Work Session Minutes
WORK SESSION MEETING
August 9, 2017
The Work Session Meeting of the Town of Royalton Town Board was held on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at the Royalton Town Hall, 5316 Royalton Center Road, Middleport, New York. The meeting was called to order by Councilman Budde at 5:32 PM.
The following were present:
Supervisor Open Position
Town Clerk Marie L. Little, MMC/RMC
Town Board Members Daniel Bragg, James Budde, Lee Criswell, Bradley Rehwaldt
Highway Superintendent James Spark
Water/Sewer Superintendent Brian Cummings
Town Attorney Thomas H. Brandt
Town Engineer Don Hoepher
Councilman Budde stated that we are going to deviate from our normal procedures this evening so that we can take care of some personnel matters.
Town Clerk Little read the resignation she received from Councilman / Deputy Supervisor Daniel Bragg. Mr. Bragg has resigned his position as an elected Councilman and the Deputy Supervisor for the Town of Royalton, effective immediately.
Councilman Budde stated that it is the board’s intention to backfill the position of Supervisor. (This position was resigned by Jennifer H. Bieber effective 07/30/2017.) This is why Mr. Bragg needed to do what he did. Councilman Budde opened the floor for nominations for the position of Supervisor. Councilman Rehwaldt nominated Daniel R. Bragg to the appointed position of Supervisor. There were no other nominations from the floor.
RESOLUTION 108-17
APPOINTMENT OF SUPERVISOR
On a motion made by Councilman Rehwaldt, seconded by Councilman Criswell, the following was
ADOPTED AYES 3 Budde, Criswell, Rehwaldt
NAYS 0 None MOTION CARRIED
Resolved to Appoint Daniel R. Bragg to the position of Supervisor for the Town of Royalton. Term of office will be: 08/09/2017 through 12/31/2017.
Town Clerk Little administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Bragg for the position of Supervisor of the Town of Royalton.
Supervisor Bragg stated that we now have a vacancy on the Town Council.
Councilman Budde stated that he would like to appoint Carol Wittcop to the open position on the Town Board. There are two (2) individuals who are running unopposed for our Town Board this November. Councilman Budde stated that Ms. Wittcop will need to resign her position on the Planning Board before she could accept this appointment.
Ms. Carol Wittcop presented Town Clerk Little with her letter of resignation from her position on the Town of Royalton Planning Board. This resignation will be effective immediately. Town Clerk Little read this aloud.
Supervisor Bragg asked if there were any other names for the position of Councilman. There were no other names brought forth for this position.
WORK SESSION MINUTES
August 9, 2017
Page 2
RESOLUTION 109-17
TOWN BOARD MEMBER APPOINTMENT
On a motion made by Councilman Budde, seconded by Councilman Criswell, the following was
ADOPTED AYES 4 Bragg, Budde, Criswell, Rehwaldt
NAYS 0 None MOTION CARRIED
Resolved to Appoint Carol L. Wittcop to the position of Councilwoman for the Town of Royalton. Term of office will be: 08/09/2017 through 12/31/2017.
Town Clerk Little administered the Oath of Office to Carol L. Wittcop for the position of Councilwoman for the Town of Royalton.
Mr. Don Hoepher, LaBella Associates, updated the Town Board members on the costs for the Bridge Replacement on Mountain Road. There were two (2) material cost estimates provided, one for a Dual 5’ Diameter Culvert Pipes @ $85,937.00 and the other for a 7’ x 7’ Box Culvert at $130,087.00. Discussion ensued with Highway Superintendent Spark regarding possible Grant Funding through Bridge NY. We may not get approval until 2018, if we qualify for the funding. This area is not considered an emergency situation right now. Highway Superintendent Spark would like to see if we qualify for grant funding before making any decisions. Supervisor Bragg asked for a total cost for the project with the engineering fees included, as they were not listed on the estimates provided.
Councilman Rehwaldt stated that he would like to have Highway Superintendent Spark follow the paperwork for the grant funding.
Mr. Hoepher, LaBella Associates, stated that he would expect to have a report next month on the Sewer Plant design. This will probably be added in to the project plan for next year. Mr. Hoepher stated that Mr. Ken Strell is looking for information on the Town Hall expansion at this time.
Councilman Budde and Councilman Rehwaldt both stated that we need to set down and look at everything we already have and see if we can utilize our current facilities before making any decisions on expansion.
Highway Superintendent Spark updated the board members on the issue on Wolcottsville Road. The County has come out and patched the areas in question. His department is doing their daily roadwork. He has hired the Part-Time Seasonal employee back.
Water/Sewer Superintendent Cummings asked Attorney Brandt about the Leising’s issue. Discussion ensued regarding this matter. Attorney Brandt stated that the agreement should run with the property, not just the current residents. Discussion continued. Attorney Brandt will work up a new proposal. Supervisor Bragg will contact our insurance carrier regarding this issue.
Water/Sewer Superintendent Cummings discussed the Rapids Road waterline project. He had wanted this project to be engineered ASAP. Mr. Don Hoepher from LaBella told Mr. Cummings that he didn’t know anything about it. Discussion ensued regarding this issue. Water/Sewer Superintendent Cummings stated that this project may be able to be done in-house in October.
Supervisor Bragg stated that he spoke with Mr. Ken Strell from LaBella Associates and told him he was not happy with their performance. The town is missing out on numerous grants for our projects. Supervisor Bragg has suggested going to an RFP (Request for Proposal) for Engineering Services.
WORK SESSION MINUTES
August 9, 20107
Page 3
Supervisor Bragg will contact Mr. Strell regarding the engineering of Rapids Road to see if it can be done by September. Supervisor Bragg stated that there seems to be a disconnect with our engineering firm on communication.
Water/Sewer Superintendent Cummings stated that the figure for the contractor to install the Meter Pit on Griswold Street while they are doing the Niagara County Waterline Project will be $118,000.00. This project may be able to be done in-house with our employees and save $40,000.00 to $50,000.00.
Water/Sewer Superintendent Cummings advised the board members that he spoke with Mr. Chutko regarding the roof project at Vets Park. This will be completed by mid-August.
Water/Sewer Superintendent Cummings asked for a Budget Amendment. He would like to move $100,000.00 from the Sewer Fund Balance to SS8120.2 – Sanitary Sewer, Buildings and Equipment line in the budget to pay for the Flusher Truck. These funds will be put back in the fund balance when the grant funds are received.
Water/Sewer Superintendent Cummings advised the board members that he will be on vacation from September 5 – 12. His Deputy, Dave Peters, will be in attendance for the work session and board meeting in his absence.
Ditching Coordinator Paul Bruning updated the board members on the current issues. Discussion ensued regarding the Right-To-Farm laws and DEC Wetlands. The DEC rules must be complied with.
Dog Control Officer Scott Wymyczak advised the board members that he would like to modify our Housing Fee for Dangerous Dogs only to be the same as what Fort Hyde charges. Discussion ensued regarding this matter.
Chief Court Clerk Daphne Nieman advised the board members that Judge Wagner has asked for a transfer of funds in the amount of $10,500.00.
Councilman James Budde asked where we are at with the Community Days on August 27, 2017. Councilman Budde stated that the Sales Tax is down over $11,000.00 from this period last year.
Town Clerk Marie L. Little advised the board members that she received a “Request for Waiver for 30-day Notice Period” from Chops Shop Pizzeria, LLC, for a new Liquor License. This information was received on July 13th, right after our last board meeting. Town Clerk Little stated that she contacted the Liquor License Specialist of the timing and was advised that our August meeting would be fine.
Town Clerk Little advised the board members that she received a request from the LOYAL Football League to use Vets Park on Saturday, September 30, 2017 for four (4) football games. The park has not been rented that day so we will pencil them in on the calendar. They have also requested the use of the park for their practices on Fridays. There original request was for Monday through Thursday. There are no Friday rentals at this time. Roland Graham is no longer involved with this group and our new contact is Tanya Baer.
Town Clerk Little advised the board members that we have a request for a new member of Gasport Chemical Hose Company. A resolution will be put forth on the agenda.
Town Clerk Little advised the board members that we have a request to remove two (2) members from the membership rolls of the Wolcottsville Volunteer Fire Company. A resolution will be put forth on the agenda.
WORK SESSION MINUTES
August 9, 2017
Page 4
Town Clerk Little advised the board members that the contracts for the Waterline Extension on Slayton Settlement Road between the Town of Royalton, the Town of Lockport, and the Niagara County Water District were signed on Monday, August 7, 2017 by Dan Bragg. They have been forwarded on to Niagara County for approval.
Attorney Brandt stated that he is working on the Leising resolution.
Attorney Brandt discussed the issue of farm vehicles on our roads. There was a resolution passed on January 11, 1999 for 10-Ton roads in the Town of Royalton. Farm vehicles are exempt from this resolution.
Councilman Lee Criswell stated that he has received a second quote for the installation of LED lights at the WWTP Plant. Water/Sewer Superintendent Cummings will get a third quote from Greg Nellist.
Councilman Bradley Rehwaldt advised the board members that the bathrooms at Town Hall are now ADA Compliant. The tiles will be repaired. Councilman Rehwaldt asked if the board members want to move forward with the new counter tops and sinks. The consensus was to move forward with this project.
Councilman Rehwaldt stated that we need to set down as a board to look at what we have as far as space to expand. We have a whole second floor in the basement that is not being utilized. We need to come up with ideas, options and numbers.
Supervisor Bragg stated that it is budget time. We have just handed out sheets in the past and he wants to give direction to the department heads that the cap is 1.84% for 2018. Councilman Budde stated that Dan is to make this determination as the new Supervisor/CFO.
Supervisor Bragg stated that he is still learning a lot – the basic job duties is the Fiscal Officer. He will be directing people to the proper authorities.
Ms. Pittler, 5315 Royalton Center Road, came to address the board members regarding the LED sign out front. They still feel that it is too bright and should be shut down at night. A petition was presented to Supervisor Bragg. They also feel that the light on the Highway Garage should be pointed down so that it doesn’t shine in their windows at night. Supervisor Bragg to look in to this matter. Councilman Rehwaldt stated that he thought the sign was dimmed down to 5% brightness at night.
Ditching Coordinator Bruning requested the Town Board to send a letter to Garrett Meal at the Niagara County Highway Department for a three (3) way stop sign at Royalton Center Road. He would also like to see a double line from Ernest Road to Royalton Center Road.
There being no further business to come before this board, a motion was made by Councilman Rehwaldt, seconded by Councilman Budde and carried unanimously that the Work Session be adjourned at 6:50 PM.
Marie L. Little, MMC/RMC
Royalton Town Clerk