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

April 18, 2001 at 6:00 P.M.

 

Present: Supervisor Tyler, Councilman Hendrickson, Councilman Lodestro, Councilman Miller, Councilman Taylor, Town Clerk Erlandson, Highway Superintendent Shellhouse, Attorney Duncanson, Legislator Spicer.

 

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

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Motion by Councilman Taylor, seconded by Councilman Lodestro to accept the minutes of the April 4, 2001 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk.

 

Carried.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                                Absent - 0

 

                PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

               

Mr. Neil Trainor, 15 Elmwood Ave. WE, commented on the proposed Lyndon Blvd. reconstruction project (minutes: 3/7/01, 3/21/01, 4/4/01).  Mr. Trainor had several questions re the resolution adopted by the Town Council on March 21, 2001 re the project.  He cautioned the Council to give the proposed project careful consideration before allocating monies for the reconstruction.  Councilman Lodestro & Supervisor Tyler addressed Mr. Trainor’s concerns. 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

            Town Clerk Erlandson read the following items into the record:

 

1.      Notification of liquor license renewal: Lena’s Pizza, 707 Fairmount Ave. WE.

2.      Notice re the Annual Southern Tier West Local Government Conference to be held May 10, 2001.

3.      Notice re a Public Hearing to be held in the Town of Busti on May 7, 2001.

4.      Notice of an upcoming teleconference re personnel management & civil service.

5.      Newsletter: Chautauqua County Watershed Conservancy.

 

TOWN OFFICERS’ REPORTS

 

Councilman Miller reported that the Town of Ellicott-Village of Falconer committee on shared services will meet on April 23, 2001.

 

Councilman Taylor reported that the Fee Committee is reviewing the Town of Ellicott fee schedule.

 

Mr. Taylor also requested that the Town of Ellicott Zoning Commission be reactivated.  In his opinion, many sections of the Ellicott zoning code need to be revised.

 

[Supervisor Tyler activated the Ellicott Zoning Commission consisting of Town of Ellicott Councilmen Hendrickson & Taylor, Ellicott Code Enforcement Officer Woodbury, Ellicott Planning Board Chairman Daniel Evans & Attorney William Wright.  The Zoning Commission was directed to review the Town of Ellicott Zoning Code and recommend revisions.  Mr. Tyler appointed Councilman Hendrickson to serve as Chairman of the Zoning Commission.]

 

Councilman Taylor also commented on attorney billing practices.  Mr. Taylor feels that attorneys retained by the Town of Ellicott should not be required to submit itemized bills.  In his opinion, itemized billing may, in some cases, violate attorney-client privilege.  In addition, pending litigation may be compromised.  Mr. Taylor pointed out that the actual itemized bills will always be filed in the attorneys’ offices if a councilman desires to review them.  Attorney Duncanson concurred with Mr. Taylor.  The Council discussed the matter and determined that, in the future, comprehensive, attorneys will no longer be required to submit itemized invoices.  The Council agreed that simple billing statements would be sufficient for approval.

 

Councilman Lodestro commented on the proposed Lyndon Blvd. reconstruction project.  He stated that he recently met with Attorney Gregory Yaw re the possibility of establishing special taxation districts in the Lyndon Park area.  This would give the businesses in that area a means of paying their share of the reconstruction costs.  Mr. Lodestro recommended that the Town Council retain Attorney Yaw to provide legal counsel re the proposed Lyndon Blvd. project.  He distributed a proposed contract with Mr. Yaw for the Council to review.

 

Mr. Lodestro also noted that he met with Jamestown BPU officials re the new Buffalo-Willard water service area.  He stated that residents wanting to hook into the system would be required to hire a licensed plumber.  Mr. Lodestro reported that the system is operational & that a number of residents are already receiving water.  He also noted that the contractor will begin making property restorations within the next several weeks.

 

Town Clerk Erlandson reported that he attended a Grantsmanship Training School in Utica, New York, on April 2-6, 2001.  He stated that the class was very informative.  He feels that certain topics taught at the school will be useful when preparing future grants.  Mr. Erlandson thanked the Council for allowing him to attend the training school.

 

Mr. Erlandson also reported that a free rabies clinic will be held at the Ellicott Highway garage on April 30, 2001 from 5 – 8 P.M.

 

Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that the annual tire “amnesty” program will get underway in several weeks.

 

Mr. Shellhouse also reported that the Ellicott Highway Dept. will be addressing a number of drainage problems throughout the Town.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Consolidation of Town Court – Tabled pending further consideration.

 

Renovation of Administration Building – Tabled until the May 2, 2001 meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

RESOLUTION #76-01

Designation of Polling Places

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Hendrickson designating the Town of Ellicott Polling Places for 2001.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

Bridge Repair (Old Fluvanna Rd.) – Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that the bridge on Old Fluvanna Rd. is in need of repair.  The approximate cost of the repairs will be $102,000.00.  Mr. Shellhouse was directed to have the bridge inspected.  The Council will then make a determination on whether to proceed with the repairs.

 

Bridge Repair (Ninth St.) – Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that repair of the Ninth St. Bridge in Celoron is nearly finished.  Approximately $8,000.00 will be needed to complete the repairs.

 

RESOLUTION #77-01

Retain Attorney re Lyndon Blvd. Reconstruction (Yaw)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Lodestro authorizing the Town of Ellicott Supervisor to sign an agreement to retain the services of Attorney Gregory R. Yaw, Jamestown, New York, at a cost to the Town of Ellicott of $120.00 per hour for the purpose of establishing special taxing districts in the Lyndon Boulevard area.  (see ‘Yaw, Gregory, Agreement with’ file for detail)

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #78-01         

Budget Transfers

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Hendrickson authorizing Town of Ellicott Supervisor to make the following budget transfers:

 

Transfer the amount of $709.05 from Account #A1910.1 (Unallocated Insurance) to Account #A6989.4 (Economic Development - Contractual); transfer the amount of $273.05 from Account #A1910.1 (Unallocated Insurance) to Account #A1410.4 (Town Clerk – Contractual); transfer the amount of $3,594.00 from Account #A1910.1 (Unallocated Insurance) to Account #A1680.2 (Data Processing – Equipment).

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

            RESOLUTION #79-01

Payment of Claims

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor, to pay current claims 449-504 inclusive, in the amount of $234,879.24 and charge to the proper fund or account.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                          Absent – 0

 

RESOLUTION #80-01

Convene Executive Session (Personnel: Gerace)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor to Convene Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter involving Ellicott Town Justice Marilyn Gerace.       8:23 – 9:00 PM

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #81-01

Increase Salary (Gerace)

 

Motion by Councilman Taylor, seconded by Councilman Hendrickson to increase the annual salary of Ellicott Town Justice Marilyn Gerace to $9,713.50 pro-rated for fiscal year 2001, effective immediately.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

Motion by Councilman Lodestro, seconded by Councilman Taylor to adjourn at 9:02 PM.

 

Carried.                                  Ayes - 5                                Noes - 0                          Absent - 0

 

 

                                                                                    _________________________________

                                                                                    Michael C. Erlandson, Town Clerk