Work Session Minutes
TOWN BOARD WORK SESSION
May 4, 2011
A Work Session Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Royalton was held on Wednesday, May 4, 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 Clerks Jill Seelbinder, Pat Hinds
Council Members Jennifer Bieber, James Budde, Bradley Rehwaldt, Daniel Bragg
Highway Superintendent Terry Nieman
Water/Sewer Superintendent Dan Morse
Attorney Thomas Brandt
Engineer Douglas Bennett
Also present were: See Attached Sheets
GUEST SPEAKERS
Chris Mueller - Time Warner
•· Supervisor, Richard Lang requested Chris Mueller from Time Warner attend our Town Board Work Session this evening to answer any questions that might come up from our citizens. Currently our signed franchise expires in 2015. The length of the contracts usually runs 10 to 15 years.
•· A map of the Town of Royalton was presented but it was an old one. Chris Mueler, Time Warner apologized that he had only two day's notice to get this updated and the person that would working on it was out of the office. The time frame for a new map if the engineer has to write it up would be 3 to 4 weeks. If the engineer has it in his system, the new map could be available by tomorrow.
•· Question was asked from Angela Spark, Mountain Road, thru the past 9 months she has been calling Time Warner every three weeks begging them to run cable to come down her road. Her and her husband own a working farm, run a charity out of the home and have an apartment upstairs. Their apartment went unrented for six months due to the fact that she couldn't offer the internet. She has children in college and high school that need the internet for school assignments and trying to run a business all thru her cell phone internet. It has become very expensive. She has asked how much does the Town receive in franchise fees and have they ever used it to upgrade the areas that don't have cable/internet. She is also asking if there was any record of these fees being used.
•· It was mentioned that Drum Oil was one of these upgrades in the Town of Royalton. Chris Mueller, Time Warner will get back with us on what year this was done and Jennifer Bieber, Councilwoman will look up in the minutes and get back with us.
•· Question was asked by Audrey Kelly, Foot/Mann Road that she has also been trying to get Time Warner down her road.
•· Councilman, Dan Bragg asked if there was any way that a contractor could help run the cable. Chris Mueller, Time Warner mentioned that there is a problem with that as to if the lines get broken who will fix them. If it isn't run properly, then you will have issues where there is lack of signal strength. All that will do is bring in calls thru the call center than it would be done thru the Time Warner. I am willing to talk with you and see what might be worked out. This area would not be trenched but be done overhead.
•· Terry Nieman, Highway Superintendent remembered that in the past on Johnson Road we negotiated when it was franchise time to have lines run down certain roads. But the time for this time of negotiations wouldn't be until 2015.
•· Supervisor, Richard Lang has requested that a survey be done on the Town of Royalton.
•· Discussion ensued
REGULAR AGENDA
Jesse Bieber - Historian
•· Had nothing to report at this time.
Douglas Bennett - Town Engineer
•· Got started on upgrade the waste water treatment center and pump station. We are going to replace the grinder. We have a meeting tomorrow afternoon with a pump supplier and different equipment. As you know we had problems with the State Street project. We are checking out a few suppliers to see what is available. We will be looking to bid in the near future.
•· Received a letter from TVGA Consultants regarding Deer View Estates Subdivision, there are two financial issues that need to be addressed by Mr. Rehwaldt prior to him initiating construction.
•o File a financial instrument to cover the full cost of the proposed improvements that complies with the appropriate sections of Town Law. The instrument must be satisfactory to the Town Board and Town Attorney as to form, sufficiency, and manner of execution. Mr. Rehwaldt has successfully met his obligation relative to this issue as he has provided an Irrevocable Letter of Credit to the Town in a form that is acceptable to the Town Attorney.
•o Inspection of Improvements; Inspection Fee of the Subdivision Regulations. This section states that the Developer shall pay to the Town Clerk the inspection fee required by the Town Board in an amount equal to the estimated fee of the Town Engineer for inspection during construction. The estimated inspection fee is $24,440. It is recommended that Mr. Rehwaldt provide the Town of Royalton with a certified check in the amount of $24,440 for inspection fee's required by the Town. The Town in turn shall deposit this check into an Escrow Account and pay TVGA's invoices on monthly basis utilization the funds in this account.
•o Next meeting with Mr. Rehwaldt and his contractor at the Town Hall on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 10:30 to discuss the project.
Daniel Morse - Water/Sewer Superintendent
•· Park is open and water is turned on.
•· We had some damage at Vets Park from the storm. A large tree came down on the fence and we are currently working on cleaning it up. Also the South Pavilion roof is in bad shape from the storm. The original roof was put on in 1990.
•· We also have wind damage on the barn. They also had some overtime for ground locations.
•· Councilman, James Budde mentioned that maybe we should contact Seaway Insurance Company regarding the damage that has been done. Dan Morse will get a few estimates on repairing existing roof or replace and we will go from there.
Terry Nieman - Highway Superintendent
•· Highway buildings had some wind damage. We also had solid sheets of panels blowing off.
Terry Nieman, Highway Superintendent will also be getting a few estimates on repairing existing roof or replace and we will go from there on all Highway buildings. We will be fixing the salt house ourselves. There is a lot of trim, shingles and soffits blown off of these buildings.
•· New Pick Up truck is now in service and it is replacing the 1994 Ford Pick Up truck. I would like to ask the Board for approval to take the 1994 Ford Pick Up truck to the scrap yard. The1994 Ford Pick Up won't pass inspection anymore. The price of scrap has dropped from $262.00 a ton and now is $235.00 a ton. I will be checking the different scrap yards to get the best price. Does the Board want me to advertise the 1994 Pick Up truck for one day the cost would be approximately $100? Answer was no to advertising.
•· Summer Help - We would like the Boards permission to add 2 summer hires starting in June.
•· Tree trimming in cemetery. Terry Nieman, Superintendent recommends that the Board Members do a walk thru in Royalton Mountain Ridge Cemetery. There are many trees that need to be trimmed and many branches to be picked up. A few years ago we hired a contractor to come in and help us with the tree removal and tree branches pick up. This was very expensive. I recommend that the Highway Department crew do the picking up of the branches and hire a contractor with a bucket truck to help with the older trees that need to be taken down. If we do most of this work in house, it will save us some money. Just about every tree down there needs some attention. I'm not sure what other damage has been done.
•o Jennifer Bieber - Councilwoman was in favor of us doing the cleanup work but not to remove any trees at this time. The trees are very beautiful in this cemetery.
•· Stone for the roads in the cemetery - Do to the weather conditions that we have had Highway hasn't had a chance to get in their yet.
•· Cemetery - Looking at putting a driveway at the rear of the cemetery for future accessibility.
•· Asked what the status is on the Niagara Metals Expansion - There is going to be a Public Hearing on May 16th in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals. We will take their comments and it will be up to the board that night to vote on it. It could be a go that night. Jennifer Bieber, Councilwoman advised this application is for more than 30 cars and also increasing the amount of work that it would be environmentally sound. Our entire Zoning Board went and took a tour of this facility and asked questions.
Pat Hinds - Deputy Town Clerk
•· With the price increase in Grave Openings the Board should revisit the prices of Royalton Mountain Ridge Cemetery. The last price list was effective January 1, 2009. Please see below raising 10% on everything but the price of the plot purchase.
•o Plot Purchase $450 each (Not to be increased)
•o Standard Burial $500 new price $550
•o Standard Burial (Sundays & Holidays) $550 new price $600
•o Cremation Burial $250 new price $275
•o Cremation Burial (Sundays & Holidays) $275 new price $300
•§ Discussion ensued on prices of other cemeteries.
•· Lawn mowing contract - Thomas Brandt, Attorney is going to add line for 30 day "out clause" before contract is signed by Whitey's Landscaping, 3375 Lockport Olcott Road, Lockport, NY.
Lorretta Criswell - Accounting Clerk
•· Asking the Town Boards permission to attend with Charlene Surace, Deputy Highway Superintendent/Highway Clerk a Finance School Session. Finance School Session is tomorrow May 5th & May 6th in Rochester, NY.
•· Would like to ask the Town Board to do a line item transfer from 1220.2 Supervisor Equipment to 1220.4 Supervisor Contractual in the amount of $400 to pay bills.
Jennifer Bieber - Councilwoman
•· Email was sent out to all Councilmembers regarding word meeting with Anne Sisk. Anne Sisk will make an appointment with Richard Lang, Supervisor to sign paperwork on Waste Water Treatment Plant.
•· We are going to work with the Gregg Lewis foundation to get AED machines for the fire halls and possibly town hall. I am getting information from the chief's and president's to get information on the training trailer that they would like to purchase thru the SAFER Grant and she is going to help her do that.
•· Met with Cindy from Teitsworth Auction service.
•· Benefit being held for Cory Leturgey at Gasport Fire Hall, Saturday, May 14th at 4-8 p.m.
•· Fundraiser being held for Joe Loughrey at Middleport Fire Hall, Saturday, May 14th from 2-8 p.m.
•· On May 13th, Friday, Richard Lang, Jennifer Bieber, Ken Strell, Lloyd Wescott, Thomas Brandt, to discuss the Town Capital Water Project.
Dan Bragg - Councilman
•· Alarm System - We have three quotes:
•o Doyle
•o Amherst Alarm
•o Sentinel
Discussion ensued. Monthly fees for each one were discussed. Daphne Berg, Justice Clerk
would like us to use Doyle as they have given us great service right along and would add to our
system. We should also have two people that are able to change security codes and not just one. To be tabled until next month.
•· Vets Park - Park Attendant - Asked if we had an individual that we would be hiring this month. Supervisor, Richard Lang advised that yes we did have an individual and it would be an agenda item at the Regular Board Meeting. Mike Richards, Custodian has been filling in for us until we had found an individual on a permanent basis.
Bradley Rehwaldt - Councilman
•· Asked if we had any update on the wind mills. Supervisor, Richard Lang said that they are waiting for the weather to break. They are hoping for around the 15th of May.
•· Asked Thomas Brandt, Attorney if we had any update on the ditch on Spencer Bedford's property. The last time this was brought up Thomas Brandt, Attorney was going to write him a letter. Thomas Brandt, Attorney will look into it and get back with us.
•· Are we still getting quotes on Insurance, is that still going on? Supervisor, Richard Lang said that this is still going on.
James Budde - Councilman
•· Garage Sale for the Town of Royalton - July 2nd - July 4th 2011. Jennifer Bieber, Councilwoman mentioned that this would be a resolution. This would also be mentioned in our newsletter and would be put on the website along with the garage sale sites once we have them available.
•· Recycling of electronic equipment - Information has been received on the new law on electronic waste and a company out of Victor, NY has sent us information on their company. They would like to see a large recycle box put in out of the weather to house these items for pick up. Possibly the Highway Department would house this recycle box. We currently have a recycle box here at Town Hall from the Niagara County Refuse Disposal District that collects cell phones, electronic devices, and ink cartridges. At the location of Niagara County Refuse in Lockport, NY they are open 6 days a week to have items dropped off. I feel that if we open this up to a large recycle box, we will be getting a lot of large items sitting around and get unwanted items. Terry Nieman, Highway Superintendent was asked if he had heard anything about this and he had not. Supervisor, Richard Lang mentioned that this is something new this year under the DEC law. The Town would receive two large boxes and the advantage would be to the Town that there would be a local place to drop and we would get .02 per pound.
•· Wanted to recognize Daphne Berg, Justice Clerk is working on two seals one for the Town and one for Judicial courts (New York State Unified Court Seal.) That is going to be put on this back wall so we need to move along and make this facility nicer.
Thomas Brandt - Attorney
•· On the deed that we are doing for the cemetery I need to have someone from the Town Board when it stops raining so we can look at the description and see that it is accurate.
Richard Lang - Town Supervisor
•· The current sales tax received for the month of March 2011 was $137,389.89 which was $1,530.66 more than we received for this period last year.
•· Our Planning Board is working on a resolution to change the lot size from 150' to 200'. The proposal is being reviewed to go from 150' to 200' on the width and the depth is the same of 300' Jennifer Bieber, Councilwoman mentioned right now the first 300' off the road is zoned residential and they want to change all of that to agricultural.
•· Asked Everett Pearson if the VFW would be putting flags out again for this Memorial Day.
•· Generator - During the wind storm on Thursday, April 28th it was a big test for our new generator. We had two problems that were noticed was the computers were running but shutting down programs and that the phones were out of service being thru Time Warner. The lights were working fine.
•o Terry Nieman, Highway Superintendent mentioned that the Town Hall isn't wired properly as to why the generator isn't working properly. It isn't the power supply's problem it is how is wired. Bradley Rehwaldt, Councilman said that he would call Jeff Price from Elite Electrical & Construction the electrician and have him take a look at it. Highway's generator is run off of a tractor and they didn't experience any problems.
•· Regarding the new radios - where do we stand with them now? Terry Nieman, Highway Superintendent
mentioned that he has his paperwork from the two vendors that he had information from. If we need to order from them the prices are ready six months ago. Dan Bragg, Councilman has been working with Niagara County to try to place an order with them to get the best rate. Niagara County is going to have a meeting to see what company they are going to order from. Niagara County is trying to order
in volume to get the best rate and they are going to hire another agency to oversee this venture.
•· Wind Mills - covered earlier and we are waiting for the weather to break.
•· Fire Board meeting - The question was brought up by the chief of the Wolcottsville Fire Department asking if the town could pay their water bill. The average prices for the last five years for the three fire companies in the area are:
•o Gasport Chemical Hose $463
•o Wolcottsville Volunteer Fire Company $334
•o Middleport Volunteer Fire Company $290
Thomas Brandt, Attorney mentioned that you can give water to fire companies if it is part of the contract. You can't give water to any fire department that would be a gift and that is illegal. You
would have to do an amendment to the contract to include that. James Budde, Councilman mentioned that this should have been brought out when we were negotiating a new contract a few
month's ago. This should go back to the fire advisory board and leave it there and say this is what we discussed. If you do for one, you should do for all. Dan Bragg, Councilman mentioned that we should be looking long term regarding these fire departments if we were not to have them down the road what the services would cost. I want to be sure the fire advisory board is working on long term goals for EMS service and fire service. Bradley Rehwaldt, Councilman mentioned that Wolcottsville Fire Department is working towards more EMT's. They currently have an EMT class with 9 members that will be taking the EMT test.
•· Middleport Public Library - A public hearing will be held on May 28th and on June 7th the vote will be for Royalton Hartland District. The total amount requested would be $103,000. It would be on the average about $20 - $25 dollars a year on the school taxes. Instead of us giving the Middleport Public Library a donation they will be putting a line on the school taxes that would support the Library. Also on May 17 is the school budget voting day. Dan Bragg, Councilman asked if we had already paid the Middleport Public Library this year of $5,500 and yes we did for 2011.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There being no further information to come before this board, a motion was made by Councilman Bragg, seconded by Councilman Rehwaldt and carried unanimously that the Work Session be adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Hinds
Deputy Town Clerk