Thursday, February 28, 2008
MINUTES
Present: Sandy Price, Co-Chairman; Larry Cornell,
Co-Chairman; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Angie Wyatt, Secretary to
Scott Schrader; Kathie Arnold, Legislator; Carol Tytler, Legislator; Fred
Forbes, Town of Homer Supervisor; Lee Price, Sheriff; Bill Wood, Election
Commissioner; Jeremy Boylan, County Historian; Ray Marsh, Town of Harford
Supervisor; Karen Marsh, Representative of Harford Fire Department; John
Steger, Legislator; Mike McKee, Legislator; Chad Loomis, Legislator; Andrew
Fuller, Town of Scott Councilperson; Sandy Doty, Town of Willet Supervisor;
Russ Smith, Town of Cuyler Deputy Supervisor; Evan Geibel, Cortland Standard
Reporter
The meeting was called to order at 7:09p.m by
Co-Chairman Sandy Price
·
Welcome/Introductions
(Co-Chairs, Larry Cornell & Sandy Price) – Ms. Price welcomed everyone
and said that she was happy to see everyone in attendance.
·
MOTION MADE BY MR.
DOTY - 2ND BY MS. ARNOLD TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 24,
2008 MINUTES - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 24, 2008
MEETING MINUTES APPROVED.
DISCUSSION
·
Cortland County Bicentennial Update (Jeremy Boylan, County Historian)
Mr. Boylan
gave a brief overview of the events scheduled for the Bicentennial
Celebration. The actual date of
the Bicentennial is April 8, 2008. The
following activities are planned:
→
Bell ringing throughout the County at noon on April 8th.
They are working with all
the churches in the County with active church bells.
→
A Bicentennial Parade to be held on September 13th
in the Historical District of downtown Cortland.
→
Bicentennial Ball to be held September 20, 2008 in
the Courthouse Park. An orchestra
concert will provide the music. The
attire will be black-tie fashion or period dress.
→
Concert and Fireworks Show will be held on April 8th
from 6:00 to 9:00p.m. at the Cortland High School. Several local bands will be performing including the Old
Timer’s Band and the Ageless Jazz Band.
The Fireworks will follow the concert.
→
Brothers of the Brush – Guys started growing beards
to commemorate the Bicentennial. They
cannot shave the beards off until April 8th.
→
Heritage Weekend to be held October 13th
– Towns and Villages are asked to show historical sites such as birthplaces
of famous people.
→
Other Activities:
Barn Dance, Quilting, Vintage Baseball Games, Old Fashion Games at
Randall School Field and Towns and Villages are asked to also do their own
events.
·
New Voting Machines (Bill Wood, Election Commissioner)
– Mr.
Wood provided the following information:
→
They have purchased 28 new Type B voting machines,
which are handicap accessible. They
will need 25 machines and have purchased 3 extra machines.
→
People will vote on paper ballots and then insert the
ballots into the machine and the machine will count the votes.
Several people will be able to vote at once with the use of marking
booths.
→
The new machines can handle 3500 voters – the old
machines could only handle 800 voters
→
Polling Places can be consolidated thus not needing
to purchase as many new machines: The
City can have 8 polling places instead of the 16 they use to have; The Towns
have to have their own polling places.
→
New York State Law requires that the voter is able to
see the entire ballot.
→
A lot of the election inspectors do not want to work
the polls anymore because of the changes
→
This year’s Presidential Election will be the last
time we can use the old voting machines
Mr. Forbes, Homer Town Supervisor expressed concern
that their Community building in Homer, which is one of their polling places,
has poor lighting. Mr. Wood
assured Mr. Forbes that they would take care of the problem.
·
Health Insurance for Towns/Villages (Scott Schrader) –
Mr. Schrader explained that New York State does not allow for self-insured
counties to carry health insurance for towns.
Mr. Schrader added however that the Governor’s new budget does allow
for towns to come under County health insurance plans.
We will have to wait and see where the Governor’s proposal is going
after April 1st then we would have to have a consultant look at the
towns’ present plans and determine the claims history of the towns.
The claims history will be the main factor. Mr. Forbes suggested a Health Savings Account.
The Town of Homer saved $15,000 last year with this plan so it has been
a good move for his town. At the
end of the year the money goes back to the employees either to invest or to
put back into the plan. Mr.
Schrader indicated that a lot of employees go to the E.R. and do not realize
that it is a cost savings if they try to go to their own doctor.
·
Possible Future Topics:
→
Workers’ Compensation
→
County Treasurer
→ Real Property
→
Summer Recreation Programs
→
Lot Sizes
→
Broadband for Rural Areas
→
A Tour of the 911 Center
→
Public Transportation
·
Next Meeting: March 27,
2008
The
meeting was adjourned at 8:10p.m.
Minutes
taken & prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Scott Schrader