The 25th Annual Meeting of NOCCOG was held on Thursday, October 23, 2008, at the Franklin Hotel in Rome, NY, with approximately 95 people in attendance.  Following the social hour, dinner was served, preceded by welcoming remarks from NOCCOG Chairman, Robert Sauer.    Municipal Management Consultant / Circuit Rider, Geraldine Ritter, recognized Tug Hill Commission Executive Director John Bartow, Tug Hill Commission Director of Economic Development, David Zembiec, Tug Hill Commission Chairman Ken Vigus, (Boonville). Also recognized were Assemblyman David Townsend, Oneida County Comptroller Joseph Timpano, Oneida County Legislators, Leslie Porter, Norman Leach, Michael Clancy  and Michael Hennessy. Senator Joseph Griffo was not able to attend due to another commitment but extended wishes for another successful year to NOCCOG communities.

At 7: 50 pm, chairman Sauer called the annual business meeting to order.  Sauer gave the chairman's report that included various projects in which NOCCOG is currently involved as well as recent accomplishments.  This includes but not limited to numerous training opportunities for  appointed and elected officials, several New York State Archives Grants, Local Government Efficiency Grant projects, strategic planning grants, and the development or revision of comprehensive and land use plans for NOCCOG communities.  Sauer also thanked the NOCCOG municipalities for their support and thanked the circuit riders for their hard work and efforts.  

Minutes:  Municipal Management Consultant Ritter asked for the review and acceptance of the minutes of the 2007 Annual Meeting.  Motion made by John Buczek, Supervisor of the Town of Floyd, to accept the minutes.  Seconded by William Hinge, Village Administrator for the Village of Barneveld.

All in favor.  Motion carried.

Financial Report:  NOCCOG Fiscal Officer Mark Scheidelman gave the financial report and noted that expenses for 2008 were staying within budget projections with the exception of mileage/travel expenses.  All revenues for 2008 have been received with all 19 member municipalities having paid their dues for the 17^th consecutive year.   Scheidelman referenced the proposed 2008 budget, approved by the NOCCOG Executive Committee.  Changes noted on the revenue side: interest and earnings are estimated to be $200 for 2009,  the anticipated fund balance has increased $200 to $6,380, and Tug Hill's contribution for the full time circuit rider's salary and benefits in accordance with the state bargaining agreement.  Changes to expense lines: an increase of $500 to a total of $5,000 for the full time circuit rider's travel expenses, associate circuit rider 1's travel expense was increased $500 to $2,000. Circuit rider 2's travel expense was decreased $500 to $1,000, and publications and subscriptions was decreased $100 to $250. It was also noted there was an increase in the salary and benefits for full time municipal management consultant Ritter, which are paid in full by the Tug Hill Commission.    Dues for member municipalities will remain the same at $550 per year for 2009.  Oneida County support for 2009 was requested in the amount of $7,500 the same as requested for 2008.  The Oneida County budget has not been finalized at this time.

Scheidelman also provided a fiscal report on the NYS Archives grant projects managed by NOCCOG in 2008.

A motion was made by Jim Ossont, Supervisor of the Town of Ava to accept the 2008 financial report and the 2009 NOCCOG proposed budget as presented.   Seconded by John Buczek, Supervisor of the Town of Floyd. 

All in favor.  Motion carried

Election of Officers:  Nominating Committee member, John Buczek, Supervisor, Town of Floyd, presented the slate of officers for 2006: 

Robert Sauer of Camden - Chairman; 

Arnold Talgo of Steuben - Vice Chairman; 

Mark Scheidelman of Trenton - Fiscal Officer. 

Buczek asked for further nominations from the floor. There being none, the nominating process was closed.  Cliff Hill, Supervisor, Town of Remsen and Nominating Committee member, requested that a single ballot be cast for the slate.   Motion was made by John Buzeck, to cast a single ballot for the slate and accept the nominations.  Seconded by Cliff Hill.

 All in favor.  Motion carried.

The new terms will commence January 1, 2009.

Program: John Bartow, Executive Director of the Tug Hill Commission, did a presentation on the results of the Tug Hill Commission's Local Leader's Survey completed earlier this year. The purpose for the survey of local officials and other community leaders is to evaluate the Commission's programs and help determine the future the Commission and its councils of governments with which it works. The survey has a 43% response rate. It was noted that for the first time in the history of Tug Hill surveys, helping communities protect the environment ranked the highest (96.3%).  Bartow also reported on several regional projects and community forums by the Tug Hill Commission and councils of governments planned for 2009.

The remaining program for the evening was a slide show by circuit rider Gerry Ritter highlighting NOCCOG's beginning in 1981, growth over the years, current projects, and goals for the future. Also recognized were those individuals who have served NOCCOG communities as circuit riders over the years.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded and was adjourned at 8:55pm.

The Tug Hill Commission is  offering a  half-day energy iefficiencies and alternatives workshop on Tuesday, January 20^th from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Boonville Municipal Building, 13149 State Route 12, Boonville.  The workshop would cover :

Improving efficiencies (NYSERDA & National Grid)  -This presentation will focus on ways that commercial, institutional  and  municipal facilities can save money and energy, and take advantage of special financing programs to made facility improvements.

Alternative& supplemental sources electricity and heat -  This will be a series of presentations will have an emphasis on commercial ,industrial and municipal activates , but could be applicable  to residential  buildings as well. Topics covered will include biomass (including wood) , wind, solar, and geo-thermal energy sources.

Applications are now available for Local Government Efficiency Grants (formerly the Shared Municipal Services Incentive Program). The deadline is 4 p.m., January 14, 2009. In addition to the new name, the program has four new categories of funding, each with different levels of funding. Grants in all categories provide 90% funding up to the designated maximum and require a 10% cash match.

High Priority Planning Grants. These are non-competitive grants for plans and studies that examine the potential savings and management improvements for mergers, dissolutions, functional consolidations, and the transfer of local functions or shared services to be provided on a countywide or regional basis. The maximum award is $50,000 per application. Unlike the other three categories, these applications will be reviewed monthly with the following deadlines: November 12, 2008; December 10, 2008; January 14, 2009; February 11, 2009; March 11, 2009.

General Efficiency Planning Grants - Grants are competitive grants for two or more municipalities to fund plans and studies for potential consolidation or shared services involving two or more municipalities. This category provides grants up to $25,000 for two municipalities, plus $1,000 for each additional partner, with a $35,000 overall maximum grant.

Efficiency Implementation Grants - Grants will fund the costs associated with the implementation of consolidations, mergers, dissolutions, cooperative agreements, and shared services. They can also be used to cover transitional personnel costs associated with implementation. Grant awards will provide up to $200,000 per participating municipality with a maximum award of $1 million.

Twenty-First Century Demonstration Project Grants - Grants will support pilot projects that involve transformative change

and significant cost savings on a countywide or regional scale and can involve policing, school support services, fire protection, and smart growth. Maximum grant awards vary by category (as indicated in the application guidelines), but generally do not exceed $400,000 per municipality. For grant application materials or additional information, visit the Dept. of State website at www.dos.state.ny.us and click on "Local Government Services", or call 1-800-367-8488.

For grant application materials or additional information, visit the Dept. of State website at www.dos.state.ny.us and click on "Local Government Services", or call 1-800-367-8488.

The NYS Archives Office has announced the schedule for information sessions for the Local Government Records Management Improvement 2009-10 cycle. The purpose of Local Government Records Management Improvement

Fund (LGRMIF) grants is to help local governments establish records management programs or develop new program components.

The purpose of this information session is to review the LGRMIF application guidelines and instructions and to learn how to write a strong grant proposal. Examples of successful applications are examined and analyzed. It is very important to gain as much insight as possible into the LGRMIF grant application process if you are considering a project for the upcoming grant cycle that has a February 2, 2009 deadline. State Archives anticipates that the upcoming grant cycle will be very competitive.

Grant Application Information Sessions will be held at the following locations:

1. Thursday, November 6, 2008, Jefferson County Public Health Facility, 531 Meade Street, Main Conference Room, Watertown, New York
2. Wednesday, November 12, 2008, St Lawrence County Human Service Center Complex , 80 State Highway 310, Canton, New York
3. Thursday, November 20, 2008, Village of East Syracuse, 204 N Center Street, East Syracuse, New York

4. Wednesday, December 3, 2008, Rome Historical Society, 200 Church Street, Rome, New

These sessions generally run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register by calling the Utica office at 793-2780 or register on online at:

The grant application booklet is available at: http://www.archives.nysed.gov/a/grants/grants_lgrmif_appl.shtml. A copy of the booklet will be available at the sessions.

The speaker for the training will be Jo-Anne Faulkner from Oneida County Soil and Water Conservation District.  This training is one component of OCSWCD's Community Environmental Management (CEM) program that offers technical assistance for municipalities

The training is eligible for two hours of yearly credits for Planning Board and ZBA members. Light refreshment will be provided. Please contact circuit rider Gerry Ritter at 392-2260 or Gjriiter01@aol.comfor more information or to pre-register.