VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES - MARCH 5, 2007

Mayor Skeet opened Budget meeting at 6:38 pm..

Members present: Mayor Skeet, Trustees Peterson, Patterson, Russ and Sobczak. Also present was Judge Robert Alexander.

• Judge Alexander passed out Court budget requests to the Board and it was briefly discussed.
• Elizabeth Bunich from J. O’Connell’s arrived at 6:55 pm.
• Mayor Skeet opened the Public Hearing for the Small Cities Grant at 6:58 pm.
• Albert Graham of Valley River Inc. and Officer Dennis Yueckstock arrived at 7:00 pm.
• Ms. Bunich informed the Board that their office resent 120 surveys that day. She said they need 35 more that qualify. She said in the previous year the Village income was borderline to qualify. She also mentioned it would be to our benefit if we can get residents to provide more photos and letters to illustrate the problems with flooding. It was suggested to possibly mention the storm damage with more trees and limbs down in the creeks which is causing more problems.
• It was also suggested that if there is any record of previous work done on the creek to attempt to alleviate the problem, such as the Beaver dams, to document that information. Officer Yueckstock said he would speak with Joe Szadek about possible work that was done on the creek behind his place years ago. Trustee Russ said he would speak with Bernie Doktor to see if he recalls other work having been done through the years.
• Clerk mentioned the Letter of Intent we recently submitted for another grant for drainage may show our determination to address the problem.
• Ms. Bunich said she will send us a list of those who have not responded to the survey so Trustees can follow up on them.
• Public meeting was closed at 7:20 pm with no other residents appearing.
• Elizabeth Bunich left the meeting at 7:25 pm.
• Judge Alexander reviewed his budget requests with the Board, explaining his reasoning for the increases is based on the additional courts and hours from this past year due to the large increase in ticket production and revenue.
• He is also requesting the Village hire an assistant Court Clerk for ten hours a week to aid the current clerk both on court nights and with keeping up on paperwork. He also requests that the Board budget enough for sending the Assistant Court Clerk for the Annual training conference along with the current Court Clerk. He said his travel expenses for the conference are split with the Town, along with his Justice dues. He requested the Board place an ad for an assistant court clerk in the Daily.
• Brief discussion was held regarding the new credit card system for the Court. He said the clerk would be going through all old files and sending a letter with credit card information.
• Judge Alexander left the meeting at 7:53 pm.
• Al Graham of Valley River Inc. presented some estimates for budget consideration for the Sewer Plant including:
       Portable curtains for the Drying Bed building
       Air sensor for the aeration tank
• He said he had the blowers checked out and the Village has the most energy efficient ones produced. He is also checking on the motors for efficiency.
• Al also presented an estimate for dialers to be installed at the Depot lift station, which had been previously approved. The estimate came in under the amount that was approved.
• Mr. Graham said he has spoken to Kevin McCarthy of maintenance about building an “A-Frame” for lifting pumps at the lift stations.
• The snow damage to the fences surrounding the sewer compound was briefly discussed. Board requested having photos taken of the damage to turn in to the Village insurance company.
• Al Graham left the meeting at 8:13 pm.
• Board members briefly discussed the packet with budget request from the library, deciding they need time to review it more thoroughly before making a decision. The idea of sending out a survey to residents on their feelings was brought up but no decision was made.
• Clerk Thomas informed the Board of the new Health Insurance rates received for the upcoming year. Due to Union contract stipulations, the current level of Health insurance must be maintained.
• Motion was made by Trustee Peterson and seconded by Trustee Patterson to renew current Health insurance at the new rates quoted. Motion carried.
• The situation with Road Runner hook up was discussed. From what is understood, the installer came and said he couldn’t install until the Village set up a router for the offices. Mayor Skeet said he has been talking with Steve Cowell of Time Warner and he is talking with his boss regarding setting up in the office.
• Mayor Skeet informed the Board that Attica Police have a 2003 Chevy Impala police car that is scheduled to be replaced and they are looking to sell. It was put on the road in 2005 and has 54,000 miles on it. It is fully equipped police package with both summer and winter tires. They are asking $5500-$6000 for it. Officer Houghton said he would bring it over from Attica for the Village to look at if interested. Due to the unmarked car being out of commission, the Mayor would like the Board to consider this option for a second vehicle. He is scheduling Officer Houghton to bring the vehicle over for inspection this week.
• Clerk informed the Board that seasonal Officer Dave Cristofaro has signed a waiver regarding the letter he requested the Board to write for him. Trustee Patterson said she would draft a letter and e-mail it to the Village Office.
• Mayor Skeet showed the Board the Police Department Operations Manual that Officer Yueckstock has been working on at home on his own time. When completed, the Board will set up a special meeting to review the manual. Trustee Peterson feels the Board needs to set up Standard Operating procedures on scheduling as well as administration of policies.
• Clerk Thomas questioned for if the Board has decided on a standard across the Board wage increase for employees in order to establish figures for the Budget.
• Motion was made by Trustee Russ and seconded by Trustee Patterson to go into executive session at 9:12 pm. Motion carried
• Clerk Thomas left the meeting at 9:12 pm.
• Motion was made by Trustee Russ and seconded by Trustee Sobczak to go out of executive session and to adjourn at 10:00 pm. Motion carried.
  

Sandra Thomas
Clerk Treasurer