Village of Ellicottville Board Meeting
Monday, October 20th
By Jim Gill

Present at the monthly board meeting were Mayor Charles Coolidge, Trustees Sherman Wilkens, Patra Lowes, Bob Brogcinski, Bob Kaine, Village Planner Bob Miller, Constable Howard Gifford, Department of Public Works Supervisor Harold Morton and Village Clerk Mary Klahn.

Mayor Coolidge opened the meeting correcting a report in a local newspaper that blamed the Village Board for turning down a signage request for the Wingate Hotel. He stated “this was a planning board decision that did not involve the village board in any way,” he also went on to mention “personal opinions should not be included in coverage of board meetings.”

Mayor Coolidge reported the village had received $9,400 of the $20,000 grant for the water meter project also mentioning that the state grant had been reduced by 6% possibly leading to some cutbacks in the project. Coolidge also mentioned the 2 million dollar grant U.S. Congressman for the 29th District Randy Kuhl was working on has been turned down. This matter along with the increase in village water usage by the town due to increased development will be discussed at the Four Flusher’s meeting on November 7th.

Public Works Supervisor Morton presented his monthly report to the board.
Put in new drainage on Monroe Street and blacktopped
Continued with patching holes in roads around village
Read water books
Prepared for Octoberfest
Painted light poles on Washington Street
Removed benches and flower pots in the village
Installed no parking signs on Mechanic Street
Started picking up leaves around the village

Following the report Mayor Coolidge mentioned spots along the side of the sidewalk on Monroe Street require filling expressing concerns about the possibility of people being injured.

Board members commented on the excellent job the DPW did in removing 4 dumpsters of garbage during and following the Fall Festival.

The new vendor sign on the north side of Monroe Street was discussed, it is uncertain at this time if they will be posted in other areas i.e. the south corner on Monroe. Coolidge mentioned receiving some complaints about sandwich boards being placed around the village by local businesses. Notices have been sent out to all businesses regarding these; people not complying may be subject to fines. Certain exceptions with Businesses that are not directly on Washington Street.

Constable Gifford’s Report on September Activities

Constable Gifford reported on traffic tickets issued (22) for the month and went through his report on general complaints. One of the main problems during his last report related to the high amount of home alarms going off, there has been a major reduction due to residents receiving notification from the village of possible summonses being issued for repeat false alarms.

Following his report Mayor Coolidge mentioned his dissatisfaction with the outside law enforcement agencies called in for Fall Festival. While Constable Gifford issued a number of violations (mainly open container violations) the other agencies only issued a total of 4 during the entire weekend. The Mayor mentioned he intends to follow up on this with the county legislators; the main complaint on his part pertains to whether or not the village received full services for the amount of money that will be paid out to the Sheriff’s Department. He also mentioned that we should not pay the bill for the Sheriff’s dept.

Following the report from the Village Code Enforcement Office (6 permits issued during September) the rumor regarding a Tim Horton store going into the new building on Washington Street was discussed. It would appear that it is just that, a rumor only as Coolidge reported there has been no contact with the Village Planning Board from the developer and with legislation in place restricting drive-through locations in the village, the location would not be sensible.

New Business

Mayor Coolidge mentioned the monument honoring veterans on the lawn of the Town and Village Hall considered “sacred ground” needs to be protected from being abused. One solution mentioned would be to install two flagpoles, one bearing the Village Flag the other pole the State Flag, a flower bed would then be constructed around the area.

A new Employee handbook (required by insurance) outlining policies for all village employees was reviewed by the board, some minor changes were suggested before being issued. The handbook covers policies including time off, phone usage during working hours, sexual harassment and many other policies to protect both Village employees, supervisors and Village officials.

There was also discussion on many homes in the village not having their numbers posted; this has created complaints with deliveries in some areas and has the potential for problems during emergencies. The Board would like to ask all Village residents and merchants to please display your correct house or business numbers appropriately.

A motion was made to take $7,500 out of the Sewer-Contingency to pay New York State for the annual Discharge permit; this had not been included in the budget for 2008. Motion passed.

Minutes from the previous meeting were approved.

Board members reviewed the Treasurer’s Report and Audit of Claims prior to closing the meeting.