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August 9, 2021 Regular Meeting

Mayor James M. Jaroszynski
Trustee Timothy Dunn
Trustee Alan Gustafson, Jr.
Trustee Anthony Cavallaro 
Trustee Annette Miller

Gregory Peterson, Village Attorney
Carl Caprino, DPW Superintendent
Laurie Becker, Library Director
W. Robert Morris, Code Enforcement Officer
Eric Yager, Fire Chief
Anna L. Fales, Village Clerk

The regular meeting of the Village of Falconer Mayor and Board of Trustees was called to order on Monday, August 9, 2021 at 7:00 P.M. at the Firemen’s’ Exempt Hall with Mayor James Jaroszynski presiding.  

Pledge of Allegiance & Roll

Trustee Dunn, Trustee Gustafson, Trustee Cavallaro, Trustee Miller, and Mayor Jaroszynski were present.

Parliamentary Procedure

SOCIAL DISTANCING PRACTICES WILL BE STRICTLY FOLLOWED AND MASKS ARE REQUIRED. VISITORS ARE ALLOWED A MAXIMUM OF THREE (3) MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE CHAIR.  THIS IS NOT THE PLACE OR TIME TO CONDUCT A DEBATE WITH ANYONE.  IT IS A MEETING TO DELIBERATE AS THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO TRANSACT THE BUSINESS OF THE VILLAGE.  ALL REPORTS, REQUESTS, IF NECESSARY, WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE RESPECTIVE COMMITTEE OR COMMISSION FOR FURTHER STUDY, INFORMATION GATHERING AND RECOMMENDATIONS.  ALL CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED HAS BEEN PLACED WITH THE TRUSTEES AND IS ON FILE.

Visitors:  

The following visitors were in attendance:  Peter and Jane Fuller of Falconer and Nina Gustafson, President of the Falconer Rotary Club.

Minutes

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller, to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2021 work session meeting of the mayor and board of trustees, as written, Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Gustafson: Nay.  Carried. 

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cavallaro, to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2021 regular meeting of the mayor and board of trustee, as written. Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Gustafson: Nay.  Carried. 

Fire Chief        

The chief’s July report was reviewed and noted that the department responded to 50-EMS, 3-structure fire, 1-truck fire, 2-trese down, 4-fire alarms, 2-MVA, 1- lines down, 2 lift assist and 9-flooded basements, totaling 74 calls in July 

Mutual Aid Breakdown- July

Given:  Jamestown-7, Frewsburg-12, Kennedy-0, Kiantone-2, and Alstar-1:  totaling 22 (120-YTD).

Received: Medic 74-4, Kennedy-0, Frewsburg-0, Fluvanna-0, Gerry-2, Coroner-0, Kiantone-0, Alstar-1, Stat Medivac-1, and, Jamestown-0:  totaling 8 (69-YTD).

Code Enforcement

The code officer’s July report was reviewed and noted 5building permits were issued ($150.00), 22 YTD ($1,287.68), 5 building inspections performed (9 YTD), 0 certificates of occupancy (18 YTD), 0 certificates of compliance (2 YTD), N/R* phone calls/personal contact/email (90 YTD), N/R* complaints received/actions taken (31 YTD), 0 notices of violation mailed (0 YTD), 0 notice of violations solved (0 YTD).  (*N/R-July figures were not reported)

The property at 518 W. Falconer Street is currently being mowed by the mortgage company’s maintenance service, Safeguard Services.  They were asked to continue maintaining the property’s lawn throughout the rest of the season. 

Other property issues are being addressed by CEO Gustafson.  Fancher Chair Company submitted plans for an addition.

Department of Public Works

The DPW report was reviewed for the period July 8, 2021-August 5, 2021.   Superintendent Caprino reported that one of the garage doors had been damaged and will need to be replaced.  The following replacement quotes were submitted for approval from the board:

Plyler Entry Systems: Installation/Steel insulated (R-factor 16.2)/Oval windows $5,445.00

Plyler Entry Systems: Installation/Steel insulated (R-factor 16.2)/Square windows $5,345.00

(Both above quotes include prevailing wage labor, materials, removal of existing door and tax exemption)

S.I. Overhead Door Installation/Steel insulated (R-factor 10.5)/24” x12” windows $4,850.00

S.I. Overhead Door Installation/Steel insulated (R-factor 17.5)/24” x12” window $5,300.00

(Both above S.I. quotes include business owner only labor, removal of exiting door, installation, labor and materials and tax exemption)

Trustee Dunn noted that he was in favor of the more energy efficiency in an effort to support the village’s clean energy commitment.

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cavallaro, to accept price quote #1067, from S.I. Overhead Door, as written, at a cost of $5300.00. Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Gustafson: Nay.  Carried.

S.I. Overhead Door provided a general repair and maintenance quote for the service and adjustment of DPW overhead doors, which includes up to $25.00 of miscellaneous parts. 

Price quote #1069 $125.00 per door        

Superintendent Caprino also price quote # 1070 from S.I. Overhead Door for the service and adjustment of all the doors at the fire hall, including the installation of an extension of the emergency release which will allow the doors to be opened safely in case of a power outage.  

Price quote #1070 5 Doors x $265.00 $1,325.00 total

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller, to empower Superintendent Carl Caprino to hire Auction International, to sell the DPW’s used fuel tanks and fuel pumps for a service fee of 10% of the total sale price of the items.  It is understood that the Village will have the right to refuse any unacceptable offer. Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Gustafson: Nay. Carried.

Superintendent Caprino reported that Brenton Yager is planning to leave his employment with the village DPW in the beginning April of 2022. In response to Mr. yager decision, Superintendent Caprino requested approval from the board to hire and train a replacement beginning Fall 2021.  The discussion was tabled in anticipation of a written notification from Mr. Yager. 

Mayor Jaroszynski notified the board that all full-time DPW employees were issued written notification, on August 3, 2021, outlining the Zero Tolerance policy, as it relates Marijuana use by Motor Safety Carrier Administration -CDL employees. These employees are governed under federal law, not state law.  A copy of the letter has been provided to all trustees for their review.   The Village’s Employee Handbook has been also been amended to reflect this policy.

The board reviewed an email from Joyce Stevenson, which she addressed to Trustee Cavallaro, dated August 2, 2021, regarding her concerns about the lack of drainage on Aldren Avenue. Following discussion, the board supported Trustee Cavallaro’s request to research the issue further.

Library  

The July library report was reviewed.  This month the library received $40.00 (copies/fax), $10.00 (fines), $50.00 (Book Sales), $3,093.00 (Summer in July Book Sale), $270.00 (gifts & donations), and $934.67 (other).  

Plans are in place to hold in person Story Hour again beginning in September, assuming no new COVID-19 restrictions by that time.

Historian, Brenda Cavallaro, under covered some interesting information concerning the construction of the village Community Building in 1921.  New articles document that the library had not originally been invited to be a part of the plan.  Instead, the library and the American Legion approached the village board for the use of rooms in the building with the idea to make the building a “community center”. In order to do so, residents voted on a $50,000 proposition to accommodate the Legion and the Library.  The proposition was submitted to the taxpayers on April 15, 1920.

Committees:

Public Safety:

The Fire Advisory Board continues meeting with the county regarding EMS calls & billing for some services.

Finance:

The AUD has been complete and filed with NYS.  The new year is set up and running.  Treasurer Trask reported that the village received the largest quarterly sales tax check in his 18 years as treasurer for the village, a little over $101,000.

Parks & Recreation:

The Falconer Rotary Club is interested in establishing a dog park in the village.  Nina Gustafson, Rotary President, has scheduled a meeting with village and town officials tomorrow night at 6 pm in the village board room.  Trustee Miller and Trustee Gustafson will represent the village at this meeting.

Pine Hill Cemetery:

Staff is in the process of trimming trees.

Old Business:

The Christmas in July event held on July 22-24th  was a great success.  Mayor Jaroszynski thanked Mr. and Mrs. Fuller for taking the lead on the event.  Mrs. Fuller noted that it was a great team effort.  The Fuller’s are already working on ideas to expand next years’ event.

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cavallaro, to schedule a Public Hearing, pursuant to NYS Cannabis Law 131, on September 13, 2021, for the consideration of the allowing/disallowing establishments and licensing of retail cannabis sales and/or on-site consumption establishments to locate and operate within the village boundaries. Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Gustafson: Nay.  Carried.  

Trustee Miller and Trustee Gustafson agreed to participate on the village’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) committee to assist in identifying the most appropriate use of the funding.

New Business: 

The 2021-2024 Chautauqua County Snow Removal and Ice Control contract extension was reviewed. Superintendent Caprino was asked to confirm the accuracy of Appendix B- County Road list prior to executing the contract.

Correspondence:

Trustee Gustafson’s letter, dated August 9, 2021, which acknowledged his review of the July 2021unpaid vouchers on August 8, and bank reconciliations on August 8 and 9, was reviewed and placed into record.  

An email, dated July 26, 2021 was received from Katherine Delahoy, regarding a car wash fundraiser for the Falconer Junior Firefighters on August 14 and a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on August 24 from 4-8 pm. The board had no reservations to these requests as long as any current COVID restrictions at the time are followed.

Mayor Jaroszynski reported that Clerk Fales will be attending NYCOM training in Saratoga Spring, NY September 19-24th.  Other general correspondence was reviewed with no actions taken.

Abstracts:

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Dunn and seconded by Trustee Cavallaro that Abstract #3, General Fund in the amount of $ 265,888.89be approved for payment. Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried.

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Gustafson and seconded by Trustee Dunn that Abstract #3, Cemetery Fund in the amount of $ 2,625.04 be approved for payment.  Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried.

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Miller and seconded by Trustee Gustafson that Abstract #3, Library Fund in the amount of $ 1,311.96be approved for payment.  Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Abstain, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried.

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Cavallaro and seconded by Trustee Gustafson that Abstract #3, General Hund Hand Items in the amount of $ 37,804.31be approved for payment.  Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Abstain, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried.

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cavallaro to adjourn into Executive Session at 8:30 pm. Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried.

Executive Session:

As recorded by Trustee Gustafson:

  • No formal action was taken.
  • A motion to end the executive session was made at 9:57 p.m. by Trustee Dunn and seconded by Trustee Cavallaro. The vote was unanimous.
  • A motion to close the regular meeting was made at 9:57 p.m. by Trustee Dunn and seconded by Trustee Miller. The vote was unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,
Anna Fales, Village Clerk