Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
Town Council of the Town of Ellicott
held at the
Administration Building,
January 20,
2003 at 7:00 P.M.
Present: Supervisor Tyler, Councilman Geisler, Councilman Lodestro, Councilman Miller, Councilman Taylor, Town Clerk Erlandson, Highway Superintendent Shellhouse, Attorney Lasker.
The Council observed a moment of silence in
honor of Town of Ellicott Police Chief Rodney Vanstrom who passed away on
January 20, 2003.
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 Miller to accept the minutes of
the January 8, 2003 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk.
Mr. Allan Hendrickson, 21 Winsor Pl. WE,
commented on the personal use of Town of Ellicott vehicles by Supervisor
Tyler. According to Mr. Hendrickson,
personal use of municipal vehicles is a violation of New York State law. He asked Mr. Tyler to reimburse the
Town. Councilman Lodestro stated that
he has also contacted N.Y. State officials re the statutes for personal use of
municipal property. The Council
discussed its options re the matter.
The Council also discussed implementing a policy re the use of municipal
vehicles & other equipment.
Motion by Councilman Geisler, seconded by Councilman Miller directing
Supervisor Tyler to provide reasonable monetary compensation to the Town
of Ellicott as restitution for the personal use of personal Town of Ellicott
vehicles.
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
Mr. Hendrickson also commented on the
recent retirement of the Ellicott Town Assessor. He asked what progress Mr. Tyler has made in regards to
addressing the matter. Mr. Tyler
explained that he has contacted officials of the N.Y. State Real Property
office to determine what assessing functions need to be accomplished in the
immediate future. Councilman Lodestro
asked Mr. Tyler if he had received a proposal from the Town of Busti concerning
the sharing of assessing services. Mr.
Tyler stated that he received a proposal from the Town of Busti in October
2002. However, in his opinion, the
proposal was not viable. Mr. Lodestro
expressed the urgency in completing several important assessing functions by
March 1, 2003. Mr. Tyler explained that
he is continuing to discuss the matter with N.Y. State officials and hopes to
have a temporary solution within the next several days.
Motion by Supervisor Tyler,
seconded by Councilman Miller to schedule a Special Meeting for January
23, 2003 at 12:00 PM concerning the disposition of Town of Ellicott assessing
functions.
Town Clerk Erlandson read the
following items into the record:
1.
Notification
of the upcoming annual Legislative Breakfast sponsored by the Chautauqua Co.
Town Supervisors’ Assn. & the Chaut. Co. Conference of Mayors.
2.
Letter
from Philip Ribaudo, Falconer, NY, announcing his resignation as Town of
Ellicott Voting Machine Custodian.
3.
Designation
of restricted highway from the N.Y. State Dept. of Transportation.
4.
Notice
of Public Hearing from the Falconer Zoning Board of Appeals.
TOWN OFFICERS’ REPORTS
Councilman
Miller reported that labor
negotiations with the CSEA are underway.
Councilman
Lodestro reported that he and
Councilman Miller would be meeting with the Town of Ellicott’s insurance
representative re the renewal of the Town’s comprehensive liability insurance
policy.
Mr. Lodestro also asked if Town officials have been
contacted by the Jamestown BPU re a request to install streetlights on Grace
St. behind the Ellicott Highway Building.
Town Clerk Erlandson stated that, to date, he has not been contacted but
will look into the matter.
Councilman
Geisler reported that he would be
meeting with the Chautauqua Co. Planning Dept. officials re a proposed Burtis
Bay development plan.
Town Clerk Erlandson reported that he would be collecting property taxes at the Celoron Village Hall on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Mr. Erlandson also reported that a retired Town of Ellicott employee has requested reimbursement for prescription drug expenditures. Mr. Erlandson explained that the Town has not reimbursed retired employees in the past. The Council discussed the matter & decided not to reimburse the employee.
Highway
Superintendent Shellhouse reported
that the new pump station in Lyndon Park is operational.
Traffic Safety Concerns: Fairmount Ave. – Supervisor Tyler & Councilman Geisler will
meet with N.Y. State Dept. of Transportation officials within the next
several weeks to discuss the traffic situation on Fairmount Ave.
Water Service on Camp St. Ext. – Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities has agreed to install curb boxes along the new municipal water line on Camp St. Ext. at a cost of $775.00 per box.
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Geisler authorizing the Jamestown
Board of Public Utilities to install curb boxes along the municipal
water line on a portion of Camp St. Ext. east of Swanson Rd. at a cost to the
Town of Ellicott of $775.00 per curb box.
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
Water Service on Orchard Rd. – Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that Engineer Rex Tolman is preparing a cost analysis re an alternative plan to install a municipal water line on Orchard Rd. & Southwestern Dr.
Disposition of Code Enforcement Vehicle – Supervisor Tyler reminded the Council that bids for the sale of a used Town of Ellicott Code Enforcement vehicle will be opened on Jan. 22, 2003 at 12:30 PM.
RESOLUTION #32-03
Motion by Councilman Taylor, seconded by Councilman Geisler appointing Angelo Cimo, N. Hanford Ave. WE and Patricia Martonis, Girts Rd. to five-year terms on the Town of Ellicott Zoning Board of Appeals; terms to expire December 31, 2007.
(Lodestro Voted No)
NEW BUSINESS
Pay Rate of Ellicott Court Clerk –
Town of Ellicott Justice Marilyn Gerace asked the Council to consider raising
the pay rate of the part-time Ellicott Court Clerk from the current $7.73 per
hour to $9.00 per hour. The Council
discussed the matter. Tabled pending
further review.
RESOLUTION #34-03
Ban Renewal (Buffalo-Willard Water
Service)
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Lodestro authorizing the
issuance and sale of a Bond Anticipation
Note in the amount of $880,000.00 for the increase and improvement of the
Town of Ellicott Comprehensive Water District in the Buffalo St. Ext. – Willard
St. Ext. area. (see ‘BAN’ file for detail)
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
RESOLUTION #35-03
Payment of Claims
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor to pay 2002 current claims #1670-1679,
inclusive, in the amount of $8,669.10 and charge to the proper fund or account;
and, further, to pay 2003 current claims
#22-64, inclusive, in the amount of $41,504.26 and charge to the proper
fund or account.
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
RESOLUTION #36-03
Convene Executive Session (re Labor Agreement)
Motion
by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor to Convene Executive Session for the purpose of discussing
negotiations regarding the renewal of a Labor Agreement between the Town
of Ellicott and Town of Ellicott CSEA employees. 8:07 – 8:43 PM
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
Motion
by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Lodestro to adjourn at 8:43 PM.
Carried. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
_________________________________
Michael C. Erlandson, Town Clerk