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

October 3, 2005 at 7:00 P.M.

 

Present: Supervisor Tyler, Councilman Pickett, Councilman Miller, Councilman Heintzelman, Town Clerk Erlandson, Highway Superintendent Shellhouse.

 

Absent: Councilman Geisler.

 

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

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Motion by Councilman Heintzelman, seconded by Councilman Pickett to accept the minutes of the September 19, 2005 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk.

 

Carried.                             Ayes - 4                               Noes - 0                                Absent - 1

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

 

Mr. Michael Mogenhan, 67 School Ave. stated that the water pressure at his home is insufficient.  He asked the Town Council about the possibility of installing a pump station in the School Ave. area to increase the pressure.  Mr. Mogenhan presented a petition requesting that a pump station be installed to increase water pressure to a number of houses on School Ave. & several other streets in the vicinity.  66 West Ellicott residents signed the petition.

 

Mr. David Rishell, 300 Howard Ave. stated that the water pressure at his home is also low.

 

Mr. Ronald Calanni, 119 School Ave. stated that the water pressure at his home is low as well.

 

Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that he is looking into the feasibility of installing a pump station in the School Ave. area.  He stated that the estimated cost of a water pump is $50,000.00.  He intends to meet with Jamestown Board of Public Utilities officials to further discuss the matter.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

          

            Town Clerk Erlandson read the following items into the record:

 

1.      Notice of an upcoming Public Hearing at the Ellery Town Hall re the regulation of Adult Entertainment Facilities in the Town of Ellery.

2.      Notice re an upcoming satellite conference concerning Records Management to be conducted on Oct. 18, 2005.

3.      Newsletter: Chautauqua County Fire Service.

 

TOWN OFFICERS’ REPORTS

 

Town Clerk Erlandson reported that the Town of Ellicott Police Dept. has requested that the Ellicott Town Council establish “trick-or-treat” hours for Halloween night on Oct. 31.  The Council set the hours for 5:30 – 7:00 PM on the 31st.

 

Clerk Erlandson also reported on the status of re-locating the polling place for Town of Ellicott Election District 4-3 to the Chautauqua Co. Airport (Minutes 9/19/05).  He noted that airport officials have agreed to allow the polling place to be permanently located at the airport.  However, he explained that the Chautauqua Co. Legislature would have to formally vote on the matter later this month.  He is hopeful that the polling place can be re-located in time for the upcoming Nov. 8, 2005 election.

 

Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported on the status of a request to install stop signs at the intersection of Sycamore and S. Hanford Ave. & also the intersection of Woodworth and S. Hanford Ave. (Minutes 4/4/05).  He & the Ellicott Police Chief both feel that stop signs are warranted at those locations.  He asked the Council to formally approve the installation of the stop signs.

 

                RESOLUTION #87-05

                Installation of Stop Signs (Sycamore/S. Hanford & Woodworth/S. Hanford)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett authorizing the installation of stop signs at the intersections of Sycamore/S. Hanford Ave. and Woodworth/S. Hanford Ave.

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 4                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 1

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Code Violations (Order to Demolish 2 Houses) - Supervisor Tyler reported that Town of Ellicott Code Enforcement Officer Randy Woodbury has requested permission to initiate demolition proceedings against the owners of two (2) abandoned houses in the Town of Ellicott.  The homes are located at 2087 Willard St. Ext. & 2808 Bentley Ave.  Councilman Heintzelman stated that he looked at the property on Bentley Ave.  In his opinion, the house cannot be repaired.  He also noted that he has obtained the name of the owner and legal guardian of the property.

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett authorizing the Town of Ellicott Code Enforcement Officer to obtain a court order to board up two (2) abandoned houses located at 2087 Willard St. Ext. and 2808 Bentley Ave.

 

Carried.                              Ayes - 4                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 1

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Funding for Chautauqua Watershed ConservancyMr. John Jablonski, Executive Director, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy addressed the Town Council.  Mr. Jablonski distributed information re his organization.  He gave a brief presentation re the mission of the CWC & outlined several projects in which the organization is currently involved.  He asked the Council to allocate $2,000.00 to the CWC in 2006 & explained how the monies would be utilized.  He noted that the CWC is requesting funding from a number of area municipalities.  Mr. Jablonski also updated the Council re the status of the Chautauqua Lake Outlet Greenway Preserve, which the CWC intends to construct (Minutes 4/4/05).  He asked the Council to allocate $1,000.00 for the project.  He also requested that the Town annually budget monies for maintenance of the Greenway Preserve.  The Council asked several questions re Mr. Jablonski’s requests.  Supervisor Tyler stated that the Council would consider the matter while preparing the 2006 Town of Ellicott Budget.

 

Tentative Budget (2006) - Supervisor Tyler presented the Tentative Budget for Town of Ellicott fiscal year 2006.  He stated that the proposed tax rate for the Town of Ellicott (i.e. Town outside Village) for 2006 is $4.01 per thousand while the proposed Village tax rate is $3.60 per thousand.  He commented on the budget & noted that the proposed tax rate for the Town “outside” is approximately six percent (6%) higher than the 2005 rate while the proposed tax rate for the Villages is just one cent ($0.01) higher than last year.  Mr. Tyler will schedule budget meetings with department heads to determine whether proposed expenditures can be reduced.

 

Help America Vote Act – Chautauqua Co. Board of Elections Commissioner Norm Green addressed the Town Council re the Help America Vote Act signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2002.  Mr. Green discussed the ramifications of the new law & explained how the law would be implemented in New York State.  He noted that beginning in 2006 all costs associated with elections will be absorbed by Chautauqua Co.  Mr. Green added that to comply with the new law, NY State is required to purchase new voting machines.  He noted that, to date, the NYS Board of Elections has not made a determination re what type of voting machine will be utilized throughout NY State.  Mr. Green assured the Council that the Chaut. Co. BOE has a plan in place to ensure that no disruption of election service occurs in Chaut. Co. next year as a consequence of the new law.

 

RESOLUTION #88-05

BAN (Roller)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Miller authorizing the issuance of a Bond Anticipation Note in the amount of $67,800.00 for the purchase of a 2004 Ingersoll-Rand Model DD-90 Roller for the Town of Ellicott Highway Department.  (see 'BAN' file for detail)

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 4                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 1

 

 

 

RESOLUTION #89-05

Budget Transfers

 

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

 

Transfer the amount of $433.75 from Account #A1620.1 (Buildings – Personal Services) to Account #A1355.4 (Assessor – Contractual); transfer the amount of $763.38 from Account #A1620.1 (Buildings – Personal Services) to Account #A3510.4 (Dog Control - Contractual); transfer the amount of $2,703.79 from Account #A1990.4 (Contingency) to Account #A1420.4 (Attorney - Contractual); transfer the amount of $5,000.00 from Account #A1990.4 (Contingency) to Account #A1910.4 (Unallocated Insurance).

 

Adopted.                           Ayes - 4                                Noes - 0                               Absent - 1

 

RESOLUTION #90-05

Payment of Claims

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Miller to pay 2005 current claims #1058-1115, inclusive, in the amount of $19,966.33 and charge to the proper fund or account.

 

Adopted.                           Ayes - 4                                Noes - 0                               Absent - 1

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Heintzelman to adjourn at 7:38 PM.

 

Carried.                            Ayes - 4                                 Noes - 0                               Absent - 1

 

 

                                                                                    _________________________________

                                                                                            Michael C. Erlandson, Town Clerk