VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES - FEBRUARY 27, 2006

Mayor Skeet opened Public Grants Meeting at 7:05 pm.

Members present: Mayor Skeet, Trustees Peterson, Russ and Steinberg. Also present were Jean O’Connell and Elizabeth Bunich of J. O’Connell Grant Writers, and John Senko and Albert Graham of Valley River Associates, and Judge Robert Alexander, Village Justice. Sixteen residents signed in for the Public Meeting.

Mayor Skeet introduced the Grant writers to Village residents.

• Jean O’Connell explained the purpose of the meeting and basic information regarding the Small Cities Grant to be applied for, stressing that it is targeted to 51% lo-mod income level and the importance of completing and returning the surveys. She informed the residents of the due date of April 3rd, and requested questions and concerns from the residents regarding sewer and/or drainage issues.
  
• Marge Wotherspoon of 48 East Main Street was the first to respond saying that she has a pond in her back yard most of the year. She mentioned that homes all along that stretch on the south side of East Main Street have water problems. She said her basement is frequently wet and feels her cat may have gotten a bacterial infection from the wet basement. She also feels the excess moisture is affecting the foundation of her house
• Pat Crandall of 8 Meadowbrook Terrace said she has two sump pumps that run continuously and spoke of constant water problems between her house and that of Rich Staba of 69 East Main Street, whose property abuts the Crandalls. Rich spoke up and said he has had consistent water problems and has to clean out the storm drain at least 4 times per year or it would be worse. He said he can’t mow his lawn in the summer because of the sitting water in his yard.
• Jackie Johnson of 52 East Main Street said she also has water in her back yard on a regular basis and that the water at the house next door to her at 50 East Main Street goes directly up to their back stoop. She said during spring thaw it will be even worse.
• Ed Gutowski of 8 Meadowbrook Terrace mentioned that Murder Creek, which is north of their street, constantly overflows its banks, and when it rains it goes right to the back of their house as well as that of Jessie Wilcox of 7 Meadowbrook Terrace. Peggy Patterson of 6 Meadowbrook Terrace concurred, adding that she has walked back along the creek and that in many areas it has been eroded along the banks to direct the flow towards their homes, as well as dammed up in many areas with branches and boulders
• It was also mentioned that due to the aforementioned erosion and damming, the homes at the end of Lawrence Avenue such as Art Ianni at 14 Lawrence Avenue, Ben Ianni at 12 Lawrence Avenue and Lee Brade at 8 Lawrence Avenue have had major flooding problems.
• It was generally discussed that the root of most all of the issues brought up seem to stem from the blockages and natural damming on Murder Creek as the water has nowhere to go, since even Goose Creek between Allegheny and Maple Avenue runs to Murder Creek. Almost all drainage in the Village eventually winds up at Murder Creek. Several incidents of backyard flooding along Goose Creek were also mentioned.
• Jean O’Connell requested the residents in attendance contact some of those who were not able to make this meeting, to take photos and write descriptions of their drainage problems. When questioned why the Village couldn’t just clean out some of the debris damming up the creek, they were informed that any work on natural waterways has to be approved by the Army Corps of Engineers, especially if the area in question is Land Conservation or designated as wetlands. It was mentioned that the Army Corps of Engineers was called in once before and wouldn’t do anything at that time.
• Mr. Crandall questioned a situation when he thought there had been some dredging done on the creek behind 107 East Main Street (Sterling Tent) perhaps 15-20 years ago. Clerk Treasurer will see if she can find reference to this in old minutes.
• Residents were once again encouraged to contact others affected by drainage issues to document their concerns as well.
• Jean O’Connell informed the residents that the next Public meeting is scheduled for March 13th at which the Engineers will be in attendance.

  Public meeting was closed at 7:40 pm.

  Committee meeting was called to order by Mayor Skeet at 8:10 pm.

• Mayor Skeet introduced Peggy Patterson as a potential Trustee to fill the vacancy left by Andrea Vogler. Peggy said she feels she has a vested interest in the Village as she has been a lifelong resident. She will be taking a Grant Class in April which could be beneficial to the Village. She feels she would like to commit for the one year vacancy and get involved in the Village.
• Al Graham of VRI introduced John Senko who has been operating the Village Wastewater Treatment Plant for VRI. Sewer report was given. He reported that they will be having 8000 gallons of sludge hauled out on Wed. this week. This will be the first sludge hauled in approx. 6 months. He was given a price of $.09/gallon for hauling.

• Mr. Graham said he will be meeting with the engineers on Thursday 3/2/06. They are scheduled to go through the Plant and get assessment on various sewer issues.
• Future projects for VRI include repairing vent in grit chamber which is leaking. They are looking into a quick fix for now, to be taken care of more permenantly in better weather. They would also like to refurbish the grit chamber. The splitter box is complete and is doing a great job. John intends to steam and repaint. They also plan on hardwiring the heat tape and running underground as weather permits.
• Mr. Graham said he has spoken with Barry McCabe regarding getting a price for rewiring at the cemetery lift station. He said they have replaced the contractor at the lift station and it still won’t rotate pumps. Barry will be looking at the situation. They want to have schematics done when they put the control box above ground level.
• He also reported that John added chlorine to the aeration tanks to control Filamentis bacteria growtrh earlier in the month. They also added fernco on bay II. He reported they still can’t keep the flow at half and are checking the price on a valve.
• Mr. Graham also presented a list of possible budget items for the 2006-2007 budget. He was questioned about getting a price and feasibility on drying bed expansion. Al said he will check with the engineers on Thursday when they meet.
• Mr. Graham also presented a short letter from Ken Scherrieble of Valley River suggesting the Village look into obtaining funding for a study of the expansion of the WWTP, focusing on the potential of the plant and its impact on the economic development of the Town of Pembroke and Town of Darien. The letter also suggested exploring dollars for performing an inflow and infiltration study and/or fixing current inflow and infiltration problems.
• Judge Alexander addressed the Village Board regarding Court budget requests in anticipation of the upcoming budget meeting. He also suggested the Village attempt to do some short and long range planning to project potential revenue. He feels the Village has tremendous potential for increased revenues in the Police/Court department.
• Judge Alexander and Peggy Patterson left the meeting at 9:10 pm.
• Motion was made by Trustee Russ and seconded by Trustee Steinberg to go into executive session to discuss personnel issues at 9:10 pm. Motion carried.
• Motion was made by Trustee Peterson and seconded by Trustee Steinberg to go out of executive session at 10:10 pm. Motion carried.
• Mayor Skeet said he would contact the Village Attorney regarding the personnel issues.
• Motion was made by Trustee Peterson and seconded by Trustee Russ to have a dialer system installed at the cemetery lift station. Motion carried.
• Mayor Skeet polled the Trustees and the decision was unanimous to support the appointment of Peggy Patterson as Trustee to fill Andrea Vogler's position. Mayor Skeet said he will contact Ms. Patterson to have her come in and take the Oath of Office.
• Motion was made by Trustee Steinberg and seconded by Trustee Peterson to adjourn the meeting. Meeting was adjourned at 10:22 pm.

Sandra Thomas
Clerk Treasurer