Meeting record
Town Board — April 9, 2024
Summarized from the meeting minutes. Refer to the official documents below for the authoritative record.
The Nunda Township Board of Trustees met on April 9, 2024, approving prior meeting minutes and several warrants while tabling or rejecting others amid disputes over Road District payments. The Board also debated hiring the Zukowski law firm and a third party (ZRFM) to respond to a FOIA request, ultimately removing and tabling those items after Township Attorney Scott Puma's opinion (read by Attorney Bolotnikov) questioned the Board's authority to do so. Trustees and officials gave reports on Easter Egg hunt success, property assessments, and frustration over limited control over the Road District, and agreed to tentatively schedule a Special Meeting for April 11, 2024.
Present: Rob Parrish (Trustee), Johanna Donahue (Trustee), Karen Tynis (Trustee), Tim Parrish (Trustee), Leda Bobera-Drain (Supervisor), Mark Dzemske (Assessor), Eugene Bolotnikov (Attorney), Joni Smith (Township Clerk)
- Township warrants approval
- Road District warrant disputes
- Zukowski law firm hiring dispute
- FOIA request response authority
- ZRFM third-party hiring
- Attorney Scott Puma legal opinion
- Property assessment increase
- Easter Egg hunt
- Special meeting scheduling
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Approval of Special Meeting Minutes - February 8, 2024
Board reviewed and approved minutes from the February 8, 2024 special meeting.
Motion: Motion to review and approve Special Meeting minutes dated February 8, 2024
Vote: All Ayes (voice vote) Approved
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Approval of Regular Board Meeting Minutes - March 14, 2024
Board reviewed and approved minutes from the March 14, 2024 regular meeting.
Motion: Motion to review and approve regular board meeting minutes dated March 14, 2024
Vote: All Ayes (voice vote) Approved
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Township Warrants for April 9, 2024 ($32,015.21)
Board approved payment of township warrants totaling $32,015.21.
Motion: Motion to approve for payment Township Warrants for April 9, 2024 in the amount of $32,015.21
Vote: 5-0 (roll call, all Yes) Approved
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Township Warrants for April 9, 2024 ($170,076.66)
A motion to approve a second set of township warrants was discussed but not voted on.
Motion: Motion to approve for payment Township Warrants for April 9, 2024 in the amount of $170,076.66
Tabled
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Road District Warrants for April 9, 2024 ($122,548.06, excluding Kirby, Kelly, Johnson payments)
Board approved Road District warrants excluding specific payments for Kirby, Attorney James Kelly, and Bev & Ronald Johnson.
Motion: Motion to approve for payment Road District Warrants for April 9, 2024 in the amount of $122,548.06 excluding Kirby ($12,203.90), Attorney James Kelly ($2,325.00), and Bev & Ronald Johnson ($34,000.00)
Vote: 5-0 (roll call, all Yes) Approved
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Road District Warrant for Kirby ($12,203.90)
Board voted not to approve payment of this specific Road District warrant.
Motion: Motion to Not Approve for Payment Road District Warrant for April 9, 2024 for Kirby in the amount of $12,203.90
Vote: 4-1 Denied
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Road District Warrant for Attorney James Kelly ($2,325.00)
Board approved payment for this Road District warrant; one trustee abstained.
Motion: Motion to Approve for Payment Road District Warrant for April 9, 2024 for Attorney James Kelly in the amount of $2,325.00
Vote: 4-0 (1 abstention) Approved
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Road District Warrant for Bev & Ron Johnson ($34,000.00)
A motion to approve payment was made but not voted on; the Board later discussed tabling it and sought legal opinion, then voted to table it.
Motion: Motion to Approve for Payment Road District Warrant for April 9, 2024 for Bev & Ron Johnson in the amount of $34,000.00; later Motion to table the same warrant
Vote: 3-2 (on tabling motion) Tabled
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9 Motion to Remove Agenda Item to Hire ZRFM to Respond to FOIA Request
Following Attorney Bolotnikov's explanation that hiring a third party to respond to FOIA requests is illegal, the Board voted to remove this agenda item.
Motion: Motion to remove Agenda item number nine to hire ZRFM to respond to FOIA request from the April 9, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda
Vote: 3-1 (1 abstention) Approved
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Motion to Direct Supervisor to Pay ZRFM Bill Approved at March Meeting
A motion was made to direct payment of a previously approved ZRFM bill, but it was not voted on.
Motion: Motion to direct supervisor to pay the ZRFM bill approved at the March board meeting
Tabled
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10 Table Agenda Item 10 Until May Board Meeting
Board voted to table this agenda item, related to Attorney Puma's opinion on legal matters, until the May meeting.
Motion: Motion was made to table Board Meeting Agenda item number 10 until the May Board meeting
Vote: 5-0 Tabled
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11 Table Agenda Item 11 Until May Board Meeting
Board voted to table this agenda item, related to attorney-client privilege assertions under FOIA, until the May meeting.
Motion: Motion was made to table Board Meeting Agenda item number 11 until the May Board meeting
Vote: 5-0 Tabled
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New Business - Special Meeting Scheduling
Board unanimously agreed to tentatively schedule a Special Meeting for April 11, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Vote: unanimous Approved
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Reports by Supervisor, Clerk, Assessor, and Trustees
Supervisor Bobera-Drain thanked staff and residents for the Easter Egg hunt; Assessor Dzemske noted tentative 11% property assessment increase; Trustees expressed frustration over limited Road District oversight and thanked attendees.
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Decennial Meeting Compliance Report
Supervisor distributed a sample report for compliance with the Decennial Committees on Local Government Efficiency Act and requested efficiency ideas by end of April.