VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES - JANUARY 23, 2006

Mayor Skeet opened Committee Meeting at 6:35 pm.

Members present: Mayor Skeet, Trustees Russ, Steinberg and Peterson. Also present were Steve Stauffer, Al Graham and Ken Scherrieble of Valley River Inc. Trustee Vogler was absent.

• Mayor Skeet addressed his concerns from the Grant meeting of January 9 regarding future expansion of the Sewer Plant, possible establishment of a Sewer District, and how and when we might be able to begin implementing such a thing.
• Ken Scherrieble responded that he had read the Town of Pembroke Sewer Feasibility Study, and feels that the current requirements of the Town could be handled by the Plant as it is. There are certain target areas that need to be taken care of for efficient operation of the system, whether or not we were to expand with a Sewer District, such as Inflow and Infiltration problems. His first reccommendation is to contact Bob Kowalik, the Village of Akron Supt. of Public works, to set up an intermunicipal agreement with the Village of Akron to work with us to televise the problem areas. Trustee Russ said he would contact Bob Kowalik.
• Mr. Scherrieble also brought up the issue of the Cemetery Pump station problems. Friday 1/20/06 both pumps went down. He said it being an open system, salt brine coming in causes constant corrosion. It should be a closed system and needs to be upgraded desperately. The pumps were replaced last year and need to be replaced again. He also mentioned that the Main Pump station should also be a closed system where the pumps would be separated from the corrounder water. He explained that when they upgraded the Water Plant they never upgraded the lift station.
• Trustee Vogler dropped off her letter of resignation from the Board of Trustees at 6:55 pm.
• Mr. Scherrieble continued that the Village needs to determine whether they will be going after a Sewer District with the Town of Pembroke as that would change the dynamics of any changes to be made either at the Lift Stations or the Main Plant. The collection system is the first priority no matter what happens. He feels there are several avenues of Grant Assistance out there besides just the small cities grant, such as FHA which is more progressive towards rural communities regarding the median income problem.
• Regarding time frame on any lift station upgrades, even to just fix the problems we have, the engineers would design the lift station, then it would have to be put out for bid. It would be approximately a year before they would even be able to break ground.
• In closing he said it would be beneficial to come up with our own feasibility study to offer to other Townships. An agreement would be reasonable between the Town and Village to provide a plan for the future. Ken Scherrieble and Steve Stauffer left the meeting at 7:25 pm.
• Al Graham of VRI gave the Sewer Report. He updated the Board on the problem at the Cemetery Lift Station. It was suggested that we need to get the alarm lights working properly and that a phone dialer added at this station would be beneficial. He also mentioned that the junction box is installed on the ground and is full of water and wires are corrosive elements. He also felt it should be upgraded to utilize variable frequency drives. He said these items should be in the plan for the engineers to look at. Valley River can help lead the engineers in the right direction, but we do need to have the engineers plan it.
• Motion was made by Trustee Steinberg and seconded by Trustee Russ to have a dialer phone system installed at the Cemetery lift station. Motion carried.
• Al Graham will work with Trustees Peterson and Russ regarding junction box replacement.
• Mr. Graham also reported that the investment in the new piping has paid for itself as no sludge has been hauled in about two months.They are working on reducing solids (at 3000 now) down to 2100. He mentioned that the blowers get upset due to temperature change, air density messes up the works.
• Mr. Graham also mentioned he would like to take the portable generator over to the Depot Lift Station permanently, but recommends having a building built over the generator. Mayor Skeet said he would speak to Jay Feitshans about the possibility of erecting a shed.
• Mr. Graham said he feels the Board should move on getting a Sewer Law addendum passed regarding Sump Pump and illegal hookup inspections any time a home is sold in the Village. The Clerk Treasurer is to contact Village Attorney Kevin Earl regarding enacting such a law.
• Mr. Graham showed the Board photos he had taken of the pipe tee set up for support, as well as photo of where the pipe had rubbed. The problem is now taken care of. He also said they will be hard-wiring the heater tape to get rid of the cord. Mr. Graham will call Barry and Kenny regarding lights for the lift station.
• Clerk Treasurer was requested to draft a letter of thanks to resident Tom Nelson for his diligence and assistance in alerting Mr. Graham when the alarm goes off at the Cemetery lift station. Trustee Peterson will personally deliver the letter to Mr. Nelson.
• Motion was made by Trustee Russ and seconded by Trustee Steinberg to accept Andrea Vogler’s letter of resignation as Village Trustee, with regrets. Motion carried.
• With the absence of Trustee Vogler, Mayor Skeet requested that the Clerk Treasurer take on the duty of liaison with the Grant Writers.
• Motion was made by Trustee Russ and seconded by Trustee Steinberg to accept the proposal of Chatfield Engineers to prepare an engineering report for the Sewer infiltration problem only. Motion carried.
• Trustee Peterson will act as liaison with Chatfield Engineers and contact them regarding setting up a meeting.
• Trustee Peterson and Trustee Russ will set up a meeting with Bob Kowalik of the Village of Akron and Al Graham of VRI.
• Clerk Treasurer was given permission to contact the Grant Writers regarding their preparing a survey for the whole village.
• Mayor Skeet gave a brief report on the meeting he had with Shelley Stein of the Town of Leroy and Ed Beideck of the Town of Pembroke on Thursday January 19th, regarding the possible consolidation of Village and Town Courts. It was confirmed in the meeting that with any tickets written on a State Highway (ie: Rte 33 or Rte 77) the revenues would go to the Town. Mayor Skeet basically informed them it would be of no value to the Village to consolidate the Courts.
• Mayor Skeet mentioned he would like to speak with the Town of Pembroke regarding possibly renting extra office space and storage space on the west side of the fire hall. The Board approved Mayor Skeet pursuing the subject.
• The problem of a hole developing at the signal on the corner of 33 & 77 was discussed. Jay Feitshans is to contact DOT to take a look at the hole.
• The possibility of replacing the maintenance truck was brought up for next budget year. Mr. Feitshans is to look into State bid for replacing the truck, and to contact Steve Stocking if any problem.
• Mayor Skeet mentioned he had spoken with Steve Stocking of the Town Highway Department, and Steve mentioned a new material being used for roads that is about 50% cheaper. He said Maple Road off Lake Road was done in this new material. It would create a possibility of getting Village road repairs done on a more cost effective basis. Mayor Skeet would like to set it up to have Steve Stocking come in and address the Board.
• Photos were shown to the Board of damaged and rotted trees throughout the Village. The Board agreed to have Jay Feitshans contact Eastman Tree Service to determine the extent of tree removal that may be needed and give us an estimate.
• Mayor Skeet requested permission to allow Rich Retzlaff, neww constable to order three shirts for use in his job.
• Motion was made by Trustee Steinberg and seconded by Trustee Peterson for Rich Retzlaff to spend up to $130.00 on new shirts. Motion carried.
• Trustee Peterson gave a brief description of scheduling procedure he is working on implementing with the Village Police Department. He and Mayor Skeet will be having a workshop meeting Tuesday, January 24th.
• Clerk Treasurer mentioned the School Health/Wellness Fair on February 25th at the school and the request of Claire Shaw to have an officer present a program on safety. Board requested Clerk Treasurer to call Ms. Shaw to get more details and confirm we would have an officer do so.
• Mayor Skeet reported he was at last Court night and that Taryn Vohwinkel is working out well as Court Clerk. He also requested permission to approach Judge Dave O’Connor as acting justice in case of the absense of Judge Alexander. The Board unanimously agreed.
• Clerk Treasurer was requested by the Mayor to do a follow up call to the Board of Elections regarding the absense of a Democratic Caucus for this year’s elections.
• Motion was made by Mayor Skeet and seconded by Trustee Steinberg to adjourn the meeting. Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.
  

Sandra Thomas
Clerk Treasurer