August 31, 2011

Date: August 31, 2011 @ 9:00 am    

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 Kurkowski, Trustee Pierson and Trustee Patrick present.

Motion made to waive the reading and to approve the August 9th, 2011 board meeting minutes made by Trustee Patrick, 2nd by Trustee Pierson, Trustee’s O’Connor, Pierson, Kurkowski and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried.

Property Maintenance:  Doug Bordinger, Zoning Enforcement Officer- 6 of 17 village properties in violation of property maintenance Village Code 10-804/803 remain in violation despite Certified letters informing them of such are:       

                   9 Park Street          58 Church Street
                  76 Church Street     19 Lake Street
                 241 Main Street         20 Lake Street

Motion made to order remedy of said properties, assess accompanying fines and to bill property owners made by Trustee Kurkowski, 2nd by Trustee Pierson, all yes.

Public Comment: Mr. Rudenko was present and commented on the Notice of Violation of Village Code 10-804 which he received for his property at 177 Main Street. He wanted clarification regarding who is responsible for trimming the trees and bushes that delineate the property line between him and his neighbor’s property. He also wanted to be sure he understood what the Village Code states in relation to his particular landscape. He did remedy the overgrowth situation and was no longer in violation, however, the Zoning Enforcement Officer, Doug Bordinger, offered to meet with him at said property after the board meeting to address his queries.

Special Business:
Village Attorney David Merzig: Motion made to extend meeting into an Executive Session for possible litigation made by Trustee Patrick, 2nd by Trustee Kurkowski, all yes.

Nick Green from Lamont Engineers reports restoration work completed by DeVincentis last week, although some properties were viewed as pre-exiting conditions per preconstruction photographs (copies of photos distributed to all Board members and Mayor Frohne). The Anne House property never had very good drainage and no real damage from project was revealed from the pre-construction photographs.   The Hazelton property on River Street was rolled, top soiled, and reseeded. The property owner expressed satisfaction with the work completed but he retains a wait-and-see attitude for next spring results. Saturday evening hurricane Irene struck Richfield Springs with heavy winds and torrential rains. Nonetheless, restoration work was completed previous to the hurricane’s arrival. A berm was put on the end of the driveway at the Crist property on Canadarago Street. The home sits below surrounding terrain and receives normal water flows from multiple streams. This berm successfully redirected storm water away from the home where it pooled on a nearby lawn area. However, eyewitnesses report ten minutes after rainfall the water recessed normally with no buildup of silt, clay or sand. Properties are much improved with no remaining concentrations of water whatsoever. DeVincentis fulfilled its obligation to correct any issues and thus satisfied the Mayor and Village Board members. A written completion report will be sent to the Village Office.

A resolution to approve Contract #3-Change Order #5 submitted by Lamont Engineers made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd by Trustee Pierson – all yes. Motion carried.

A resolution to accept amendment #6 Agreement for Additional Engineering Services of $6,786.00 for additional construction between MH 4 and MH 6 made by Trustee Kurkowski, 2nd by Trustee O’Connor – all yes. Motion Carried.

Department Heads Report

Thomas Shypski WTP- Incoming water quality at correct levels despite heavy weekend rains. Appropriate precautionary measures were taken ahead of time with raising clear wells and preparing for possible shut down for two days, if necessary.  Water usage was down last month for some reason at 130 gallons/day. The water work truck is in garage and needs about $700 of repair work on the parking brake before it will pass inspection. The swans on the reservoir have been improved with new fiberglass, sealed, and repainted and, as a result, they are not taking any more water in.

Jim Malinowski DPW- The Lake Street sidewalk improvement bids all exceeded the CHIPS grant fund and contained many exclusions. In addition, further investigation of the proposed project proved the necessity for an engineering company’s input in order to comply with DOT curb specifications and possible structural impediments.  Motion to reject all bids at this point in time for sidewalk improvement made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd by Trustee Pierson – all yes. 
The village sustained minimal damage post hurricane Irene and twenty-four loads of downed brush and debris were all cleaned up by DPW on Monday. The wind did some damage to the Village Clock hinges, one rod broke, and three decorative aluminum scroll work pieces are missing. In the meantime, the clock needs to be covered to protect from weather elements while repair work is pending. Resolution to change village resident yard debris pick up times to every Monday rather than twice a month for next season made by Trustee Pierson, 2nd by Trustee Patrick  - all yes.  Eight catch basins were raised throughout the village. DPW rebuilt 90 foot headwall culvert on Walnut Street so flow is much improved.  Motion to extend meeting into an Executive Session for personnel discussions made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd by Trustee Pierson – all yes. Motion to conclude Executive Meeting made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd by Trustee Pierson – all yes.

Clerk
Abstract #06 – General fund -$22,239.56 Water fund - $4,757.34, Sewer fund - $3,073.95, Cemetery fund $204.72, Trust & Agency $270.00. Total: $30,545.57. Motion to approve Abstract #06 made by Trustee Kurkowski, 2nd by Trustee O’Connor, all voted yes. Motion carried. Motion to accept correction to Abstract #05 Sewer Fund s/b $3694.42 reported as $3697.74, General Fund s/b $4938.83 reported as $53594.14 due to $6.60 rebate and the voided Vision Automotive Group yard truck voucher for $ 48655.31 made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd by Trustee Pierson , Trustee Patrick & Trustee Kurkowski both yes. (Mayor had to step out for business temporarily.)
Fire Department Monthly Report for July distributed to all elected officials.
Motion to approve reimbursement for Notary Public exam fee and any necessary supplies for Village Clerk once she becomes commissioned made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd by Trustee Patrick.

Motion to approve a special luncheon September 16 for Diane Blackwell from 12-1pm in Village Library Memorial Room in recognition of her last day as Richfield Springs Village Clerk made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd by Trustee Pierson with Trustee Patrick & Trustee Kurkowski yes.

Motion to approve Tom Shypski, John Butler, and Robert Graepel to attend NYRWA annual Equipment Expo on September 15 made by Trustee Kurkowski, 2nd by Trustee Pierson, Trustee Patrick and Trustee O’Connor – yes.

Treasurer – Donna Wells
Per Vision Automotive Group the F550 work truck has not gone into production as yet.
NewCom Technologies Cemetery Management software estimate of $9,355.00 was requested for Village Office in an effort to streamline Lakeview Cemetery business and management databases and a resolution to accept NewCom Technologies’ offer was made by Trustee Kurkowski, 2nd by Trustee Patrick – all yes.
Motion to approve Integrys Energy Services of NY Power Sale Agreement made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd by Trustee Pierson – all yes.

 Motion for approval of project contract from last audit made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd by Trustee Pierson – all yes.
It was brought to the Board’s attention that for reasons not known to treasurer, the NYS Police Barracks has never been imposed any penalty for late water/sewer usage payments and whether this should be corrected. It was agreed penalty fees shall be imposed on all w/s late payments with no exceptions.

Mayor Frohne:  A resolution to approve increase of annual work boot allowance from $100.00 to $125.00 made by Trustee Pierson, 2nd by Trustee O’Connor – Trustee Kurkowski yes, Trustee Patrick no, Mayor yes.

Mayor Frohne read the resignation letter from Diane Blackwell officially stating September 16th as her last day as Village Clerk.
A resolution to establish 10 days of annual personal paid time off for the Village Clerk with every effort to ensure the Village Office hours are covered in her absence was made by Trustee Pierson, 2nd by Trustee O’Connor – all yes.

Trustee Kurkowski:
Motion to return Spring Park use deposit to Jack Clark for cancelled car show due to hurricane Irene was made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd by Trustee Pierson – all yes.  Motion carried.

Motion to adjourn meeting at 12:40 pm was made by Trustee O’Connor, 2nd by Trustee Kurkowski, Trustee’s Patrick, Pierson, and Mayor Frohne voted yes. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Dayle Barra
Village Clerk