VILLAGE OF AURORA BOARD OF TRUSTEE’S MEETING
May 20, 2009
Held at the Aurora Firehouse Meeting Room
Present: Mayor Thomas Gunderson
Trustees - James Chase, Elisabeth MacCormick, Janet Murphy & George Farenthold
Also Present:
Village Residents: David Brooks, Nancy Gil (7:30 PM), Dee Nance and
John Place (7:30 PM)
Deborah Brooks, Deputy Village Clerk/Treasurer
Mayor Gunderson called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM, then led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Trustee Farenthold reminded those in attendance that he is married to Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President of Wells College.
Mayor Gunderson asked for approval of the April 22, 2009 Annual Organizational and Regular Monthly Minutes. Trustee Farenthold moved approval with corrections and Trustee MacCormick seconded. Motion Carried 5:0.
Changes to the Agenda - Mayor Gunderson added under new business approving the Delinquent Water/Sewer Rents to Taxes; signing the Williamson Law Book Tax Software Program; arranging a Special Meeting to discuss insurance coverage for the Village and declaring Lead Agency for the Route 90 South Project for the SEQR Review.
Announcements - Mayor Gunderson presented to the Board the letter received on 5/7/09 from the NYS Power Authority regarding a seminar to discuss how municipalities can reduce their utility costs. Discussion ensued.
Ms. Brooks informed the Board that:
1] the office had received 36 reservations for the May 26th Village Association Dinner to be held at the Aurora Inn.
2] the Morgan Opera House sent a note thanking the Village for their 2009 annual contribution.
3] the office had received notice from Wells College regarding the renewal of their Liquor License at Sommer Center & Main Building.
Visitor Recognition - Mayor Gunderson welcomed Mr. Brooks to the meeting. Mr. Brooks informed the Board that he was present to discuss the placement of the Speed Bump on the south end of Court Street and near the corner of Lafayette Street. Mr. Brooks asked that they consider moving that speed bump further south so as to allow for the traffic coming up Lafayette Street the opportunity to recognize that the unit is there. He noted that after you come to a complete stop at the corner and turn south, the driver doesn’t see the speed bump unit only feels it thus making you wonder what you have hit. He noted that at night your headlights move skyward so you can’t see if you hit anything until after going over the object. Discussion ensued. Trustee Murphy thanked Mr. Brooks for coming to the Board with this concern. She reminded the Board that this speed bump was near the intersection of Orchard Lane and had been removed by someone last year. (Gil & Place Arrived 7:30 PM) Trustee MacCormick also noted that the ends lift off the road and was concerned what might happen to cars if they hit a spike top. Trustee Farenthold suggested placing this speed bump further south on the street just to where the parking area starts near Taylor House driveway allowing for vehicles to turn the corner fully before going over the bump. Trustee Murphy thanked Mr. Brooks again for bring this to their attention and she will get together with Mr. Wilmot to reposition the unit.
Mr. Place once again voiced his concerns to the Board regarding the appeals process in the Village Zoning Law. Mr. Place asked them to consider changing their law so as the appeals process can be done locally through the Zoning Board of Appeals instead of having to go right to the Article 78 Lawsuit and face considerable costs with hiring attorneys to represent them in a court of law. Mr. Place noted spending $25,000 towards lawyer’s fees and now his daughter will have to take out a loan to go to college. Mayor Gunderson responded back that the Village has spent thousands of dollars in attorney fees on the issues pertaining to that small area in the village, too.
Mr. Place voiced concerns about the Village Attorney not informing them of needed paperwork until the night of the CPP meeting when Mr. Fusco was well aware they had submitted home occupation applications in March. Mr. Place noted that Mr. Zwigard was at a disadvantage with this, as it also affects his rear house addition and the planned party in August for which invitations have been sent out.
Mr. Place then complained about the lighting in Holland’s backyard as being illegally installed and that the light shines into their dining room plus not being able to use the waterfront property due to the fence she has installed. Mayor Gunderson asked Mr. Place if the judge for their lawsuit had rendered a ruling. Mr. Place said no word has come from the Federal judge yet. Mayor Gunderson reminded Mr. Place that the Boards act upon the advice of the Village Attorney and at the present they don’t have any say on the lakefront property.
Trustee Murphy noted that the Holland family has also come before the Board asking the Village to follow the law properly and that Mr. Fusco is guiding them as to how to handle all sides of the issue. (Place left 8 PM)
Treasurer’s Reports - Ms. Brooks reported that the books looked fine and will be being the process to close them down for the year very soon.
Mayor Gunderson presented the Budget Modifications to the Board:
GENERAL FUND:
$ 6,625.76FROM A599 - Appropriated Fund Balance
$ 1,027.50TO A1420.4 - Law - Contractual
$ 2,781.00TO A1440.4 - Engineering - Contractual
$ 78.00TO A1620.4 - Buildings - Janitorial Services
$ 49.80TO A1620.44 - Buildings - Electric
$ 706.00TO A1920.4 - Municipal Association Dues
$ 1,206.00TO A7180.2 - Recreation Facilities- Contractual
$ 777.46TO A7180.4 - Recreation Facilities - Contractual
Trustee Farenthold moved approval of the General Fund Budget Modifications; seconded by Trustee Murphy. Motion Carried 5:0.
WATER FUND:
$ 264.48FROM F1990.4 - Contingent Account
$ 40.49TO F8340.41 - Transmission & Distribution - Utilities
$ 223.99 TO F9060.8 - Hospital & Medical Insurance
Trustee Farenthold moved approval of the Water Fund Budget Modifications; seconded by Trustee Chase. Motion Carried 5:0.
SEWER FUND:
$ 1,422.75FROM G1990.4 - Contingency Account
$ 720.63FROM G9040.8 - Worker’s Comp
$ 111.80TO G8130.4 - Sewage Treatment - Misc. Contractual
$ 752.49TO G8130.41 - Sewage Treatment - Utilities
$ 510.00TO G8130.45- Sewage Treatment - Chemicals
$ 769.09TO G9060.8 - Hospital & Medical Insurance
TOTAL $ 2,143.38
Trustee Farenthold moved approval of the Sewer Fund Budget Modifications; seconded by Trustee Chase. Motion Carried 5:0.
Ms. Brooks asked the Board to transfer the money set aside for the paving of the front parking lot at the Firehouse to the Building Fund Money Market Reserve.
RESOLUTION # 09-12
WHEREAS the Village Board of Trustees authorized the expenditure of $38,000.00 in the 2008-2009 in A1620.23 Buildings - Firehouse Paving and such expenditure has not occurred within the fiscal year,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees authorizes the Treasurer to move those funds to the Buildings Reserve Money Market Savings Account #70254 until such time as the work is approved by said Board.
Trustee Farenthold moved that the Board allow Ms. Brooks to make the necessary transfer of funds. Trustee MacCormick seconded the motion. Motion Carried 5:0.
Mayor presented the bills for payment on Abstract # 12:
General Fund - voucher #s 411, 413, 415, 418-420, 422-432, 434, 435-442 in the amount of $15,980.30. Trustee Murphy moved payment of General Fund bills, seconded by Trustee Chase. The Board unanimously approved payment of the General Fund bills. Motion Carried 5:0.
Water Fund - voucher #s 413, 424, 429 & 442 in the amount of $ 2,616.80. Trustee Chase moved payment of Water Fund bills seconded by Trustee Farenthold. The Board unanimously approved payment of the Water Fund bills. Motion Carried 5:0.
Sewer Fund - voucher #s 412-414, 416, 417, 422, 424, 426, 433 & 442 in the amount of
$ 9,636.68. Trustee Murphy moved payment of Sewer Fund bills with a second by Trustee Farenthold. The Board unanimously approved payment of the Sewer Fund bills. Motion Carried 5:0
Committee Reports:
Buildings and Grounds - Trustee Farenthold informed the Board that Upstate Safety Task Force was waiting for the 45 day public comment period to begin.
Trustee Farenthold reminded the Village Board of the need to make extra parking along the Village Right of way next to the Oak Glen Cemetery even if it was just filled and graded for now.
Trustee Farenthold informed the Board that he had attended the monthly Finger Lakes Museum meeting in Penn Yann this month and that the next monthly meeting would be June 23, 2009 at the Aurora Inn.
Trustee Farenthold informed the Board that the Floating Classroom out of Ithaca would be open for a public viewing at the Wells College Dock either June 3rd or June 4th. He would let everyone know when the date and time was confirmed.
Trustee Farenthold reminded the Board of the annual Aurorafest on July 11, 2009, but noted that there hadn’t been a committee planning meeting lately. Trustee Chase reported that there would be the Wells College Golf Course Member Guest Tournament that day and the golfers would be interested in helping the Aurorafest Committee in the sale of raffle tickets and helping out. He noted to Trustee Farenthold to contact Gary Culver for more information.
Recreation, Parks & Public Safety - Trustee MacCormick reported that the Summer Swim Program would be open everyday (weather permitting) June 30th to August 17th, 2009. Trustee MacCormick asked the Board to approve the hiring of Carolyn Connors as Recreation Director at the fee of $1,500.00 for the program. She also noted that she has eight (8) applicants for lifeguards and would be interviewing them with Carolyn. Trustee MacCormick moved that the Board hire Carolyn Connors for the sum of $1,500.00.as the Summer Recreation Director. Trustee Farenthold seconded the motion. Motion Carried 5:0.
Trustee MacCormick informed the Board that Dave Reynolds has graded the Court Street Playground into two (2) levels. Mr. Van Horn has constructed the swing set equipment and they have decided it is too large to be placed in the middle level. Mr. Van Horn will be repositioning it to the back level.
Trustee MacCormick reported that she has spoken with Chief Mark Bailey regarding the placement of the Basketball Hoop in the Firehouse rear parking lot. She explained that several of the Court Street Playground neighbors felt the Basketball Hoop in the park would be inappropriate, so she asked if the parking lot could be used instead. Trustee MacCormick noted the concerns of Chief Bailey if the hoop was positioned in that area. She said he had concerns with children not moving out of the way of the Fire Equipment if they should have to exit the rear of the building for an emergency call and that vandals have been a concern at various times.
Trustee Murphy reported that there haven’t been any problems with the Basketball Hoop at the College Dock. Discussion ensued. Trustee Chase felted that the children needed to be located all in one area for their safety. Trustee Murphy noted that when the Playground was originally proposed many concerns were voiced but never came to be. The Board agreed that Trustee MacCormick needed to do further investigation with this part of the project.
Trustee MacCormick was reminded by the Mayor that before any money in the Recreation Reserve Fund could be spent for the paved bicycle path and hoop area, the Board needed to enact a Permissive Referendum.
Streets & Public Safety - Trustee Chase noted that the Speed Bumps were already discussed. Mrs. Gil asked what the Village could do to help the unsightly situation of cigarette butts being left at the Wells Road and Woods End corner. Discussion ensued about the policy that Wells College has enacted of no smoking on campus property then not providing for an area for the staff and students to use. Mrs. Gil felt that it was unfair that the students are trespassing onto private property in the Woods End neighborhood and leaving their cigarette butts and garbage behind for the property owners to deal with. Trustee MacCormick suggested that the Board address this problem to Dean Anne Linquist and try to rectify the situation before the fall semester starts.
Trustee Chase noted that the painted parking lines have faded and need to be redone. Mayor Gunderson responded that the contractor hired to do them will be back to redo them soon.
Water & Sewer - Trustee Murphy reported that she had contacted Mr. Wilmot about the proposed water extension to David Fitzgerald, Jr.‘s property north on Route 90 and found that they need to gather more information from the Cayuga County Department of Health and engineers before allowing any work to be done there
Trustee Murphy shared Mr. Wilmot’s opinion on the need to increase the Water/Sewer Rates. She said the Mr. Wilmot felt that it was the timing of the receipts coming into the office to pay the bills more than the need to do any increase. Trustee Murphy felt that with that advice no increase was needed at this time. Ms. Brooks noted her concern, as Treasurer, that Mr. Wilmot had discussed with her the day before that there could be a compromise to help the situation by changing the Water Access Fee to $5.00 and giving Sewer an Access Fee of $5.00. Ms. Brooks noted that this would help the Sewer Fund generate needed funding and reduce the Water Fund slightly. The Board unanimously agreed to table this until further information was at hand.
Community Preservation Panel - April 1, 2009 Minutes
Planning Board - November 12, 2008
Zoning Board of Appeals - no report
Zoning Officer - April 2009 Report
Village Historian - no report
Old Business - Mayor Gunderson asked for approval of hiring of Dee Nance as Village Clerk/Tax Collector retroactive to May 15, 2009 with a Probationary Period of 90 days at the rate of $11.00/hour which will be increased to $12.00/hour after June 1, 2009. Trustee Farenthold moved the appointment with Trustee MacCormick seconding it. Motion Carried 5:0.
The Board then discussed how the office hours would be set up, by the Clerks. Ms. Nance noted that she teaches at the Aurora Preschool so she would be inclined to have afternoon hours and Ms. Brooks would work the morning public hours with Thursday as the day for both to be in the office for the public. Ms. Nance further noted that after she is trained by Ms. Brooks, the hours would be set so all will be informed by Fall. Discussion ensued.
New Business:
Mayor Gunderson announced the resignation of Ken Kabelac as Chairman and member of the Planning Board. Trustee Farenthold moved that a letter be sent from the Mayor thanking Mr. Kabelac for his dedication and service to the Village. Trustee Chase seconded the motion. Motion Carried 5:0.
Mayor Gunderson presented the following appointments to the Board for:
1] Community Preservation Panel (CPP) renewal of Derwood Crocker for a five (5) year term;
2] Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) renewal of Cathy Patella for a five (5) year term;
3] Planning Board (PB) the appointment of Alan Connors for a five (5) year term to fill vacant seat and Nancy Gil as Chairperson to fill the one (1) year term of Ken Kabelac.
Trustee Farenthold moved acceptance of the appointments as presented by Mayor Gunderson. Trustee MacCormick seconded the motion. Motion Carried 5:0.
Mayor Gunderson informed the Board that he would like to set up a meeting with Insurance Agent Peter Adams of Adams Insurance and NYMIR representative, David Dempsey (current policy holder). Discussion ensued. The Board agreed to meet on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Firehouse to review the comparative programs presented to them. Trustee Chase noted he wouldn’t be available to come that evening.
Mayor Gunderson reviewed with the SEQR needed for the route 90 South Project prepared by MRB noting that the Lead Agency needed to be declared. Trustee Farenthold moved that the Village Board be declared the Lead agency for the Route 90 South Project. Trustee MacCormick seconded the motion. Motion Carried 5:0.
Mayor Gunderson asked Ms. Brooks to set up a Public Hearing to do the SEQR Review for Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 7:00 PM with the monthly meeting to follow immediately.
Mayor Gunderson asked that the Board accept the Delinquent Water/Sewer list to be placed on the June Property Taxes.
RESOLUTION # 09-13
BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees authorizes the Deputy Village Clerk to add the unpaid Water/Sewer Rents to the 2009 June Tax Roll in the amount of $ 1,366.67 for Water and
$ 1,529.61 for Sewer.
Trustee Murphy moved Resolution #09-13 Delinquent Water/Sewer Rents be added to the 2009 Tax Roll. Trustee Chase seconded the motion. Motion Carried 5:0.
Mayor Gunderson asked to renew the Tax Software Program with Williamson Law Book in the amount of $330.00. Trustee Chase moved acceptance and Trustee Murphy seconded the motion. Motion Carried 5:0.
Trustee Murphy motioned for adjournment at 9:18 PM. Seconded by Trustee Farenthold . Motion Carried 5:0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Deborah M. Brooks
Deputy Village Clerk