December 14, 2010: Village Board Meeting Minutes

Present:  Mayor Eric Constance, Deputy Mayor Daniel Frechette, Trustee Lawrence Barone, Trustee Peter Daly, Trustee John LaDuc

Absent: None

Mayor Constance opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6:32pm.

Mayor Constance gave the oath of office to Trustee Lawrence Barone and Trustee John LaDuc.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Constance thanked former Trustee Robert Oram for his service on the Village Board and his dedication to all the other boards and committees he has served.  Mayor Constance presented him with a certificate of appreciation.

Public hearing for Sackets Harbor Leasing LLC, Waterfront Management Law variance request, will not be held tonight due to request from Mr. Maxon to table the topic until later in the spring.

Mayor Constance reviewed the minutes of the regular board meeting of November 9, 2010.

Motion to approve the minutes made by Deputy Mayor Frechette and seconded by Trustee Daly.

Mayor Constance reviewed the minutes of the special board meeting of November 30, 2010.

Motion to approve the minutes made by Deputy Mayor Frechette and seconded by Trustee Daly.

Mayor Constance reviewed a solicitation letter from engineering group who would likee to work with the village on the Community Development Block Grant.

Reviewed coin deposit policy: DPW staff is to retrieve coins from the water dispensers, place them in the deposit bags to be provided by Watertown Savings Bank, lock the bags and return them to the bank to be counted and deposited.

Reviewed new street sign guidelines from the Federal Highway Administration.  Trustee Barone will familiarize himself with the new guidelines.

Reviewed letter from Mr. McAndrews who is requesting the Ontario Shores water and sewer district billing be changed.  Mayor Constance has acquired documentation on the way the district was established and will be reviewing it and preparing a reply.

Mayor Constance asked the board to review the Amendment for the Intermunicipal Agreement, merging the agreements with the Town of Hounsfield for water districts 2 and 3.  He would like them to be familiar with the agreement and be prepared to act on it at the next meeting.

Mayor Constance reviewed the areas of responsibility assigned to Village Board members. 

Mayor Constance – Village Police, Shared Services, Town Board, Capital Projects

Deputy Mayor Frechette – Recreation, Village Police, Housing Authority, Stoodley Park Grant, Economic Development.

Trustee Barone – Historic Sites, Trees, Village Signage, Zoning Re-Write, Marketing Committee.

Trustee LaDuc – Chamber of Commerce, Recreation, Records Management, Senior Citizens.

Trustee Daly - Fire Department, Water and Sewer, Trail Grant, Roads, Building and Grounds

Officer Appointments

Mayor Constance moved to re-appoint Jim Corbin as Zoning Enforcement Officer, Trustee Daly seconded the motion.  Vote 5-0 in favor.

Mayor Constance moved to re-appoint Robert and Jeanne Brennan as Village Historians, seconded by Trustee Barone.  Vote 5-0 in favor.

Mayor Constance moved to re-appoint Marion Colin as Trustee of the Housing Authority, seconded by Trustee Barone.  Vote 5-0 in favor.

Mayor Constance moved to appoint Mr. John Vondell, as Planning Board member, to finish the term of Member Lucia Bliss; term will expire December 2013.  Motion seconded by Trustee Daly; Vote 5-0 in favor.

Mayor Constance appointed Cheryl Payne to the position of Planning Board Alternate; term will expire December 2011.  Motion seconded by Trustee Barone; Vote 5-0 in favor.

Town of Hounsfield Water Districts 2 & 3
Village Engineer, Kris Dimmick spoke about the plan to synchronize the language in the agreements for Town Water Districts 2 and 3; specifically, the language that addressed how the costs of  capital improvements that benefited the entire district, would be shared.

If the Village is making capital improvements on the water plant, then all who benefit from the improvement, in and out of the village, will help to pay for it.

Sackets Harbor Brewery Variance Request
Input from Dave Ross at Jefferson County Building Code office notes that property adjacent to Village property with public access, the fire code allows to build “right up to the line” with “no setback required”.  Per architect Ashar Nelson, the wall of the new kitchen will be 4’ 5” from the property line and the roof line will be 1’ from the property line.
Trustee Barone noted an up to date survey of the property should be acquired.

Village Engineer, Kris Dimmick also noted that the survey should be performed by a professional, and be part of the ZBA application before an area variance is granted.

Discussion continued regarding side setback for business district is 7.5’ – for non-conforming lot the set back would be 3.75’.

Mayor polled the board and there was general agreement that a 3’ setback for this project is acceptable to the board. (including the overhanging roof)

Verizon Lease Amendment

Village is putting radio read antenna on our new water tower (attaching it to the Verizon bracket), engineered by BCA.  Lease amendment includes 49 year extension on the lease (in five year increments with opportunities for both parties to terminate); also includes calculations for rent increases.  Lease was reviewed and approved by Village Attorney David Geurtson. 

Discussion regarding the licensing of radio frequencies and it was agreed to verify regulations preventing Verizon from impinging on the Village radio frequency.  Trustee Daly suggested authorizing the Mayor to sign the agreement on the condition that this question is clarified.

Motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the Verizon lease amendment, on condition that the agreement adequately protects the village’s ability to use radio frequency, made by Trustee Daly, seconded by Deputy Mayor Frechette.  Vote 5-0 in favor.

Town of Hounsfield District 5 Memorandum of Understanding

Topic tabled.

Correspondence

Letter from Marcia Bridge regarding sewer rate for 219 W. Main Street – Board discussed and there was general agreement that 2 units is the appropriate sewer rate per local law.

Trustee Barone noted that a square foot guideline, for billing water and sewer in the core of the village business district, might be something to consider in the future.

The Board had general agreement that the best solution at this point is to enforce the current law equally among all users in the village.

Mayor Constance will send a letter to the Bridges informing them that they are being properly billed in accordance with the laws as established.

Marketing Committee

Requests for spending approvals.

$315 for advertising in 2011 Watertown Daily Times Summer Fun insert (8 issues)

$100 Village membership in Seaway Trail Foundation.

$985.63 for advertisement in TI Council travel guide (1/2 to be paid by Village and 1/2 to be paid by Village Chamber of Commerce)

Mayor Constance introduced a motion to approve the above marketing requests; Trustee Barone seconded the motion.  Vote 5-0 in favor.

Sackets Harbor Local Development Corporation

The Board is expecting DEC review and confirmation of Augsbury Oil property cleanup by early 2011;  hope to market property Spring 2011

Reimbursement from the state for cost of cleanup, was submitted and should be received shortly.

OLD BUSINESS

Reply to Mr. Briggs McAndrews of Ontario Street is being completed by the Mayor.  Information on the Ontario Shores Special District was gathered by Village Attorney Dennis Whelpley and Village Clerk Gertrude Karris.

NEW BUSINESS

None

Public Comment

Tim Scee congratulated Trustee LaDuc and Trustee Frechette for the ice rink behind the Municipal Building.  Mr. Scee also noted that he has experience with amateur radio licensing, and is certain that we will find Verizon is restricted from operating outside the frequency licenses they have purchased.

TRUSTEE REPORTS

Deputy Mayor Frechette

Will distribute a sample skateboard law, as crafted by Chief Coseo and himself; Mr. Frechette requested the Board review the draft law and provide input.

Youth Basketball signups will be out next week.

If anyone in the village has skates to donate, to be shared with those who do not have skates, they should drop them off at the Village Office.  Deputy Mayor Frechette will install a Rubbermaid storage bin to store the lending skates near the ice rink.

Mayor Constance asked for clarification on $800 bill for pencils for the Police Dept.  Deputy Mayor Frechette will follow up with the Chief.

Trustee Barone

The DEC is re-establishing grant money for village tree planting and applications are being sent out.  Kelly Reinhardt will bring a proposal to the board for 2011 planting program.

Trustee LaDuc

Thanks to DPW and Deputy Mayor Frechette for help on the ice rink and look forward to working with the Board.

Ice Rink Lights – two fixtures are working per LR – Stoodley park may have some money in their grant.

Trustee Peter Daly

Stoodley Park meeting last Wednesday; reviewed money in budget, working on pavers and patio for entryway, benches and plantings and signs which will show donors’ names,.

May resurface basketball court next summer.

Met with Fire Chief Steve Sullivan regarding plan to take over DPW garage space; plan to meet with DPW Superintendent, Lonny Reinhardt to discuss the new office space at the sewer plant.

Treasurer’s Report, Jim Yuhas

Treasurer Yuhas reviewed monthly report for November 2010 including disbursements and receipts. Treasurer Yuhas reviewed the 6 month budget expenses.  Operating budget is at about 31% spent and Water and sewer funds are at about 50% spent.

Expect to receive $150,000 in the next 60-90 days, from grant reimbursements submitted.

Some funds for the Augsbury Oil Field reclamation project have been received.

Cash flow is good in all budgets.

Sales tax collections is better than expected, ahead 12% from budget.

Trustee Daly moved to approve the Treasurer’s report; Deputy Mayor Frechette  seconded the motion.  Vote 5-0 in favor.

Treasurer Yuhas reviewed abstract #7  Voucher #556-644 - $765,214.71   Monthly bills were reviewed by Trustee Barone.  Motion to approve payment of bills made by Trustee Barone; seconded by Trustee LaDuc.  Vote 5-0 in favor.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mayor Eric Constance asked past Mayor JP Constance if it had been his experience that bills incurred while preparing for a capital project were to be paid before capital project funding is acquired.  Form Mayor JP Constance affirmed this was his practice and experience.

Flowers for the village Main Street were coordinated by MaryEllen Powers who passed away this week.  Mayor Constance noted he was looking for another volunteer to take on the project.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS

DPW Superintendent, Lonny Reinhardt

First water main break of the season happened last weekend.

Expecting delivery of the high lift pump after the first of the year.

High turbidity event two weeks ago –meter installed in 1998, was not communicating properly.  New meter is $3508 – original equipment is no longer available and the meter must be replaced.  Trustee Daly moved to authorize the purchase of the new meter; Deputy Mayor Frechette seconded the motion.  Vote 5-0 in favor.

Recommend changing the road name from Mercedes Lane to Funny Cide Drive by Mid January for next year’s Chips program.
Discussion ensued and there was general agreement.  The residents of Mercedes Lane have been informed of the pending change and will be contacted by Village Clerk.  Motion to authorize the street name change made by Trustee Daly; seconded by Deputy Mayor Frechette.  Vote 5-0 in favor.

Per Jefferson County Emergency Management, the road where the new water town is located requires a road name.  Suggestions were discussed; topic tabled until next meeting.

County Highway Department contacted the village today regarding the easement on Co. Road 66 (E. Main Street) and threatened a stop work order.  Village Engineer, Kris Dimmick discussed the permit with the County Highway Superintendent and instructed the contractors to finish the intersection as soon as possible.  Mayor Constance will talk with Supervisor Scee regarding the possibility of taking over the road, at their meeting later this week.

Visitor Center Report, Barb McKeever, Director

9563 total visitors for 2010 down about 250 from last year.
Dec 4th is the Christmas parade and tree lighting with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Sunday Dec 19th – American Legion Children’s Christmas Party

Past summer visitor’s center was painted on the outside; Ms. McKeever requests the interior be painted this year.

Orientation displays still require repair.

Village Engineer, Kris Dimmick

Sewer line construction is headed up Broad Street; will progress as weather allows, with a break the week between Christmas and New Years Day.

New Sewer plant has roof on.

The radio read antenna can be installed as soon as the agreement is signed with Verizon and DPW can begin installation of the new radio read meters.

Rural Development is reviewing our application for the water system upgrade funding.

New high lift pumps for water plant will be delivered in January, The pumps are designed for 500 gallon per min. and should be able to review the capacity improvements shortly thereafter.

Mayor Constance asked if new agreements with engineers and legal need to be drafted and Mr. Dimmick confirmed they did need to be drafted.

Heritage Area Director, David Altieri

Waiting for final approval from SHPO for trail design; will then be able to put together a schedule.  The grant has to be spent by June 2012.

Planning Board:  Gary Gibson

Two public hearings for minor subdivisions scheduled for tomorrow.

Brewery application for deck and dock is still incomplete.  NYS Coastal Resources is concerned about the distance between the brewery dock and the boathouse dock.  The Planning Board expects  to table it pending ZBA action for variances of onshore deck.  Information and materials on dock and anchoring mechanism still needed..

Brewery kitchen application will be tabled tomorrow pending ZBA action;  also missing materials information

Harbor Market application is incomplete and Chairman Gibson will urge them to move forward and complete the project.

Community Organization Reports

Trustee Daly spoke with Beth Burdick of Hay Memorial Library.  The Library is holding an Open House on Wednesday – December 22nd 12-5pm and  6.30-8.30pm.

Trustee Barone informed the Board that the Zoning Re-write Committee is scheduled to meet December 16th.

Hearing no other business, Mayor Constance moved to closed adjourn at 8:26pm; seconded by Trustee Barone.  Vote 5-0 in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Gertrude Mead Karris

Village Clerk of Sackets Harbor