Work Session Minutes
WORK SESSION MEETING
September 6, 2017
The Work Session Meeting of the Town of Royalton Town Board was held on Wednesday, September 6, 2017, at the Royalton Town Hall, 5316 Royalton Center Road, Middleport, New York. Supervisor Bragg called the meeting to order by Councilman Budde at 5:30 PM.
The following were present:
Supervisor Daniel R. Bragg
Town Clerk Marie L. Little, MMC/RMC
Town Board Members James Budde, Lee Criswell, Bradley Rehwaldt, Carol Wittcop
Highway Superintendent James Spark
Deputy Water/Sewer Supt. David Peters
Town Attorney Thomas H. Brandt
James Spark, Highway Superintendent provided the Board Members with an estimate to Micropave the parking lots at the Town Hall and the Highway Garage. Total cost is not to exceed $15,000.00. This project has been scheduled for Friday, September 15, 2017.
Highway Superintendent Spark discussed a paving project to the south of the highway garage to store his 1A stone used for chip sealing the roads. This would require 300 ton of binder and 100 of top. Maximum cost of $20,000.00. Discussion ensued regarding this issue.
Highway Superintendent addressed the Board Members regarding the upcoming Recycling Day scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, 2017. As of right now he has no pallets, no tractor trailer for storage, no boxes, shrink wrap, etc. Supervisor Bragg will call SunnKing again tomorrow to see what is going on.
Highway Superintendent Spark advised the Board Members that he was told by NYS DOT that the “Right To Farm” and the “Town of Royalton United Way Community” signs cannot be attached to the State Highway signs as they are not a legal NYS sign on the DOT right-of-way. These signs have been removed from all NYS roadways in the Town of Royalton. Discussion ensued regarding this issue.
Highway Superintendent Spark updated the Board Members on the road work his department has been doing. Highway Superintendent Spark asked Councilman Rehwaldt to assist with getting an estimate for the overhead doors on the highway garage.
Discussion ensued regarding the letter received from Mr. Patrick Wagner, Dewhirst Road, advising the town that he wants to revoke his Drainage Easement on his property. Attorney Brandt stated that Petitions and Easements are not recorded at the County Clerks’ office. This petition or consent may be revoked by Mr. Wagner. Previous Town Boards did not want to pay for the easements to be formally recorded. Councilman Criswell will contact Mr. Wagner regarding this issue.
Dave Peters, Water/Sewer Deputy Superintendent, stated that they have two (2) Budget Amendments they would like to request for the Water/Sewer Department. Town Clerk Little has the information. The Water/Sewer Department employees are still painting the fire hydrants throughout the town.
Councilman Rehwaldt asked where we stand with the Rapids Road Waterline Project. Supervisor Bragg stated that he signed two (2) agreements for this project today. These were drawn up by our engineering firm.
Councilman Rehwaldt stated that they have measured for the new countertops for the Town Hall restrooms. Councilman Rehwaldt stated that he has been measuring the available space that we currently have at Town Hall before we decide on any new additions.
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September 6, 2017
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Councilman Budde stated that he spoke with Mike Hartman, Assessor/Code Enforcement Officer, regarding possibly moving his offices over to the Highway Garage as there is space available. The also spoke about potential available space in the Village of Middleport so that he could serve both towns from one central location. Discussion ensued regarding this issue.
Councilman Criswell asked about the new filtration system for the Leising’s. This system has been installed and the voucher has been submitted for payment.
Attorney Brandt advised the board members that he will not be here on Monday for our meeting as he will be on vacation. Mr. Roberson will be here in his absence.
Councilman Budde discussed the property on Lincoln Avenue. The update was provided on the report received from Mr. Hartman.
Town Clerk Marie L. Little advised the board members that she has received a request from Brian Cummings, Water/Sewer Superintendent, for a Budget Amendment to move $27,000.00 from the Water Capital Reserve account to SW8340.2R – Transmission & Distribution line for the Rapids Road Waterline Project. This will be put on the agenda for Monday.
Town Clerk Little received a Budget Amendment request from Account Clerk Criswell for the Water/Sewer Department for the purchase of a new pick-up truck from the NYS bid. Total cost of this piece of equipment is not to exceed $43,000.00. This information will be put on the agenda for Monday.
Town Clerk Little advised the board members that she has received a request for a Budget Amendment from the Tax Collector to move $1,874.00 from A1330.4 – Tax Collector, Contractual, to A1330.2 – Tax Collector, Equipment line for monies not accounted for in the budget. This will be put on the agenda for Monday.
Town Clerk Little asked the board members if they would like to request an extension of our current Fuel Bids or if they would like to rebid this contract. We solicited Fuel Bids in 2015for 2016 and we extended the contract for 2017. There is a five (5) year extension clause in our contract, if it is mutually agreeable by both parties. The board would like to request an extension for 2018. Town Clerk Little will send out the letters requesting this extension and have an answer for our October meeting.
Town Clerk Little asked the board members if they would like to request an extension of our current Cemetery Mowing contract or rebid this contract. We have a one (1) year extension clause built in to this contract, if mutually agreeable by both parties. The board members all felt that our mower has done an excellent job and would like to ask for the extension for 2018. Town Clerk Little will send out a letter requesting an extension and have an answer for our October meeting.
Town Clerk Little reminded the board members that we have a Public Hearing scheduled for Monday, September 11, 2017, to hear and consider an amendment to our Dog Control Law. Attorney Brandt stated that the amendment is to charge back the confinement costs to the dog owners.
Councilwoman Carol Wittcop asked how the meeting went with our engineering firm, LaBella. Supervisor Bragg stated that he met with Don Hoepher and Ken Strell was on a conference call. Supervisor Bragg stated that he feels it is up to the engineering firm to come up with grant opportunities and bring them to us. There are monies available in grant funding for the Sewer Plant project and the Mountain Road Bridge project.
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Supervisor Bragg stated that the elected officials will meet in January to provide a list of potential projects and have the engineer present us with any available grants for consideration. Discussion ensued regarding this issue.
Councilman Bradley Rehwaldt stated that he would like to see an estimate on the Sewer Plant Project next month.
Councilman Rehwaldt stated that we should be receiving a monthly report from the engineer on what projects they are doing and where they stand.
Councilman Budde addressed the appointment for the Planning Board position and stated that he would like to move forward with the individual who submitted a letter of interest and a resume. This will be put on the agenda for Monday.
Supervisor Bragg stated that he should have the 2018 Tentative Budget ready for the Town Clerk to present at our board meeting on Monday.
Supervisor Bragg would like to set two (2) Budget Workshop meetings as follows: Wednesday, September 20, 2017 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM and again on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Town Clerk Little will forward this information to the Lockport Union Sun & Journal for their information.
Ms. Judi Gewand, Ernest Road, addressed the board members regarding a drainage issue on her property that has been going on for quite some time. Ms. Gewand stated that she has placed several phone calls since May and is just getting some results this week. Ms. Gewand is getting water on her property from her neighbor, who built their home on the natural drainage line. Lengthy discussion ensued regarding this matter.
Attorney Brandt stated that part of this issue would be a civil matter between the property owners. The town is not responsible for more than the road side ditch.
Ms. Gewand stated that there was debris dumped in her back yard from a ditching project that was done seven or eight years ago. She would like this debris removed. Ms. Gewand stated that her husband would like to meet in person with Highway Superintendent Spark to discuss how the ditch will be dug before anything else is done. Highway Superintendent Spark stated that he will be there at a time that will be convenient for everyone.
There being no further business to come before this board, a motion was made by Councilman Rehwaldt, seconded by Councilman Criswell and carried unanimously that the Work Session be adjourned at 6:37 PM.
Marie L. Little, MMC/RMC
Royalton Town Clerk