Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the

Town Council of the Town of Ellicott

held at the Administration Building,

215 S. Work Street, Falconer, N.Y. on

March 7, 2001 at 7:00 P.M.

 

Present: Supervisor Tyler, Councilman Hendrickson, Councilman Lodestro, Councilman Miller, Councilman Taylor, Town Clerk Erlandson, Highway Superintendent Shellhouse, Attorney Duncanson, Police Chief Vanstrom, Code Enforcement Officer Woodbury, Legislator Spicer.  

 

Supervisor Tyler opened the meeting at 7:00 and led the Town Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Town Clerk Erlandson called the roll.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Miller to accept the minutes of the February 7, 2001 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk.

 

Carried.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                                Absent - 0

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

            Town Clerk Erlandson read the following items into the record:

 

1.      Letter from Daniel LeRoy, 174 Frederick Blvd. WE, requesting that two trees in front of his home be removed.

2.      Notice of liquor license renewals: Falconer Moose, 11 S. Dow St., Comfort Inn, N. Main St. Ext. & Fountain Bowl, Fluvanna Ave. Ext.

3.      Letter from New York State Public Interest Research Group re an upcoming door-to-door outreach program.

4.      Invitation to an upcoming program re small cities.

5.      Fluvanna Fire Dept. Annual Report for fiscal year 2000.

6.      Notice of Public Hearing in the Town of Ellery.

7.      Letter from U.S. Dept. of Commerce approving the application of a grant request re the expansion of the Mason Industrial Park.

8.      Letter from Sequoia Pacific Voting Equipment Inc. stating that they are closing a segment of their operation.

9.      Notice from New York Dept. of State that Town of Ellicott Local Law #1-2001 has been received and filed.

10.  Newsletter: Chautauqua County Watershed Conservancy.

 

TOWN OFFICERS’ REPORTS

 

Councilman Miller reported that he and Councilman Lodestro met with Village of Falconer officials re the possible sharing of services.  Mr. Miller stated that a committee has been formed to study the matter.  He noted that two Town of Ellicott residents, Steve Vanstrom & Jack Henderson, will serve on the committee.

 

Councilman Hendrickson reported that the Town of Ellicott has been selected to participate in a developmental project involving community GIS software.  Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board will administer the program.  Mr. Hendrickson outlined the potential benefits of the project.

 

Town Clerk Erlandson reported that Town of Ellicott Assessor Patricia Eimers will be attending a continuing education course in Batavia, NY on April 5, 2001.

 

Mr. Erlandson also reported that a grantsmanship-training program will be conducted in Utica, NY from Apr. 2-6, 2001.  He stated that the cost of the training is $675.00.  Mr. Erlandson asked the Council for permission to attend the training course.  In his opinion, the training could prove beneficial to the Town when applying for future grants.  He pointed out that the course is a five-day program and due to the distance involved he would be required to spend five nights in a hotel.

 

RESOLUTION #48-01

Attend Grantsmanship Training Program

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor authorizing the Ellicott Town Clerk Michael Erlandson to attend a grantsmanship training program in Utica, New York from April 2 – April 6, 2001 at a cost to the Town of Ellicott of $675.00; and, furthermore, that the Town of Ellicott shall pay the hotel costs incurred by Mr. Erlandson while he is attending the training program.

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                                 Noes - 0                             Absent - 0

 

Attorney Duncanson commented on a letter from Moon Brook Country Club officials asking for assurances from the Town of Ellicott that the country club’s property assessment will not be increased as a result of the recent rezoning of Rte. 60.  Supervisor stated that no decision would be made on the matter until the N.Y. State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) of the rezoning has been completed.

 

Highway Superintendent Shellhouse asked the Town Council to adopt a resolution urging the N.Y. Governor Pataki to restore certain monies to the N.Y. State budget involving the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs).

 

RESOLUTION #49-01

Restoration of CHIPs Funding

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Hendrickson directing the Ellicott Town Clerk to write a letter to New York State Governor George Pataki requesting the reinstatement of certain monies to the state budget involving the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs).

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                                 Noes - 0                             Absent - 0

 

Police Chief Vanstrom reported that the Ellicott Information Services Committee met on March 6, 2001.  He stated that several computer-related issues were discussed at the meeting.

 

Supervisor Tyler reported that the Town of Ellicott received an award for environmental excellence from the American Public Works Association re the construction of the new sewer line on N. Main St. Ext.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Renovation of Administration Building – Councilman Hendrickson read a prepared statement outlining the benefits of a proposal to renovate the Ellicott Administration Building (minutes 2/7/2001).  The Council discussed the proposal.

 

RESOLUTION #50-01

Reconstruction of Administration Building

 

Motion by Councilman Hendrickson, seconded by Councilman Lodestro authorizing the reconstruction of the Ellicott Administration Building located at 215 South Work Street, Falconer, New York at a maximum estimated cost to the Town of Ellicott of $498,000.00 and subject to a permissive referendum.   (see ‘Building Reconstruction’ file for detail)

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                                 Noes - 0                             Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #51-01

Bond Resolution (Reconstruction of Administration Building)

 

Motion by Councilman Hendrickson, seconded by Councilman Lodestro authorizing the reconstruction of the Ellicott Administration Building located at 215 South Work Street, Falconer, New York; and, furthermore, authorizing the issuance of $498,000.00 bonds of the Town of Ellicott to finance the cost of the reconstruction.  (see ‘Building Reconstruction’ file for detail)

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                                 Noes - 0                             Absent - 0

 

Buffalo-Willard Water Service – Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that construction of the new water line in the Buffalo St. Ext.-Willard St. Ext. area is nearly complete.

 

Lyndon Blvd. Improvements – Councilmen Miller reported that a meeting will be held on March 12, 2001 with concerned agencies and business owners to discuss possible infrastructure improvements along Lyndon Blvd. (minutes: 1/17/01 & 2/7/01).

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

RESOLUTION #52-01

Purchase of New Heater (Water Tower)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Miller authorizing Highway Superintendent Shellhouse to purchase a new heater for the water tower located on Turner Rd. at a cost to the Town of Ellicott of $380.25

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

RESOULTION #53-01

Appoint Full Time Police Officer (Widen)

 

Motion by Councilman Lodestro, seconded by Supervisor Tyler appointing Bradley R. Widen, Tompkins Road, Jamestown, New York, as a full time Town of Ellicott police officer, effective March 14, 2001, at an hourly rate of $16.50 per hour and subject to a one-year probation.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

RESOULTION #54-01

Appoint Part Time Police Officer (Bush)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor appointing Michael A. Bush, 30 Fairfax, Jamestown, New York, as a part time Town of Ellicott police officer, effective March 8, 2001, at an hourly rate of $10.07 per hour and subject to a one-year probation.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

RESOULTION #55-01

Re-appointment to Board of Assessment Review (Benke & Griffo)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Miller reappointing Paul Benke, Gerry-Levant Road, to a five-year term on the Ellicott Board of Assessment Review, term to expire on September 30, 2004; and, further, reappointing Dr. Joseph Griffo to a five-year term on the Ellicott Board of Assessment Review, term to expire on September 30, 2005.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

RESOULTION #56-01

Refund ZBA Application Fee (Smith)

 

Motion by Councilman Taylor, seconded by Councilman Miller to refund a $200.00 fee for a Zoning Board of Appeals application submitted by Kevin Smith, 3554 West Oak Hill Road.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

RESOULTION #57-01

Settlement of Assessment Matter (Ferrari)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor, authorizing Supervisor Tyler to enter into a stipulation to resolve an assessment matter between the Town of Ellicott and Nicholas Ferrari regarding Tanglewood Manor, 560 Fairmount Ave. WE.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

RESOULTION #58-01

Retain Tree Service

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Hendrickson to retain Taylor Tree Service to remove trees in the Town of Ellicott at a cost to the Town of Ellicott not to exceed $10,000.00.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #59-01

Advertise for Bids (Highway Materials & Services)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Hendrickson authorizing the Ellicott Highway Superintendent to advertise for bids for highway materials and services, bids to be returned no later than April 3, 2001 at 10:00 AM.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                                Noes - 0                         Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #60-01

Purchase New Tractor

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Hendrickson authorizing the purchase of a new tractor for the Ellicott Highway Department at the cost to the Town of Ellicott of $44,145.00.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                                Noes - 0                         Absent - 0

 

            RESOLUTION #61-01

Payment of Claims

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor, to pay current claims #158-281, inclusive, in the amount of $67,472.11 and charge to the proper fund or account.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #62-01

Convene Executive Session (Possible Litigation re Buffalo-Willard Water Project)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Hendrickson to Convene Executive Session for the purpose of discussing possible litigation involving the Buffalo St. Ext. – Willard St. Ext. Water Distribution Project.     8:15 – 8:40 PM

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

Motion by Councilman Hendrickson, seconded by Councilman Miller to adjourn at 8:40 PM.

 

Carried.                                  Ayes - 5                                Noes - 0                          Absent - 0

 

                                                                                    _________________________________

                                                                                    Michael C. Erlandson, Town Clerk