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January 9, 2023 Public Hearing / 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
Lawrence Trask – Treasurer
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 Monday, January 9, 2023 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.

Public Hearing:

Trustee Gustafson made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn to open the Public Hearing for the implementation of the CDBG funded Jamestown Container Project. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried. 

“Good evening. My name is Carol Rasmussen and I am a Project Manager for the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC). This public hearing is being held pursuant to the requirements of the Community Development Block Grant Program. The purpose of this hearing will be to update the public, regarding the Jamestown Container Corporation project.

We are required to compile a list of people attending the hearing, so we ask all members of the public who are joining the hearing to please identify themselves. 

The Village of Falconer passed resolution #46-2021 to submit a grant application on behalf of the village for an amount, which resulted in $500,000 grant funding approved by OCR for a portion of machinery and equipment, and working capital costs associated with a project for Jamestown Container Corporation.

Documentation is now being compiled to distribute the funds. The $500,000 will fund a $100,000 Term Loan to Jamestown Container, and a $400,000 Deferred Loan to Jamestown Container; administered by CREDC, through an agreement between the Village and CREDC. 

Jamestown Container’s project is going well. The machinery and equipment is on-site and working at full capacity.  Jamestown Container Corporation reported 107 full-time positions, 1 part-time, and 7 temporary positions.  Since October 2021, there have been 21 new hires.

The CDBG program provides grants to municipalities that will create and retain employment opportunities; and provide improved public facilities and services. The OCR generally only funds projects or activities where at least 51% of the activity beneficiaries are low-to-moderate-income (LMI) persons. A LMI person is one who is a member of a family whose income is at or below 80% of the area median income established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Thank you. 

At this time, is there anyone who would like to comment?

If not, I call this hearing to a close at 6:06 p.m.”

Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller to close the Public Hearing at 6:06 pm. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried.  

Visitors

Pat Bellardo
Linda Mee
Steve Garvey
Joseph Taylor
Jim Henderson
Danielle Marra
Jim Ribaudo
Adrianna Taylor

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

VISITORS ARE ALLOWED A MAXIMUM OF THREE (3) MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. THIS IS NOT THE TIME OR PLACE FOR A DEBATE. IT IS A MEETING FOR THE BOARD TO CONDUCT VILLAGE BUSINESS. ALL COMPLAINTS/REQUESTS WILL BE CONSIDERED AND REVIEWD AT A LATER TIME.

Visitor Comments

Comments made from visitors addressing the board.

  • Linda Mee – 2008 E. Main Street concerned with a recent senior citizen home attack in neighboring community and asked what protection do senior citizens have that are living alone. Mayor Jaroszynski expressed his concern and suggested she contact the Town of Ellicott police department. They may be able to give you guidance on setting up or connecting you to a neighborhood watch program. He also commended the Town of Ellicott police department and Jamestown Area Drug Task Force for the recent drug bust in the village, and noted that landlords need to do a better job with background checks on tenants.
  • Jim Ribaudo – 27 Valmeer Avenue, thanked the mayor and code officer for their follow up on the property issue across from his residence brought to their attention at the last board meeting.
  • Jim Henderson, Commercial Manager at Ed Shultz Chevrolet – sold a truck to the village in January 2022. The truck sale was based on a quote, not a formal bid. Quotes state at the bottom that the price is subject to manufacturer price increases. In September, when the truck came in, DPW Supervisor Caprino met with him to go over the GM price increase on the truck as well as the plow increase. Superintendent Caprino was given the option to not take the truck but was informed if he submitted a bid for 2023 that the price would be 13.5% higher than the current increased price. The difference from the quoted price and the actual price is just over $4000. Ed Shultz dealership is willing to split the profit made of $1,600 with the village to reduce the amount of the price increase. He gave the board all of the information to review.
  • Danielle Marra – 501 N. Work Street inquired on NY Forward grant application if it had been awarded and any updates on the sale of Falconer Square. Mayor Jaroszynski commented that we have not been notified on the award of the NY Forward program and Paula Blanchard is actively marketing Falconer Square.

Minutes

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson, to approve the minutes of the December 12, 2022 Regular Board of Trustees Meeting.  Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none.  Carried.  

Fire Chief

The chief’s December report was reviewed and noted that the department responded to 40 EMS, 15 Cancelled in Route, 1 smoke odor problem, 1 person in distress, 1 system or detector malfunction, 2 Unintentional system, 2 public service assistance, 1 Water problem, 3 Electrical wiring problem, 2 Combustible spills & leaks, 1 EMS call where party has been transported, 1 steam mistaken for smoke, total 70 calls in December /931 total 2022. 

Mutual Aid Breakdown – December 2022
            Given:  Jamestown-9, Frewsburg-3, Kennedy-5 Gerry-1, total 18 
            Received:  Medic 74-11, Frewsbury-1, Alstar-5, Kennedy-4, Kiantone-1, total 22

The FEMA grant opens on January 9th and all paperwork has been turned over to the grant writer. Six battery chain saws were purchased with the matching Forestry Grant that the Fire Department was awarded in 2022. The fire hall has been painted inside, floor is done, still working on trim and a few doors.

Code Enforcement

The December code officer report was reviewed. It was noted building permits totaling $400 were issued, 6 building inspections were performed, 10 phone calls/personal contact/emails were addressed. A total of 57 building permits were issued for 2022.

Highlights:

  • 65 W. Mosher Street – major rehab of the property is near completion.
  • 4 Carter – building is near complete, anticipate issuing certificate of occupancy soon.       
  • 17-19 W. Main Street – will be meeting with new owners to discuss detailed plans for the lower portion of the structure.

Department of Public Works

The DPW report was reviewed for the period December 9, 2022 – January 5, 2023. 

The fire alarm and camera system contracts will be discussed in executive session.

A quote from 2021 was provided to the board to install a power vent for the boiler. If the chimney is not needed for the boiler, then it could be taken down even to the roof level and avoid the 65k quote to repair it. Carl will get 3 updated quotes for the board to review at the next meeting.

Library  

The December 12, 2022 – January 9, 2023 library report was reviewed. 

Highlights include:

  • The “Adopt a Book” program that started in October has been very successful adding 60 books to the library collection from the program.
  • The book club started up and was fairly well attended and is growing.
  • The December “25 Days of Reading” program was well received again this year and the library appreciates all who were involved.
  • The next Library Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 26th at 8:00am.

Committees:

Finance: 

none.
.

Legal:  

none

Public Safety:  

Dog Control report for December was provided.

Downtown Development 

New business, Persnicky Pies, is planning on opening up in March.

Farmers Market:

Nothing to report at this time, will work with Clerk Capestrani to get Farmers Market application process started.

Parks:

Continuing to look at other park areas that have more space for a dog park.

Pine Hill Cemetery:

Trustee Gustafson handed out a story in the Post Journal about the event “Wreaths Across America”.

Planning/Zoning Board:   

none

Old Business:

Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, to approve spending the additional amount totaling $13,975 from the Fire Hall Reserve to add to the Community Foundation grant to repair and resurface the floor in the Fire Hall.  Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.  

EMS Service payment reporting

Steve Vanstrom, fire advisory board, sent letter for board to review regarding direction for reporting the EMS payments. The advisory board is requesting using the EMS payments to assist the Fire department payments on the ambulance. Treasurer Trask proposes instead of taking from reserve, pay out of general fund, then replace from reserve at the end of a budgeted period. Attorney Peterson suggested getting 2 separate resolutions made for the next meeting with the detailed procedure.

Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson, to table the funding for the EMS billing for Treasurer Trask to fine tune it. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.  

Treasurer Discussion

John Sellstrom has submitted a letter of resignation with regrets.

Trustee Gustafson made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller, to accept John Sellstrom’s letter of resignation. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.  

Mayor Jaroszynski will be revisiting the previous applications and hopes to have someone for the next board meeting.

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cavallaro, to reappoint retired Larry Trask as treasurer in the interim basis. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.  

Attorney Peterson threw out a Latin phrase to cover that basis for that period of time, “nunc pro tunc”, now for then.

New Business:

Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson to accept Ronda Overturf as the new part time custodian for the Fire Department. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried.

Correspondence:  

A thank you letter addressed to the Falconer Fire Department from City of Jamestown Mayor Edward A. Sundquist was read by Mayor Jaroszynski thanking them for their assistance with the recent fire in the city of Jamestown.

Abstracts

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Dunn and seconded by Trustee Miller that Abstract #8, General Fund in the amount of $126,467.49 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 Gustafson and seconded by Trustee Dunn that Abstract #8, Cemetery Fund in the amount of $735.00 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 #8, Library Fund in the amount of $12,453.66 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 Miller that Abstract #8, General Fund Hand Items in the amount of $37,582.45 be approved for payment. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried. 

Trustee Gustafson’s letter, dated January 9, 2023, which acknowledged his review of the December 2022 unpaid vouchers and bank reconciliations for M&T Bank and Community Bank on January 8, 2023, was placed into record.

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller to adjourn the meeting and enter into executive session to discuss contracts at 7:08 pm. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Abstain, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none.  Carried.      

Executive Session:

No action taken by the board.

Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn to exit executive session at 8:08pm. Ayes-all. Motion Carried. Trustee Cavallaro made a mode, seconded by Trustee Dunn to re-enter the regular meeting. Ayes-all. Motion carried.

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cavallaro to empower the mayor to pay up to $3,517 in overage fees requested by Shults Auto Group. Ayes-all. Motion carried.

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson to accept the bid from FSC for the library camera system for the Optiview Performance Series that is capable of up to 16 cameras for the price of $3,826.24. Ayes-all. Motion carried.

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Capestrani, Village Clerk