November 14, 2022 Regular Meeting
Mayor James M. Jaroszynski
Trustee Anthony Cavallaro
Trustee Timothy Dunn
Trustee Alan Gustafson, Jr.
Trustee Annette Miller
Gregory Peterson, Attorney
Cindy Capestrani, Village Clerk
Bryce Webster, Fire Chief
Paul Andalora, Code Enforcement Officer
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, November 14, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. in the Firemen’s Exempt Hall with Mayor James Jaroszynski presiding.
Pledge of Allegiance & Roll:
Trustee Gustafson, Trustee Dunn, Trustee Cavallaro, Trustee Miller and Mayor Jaroszynski were all present.
Visitors
Parliamentary Procedure
THE VILLAGE OF FALCONER WELCOMES PUBLIC COMMENT BY ALL. WE ASK THAT YOU STAND, STATE YOUR NAME AND KEEP YOUR COMMENTS BRIEF (3 MINUTES OR LESS) AS A COURTESY TO THE BUSINESS NATURE OF THE MEETING AND OTHER TIME CONSTRAINTS. IF YOU WISH TO HAVE AN INTERACTIVE CONVERSATION WITH THE BOARD AND/OR MAYOR REGARDING A SPECIFIC MATTER OR CONCERN, IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IF YOU REQUEST TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA AND PROVIDE AN OUTLINE OF THE MATTER YOU WISH TO DISCUSS AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE MEETING. YOU MAY DO THIS BY CONTACTING THE MAYOR OR CLERK AT (716) 665-4400. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND CONSIDERATION ON THIS MATTER.
Visitor Comments
Comments made from visitors addressing the board.
- Falconer Rotary Club reminded of the upcoming Santa parade on Saturday, November 19th at 5pm. The Rotary Club was given permission to remove small shrub in front of Santa House to replace with a 10’-12’ tree that they could decorate as part of their tree lighting ceremony.
- Brian Nelson – requested an update on leasing the village owned empty lot on West Main Street. Mayor Jaroszynski noted that the DPW has been busy with leaf collection and may not have the time to grade the property before the snow removal months.
- Dog park does not belong in a residential area or in the village park
- Area proposed for dog park is the main play area for the summer recreation program
- People go to the park for green space and quiet time
- The park is closed in the winter – is the dog park going to be open?
- Dog park would be noisy to people renting the pavilions
- Possible water contamination with the dog park being close to the edge of the creek
- Are people going to pay to use when there is no fee at Lakewood dog park
- Rotary’s dog park proposal is fully funded without village money
- More users in the park creates a safer environment
- Studies have shown that there is no negative effect of fecal material as long as animals are not crossing waterways
Minutes
Trustee Gustafson made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cavallaro, to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2022 Regular Board of Trustees Meeting. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.
Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller, to approve the minutes of the October 24, 2022 Special Board of Trustees Meeting. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.
Fire Chief
The chief’s October report was reviewed and noted that the department responded to 49 EMS, 18 Cancelled in Route, 2 Structure fires, 1 system or detector malfunction, 9 Unintentional system, 4 public service assistance, 2 Cover assignment standby at fire station, 2 False Alarm, total 87 calls in October /779 YTD.
Mutual Aid Breakdown- October 2022
Given: Jamestown-16, Frewsburg-12, Gerry-3, Kennedy-6, Fluvanna-1, total 38
Received: Medic 74-13, Gerry-1, Alstar-3, Kennedy-4, Kiantone-3, total 24
Fire department applied for a grant to the Community Foundations requesting $20,000 for repair work and a non-slip coating to the truck bay floors in the Fire Station. Price to complete all the work is $28,736. Community Foundation awarded $15,000 to the Fire Department for this project. Current floor is over 25 years old, has stress cracks and is a safety issue when wet. Recommendation by Treasurer Trask would be to take balance out of the Fire Hall reserve.
Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller to accept Community Foundation Grant in the amount of $15,00 for flooring in Fire Department Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried.
Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson to approve spending the additional amount to add to the grant to repair the floor put in the Fire Hall. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried.
Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn to approve membership of Misty Babcock into the Hook and Ladder Company, effective immediately. Satisfactory background and medical evaluation documents were reviewed by the board and filed with the clerk. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried.
Code Enforcement
The October code officer report was reviewed. It was noted 6 building permits totaling $275 were issued, 3 building inspections were performed, 10 phone calls/personal contact/emails were addressed.
Highlights:
- Recently participated in a meeting regarding the marketing of the empty lots on Main Street
- 13 Mason Street & 102 N. Work Street – rehab work has started with new owners on both
- 17 E. Mosher – owner has completed upper and lower front porches – need to final inspect
- 460 W. Main Street – updating signage
Attorney Peterson noted there has been activity between attorneys and the insurance companies regarding 217 E. Pearl Street which was subject to notice of violation.
Department of Public Works
The DPW report was reviewed for the period October 10 – November 10, 2022.
Library Emergency Roof Repair – Lewis Construction repaired the roof that was leaking over the library as well as repaired the crack in the sandstone on the parapet.
Community Building Camera System Upgrade – Trustee Dunn and Trustee Gustafson shared a comparison on quotes/features from Allied Alarm and FSC to upgrade existing camera system. Treasurer Trask added that upgrading the camera system was not budgeted so that needs to be considered when determining how many cameras to add at this time. It was decided to schedule a work session to further discuss the Camera system upgrade as well as the fire alarm upgrade that was presented at the last meeting from both companies.
Library
The October 11, 2022 – November 14, 2022 library report was reviewed.
Committees:
Finance:
Treasurer Trask submitted a sales tax analysis for review. The Town of Ellicott will be increasing the fee for the village property tax collection to $4,750 a year.
Legal:
Public Safety:
Fire Board met recently on the EMS billing though the county. Should see some revenue coming in the next few months.
Downtown Development
Farmers Market
Parks:
Information in folder to review regarding setting pricing for pavilion rental fees for 2023.
Pine Hill Cemetery:
Trustee Gustafson reported that leaf collection had concluded at the cemetery.
Planning/Zoning Board:
Trustee Gustafson will set a date in the future once details have been looked over and finalized to discuss food truck regulations.
Old Business:
- Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller, to reappoint Lawrence E. Trask as Treasurer on an as needed basis. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.
- Mayor Jaroszynski reported board that a person has accepted the position of treasurer and will be appointed at the next board meeting.
- Dog Park Discussion – The Falconer Rotary handed out to the board information, photos and dimensions of the proposed dog site location within Falconer Park. The board scheduled a work session for Monday, December 5that 6:00 pm so that they have time to review all of the information.
- Santa Parade Flyer – with information on upcoming Santa Parade on Saturday, November 19th at 5pm.
New Business:
- The board discussed the Park Pavilion rental rates for 2023 and it was decided to keep the rental fees the same as 2022 with no increase.
Correspondence:
Abstracts
Motion: It is moved by Trustee Dunn and seconded by Trustee Cavallaro that Abstract #6, General Fund in the amount of $35,526.31 plus balance of emergency roof repair to Lewis Contracting be approved for Payment. Roll: Gustafson: Abstain, Dunn: 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 #6, Cemetery Fund in the amount of $1,818.53 be approved for payment. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: 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 #6, Library Fund in the amount of $2,139.95 be approved for payment. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: 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 #6, General Fund Hand Items in the amount of $158,036.55 be approved for payment. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.
Trustee Gustafson’s letter, dated November 14, 2022, which acknowledged his review of the October 2022 unpaid vouchers and bank reconciliations for M&T Bank and Community Bank on November 13, 2022, was placed into record.
Service Plaque Presentation to retiring Treasurer Lawrence E. Trask:
Mayor Jaroszynski spoke thanking Treasurer Trask for his service to the Village of Falconer for the past 20 years. He mentioned that he will miss one of Larry’s sayings “it is your decision Mr. Mayor but….”
Treasurer Trask was then presented with a plaque, dinner gift certificate and card from the board and village co-workers. Former Mayor James Rensel also spoke highly about Larry’s service to the village and his commitment to the taxpayers of the village.
Town of Ellicott Clerk Amy Bellardo spoke and thanked Treasurer Trask for all of his assistance over the years to the town.
Attorney Peterson also spoke highly of the service that Treasurer Trask provided to the village and noted that he will be truly missed.
Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cavallaro to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Capestrani, Village Clerk