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

July 21, 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, Legislator Spicer.

 

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. 

 

PUBLIC HEARING (Water Service: Orchard Rd. & Southwestern Dr.)

 

Supervisor Tyler opened a Public Hearing re a proposal to extend municipal water service to Orchard Road and a section of Southwestern Drive.  The following public comments were heard:

 

Mr. Wayne Moore, 391 Orchard Rd. asked where the end of the proposed municipal water line would be located on Orchard Rd.  He is concerned that the line will end before his property.  Engineer Brian Pound will look into the matter.

 

Mr. Roger Loewenheim, 434 Orchard Rd. expressed his concern that the total cost of the project has increased since the informational meeting held on May 12, 2003.  He asked why the current estimated cost per home will be $1,366.00 annually, instead of approximately $800.00 per year as stated at the May 12th meeting.  Supervisor Tyler explained that the estimated capital costs for the project have not increased.  Mr. Tyler pointed out that the $1,366.00 figure listed in the Public Hearing Notice includes the estimated annual usage fees as well as the capital charges. 

 

Mr. David Peck, 419 Orchard Rd. asked for a breakdown of the costs per home.  Mr. Tyler outlined the cost breakdowns as follows: $786.00 (capital charges) & $580.00 (annual usage).  However, Mr. Tyler noted that the $580.00 is a conservative estimate.  He hopes to negotiate a lower rate with Village of Lakewood officials.

 

Mr. Loewenheim asked when the project would get underway.  Highway Superintendent Shellhouse stated that he intends to start the project in September 2003.  Mr. Shellhouse estimates that the project would take 6-8 weeks to complete.

 

Mr. Peck asked how many homes would be serviced by the new water line.  Engineer Pound stated that the new line would service 29 homes in the Town of Ellicott and five in the Town of Busti. 

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Miller to close the Public Hearing at 7:16 PM

 

Carried.                                 Ayes - 5                                Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Motion by Councilman Lodestro, seconded by Councilman Miller to accept the minutes of the June 16, 2003 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk.

 

Carried.                                 Ayes - 5                                Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

 

Legislator Spicer commented on a proposal to construct a bypass connecting Rte. 62 & Rte. 60.  He stated that he is opposed to the plan.  He asked the Council to continue to monitor the status of the proposal & advise him of its opinion on the matter.

 

Angie Peck, 419 Orchard Rd. asked the Council what services Town of Ellicott residents receive for their taxes.

               

CORRESPONDENCE

 

            Town Clerk Erlandson read the following items into the record:

 

1.      Newsletter: Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy.

           

TOWN OFFICERS REPORTS

 

Councilman Miller asked Supervisor Tyler about the status of a Metro Six study re the regionalization of the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities.  He asked Supervisor Tyler if Town of Ellicott monies have been allocated for the study.  Mr. Tyler noted that although the study was completed it was not completed to the satisfaction of the Metro Six members.  He added that no Town of Ellicott monies have been allocated for the study.

 

Mr. Miller also asked about the status of Metro Six.  Supervisor Tyler stated that the organization is not active at the present time.

 

Councilman Lodestro reported that Chautauqua County will be extending the municipal water line in Mason Park.

 

Town Clerk Erlandson reported that his office now has the capability of collecting utility payments for the Jamestown BPU.  He reminded the Council that in return for providing collection services the Town is receiving free Internet service from the BPU.  (Minutes 4/7/03 et. seq.)  He commented on the benefits of the shared services agreement.  Mr. Erlandson added that he would review the arrangement after a two-month trial period.  He urged the Council members to encourage residents to utilize the collection service.

 

Mr. Erlandson also reported that he and Supervisor Tyler recently met with Town of Ellicott insurance representative Randy Graham re upgrading the stairwell inside the entrance to the Ellicott Administration Bldg.  Mr. Erlandson noted that several people have fallen in that section of the stairwell during the past year.  He stated that Mr. Graham made several recommendations to remedy the situation.  Mr. Erlandson stated that the Town of Ellicott Building Maintenance Supervisor is already addressing the matter.

 

Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that he recently met with a traffic engineer from Chaut. Co. re possible traffic safety issues in the vicinity of Southwestern Central School.  Mr. Shellhouse asked the engineer to look into the possibility of establishing a ‘school zone’ in certain areas.  He stated that the County engineer would review the situation & make a recommendation.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Permit for Herbicide Application (Chautauqua Lake) – Supervisor Tyler reported that he met with Town of Busti & Chautauqua Lake Partnership officials on July 10, 2003 re the recent decision by the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation to deny a herbicide application permit to the Town of Ellicott.  Mr. Tyler reminded the Council that the DEC outlined a number of concerns re the application.  He stated that officials from the Town of Busti, Town of Ellery, Town of Ellicott & CLP would continue to move forward to address the concerns.  Mr. Tyler is confident that the Town will be granted a permit in 2004.

 

Easement Agreement (Jamestown Pediatrics) Tabled until the August 4, 2003 Town Council meeting.

 

Driveway Approach on Fairmount Ave. (Ferraro) – The Council discussed a design problem involving a driveway approach at a residence located at 837 Fairmount Ave. owned by Anthony Ferrara.  The Ellicott Highway Committee will continue to review the matter.

 

Lyndon Blvd. Reconstruction Project Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that the Jamestown BPU would repair one of the breaks in the sewer line along Lyndon Blvd.  Councilman Lodestro reported on the status of repairs re two other breaks in the sewer line.  (Minutes 4/7/03 et. seq.) He stated that Project Coordinator Rose Wightman is continuing to work on resolving the matter. 

 

RESOLUTION #98-03

Public Interest Order (Water Service on Orchard Rd.)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor to adopt a Public Interest Order to install municipal water service along Orchard Road and a section of Southwestern Drive, south of Hunt Road, at a cost not to exceed $265,000.00.  (see ‘Orchard Rd. Water Service’ file for detail)

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #99-03

Adopt Bond Resolution (Orchard Rd. Water Service)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Lodestro authorizing the issuance of $265,000.00 serial bonds of the Town of Ellicott to pay the cost of the expansion of the Town of Ellicott water distribution system to Orchard Road and a section of Southwestern Drive, south of Hunt Road.   (see ‘Orchard Rd. Water Service’ file for detail)

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 0

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

RESOLUTION #100-03

Advertise for Bids (Plow, Dump & Sander Equipment)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Supervisor Tyler authorizing the Town of Ellicott Highway Superintendent to solicit bids for plow, dump and sander equipment; bids to be returned no later than August 18, 2003 at 10:00 AM.

 

Adopted.                           Ayes – 5                              Noes - 0                                 Absent – 0

 

RESOLUTION #101-03

Payment of Claims

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor to pay 2003 current claims #815-860, inclusive, in the amount of $43,841.27 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 7:50 PM.

 

Carried.                                  Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                           Absent - 0

 

 

                                                                                               _________________________________

                                                                                                   Michael C. Erlandson, Town Clerk