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

June 7, 2004 at 7:00 P.M.

 

Present: Supervisor Tyler, Councilman Miller, Councilman Pickett, Councilman Taylor, Town Clerk Erlandson, Attorney Lasker, Legislator Spicer, Deputy Highway Superintendent Piazza.                        Absent: Councilman Geisler, Highway Superintendent Shellhouse.

 

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 Taylor to accept the minutes of the May 17, 2004 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk.

 

Carried.                             Ayes - 4                               Noes - 0                                Absent - 1

               

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

 

Mr. Thomas Stewart, 48 N. Hanford WE stated that his residence was flooded during the recent thunderstorms.  He explained that the existing drainage pipe near his home is plugged.  In his opinion, the plugged drainage pipe is the cause of the flooding.  He asked the Council for assistance in getting the pipe cleaned.  He also suggested that the existing pipe might need to be replaced with a larger one.  Deputy Highway Superintendent Piazza addressed the matter.  He noted that the Ellicott Highway Dept. is aware of the problem & is looking into the cost of replacing the drainage pipe.  Supervisor Tyler stated that he would instruct the Ellicott Code Enforcement Officer to look into whether recent expansion at Brigiotta’s may be a contributing factor.

 

Mr. Vincent Gerace, 381 Hunt Rd. WE reported on a recurring drainage problem at his residence.  He explained that his garage always gets flooded after a heavy rainfall.  Mr. Gerace distributed photos showing the extent of the most recent flooding.  He discussed the various causes of the problem.  In his opinion, the construction of a cell tower on the hill behind above his home is a major cause.  He explained that the construction of the access road in conjunction with the tower has affected the direction of the water flow down the hill.  In addition, he feels that the existing drainage pipes are inadequate to handle the increased flow.  Mr. Gerace suggested several solutions to alleviate the condition.  He asked the Council to address the situation.  He noted that the Town was first notified about the problem in 2000.  Mr. Gerace officially put the Town Council on notice regarding the drainage problem.  Engineer Rex Tolman addressed the matter.  He explained that he recently conducted a study concerning the problem.  He outlined his findings for the Council & discussed the options for alleviating the condition.  His main recommendation is that a detention pond be constructed on the cell tower property.  Supervisor Tyler will look into the possibility of directing the owners of the cell tower to construct a detention pond on their property.

 

Legislator Spicer commented on the drainage problems in the Town of Ellicott.  He recommended that the Town address the various drainage problems as soon as possible.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

Town Clerk Erlandson read the following item into the record:

 

1.      Notice of an upcoming Public Hearing in the Town of Ellery.

 

TOWN OFFICERS’ REPORTS

 

Town Clerk Erlandson reported that the Celoron Hose Company has agreed to allow the Town of Ellicott to conduct a free rabies vaccination clinic at their facility on Dunham St.  The Town Council gave Mr. Erlandson permission to proceed with setting up the clinic. 

 

Mr. Erlandson also reported that he and Town Attorney Lasker have begun compiling information re extending the terms of Town of Ellicott elected officials to four years.

 

Deputy Highway Superintendent Piazza reported that the Federal Emergency Mgmt. Agency (FEMA) is meeting with Town officials later this week to determine whether the Town might be eligible for federal funding as a result of the recent storms.

 

Supervisor Tyler requested that the flags at all Town of Ellicott facilities be flown at half-mast until July 2, 2004 in honor of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan who recently passed away.

 

Mr. Tyler stated that he received letters from the Town of Ellicott Police & Highway CSEA Units requesting to commence negotiations for new labor agreements that would be effective January 1, 2005.  Town Clerk Erlandson was directed to acknowledge receipt of the letters.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

RESOLUTION #84-04

Accept Bid (New Roller)

 

Motion by Councilman Pickett, seconded by Supervisor Tyler to accept a bid from Anderson Equipment Company, Buffalo, New York in the amount of $84,5750.00 for an Ingersoll-Rand Roller.

 

Adopted.                                 Ayes - 4                           Noes - 0                               Absent - 1

 

Shared Services Agreement w/ Village of Celoron re Code Enforcement – Councilman Miller reported that he and Councilman Geisler recently met with Village of Celoron officials to discuss the possibility of sharing code enforcement services w/ the Town of Ellicott.  Tabled pending further negotiations.

 

Water Service on Orchard Rd. Deputy Highway Superintendent reported that restoration work is underway along Orchard Rd. & Southwestern Dr.

 

Reduction of DEC Office Space - Tabled pending further communication from DEC officials.

 

Vacancies on South & Center Sewer Board – Town Clerk Erlandson reminded the Council that there are three vacancies on the South & Center Sewer Board.  He stated that he has contacted several individuals who might be interested in serving on the Board.  However, to date he has not received any firm commitments.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

RESOLUTION #85-04

STOP-DWI Contract

 

Motion by Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman Pickett authorizing the Town of Ellicott Supervisor to sign a contract between the Town of Ellicott and Chautauqua County regarding STOP-DWI services for fiscal year 2004.  (see ‘STOP-DWI’ file for detail)

 

Adopted.                           Ayes – 4                              Noes - 0                                 Absent – 1

 

RESOLUTION #86-04

Collateral Source Bill

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor urging the New York State Legislature to enact Collateral Source Bill (S.622/A.3483) which would eliminate the present inequity under which only municipalities and other public employers must pay what amounts to a plaintiff’s double recovery for lost future earnings in personal injury lawsuits when such a lawsuit is brought against the public employer by one of its employees.

 

Adopted.                           Ayes – 4                              Noes - 0                                 Absent – 1

 

New Computer Server for Town Offices – The Council discussed replacing the existing computer server at the Ellicott Administration Bldg.  Town of Ellicott Computer Specialist Police Sgt. Matthew Kubinski & Town Clerk Erlandson addressed the matter & answered a number of questions.  The Council discussed the options re whether to purchase or lease the server.

 

RESOLUTION #87-04

Lease New Server

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Miller to lease a new computer server from Dell Computers at an annual cost to the Town of Ellicott of $2,321.01 for four years.

 

Adopted.                           Ayes – 4                              Noes - 0                                 Absent – 1

 

Vacancy on Zoning Board of Appeals – Town Clerk Erlandson reported that David Remington is resigning from the Ellicott Zoning Board of Appeals, effective June 29, 2004. 

 

RESOLUTION #88-04

Budget Transfers & Adjustments


Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Miller authorizing Town of Ellicott Supervisor to make the following budget transfers and adjustments:

 

Decrease the appropriation in Account #DA5120.4 (Bridges) by $3,179.00; decrease the appropriation in the Fund Balance by $3,179.00; transfer the amount of $11,242.90 from Account #A1990.4 (Contingency) to Account #A1420.4 (Attorney – Contractual).

 

Adopted.                           Ayes – 4                              Noes - 0                                 Absent – 1

 

RESOLUTION #89-04

Payment of Claims

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett to pay 2004 current claims #596-670, inclusive, in the amount of $78,417.95 and charge to the proper fund or account.

 

Adopted.                           Ayes – 4                              Noes - 0                                 Absent – 1

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor to adjourn at 7:53 PM.

 

Carried.                             Ayes - 4                              Noes - 0                                Absent - 1

 

 

                                                                                    _________________________________

                                                                                    Michael C. Erlandson, Town Clerk