Village Board Meeting
Village Seeking New Quarters?
(02/13/2009) By Jim Gill

Mayor Charles Coolidge called the regular monthly Village Board meeting to order at 6: PM on Monday February 9th.

Attending: Trustees Patra Lowes, Bob Brogcinski, Sherman Wilkens, Bob Kaine
Also: Constable Howard Gifford, Howard Morton DPW, Bob Simon Village Attorney, Mike Smith Engineer, Mary Klahn Village Clerk.

Department of Public Works Report:

• Supervisor Morton presented his monthly report to the Board Members.
  
• Plowing snow as needed
  
• Focused on snow removal from corners around Village
  
• Installed more new water meter heads (Funding for this project is from a State Grant)
  
• Repaired Dodge one ton truck
  
• Painted pipe at Pump House in Village Park
  
• Hauled in 8 more loads of sand & salt

Also: Board members discussed the need for posting “Children at Play” signs and additional 30 MPH signs in certain areas of the Village. Members agreed to order necessary signs.

Mayor Coolidge raised liability concerns about ice and snow falling from roof tops (mainly metal type) onto village sidewalks and in one case a major amount of ice falling into Maybe Alley that could have caused serious injury. Constable Gifford called in Harold Morton (DPW) late in the evening to block access and remove the high amount of ice that had fallen. The danger of falling ice and snow has required some sidewalks to be closed forcing pedestrians to cross the street to avoid these areas. Village Attorney Bob Simon will conduct research on whom is liable, the Village or building owners and report back at next months meeting.

Village Constable Report:
Alarms answered – 3
Calls to Town (Patrol unavailable) 8
Parking complaints – 1
Sign complaint – 1
Arrests – Assault 3rd Degree – 1
Open Container – 2
Parking – 96 issued – void, warning, dismissed – 11
Total – 85
Payment received - $2,760.
Payment received (Previous tickets) $865.00
Total payment received - $4,490.

Mayor Coolidge discussed illegal parking mainly during church services on the west side of Jefferson (from the Oasis Day Spa back to Washington). Vehicles illegally parked are causing problems for the large tractor trailer units making the turn at the traffic light.

Zoning Report: The only activity on the books relates to Coffee Culture and Subway Restaurant to be located in the new Sprague Building on Washington St.

Building Inspector Report: Tom Abriatis had nothing to report for the month of January.

Engineers Report: The main focus pertained to lack of space in the Town Hall. Mayor Coolidge mentioned investigating purchasing the land and building where the new Sprague Center is located. Several factors involved in not pursuing the location were price and losing an income property from the Village tax rolls. The mayor has done some preliminary work on expansion of the DPW building on Mill Street as a location for the Village Hall. The Village owns the site, there is ample parking available and it is not on the tax rolls.

Mayor Coolidge estimates the costs would be approximately 400,000. to add the additional space required with no additional costs to the local taxpayers. Renting the space in the Town Hall currently costs the Village 15,000. annually, the same annual amount in paying off a 30 year bond if they proceed. In addition, some reserve funds could go into the project.
Board members agreed to have Engineer Mike Smith proceed with preliminary work on suitable types of buildings and designs.

Special Events

Trustee Patra Lowes opened discussion on this years Mardis Gras.
To be held on Saturday March 14th.

The DPW will set up barriers in the appropriate locations, all barriers will be removed by 7:30 PM.
The staging area for the annual parade will be in front of the 5 Star Bank. The parade will commence at 6:30 dispersing at the intersection of Jefferson and Washington at 7:30.
4 Porta-Johns will be set up near the Historical Building

Constable Gifford mentioned the possibility of swearing in 4-5 trained Police Officers to assist with policing the event.

Only one vendor (Pop Corn) will be allowed, anyone requesting a permit must go through the Town Hall

New Business: Resolution for the resurfacing of U.S. Route 219 was adopted by the Board.
Minutes from the January 2009 meeting were accepted.

The next Village Board Meeting will be held on Monday March 9, 2009