February 11, 2019 Regular Meeting
Mayor James R. Rensel
Trustee Deette Dispenza-excused
Trustee Timothy Dunn
Trustee James Jaroszynski
Trustee J. Michael Steele
Lawrence Trask, Treasurer
Anna L. Fales, Village Clerk
Charles Piazza, Fire Chief
Alan P. Gustafson, Code Enforcement Officer
Peter C. Fuller, Dpw Superintendent
The regular meeting of the Village of Falconer Mayor and Board of Trustees was held on Monday, February 11, 2019 at 7:00 P.M. in the Community Building Board Room with Mayor James Rensel presiding.
Visitors
No visitors were present.
Minutes
Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dispenza, to approve the minutes of January 14, 2019 with one revision: correct the date from 2019 to 2018 under the Fire Chief’s report, in reference to total calls for last year. Ayes: Dispenza, Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, and Rensel. Carried
Fire Chief
The chief’s January report was reviewed and noted that the department responded to 50 EMS calls, 6 fire, 3 false alarms, and 1 hazmat, totaling 60 calls, 514.51 personnel hours in January. 2019 OSHA training was held on Sunday, February 10, 2019. A copy of the list of members in attendance has been submitted by Chief Piazza, initialed by the OSHA instructor and filed in the clerk’s office.
Code Enforcement Office
The code enforcement report for January was reviewed noting that 2 building permits were issued ($50 collected/$50 YTD), 4 building inspections were performed/4 YTD, 0 certificates of occupancy/0 YTD, 0 certificates of compliance/0 YTD, and 0 fire inspections. There were 35 phone calls, e-mails, personal contacts made/35 YTD and 12 notices of complaints filed with action taken by the CE office in the month of January/12 YTD.
Department of Public Works
The DPW report was reviewed for the period January 14-February 10, 2019.
The streets were plowed and salted 43 times, 157.8 tons of salt used in the month of January. Total salt used to date this winter is 304.1 tons. Floor drains in the DPW garage have been rebuilt.
A motion was made by Trustee Dispenza, seconded by Trustee Dunn, to adopt Resolution #4-2019: Shared Purchase & Ownership Agreement: 2006 Lee Boy L7000T as written and presented on the 11th day of February, 2019 by and between The Town of Poland, The Town of Ellicott, the Town of Carroll and the Village of Falconer to purchase a 2006 Lee Boy L7000T paver, serial # 48956 for a total sum of $30,000 to be shared equally by each of the fore mentioned municipalities at a cost of $7,500 each. Furthermore, as written and agreed upon, each municipality will equally share one-fourth (1/4) interest in ownership, maintenance costs, repair costs, decision-making, and use of the paver. Ayes: Dispenza, Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski and Rensel. Nays: None. Carried
Library
The January library report was reviewed. This month the library received $71.00 for fines, $73.00 for copies and faxes, $151.00 basket sale, $3,060.00 for gifts and donations, and $934.67 from the Ruth Walrod Fund.
Legal
Mr. Peterson is continuing to work with the Marchinson’s to procure the corner property on W. Main & Dow Streets.
Committees:
Downtown Development:
Fancy Limousine will be leasing the old First Niagara bank building at Main and Work Streets. The company has estimated 40-45 employees and will occupy both floors of the building.
Finance:
Treasurer Trask reviewed the expenses and revenues of the 2018-2019 budget to date. In regards to expenses, Mr. Trask pointed out three areas of concern: Attorney/Legal fees for defending 2 current law suits, Special Areas for higher than anticipated spending on the feral cat program and Fire Department for higher than average budgeted expenses year to date. Village revenues are on target for the year.
In anticipation of the 2019/2020 budgeted tax levy the highest increase allowable under 2% tax cap is $16,429 for a total tax levy of $837,883. With the assessment of $90,679,233 this would equate to a tax rate of 9.24/$1000. This would equate to a .22/$1000 over last year. The village suffered a loss in tax assessment of $391,037, which may be attributed primarily to fire related properties. This loss in assessment will account for approximately .04/$1000 of any tax increase.
Trustee Steele stated that the village’s ability to budget for and pay for equipment in cash is a cost savings for taxpayers. The village alleviates the need to pay high interest on loans/bonds for equipment.
Fire Advisory Board:
Meeting scheduled for February 13, 2019 at 6:30 pm.
Old Business:
A motion was made by Trustee Steele, seconded by Trustee Dispenza, to adopt the Complete Streets policy as written in RESOLUTION # 2 -2019 and to be incorporated the policy into the 2019 village-wide Comprehensive Plan. Ayes: Dispenza, Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, and Rensel. Nays: none. Carried
A motion was made by Trustee Dunn, seconded by Trustee Dispenza, to adopt the Sexual Harassment Policy, Sexual Harassment Policy Acknowledgment, Sexual Harassment Complaint Form/Investigation Procedure, and required annual training using the NYS Interactive Training Videos, as written in RESOLUTION # 3 -2019 (and as amended this evening). It is furthermore resolved that new, temporary and seasonal employees will be trained upon hire. .Ayes: Dispenza, Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, and Rensel. Nays: none. Carried
Sexual Harassment Training has been scheduled for Monday March 11 at 5:45 pm in the village board room, Saturday, March 16 at 8:00 am in the fire hall and Sunday, March 24th at 8:00 am in the fire hall.
New Business:
The new state Election schedule was discussed noting that there will only be one primary day on June 25, 2019. The last day for filing nominations made at town or village caucus or by a party committee is July 25, 2019 for the November 5, 2019 election.
Dates were discussed for the use of the fire hall by Eagle Scout, Jacob Sherman to hold a blood & food drive in late April or early May. The event is being organized by Mr. Sherman for his Eagle Scout project.
Abstracts
Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Steele that Abstract #9, General Fund in the amount of $75,720.76 be approved for payment. Ayes: Dispenza, Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, and Rensel. Carried
Trustee Jaroszynski made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dispenza, that Abstract #9, Cemetery Fund in the amount of $1,190.43 be approved for payment. Ayes: Dispenza, Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, and Rensel. Carried
Trustee Dispenza made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, that Abstract #9, Library Fund in the amount of $865.13 be approved for payment. Ayes: Dispenza, Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, and Rensel. Carried
Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Jaroszynski, that Abstract #9, General Fund Hand Items in the amount of $37,579.39 be approved for payment. Ayes: Dispenza, Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, and Rensel. Carried
Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session
Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dispenza, to adjourn into executive session for the purpose of litigation at 8:20 PM. Ayes: Dispenza, Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, and Rensel. Carried
Anna L. Fales
Village Clerk