Village Board Minutes

March 21, 2012 (50)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held March 21, 2012 at 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Mayor Winslow called the meeting to order and Mayor – Elect Morreale led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Trustee Denno, Trustee Enekes, and Trustee Lescault were present.  Trustee Densmore was excused.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Enekes approved minutes of March 7, 2012 regular meeting and March 14, 2012 special meeting as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0

CORRESPONDENCE

The Board discussed a letter from Keith Wilson, downtown business owner, seeking permission to display goods and a sandwich board sign on the sidewalk in front of his shop.  Currently the Village Code prohibits placing items on the sidewalk.  Insp Jacon stated in his opinion there was not enough sidewalk in that location for safe passage around items on the walk.  The Board decided to deny Mr. Wilson’s request, but indicated that the Board may wish to revise the current code to allow businesses to display items on the sidewalk.  Mayor Winslow requested Clerk-Treas Colson place the item on the agenda for the next Board meeting.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK/TREASURER – Clerk/Treas Colson was present, report for 3/21/12 read & filed.

Clerk-Treas Colson read the official results of the March 20, 2012 General Election:
Mayor:    Dennis Morreale  274            Brad Winslow  183
Trustees: Timothy Halliday 270            Mitchell Saunders 249
                 Tim Murphy         209           Leigh Lescault  174

Resolution #57 approved, water/sewer adjustments.

Des & Dill’s on Palmer Avenue has filed notice to renew their liquor license.

The Village attorneys have contacted the CSEA representatives about beginning union negotiations; we do not have any meeting dates set at this point.

Clerk-Treas Colson asked the Board’s permission to purchase a new copier/printer for the Village Hall in this year’s budget as opposed to waiting for the next fiscal year.  The cost of the copier is $2,842 under the State contract pricing, plus a slight additional amount to make it wireless compatible.  This is much less than had been previously discussed and anticipated in the 2012/2013 budget.  The Board agreed to transfer excess funds from the Unallocated Insurances line item to purchase the copier/printer this month.

Clerk-Treas Colson asked the Board’s permission to contract with General Code for a redesign and re-codification of the Village Code.  General Code will also be making the code available online from the Village’s website.  The majority of this expense is in the preliminary budget for the 2012/2013 fiscal year, but part of the expense will be paid 30 days from the signing of the contract.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Enekes authorizing mayoral signature on a contract with General Code for a complete analysis and re-codification of the Village Code for $11,995.
Carried – 3 – 0

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Enekes approved payment of abstract #19: Payroll $26,608.66; General $20,945.20; Water $570.18; Sewer $3,801.28; and Community Development $1,750.
Carried – 3 – 0

Resolution #58 approved, budget transfers.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was present.

Chief Kelley stated the floors at the firehouse were being waxed the weekend before the Fire Department Banquet and would not be dry in time for the Organizational meeting on Monday, April 02, 2012.  The Board agreed to hold the meeting at the Village Hall.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was present.

Supt Lozier has scheduled hydrant flushing for April 9 – 12 and leaf and brush pick-up for April 16 – May 4.

Motion by Trustee Enekes, seconded by Trustee Lescault, approved publication in the Pennysaver News of the hydrant flushing and leaf and brush collection schedule.
Carried – 3 – 0

The DOT has informed Supt Lozier that they will be repairing the storm drain at the bottom of Center Street.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Jacon was present, report for 3/21/12 read & filed.

Insp Jacon will be consulting the attorney regarding a legal proceeding against a homeowner in ongoing violation of the property maintenance code.

ATTORNEY – Atty Buettner was present, report for 3/21/12 read & filed.

No ZBA meeting is scheduled.  The Planning Board will meet 3/22 to review more items concerning the subdivision proposal for William Street.

Atty Buettner requested an executive session to discuss proposed litigation by the Mann’s regarding the sewer incident on Walnut Street.

OLD BUSINESS

No GWUDI update.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution #59 approved, authorize mayoral signature on contracts with Cleveland Brothers for pesticide and fertilizer application and property maintenance in the amounts of $4,698, $990 and $3,148.74.

Resolution #60 approved, authorize mayoral signature on a settlement with National Grid to recoup $842.24 in overpayments.

Clerk/Treas Colson presented the tentative budget to the Board.  The budget for 2012/2013 as proposed is a 2.7% increase over the current fiscal year.  The tax rate is expected to decrease slightly from $5.50 per thousand to $5.49 per thousand.  Savings are projected in snow equipment, and insurances.  The major expenditures in the budget are the purchase of DPW equipment in the amount of $180,000, and Fire Department equipment in the amount of $30,000.  Increases in wages include a proposed 3% increase for department heads, a 30-cent increase for crossing guards and 50-cent increase for park attendants.  Due to increased duties and the expansion of the job descriptions for the positions, it is proposed the Deputy Clerk-Treasurer and Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator receive raises of $2,752 and $5,200 respectively.  There is no proposed increase to Board member salaries.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Enekes approved publication in the Post Star and Pennysaver of a notice of public hearing regarding the proposed budget to be held April 4, 2012 at 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.
Carried – 3 – 0

PUBLIC COMMENT, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Ray Bush asked the Building Inspector about a building on Main Street that does not meet fire code.

Bob Hudak had questions regarding the re-codification of the Village Code by General Code.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Denno and Trustee Enekes expressed their appreciation to Mayor Winslow, Trustee Lescault and Trustee Densmore for their integrity and dedication during their time on the Board.

Mayor Winslow thanked the Board, department heads, employees and volunteers for their hard work and dedication over the years.  Mayor Winslow stated he felt the Board had always done the best they could with what they had to work with in difficult times.  The mayor congratulated the incoming mayor and trustees, wished them the best and asked the Board and community to give their full support to accomplish their goals.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Enekes, that Board adjourn to executive session to discuss proposed litigation in the Mann matter and pending litigation in regards to a parking violation as requested by Atty Buettner, 7:00 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

At 7:21 PM the Board reconvened with no action taken in executive session.

Resolution #61 approved, the Village authorizes counsel to offer $6,000 to the Manns for damage sustained at their property, that the Manns will execute a general release, the Mayor is authorized to sign any settlement documents after approval by Village counsel.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Enekes that Board adjourn, 7:24 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer