney Taylor; Liz Ritzmann; Heath Grave Markham.
Supervisor Bender asked for a roll call after asking everyone to stand and give the Pledge of Allegiance. Supervisor Bender next asked everyone to remain standing for a moment of silence in honor of Carolyn Adriaansen who passed away last week. Carolyn was the Town of Marion Historian for over 30 years.
Town Business:
Councilwoman Fisher spoke first, she invited Ashley Tack to attend tonight’s meeting to discuss the Marion Recreational Baseball Program. Ms. Tack was kind enough to provide a list of responsiblities that are needed in this position. The job is very detailed and covers a 6 month period of time. The Town Board thanked Ashley for her hard work. The Town Board will make a decision on hiring a 2021 Baseball Coordinator at their next meeting in December. This decision will be based on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supervisor Bender spoke next and asked Marion Dog Control Officer, Mark Plyter to speak. Mr. Plyter was invited to the meeting to discuss monthly reports and dog licensing issues. Mr. Plyter stated that he has been the Marion Dog Control Officer for over 25 years. This year has been especially difficult for Mr. Plyter. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he has not been able to go and talk to people who haven’t licensed their dogs. Mr. Plyter is relying on phone conversations only. Mr. Plyter will continue to work closely with the Marion Town Clerk’s Office on overdue license renewals. Mr. Plyter also stated he is in favor of the Town of Marion holding a public hearing to discuss the removal of Purebred/Kennel dog licenses. Mr. Pyter feels these are no longer needed and Marion is one of last towns in Wayne County to still offer this licensing option.
Supervisor Bender next discussed the Holiday Shopping Event that is scheduled to be held December 5th at the Marion American Legion. Supervisor Bender stated she was contacted by Wayne County Public Health regarding this event. Wayne County Public Health would like the Town of Marion to contact the American Legion and advise them that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this event must be cancelled. Supervisor Bender will ask Code Enforcement Officer, Duane Smeatin to address with issue.
Councilman Lonneville spoke next regarding the Marion Drainage Committee. The Drainage Committee still needs to meet in December to discuss 2021 projects.
Councilwoman Smith spoke next regarding abandoned cemeteries. She spoke to someone on the state level and was told the abandoned cemetery grant is for newly abandoned cemeteries, not ones that have been around for years. Councilwoman Smith will contact the NYS Cemetery Association for more information.
Councilwoman Fisher spoke next regarding the Marion Town Board meeting scheduled for Monday, December 28th. Councilwoman Fisher asked if this would be the Year End meeting and was told it would be. Councilwoman Fisher next discussed the time of the meeting. After a discussion among Town Board members, a decision was made to have meeting time changed from 6:30pm to 3pm.
Correspondence: None
Public Hearing: None
Resolutions:
- Authorize Town Board to Set Public Hearing Local Law #3-2020 Amend Zoning Code 308-34 Planning Board – Members
- Authorize Town Board to Set Public Hearing Local Law #4-2020 Amend Zoning Code 117-Animals
- Authorize Update of Current Zoning Board Member Term Expiration Dates
- Accept resignation of Planning Board Member April Brooks
Resolution #11052020 Authorize Town Board to Set Public Hearing Local Law #3-2020 Amend Marion Town Code – 308-34 Planning Board
On a motion by Councilman Lonneville and seconded by Councilwoman Smith
ADOPTED: Ayes: 5 Smith, Lonneville, Bliek, Bender, Fisher
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
WHEREAS, 308-34 Marion Planning Board
- Creation, appointment, and organization
(1) The Planning Board is established by the Marion Town Board and shall consist of seven (7) members appointed for terms as follows: one shall hold office for the term of one (1) year, one for the term of two (2) years, one for the term of three (3) years, one for the term of four (4) years, one for the term of five (5) years, one for the term of six (6) years, one for the term of seven (7) years.
Upon expiration of the term of each member, his/her reappointment or the appointment of his/her successor shall be for the term of seven years. If a vacancy shall occur, other than the expiration of the term, it shall be filled by the Town Board by appointment for the unexpired term. The Planning Board shall appoint a secretary and shall prescribe rules for the conduct of its affairs.
BE IT RESOLVED, the Marion Town Board would like to amend 308-34 to the following:
(1) The Planning Board is established by the Marion Town Board and shall consist of five (5) members appointed for terms as follows: one shall hold office for the term of one (1) year, one for the term of two (2) years, one for the term of three (3) years, one for the term of four (4) years, one for the term of five (5) years.
Upon expiration of the term of each member, his/her reappointment or the appointment of his/her successor shall be for the term of seven (7) years. If a vacancy shall occur, other than the expiration of the term, it shall be filled by the Town Board by appointment for the unexpired term. The Planning Board shall appoint a secretary and shall prescribe rules for the conduct of its affairs.
BE IT FURTHER that the Public Hearing will be set for Monday, December 14, 2020 at 6:30 pm at the Marion Town Board meeting held both in person and via video conference call using ZOOM.com
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to Angela Patterson, Duane Smeatin and the Principal Account Clerk
Resolution #11082020 Authorize Town Board to Set Public Hearing to Amend Local Law, Code of Marion Chapter 117-Animals.
On a motion by Councilman Bliek and seconded by Councilwoman Lonneville
ADOPTED: Ayes: 5 Smith, Bliek, Lonneville, Bender, Fisher
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
BE IT RESOLVED, to Authorize the Marion Town Board to set a Public Hearing to amend the Code of The Town of Marion Chapter 117- Animals.
BE IT FURTHER the Code of the Town of Marion be Amended as follows:
Chapter 177-21 Purebred dog license.
The Marion Town Clerk’s Office shall no longer issue purebred or kennel licenses. All dogs shall be licensed individually in accordance with fees established; and
BE IT FURTHER that the Public Hearing will be set for Monday, December 14, 2020 at 6:30pm at the Marion Town Board meeting held both in person and via video conference call using ZOOM.com
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to the Principal Account Clerk
Resolution #11092020 Authorize Update of Current Zoning Board Member Term Expiration Dates
On a motion by Councilman Lonneville and seconded by Councilman Bliek
ADOPTED: Long Roll:
Councilman Bliek – Aye
Councilman Lonneville – Aye
Councilwoman Fisher – Aye
Councilwoman Smith – Aye
Supervisor Bender – Aye
Ayes: 5
Abstained: 0
Nayes: 0
WHEREAS, the current terms for the Town of Marion Zoning Board of Appeals members were reviewed, it has
come to our attention that the Board has multiple terms expiring at the same time. To resolve this issue
we would like to present the following changes below:
Member Current Term Expiration New Expiration Term
Gregory Bell 12/31/2023 12/31/2027
Martha Rich 12/31/2022 12/31/2026
Andrea Vandergrift 12/31/2020 12/31/2025
Mike Hershelman 12/31/2021 12/31/2024
Dan Sargent 12/31/2021 12/31/2023
Member Current Term Expiration New Expiration Term
John Lonneville 12/31/2023 12/31/2022
Zach Bartlett 12/31/2023 12/31/2021
Upon the expiration of the term of each member, his/her reappointment, or the appointment of his/her
successor shall be for the term of seven years. If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration of
term, it shall be filled by the Town Board by appointment for the unexpired term.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to Angela Patterson, Duane Smeatin and the Principal Account Clerk.
Resolution #11102020 Accept Resignation of Planning Board Member April Brooks
On a motion by Councilman Bliek and seconded by Councilwoman Smith
ADOPTED: Ayes: 5 Smith, Bliek, Lonneville, Bender, Fisher
Nays: 0
The following resolution was adopted
WHEREAS, April Brooks has submitted her resignation as Planning Board Member effective November 16, 2020; now
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board accepts the resignation of April Brooks effective November 16, 2020; and
ALSO BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board authorizes the Clerk of the Board to advertise in the legal newspaper for a Planning Board Member; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marion Town Board directs the Clerk of the Board to give a copy of this resolution to Angela Patterson, Ron Lonneville and Duane Smeatin.
On a motion from Councilman Lonneville and seconded by Councilwoman Fisher, the Town Board went into Executive Session at 7:30pm to discuss medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or relating to appointment, promotion, demotion, discipline or removal.
With no further business, on a motion by Councilwoman Fisher and seconded by Councilwoman Smith, Supervisor Bender closed the meeting at 8:25pm.
Next meetings are scheduled for:
Meeting/Workshop: Monday, December 14, 2020 @ 6:30pm
Meeting: Monday, December 28, 2020 @ 3pm
_____________________________________________
Heidi M. Levan, Town Clerk/Clerk of the Board