September 9, 2009                             Work Session                                        6:30 PM

Supervisor Grant along with Board Members Mohun, George, Gadd and Frounick audited the Highway, General Fund and Special District claims. Discussed with Highway Superintendent Jensen: roads, loader and town vehicles, would like to go to bid for a new pickup (got a price off of OGS and it was $18-$19 thousand), just put a new power steering pump in the 2002, they want to replace.  Ted Sweetman met with Board Members to discuss the base ball diamond at the park. He has some volunteers who want to bring the ball diamond up to regulation again. Other matters the board discussed was giving tax breaks to new businesses coming into town;  Supervisor Grant reported the NYS Retirement bill is $26,000; TVGA would be here next Monday to discuss town projects (mainly roads) with regard to grant funding.

 

September 9, 2009                                     Regular Meeting                                   7:30 PM

Supervisor Grant declared the meeting open and asked Councilman Gadd to lead the pledge to the flag. Present were Council Members George, Frounick, Gadd and Mohun, also Superintendent Jensen.

Minutes of the August meeting – Supervisor Grant asked if any corrections or amendments.  Councilman George asked if could insert the lady’s name when he asked Rick if all the paperwork was signed on the Schoellkopf Road project.  Decided to amend to read property owner instead of lady. Council Member Mohun asked to insert the gentlemen’s name (Jim Stack) under public concerns as the person she called regarding the TIP grant application. There being no further amendments/corrections, a motion was made by George/Gadd to accept the minutes as amended. Voting all ayes, carried.

General Fund claims #271 – 286 totaling $5507.01 presented.  Motion made by Mohun/Frounick to approve the general fund claims submitted, voting all ayes, carried.

Highway claims #163 – 172 totaling $25,458.70 presented.  Motion made by Mohun/George to approve the highway claims submitted. Voting all ayes, carried.

Special District Claims – Cowlesville Street Lighting claim #9 - $183 and Cowlesville Water District claims #45-47 totaling $1408.01 presented.  Motion made by George/Mohun to approve the Special District claims submitted, voting all ayes, carried.

Supervisor’s Financial Statement - Motion made by Frounick/Gadd to accept the Supervisor’s Financial statement, voting all ayes, carried.

Correspondence: Letter read dated Sept. 9th, from the Town of Bennington Planning Board re: Gaudy Special Use permit.

Notice from RW Publications notifying town of a 5% rate increase for advertising effective Oct.1, 2009.

Letter dated Aug. 10th from the Town of Bennington Wind Energy Advisory Comm. Re: Community Owned Wind Power Company.

Certificate of insurance received from Huber & Huber naming the town of Bennington as additional insured on their liability policy.

Letter from Folsom Trailblazers thanking the town for allowing them the privilege of letting the trail run through town property, also notification of their annual Landowners Appreciation Picnic on Sept. 26th.

Supervisor Grant received a Notice from the Workers’ Comp, Self Insured Fund re: Annual  Board of Trustees Organizational Meeting scheduled for Oct. 13th.

Letter from Dadd, Nelson & Wilkerson along with a copy of letter (also received in town office) received by them of a notice of defect on Graff Road (letter read ), which was signed by 9 residents of Graff Road re: Putting town on notice due to the road surface on Graff Road and on Poland Hill Road.

Notice from Time Warner Cable re: changes to the public service broadcast in Wyo. County.

Notice from Retired Public Employees Assoc, Western New York Chapter of work shops and seminaries for pre-retirement and any employees who are considering retirement within the next 3-5 years to be held Oct. 5th in Cheektowaga.

Letter from Elma Historical Society re: news article they discovered and felt that it should be in Bennington’s hands. It’s regarding  some of the cheese factories in the town of Bennington.

Notice of a workshop on Electro Magnetic Pulse scheduled in Niagara Falls.

Departments: Superintendent Jensen reported he’s been working on roads, oil & stoning as many as he can.  Mr. Jensen asked the board to think about putting money in the budget for a truck.

Clair Kroh thanked the highway crew for the nice job they did on Woodley Road. Mr. Jensen reported they have the ditches established, under drain in, culvert changed. When it rained, it turned the road into slim, so they put approx. 180-200 ton of stone down through there.  Next year, he would like to lay down fabric and gravel, still has a few things to do this year, a spot he wants to put down some stone, also wants to put some gravel on Schad & Woodley and some on Gadd & Woodley, has more ditching to do on Gadd.

Mr. Kroh would like the town to consider putting a moratorium on new builds on town roads until they are brought up to par, present town roads are not made nor capable of handling the traffic they now have such as busses, oil trucks, UPS trucks etc.

Ron Janish, Burrough Road, asked where this all headed, regarding the roads.  Supervisor Grant reported the town has a meeting set up on Monday night with a grant writing firm, to do a needs assessment, the big items and issues for the town, are the roads, if they can help the town find some money, whether grants, low interest loans, or even matching funds. If they can’t help the town that way, maybe they can help with other projects that’s needed in the town, then the town can divert some of that money, move into highway for roads.

Mr. Kroh asked why the highway superintendent doesn’t receive  a subscription to the Batavia Daily News, said he used to get it and thought that all town officials received it.  Told that the only town official that receives a subscription at the town expense is the town historian.

Mr. Kroh asked why a two month delay in getting the minutes in the pennysaver, see June’s minutes in August.  Told that the minutes have to be approved by the town board first.

Ron Janish asked how much more will be going on with the town roads this year.  Supervisor Grant reported grading, oil and stoning.  Mr. Jensen said he has a pile of gravel that is headed his way when he gets back up there with the equipment.  Discussion held on roads.

Mr. Jensen asked about the 2002 pick-up truck, had to put a power steering pump in it. Supervisor Grant reported there is money in the budget for it. Mr. Jensen said he can bid it out or get from state bid at approx. $18-19 thousand, which now includes an extra 2% that goes into the State General Fund. Motion made by Frounick to advertise for bids on a new pick-up truck with bid opening 6:30 PM  at the October 14th town board meeting. Motion seconded by Mohun, voting all ayes, carried.

Water Dept. -  Mr. Jensen reported that he attended a pre-demolition meeting  for the what used to be old store in Cowlesville next to Kadd’s Mart. Kadd’s Mart has purchased it, will be tearing it down and the site will be used for a parking lot. Mr. Ludwig explained what he’s going to do, will be tearing the building down himself,  he has already met with Gerry Savakinas, water has been turned off, meter disconnected and returned to the town. Any concrete, hard fill, block will be left in the basement, the water line will be disconnected at the curb box and will cap it.

Public concerns – Mrs. Germain stated she has had problems getting on the town web site. Asked if any problems. Told none that anyone is aware of. Councilman Gadd stated he was on it today. Ellen will check.

Old Business:  Board Vacancies – Letters of intent received from Deborah Kipp who asked to be considered for the vacated position on the ZBA and also applied to be appointed as a full member on the Planning Board, currently serves as an alternate member on the Planning Board.  Letter also received from Sue Popielinski stating her interest in the vacated position on the ZBA (she currently serves as the alternate member). Short discussion held. Motion made by George to appoint Deborah Kipp as a member on the Planning Board and Sue Popielinski as a member on the ZBA. Motion seconded by Mohun, voting all ayes, carried.

Bids on compactor cover at the transfer station and remodeling project – Two bids received for the compactor: Breton Construction - $7,620 and Bob Dun Construction - $2,525. Motion made by Frounick/Mohun to award the bid to Bob Dun Construction. Voting all ayes, carried. Councilman George stated that the town should get some kind of specs. before he builds it, right now only have the front door, make sure he’s putting some kind of overhang in the back. Councilman Frounick will try and set up a meeting with the contractor and Councilman George.

Remodeling project for the handicap assessable restrooms for the upper floor of the town hall - Supervisor Grant reported she got an estimate from Breton Construction (actually sent letters to all contractors in town and those that have done business with the town, Breton Const. was the only one that responded) so that the town would have a base number to apply for grant money. Senator Diaz put out a letter earlier this year stating that they were looking for projects to improve facilities for senior citizens.  Applied for the grant, project is approx. $20,000 which includes remodeling the storage closet, also replace the fixtures in the little lavatory. Now waiting to hear back.

New Business:  Set date of Scrap Metal/Tire Day – Motion made by Frounick/Gadd to schedule Scrap Metal Day on October 17th  and authorize the clerk to advertise for two weeks. Also at this time to advertise for the alternates on the ZBA and Planning Boards.  Councilman Frounick asked about a dumpster for sofas, mattresses etc.  Councilman George reported recently getting a dumpster for approx. $512 which was for 3 ton, anything over, pay extra. Councilman Frounick feels should have a dumpster year round for the sofas etc. Discussion held about having one for Scrap Metal Day, worst case scenario is you fill it with garbage, or wait to see how much furniture town gets and then get a dumpster. Councilman Frounick will try a get an extra dumpster up here for furniture for Scrap Metal Day.  Voting all ayes, carried on the day for Scrap Metal day.

Fire Contracts – Motion made by George/Mohun to re-schedule the public hearing for the Bennington Fire Contract on Oct 14th (next town board meeting). Voting all ayes, carried.

Public hearing for the Harris Corners contract is set for Sept. 23rd , 7:30 Pm at the Harris Corners Fire Hall.

Public hearing for the Varysburg Fire contract is set for Oct. 1, 7:30 PM at the Varysburg Fire Hall.

Budget Work Session – Motion made by Gadd/Mohun to set Sept. 30th, 6 PM for a Budget Work Session. Voting all ayes, carried.

Veteran’s Memorial Monument  (Town Hall) – Pat Rogers and Claudia Hojnacki have put together a basic lists of needs to put a flower garden and garden pathway in front of the Town Hall surrounding the monument and requesting financial assistance from the town.  After a short discussion, it was decided they should come up with some figures.  Councilman George and Gadd offered aid and assistance. Councilman Mohun offered grasses, if they need/want some.

Other Matters – Council Member Mohun reported she is working on the Wind Energy Local Law, taking the reports from the Wind Energy Advisory Committee and incorporating them into a local law.

 There being no further business, a motion was made by Mohun/Gadd to adjourn.  Meeting adjourned at 9:42 PM.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted:

 

                                                                                    Judith Brown

                                                                                    Town Clerk