TOWN BOARD WORK SESSION                                                                 

June 8, 2011

A Work Session Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Royalton was held on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, at the 

Royalton Town Hall, 5316 Royalton Center Road, Middleport, New York.  Supervisor Lang called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.

The following were present:

Supervisor                                            Richard J. Lang

Deputy Town Clerk                             Pat Hinds

Council Members                                Jennifer Bieber, James Budde, Bradley Rehwaldt, Daniel Bragg

Highway Superintendent                   Terry Nieman

Water/Sewer Superintendent           Dan Morse

Attorney                                                Thomas Brandt 

Also present were:                              See Attached Sheets

GUEST SPEAKERS

Donna Aiken - Assessor's Clerk

•·         Royalton Mountain Ridge project - This is now updated on the computer.  Board Members are welcome to come back and see what stage I am at.  I have gone thru the whole cemetery with all of the plots and stones.  There is a plot map with birth dates and death dates.  There is also a spreadsheet that I have created that will help in searching for a plot.  A listing of unfound names I am also working on.  Project has been in the making of 3 to 4 years.  Councilman Budde, asked if we had any idea how many plots we have available.  Donna Aiken, Assessor's Clerk mentioned that we have series 3 and series 4. 

Ryan Harris - Vets Park Attendant

•·         Stopped in to introduce himself and said that he was available for whatever we needed.  He also went over a few items that needed to be done at the park for repairs/maintenance.  

Bill Arnold - Chairman of Middleport Community Input Group (CIG) 

•·         A group of residents and property owners that are concerned with the arsenic clean up in the Village of Middleport.  FMC has proposed a corrective action management unit for the eastern measurement of their property and they want to put all of the soils that are remediated in this arsenic cleanup in this mound of dirt.  The members of the CIG do not believe that this would be a good thing for Middleport and for that part of the Town of Royalton.  Our group would like you as our representative of the Town to submit to the Town agencies and FMC an opposition to this proposal.  There is an open comment period that runs until July 1, 2011.  They will receive comments pertaining to the CMS (Corrective Measure Study) that has been published and is up for review.  The CAMU is part of the CMS proposal and we would like you to submit a comment by July 1, 2011.    The agency will respond to any comments that they receive in writing or verbal and I would like you to submit this opposition to the CAMU.  This response that you will get will be published.  The Village of Middleport has submitted an opposition and will be submitting it next Tuesday at the open session.  The CIG has also submitted an opposition and will be submitting it verbally.  Councilwoman Bieber has the form and a postage paid envelope to be filled out and returned. 

•·         Discussion ensued.   

REGULAR AGENDA

Paul Bruning - Ditching Coordinator

•·         Fairview Drive ditch is now complete

•·         Address on Dewhirst Road - still on going

•·         Currently working on 5 different easements

•·         Would like to submit a bid next year on the Town Hall mowing and Custodian job to save the Town of Royalton some money.  

Douglas Bennett - Town Engineer

•·         Councilwoman Bieber read the following report that was emailed to her for tonight's meeting.  TVGA Consultants has received and reviewed the bids as submitted on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 relative to the construction of a sludge storage building at the Hamlet of Gasport's Wastewater Treatment Plant.  The results of the bid's that were received are as follows:

•o        James Chutko                              $ 22,985.00

•o        HMP General Construction      $ 26,500.00

•o        Miller Enterprises, Inc.             $ 32,000.00

The Town of  Royalton is familiar with the quality of work of Mr. Chutko, as he recently completed the installation of the new metal roof on the salt barn at the Town's Highway garage.

Based on the bids received and the fact that Mr. Chutko has satisfactorily completed previous work for the Town of Royalton, TVGA recommends that the Town award the above referenced project to Jim Chutko at his lump sum bid of $ 22,985.00.

•·         TVGA has also been working on the second phase of the Waste Water Project that includes the rehabilitation of the East Avenue pump station and the installation of the comminutor at the Towns Waste Water Treatment plant.  The second phase of this project will require public bidding and is expected that we will prepare for bid on this at the end of July.  Therefore they would like a resolution to have TVGA go out for bid when final design plans and bid documents are completed.

•·          Deer View subdivision - The contractor has started construction at Deer View subdivision.  He has been working on the new sanitation.   TVGA has provided a full time resident inspection since the contractor has started work.  All work to date has been completed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.

Daniel Morse - Water/Sewer Superintendent

•·         State Street Pump Station is ok no problems 

•·         To keep the numbers down on the building we are going to do the excavation.  We might have to rent a jack hammer as there are some old foundations in that area.   The numbers don't include the flat work.

•·         We have a representative from the Muffin Monster Equipment Company coming out June 21, 2011 at 9:00 AM this piece of equipment would be the replacement of our old comminutor.  The description of a Muffin Monster is that it grinds sewage up when it comes into the plant.

•·         Back hoe update - The piece of equipment is coming from Italy and will be shipped in July.

•·         Turned numbers into the insurance company for the Vets Park pavilion and the damage at the barn at the waste water plant. 

•·          Looking ahead on repairs - the north pavilion in Vets Park is in need of repairs as well.  

Terry Nieman - Highway Superintendent

•·         Two quotes were received on the wind damage done on the Highway buildings for repairs, soffits and fascia.  We received one estimate for repairs.  Some of the repairs we are able to do ourselves. 

•·         Stone has been put in Royalton Mountain Ridge Cemetery - it looks very nice and has made a big difference.

•·         Ditch Road Culvert is in today and the road is open.  Ditch Road will be having some road repairs done as well.

•·         Cedar Street bridge should be open July 15, 2011.  

•·         Grant Writer, Anne Sisk has been working on a grant for a paver.  She has advised not to count on the grant.

•o        A Youngstown contractor has a used 2000 Blaw Knox Paver for sale asking $60,000.  This paver new was worth $250,000 .   Selling price is negotiable.    There was maintenance performed this past winter.  Paper work showing maintenance performed will accompany sale.  Maintenance total that was done was $14,210.93. 

•o        In Highways budget I have in for a tractor with a broom and we won't be purchasing that.  We outfitted one of the tractors that we already had with one of the old brooms that we had from the autocar.

•o        Discussion ensued.  

•·         Our last winter was the harshest winter on our roads that Terry Nieman, Highway Superintendent has seen.  Just about every road that we have needs some sort of attention.  A paver is needed to do patch work as well.  

•·         Hollenbeck Road Bridge  - No time frame yet when this job will be completed currently with the engineers.

Pat Hinds - Deputy Town Clerk

•·         Pops General Store and Diner, located at 6372 Wolcottsville  Road, Akron, NY has asked that we accept their application for their Liquor license.

Lorretta Criswell - Accounting Clerk

•·         The Summer Royalton Recreation Program has had a couple of meetings and selected their employees/directors.  In budgeting their salaries they will end up with $435 extra and would like 

to ask the Town Board to do a line item transfer FROM B7310.1 Youth Program Salaries TO  B7310.4  Youth Program Contractual in the amount of $435 to take children to Darien Lake.

•·         The Summer Royalton Recreation Program recommended that parents can pick the location their kids attend, either Wolcottsville or Gasport and not based on address.  At registration maybe they can relay this information.

•·         State Comptroller Audit - We have been chosen for an audit meeting with Lu Zheng on Monday,

 June 13, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.

Jennifer Bieber - Councilwoman

•·         Mentioned that we had a resident here at the meeting regarding a proposal of a very large pond and subsoil removal at 8510 Chestnut Ridge Road, Gasport.  Mr. Tetrault has been to the Zoning Board and the Planning Board and now here with the Town Board.  I have asked other towns to tell me what they have as laws regarding subsoil removal. 

•o        Resident Nourian Tetrault of 8510 Chestnut Ridge Road, Gasport presented letters from himself, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for Proposal Irrigation Pond, and Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District.  Mr. Tetrault is requesting that if possible, the Town could make an amendment to the existing Town Law on soil removal.  Mr. Tetrault has been working on this for the last four years.

•o        Discussion ensued regarding forwarding this question for a study/recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Next meeting to be held June 27, 2011 at 7:30 with a time frame of 60 days.

•·         On June 15, 2011, I am  going with Norma Wollenberg to the Hyatt  they are recognizing seven women on behalf of the 8th Judicial Division to women in the courts .  This committee for outstanding in law awards.  Belva Lockwood did many years ago and is being given this award.  Norma Wollenberg is giving a speech and six other women are getting an award as well.  Norma was contacted and then she contacted me to go with her to accept this award on behalf of the Royalton Historical Society.  That award will be housed here at Royalton Town Hall.

    

Dan Bragg - Councilman

•·         Meeting with Kenneth Strell and Douglas Bennett from TVGA next week over finalizing the Cornell manuscripts.  We will have a discussion and bring it forth to the Board.

•·         All committees were asked to give a report in August.   Councilman Bragg was just verifying this information with Supervisor Richard Lang.

•·         Supervisor, Richard Lang asked for an update on Gasport Elementary road.  We are making progress.

•o        Discussion ensued.

Bradley Rehwaldt - Councilman

•·          Asked how we made out on the Security System?  Supervisor Richard Lang said that it was passed at the Special Board Meeting on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 and it was given to Doyle Security.  

•·         Any update on the Wind Turbines?  Supervisor Richard Lang said that the weather shows letting up and they plan on starting in two weeks.  They will be done with the four of them with in one week.

•o        When the contractor is done installing the Wind Turbines who will do the final inspection? For example the generator hook ups, heaver wire, and footings.  How do we know when it is done that we have gotten what we were supposed to get?  

•o        I make the recommendation that the Town Engineer,  Kenneth Strell, should be hired to do the final inspection on the Wind Turbines on the extra items.  

•o        Discussion ensued.  Town Engineer, Kenneth Strell will be contacted.  

James Budde - Councilman

•·         Letter from Code Enforcement Officer, Thomas Arlington with the code citations that he has issued this month.  The only one I question I have is that the house on North Canal across from 7622 Canal Road.  I talked to Thomas Arlington about this and I don't see it on this list but that would have a North Canal address or a Cottage Road address.  The house has been walked away from and I believe it is in the hands of the bank.  It is as bad as any of these properties on the Code Enforcer's list.

•·         Going back to Highway Superintendent, Terry Nieman's one estimate for main highway building repairs.  This roof has to be done.  

•·         Discussion ensued.  Highway Superintendent, Terry Nieman's will get two more estimates.

Thomas Brandt - Attorney

•·         We put a resolution on for Monday, June 13, 2011 calling a public hearing for the local law.  I will have a local law in hand for you to look at regarding zoning change.

Richard Lang - Town Supervisor

•·          The current sales tax received is up to a plus $6,971.76 over this time last year.  We received $112,092.09 for April 2011.  

•·         Wind Mills - covered earlier and no movement due to weather.  It is to start in two weeks and should be done with the four of them within one week.

•·         Middleport Public Library - Library funding vote passed 164-12.  The total amount requested will be $103,000.  It would be on the average about $20 - $25 dollars a year on the school taxes.

•·         A color Time Warner map of their distribution of cable-internet in the town I now have. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

There being no further information to come before this board adjourned at 7:10 PM.  

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Hinds

Deputy Town Clerk