RYE TOWN COUNCIL
The regular monthly meeting of the Town of Rye was held on November 8, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting started with members of the community discussing actions taken by the board under ordinance 2021-3, dealing with Public Nuisance violations.
Dennis Noonan requested a 45day extension to bring his property into compliance with the ordinance. Noonan stated that the vehicles on his property are in running condition, but were not registered because he is in the process of selling them.
Mayor Rahl asked Noonan about a fence he is constructing and Noonan indicated he would have the fence completed by November 12. Sheila Henderson, Mayor Protem, said the ordinance allowed for a 30-day extension, not a forty-five-day extension. That extension would be from the October 18 date on the violation notification.
After additional discussion, Trustee Kathy MacCormack, who had noted improvement at the property, made a motion to allow an extension until December 8 to bring the property into complete and full compliance with the Ordinance. The motion passed 3-0.
Ellen McCanless also addressed the Town of Rye in regard to the same Ordinance. McCanless asked that the fees assessed her be retracted by the board. Mayor Rahl indicated that the property is still out of compliance. After significant discussion McCanless requested a 30-day extension, and that was approved, ending December 8. The motion passed 3-0.
The board explained that, due to non-response, retraction of the fees was not possible. A motion was made to create a payment plan for the $1,000 in assessed fines. The board agreed to split the fine balance into 10 payments of $100/each to be paid along with her regular water and sewer bill. Failure to meet the payment agreement would result in immediate disconnection of water and sewer service and make the balance remaining due immediately.
Trustee Kathy MacCormack stated she was offended by Halloweentown, and that the signage for the event was placed on the Rye sign. MacCormack cited religious issues with the holiday and indicated she felt it was a celebration of the occult. Mac-Cormack said she also thought the tree lighting ceremony should include the word ‘Christmas’ and that the baby Jesus should be part of the event.
Sheila Henderson stated that Halloweentown is not hosted by the Town of Rye. Mayor Rahl indicated her belief that Halloweentown was a family friendly event, and that cancelling it would be devastating to families in the community. After more discussion the board moved on to other business.
The board reviewed the 2023 Honorarium for the Board of Trustees. Sheila Henderson made a motion to approve paying Mayor Rahl the cap of $599.99 for the 2023 year per the Town of Rye Policy Manual.
The motion passed 3-0.
Jocelyn Ensley stated that Henderson assists her each month in performing the bank reconciliation and that, in previous years, the board has voted to pay Henderson $20 per month for helping the Clerk with that task.
Markus Buck moved Henderson be paid $20/month for 2023.
The motion failed 2-0.
The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters in regard to the Town Clerk mileage and annual staff bonuses.
Upon their return, Henderson made a motion to approve the board agreed upon annual bonus for all town employees for the 2023 year to be paid December 2023. The motion passed 3-0.
Kathy MacCormack made a motion to pay the town employees’ remaining Paid Time Off and accrued sick time for the 2023 year in December 2023.
The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Chelsie Kersey and Patrick Ryan were absent.