VILLAGE OF AURORA BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

JANUARY 19, 2000

 

 

The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Aurora, New York was called to order in the Firehouse Meeting Room at 7:30 PM on January 19, 2000 with Mayor Gunderson presiding.

 

Present:  Trustees Jim Chase, Janet Mapstone, Jeri Vargo and Ken Zabriskie.

Also present: David Brooks, Debbie Brooks and Nancy Yann, Clerk.

 

Trustee Mapstone moved to accept the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Village Board of Trustees of December 15, 1999 with corrections noted.   Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 5:0.

 

CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that there would be a few additions to his announcements. 

 

MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that the Village had received a letter from the U.S. Bureau of the Census asking the Village Board to consider partnership and census data opportunities available to the Village.  The Clerk has put in the “Village Newsletter” information regarding Census 2000.  When the Village Web-site is up and running, this information will be added there as well.

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that the Village had received a request from the Bureau of Census regarding Census jobs.  The Clerk will post this notice at the Post Office Bulletin Board.

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that the Clerk had received a letter from the Cayuga County Planning Board stating that they have recently received a grant from the State Archives and Records Administration/Pilot Electronic Government Initiative to advance electronic commerce within the County’s towns and villages.  The Planning Board would like a formal commitment from villages and towns to participate in this program.  Trustee Vargo moved to make the commitment to this project.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.  The Clerk will send a letter of commitment to the Cayuga County Planning Board.

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that a notice had been received earlier today from NYCOM News regarding “Abolishing Village Registration Day”.  The Board decided that keeping registration day in the Village would help keep the Village a little more resident friendly.

 


Village of Aurora Board of Trustees Meeting                       December 15, 1999                    Page 2 of 6

 

CLERK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

The Clerk reminded the Board of the Association of Villages meeting on January 25th.

The meeting will be held at the Sunset Restaurant with guest speaker David Miller from the Cayuga County Planning Board on Revitalizing economic activity in small urban centers.  There will be three people attending this month.

 

The Clerk reported that the Village had a letter from the Cayuga County Conservation Department regarding trees and shrubs.  If the Village would like to order any of the items, the order must be returned in April with payment.  Pick-up date will be towards the end of the month.

 

The Clerk reported that the Village now had Internet access through A-znet.  She talked about the concern over having the telephone line busy if someone were trying to call the office when information was being added to the web-page.  It was suggested talking to Bell Atlantic’s Answering Service application.

 

VISITOR RECOGNITION:

 

Mayor Gunderson welcomed the Brooks’.

 

COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS:

 

A.                 Buildings and Grounds:

 

Trustee Vargo will be talking to Jane Carpenter about ground cover.

 

B.            Recreation, Parks and Public Events:

           

Trustee Mapstone reported that she would like to install the skating rink behind the firehouse.  Mayor Gunderson said that this would not be possible due to the fact that there is a downward slope. 

 

C.            Streets and Public Safety:

 

Trustee Chase reported that he had talked with Neal Van Liew from NYSEG about taking the lights off the Christmas tree.  This will be done in the next few days.

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that he had talked with Kurt about the snow blower that was approved for this budget.  Mr. Wilmot did not know anything about this but would order it.  Mayor Gunderson added that Mr. Wilmot and Mr. Correll really did not have the time to plow the sidewalks and that the Board would have to look into hiring someone to specifically do this.  He asked the Board to think of someone that might be interested.


Village of Aurora Board of Trustees Meeting                       December 15, 1999                    Page 3 of 6

 

 

Trustee Vargo asked who was responsible for plowing Pumpkin Hill.  The Mayor replied that the County took care of this.  Trustee Vargo asked if the Village would ever be used to help plow the road.  Mayor Gunderson replied that our

plows are not able to handle that kind of workload.  The County plows are bigger and can handle the drifting snow.

 

D.        Water and Sewer:

 

            Trustee Zabriskie reported that the Village had received a letter from Robert Cerza that requesting that he be given only one account, one for 13 Main Street and one for the apartment over the garage on the same property – 11 Main Street.  He stated that while there were two meters, he was willing to pay for the usage of the water but was requesting to pay only one set of service charges.  Trustee Zabriskie recommended that the Board not approve this request as others having two meters have always had to pay the access fee.  Mayor Gunderson asked Trustee Zabriskie to draft a letter.

 

Trustee Zabriskie reported that someone sent back a note on the back of the January Newsletter regarding the amount and number of outstanding water bills. Trustee Zabriskie suggested that reinstating the policy of pulling the water meter on delinquent accounts might aid in this matter.  The Mayor asked the clerk to copy and distribute current water rules and regulations.  This matter will be taken up at the next Board Meeting in February.

 

Trustee Zabriskie reported that the Village has had four water breaks in the past week (one at Rezzonico’s under Route 90; one at Webster Barn; an 8 inch-split in the water main at Lacey’s; and one on Dublin Hill at the Steiners.  The problem at Steiner’s was not one that the Village was responsible for.

 

Trustee Zabriskie reported that there were four cross-overs that needed to be  completed.

 

Trustee Zabriskie wants the Board members to begin thinking about hiring someone for the position of Village Maintenance Person.  Trustee Zabriskie also talked about the money outlay for schooling for the Waste Water Treatment Plant.  He suggested a mail order course reducing the cost substantially.  This would also allow the individual hired to put more time in at our plant for hands-on- learning. 

 

E.            Preservation Panel:

 

            There was nothing to report.

 

F.            Planning Board:

 

Mayor Gunderson reminded the Board that they were to meet with the Planning Board on February 2 at 8:15.  Please bring your copies of the proposed law.


Village of Aurora Board of Trustee’s Meeting                       December 15, 1999                       Page 4 of 6

 

 

 

G.                Zoning Board of Appeals:

 

The Clerk reported that there was a Public Hearing to hear Steve Zabriskie’s request to demolish one building at put up another.

 

H.            Zoning Officer:

 

            There was no report.

 

TREASURER'S REPORTS:

 

Trustee Mapstone asked to have the report prior to the meeting.  She feels that there is not adequate time to go over the reports.  She would like to have more time to go over the reports and stated that the reports used to be given out with the Board packets on Friday before the Board Meeting.  Trustee Zabriskie moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report for the Month of December.  Seconded by Trustee Mapstone, motion carried 5:0.

 

A.                 Monthly Reports:

 

Trustee Zabriskie moved to accept the Monthly Report for the General Fund dated December 31, 1999. Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 5:0.

 

Trustee Chase moved to accept the Monthly Report for the Water Fund dated December 31, 1999.  Seconded by Trustee Zabriskie, motion carried 5:0.

 

Trustee Mapstone to accept the Monthly Report for the Sewer Fund dated December 31, 1999.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 5:0.

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that he had read in the Post Standard about BOCES purchasing brokering for electricity for schools and municipalities.  This might be something that the Village should look into.  It could save 5 to 10 percent.

 

B.            Budget Modifications:

 

            There were no budget modifications.          

 

C.            Approval of Bills:

 

Trustee Mapstone moved to approve the bills from the General Fund, Claims #237 to 261 in the amount of $3,064.18.  Seconded by Trustee Zabriskie, motion carried 5:0.  The Clerk asked the Board to add $29.85 for the Internet access to the list of bills.  This was also approved and added to the total.

 

Village of Aurora Board of Trustee’s Meeting                       December 15, 1999                       Page 5 of 6

 

 

Trustee Chase moved to approve the bills from the Water Fund, Claims #237 to 261 in the amount of $2,779.03.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 5:0.

 

Trustee Zabriskie moved to approve the bills from the Sewer Fund, Claims #237 to 261 in the amount of $4,085.93.  Seconded by Trustee Mapstone, motion carried 5:0.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Trustee Mapstone moved the following Resolution:

 

Resolution 2000-1

Village Election Day Registration

January 19, 2000

 

RESOLVED, that there shall be one registration day wherein inspectors shall meet to prepare the Register of Voters for the 2000 Village Election.  Such electors to meet Saturday, March 11, 2000, between the hours of 12 Noon and 5:00 PM at the Aurora Firehouse.

 

Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 5:0.

 

 

Trustee Mapstone moved the following Resolution:

 

Resolution 2000-2

Village Election Polling Place

January 19, 2000

 

RESOLVED, that the polling place for the 2000 Village Election to be held on March 21, 2000 shall be the Aurora Firehouse between the hours of 12 Noon and 9:00 PM .

 

Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.


Village of Aurora Board of Trustee Meeting                       January 19, 2000                           Page 6 of 6

 

 

Trustee Vargo moved the following resolution:

 

Resolution 2000-3

Inspectors of Election

January 19, 2000

 

RESOLVED, that Deborah Brooks and Barbara Mapstone be appointed “Inspectors of Election” at the rate of $7.50 per hour.

 

Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Trustee Mapstone moved adjournment at 8:45 PM.