Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
Town Council of the Town of Ellicott
held at the
Administration Building,
January 5,
2004 at 7:00 P.M.
Present: Supervisor Tyler, Councilman Geisler, Councilman Miller, Councilman Pickett, Councilman Taylor, Town Clerk Erlandson, Highway Superintendent Shellhouse, Attorney Lasker, Legislator Spicer, Legislator Trusso.
Supervisor Tyler opened the
meeting at 7:00 PM and led the Town Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Town Clerk Erlandson called the roll.
Motion
by Councilman Taylor, seconded by Councilman Geisler to accept the minutes of
the December 15, 2003 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk.
Town Clerk Erlandson read the
following items into the record:
1.
Notification
from the New York Dept. of State that Town of Ellicott Local Laws #3-2003 &
#4-2003 have been received and filed.
2.
Notice
from Southern Tier West Regional Planning Board re an upcoming “powers &
duties” seminar for elected officials.
3.
Newsletter:
Conewango Creek Watershed Association.
4.
Newsletter:
Chautauqua County Fire Service.
TOWN OFFICERS’ REPORTS
Councilman
Geisler commented on the Budget Officer position for the Town of Ellicott. Mr. Geisler referred to a section of New
York State General Municipal Law, which states that “budget officer” is one of
the responsibilities of the Town Supervisor.
Therefore, the Town Supervisor should not be paid extra for his duties
as budget officer. He asked Attorney
Lasker to look into the matter.
Councilman
Miller noted that the Town’s liability insurance premium rate would increase
10% in 2004. He recommended that the
Council look into the matter & contact alternative carriers.
Town
Clerk Erlandson reported that tax collection operations for 2004 property taxes
are underway in his department.
Assessing Position – The Council discussed the vacant Town of Ellicott
Assessor position.
Supervisor Tyler explained the reason for the vacancy. He reminded the Council that in 2003 the
Town of Ellicott entered into a three-year agreement with the Town of Busti
stipulating that the Busti Assessor provide assessing services to the Town of
Ellicott (Minutes 2/3/03). However, Mr.
Tyler noted that the Town of Busti recently entered into a regional assessing
agreement with the City of Jamestown.
As a result, the Town of Busti moved its assessing operations to the
city and is no longer providing service to the Town of Ellicott. Mr. Tyler & Councilman Geisler recently
interviewed a candidate
for the position. Mr. Tyler reported that he spoke with the candidate several days
ago. He stated that the candidate asked
for a higher salary than the Town was willing to offer. The Council discussed other options. Town Clerk Erlandson stated that he is
interested in the position. He noted
that he has already taken two of the mandatory seven courses to become a certified
assessor. However, Mr. Erlandson also
reported that he needs six months of experience in an assessing
capacity. He stated that an assessor
from a neighboring Town has tentatively agreed to provide the necessary training involved. The Council asked Mr.
Erlandson a number of questions re the matter.
Supervisor Tyler & Councilman Geisler expressed several concerns re
the possible appointment of Mr. Erlandson as Town Assessor.
Motion by Councilman Geisler to hire Brenda Stebbins, Westfield, New York
as the Town of Ellicott Assessor at an annual salary of $41,600.00. The motion received no second. Mr. Geisler withdrew the motion.
Mr. Erlandson was asked to get more details from the assessor from the neighboring Town re the cost and logistics of training. The Council decided to table the matter until more information is received. A Special Meeting was scheduled for Friday, January 9, 2004 at 5:00 PM to address the assessing vacancy.
Burtis Bay Milfoil Problem – Supervisor Tyler reported that he met with
representatives of the Chautauqua
Lake Partnership re a proposed
application for a herbicide permit to control milfoil in areas of Burtis Bay on Chautauqua
Lake. Mr. Tyler explained that the CLP has
requested that the Town of Ellicott be the “lead agency” for the application
process. He stated that the CLP would
be attending the Town Council meeting on Jan. 19, 2004 to discuss the permit
process.
Water Service on Royal Oaks - No Report.
Water Service on Orchard Rd.
- No
Report.
RESOLUTION #26-04
Motion by Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman Pickett appointing Phyllis Belin, Falconer Kimball Stand Road to fill an unexpired term on the Town of Ellicott Planning Board; term to expire December 31, 2005.
RESOLUTION #27-04
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor appointing Richard R. Keefer to a five-year term on the Town of Ellicott Zoning Board of Appeals; term to expire December 31, 2008.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Geisler authorizing Town of
Ellicott employees to participate in a “cafeteria-style” health insurance
plan and; further, that all employee payroll deductions for health insurance not
be subject to withholding taxes.
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
RESOLUTION #29-04
Budget Transfers
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman
Taylor authorizing Town of Ellicott Supervisor to make the following 2003
budget transfers:
Transfer the amount of $3,584.23 from Account #DB5110.4 (Equipment -
Contractual) to Account #DB5142.4 (Snow Removal – Contractual); transfer the amount of $942.20 from Account #A1330.1 (Tax Collection –
Personal Services) to Account #A1410.1 (Town Clerk – Personal Services); transfer the amount of $522.48 from Account #A1620.4 (Buildings -
Contractual) to Account #A1620.1 (Buildings – Personal Services); transfer the
amount of $0.16 from Account #A1010.4 (Town Board - Contractual) to Account
#A1010.1 (Town Board – Personal Services); transfer the amount of $0.12 from
Account #A1220.4 (Supervisor - Contractual) to Account #A1220.1 (Supervisor –
Personal Services); transfer the amount of $4,577.48 from Account #A1620.4
(Buildings - Contractual) to Account #A1355.1 (Assessing – Personal Services);
transfer the amount of $0.06 from Account #A1420.4 (Attorney - Contractual) to
Account #A1420.1 (Attorney – Personal Services); transfer the amount of $8.29
from Account #A1620.4 (Buildings - Contractual) to Account #A3510.1 (Dog
Control – Personal Services); transfer the amount of $60.00 from Account
#A1620.4 (Buildings - Contractual) to Account #A3510.4 (Dog Control -
Contractual); transfer the amount of $5,606.11 from Account #A1620.4 (Buildings
– Contractual) to Account #A9030.8 (Social Security); transfer the amount of
$419.25 from Account #B3620.4 (Safety Inspection - Contractual) to Account
#B9030.8 (Social Security).
RESOLUTION #30-04
Payment of Claims
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Geisler to pay 2003 current claims #1473-1556,
inclusive, in the amount of $43,899.02 and charge to the proper fund or
account; and, further, to pay 2004
current claims #1-16, inclusive, in the amount of $22,129.71 and charge to
the proper fund or account.
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
Motion
by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Geisler to adjourn at 7:46 PM.
Carried. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
_________________________________
Michael C. Erlandson, Town Clerk