VILLAGE OF AURORA BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

AUGUAST 18, 1999

 

 

The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Aurora, New York was called to order in the Fire Hall Meeting Room at 7:30 PM on August 18, 1999, with Mayor Gunderson presiding.

 

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

Also present:  Debbie Brooks.

Absent:  Nancy Yann, Clerk.

 

Trustee Vargo moved to accept the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Village Board of Trustees July 21, 1999.   Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 3:0.

 

Trustee Chase moved to accept the Minutes of the Public Hearing on Resolution 99-2 to expend an amount not to exceed $30,000 to replace the waterline on Court Street from Cherry Avenue to Sherwood Road on July 1, 1999.  Seconded by Trustee Mapstone, motion carried 3:0.

 

CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:

 

Mayor Gunderson noted that there would be a few additions to the Agenda.

 

MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that he had talked with Time Warner discussing the cost of going online with Roadrunner.  Time Warner was only willing to give a 10 percent discount of $70 per month to use this service.  This was unacceptable.  Mayor Gunderson asked the clerk to check and see if A-ZNET would take on an account such as the Village.

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that he had spoken with Ed Heslop, Village Representative to the Time Warner Franchise, asking him to come to a Village Board meeting.  Mr. Heslop was not sure if he could make the August meeting.

 

Mayor Gunderson gave a brief up-date on the Paines Creek Project.  He had received an e-mail from Tony Borza stating that they were currently working with Clark Jillson from the Soil, Water and Conservation District Office in applying for a federal grant to stabilize the erosion and sediment deposit caused by the creek.  Mr. Jillson requested Mr. Borza to ask for a letter of support for this project.  It was felt that having support would help their chances with obtaining the federal grant.

 

CLERK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

The Clerk reported that she had given the members of the Board copies of the Real Property Services Newsletter stating that there was important information that they should look at before completing the New Zoning Law project.

 

The Clerk reported she had received the registration form to attend the NYCOM/OSC’s Annual Fall Training School for City and Village Officials.  The dates are from September 13 through the 17 at the Nevele Grand in Ellenville.  Both she and the treasurer would like to attend. 

 

VISITOR RECOGNITION:

 

TREASURER'S REPORTS:

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that the Village had received an Annual Software Support Contract from Williamson Law Book Company.  The software support coverage would include the Water/Sewer, Municipal Accounting, and Payroll.  Trustee Mapstone moved to accept and sign the Contract.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 3:0.

 

A.        Monthly Reports:

 

            There were no Monthly Reports this month.

 

B.        Budget Modifications:

 

There were no Budget Modifications this month.

 

C.        Approval of Bills:

 

Trustee Mapstone moved to approve the bills from the General Fund, Claims #30 to 66 in the amount of $16,825.94.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 3:0.

 

Trustee Chase moved to approve the bills from the Water Fund, Claims #30 to 66 in the amount of $7,943.25.  Seconded by Trustee Mapstone, motion carried 3:0.

 

Trustee Mapstone moved to approve the bills from the Sewer Fund, Claims #30 to 66 in the amount of $3,812.84.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 3:0.

 

Trustee Mapstone moved to approve the bills from the Water Improvement Fund, Claims #30 to 66 in the amount of $18,248.24.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 3:0.

 

COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS:

 

A.        Buildings and Grounds:

 

There was no report for Buildings and Grounds.

 

B.        Recreation, Parks and Public Events:

 

Trustee Mapstone reported that there was a new picnic table at the Village Park.  Doug Wood would rent this to the Village for $50.00 per month.  Trustee Mapstone would like to purchase two tables as this table has been used quite a bit.  Each table would cost approximately $340.00.  Mayor Gunderson told her to order one table and subject to availability of funds, she could order another table.

 

Trustee Mapstone reported that she would like to ask Kurt to get the specs for the proposed basketball court.  She would like to start this project as soon as possible as it has been over a year.

 

Trustee Mapstone reported that Nancie Tengi, Brad Connors and Laura Morril were not working for the Village Swim Program this year.  Matt VanOrman was hired as a WSI Lifeguard/Swim Instructor.  Matt has proven to be a very valuable employee.

 

Trustee Mapstone reported that she would like to have the annual picnic on the last day of the Summer Recreation Program on Friday, August 20.  She is planning to ask Marriott to set up and supply hotdogs, rolls, salad, brownies, etc.    She is also going to rent from Reva Rollerdrome a “Moonwalk” for the day at a cost of $125.00/day.

 

C.        Streets and Public Safety:

 

            Mayor Gunderson reported that there have been requests and concerns about the traffic and parking on Main Street, especially while coming off side roads on the Route 90 and the unloading of trucks.  Requests have been made to mark the crosswalks, mark handicapped parking spaces and markings for other parking spaces.  This is an area that will need time to work through all the problems.

 

Trustee Chase reported on the Enhanced Law Enforcement.  He commented that the Sheriff cars were definitely more visible.  Mayor Gunderson reported that there had been many tickets written.  One village resident receiving a ticket was a little outraged.  However, all drivers must be conscientious about the speed at which they drive and aware of what the laws are.   The Board agreed that anyone speeding should be held accountable.

 

D.        Water and Sewer:

 

            Mayor Gunderson read a letter addressed to the Board from Mr. Henry Benveniste, General Manager of the Aurora Inn.  Mr. Benveniste was concerned that the water consumption for the last quarter was an extremely large increase.  He thought that this was partly do to the amount of water used to water the many flowerbeds, herb garden, lawn areas and shrubbery around the Aurora Inn.  He asked if a water meter could be installed to measure the water used for watering the gardens.  Since the water used for such purposes does not go into the sanitary sewer, he was asking if this bill could be just water.  Trustee Mapstone moved to allow Mr. Benveniste to have a separate water meter for the use of watering the outside gardens.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 3:0.  The clerk will send a letter stating such action.

 

            The Clerk asked the Board for a procedure for Water Haulers.  Who has control of who can and cannot haul water?  It was decided that all haulers must apply and register with the Village Clerk.  The Village will check into a three-part form for haulers to fill out every time they get a load of water.  Trustee Mapstone will check into the price of such a form.

 

E.        Preservation Panel:

 

           

 

F.         Planning Board:

 

           

 

G.        Zoning Board of Appeals:

 

There was nothing to report.

 

H.        Zoning Officer:

 

Trustee Mapstone moved to accept the May 1999 and June 1999 Life Safety Consultants Report.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 3:0.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Mayor Gunderson presented a proposal from Bluewater Enterprises (Dave Wharton) to create a Web Site for the Village of Aurora.  The cost of this project would be $575.00 to include:  Aurora Home Page; Village Board; History of Aurora; Calendar of Events; Village Tour; and Local Business Page.  In addition, training of the clerk to update Village Board page, additional village pages, digital photography, site updates, etc. will be gilled at the discounted rate of $25 per hour.  Trustee Mapstone moved to accept the proposal from Mr. Wharton to create a Web Site for the Village of Aurora.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 3:0.

 

Mayor Gunderson asked the Clerk to check into the Internet service from a-znet.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Trustee Mapstone moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:34 PM.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 3:0.