VILLAGE OF AURORA BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

SEPTEMBER 15, 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 September 15, 1999, with Mayor Gunderson presiding.

 

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

Absent:  Trustee Janet Mapstone.

Also present:  David and Debbie Brooks.

Absent:  Nancy Yann, Clerk.

 

Trustee Zabriskie moved to accept the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Village Board of Trustees of August 18, 1999 with correction noted.   Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 4:0.

 

CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:

 

Mayor Gunderson noted that there would be an addition under New Business regarding OSHA Compliance on Asbestos Removal.  Trustee Zabriskie asked to have Enhanced Law Enforcement added to Old Business. 

 

MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that the Board needs to discuss appointing a new Village Historian.  Trustee Vargo suggested Sheila Edmunds and Mayor Gunderson suggested John Fitzgerald.  Trustee Zabriskie asked if all the records in Mr. Kabelac’s possession had been turned over to the Town.  Mayor Gunderson replied that he thought that only some to them had been taken to the Town Hall.  Mayor Gunderson stated that Sheila Edmunds would be the first choice for village historian and John Fitzgerald would be asked if Ms. Edmunds declined.

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that Mary Knight had requested the Board do something about the peddlers and solicitors coming to the village.  Mayor Gunderson will talk to Mrs. Knight to get all her concerns and see what the Village can do to help.

 

CLERK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that the Association of Villages will meet on Tuesday, September 28 at the Sunset Restaurant in Auburn.  The program for the evening will be a representative from NYMIR (New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal).

 

The Mayor reported on a letter from Robert Cerza to the Board regarding speeding on the south end of the village.    He has sent a letter to Lieutenant Lamphere with carbon copies to Assemblyman Dan Fessenden, Senator Michael Nozzolio, and Mike Carter, Wells College

Security.  The letter asked for the area to be patrolled on a regular basis and to issue speed

 

citations as necessary; to extend the 30 MPH speed zone south by ½ mile to clear the Village; and to place at least one more 30 MPH speed limit sign between Wells College and the 55 MPH area to remind drivers of the speed limit.  After a lengthy discussion, it was felt that the Village had no control over the speed limit on a state highway.  The request would have to go to the New York State Department of Transportation.  Trustee Zabriskie asked if the Village received any money from the Town of Ledyard for fines levied.  The Village does not receive money from fines; the Town gets the money because they pay the Justices.

 

Trustees Chase asked to address another issue pertaining to Enhanced Law Enforcement.  He stated that Debbie Brooks had given him a letter that had been posted on the Village Bulletin Board outside the Post Office.  It reads as follows, “ Boycott Aurora Business, Protest unreasonable speed trap!”  Trustee Chase stated that the Aurora Merchants did not employ the Enhanced Law Enforcement. 

 

VISITOR RECOGNITION:

 

TREASURER'S REPORTS:

 

A.        Monthly Reports:

 

Trustee Zabriskie moved to accept the July 31, 1999 Monthly General Fund Report.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 4:0.

 

            Trustee Chase moved to accept the July 31, 1999 Monthly Water Fund Report.  Seconded by Trustee Zabriskie, motion carried 4:0.

 

            Trustee Zabriskie moved to accept the July 31, 1999 Monthly Sewer Fund Report.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 4:0.

 

B.        Budget Modifications:

 

There were no Budget Modifications this month.

 

C.        Approval of Bills:

 

Trustee Zabriskie moved to approve the bills from the General Fund, Claims #94 to 127 in the amount of $4,911.62.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 4:0.

 

Trustee Chase moved to approve the bills from the Water Fund, Claims #94 to 127 in the amount of $3,252.02.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 4:0.

 

Trustee Zabriskie moved to approve the bills from the Sewer Fund, Claims #94 to 127 in the amount of $5,253.84.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 4:0.

 

Trustee Zabriskie moved to approve the bills from the Water Improvement Reserve Fund, Claims #94 to 127 in the amount of $4,922.30.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 4:0.

 

 

COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS:

 

A.                 Buildings and Grounds:

 

Trustee Vargo gave an impromptu report on Patrick Tavern.  There was an open house and a tour of historic homes in August.  Ms. Humes showed Patrick Tavern to any interested person or group that attended.  She is pursuing individual and corporate accounts to contribute money to the restoration fund.

 

B.        Recreation, Parks and Public Events:

           

There was no report.

 

C.        Streets and Public Safety:

 

Trustee Chase reported that he had received a report from Tommy Yale regarding the Court Street Water Project.  Court Street will need to have blacktop where the road was torn apart.  He has a proposal from H & H Excavation and Paving in Locke for $975.00.  My Yale has since that time found more areas that need to be blacktopped, bringing the cost to approximately $1,500.00.  Mr. Yale will obtain another proposal and has asked for approval to purchase two rear tires for the Chevy truck. 

 

Trustee Chase reported that the Fire Department would not be manned on New Years Eve to welcome the proposed Y2K bug.  Trustee Chase then showed a seven minute film on the Y2K projected problems.  After the film Trustee Zabriskie asked if Trustee Chase thought there might be a problem.  Trustee Chase said that his feelings were that things would be okay, but that it did not hurt to be prepared.  He will leave some literature for the Clerk to handout and put in the newsletter going our on October 1.

 

D.        Water and Sewer:

 

            Trustee Zabriskie reported that the Court Street Project was nearing completion.  People on the new system are very happy with the work that has been done, as now they have increased pressure, quantity and quality of water.  There might be an over-run on funds due to the additional work that had to be done at Creasy’s.   Two Village maps and a previous employee stated that the Creasy’s were not on the two (2) inch line and at the time the disconnection was made, there was a phone call that said that they were.  That work had to be done which originally had not been scheduled in to the work plan.  In the process of making the disconnection of the two (2) inch line, there was more time involved than anticipated.  Trustee Zabriskie has been waiting for some figures from Treasurer Nabinger.  There may have to be another Public Hearing to secure more funds for the project.

 

            Trustee Zabriskie reported that the Village would have Phil Hurst working until at least the end of the month.  Mr. Wilmot was not sure if Mr. Hurst would be extending his time after that.  The Village might be a little short on man power for the fall clean-up

 

Trustee Zabriskie reported that Mr. Wilmot has been working on the Consumer Confidence Water Report.  By October 19, 1999 the 1998 Report has to be completed and distributed.  By July 1, 2000 the 1999 Report must be completed and distributed.  From then on, July 1 of every year the current year must be distributed.  This is a “Right To Know” Act.  Details are being worked on to decide how to get this information to all water users.

 

Trustee Zabriskie reported that the Annual Inspection of the Waste Water Treatment Plant was done on August 6, 1999.  Highlights of the site visit are as follows:  (1) At the time of the inspection, the facility was found to be in satisfactory compliance for the items checked.  (2) The West aeration tank is currently empty and is scheduled for maintenance and improvements in the near future.   This work should be given top priority as it will prolong the useful life of the treatment plant.  (3) It us recommended that more air lines be added to the tertiary ponds to provide a more even distrituion of air to the ponds.  (4) The plant operators continue to operate and maintain this facility in an exemplary manner, as demonstrated by the continuous compliance with SPDES permit limits.

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that Treasurer Nabinger reported that the Village would have to hold a Public Hearing on the Water Improvement Reserve Fund for an additional $5,000.00.  The meeting will be scheduled before the next meeting date of October 20, 1999 at 7 PM.

 

E.        Preservation Panel:

 

            There was nothing to report.

 

F.         Planning Board:

 

            Trustee Chase moved to accept the Minutes of the May 5, 1999 Planning Board Meeting.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 4:0.

 

Trustee Chase moved to accept the Minutes of the August 4, 1999 Planning Board Meeting.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 4:0.

 

Mayor Gunderson gave a report on the Moonshine Properties Project.  He asked the Board to be very careful of signing petitions, as this may cause a “conflict of interest” if it comes to the Board for approval.

 

G.        Zoning Board of Appeals:

 

There was nothing to report.

 

H.        Zoning Officer:

 

There was no report from the Zoning Officer.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that the Board had already discussed the Enhanced Law Enforcement issue.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Mayor Gunderson reported on the OSHA compliance, where by law, the village must identify all locations of asbestos in village owned properties.  He has checked with Ms. Nabinger to see if funding was available to do this work.  Ms. Nabinger reported that money had been set aside to do this.  Mayor Gunderson recommended spending the $4,100.00 to bring the Village into compliance and to identify where all the locations may be.  The Post Office Building has already been done, leaving the Firehouse and the Waste Water Treatment Plant be completed

.   Trustee Vargo moved to approve the contract with A & A Consulting to complete the work for the sum of $4,100.00.  Seconded by Trustee Zabriskie, motion carried 4:0.

 

Trustee Zabriskie reported that the Village had mown the right of way between the church and the Lyon House.  He suggested that the Village rake the lawn where they mowed to make it look more attractive and not so shoddy.  Trustee Vargo will talk with Mr. Wilmot about having the work done in a more orderly fashion.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Trustee Vargo moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 PM.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 4:0.