VILLAGE OF AURORA BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

OCTOBER 20, 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 October 20, 1999, with Mayor Gunderson presiding.

 

Present:  Trustees Jim Chase, Ken Zabriskie and Jeri Vargo (9:15 PM).

Absent:  Trustees Janet Mapstone.

Also present:  David and Debbie Brooks, Diane Hutchinson, VP & T from Wells College, Sandy Shilepsky and Dave Wharton (arrived 8:20); Anthony Borza, Tim Bulh, Engineer for Moonshine Properties, Mark Fandrich, Attorney for Moonshine Properties; Planning Board Members:  Nancy Gil, Chair, Ken Kabelac,  Bob Fitzgerald, Louise Rossmann and Pat Rittenhouse; and Zoning Board of Appeals Members, Bonnie Bennett (arrived at 8:30), Chair, Carol Shilepsky, Bob Kalweit and John Dentes, and Nancy Yann, Clerk.

 

Trustee Chase moved to accept the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Village Board of Trustees of September 15, 1999.   Seconded by Trustee Zabriskie, motion carried 3:0.

 

CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:

 

Mayor Gunderson listed a number of changes to the agenda. 

 

MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that he had received a letter from Sheila Edmunds stating that she has agreed to fill the position of Village Historian.  The Village Clerk is investigating the responsibilities of the position and has asked NYCOM for guidance.

 

Mayor Gunderson reported that he had received a letter from Time Warner regarding digital service and new rates.

 

CLERK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

The Clerk reported that the Association of Villages would meet on Tuesday, October 26 at the Sunset Restaurant in Auburn.  The program for the evening will be candidates for Assembly, Katie Lacey and Gary Finch.  Mayor Gunderson and the Clerk will attend.

 

The Clerk reported to the Board on a class she had attended while at the NYCOM training session in September.  The “hot” issue discussed was that of Adult Entertainment.  She handed the Board a copy of Moravia’s law, which was very inclusive.  The Board will give their opinions at next month’s meeting.

 

The Clerk reported on a “thank you” letter received from Betty Kabelac.  The letter thanked the Board and Village for their support after Ed’s death.

 

 

The Clerk reported that the Village had received a letter from the Transportation Project for Cayuga County.  Trustee Zabriskie moved to continue with the “SCAT” van at the same rate as last year.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 3:0.

 

VISITOR RECOGNITION:

 

Mayor Gunderson introduced Tony Borza who introduced Mark Fandrich, Attorney for Moonshine Properties.  Mr. Fandrich respectfully requested that the Village Board re-zone the area in question so as to allow light commercial development in the area or designate the area a planned development district to allow the different uses that are proposed.  Mr. Fandrich then introduced Tim Buhl, Engineer for the project.  Mr. Buhl gave a presentation and entertained many questions.  After a lengthy discussion, Mr. Buhl, Mr. Fandrich and Mr. Borza thanked the Board for their time and consideration. 

 

Dave Wharton gave an update on the proposed Village Web-page.  Guidelines have been set, a contract will be forth coming and hopes to have the web-page running sometime around Thanksgiving are planned.

 

Rob Outhouse from the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Department gave a report on the Enhanced Law Enforcement Program.  He felt that the program had been very worthwhile this year.  He reported that 72 speeding or failure to obey traffic device citations, two (2) citations for no headlight, One (1) citation for each of the following:  no seatbelt, unsafe passing, unsafe backing and failure to keep right were issued in the Village of Aurora, while the Town of Ledyard had two (2) citations issued:  one (1) each for failure to obey traffic device and speedometer not working.  Mr. Outhouse entertained several questions from the Board and Clerk before leaving the meeting.  Mayor Gunderson thanked him for coming to the Board Meeting and informed him that the Village looked forward to working with him again.

 

TREASURER'S REPORTS:

 

A.        Monthly Reports:

 

Trustee Vargo moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report dated October 20, 1999. Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 4:0.

 

B.        Budget Modifications:

 

Trustee Vargo moved to accept the following Budget Modifications in the General Fund:

 

$103.66 from A1990.4 – Contingent to A1989.4 – Unclassified Expenses

 

Seconded by Trustee Zabriskie, motion carried 4:0.

 

C.        Approval of Bills:

 

Trustee Zabriskie moved to approve the bills from the General Fund, Claims #128 to 170 in the amount of $8,611.51.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 4:0.

 

Trustee Vargo moved to approve the bills from the Water Fund, Claims #128 to 170 in the amount of $2,812.46.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 4:0.

 

Trustee Chase moved to approve the bills from the Sewer Fund, Claims #128 to 170 in the amount of $12,435.88.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 4:0.

 

COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS:

 

A.                 Buildings and Grounds:

 

Trustee Vargo talked about the Village web-page and answered questions pertaining to getting on-line and said that she would be in touch with Dave Wharton.

 

B.        Recreation, Parks and Public Events:

           

There was no report.

 

C.        Streets and Public Safety:

 

Trustee Chase reported that he had received two bids from Tom Yale to complete the work to the Cherry Avenue and Court Street water project.  Bids came from 1) H & H for $2,725 and 2) Seven Valley for $4,500.  Trustee Chase moved to contract with H & H to complete the work for the amount of $2,725.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 4:0.

 

Mayor Gunderson reported on the asbestos survey done by A & A on the Post Office, Firehouse and the Waste Water Treatment Plant.

 

Trustee Chase reported that there has been concern regarding pedestrian, joggers, and individuals walking on the shoulder of the roads.  Are there laws that dictate where people can and cannot walk?  After a short discussion, it was decided that Mayor Gunderson would put something on the Internet at Wells College to those who walk during the lunch break.

 

D.        Water and Sewer:

 

            Trustee Zabriskie reported that there were two water/sewer accounts (#’s 1123 and 1123A) that had duplicate account numbers after the conversion to the new program.  A penalty was assessed after the July billing, but upon conversion BOTH accounts have a penalty because the ledgers were merged.  The Treasurer is asking permission to remove the penalty of .84 cents from each of the accounts since the ledgers are unclear as to whom the penalty belongs.  Trustee Chase moved to remove the accessed penalty for both accounts in the amount of 84 cents each.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 4:0.

 

Trustee Zabriskie reported that the refurbishing of the west contact tank at the Plant was nearing completion.  He recommends painting the tank every five years to add to its life.

 

Trustee Zabriskie reported that there had been a water problem at Bellinzoni’s and Signorelli’s with their private water line.

 

E.        Preservation Panel:

 

Trustee Zabriskie moved to accept the minutes of the Community Preservation Panel from June 16, 1998 to August 3, 1999.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 4:0.

 

F.         Planning Board:

 

No report was received.

 

G.        Zoning Board of Appeals:

 

There was nothing to report.

 

H.        Zoning Officer:

 

There was no report from the Zoning Officer.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

There was no old business.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Mayor Gunderson brought to the attention of the Board members, the issue of speed limit signs and the request from Mr. Cerza to have additional signs posted on the south end of the Village on Route 90.  Trustee Chase moved to accept the following resolution:

 

NYSDOT Issues at South End of Village on Route 90

RESOLUTION NO. 99-4

October 20, 1999

 

BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Aurora does hereby request that the New York State Department of Transportation install an additional 30-mile per hour speed limit sign on the south bound lane at the south end of the Village on State Route 90 near Clifton Creek, and

 

BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, the Village Board of Trustees requests that the Department of Transportation extend the 30-mile per hour speed limit beyond the south Village limits, due to the downhill grade, and

 

 

 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Village Board of Trustees request to have the Speed Zone sign on the north bound lane moved further south on State Route 90 to give ample notice to drivers, due to the downhill grade of the upcoming 30-mile per hour speed limit resulting from a general concern for safety and due to the downhill grade of State Route 90 as it enters in to the Village of Aurora.

 

Seconded by Trustee Zabriskie, motion carried 4:0.

 

Mayor Gunderson asked for approval to continue with the Regional Fingerlakes Association at a cost of $48.00 per year.  Trustee Vargo moved to continue working with the Association for the year, but asked to have some of the information corrected that was listed in the brochure.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 4:0.

 

Trustee Zabriskie moved approval to expend and additional $10,000 from the Water Improvement Fund discussed at the Public Hearing.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 4:0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Trustee Vargo moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 PM.