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October 13, 2020 Regular Meeting

Mayor James M. Jaroszynski
Trustee J. Michael Steele
Trustee Timothy Dunn
Trustee Alan Gustafson, Jr.
Trustee Kipp Reynolds-Absent

Gregory Peterson, Attorney
Anna L. Fales, Village Clerk
Lawrence Trask, Treasurer
Bryce Webster, Fire Chief-Absent
W. Robert Morris, Code Enforcement Officer-Absent
Carl Caprino, DPW Superintendent
Laurie Becker, Library Director

The regular meeting of the Village of Falconer Mayor and Board of Trustees was held on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. in the Falconer Public Library with Mayor James Jaroszynski presiding.  All COVID-19 protocols were followed.

Pledge of Allegiance & Roll:

Trustee Steele, Trustee Dunn, Trustee Gustafson, and Mayor Jaroszynski were all present. Trustee Reynolds was absent.

Visitors

Mr. Marion Lombardo, 138 W. Falconer Street was present.

Minutes

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Steele, to approve the minutes of September 14, 2020 meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees with the following revisions:

Boy Scout Motion: Trustee Gustafson: Abstained.

Website: PDF copies of code permits were in hand

Roll: Steele: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried.

Fire Chief

The chief’s September report was reviewed and noted that the department responded to 63 EMS, 10 fire, 2 residential lockout, 1 power line, 1 service calls, 1 MVA, , totaling 78 calls in September.

Mutual Aid Breakdown- September

Given:  Jamestown-10, Frewsburg-9, Kennedy-4, Gerry-3: totaling 26

Received:   Jamestown-0, Kennedy-2, Gerry-1, Stat Helicopter-1, Alstar-2: totaling 6.

Resolution # 34-2020-Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Steele, to approve the sale of the old air pack equipment and for those funds to be allocated back into the Falconer Fire Department operating budget.

Roll: Steele: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried.

Code Enforcement

The September code officer report was reviewed.  It was noted that 7(68-YTD) -$324.00 ($1,645.20-YTD) building permits were issued, 0 (1-YTD) building inspections were performed, 16 (30-YTD) certificates of occupancy were issued, 6 (13-YTD) certificates of compliance, 15(237-YTD) phone calls/personal contact/emails were addressed, 2 (47-YTD) complaints received/actions taken, 1 (20-YTD) notices of violations mailed, 0 (5-YTD) notice of violations resolved, 0 stop work order issued, and 0 stop work order resolved. 

Department of Public Works

The DPW report was reviewed for the period September 14, 2020-October 12, 2020.

Superintendent noted that the DPW will be back to 5-day work week starting on Monday.

Mr. Marion Lombardo, 138 W. Falconer Street, inquired about removal of the trees along the creek.  Mayor Jaroszynski responded that per village counsel, a search of property lines, easements and liens would be necessary to determine which party would be responsible should the trees fall.  He apologized for the delay in getting back to Mr. Lombardo and stated that he will walk the property with Superintendent Caprino to identify the exact area in question.

Mr. Lombardo stated that he would like the Village to keep him updated on their findings.

Library 

The September library report was reviewed.  This month the library received $54.86 (copies), $24.25 (fines), $753.00 (Book Sales), $293 gifts & donations, and $1050.90 (other).

Ashley Nelson began this year’s Story Hour virtually on September 16th.  There are 6 children registered in the 3-year old class and 4 children registered in the 4-year old class.  Stories are read virtually by Mrs. Nelson on the library Facebook page and weekly themed arts and craft projects are available in the library for families to pick up and work on at home. Children are also encouraged to come into the library throughout the week to pick out books.

The Library received a $200.00 Fall Youth Programing Grant from the CCLIBS to be used towards the fall family decorating activity: Decorating a pumpkin to look like a story book character.

Hannah Jaroszynski of Prevention Works facilitated a scavenger hunt and helped with the distribution of prizes.  This activity was very well received.

Committees:

Animal Control:

The animal control report was reviewed for September 2020-1 concern for a dog’s wellbeing was checked on and found to be ok.

Crossing Guard:

The school entrance construction is posing some challenges with traffic but going well overall.

Planning & Zoning:

Trustee Gustafson raised concern regarding the proposed zoning requirement which would require all Falconer businesses to install lock box key systems. Trustee Gustafson said that such a requirement may put undo financial pressure on business owners.

Trustee Dunn suggested that this section be instead considered as a revision to building code, rather than in the zoning section.

Resolution # 35-2020-Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Steele, to strike Article 1, 134-5-Fire Department Key Boxes from the proposed updates to the Village Zoning Law.  Roll: Steele: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried.

Resolution # 36-2020-Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Steele, to schedule a Public Hearing regarding the proposed Zoning Law and Fee Structure updates at 7 pm on November 9, 2020.  The Hearing will be the first order of business at the November board meeting.  Roll: Steele: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried.

Old Business:

  • Superintendent Caprino reported that the Village DPW and fire department will move to using the county fuel station after the fuel in the village’s tanks is depleted.
  • The board tabled a discussion on whether or not to use a .gov rather that .com web address before going live with the new village website.  NYCOM suggested that .gov site’s offer more security. A .gov website would cost the village approximately $400/year vs $20-30/year for a .com website.
  • Trustee Gustafson suggested that, for the safety of the village’s children, the board set hours for Halloween Trick or Treating and allow those who choose to participate to do so.  The board agreed that they do not want to prevent or encourage trick or treating, noting that participants should follow the CDC guidelines regarding safe trick or treating. They are also asking residents who do not wish to participate or who may have health concerns to turn off their porch lights during trick or treat hours.  Trick or treaters are asked to be respectful and to avoid homes with no porch light.
  • Mayor Jaroszynski touched based on finding members to fill various village committees. 

New Business:

  • The mayor asked for 1 or 2 of the trustees to volunteer to participate in the village Pandemic Plan Committee.  The goal of the committee to assist in writing the guidelines and policies required to fulfil the provisions of Governor Cuomo’s “Pandemic Operations Plan law (Chapter 168 of the Laws of 2020).  
  • Brian Nelson celebrated 50 years in business in the Village of Falconer on October 12, 2020.  Mayor Jaroszynski praised Mr. Nelson, saying that he “has been a great advocate for the village.  We would like to publicly congratulate him on behalf of the Village.”
  • Mayor Jaroszynski reported that he had been asked by Sherriff Quatrone to serve on a committee for NYS Police Reform.  He invited any other local officials and/or community members to let him know if they would also like to participate on this committee.  He went on to ask everyone to consider completing the survey that will be posted on the village Facebook page starting on October 15, 2020.

Correspondence

  • Trustee Steele submitted his letter of resignation effective December 31, 2020, siting an upcoming change in residency.  Trustee Steele said, “It has been his privilege to serve the Village of Falconer for the past 25 years in the fire department and later on the Board.”  He went on to thank everyone.  “This has been the best place to raise my family.  I wish this wonderful community the best in the years to come.”

Abstracts

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Dunn and seconded by Trustee Steele that Abstract #5, General Fund in the amount of $ 51,480.08 be approved for payment.  Roll: Steele: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Gustafson and seconded by Trustee Dunn that Abstract #5, Cemetery Fund in the amount of $ 1,803.43 be approved for payment.  Roll: Steele: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Steele and seconded by Trustee Gustafson that Abstract #5, Library Fund in the amount of $ 2,433.57 be approved for payment.  Roll: Steele: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried  

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Steele and seconded by Trustee Dunn that Abstract #5, General Fund Hand Items in the amount of $ 33,238.40 be approved for payment.  Roll: Steele: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried  

Adjourn to Executive Session

Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, to adjourn into executive session at 8:12 pm to discuss pending litigation.  Roll: Steele: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried   

No formal actions were taken.

Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn to exit the executive session at 8:20pm.  Roll: Steele: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried   

Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 pm. Roll: Steele: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried   

Respectfully submitted,
Anna Fales, Village Clerk