Village Board Review
By Jacob Fellows (01/16/2009)

ELLICOTTVILLE --Mayor Charlie Coolidge called this month’s board meeting to order at 6 p.m. Among those in attendance were village trustees Patra Lowes, Sherman Wilkens, and Bob Brogcinski; village attorney Bob Simon; constable Howard Gifford; village engineer Mike Smith; and head of the DPW, Harold Morton. Community member Peter Widger also sat in on the meeting as an interested party.

The public hearing for local law #1 of 2009 has closed, after village attorney Bob Simon made revisions. Simon’s revisions include a clearer definition of “key holder,” and a clause concerning the revocation of an alarm permit: if a homeowner does not notify the proper village authorities that there has been a change of ownership (key holder) within ten days, their permit may be revoked.
Local law #1 concerns alarm systems and their routine maintenance. The board hopes this law will ensure the safety of all villagers by reducing the instances of false alarms, taking police away from other duties that they should be performing.

Head of the Department of Public Works, Harold Morton, reported that he and his crew have put new signs up on Madison street, have removed snow from street corners as needed in order to ensure proper visibility, and have plowed and sanded as needed throughout the village. Morton also stated that they removed a tree from the creek behind Quality markets. The tree was pushed over by heavy snows and had to be removed before flooding occurred.

It was also stated that a new Dodge Dump truck would need to be replaced and that bids are already being taken. One bid has been received already, from Aeroline, and it is cheaper than the previous truck they purchased, costing 34,200 dollars.

Morton would also like to purchase a Skid steer to help with next year’s snow removal from streets and corners. It was cited that such a purchase would help eliminate destruction of homeowner’s properties because it is a less invasive, more precise instrument than is a clumsy backhoe, which is what they use now.

They have received four bids so far, ranging from 28,000 to 74,000. Mayor Charlie Coolidge stated that, “we are just trying to get a ballpark figure. Get something to put in the budget next year.”
Village Constable Howard Gifford reported to the board that a total of 61 parking tickets were issued last month, with 12 being voided, dismissed, or reduced to warnings. Gifford also stated that 39 letters have been sent to those with unpaid parking tickets. Fourteen have been paid to date and 9 have been dismissed, voided, or reduced to warnings, and 16 have been meet with no reply: just under 50% have been paid and have netted 1,040 dollars in paid fines.

Gifford also stated that the Christmas stroll went well and that drivers responded well to police direction at Jefferson Street and Martha Street.

Town Engineer, Mike Smith, reported that Frey electric has sent them a bill of 36,000 (rounded) for work that was done within the village. The town of Ellicottville, who have already been notified and are not unaware of this bill, will pay 75% of this bill.

Smith also stated that a local sewer law that was drafted and sent out a year and a half ago would not be put into public hearing next month.

In other news, Marty Bentley has been reappointed for another 5-year term as Fire Commissioner, and Time Warner has issued new rates and agreed to carry a Canadian television station, though the station was not specified at the meeting.