Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
Town Council of the Town of Ellicott
held at the
Administration Building,
June 28, 2004
at 7:00 P.M.
Present: Supervisor Tyler, Councilman Geisler, Councilman Miller, Councilman Pickett, Town Clerk Erlandson, Highway Superintendent Shellhouse, Attorney Lasker, Legislator Spicer. Absent: Councilman Taylor.
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 Miller, seconded by Councilman Pickett to accept the minutes of
the June 7, 2004 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk.
Legislator Spicer commented on a drainage
problem at a property located on Hunt Rd. owned by Vincent & Marilyn Gerace
(Minutes 6/7/04). Mr. Spicer stated
that he looked into the situation and urged the Town Council to address the
matter.
Town Clerk Erlandson read the following item into
the record:
1.
Letter
from Chautauqua Co. Dept. of Health re the West Nile Virus.
2.
Letter
from Karin Hallberg, 156 Frederick Blvd. re a drainage problem in front of her
home.
3.
Letter
from George Carlson, 3051 Curtis St. Ext. asking Town of Ellicott officials to
look into a traffic safety problem in front of his home.
4.
“Certificate of Satisfaction” from William Morrill, Director, Chaut.
Co. Real Property Tax Services, re the 2004 Tax Warrant.
TOWN OFFICERS’ REPORTS
Councilman Pickett asked about the status of a traffic light on
Fairmount Ave. in front of Sam’s Club.
Councilman Geisler will look into the matter.
Councilman Geisler expressed his concerns re
proposed increases in the Chautauqua County Health Insurance premiums. He noted that the premiums have
significantly increased over the past several years. He reported that due to a deficit in the County’s insurance
operating budget, the Town of Ellicott would be assessed $24,117.00 in addition
to its premium. Mr. Geisler also stated
that a 45% rate increase has been proposed for 2005. He pointed out that premiums have increased significantly over
the past four years. In his opinion,
the County Insurance Dept. has not managed the premiums
effectively. He asked Legislator
Spicer to look into the situation.
Town Clerk Erlandson reminded the Council that
a free rabies vaccination clinic will be conducted at the Celoron Hose Co. fire
station located on Dunham Ave. on July 17, 2004 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Mr. Erlandson stated that he would arrange
for volunteers to assist in conducting the clinic. He also noted that Dr. Malinoski, a local veterinarian, would be
administering the shots at no cost to the Town of Ellicott.
Mr. Erlandson also reported that he compiled information re extending the terms of Town of Ellicott
elected officials to four years. He
distributed a spreadsheet re the results of his findings.
Highway Superintendent
Shellhouse
noted that he submitted estimates to the Federal Emergency Mgmt. Agency
(FEMA) re federal reimbursement for the recent storm damage in the Town of
Ellicott.
Mr. Shellhouse also reported that he
received three (3) cost estimates for drainage repair in the N. Hanford – N.
Butts area.
Supervisor Tyler appointed Councilmen
Geisler & Pickett to the negotiating committee for the purpose of
negotiating new labor agreements with the Town of Ellicott Highway & Police
CSEA employees as well as the Town of Ellicott Police Chief.
Shared Services Agreement w/
Village of Celoron re Code Enforcement – Councilman Geisler reported that he &
Councilman Miller recently met with Village of Celoron officials to discuss the
sharing code enforcement services.
Mr. Geisler pointed out that several issues must be resolved before the
agreement can proceed. Tabled pending
further review.
Water Service on Orchard Rd.
– Highway Superintendent
Shellhouse reported that only two (2) more curb boxes need to be
installed on the upper portion of Orchard Rd.
He also noted that restoration work is nearly complete.
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 still three (3) vacancies on the South & Center Sewer Board. He stated that one individual has expressed
interest in serving on the Board.
However, to date, he has not decided.
The Council requested the Jamestown Post-Journal to issue a press
release re the matter.
NEW BUSINESS
Reduce Speed Limit on Buffalo St. Ext. –
Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that the Town of Poland is seeking
to reduce the speed limit to 35 MPH on Buffalo St. Ext. between the
Peck-Settlement Rd. & the Falconer Frewsburg Rd. Mr. Shellhouse explained that a small section of the road is in
the Town of Ellicott. He asked the
Council to request that the speed limit be reduced on that section.
RESOLUTION #90-04
Request Reduction Speed Limit (Buffalo St. Ext.)
Motion by Councilman Miller, seconded by Supervisor Tyler requesting the New
York State Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit
to 35 MPH on a section of Buffalo Street Ext. in the Town of Ellicott east of
the Peck-Settlement Rd.
Petition for Water Service –
Town Clerk Erlandson presented a petition
from 21 residents requesting that municipal water service be expanded to a
section of Howard Ave. The Council
discussed the matter. The Council noted
that Town of Ellicott officials are already negotiating with the Jamestown BPU
& the Town of Busti to extend water service to that area.
Establishment of Sewer Rents –
Supervisor Tyler reported that he received a letter from Attorney Gregory Yaw
re the establishment of sewer rents
for properties in the Town of Ellicott outside the Village of Falconer served
by the Village of Falconer Sewer System.
Mr. Tyler explained that a Public Hearing
must be conducted before the rents may be established. Therefore, Attorney Yaw has requested that a
Public Hearing be scheduled. The
Council expressed some concerns re Mr. Yaw’s request. Attorney Yaw will be asked to attend the next Council meeting to
clarify the matter. Supervisor Tyler
will also contact Village of Falconer Mayor David Krieg for clarification. Tabled pending further review.
RESOLUTION #91-04
Hire Part Time Police Officer (McQuillan)
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett appointing Martin
McQuillan, 5901 Stowe Rd., Ashville, New York as a part time Town of Ellicott
Police Officer, effective June 28, 2004, at a starting rate of pay of $11.22
per hour and subject to a one-year probation.
Proclamation (Samuel Tyler Day) –
Supervisor Tyler proclaimed June 29, 2004 as Samuel Tyler
Day in the Town of Ellicott.
Vacancy on Ellicott Town Council –
Supervisor Tyler reported that Ward 2 Councilman Brian Taylor submitted a letter of resignation from the Ellicott Town
Council, effective June 24, 2004.
Supervisor Tyler thanked Mr. Taylor for his years of service to the Town
of Ellicott. The Council discussed
options re filling Mr. Taylor’s Council seat.
Mr. Tyler noted that a special election
must be held this November (2004). He
explained that even if the Council appoints someone before November, a special
election must still be conducted. He
appointed Councilmen Geisler & Miller to interview potential candidates for
the position.
The Regular Town Council Meeting scheduled for July 19, 2004 was
re-scheduled to July 12, 2004 at 7:00 PM.
RESOLUTION #92-04
Payment of Claims
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Geisler to pay 2004 current claims #681-773,
inclusive, in the amount of $61,586.21 and charge to the proper fund or
account.
Motion
by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Geisler to adjourn at 7:55 PM.
Carried.
Ayes - 4
Noes - 0
Absent - 1
_________________________________
Michael C. Erlandson, Town
Clerk