Date: March 31, 2011
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, Trustee O’Connor, Trustee Pierson, Trustee Patrick, Trustee Kurkowski present.
Mayor Frohne asked if there were any objections to waiving the reading of the minutes of the March 8, 2011 meeting. No objections.
Motion to approve the March 8, 2011 minutes made by Trustee Kurkowski, 2nd. by Trustee Patrick, Trustee’s O’Connor, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Trustee Pierson abstained. Motion carried.
Special Business:
Tom Hallock – Fire Chief
Asked the board for approval to purchase the radio system for the new ambulance. He asked the firemen to purchase and they said no. Motion was made by Trustee Kurkowski, and 2nd. by Trustee Patrick, to approve a resolution for the village to purchase a new radio system for the new ambulance at approximately $1400.00. Trustee O’Connor-yes, Trustee Pierson-yes, Trustee Patrick-yes, Trustee Kurkowski-yes and Mayor Frohne-yes.
The new tank less water heater was installed in the firehouse by Ed Bello’s.
12 hours of work was spent on the weekend fixing a leak in one of the tanks.
Tom and some of the firemen are going to Saratoga Springs for a final inspection on the new ambulance on Friday, April 1st. Estimated time of arrival is for sometime the week of April 4th.
Tom took Mayor Frohne to see the storage units and also they looked at the firehouse and the condition of the windows and mortar that needs repairs. After discussion, Mayor Frohne asked for a board member to volunteer to make a phone call and see what information they could get regarding the prisoners to come here and do the work on the firehouse. Trustee Patrick volunteered to make phone calls. 120 hours of work was estimated.
Also a discussion took place about the storage unit that is being rented by the fire dept. which cost $200.00 per month. It was decided that it should be replaced with a storage building that could be put next to the DPW building on Bronner St. Tom Hallock has one estimate and two more estimates are needed and then more discussion will take place on this issue.
Doug Bordinger – Property maintenance
Sent a letter to Co. Codes requesting an update on properties in the village that has been turned over to the Co. He has issued 8-10 parking tickets.
Trustee Patrick asked about the graffiti on the back of the Rosewood Terrace building. He asked if Doug could speak with the new owner and ask if it could be covered. Doug said he will call and ask.
Budget Workshop:
Clerk received the tentative budget from the budget officer and treasurer on March 18th, 2011
Motion made by Trustee Pierson, 2nd. by Trustee O’Connor, to have the organizational meeting, budget hearing, sewer rate increase and regular meeting held on April 12th. 2011 starting at 6:00pm. Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd by Trustee Pierson to adopt a resolution to approve the wage increase for the individual employees as shown on the list provided by the Mayor and to keep the health care deduction at the current rate of $20.66 per week for family coverage, made by Trustee O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes.
Motion made by Trustee Patrick, 2nd. by Trustee Pierson to adopt a resolution to increase the administrative penalty fees from $25.00 to $100.00 on the re-levied water/sewer fees of past due amounts of $100.00 and over. Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes.
Motion to adopt resolution by Trustee Pierson, 2nd by Trustee Patrick, to accept the water/sewer rates with $1.00 increase on line charge, with the water/sewer rates of 15%&10% for outside users and inside users at 10% & 5%, and to set the tax rate at $10.8145. Trustee O’Connor- no, Trustee Pierson-yes, Trustee Patrick-yes, Trustee Kurkowski-no and Mayor Frohne- yes.
Clerk – Diane Blackwell
Abstract #20 – General fund -$207,380.07, Water fund - $6,284.94, Sewer fund - $11,537.04,
Trust & Agency - $732.14. Total $225,934.19.
Motion to approve Abstract #20 made by Trustee Pierson, 2nd. by Trustee O’Connor, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried.
Correction of Abstract #19 – general fund was read $11,978.45, should have been $10,978.45.
Clerk received 2 applications for Spring Park use for the summer of 2011 with deposits. Lions Club for car show on August 7th, and Church of Christ United for craft fair for June 10th. to set up and June 11th. for the fair.
Motion to approve the two applications made by Trustee Pierson, 2nd. by Trustee O’Connor, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried.
Clerk also received a request for approval from the Garden Club to hold a plant sale and bake sale in front of the Village building on Main St. on June 4th. 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.
The board received a letter from George Erhmann with two dates for concerts to be held in the Spring Park, July 20th and August 20th. Motion was made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd. by Trustee Pierson to approve the two concerts to be held in the park on July 20th. and Aug. 20th. 2011 and to pay up to $300.00 per concert, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried.
Clerk received a letter from the Girl Scout Troop 774 of Richfield Springs asking approval for their troop to clean Spring Park on Saturday, April 30th. The girl’s are 9 &10 year olds and are working to achieve their bronze award in Girl Scouting. Motion was made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd. by Trustee Pierson, to approve the Girl Scouts to clean Spring Park on April 30th. 2011, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried.
A request was made by Mrs. Lee Johnson asking the Mayor and Village Board to write a letter of recommendation for her to Rural Development who nominated her for the manager of the year award. Mrs Johnson is the administrative manager for Bronner St. Apartments on Bronner St. Clerk Blackwell wrote a letter for the Mayor and board and read it for the board’s approval. The board was pleased with the letter and the Mayor will sign it so it can be submitted.
An estimate was received by W.T.C.Construction, William Collins, for the roof on the pavilion to be replaced with shingles, old shingles stripped and disposed of (dumpster would be needed), installation of ice and water shield on the whole roof. This estimate is for $8,850.00. After discussion, it was decided that an estimate for a metal roof without removal and disposal of the shingles.
Letter from J. Spytko from January that was sent to Mr. Borer, President of ReRob was given to all trustees.
Treasurer – Donna Wells:
The treasurer asked the board for the administrative fee to be put back into place for the $100.00 from the cemetery for the work that is done in the village office regarding the sale of plots and the deeds that are done for each plot sold, filing of paperwork such as death certificates, monthly bills etc.
Motion was made to approve a resolution to charge the cemetery an administrative fee of $100.00 per month throughout the year and put into the general fund, made by Trustee Pierson, 2nd. by Trustee O’Connor, Trustee O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes.
Brian Coones will be starting work in the Lakeview Cemetery probably the first week of April, weather permitting. Also, a discussion took place about the storage shed that was discussed last fall. A 12 x 12 shed is needed to help with the storage of the lawn tractors and equipment at the cemetery. Two estimates were received last fall, a third estimate is needed. This will be discussed at a future meeting.
Treasurer would like to put a RFP (request for proposal) in the Daily Star and The Pennysaver for refurbishing and painting the trim on the library building. Motion was made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd. by Trustee Pierson, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried.
Treasurer received information that Dollar General will be changing there way for businesses to using a credit card rather than just a list of employees who can sign for purchases. Their options are everyone that can purchase would have a card, or one card would be kept in the village office. After discussion, was decided one credit card kept in the village office would be the best policy.
Sharon from NBT called and asked if they could go door to door with flyers listing their business options. After discussion, was decided the board does not want flyers passed out due to causing littering and this is a form of soliciting. All were in agreement there are other ways NBT can distribute their flyers.
Mr. Ove Varik has signed the outside user agreement and it will be filed with the deed at the county.
Jim Jordan had a leak at 108 Main St. and asked that the water be turned off on 2/2/2011. This was not done until late March. Donna asked to waive the $20.00 shut off fee. Motion was made by Trustee Kurkowski, 2nd. by Trustee Pierson, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried.
Transfers: From A9950.0 transfer to Capital Reserve A230.1 DPW Equipment Reserve $10,000.00.
From A9901.03 interfund Transfer Library to L5031 $1,000.00
Motion to approve resolution for transfers to be done made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd. by Trustee Pierson, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes.
Otsego Co. Codes Inspector sent a list of what needed to be done for the inspection to be passed on the Village building. One thing is the elevator lift. This is supposed to be inspected once a year.
With the re-organization of employees being done, it was questioned about splitting the insurance between the funds for employees. Everyone agreed this should be done.
Mayor Frohne:
For the organization meeting all members should review the Investment Policy and Procurement Policy.
The personnel policy that was put together by the Mayor needs to be approved to be put in the village handbook. Motion to approve made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd. by Trustee Patrick, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes.
Mayor asked Attorney to draw up two new local laws: 1) power for ZEO to issue parking tickets, 2) residency requirement for appointed officials from Herkimer Co. that can be hired by the village.
Charles West approached Mayor Frohne again about the purchase of Bonds Field. The deed can not be located. The Lions Club gave this property to the village; therefore the village can not sell or give it away. Mayor Frohne will talk with the Attorney about possibly leasing the field to Vet’s Club with the understanding they would do all maintenance of the grounds and building.
Trustee Pierson:
The exchange with the state for salt and street sweeping is no longer available. The state asked Jim about using the village’s street sweeper for surrounding area village’s for a fee of $100.00 per hr. The state will provide a flatbed for transportation. After discussion, it was suggested to check into an inter-municipal agreement for this. Trustee Pierson will talk more with Jim Malinowski about this.
The brush pile at the transfer site is getting big again. The state law says the village can burn it.
The question came up today about the village installing culverts at the end of driveways. The property owner pays for the culvert and the village DPW crew puts it in. The question was, should the village charge for the labor being done? After discussion, it was agreed that the property owner pays for the culvert and all materials needed and the DPW crew installs it.
Trustee Patrick:
Asked about how many water meters have been replaced or installed. Four have been done so far. Trustee Pierson will talk to Jim Malinowski about the progress of the meters being replaced or installed.
Trustee Patrick commended Mayor Frohne on representing the village at the 150th. celebration that was held at the school on March 30th, 2011. Trustee Patrick asked the members about sending a letter of appreciation to the school. All agreed to this.
He also commended Mayor Frohne and Treasurer Wells for the hard work that was put into putting the budget together.
Concerned about the chain of command being followed properly.
Library board appointments will be done at the organizational meeting on April 12th.
Trustee Kurkowski:
Request to go to executive session for personnel reasons.
Trustee O’Connor: Nothing at this time
Motion to go into executive session made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd. by Trustee Patrick for personnel reasons, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson. Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried.
Motion to come out of executive session made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd by Trustee Patrick, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried.
Motion to adjourn meeting at 9:30pm. was made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd. by Trustee Patrick, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Patrick, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Blackwell
Village Clerk
