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August 14, 2023 Regular Meeting

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

Gregory Peterson, Attorney-excused
Cindy Capestrani, Village Clerk
Paula Spunaugle, Treasurer
Bryce Webster, Fire Chief
Alan Gustafson Sr., Code Enforcement Officer
Paul Andalora, Code Enforcement Officer-excused
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, August 14, 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.

Visitors

Brian Nelson
Nina Gustafson
William Johnston
Vicki Kanouff

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 REVIEWED AT A LATER TIME.

Visitor Comments

Brian Nelson, Falconer Vac Shop:

  • Inquired if village could roll his property on Main Street next to Falconer Printing. He recently put down millings to level off the property. The board determined that since it is private property the village DPW would not be able to assist with this request.
  • Merchants Alley and the parking lot behind Main Street looks great.

Minutes

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson, to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2023 Work Session Board of Trustees Meeting.  Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Trustee Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Trustee Gustafson made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2023 Regular Board of Trustees Meeting.  Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Trustee Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Mayors Remarks

  • Commended Fire Department for their response in putting out recent fire on E. Pearl Street.
  • The Post Journal published an article recently regarding his visit to a Chautauqua County Legislative meeting to discuss the Department of Social Services housing individuals in Falconer. He has not been contacted further regarding this and will reach out in the coming weeks to find out what they plan to do regarding the issue. He also commented that he is not happy with the fact that a business has relocated from the Village Plaza to the City of Jamestown as a result of this issue.
  • The meeting that was held on July 10th to get interest in starting up the former Falconer Business Association was well attended. A second meeting has been scheduled at PersNikkity Pies for August 17 at 7:00 pm. 
  • He recently attended a meeting for the newly formed Falconer NY Neighborhood Watch group. The next meeting will be held on August 24 at 6:00 pm in the Falconer Library.
  • On Monday, August 21 there will be a Downtown Master Plan Public Workshop from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Fire Exempts Hall.
  • The Library Book sale was this past week and was well attended. Great job to Laurie and her staff.

Fire Chief

The Fire Chief’s July report was reviewed and noted that the department responded to 39 EMS incidents, 31 cancelled in route, 2 assist invalid, 2 alarm system malfunction, 1 assist police, 1 hazardous condition, 1 trash/rubbish fire, 1 false alarm, total 78 calls, 527 total calls YTD.

Mutual Aid Breakdown – July 2023
Given:  Jamestown-12, Frewsburg-3, Kennedy-5, Alstar-1, total 21 
Received:  Medic 74-7, Alstar-12, Frewburg-1, Kennedy-5, total 25

Highlights:

  • Starting own Junior Firefighter program – stepping away from Boy Scout Program due the restrictions as to what they can do. Will be following guidelines from the National Junior Firefighter Program. Members will be voted on and it will be a multiple step program based on age. 
  • Awarded a Grant from FEMA for $107K which will be used to purchase PPE equipment, 24 sets of gear. The cost of one set of firefighter gear is approx. $5500. The FD will need to come up with $5253 as part of the grant requirement.
  • Nothing yet on the SAFER grant. If awarded, it will go towards the Junior program.

Code Enforcement

The August code officer report was reviewed. It was noted 11 building permits totaling $277 were issued,       45 permits issued YTD,  and 31 complaints/violations were addressed.

Highlights:

  • 319 Central Avenue – interest in rehabilitation instead of demolition
  • Attended Falconer Business Association & Neighborhood Watch meetings. 
  • Met with Crosby’s representative to discuss renovation plans.
  • Dollar General – new signage – now to offer fresh produce – need to discuss past leaking roof issue.
  • 17-19 W. Main – issued certificate of occupancy.
  • 221 Pearl Street – responded to the scene of fire.
  • 400 W. Main Street (former Rocket Gas) – located owner notified permits needed for siding & roof.
  • Conducted Fire Inspection at Budget Inn – deficiencies found and owner advised.
  • Issues with properties at mobile home park – had conversation with park owner.
  • 27-29 E. Main Street – Renovations are ongoing – constructing elevator shaft in rear of building.
  • Unresolved violations – 2nd notices will be going out.

Mayor Jaroszynski reported the interviews were conducted for the code officer opening and hopes to have a decision by the September board meeting. Alan Gustafson’s assistance in the interim is greatly appreciated by the board.

Department of Public Works

The DPW report was submitted for the period July 10, 2023 – August 10, 2023. 

Mayor Jaroszynski commented that the overall appearance of the park looks great, has seen many people playing Disc Golf and looks forward to the next project, permanent cornhole boards. Trustee Gustafson added that he also noticed the newly painted signs and restroom building.

  • Old storage shed will be taken down soon.
  • Basketball courts are finished and look great.
  • Micro paving – Elmwood Ave, due to the improper limestone mix in the blacktop – might not get to this fall. Carl to get Greg in the loop if we need to have something signed.
  • Venable Construction is working on sidewalk replacements.
  • The porta-john in Davis Park will be removed after the final concert on August 16.
  • Trustee Gustafson asked if there was a plan to put sidewalks back in where they were paved over when the parking lot behind Main Street was resurfaced.

Library  

The July 11, 2023 – August 14, 2023 Library report was reviewed. 

Highlights include:

  • Summer Reading Program was a huge success with 233 participants.
  • Preliminary figures from the book sale are at $4,200. Thank you for all of the help received from the library staff, DPW, Falconer Park staff and the volunteers in moving the boxes of books from downstairs in a record time of 28 minutes.
  • The library participated in the village “Christmas in July” by having a Christmas book sale, family Escape Room and sponsored the Glenn Colton concert.
  • The Martz Kohl Observatory, through a Chautauqua County Community Foundation grant, donated two telescopes to the library to check out to patrons. 

Committees:

Finance: 

  • Working on updating new accounting system.
  • Signed up for NYCOM Fall Conference to be held September 18 – 22.
  • Followed up on insurance – will incur a penalty to cancel – will review ahead of time next year to allow time for board to review.
  • Reached out to the appraiser to get a current appraisal of the buildings and contents.

Legal:  

Nothing to report

Public Safety: 

  • Dog Control report for July was reviewed. 
  • Peter Fuller will be working with Falconer Veterinary Clinic to take care of the feral cat issue on Mapleshade as reported at last month’s meeting. Traps will be set on Wednesday, brought to the clinic on Thursday and then released to the same location trapped on Friday.
  • Fire Advisory Board will be meeting on Tuesday, August 15th at 8:30 am at the Fire Hall to work on long range planning for future purchases.
  • Next Neighborhood Watch meeting is scheduled for August 24 at 6:00 pm in the library.

Downtown Development:  

  • Public Workshop will be help on Monday, August 21, at 6:00 pm in the Fire Exempts Hall.

Farmers Market:

Nothing new to report

Parks:

  • Disc Golf was recently added, sponsored by the Falconer Rotary Club. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for August 22 at 6 pm. 
  • Cement corn hole boards are on order with the grant received from the Community Foundation. 
  • Research has begun regarding changing the existing tennis courts into pickleball courts. 
  • Need to address installing a fence at the end of the walking pathway as river bed is eroding.
  • Coleson Park – Little Free Library put up years ago as an Eagle Scout project is not in usable condition. Need to find out if it can be taken down or replaced.

Pine Hill Cemetery:

Nothing new to report

Planning/Zoning Board: 

Nothing new to report

Old Business:

  • Downtown Master Plan Project – Public Workshop
    Discussed under Downtown Development
  • Code Enforcement Officer – update
    Discussed under Code Enforcement

New Business: 

  • Special Dog Permit Application
    Alan Sr. and Nina Gustafson have submitted a permit application requesting a variance to board three dogs. The current village code has a 2-dog limit per household. Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller to approve the special permit to have a third dog pending the inspection by ACO Matt Abby. Roll: Gustafson: Abstain, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried. 
  • Property Exemption for Volunteer Firefighters – discussion
    NYS Legislature approved a partial tax exemption for volunteer firefighter members and several local municipalities have enacted local laws giving volunteer firefighters this exemption. Mayor Jaroszynski feels it is a great program to give back to the firefighters for the service they provide. He has asked Chief Webster to provide a list of current village firefighter property owners for the board to review at a later date.
  • Motion to accept resignation of Sean Cobb – DPW MVO
    Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson to accept the resignation of Sean Cobb. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none.  Carried.  
  • Motion to appoint Paula Spunaugle as the Deputy Clerk
    Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller to approve Paula Spunaugle as Deputy Clerk. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none.  Carried.  
  • Motion to appoint Cindy Capestrani as the Deputy Treasurer
    Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson to approve Cindy Capestrani as the Deputy Treasurer.  Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none.  Carried.  

Correspondence:  

Falconer Central School Principal, Jeffrey Jordan, sent a thank you letter to the village for their support for the 2023 Senior Class Parade

Trustee Gustafson’s letter, dated August 14, 2023, which acknowledged his review on August 13-14, 2023 of the unpaid vouchers for Abstract #3 (FY 23/24) and bank reconciliations from M&T Bank, Community Bank and NYCLASS for the month of June 2023 was placed into record.

Abstracts

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Dunn and seconded by Trustee Cavallaro that Abstract #3, General Fund in the amount of $147,260.29 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 #3, Cemetery Fund in the amount of $466.89 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 #3, Library Fund in the amount of $1,234.63 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 #3, General Fund Hand Items in the amount of $4,960.22 be approved for payment. 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 adjourn the regular meeting at 7:40 p.m. Ayes-all. Motion carried.                                            

Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Capestrani, Village Clerk