Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
Town Council of the Town of Ellicott
held at the
Administration Building,
March 21, 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, 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.
Motion
by Councilman Lodestro, seconded by Councilman Taylor to accept the minutes of
the March 7, 2001 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Village of Celoron Mayor, Richard
Slagle, commented on the pending Town of Ellicott v. Smith litigation. Mr. Slagle also commented on the proposed
renovation of the Ellicott Administration Building. In his opinion, the Town Council should not proceed with the
project until a public referendum is conducted. He noted that the proposed project will cost the Ellicott taxpayers
$498,000.00. Mr. Slagle pointed out
that the Town would need to borrow these monies since funding was not allocated
for the project in the Town budget. He
is concerned that the Council will be forced to raise property taxes to finance
the renovation. Therefore, he feels
that Town residents should be allowed to vote on whether to proceed with the
renovation. He stated that the Celoron
Village Board adopted a resolution requesting the Town Council to halt the
project pending the outcome of a referendum.
Mr. Slagle feels that the project could proceed in stages over a period
of several years. This would allow the
Town to fund a portion of the project each year without having to borrow
monies. Mr. Slagle asked the Council to
rescind the resolutions it adopted on March 7, 2001 authorizing the building
renovation.
Village of Celoron trustee, Warren Gertsch, agreed with Mayor Slagle. He stated that he is opposed to the Council having to raise taxes to finance the renovation project.
Mr. Kevin Smith, W. Oak Hill Rd., asked
several questions re the renovation.
Village of Falconer Mayor, Albert
Mattison, also commented on the proposed renovation project. He explained that the Falconer Village Board
is considering the renovation of the Falconer Village Hall. He reminded the Town Council that a joint
Town-Village committee was recently created to discuss the possible sharing of
services. Mr. Mattison pointed out that
the committee will examine the feasibility of combining the Town and Village
administrations within a single facility.
He feels that the Town Council should not proceed with the renovations
until the joint committee has explored all possibilities & made a
recommendation.
Ms. Helen Sischo, 2601 S. Work St., Falconer,
stated that she is opposed to the building renovation project. She feels that the project should be put on
hold until a referendum is held.
Town Clerk Erlandson read the
following items into the record:
1.
Letter
from Dawn Vincent, 101 Merlin Ave. WE expressing interest in obtaining a piece
of property owned by the Town of Ellicott.
2.
Notice
of an upcoming meeting concerning the Southern Tier Expressway.
3.
Letter
from the Falconer Village Board announcing the appointment of Kevin Saff,
Swanson Rd., to the Falconer Public Library Board.
4.
Invitation
to the Falconer Volunteer Firemen’s Annual Dinner to be held on April 2, 2001.
5.
Police
Activity Report: February 2001.
6.
Newsletter:
Chautauqua County Soil & Water Conservation.
TOWN OFFICERS’ REPORTS
Councilman Hendrickson
reported that an agreement has been reached between the Celoron Fire Dept.
& Alstar Ambulance Service.
Mr. Hendrickson commended
the Celoron Fire Department & other area fire departments for their
excellent response to the recent fire at the Dibert Home on Fairmount Ave. He noted that the quick and professional
action by the firemen prevented any lives from being lost in the fire.
Town Clerk Erlandson reported that Agnes Colby, Celoron, recently retired as an Ellicott election inspector. Mr. Erlandson thanked Mrs. Colby for her 48 years of service.
Mr. Erlandson reported that he purchased virus protection software for the Town’s computers.
Mr. Erlandson also reported that he will be attending a grantsmanship-training program in Utica, New York, from Apr. 2-6, 2001.
Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that the annual Town of Ellicott tree removal program is underway.
Renovation of Administration Building – The Council discussed the proposed renovation & addressed the concerns expressed during Privilege of the Floor.
RESOLUTION
#63-01
Rescind
Resolution #50-01 re Building Renovation Project
Motion by Councilman Miller, seconded by Supervisor Tyler to rescind Town of Ellicott Resolution #50-01 (March 7, 2001) concerning the renovation of the Ellicott Administration Building.
(Councilmen Lodestro & Taylor voted No. Councilman Hendrickson Abstained.)
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Hendrickson to hold a Public Hearing on April 4, 2001 at 6:00 PM at the regarding the proposed renovation of the Ellicott Administration Building.
RESOLUTION
#64-01
Application
for Water Service (Buffalo-Willard Water Project)
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Hendrickson authorizing the mailing of an application for water service to residents within the new Buffalo St. Ext. – Willard St. Ext. water service area.
Lyndon Blvd. Improvements – Councilmen Miller reported that he & Councilman Lodestro attended a meeting concerning possible infrastructure improvements along Lyndon Blvd. The Town Council reviewed the cost estimates for the proposed reconstruction. Ms. Sally Martinez, Director, Greater Jamestown Economic Development Zone (GJEDZ) & Mr. Richard Alexander, Director, Chautauqua Co. Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) stressed the importance of moving ahead with the improvements in order to stimulate economic development. They answered a number of questions related to the project. Ms. Martinez noted that the total estimated cost of the project is $848,415.00. She explained that the project will be partially funded with a N.Y. State Industrial Access Program grant. The Chautauqua Co. Legislature may provide additional funding as well. The existing businesses located in the Lyndon Blvd. area will also provide funding. If the project is approved, the Town of Ellicott will be required to commit $129,267.00 to the project.
RESOLUTION #65-01
Grant Application (Lyndon Blvd.)
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor to submit a grant application to the New York State Industrial Access Program for improvements of Lyndon Blvd. (see ‘Lyndon Blvd. Reconstruction’ file for detail)
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
RESOLUTION #66-01
Environmental Assessment Form (Lyndon Blvd.)
Motion by Councilman Lodestro, seconded by Councilman Hendrickson authorizing Supervisor Tyler to sign an Environmental Assessment Form regarding the proposed Lyndon Blvd. reconstruction project, subject to approval by Attorney Duncanson. (see ‘Lyndon Blvd. Reconstruction’ file for detail)
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
RESOLUTION #67-01
Advertise for Bids (New Tractor)
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor authorizing the
Ellicott Highway Superintendent to advertise for bids for a new tractor.
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
NEW BUSINESS
Fee Committee - The Town Council
reactivated the Ellicott Fee Committee.
The committee was directed to review the Ellicott Fee Schedule.
RESOLUTION #68-01
Budget Transfers
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor authorizing Town of Ellicott
Supervisor to make the following budget transfers:
Transfer the amount of $1,563.50
from Account #A9010.8 (Retirement) to Account #A1010.4 (Town Board–
Contractual); transfer the amount of $1,783.18 from Account #A9010.8
(Retirement) to Account #A1410.4 (Town Clerk – Contractual); transfer the
amount of $31.05 from Account #A9010.8 (Retirement) to Account #A13304. 4 (Tax
Collection – Contractual); transfer the amount of $58.67 from Account #A6460.4
(Economic Assistance) to Account #A6989.4 (Economic Development)
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
RESOLUTION #69-01
Payment of Claims
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Lodestro, to pay current claims #282-364, inclusive, in
the amount of $264,359.49 and charge to the proper fund or account.
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
Motion
by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Hendrickson to adjourn at 8:57 PM.
Carried. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
_________________________________
Michael C. Erlandson, Town
Clerk