Town Board Review
By Julie Sergel (8/29/2008)

Supervisor John Burrell called the regular monthly Town Board meeting to order this past Wednesday night. Present at the meeting were Councilmen Bob Scharf, Bob O’Brien, Greg Fitzpatrick, Kenny Hinman; Highway Superintendent Dave Golley, Town Engineer Mark Alianello, Police Chief James Comstock and Clerk Toni Kerns Higgs. Local realtor Harry Weissman and former Town Board Trustee Dennis Abriatis were also present.

The meeting’s “Good News” was the announcement of ownership of the waste water pumping station, which Supervisor John Burrell got approval to sign from Town and Village Engineers Mark Alianello and Mike Smith, respectively.

The Board soon after went into Executive Session. By meeting’s end, a motion to hire a Full-time assessor was declined (currently a part-time position). A second motion was approved--to instate a complimentary position to work alongside the assessor. The creation of this position requires an individual who is very familiar with the particular and unique demands of Ellicottville and will be filled as soon as possible—time is of the essence.

Town Engineer Mark Alianello was present and discussed matters pertaining to the bids received on the drainage work on the Town Hall Restoration Project—bids were accepted from Springville and Rochester outfits (the latter was low bidder) and a contract signed. A pre-construction meeting has taken place and work is scheduled to start right after Labor Day. By September, Alianello figured all work on the structure would be wrapped up. Any monies left over would be considered at that point.

Alianello also reviewed the Highway Department’s new building site. Good comments were offered for the storm water control system, the sediment pond and the groundwork being laid for the Sand and Salt Enclosure. Apparently, it will be much larger than the similar structure in Ashford, NY. Highway Superintendent Dave Golley responded that he was fairly confident it would be ready for use by snowfall.

Alianello also elaborated on the Planning Board’s situation with Song Bird Sub-Division. The Town Planning Board, acting as SEQR, made a positive declaration and a scoping investigation followed, offering mixed results. To ease confusion, the Town ordered an excavator and soon discovered after about 18 inches of ground space, garbage as deep as 20 feet below. The site’s history has long been known as a former landfill and listed by the Health Department as such. Remains of metal and glass can be seen in the latter edge of the parcel overlooking a nearby creek. Soil samples have been sent to the lab and will reveal further steps to be taken.

The Telemetry System contract has been awarded to Frey Electric with hopes it will be operational by December 1 of this year.

Highway Superintendent Dave Golley discussed recent activity, with the bulk of it being consumed with construct of the salt shed. Plans are to start on the foundation next week. Additionally, the 550 Truck has all equipment assembled on it and Golley has plans for going back to bid on the big truck. He discussed the increase of oil going up 78 cents per gallon as well as the recent topsoil haul to the school. The Board approved Dave’s annual attendance at the NYS Association of Superintendents this September 23-26th in Buffalo.

Police Chief Jim Comstock was present and sought the Board’s approval for hire of Deputy Clerk Sally Busekist at $11/hour on a less than part/time basis. A resolution was passed to procure civil service procedure. Also, Don Auge was similarly approved for hire on a part-time basis as patrolman. The Board went into executive session regarding hire of an additional position.

A Police Review Committee Report was submitted by John Northrup and accepted by the Board, as previously discussed. Recommendations to be put into effect included such items as: return to a more traditional class “type A” uniform, Town ownership and distribution of weapons (versus patrolmen supplying and using their own), and establishment of a clearer—and more desirable—pay scale to encourage local policemen to calculate future earnings and not be so quick to leave for employment elsewhere.

A Public Hearing for Local Law No. 1 of 2008, providing for the Administration and Enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, was set for Tuesday, September 23th, at 6:00 PM.

Enforcement of Subdivision Regulations was discussed. This is largely an educational awareness thrust by the Board to help protect against purchase of property that may not be build-able. As property becomes sub-divided, the Code Enforcement Officer is notified and at that point determines whether it can be built upon or not. Apparently, there’s no control until after the sale of the parcel. The idea is to make all parties aware of the process and prevent sale of property that has no allowance for building.

The Board acknowledged the resignation of Ray Woodin from the Fire Commission and has plans to issue a proclamation stating appreciation of many valuable years of service. The Board also approved the appointment of Michael Timkey to the Fire Commission.

A resolution was made authorizing Town Supervisor Burrell and Justice Kerns to apply for a grant from the 2008 Justice Court Assistance Program.

A letter to the paper by Bill Brown was discussed, disapproved, and deemed “inappropriate” by Supervisor Burrell and Board members.

Dennis Abriatis asked for privilege of the floor and questioned the Supervisor’s one day a week work schedule—if it matched the value of the pay and benefits he was receiving for the position. He said he spoke for himself and others locally. Supervisor Burrell responded that he would offer an itemized list of the job duties he tackles while tending to Town matters.

The next Town Board Meeting will take place Tuesday, September 23, at 6:00 PM at the Town Hall. The public is welcomed to attend.