Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the

Town Council of the Town of Ellicott

held at the Administration Building,

215 S. Work Street, Falconer, N.Y. on

April 4, 2005 at 7:00 P.M.

 

Present: Supervisor Tyler, Councilman Geisler, Councilman Pickett, Councilman Miller, Councilman Heintzelman, Town Clerk Erlandson, Highway Superintendent Shellhouse, Attorney Lasker.

 

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. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Motion by Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman Heintzelman to accept the minutes of the March 21, 2005 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk.

 

Carried.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                                Absent - 0

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

 

Mr. Chris Rogers, 16 Sycamore, requested that the Council look into the possibility of installing 4-way stop signs at the intersection of Sycamore and S. Butts Ave. in West Ellicott.  Currently, there are stop signs on S. Butts only.  According to Mr. Rogers, the intersection can often be unsafe.  The Council asked Highway Superintendent Shellhouse to look into the matter.

 

Ms. Helen Sischo, 7 Jackson Ave., Celoron, thanked the Ellicott Police Dept. for its cooperation re several recent situations in Celoron.

 

REPORT (Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Project)

 

Mr. John Jablonski, Executive Director, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Inc. reported that the Conservancy intends to construct a conservation area along the north side of the Chautauqua Lake Outlet Greenway Preserve in the Town of Ellicott just outside the City of Jamestown.  Mr. Jablonski explained that the development would include a 500 ft. boardwalk, nature trail, parking area and other improvements.  He noted that a grant for the conservation area was received from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation in the amount of $19,727.00.  The Council asked a number of questions & examined a map of the proposed project.  Mr. Jablonski asked the Council to adopt a Resolution in support of the project.

 

RESOLUTION #51-05

                Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Project

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett to support a Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Inc. project to construct a boardwalk, nature trail, parking area and other improvements in the Chautauqua Lake Outlet Greenway Preserve located in the Town of Ellicott (see ‘ Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy’ file for detail)

 

Adopted.                                Ayes - 5                            Noes - 0                               Absent - 0

 

CORRESPONDENCE

          

            Town Clerk Erlandson read the following items into the record:

 

1.      Letter re an upcoming Chaut. Lake Management meeting to be held on May 3, 2005.

2.      Notification re an upcoming golf tournament sponsored by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

3.      Notification re the annual Southern Tier West Local Government Conference to be held at Houghton College on May 12, 2005.

4.      Notification re an upcoming Leadership Academy to be sponsored by So. Tier West Regional Planning & Development Board.

5.      Invitation to the STW Regional Planning & Development Board’s 35th Annual Dinner Meeting.

6.      Notice of upcoming Community GIS & GPS training sessions to be conducted at STW Regional Planning & Development Board.

7.      Notice from the Chautauqua County Health Dept. re an upcoming Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic.

8.      Newsletter: Chautauqua County Fire Service.

9.      Newsletter: Manufacturer’s Assn. of Jamestown.

 

TOWN OFFICERS’ REPORTS

 

Councilman Heintzelman reported that the Ellicott Code Enforcement officer is looking into the status of several abandoned vehicles in Mr. Heintzelman’s neighborhood.

 

Mr. Heintzelman also reported that he is continuing to work with Councilman Geisler and Town Clerk Erlandson in developing an employee handbook for Town of Ellicott management and non-union employees.

 

Councilman Geisler asked Highway Superintendent Shellhouse about the status of upgrades & improvements at the Burtis Bay Little League Field.  Mr. Shellhouse stated that he has not yet heard from Little League officials on whether they want to proceed with the upgrades.

 

Town Clerk Erlandson reported that he notified New York State Assemblyman William Parment & NYS Assemblywoman Catharine Young re the traffic safety concerns along Fairmount Ave. in front of Tanglewood Manor.  (Minutes 3/21/05)  Mr. Erlandson also reminded the Council that a meeting would be held on Apr. 6, 2005 at 10:00 AM at Tanglewood to discuss the traffic concerns.

 

Attorney Lasker reported that he and Ellicott Code Enforcement Officer Randy Woodbury have compiled a press release re code violations.  Mr. Lasker recommended that the Town Council authorize the press release to be issued.  In his opinion, the press release would alert the public of the Town’s intention to pursue code violations.  After making several suggestions re the wording of the press release, the Council authorized it to be issued.

 

Mr. Lasker also recommended that certain sections of the Town or Ellicott code should be strengthened – in particular, the junk vehicle law.  He distributed a sample of a section of code from a nearby Town re junk vehicles and asked the Council to review it.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

RESOLUTION #52-05

Accept Bids (Highway Materials & Services)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett to accept (upon the recommendation of the Ellicott Highway Superintendent) the following bids for highway materials and services:

 

                        Griffith Energy - Regular Unleaded Gasoline

                        Lictus Keystone - Diesel Fuel

                        Waterboro Gravel Products - Crushed Gravel

                        Frew Run Gravel Products – Screened Gravel

Hy-Banks/Corbett Hill - Washed Stone

                       

Adopted.                            Ayes - 5                                 Noes - 0                              Absent - 0

 

DEC Lease – Tabled pending reply from NYS Office of General Services (Minutes 3/21/05).

 

Expansion of Water Service (Howard Ave./Baker St. Ext./Valerie Lane) – Supervisor Tyler reminded the Council that an Informational Meeting is scheduled for April 6, 2005 at 6:30 PM at the Community Center in Celoron for residents of Howard Ave., Baker St. Ext. & Valerie Lane.  At the meeting, Town officials will present a feasibility study concerning the possibility of expanding municipal water service to those areas. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Miller to cancel the Regular Town Council Meeting Scheduled for April 18, 2005.

 

Adopted.                            Ayes - 5                                 Noes - 0                              Absent - 0

 

Hire Two (2) Police Officers – Ellicott Police Chief William Ohnmeiss asked the Town Council for permission to hire two (2) full-time patrolmen for the Ellicott Police Dept.  He explained that the positions have been vacant for about two years and, therefore, are not new positions.  Mr. Ohnmeiss stressed that he needs to fill the two vacancies in order to maximize the efficiency of the Police Dept.  The Council asked a number of questions re Mr. Ohnmeiss’ request.  Councilman Heintzelman expressed his concerns about the retirement costs for the Police Dept.  He also noted that sufficient funding is not allocated for existing employee benefits.  He therefore questioned whether adding employee benefit costs at this time would be prudent.  Councilman Geisler added that, by law, sales tax revenues cannot be allocated to the Police Dept. & he is opposed to increasing Town property taxes.  The Council discussed the possibility of hiring additional part-time police officers as opposed to the two full-time patrolmen.  Mr. Ohnmeiss believes that hiring full-time police officers would be less expensive in the long run because training costs would be reduced.  The Council suggested that Chief Ohnmeiss prepare a cost-benefit analysis re Police Dept. hiring practices.

 

RESOLUTION #53-05

Hire Two (2) Full-Time Police Officers

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett authorizing the Town of Ellicott Police Chief to hire two (2) full-time police officers.

 

Adopted.                                Ayes - 3                            Noes - 2                               Absent - 0

(Councilmen Geisler & Heintzelman Voted No)

 

RESOLUTION #54-05

Appoint Full Time Police Officer (Switzer)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett appointing Douglas Switzer, 240 East Main Street, Falconer, NY, as a full-time Town of Ellicott police officer, effective April 4, 2005, at an annual salary of $34,000.00; subject to his passing all required psychological and physical examinations.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 3                               Noes - 2                           Absent - 0

(Councilmen Geisler & Heintzelman Voted No)

 

RESOLUTION #55-05

Appoint Full Time Police Officer (Luce)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett appointing Adam Luce, 196 Chestnut Street, Fredonia, NY, as a full-time Town of Ellicott police officer, effective April 5, 2005, at an annual salary of $34,000.00; subject to his passing all required psychological and physical examinations.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 3                               Noes - 2                           Absent - 0

(Councilmen Geisler & Heintzelman Voted No)

 

RESOLUTION #56-05

Permission To Sell Used Equipment

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett authorizing Highway Superintendent Shellhouse to sell used Highway Department Equipment at an auction.

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #57-05

Budget Transfers


Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett authorizing Town of Ellicott Supervisor to make the following budget transfer:

 

Transfer the amount of $2,142.00 from Account #DB9060.8 (Medical Insurance) to Account #DB9010.8 (Retirement).

 

Adopted.                                Ayes - 5                            Noes - 0                              Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #58-05

Payment of Claims

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Geisler to pay 2005 current claims #312-399, inclusive, in the amount of $86,566.96 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 8:24 PM.

 

Carried.                                 Ayes - 5                            Noes - 0                               Absent - 0

 

 

                                                                                    _________________________________

                                                                                            Michael C. Erlandson, Town Clerk