VILLAGE OF AURORA BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
January 25, 2006
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Aurora, New York was called to order in the Firehouse Meeting Room at 7:30 PM on January 25, 2006 with Mayor Gunderson presiding.
PRESENT: Mayor Tom Gunderson, Trustees Jim Chase, George Farenthold (7:35 PM), Janet Murphy and Ken Zabriskie.
ALSO PRESENT: Judy Beck, David Brooks, Debbie Brooks, Sheila Edmunds (Village Historian), George Fearon, Randy Hess, David Kauber, Melinda Kostreva (Treasurer), Ann Rollo, Louise Rossmann, Pam Sheridan, Helen Theimer and Nancy Yann (Clerk).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Trustee Zabriskie moved approval of the December 21, 2005 Regular Meeting Minutes with corrections noted. Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 4:0.
Trustee Zabriskie moved approval of the December 29, 2005 Special Meeting Minutes with corrections noted. Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 4:0.
Trustee George Farenthold reminds the residents and visitors in tonight’s
audience that he is married to Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President of Wells
College.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: Mayor Gunderson noted the following change to the agenda: 1) Under New Business, add Street Bonding Amount for Village Street Project 2006.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Gunderson read a letter from Helen Theimer regarding the proposed new access to the Village Park, the depth of the proposed land in the flood plain and the proposed new parking lot’s access to the Post Office, Market, Inn and Fargo (letter attached).
Mayor Gunderson responded that the Village Park would be used for special events and family affairs, as it was before. Mrs. Theimer stated that the Foundation had made it virtually impossible for villagers to get to the park, leaving the park unusable for the past three years.
After a discussion dealing with handicapped parking at the park, Mayor Gunderson pointed out that it might be possible to make two handicapped parking spaces at the park near the entrance to the park from the road. Concerns were made from several people about the Foundation changing the proposed plans and worried about the access being eliminated. Mayor Gunderson stated that the nothing could be cut without negotiations from both sides. Mayor Gunderson went on to say that the Foundation has nothing to do with the proposed village park and that the land was no loss of our tax base, as the land being conveyed was already tax exempt. The depth of the land goes from the waters edge to the state right-of-way. The Board will continue talking to the Department of Transportation.
Mrs. Theimer asked how many clauses the Village put in the MOU. Mayor Gunderson stated that the proposed new road to replace the current Post Office would always be owned by the Village.
Mrs. Theimer asked is swimming was currently allowed at the Village Park. Currently there is no swimming at the village park, and most likely never will be.
Sheila Edmunds asked if a decision has been made by the United States
Postal Service. Mayor Gunderson responded that he was still waiting for this to happen. Mrs. Theimer stated that she thought Patrick’s Tavern
would make an ideal place for the Post Office. Sheila Edmunds commented that she had no problems with this suggestion. Mayor Gunderson commented that the Postal Service does not like to build, they like to lease. There will be one more public hearing where everyone is invited to participate. Mrs. Theimer thanked the Village Board for their time.
Mayor Gunderson read a letter from MEGA ( Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance) stating that the Village has saved 19% for the year 2005.
Mayor Gunderson reported that European Wood Wasps were moving into Central New York. These wood wasps kill pine trees. The only way to get rid of them is to burn the trees.
CLERK'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Clerk reported that the Board had been given a copy of the sales tax
report. Things might be different once the Indian Land Claim really gets settled.
The Clerk announced that she had received a phone call from Ed Musco from docStar regarding digital scanning. The company would bring the equipment to show the Board how beneficial it was and would like to set up a time that the Board could meet. The Board stated that they would rather wait until next year, as there are so many things happening this year. The Clerk will respond to this request.
VISITOR RECOGNITION:
Mayor Gunderson recognized County Legislator Chair, George Fearon. Mr. Fearon suggested getting in touch with Bill Houlett, Records Retention in Auburn. Mr. Fearon is a strong advocate for making sure that records are cared for and stated that digital retention is always a good idea.
David Kauber reminded the Board members of the “Sunshine Law” (the Open Meetings Law) contained in Article 7 of the Public Officers Law which is a tool for the public to provide them with information on the functioning of government.
He feels that the Board going into Executive Sessions every month from September 2005 through December 2005 to discuss the issue of land transfers did not meet the spirit of the “Sunshine Law”. Trustee
Zabriskie pointed out to Mr. Kauber that the Village Attorney felt that
the Board was doing the “right thing” by entering into Executive Sessions to discuss this issue.
TREASURER'S REPORTS:
A. Monthly Reports:
The Board accepted the Monthly Reports for December 2005.
B. Budget Modifications
Trustee Farenthold moved to approve the Budget Modifications in the
General Fund as follows:
GENERAL FUND:
$103.69 FROM A1410.41 – Clerk Treasurer – Computer/Copier – TO A7510.4 –Clerk Treasurer - Contractual
$737.95 FROM A1010.4 – Board of Trustees - Contractual TO A5110.4 –Historian - Contractual
Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.
WATER FUND:
Trustee Farenthold moved the following Budget Modification in the Water Fund:
$41.74 FROM F99950.9 – Transfer To Public Works Apparatus TO F8310.4 –
Water Administration - Contractual
Seconded by Trustee Murphy, motion carried 5:0.
Seconded by by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.
C. Approval of Bills:
Trustee Farenthold moved approval of bills in the General Fund for claims #246 to #283 in the amount of $9,948.74. There was a question regarding Voucher #279 from Hill’s Heating and Air Conditioning for a service call on January 9, 2006 due to running out of fuel oil. No one from the Village made the call and is not responsible for running out of fuel oil.
The Village of Aurora and other municipalities using Suburban have run
into the same problem. The Village was on automatic delivery. Suburban stopped making automatic deliveries as they do not have the State Bid. The Board asked to have this voucher pulled until confirmation could be made to who owes for the service call. The Village was never notified that there would be no automatic deliveries until they ran out of fuel on January 1, 2006. The amount being spent from the General Fund is now $7,790.49. Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.
Trustee Zabriskie moved approval of bills in the Water Fund for claims
#246 to #283 in the amount of $545.77. Seconded by Trustee
Farenthold, motion carried 5:0.
Trustee Zabriskie moved approval of bills in the Sewer Fund for claims
#246 to #283 in the amount of $6,490.12. Seconded by Trustee Farenthold, motion carried 5:0.
COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS:
A. Buildings and Grounds:
Trustee Farenthold reported on the Parking Subcommittee. Trustees Chase and Farenthold had met to discuss parking issues as well as handicap parking in the Village. The new proposed parking lot will help ease the parking problems. Mayor Gunderson and Deputy Mayor/Trustee Zabriskie will meet next week to discuss and view the plans being drawn up.
B. Recreation, Parks and Public Events:
Trustee Murphy had nothing to report.
C. Streets and Public Safety:
Trustee Chase had nothing to report.
D. Water and Sewer:
Trustee Zabriskie reported that Kurt had picked up more parts for the
Sewer Plant from Geneva. Geneva is upgrading their plant, which has
allowed for the Village to obtain parts at no cost to the Village. This
has saved the Village thousands of dollars.
Mayor Gunderson reported that there has been a problem with a creek near Chris MacCormick’s property on Court Street. Kurt has been asked to get hold of the Sheriff’s Office to see if a work crew could work on this project.
Mayor Gunderson reported that Fire Chief, Mark Bailey had talked to him about installing dry hydrants at the Boat House and Lafayette Street
Extension. Mr. Bailey has met with the Department of Soil and
Conservation regarding this issue. Dave Brooks, Fire Commissioner,
responded that they had talked about it but his feeling was that at this
time they were not pursuing it. Mr. Brooks said, “I guess we are!”
E. Community Preservation:
The Village Board accepted the Minutes of December 7, 2005.
F. Planning Board:
The Village Board accepted the Minutes of January 11, 2006.
G. Zoning Board of Appeals:
The Village Board accepted the Minutes of October 26, 2005 Regular
Meeting, October 26, 2005 Public Hearing, January 18, 2006 Regular Meeting and January 18, 2006 Public Hearing.
H. Zoning Officer:
The Village Board accepted the December 2005 Report.
I. Historian:
Ms. Edmunds gave an entertaining and very informative report on her latest discovery and purchase. She has spent a “goodly” amount of money on a ledger compiled between 1834 and 1838 by Nancy Barber Morgan. This purchase cost the Village $1,000.00, which is a significant find. Carl Kabelac informed Ms. Edmunds that a Mr. Valentine from Philadelphia had this ledger. Ms. Edmunds informed the Board that this ledger would go into the Archives. This is one good reason for good record retention.
The Board recognized Ms. Edmunds’ efforts and acknowledged a job well done. Thank you Ms. Edmunds!
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Gunderson gave an update on the Street Improvement Project 2006.
The Board will be asked to request Lead Agency for the SEQR under New Business.
Mayor Gunderson gave a report on the Post Office plans. There will be a meeting with the Aurora Foundation, LLC, Attorneys, Architects, mayor Gunderson and Deputy Mayor/Trustee Zabriskie next week.
NEW BUSINESS:
Trustee Farenthold moved the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION # 2006-1
POLLING PLACE AND HOURS POLLS WILL BE OPEN
January 25, 2006
RESOLVED; that the Polling Place for the Village of Aurora March 21, 2006
Village Election will be at the Aurora Firehouse, located at 456 Main
Street, Aurora, New York, and
BE IT ALSO RESOLVED; that the hours during which the Polls will be open will be from 12:00 Noon until 9 PM.
Seconded by Trustee Murphy, motion carried 5:0, as follows:
Mayor Gunderson ___Aye_______
Trustee Chase ___Aye_______
Trustee Farenthold___Aye______
Trustee Murphy ___Aye_______
Trustee Zabriskie ___Aye_______
Trustee Farenthold, moved the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION # 2006-2
Election Inspectors
January 25, 2006
RESOLVED; That the Village of Aurora appoint Barbara Mapstone and Laurie Lounsbury as Election Inspectors for the March 21, 2006 Village Elections at a rate of $7.50 per hour. Mrs. Mapstone will act as Chair.
Inspectors will work on Tuesday, March 21, 2006, Election Day from 11:30 AM until after the canvassing of votes immediately following the Election.
Seconded by Trustee Zabriskie, motion carried 5:0, as follows:
Mayor Gunderson ___Aye ___
Trustee Chase ___Aye____
Trustee Farenthold ___Aye____
Trustee Murphy ___Aye ___
Trustee Zabriskie ___Aye ____
Trustee Farenthold moved the following Resolution:
Resolution # 2006-03
Village Street Improvement Project – 2006 Request For Lead Agency
WHEREAS; the Village of Aurora intends to undertake a SEQR classified Type 1 improvement project to the existing Village road system, and
THEREFORE; due to the knowledge of the proposed project parameters, requirements, and the project location, the Village of Aurora hereby
requests to be declared Lead Agency for the environmental assessment
review process for the Village Street Improvement Project pending a 30-day comment period by all involved Agencies.
Seconded by Trustee Zabriskie, motion carried 5:0 as follows:
Mayor Gunderson ___Aye ___
Trustee Chase ___Aye____
Trustee Farenthold ___Aye____
Trustee Murphy ___Aye ___
Trustee Zabriskie ___Aye ____
Mayor Gunderson reported that he had contacted property owners on OrchardLane to see what their wishes were concerning dedicating Orchard Lane to the Village.
This would mean that each property owner would have pay a
part of the cost to have the road/property surveyed. At this point,
everyone was in agreement that this would be beneficial to everyone
involved. Louise Rossmann asked why the cost was so high (+ or - $800.00) and if the Village was going to pay a part of it. Mayor Gunderson stated that this cost was to be divided between the property owners (there are six – Wells College, Kevin & Kit Van Orman, Ed & Janet Heslop, Mike & Sandy Groth, Ed & Louise Rossmann and Tom & Maralee Gunderson) and that all streets the Village now owns have been dedicated.
It would not be proper for the Village to pay for the survey or for the road, the property owners will be dedicating the road to the Village, the Village will then be able to plow snow, pick-up leaves, etc. Everything will need to be put in writing and will be added to the Agenda next month.
With no further business to discuss, Mayor Gunderson asked for a motion to adjourn.
ADJOURNMENT:
Trustee Farenthold moved adjournment at 9:26 PM. Seconded by Trustee
Chase, motion carried 5:0.