WORK SESSION MEETING

December 7, 2011

The December Work Session of the Town of Royalton was held on Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at the Royalton Town Hall, 5316 Royalton Center Road, Middleport, New York.  The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Richard J. Lang at 5:30 PM.  

The following were present:

Supervisor                               Richard J. Lang

Town Clerk                             Marie L. Little, RMC/CMC

Town Board Members            Jennifer Bieber, Daniel Bragg, James Budde, Bradley Rehwaldt

Highway Superintendent        Terry Nieman

Town Attorney                       Thomas H. Brandt

Also present were:                  See Attached Sheets

Supervisor Lang introduced Ms. Loriann Shura from General Code to discuss Codification of all of our Local Laws and Zoning Ordinances.  Ms. Shura gave an overview to the town board members of what her company could do for the town.  

•v   Jesse Bieber, Historian - asked for a line item transfer in the amount of $50.00 from A7510.4 Historian, Contractual to A7510.2 - Historian, Equipment

•v  Douglas Bennett, Engineer, TVGA - Yarussi Construction is installing the new grinder at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.  They will move on to the East Avenue Pump Station when that project is completed.  Mr. Bennett stated that Mr. Ken Strell spoke with the DEC regarding the Ditch Road culvert project and everything looks good and this project will be closed out.  

 

•v  Terry Nieman, Highway Superintendent - asked for two (2) line item transfers - $18,000.00 from DB5110.4 to DB5142.4 and $10,000.00 from DB5110.4 to DB5130.4

 

•v  Terry Nieman, Highway Superintendent asked for a resolution to increase the culvert pipe pricing effective January 1, 2012.  A copy of the new pricing was passed out to the board members for their review.  

 

•v  Marie L. Little, Town Clerk - asked for a resolution to accept for filing the liquor license renewal application for Hoganey, Inc., dba Canalside Inn.

 

•v  Marie L. Little, Town Clerk - asked for a resolution to authorize the agreement between the Town of Royalton and Niagara Community Action Program, Inc. and to authorize the payment of $1,500.00 for this agreement.

 

•v  Marie L. Little, Town Clerk - asked for a resolution to accept Brandon W. Balcerzak in to membership of the Terry's Corners Volunteer Fire Company.

•v  Jennifer Bieber, Councilwoman - advised everyone of the joint meeting between the Zoning Board, Planning Board and the Town Board members on December 19, 2011 at 7:30 PM.  Ellen and Drew from Wendel-Duscherer will come out as well to help with some problem solving issues at a cost of $300.00 to $350.00.  They have come out several times in the past at no cost to the town.  Ms. Bieber stated that she has verified that the money is in the budget to cover this expense.  

 

•v  Jennifer Bieber, Councilwoman - there will be a meeting on December 19, 2011, between Ann Sisk, our grants consultant and Marie Little, Lorretta Criswell, Jesse Bieber, and herself to discuss the recycling grant, codification, and archival grants available.  

 

•v  Jennifer Bieber, Councilwoman reminded everyone that the Christmas Party is scheduled for December 22, 2011 at Noon.  Anyone wishing to bring a dish to pass should contact her.  

 

•v  Jennifer Bieber, Councilwoman - discussed the recent Comptroller Audit and the need for training of all the elected officials.  The training session for all Newly Elected Officials is scheduled for January 4, 2012 in Rochester.  This training session is available for everyone, not just the newly elected officials.  This is the night of our regular Work Session meeting.  Ms. Bieber suggested changing the date of the work session to December 28th after our Year End Meeting so that any board member that would like to attend this training would be able to do so.    

•v  Jim Budde, Councilman - asked if there are any updates regarding the "Right to Farm" signs.  A resolution was passed months ago and nothing has been done so far.  Mr. Budde would like to see monies encumbered out of this years budget for this expense.  Councilwoman Bieber will look in to this and contact Councilman Budde with her findings.  

 

•v  Dan Bragg, Councilman had nothing to report at this time.

 

•v  Jim Budde, Councilman - asked if we have anyone to replace Cam Criswell for the work in the cemeteries.  Supervisor Lang stated that he does have someone interested and will discuss it with his report.  

 

•v  Brad Rehwaldt, Councilman - stated that he is looking in to the dirty power issue and is still looking at options and quotes.  Mr. Rehwaldt asked if the recent audit was going to be discussed.  Supervisor Lang stated that the information is still confidential and the response from the board needs to be submitted by December 21, 2011.  Discussion ensued.  

 

•v  Lorretta Criswell, Accounting Clerk - we w ill need a resolution for the court offices for two (2)  line item transfers from A1110.12 to A1110.4 in the amount of $6,500.00 and A1110.2 to A1110.4 in the amount of $5,000.00 to cover the cost of the courtroom chairs.  Ms. Criswell also stated that we need a line item transfer for the Assessor's office.  This transfer will be from A1355.4 to A1355.2 in the amount of $208.00 to cover the balance of the new computer purchased for his office.      

•v  Lorretta Criswell, Accounting Clerk - Doritex has asked us to sign a 3-year agreement for rug cleaning for the Town Hall and the Highway Department.  There will be a 10% reduction in our pricing for this service.  We do not have any specific pricing at this time as they have not returned the phone calls placed to them.  Ms. Criswell will try to obtain more information from the company and this will be discussed again at the Year End Meeting.  

 

•v   Lorretta Criswell, Accounting Clerk - asked for a resolution authorizing the Supervisor to set up a Reserve Fund for Retirement in the amount of $10,000.00 before 12/13/11.  

 

•v  Lorretta Criswell, Accounting Clerk - updated the board members on the status of HSBC in Middleport.  Ms. Trudy Stahl, Branch Manager, hopes to update us by December 31st as to who will be taking over their branch.  This branch will not be absorbed by First Niagara through their acquisition.  Discussion ensued regarding this issue.  

 

•v  Thomas Brandt, Town Attorney - discussed what we will need to do if we go with General Code and that it will be very labor intensive.  We will need to form committees to go through their recommendations.  Discussion ensued.

 

•v  Dick Lang, Supervisor - stated that he spoke with Mr. Dave Lavery, a town resident, regarding the work in the cemeteries.  Mr. Lavery will submit a written proposal to the town board.  Mr. Lavery will need to provide the town with a certificate of liability insurance.    

 

•v  Dick Lang, Supervisor - stated that we received a state aid check for our Recreation Program in the amount of $981.00.

 

•v  Dick Lang, Supervisor - stated that our check was returned today from the Middleport Library in the amount of $5,500.00.  

 

•v  Dick Lang, Supervisor - stated that he is almost ready to pass out the town identification cards that he had done.  These were done for anyone who handles money or anyone who interacts with the public.  

 

•v  Dick Lang, Supervisor - stated that he received a letter from Jane Corwin regarding the Convention to Reform NYS Laws.  Ms. Corwin would like us to sign an online petition and to pass a resolution supporting this issue.  Discussion ensued regarding this issue.  

 

•v  Dick Lang, Supervisor - stated that our sales tax monies are $72,524.93 higher than last year as of the October report.  Thank you Canadians!

 

•v  Mr. Everett Pearson - asked about the monies for the fire protection district and if the figure of $438,804.00 is the amount to be raised by taxes.  Supervisor Lang stated that this was the correct figure.  Mr. Pearson asked if this amount would be divided up by the fire companies for their use only.  Councilwoman Bieber stated that this was correct.  

 

There being no further information to come before this board, a motion was made by Councilwoman Bieber, seconded by Councilman Rehwaldt and carried unanimously that the Work Session Meeting be adjourned at 6:44 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Marie L. Little, RMC/CMC

Marie L. Little, RMC/CMC

Royalton Town Clerk