VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES - FEBRUARY 8, 2010

      Mayor Skeet opened regular meeting at 6:30 pm.

     Members present: Mayor Skeet, Trustees Russ (6:40), Sobczak (6:50), Peterson (7:00) and Graham (7:00). Also present was village resident Dave Bielec.

     Motion made by Trustee Graham and seconded by Trustee Peterson to approve minutes of 1/18 Winterfest meeting and 1/25 Committee meeting.
Voting Aye: Mayor Skeet, Trustees Russ, Sobczak, Peterson and Graham
Voting Nay: None
                                                                                            Motion carried.

Communications:

• Rec’d WW facility operation report & DMR for Dec 09 from VRI.
• Rec’d copy of claim filed by Computel w/Time Warner for unpaid franchise fees.
• Rec’d ck#132736 in amt of $36,347.74 which included $35,844.71 from Gen Co for qtrly sales tax and $503.03 for DWI Grant reimb.
• Rec’d ck#6576 in amt of $100.00 from Annie Lawrence for Winterfest donation.
• Rec’d ck#30770 in amt of $50.00 from CB Beach & Son for Winterfest donation.
• Rec’d ck#6924 in amt of $954.80 from Denise Beal for Health Ins pymt.
• Rec’d ck#78042203 in amt of $595.00 from NYS Treas for RR Infrastructure
• Rec’d ck#689 in amt of $17,040.00 from Judge Alexander for Jan fines.
• Rec’d ck#9170353 in amt of $40.83 from Office Max for returns.

     Clerk presented request from Historian Al Starkweather for permission to attend spring historical meeting at a cost of $20.00.

     Motion made by Trustee Peterson and seconded by Trustee Sobczak to approve permission for Historian Al Starkweather to attend spring historical meeting at a cost of $20.00.
Voting Aye: Mayor Skeet, Trustees Russ, Sobczak, Peterson and Graham
Voting Nay: None
                                                                                            Motion carried.

     Mayor Skeet gave brief update on the Maintenance department. He said Mike and Jesse had planned on getting started on the racks in the Maintenance storage but the welder had to be taken to Bailey’s for repairs due to power surges while using it with the generator. The building now has 220 lines so should not be a problem in future.

     He said they are also going to work on the backhoe which has leaks in the cylinders. They will be checking seals etc.

     He also mentioned the seals are blown on the milling machine.  Corfu Machine has said they will replace the seals if it was an error on their part. It is being checked out.

     Mayor Skeet said he and Trustee Graham did a walk thru and listed projects that need to be done or completed such as the cupboards in the village office, jetter needs new hose, shield for snow plow, etc.  He said they are also working on the budget.

     Trustee Graham gave brief sewer report. He said they have done grease trap inspections. No major problems were encountered.  They also put several manhole liners in.  He also mentioned they need new hoses for the sludge pump.

     Trustee Graham and Mayor Skeet updated the Board on the meeting they attended in Avon with the DEC and Army Corps of Engineers with regard to the Drainage Project.  Zoladz and Chatfield Engineers were also represented at the meeting.  They discussed the problem that Army Corps is having with granting approval for clearing out Murder Creek.  It was decided that they would all meet in the village on Thursday February 11th to walk the creek. It was mentioned that Zoladz is concerned that the restrictions being put on clean out will drive the costs up.

     Trustee Graham also had a meeting with Rural Development this past Thursday regarding possible grants.  He said we are eligible for a 50 KW generator for windmill should that grant go through.  The Rural Development grant is part grant (75%) and part loan (25%) at a very low interest rate.  The NYSERDA grant would only go with a 25 KW generator.  He did mention that with the grant the Village could not sell excess energy as National Grid can’t handle the power surges that would occur.  The next step could possibly be to get a grant to get capacitors to store energy.  He also mentioned DEC grant can piggyback off NYSERDA grant to upgrade the sewer plant, which could include property purchase.

     Mayor Skeet gave a short Police department update.  He said several officers worked the Winterfest and interacted with attendees.

     He mentioned they are still waiting for the plate reader, which should be in any day now.  He said it would be going in the marked car and they may have to switch computers or possibly get a Data911 computer.

     He also mentioned they are looking at getting rid of the part time officer on court nights and replacing with a “peace officer”.

     Clerk gave a brief update on a few easements that are still needed.

     Board set meeting dates as follows; Post-Winterfest meeting 2/15 at 7 pm, and Budget meetings 2/22 6:30 pm, and 3/1, 3/15 and 3/29 at 7:00 pm.

     Motion by Trustee Graham & seconded by Trustee Sobczak to approve the Treasurer’s Report.
Voting Aye: Mayor Skeet, Trustees Russ, Sobczak, Peterson and Graham
Voting Nay: None                                                                         
                                                                                             Motion carried.

Vouchers: #214186 thru 214272
General Fund                     – Total Am’t = $ 34,793.23
Sewer Fund                                      -  Total Am’t = $  9,244.27

     Motion by Trustee Russ & seconded by Trustee Peterson to pay the above General and Sewer bills.
Voting Aye: Mayor Skeet, Trustees Russ, Sobczak, Peterson and Graham
Voting Nay: None                                                                         
                                                                                             Motion carried.

     Clerk presented grant bills totaling $2,758.80 for approval to submit for payment to Office of Community Renewal.

     Motion by Trustee Russ & seconded by Trustee Sobczak to approve submitting grant bills totaling $2,758.80 for payment to Office of Community Renewal.
Voting Aye: Mayor Skeet, Trustees Russ, Sobczak, Peterson and Graham
Voting Nay: None                                                                    Motion carried.

      Mayor Skeet reviewed Board attendance report with members and mentioned with so many projects coming up members should make every effort to attend and be on time. (See attached).

     Clerk mentioned e-mail from Assemblyman Hawley requesting list of those who wish to attend his Albany trip in May.
      Mayor Skeet said he wished to address two issues that have recently arisen on Public Record at the advice of Village Attorney Kevin Earl. 

     The first issue is that legal procedure is being taken against Trustee Glenn Russ for allegations of sexual harassment by Court Clerk Brandi Watts.  It is currently being investigated.  Mayor Skeet said that if an order of protection comes about Trustee Russ will not be allowed in the village offices without another Trustee or the Mayor present with him.

      The second issue is in regard to Trustee Sobczak purchasing $46.42 worth of personal items at Office Max on an order purchased for the Village Historian with a Village issued check.  Mayor Skeet said the Village Attorney advised him to turn Tom’s case over to the authorities as there was no way to deal with it without looking like the Village was sweeping it under the rug.  That is why he talked to the attorney, as the whole Village is at stake.

     Trustee Sobczak said it was an honest mistake and once it was brought to his attention he took care of it by returning all the items, and that if you feel it should be turned over to the authorities then have at it.

     Mayor Skeet mentioned that he had heard that he is trying to shoot the two of them down.  He said they are both isolated incidents and he is doing exactly what the attorney told him to do.  The attorney is looking up what can be done to a trustee if they violate a policy and what the consequences are.  Trustee Sobczak asked if that wouldn’t be an in-house or SOP type item.  Mayor Skeet said an elected official is an employee of the Village and there will be a separate section in the Employee handbook regarding Elected or Appointed officials.

     Trustee Russ stated that he felt the Board should have gone into executive session to address these issues, as it is a personnel issue.  He said when informed of this he told them he would take a lie detector test.

     Resident Dave Bielec asked if Trustee Russ would prefer he leave. 

     Mr. Bielec left the meeting at 7:55 pm.

     Mayor Skeet said according to Kevin Earl it has to be put into public forum. He is just following instructions.

     Trustee Russ said it shouldn’t have been discussed unless it is an actual case, which it is not.

     Trustee Peterson asked the reason why this had to be brought up at this point when it is still in an undetermined state.

     Mayor Skeet responded because the employee went to the judge and said she feels she needs a safe environment to work in.
     Trustee Peterson said if an individual feels threatened in the workplace it is the obligation of the employer to assure that the issue is being addressed.  The only way you can assure that it is being addressed is in a public forum.

     Trustee Sobczak questioned how it could have happened if Trustee Russ is not around during the day due to his work.

     Trustee Russ responded that’s right. I haven’t seen her in forever. There are several stories that have been given.  What went out the door is my reputation, my family life.

     Brief discussion took place regarding examples of sexual harassment situations.

     Trustee Russ questioned if we are through here.
    
     Motion made by Trustee Sobczak and seconded by Trustee Graham to adjourn the meeting.     
Voting Aye: Mayor Skeet, Trustees Russ, Sobczak, Peterson and Graham
Voting Nay: None                                                                         
                                                                                             Motion carried.

     Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm.

Sandra Thomas
Clerk Treasurer