Ellicottville Village Board Meeting
By Jim Gill

Mayor Charles Coolidge called the regular monthly meeting to order at 6: PM on Monday April 13, 2009.

Attending: Trustees Patra Lowes, Bob Brogcinski, Sherman Wilkens, Bob Kaine
Also: Constable Howard Gifford, DPW Howard Morton, Village Attorney Bob Simon, Nussbaumer & Clarke Jim Brundage, Mary Klahn Village Clerk.

Public Hearing on Budget: no one in attendance

Business from the Floor: A resident living on Elizabeth Street raised concerns regarding one of the homes that recently went on the market. His complaint evolved around the overall condition of the home. The presence of rodents and concerns about a potential fire hazard could therefore endanger the lives of neighbors. He questioned the board regarding the Village having some responsibility to insure the safety of adjacent neighbors.

According to Mayor Coolidge the building inspector can’t do anything until after the sale of the home but promised to have Village attorney Bob Simon look into it.

Department of Public Works: Supervisor Morton presented his monthly report to board members.
Patched holes on roads in Village

Read water books comparing old method and new meters. New meters working well to the point DPW crews were able to notify some residents they had a water leak inside their homes.

Cleaned up brush and leaves around the Village
Repair work on Jefferson Street
Have 50% of Main Street cleaned
Removed banners & Christmas lights
Instead of renting a street sweeper the Village has budgeted $29,000 to purchase a sweeper.

Constable Report:
Constable Gifford reported on activity from 3/01/09 thru 3/31/09
Traffic tickets issued – 5
Calls to Town (Patrol unavailable) 2
Alarms – 2
Criminal mischief – 2
Garbage complaint – 1
Noise complaint – 1
Trash fire – 1
Arrests – Disorderly conduct -1, Public urination – 1
Parking – Issued (Total) 20
Payment received - $500.00 (50% paid to date)
Payment received (Previous tickets) $1,565.00
Total payments received - $2,065.00
Parking letters sent – 21

Mardi Gras Arrests by Village Constable
Open Container – 18
Public urination – 2
Disorderly Conduct – 3
Criminal Impersonation – 1
Town Police Department:
Criminal Mischief/Petit Larceny – 2 (no arrests)
Disorderly Conduct – 1
Constable Gifford reported that major problems broke out after midnight when most of the officers on duty had left for the evening. Town Chief Graham and Gifford agreed to split the shifts next year assuring enough officers would be on duty after midnight.

Sewer Report: Jim Brundage from Nussbaumer & Clarke
Downloaded flow information
Mapped out and inspected 9 Madison St. sewer
Inspected sewer repair at 42 Jefferson St. Tree roots had blocked the sewer
Had Rockwell, Donlen Dr. sewer & John Burrell’s sewer TV’d by Zuech’s. Rockwell sewer leaks at every joint (clay tile). On Donlen Drive; a pipe is coming from the apartment building into the manhole. John Burrell’s was blocked by tree roots and not our responsibility
Downloaded temperature and flow meter information
Conducted all daily, weekly and monthly tests and maintenance

Mayor Coolidge reported that the expected 50% funding from the State has been reduced to 25%, most of the allocated money went to downstate projects.

Coolidge also mentioned that due to the water pressure situation at some point development will have to stop until a new tank is constructed

Code Enforcement Office: From the office of Building Inspector Tom Abriatis
A total of 9 building permits were issued from 2/1/09 thru 4/13/09
HoliMont want to purchase a Community Clock to be mounted in front of the 1887 Building
Old Business: nothing to report
Special Events: nothing to report
New Business:
Closed Public Hearing – Budget – Motion to adopt new budget – Approved
Transfers – Take out of surplus – Water Fund to Telemetry - $14,000
Take out of surplus – Water Fund to Telemetry - $11,000
Minutes from previous meeting: Approved