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 17, 2001 at 6:30 P.M.

 

Present: Supervisor Tyler, Councilman Hendrickson, Councilman Lodestro, Councilman Miller, Councilman Taylor, Town Clerk Erlandson, Attorney Duncanson, Police Chief Vanstrom.                                    

 

Absent: Highway Superintendent Shellhouse.

 

Supervisor Tyler opened the meeting at 6:30 P.M. and led the Town Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Town Clerk Erlandson called the roll. 

 

PUBLIC HEARING (Increase Total Cost of Buffalo-Willard Water Service Area)

 

Supervisor Tyler opened a Public Hearing on a proposal to increase the maximum estimated cost of the Buffalo-Willard Water Service Area.  Mr. Tyler stated that due to unforeseen expenses the total cost of the project had to be increased from $930,000.00 to a maximum of $1,015,000.00.  He added that the Town intends to issue a new bond for the increased amount.  However, he pointed out that the homeowners in the service area will not be required to begin repayment of the bond until January 2003, as opposed to January 2002 as originally planned.  Attorney Gregory Yaw, representing the Town of Ellicott, explained the additional costs.  Mr. Yaw pointed out that the total cost per household would increase by approximately $400.00 - 500.00.  Councilman Hendrickson noted that the $1,015,000.00 cost is not an increase but the actual cost of the project.  He explained that this is the amount that should have originally been presented to the residents.  The following public comments were heard:

 

Mrs. Cindy Orlando, 2229 Willard St. Ext., asked a number of questions re the implications of the cost increase to the residents within the service area.

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Lodestro to close the Public hearing at 6:50 PM.

 

Carried.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                                Absent - 0

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor to accept the minutes of the October 3, 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.      Notice from Chautauqua County Health Dept. re 2 rabies immunization clinics recently conducted in the county.

2.      Falconer Fire Incident Report: August 2001.

3.      Notice of upcoming Planning & Zoning Seminar.

 

TOWN OFFICERS’ REPORTS

 

Councilman Lodestro reported that he has received a number of complaints re a mosquito problem along the Chadakoin River area in Falconer.  Mr. Lodestro expressed his concerns about the matter.  He asked that the Town of Ellicott and the Village of Falconer contact the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for suggestions on how to eradicate the mosquitoes.

 

Councilman Hendrickson commented on a grant recently received by the Town of Ellicott to renovate a section of the third floor of the Ellicott Administration Building.  The renovation would be for the purpose of developing a records storage area for the Town.  Mr. Hendrickson explained that the renovations would include new shelving units.  He pointed out that before the Town can proceed with the renovations a structural analysis must be conducted to determine whether the existing floor has sufficient capacity to support the additional weight of the shelving units.  Mr. Hendrickson recommended that the Town retain Abate Engineering Associates for this purpose.

 

RESOLUTION #138-01

Retain Abate Engineering

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Hendrickson, to retain Abate Engineering Associates to conduct a structural analysis of the third floor of the Ellicott Administration Building at a cost to the Town of Ellicott of $900.00.

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 0

 

Town Clerk Erlandson reported that he has reviewed an information package re PC/Codebook (i.e. electronic version of Town of Ellicott code).  He stated that the cost of the application software is $3,000.00, not including an annual maintenance fee of $500.00.  The Council will consider purchasing the software at a later time.

 

Supervisor Tyler reported that he recently attended a Metro Six meeting.  He stated that the Metro Six members are dissatisfied with a study recently conducted re regionalization of the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU).  He explained that that the final cost of the study is currently being negotiated. 

 

Councilmen Lodestro & Taylor expressed their concerns that the Town of Ellicott has no representation on the BPU.  They asked that Metro Six consider the matter.  Mr. Tyler stated that he would discuss the issue at the next Metro Six meeting.

 

Police Chief Vanstrom reported that the Ellicott Police Dept. will receive a $16,026.00 insurance settlement for damage to an Ellicott Police car that was recently struck by another vehicle.  The chief asked for permission to use the settlement to purchase a new vehicle.

 

RESOLUTION #139-01

Purchase of New Police Car

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by seconded by Councilman Miller authorizing the Ellicott Police Chief to purchase a new vehicle for the Ellicott Police Department with monies received from a recent insurance settlement.

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 0

 

OLD BUSINESS

           

            RESOLUTION #140-01

            Adopt Public Interest Resolution (Buffalo-Willard Water)

           

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Lodestro determining that it is in the public interest to increase the maximum estimated cost of the Buffalo St. Ext. – Willard St. Ext. water distribution system from $930,000.00 to $1,015,000.00.  (see ‘Buffalo-Willard Water Service’ file for detail)

 

            Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #141-01

            Bond Resolution (Buffalo-Willard Water)

           

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Lodestro authorizing the issuance of $85,000.00 serial bonds to pay the increased cost of the Buffalo St. Ext. – Willard St. Ext. water distribution system.      (see ‘Buffalo-Willard Water Service’ file for detail)

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 0

 

Renovation of Administration Building – Councilman Hendrickson reported that the renovation of the Ellicott Administration Building is proceeding on schedule.  He recommended that the Town Council accept a change order to eliminate the relocation of a HVAC unit in the boardroom.  Mr. Hendrickson noted that the change order would reduce the overall cost of the project by $1,600.00.

 

 

 

RESOLUTION #142-01

Authorize Change Order (King’s Heating)

 

Motion by Councilman Hendrickson, seconded by Supervisor Tyler to accept a change order from King’s Heating & Sheet Metal, Inc. to eliminate the relocation of a HVAC unit in conjunction with the renovation of the Ellicott Administration Building currently underway; and, further, that King’s Heating and Sheet Metal, Inc. credit the Town of Ellicott the amount of $1,600.00.   (see ‘Building Renovation’ file for detail)

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 0

 

Water & Sewer Service on Fluvanna Ave. Ext. – Councilman Taylor reported that he has drafted a survey to be mailed to property owners in the Fluvanna area to determine how many residents are interested in receiving municipal water & sewer service.  Town Clerk Erlandson will mail the surveys within the next several days.  The Council reviewed the survey & made several minor revisions.

 

Weed Management on Chautauqua Lake – Supervisor Tyler reported that he met with several N.Y. State elected officials re a weed (milfoil) problem on Chautauqua Lake in the Burtis Bay area.  (see ‘minutes 9/19/01’)  According to Mr. Tyler, Mr. the officials recommended that the Chautauqua Lake Association (CLA) apply for a permit to conduct a chemical spraying operation.  Representatives of the CLA commented on the weed problem & the limitations of the agency’s current weed management program.  They explained that the CLA has insurance liability issues concerning herbicide-spraying programs.  Furthermore, the CLA pointed out that the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) re the weed management program must be updated before any spraying operation can even be considered.  A number of lakefront residents expressed their concerns about the milfoil problem.  Various weed management alternatives were discussed.  Councilman Hendrickson stressed the importance of updating the SEIS.  He reminded everyone that no spraying program could be implemented until the Chautauqua Co. Planning Dept. updates the SEIS.  He asked whether anyone has contacted the Co. Planning Dept. re the status of the SEIS.  Mr. Tyler will explore various funding sources to administer a possible weed management program.

 

NEW BUSINES

 

Preliminary Budget (2002) - Supervisor Tyler presented the Preliminary Budget for Town of Ellicott fiscal year 2002.  He stated that the proposed budget contains a property tax increase.  Mr. Tyler feels that further reductions in the overall budget are possible.  The Council will meet next week to review the preliminary budget.

 

Halloween Hours – The Town Council established Halloween ‘trick or treat’ hours in the Town of Ellicott as 5:30 – 8:00 PM on Oct. 31, 2001.

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION #143-01

Fill Sergeant Vacancy in Ellicott Police Dept. (Kubinski)

 

Motion by Councilman Lodestro, seconded by Supervisor Tyler to promote Ellicott             Patrolman Matthew Kubinski, 88 S. Allegheny WE, to Sergeant on the Town of Ellicott Police Department, effective October 24, 2001 and subject to a six month probation.

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #144-01

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 $360.00 from Account #A1990.4 (Contingency) into Account #A1330.4 (Tax Collection - Contractual); transfer the amount of $7,163.28 from Account #A1990.4 (Contingency) into Account #A9060.8 (Health Insurance); transfer the amount of $323.19 from Account #A1355.2 (Assessor – Equipment) to Account #a1355.4 (Assessor – Contractual); transfer the amount of  $1,652.00 from Account #A1420.1 (Attorney – Personal Services) to Account #A1420.4 (Attorney – Contractual).

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 0

 

            RESOLUTION #145-01

Payment of Claims

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Lodestro, to pay current claims 1210-1270, inclusive, in the amount of $91,252.23 and charge to the proper fund or account.

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                              Noes - 0                               Abstain - 0

           

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor to adjourn at 8:32 PM.

 

Carried.                               Ayes - 5                             Noes - 0                                Absent - 0

 

                                                                                    _________________________________

                                                                                            Michael C. Erlandson, Town Clerk