Date: December 14, 2010
Time: 6:00 pm
Elected Officers:
Mayor Frohne, Trustees O’Connor, Kurkowski, Patrick, and Pierson
Appointed Officers:
Clerk – Diane Blackwell
Treasurer – Donna Wells
Roll Call: Mayor Frohne, Trustees Patrick, O’Connor, Pierson, Kurkowski all present.
Mayor Frohne asked if there were any objections to waiving the reading of the minutes of the November 24th, 2010 minutes. No objections.
Motion to approve the Nov. 24th, 2010 minutes made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd. by Trustee Kurkowski, Trustee’s O’Connor, Patrick and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Trustee Pierson, abstained. Motion carried.
Special Business:
Lamont Engineers:
Glen: Contract #1 is done for the season but will be back in the spring to finish the restoration work.
Contract #2- Blue Heron, has not reached substantial completion as of 12/14/2010. Had a truck come to pump out the muck at the bottom of the manhole for the reed bed. No rails or pump in yet.
Contract #3- pulling wires, running conduit, putting lights in the pre-treatment bldg.
Contract 4 & 5 – No louvers or fans in yet. Contractor was concerned about glass in the doors getting broken.
Change orders for Contract 5- J.V.Warren - regulator by the tank, $522.00, was installed. Also the power vents, all piping and heaters, $6,548.93. Also received a proposal from Stilsing to wire all power vents and put in conduit and wire the heaters at a cost of $3,520.00. These change orders were previously approved and the work is done.
Change orders – Stilsing – installation of conduit from master control unit to clarifier building, digging, backhoe, backfilling 20ft. trench, change in feed wire size to influent pumps, pulling wire from master control unit, pre treatment building, install conduit & Explosion poof fittings for sludge pump pit on north side of clarifier bldg., total $10,214.00, and new conduit to backwash building $6,215.00. Total change $16,429.00
Resolution to approve Change order for Contract #3, Stilsing Electrical Inc. made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd. by Trustee Pierson, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes.
Change order from Blue Heron – release valves, backwash building total $6,104.48, installing 18” sanitary sewer, $4,516.04, unforeseen conditions to install 8” plug valve and piping for reed bed under drain system, $6,906.96, extra work in effluent pump station, $4,656.58.
Resolution to approve Change order for Contract #2, Blue Heron made by Trustee Pierson, 2nd. by Trustee Patrick, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes.
Resolution made to not approve an extension for substantial completion date for Contract #2, Blue Heron, by Trustee Patrick, 2nd. by Trustee Pierson, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes.
Tom Hallock – Fire Chief
Reported that the ambulance is out of service.
The firemen would like to update the stove in the kitchen for the auxiliary at the fire house. They would like to plumb the building for Natural Gas. The fire dept. will pay for this to be done, just asking the board if they are ok with this. Also, they will be getting supplies at Northrup Supply but do not have an account with them, so asked if they could charge to the village and then they will pay the bill.
Motion to approve made by Trustee Pierson, 2nd. by Trustee O’Connor, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried.
Public Comment:
Snowmobilers and business owners from the area were invited to come to the board meeting to discuss the snowmobiles on the village streets. Trustee Kurkowski explained to them that the board is concerned about the blacktop being ruined that was just put down this fall. Also, expressed the concern of the snowmobiles driving on the sidewalks as well. Several members expressed there concerns about the loss of business for the local businesses. It was asked why tickets are not being written when the people abuse the rights of the village streets. After a long discussion, Mayor Frohne thanked the people for coming to discuss this issue and it was left that Mayor Frohne will speak to the St. Troopers, Otsego Co. Sheriff’s, and DEC and see just what their limitations are for enforcing the village laws, and ask them to attend a meeting along with the snowmobilers so everyone has a better understanding of the laws and how they can be enforced.
Theresa Oaks spoke to the board about the Christmas tree lighting. She was disappointed about the lack of show of the village board members. John O’Connor and Mayor Frohne were the only ones there. She asked if the members could at least call her to let her know who was coming or not coming. She also asked about why the village would not give a $25.00 monetary gift for the Santa for coming each year. It was explained to her that it is illegal to give a monetary gift to any private individual. Trustee O’Connor thanked Theresa for volunteering her time and putting this whole ceremony together each year.
Clerk – Diane Blackwell
Abstract #13- General Fund- $13,086.73, Water Fund - $2,235.94, Sewer Fund - $1,345.46, Cemetery Fund-$113.75,Trust and Agency - $64.96, Capitol Projects - $113,639.58. Total: $130,486.42.
Motion to approve abstract #13 made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd. by Trustee Pierson, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried.
Clerk’s report for Nov. 2010 – Clerk fees taken in $45.75, registrar fees taken in $30.00. Total check given to the treasurer for $75.75.
Clerk reminded the board members about the Christmas luncheon being held on Dec. 23rd. at 12:00 pm. in the Memorial room, put on by Diane and Donna.
Clerk asked the board if they wanted the village office opened on Dec. 24th and if so, what hours? After discussion, was decided to close the office on Dec. 24th, in observance of Christmas and to close the office on Dec. 31st. in observance of New Years Day. The clerk would like to thank the board for this. A notice will be put on the doors of the building and also in the Pennysaver.
Treasurer – Donna Wells
Donna asked the board what to do about Theresa Oaks being billed as an inside user of water/sewer, when it should be outside. After discussion, was decided the treasurer will write her a letter and inform her of this.
The DEC informed Donna that the Village has never been certified for the license to use pesticides. This will be taken care of on line and there is no charge.
There is still a big hole in the ceiling in the library, so Donna called Ed Bello’s about checking it. His men suggested two ways to take care of the problem; 1) to tear the plaster down and replace it or, 2) to put 2x4’s up and sheet rock and then put drop ceiling with a vapor barrier and rigid insulation. After discussion, was agreed to go with the 2nd. option, and wait for two weeks so Bob Graepel can do the work.
Treasurer needs two new accounts set up for disability insurance and two transfers done to same accounts.
Resolution made to approve two new accounts for disability insurance, FX9055.8, with transfer of $27.00 from FX9089.8, other employee benefits, and G9055.8 with transfer of $54.00 from G8120.1, Sanitation T/Lines P.S., made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd by Trustee Pierson, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes.
Balance sheets budget reports and bank reconciliations were passed out.
A check was received from Otsego Co. in the amount of $78,202.00, the breakdown of this check is as follows: re-levied sewer-$16,033.69, re-levied water-$9,364.33,real property tax-$46,925.82, penalties & interest-$4,400.23, and special assessments(property maint.) - $1,477.93.
Cemetery investments, 2 stocks in the stock management account, Donna would like to sell. Donna met with the broker from the bank. The bonds that we have are callable. After discussion, was agreed for Donna to put a sell order in for these before any more money is lost on them.
Resolution made to approve the treasurer to sell the Lakeview Cemetery two remaining stocks and bonds made by Trustee Kurkowski, 2nd. by Trustee O’Connor, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes.
Donna then gave a report to the board of the contractors meeting that was held on Dec. 10th. and also about the conference call from EFC that included the Village Attorney, Donna, Lamont and several people from the EFC. The problem is that Blue Heron has received payments from the village for the project but has not paid their suppliers. Also, there will be $800.00 a day held out of their pay due to not meeting the substantial completion date, which totaled $14,400.00 as of 12/14/2010. This will not come out of the retainage account.
Motion made to go into executive session to discuss personnel made by Trustee Pierson, 2nd. by Trustee O’Connor, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes.
Motion to come out of executive session made by Trustee Pierson, 2nd. by Trustee O’Connor, Trustee O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes.
Mayor Frohne:
Nothing at this time.
Trustee Patrick:
Passed out information he had gotten from the Village of Cooperstown regarding the codes enforcement and issuing tickets to illegally parked vehicles. Trustee Patrick suggested reviewing this information and maybe the Village of Richfield Springs could follow this pattern. The question arose about the crossing guard, if it is necessary to have him for 1 ½ hrs. when the school is a closed campus all but for the seniors. If this could be worked out, he would have more time to do zoning work. Trustee Pierson offered to speak to Penny Harrington at the school about this issue and possibly becoming a 100% closed campus. After discussion, it was decided to bring this back to the next meeting.
Trustee Patrick offered to work on the codes for code officer and water/sewer.
The subject was brought up about overtime pay. As it is set up now, the employee has to work 40 hrs. before they get any overtime. The fair way for this to be is after working 8 hrs. then if called in for emergency that time would be overtime.
Resolution to make a motion was made by Trustee O’Connor and 2nd. by Trustee Pierson to make vacation days, sick pay and personal time to count as regular hours for overtime purposes.
Also brought to the boards attention was a complaint from Ray Duncan, on Center St. about the water that is in his yard and gets underneath his trailer, because there is no drainage. As was discussed in the past, this is on Mr. Duncan’s property therefore; it is his responsibility to correct the problem.
Trustee Kurkowski;
Concerned about the number of calls the ambulance makes.
The Tisdale lot in the cemetery is not on the map or on the cards. Trustee Kurkowski is very concerned about the situation of the cemetery records. Donna and Diane will work on this as soon as possible. Was suggested to have the plots all probed. Before any burials are to be done, a deed must be provided.
Trustee O’Connor:
Nothing at this time.
Trustee Pierson:
Brought a proposal for a new truck for the DPW, from STADIUM International Trucks
1-2011 international 2011 4300M7 SBA 4x2 trucks - $62,685.00
1-TENCO Plow/body pkg (Wayne’s Welding) $26,270.75
TOTAL $88,955.75
Any order for truck will take 6-7 mo. for delivery. This is also under state contract.
Mayor Frohne asked what the status of the water break on Union St. and South St. After discussion, was decided Donna will call Attorney David Merzig about the legalities and then have Jim Malinowski talk to Bob Hugick to do the repairs.
Larry Jouben then presented the village board with a rebate check from the Volunteer Fire Dept. NYS Ins. in the amount of $1108.49.
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd.by Trustee Pierson, Trustees O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Blackwell,
Village Clerk
