ELLICOTTVILLE
VILLAGE BOARD REVIEW
By Julie Sergel (8/15/2008)
Mayor Charles Coolidge called the regular monthly Village Board meeting to order this past Monday night. Present at the meeting were: Board Trustees Patra Lowes, Bob Brogcinski, Sherman Wilkens, DPW Superintendent Harold Morton, Constable Howard Gifford, Village Engineer Mike Smith, Village Attorney Bob Simon and Village Clerk Mary Klahn.
The Public Hearing for the moratorium on drive-throughs drew no public comment. By meeting’s end, the Board adopted Local Law #1 of 2008, which places a moratorium on drive-throughs in District VC (Village Commercial) One.
Nearly a dozen local residents showed up in response to the idea of a public pool. Before discussion was opened Mayor Coolidge dispersed a letter from Holiday Valley’s General Manager Dennis Eshbaugh confronting the lack of swimming pool facilities and offering plans for potentially countering that with swim programs at Spruce Lake next summer. Mayor Coolidge suggested costs and maintenance of a community pool would be high. Board members supported the position by underscoring the idea of not competing with Holiday Valley. Still, public response persisted explaining the benefits of exploring the matter further. Collen Bohn shared that her daughter’s participation in the school swim program (via Franklinville) required extensive personal travel. Talk included connecting the project with Ellicottville Central School to broaden the athletic program available to students. Jennifer Widger suggested that should the plan be undertaken, it might be best to consider encasing it and making the swimming pool available for year round use. Despite Mayor Coolidge’s warning that neighboring municipalities declined any kind of monetary support or participation with the skateboard park, Andree McRae suggested a public pool might draw bigger demographics. Sandy Reed shared that her son, who has connections with the Rochester YMCA, noted Ellicottville’s prime profile—full of summer and winter activity—for a YMCA type set-up, which would offer much support to the project. Mary Klahn brought up the aspect of cost and how the Little Valley community pool is free in light of bigger local families who might not be able to afford the $6 per child, multiplied, on a daily basis. Becky Szpaicher is currently working on gathering such info and will present it to the Board when everything is in order. Becca Whited has collected 125 signatures from Ellicottville residents showing support for the project and 70 from neighboring townships.
After such talk, the Board agreed to let the group continue on with checking out facts and figures.
The DPW Report, as supplied by Harold Morton:
*Poured new sidewalks on Elizabeth, Mechanic, & Elk Streets.
* Patched holes around Village.
* Painted pump at Trailer Park.
* Black-topped Mechanic Street.
* Repaired water lines at Village Park (to old ice rink).
* Patched roof at Village shop.
* Ground up repaired bad spots on Martha, Monroe, Elk, Jefferson and Rockwell Streets.
* Mulched trees on Main Street—have received positive comments.
*New garbage bags are in.
Morton also explained that he was approached by the Fire Co. to purchase 4” adapters. Of the approximately 30 hydrants in the Village, buying a few each year will help eventually to outfit all and make attaching the different hose sizes much easier. The Board approved buying four. The Fire Co. will also be purchasing two. The Board additionally approved Morton’s request to buy a new air impact wrench for amount of $400.
Constable Howard Gifford’s monthly report included the following:
Activity and tickets issued: (18) Traffic Tickets, (4) Alarms Answered, (1) Animal Complaint, (1) Assault, (4) Citizen Assists, (2) Town Police Assists, (2) CCSO Breath Tests, (1) Criminal Mischief Trespass and (1) Suspicious Person. Arrests included (2) Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, (2) Assaults—Arrests by Town Police, and (2) Open Container.
Constable Gifford also attended Firearms Investigation, Identification & Tracing Training at Hilbert College.
Village Engineer Mike Smith briefed the Board on Zoning matters for Bob Miller. A Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday night, August 12, at 5:30 PM. Work is diligently continuing on the Zoning Code Update—waiting for comments as well. Mayor Coolidge suggested further discussion on the former site of Peak Performance with Bill Sprague, citing the request for trees planted on the bank would not be wise. Plans for the addition of 15 units at Edelweiss Lodge was also briefly reviewed.
Costs for damage incurred at Greystone development has been paid for. The insurance company is allotting a check in the amount of $1,700 to cover payment for the truck and camera that was used.
The Monroe Street Sewer Project has been proceeding on schedule despite inclement weather and tight workspace. Issues related to spilling over onto private property has been addressed, but still, things are “trailer front to trailer front.” The first pay request in the amount of $181,827.15 has been received. Smith said that patience would be required over the next two weeks. After that, work should be less invasive.
The Water & Sewer Committee met last Friday. Smith is working along with Town Engineer Mark Alianello to update water tap in fees and craft a base sewer agreement between the Village and the Town. A draft may be ready by next month’s meeting.
Two bids were received regarding the telemetry system. It was a tough job to bid and a weak response was anticipated. Frey Electric Construction Company of Tonawanda, NY, was low bidder at $256,000. The Board authorized Mayor Coolidge to accept the bid with Frey and award the contract. The Town has already accepted the bidder and has been waiting on the Village to act. Additionally, the Board moved to increase the funds being extracted for the project (from water surplus) from $100,000 to $110,000 as needed.
The Sewer Report, as submitted by “Jigger” Stokes:
Worked on sewer lateral maps.
Had the sewer pick-up truck undercoated.
Attended the coordination meeting with Holiday Valley representative, utility people and Town Engineer Mark Alianello.
Flushed and cleaned sewer lines up on Deer Crossing Road.
Marked areas for dig requests.
Did a D.O. profile of Lagoon #1 to see if we needed more aeration. We do not. Bob Wither (DEC) and Angelo Sarkees (DEC) were in control of the operation.
Checked on the progress of the sewer project. They are moving right along and doing a nice job.
Did daily, weekly, and monthly tests and maintenance as required.
Discussion regarding partnership with the Cattaraugus County SPCA was revisited. Trustee Sherman Wilkens strongly supported the arrangement that includes a no-kill policy and keeps stray pets closer to home—versus having them taken to Erie County as it stood prior to this decision. Strays will be listed to help find owners or placed into new homes if none respond.
Trustee Bob Brogcinski questioned Board members about any known response to the artificial turf on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Route 242. With none to give, all resolved it was an excellent solution in tackling the issues of ailing grass. Because of the way it was laid, said Brogcinski, it appears to be freshly mowed.
No response as yet regarding the $20,000 grant the Village has applied for that would update water meters (includes computer for drive-by reading, software with two days of training, and 70 meters). The update would prove far more effective by offering more accurate readings and cutting workload dramatically.
Correspondence received included the following:
The Center for Family Unity was approved for a roadblock on Routes 219 and 242 on
September 5th from 7AM-9AM for the collection of donations supporting the prevention of child abuse.
Green Care Lawn Care, apologizing for any spill over of fertilizer on the sidewalks of Main Street.
Notice of Solicitation, from the New York State Public Service Commission regarding Verizon.
Dennis Eshbaugh, General Manager of Holiday Valley, addressed the pool situation—or lack there of. (See section….)
The next Village Board meeting will take place on Monday, September 8th, at 6PM at the Town Hall. The public is welcomed to attend.
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