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

August 16, 2004 at 6:00 P.M.

 

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

 

Supervisor Tyler opened the meeting at 6:00 PM and led the Town Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.    Town Clerk Erlandson called the roll. 

 

RESOLUTION #102-04

Convene Executive Session (Personnel Matter)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Miller to Convene Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter.                                              6:02 – 6:32 PM

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 0

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

               

Motion by Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman Pickett to accept the minutes of the August 2, 2004 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk.

 

Carried.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                                Absent - 0

 
CORRESPONDENCE

 

Town Clerk Erlandson read the following items into the record:

 

1.      Notice of an upcoming meeting re with municipalities who requested federal disaster assistance due to the severe summer storms.

2.      Notice re an upcoming “Job Fair” to be held at Jamestown Community College on Sept. 29, 2004.

3.      Invitation from the Chautauqua County Conference of Mayors re the annual Summer Wind Dinner Cruise.

4.      Newsletter: Chautauqua Co. Chamber of Commerce.

 

TOWN OFFICERS’ REPORTS

 

Councilman Heintzelman asked about the status of expanding municipal water service to the Howard Ave. area.  Highway Superintendent Shellhouse responded that he is working with the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities re the feasibility of the project.

 

Councilman Pickett asked about the status of the Strunk Rd. reconstruction project.  Mr. Shellhouse commented that the project is moving forward.

 

Councilman Geisler reported that the New York State Dept. of Transportation recently reviewed the feasibility of installing a traffic light and crosswalk on Fairmount Ave. (Rte. 394) at Tanglewood Manor.  According to Mr. Geisler, the DOT determined that a light and crosswalk would not be appropriate at that location.

 

Town Clerk Erlandson reported that hunting/fishing licenses for 2004-05 went on sale today.

 

Mr. Erlandson also reported that he and several union members met with a representative from Veracity Benefit Designs on Aug. 20, 2004.  Mr. Erlandson explained that the company is a health insurance broker.  In his opinion, the Town of Ellicott should retain the company’s services.  He noted that there would be no cost to the Town in retaining the company.  Mr. Erlandson recommended that Councilmen Geisler & Miller meet with the representative to determine whether to retain the company’s services.  A meeting was scheduled for Aug. 20, 2004 at noon.

 

Supervisor Tyler reported that a meeting to discuss the future of the Chautauqua Co. Municipal Health Plan will be held on Aug. 19, 2004 at 10:00 AM.

 

Mr. Tyler also reported that the Town of Ellicott’s workman’s compensation payment assessed annually by Chautauqua Co. would be increasing approximately 40% in fiscal year 2005.

 

Mr. Tyler also stated that a test study of the effect of aquatic herbicide on milfoil in Chautauqua Lake has been postponed due to unfavorable lake conditions.  (Minutes 8/2/04)  He explained that the test would proceed as soon as possible.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Water Service on Orchard Rd. Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that restoration work is underway.

 

School Zone Lights and Signs (SWCS) – Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that “school zone” lights and signs for Southwestern Central School have been installed on South Allegheny Ave.  “School Zone” signs are being installed on Hunt Rd.

 

Status of Four-Year Terms - Supervisor Tyler reminded the Town Council that during the Aug. 2, 2004 meeting the Council decided not to pursue the establishment of four-year terms for elected officials.  However, he noted that the Council did not formally vote on the matter.  The Council discussed the merits of establishing four-year terms. 

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Miller to schedule a Public Hearing for September 13, 2004 at 6:00 PM on an introductory Town of Ellicott Local Law “increasing the term of office for the Town of Ellicott Supervisor from two (2) years to four (4) years subject to a vote of the electors of the Town of Ellicott.”

 

Defeated.                               Ayes - 2                                Noes - 3                           Absent - 0

(Geisler, Pickett & Heintzelman Voted No)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Miller to schedule a Public Hearing for September 13, 2004 at 6:00 PM on an introductory Town of Ellicott Local Law “increasing the term of office for the Town of Ellicott Clerk from two (2) years to four (4) years subject to a vote of the electors of the Town of Ellicott.”

 

Defeated.                               Ayes - 2                                Noes - 3                           Absent - 0

(Geisler, Pickett & Heintzelman Voted No)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Miller to schedule a Public Hearing for September 13, 2004 at 6:00 PM on an introductory Town of Ellicott Local Law “increasing the term of office for the Town of Ellicott Highway Superintendent from two (2) years to four (4) years subject to a vote of the electors of the Town of Ellicott.”

 

Adopted.                               Ayes - 3                               Noes - 2                             Absent - 0

(Geisler & Heintzelman Voted No)

 

The Council changed the date and time of the next Regular Town Council Meeting from September 20, 2004 at 7:00 PM to September 13, 2004 at 6:00 PM.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

RESOLUTION #103-04

Waive Variance Fee (Jamestown Rotary)

 

Motion by Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman Heintzelman to waive a $75.00 variance fee for the Jamestown Rotary Club of Jamestown, New York in conjunction with a request to install a sign in the Town of Ellicott on North Main St. Ext. (Rte. 60) at the Jamestown city line.

 

Adopted.                               Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                             Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #104-04

Hire Part Time Police Officer (Sorenson)

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett appointing Kyle A. Sorenson, 14 Franklin St., Westfield, New York as a part time Town of Ellicott Police Officer, effective August 17, 2004, at a starting rate of pay of $11.22 per hour and subject to a one-year probation.

 

Adopted.                               Ayes – 5                              Noes - 0                            Absent – 0

 

RESOLUTION #105-04

Purchase of Computer from Police Chief

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett authorizing the purchase of a personal computer from Town of Ellicott Police Chief William Ohnmeiss at a cost to the Town of Ellicott not to exceed $250.00.

 

Adopted.                               Ayes – 5                              Noes - 0                            Absent – 0

 

RESOLUTION #106-04

Budget Transfers


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

 

Transfer the amount of $48.67 from Account #A1620.4 (Buildings - Contractual) to Account #1680.4 (Data Processing – Contractual); transfer the amount of $257.02 from Account #1620.4 (Buildings – Contractual) to Account #A3310.4 (Traffic Control – Contractual).

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #107-04

Payment of Claims

 

Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Geisler to pay 2004 current claims #909-980 inclusive, in the amount of $36,187.73 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 7:18 PM.

 

Carried.                              Ayes - 5                                Noes - 0                              Absent - 0

 

                                                                                        _________________________________

                                                                                            Michael C. Erlandson, Town Clerk