Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 7 pm
The Caroline Town Board Agenda Meeting scheduled for September 15, 2021 at 7 pm will be held by Zoom videoconference. Members of the public may attend by following the instructions below. Minutes of the meeting and video recordings will be posted on the Town of Caroline website. Comments may be provided at Privilege of the Floor during the Zoom meeting, by email (clerk@townofcaroline.org), or by mail (P.O. Box 136, Slaterville Springs, NY 14881).
INSTRUCTIONS TO ATTEND THE VIRTUAL ZOOM MEETING (https://zoom.us)
Direct Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86148710458
Without a Zoom account: https://zoom.us/join; enter Meeting ID: 861 4871 0458
Phone dial-in: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Find your local number (if not NY): https://us04web.zoom.us/u/fmNjGEmu4
By phone press *6 to mute/unmute, *9 to raise hand during meeting
Business Meeting
Privilege of the Floor: Opportunity for citizens to bring forward matters of concern
Please be prepared to make one statement not to exceed 3 minutes in length
Supervisor’s Report
Town Clerk’s Report
Highway Superintendent’s Report
County Representative’s Report
Department, Committee, & Liaison Updates
Discussion and Action Topics
•Resolution Reaffirming Town of Caroline COVID-safety Policies
•Resolution Approving of Mandatory Testing or Vaccination by Town Personnel
•Resolution to Proceed with Bioretention Project at Town Hall
•Presentation of 2022 Tentative Budget
•Discussion of Process for Speed Limit Change Requests
•Transfers
•Resolution to approve vouchers for payment of town bills
•Approval of
—--Adjourn——
Privilege of the Floor Policy at Caroline Town Board Meetings
• Privilege-of-the-Floor is offered at the beginning of town meetings as an opportunity for individuals to provide input to the town board. Speakers have up to three minutes, subject to modification depending upon time constraints of a particular meeting. Each resident is provided one speaking opportunity per meeting; written input is also welcome.
• Comments should be directed to the town board. The Supervisor or Councilpersons may answer questions brought forward or defer to allow for further research and thought.
• Personnel matters should be directed to the appropriate Supervisor or Department Head.
• Respectful discourse is required.
1Resolution ____ of 2021. Reaffirming Town of Caroline COVID-safety Policies
Whereas, the COVID-19 Pandemic is ongoing and new cases are increasing, and
Whereas, basic precautionary measures are known to be effective in reducing virus transmission, and
Whereas, the Caroline Town Board implemented COVID-safety measures in both its Reopening Plan and COVID-19 Safety Guidelines, therefore be it
Resolved, the Caroline Town Board hereby reaffirms the following protocols for Town departments to protect and promote the welfare of both employees and the public:
1. All town personnel and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, shall wear masks in all town buildings, in town vehicles, and on work sites, when more than one individual is present and six-foot distancing cannot be maintained.
2. Frequently touched surfaces (door handles, digital locks, stamp machine) will be wiped with antiseptic wipes at first entry, after use during the day, and at daily office closing.
3. Employees who feel sick are required to stay home. If an employee has been in close contact with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case in past 14 days, they will be required to quarantine.
4. Each department will maintain a visitor log to facilitate contact tracing.
2Resolution ____ of 2021. Approval of Testing or Vaccination by Town Employees
Whereas, vaccination is highly effective at preventing infection by COVID and, in breakthrough cases, reducing the severity of the disease, and
Whereas, the delta variant of the COVID virus has been demonstrated to put both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at higher risk of contracting COVID, and
Whereas, the Town of Caroline has a duty to provide a safe work environment and to enact policies that have been demonstrated to decrease the risk of COVID exposure within the community, and
Whereas, the Governor of New York State and the President of the United States have recommended that local municipalities implement testing/vaccination policies for the public welfare, therefore be it
Resolved, the Caroline Town Board hereby approves piggy-backing on Tompkins County’s testing/vaccination program to require employees to undergo weekly surveillance testing as recommended by the Tompkins County Health Department or be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and further be it
Resolved, the Caroline Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to collaborate with the County to establish testing procedures for employees who are not vaccinated.
3Resolution ____ of 2021. Resolution to Proceed with Bioretention Project at Town Hall
Whereas, in 2019 the Town of Caroline committed to a bioretention feature at the Town Hall grounds and received a $6,000 grant from Tompkins County Soil & Water Conservation District, and
Whereas, the bioretention feature would support the Town’s goal of constructing a beautification feature at the Town Hall, and
Whereas, the bioretention feature would buffer stormwater runoff and promote infiltration and purification of ground water, and
Whereas, the bioretention feature would provide a model for responsible management of stormwater runoff at a prominent location for individual property owners and businesses, and
Whereas, John Andersson and Donald Harner (T.G. Miller) have produced engineered plans for the bioretention feature at the Town Hall, therefore be it
Resolved, the Caroline Town Board hereby authorizes the Supervisor to work with Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District to define a planting plan and proceed with project construction.