Regular Meeting

Monday January 8, 2007

7:00 PM – Village Hall

A Regular Meeting and public hearing of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Seneca Falls, New York held on the above date beginning at 7:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Smith, Trustees Ikewood, Campese, Petroccia, and Masino; Art Seld, Village Attorney; Constance Sowards, Village Administrator; Martha Dygert, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer.
ABSENT: None.
Mayor Smith opened the meeting at 7:00 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance. / OPEN MEETING
After appointment of Thomas Solan to Fire Chief of the Seneca Falls Fire Department, Mayor Smith administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Solan. / OATH OF OFFICE
Fire Chief - Solan
Upon recommendation by Fire Chief Solan, and approval of Mayor Smith, it was on motion by Trustee Campese, seconded by Trustee Petroccia to appoint Mr. Michael Rhinehart to the position of 2nd Assistant Fire Chief. / APPOINTMENT
2nd Asst Chief - Rhinehart
AYES: / 4 / NOES: / 0 / MOTION CARRIED
Mayor Smith addressed the public with a written statement regarding the possible relocation of Village Hall to a new facility on Ovid Street, which would house both the Village and Towns of Seneca Falls. Mayor Smith, in her statement, informed the public with regard to a grant received jointly with the Town of Seneca Falls from the NYS Department of State for a Shared Municipal Services Study, with a grant award amount of $58,500. Mayor Smith shared her wholehearted support of this study and joins the Board unanimously in support of looking at ways to consolidate services with the Town of Seneca Falls. / RELOCATION OF VILLAGE HALL
Mayoral Statement
The public, having been given the opportunity to speak on the possible relocation of Village Hall, offered the following comments: / PUBLIC COMMENT
Written statements were read, submitted by: William Parker of Cayuga Street, Patrice Giansante of W. Bayard Street, Vivian Rescorl of Maple Street, Jean O’Connell (Grant Consultant), Floyd Collins of Fall Street and Gerald Macaluso of Maple Street. These letters are attached to the minutes of the meeting. / WRITTEN STATEMENTS
Ann Cramer, 101 Cayuga Street - was concerned about the use of Fireman’s Field (proposed site of new construction) and a possible agreement for this property to be used for youth recreation. Also stated that she would like to see the Village Office stay in the current building or, if necessary, relocate to an existing historic building.
Brad Jones, Courtney Drive – Wanted to thank both Boards for considering this and feels the Boards should determine what they would like their legacy to be and possibly consider consolidation versus dissolution.
Susan Sauvageau, Fall Street – feels strongly that the Village Office should stay centrally located (near downtown) and does not want to see additional empty dwellings. She currently has a vacant storefront and wonders if she should bother investing additional money in her building, when she will only have to compete with the other vacant structures nearby.
Valerie Sandlas, Greenbelt Circle – supports the merger with the Town but does not want the Village/Town offices to move away from downtown. Feels that the police presence should remain as it is currently.
Michael Kelly, Corner Fall & Ovid Streets – Stated that what kept him from moving his business out of Seneca Falls in 1986 was due to the tradition and preservation emphasis by the Village. Does not want Village government out of the downtown area.
Gerald Graziano, Pine Street – Feels the Town should be seeking a referendum on this, regardless of whether or not they are required to do so. Also stated that if the timing, location and financial impact indicated that this was the right thing to do, it would be all right but doesn’t feel that those three things have been looked at closely enough at this time.
Roberta Halden, Auburn Road – Feels that the Village and Police should stay close to downtown and also that the Town Office should be rebuilt on its former location at 10 Fall Street.
Paul Wenderlich, Joanne Ave – Concerned about the proposed location and feels that both governments should do with what they have as best they can without expending excess tax dollars in the process.
John Vaughn, 37 E. Bayard St – Feels that the Police and Court should be combined as soon as possible. Also feels that there is much more to be done (looked at) for consolidation.
On motion by Trustee Masino, seconded by Trustee Petroccia to open the public hearing on Local Law #1 of 2007 – to accept dedication of Lamb Road within the Village of Seneca Falls. / PUBLIC HEARING
Local Law #1 – 2007
Lamb Road Dedication
AYES: / 4 / NOES: / 0 / MOTION CARRIED
After all residents were given the opportunity to speak and there being no one present to speak out against the proposed local law, it was on motion by Trustee Ikewood, seconded by Trustee Petroccia to close the public hearing. / Close Public Hearing
WHEREAS, the Seneca County Industrial Development Agency has offered to deed Lamb Road to the Village of Seneca Falls, a description of such attached hereto and marked Schedule “A”, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Seneca Falls has determined that the description contained in the attached Schedule “A” shall be accepted and shall be recognized, now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, on motion by Trustee Ikewood, seconded by Trustee Masino, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Seneca Falls dedicate the said Lamb Road and accept the said Lamb Road, and that the Mayor and the Village Clerk be directed to execute the acceptance of the dedication contained in said description, and be it further
RESOLVED, that said Lamb Road shall be recognized as a public street, and shall be maintained by the Village of Seneca Falls as such. / Local Law #1 – 2007
LAMB ROAD – Dedication and Acceptance
Motion to Adopt
AYES: / 4 / NOES: / 0 / MOTION CARRIED
The Board having been provided with a copy of the minutes from the following meetings: Regular Meeting 12/11/2006 and Special Meeting 12/27/2006 and Heritage Preservation Commission minutes of December 12, 2006;
It was on motion by Trustee Ikewood, seconded by Trustee Petroccia to / MINUTES
AYES: / 4 / NOES: / 0 / MOTION CARRIED
WHEREAS, Martin Luther King, Jr. was a national leader in the fight for equal rights for all people, regardless of race or religion; and
WHEREAS, his dedication to, and promotion of, the philosophy of non-violence in the struggle for civil rights earned him the respect and admiration of people all over the world; and
WHEREAS, it is especially fitting for Seneca Falls, the cradle for another equal rights movement, that of Women’s Rights, to offer special appreciation for this extraordinary champion of human dignity and freedom for all;
NOW, THEREFORE, in recognition of the 78th anniversary of his birth, I, Diana Smith, Mayor of the Village of Seneca Falls do hereby proclaim January 15, 2007, as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the Village of Seneca Falls, and call upon the people of this community to join their fellow citizens across New York State and the nation in recognizing this remarkable civil rights champion and participating in this special observance. / PROCLAMATION
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Reports are on file from the Zoning/Code Enforcement, Police Department, Street Department, Fire Department, and Heritage Area. / REPORTS
WHEREAS, the Village of Seneca Falls Board of Trustees is authorized under Village Law to audit and pay claims asserted against it; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has been presented with an abstract of unaudited vouchers #899 through #1021 in the amount of $322,160.17; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees desires to audit and pay the above-referenced claims:
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Village of Seneca Falls pay the above-referenced claims against it by disbursing funds from the applicable Village accounts as follows:
General Fund: $223,647.38
Water Fund: $ 72,952.30
Sewer Fund: $ 22,411.68
Trust & Agency: $ 3148.81
On motion by Trustee Campese seconded by Trustee Masino to accept the bills as audited and order paid.

ROLL CALL

Trustee Ikewood Aye
Trustee Campese Aye
Trustee Petroccia Aye
Trustee Masino Aye / AUDIT OF CLAIMS
AYES: / 4 / NOES: / 0 / MOTION CARRIED
A Special Event application, tabled from the last meeting, was brought before the Board again. The sponsor organization, Legott Productions, has requested use of People’s Park on July 13, 14 and 15th from 4 PM until 8 PM, with no music after 11 PM.
On motion by Trustee Petroccia, seconded by Trustee Ikewood to approve the request as submitted. / SPECIAL EVENTS
Women’s Right to Rock
AYES: / 4 / NOES: / 0 / MOTION CARRIED
A Special Event application, tabled at the last meeting, was brought before the Board again to review. The application of the Seneca Falls Community Band for approval to hold the free community band concerts on June 29, July 6 & 20, and August 3 & 10, 2007.
It was on motion by Trustee Campese, seconded by Trustee Masino to approve the amended application, as submitted. / Seneca Falls Community Band
AYES: / 4 / NOES: / 0 / MOTION CARRIED
WHEREAS, the Village of Seneca Falls has been approached by United Parcel Service for permission to place a UPS drop box on Fall Street in the Village; and WHEREAS, the Heritage Preservation Commission has already approved this request at a regular meeting; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, on motion by Trustee Masino, seconded by Trustee Campese to approve the request and authorize the Mayor to enter into a signed agreement with UPS for this. / PREFILED #1
UPS Drop Box
AYES: / 3 / NOES: / 1 (Ikewood) / MOTION CARRIED
The following water and sewer credits are recommended for approval by the Village Board of Trustees by the Water and Sewer Commission and approved at a Regular meeting:
Account # Total
C0242 $ 9.90
I1791 $11.40
C1792 $ 5.70
On motion by Trustee Campese, seconded by Trustee Petroccia allow specified requested credit to the aforementioned water and sewer accounts

ROLL CALL

Trustee Ikewood Aye
Trustee Campese Aye
Trustee Petroccia Aye
Trustee Masino Aye / PREFILED #2
Water/Sewer Credits
AYES: / 4 / NOES: / 0 / MOTION CARRIED
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has established a reserve fund for the procurement of police vehicles; and
WHEREAS, the Police Department has procured a police vehicle and paid in this abstract of claims under A3120.200; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, on motion by Trustee Masino, seconded by Trustee Petroccia, that the Board of Trustees approve the transfer of $25,847.50 from the Police Vehicle Reserve fund to the General Fund for reimbursement of this. / PREFILED #3
Police Vehicle Reserve Expenditure
AYES: / 4 / NOES: / 0 / MOTION CARRIED
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has established a capital reserve fund for the Street Department, for certain authorized capital expenditures; and
WHEREAS, the Street Department has received prior approval to procure an all-season truck box; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, on motion by Trustee Campese, seconded by Trustee Masino, to approve the transfer of $25011.00 from the Street Reserve funds to the General Fund . / PREFILED #4
Street Reserve Expenditure
AYES: / 4 / NOES: / 0 / MOTION CARRIED
On motion by Trustee Masino, seconded by Trustee Campese to approve General Fund budget adjustments as follows:
From A1620.411 Bldgs – Clean Contr to A1325.200 C/T Equip - $5096.05
From A5110.477 Street Plan to A5112.400 CHIPS Perm Improvements $61,745.69 / PREFILED #5
Budget Adjustments
AYES: / 4 / NOES: / 0 / MOTION CARRIED
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees wishes to approve a claim for sidewalk improvement program as follows:
Ms. Michelle Guenot, 22 VanCleef Street, Seneca Falls, NY in the amount of $762.50 for sidewalk replaced
WHEREAS, this claim was inadvertently left off the Abstract of claims; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, on motion by Trustee Ikewood, seconded by Trustee Petroccia to approve this expenditure. / PREFILED #6
Sidewalk Improve Reimbursement
AYES: / 4 / NOES: / 0 / MOTION CARRIED
Trustee Ikewood gave an update on the Economic Development Committee. / OLD BUSINESS
None. / NEW BUSINESS
Henry Law, IDEA Center, discussed skateboarding. / PUBLIC COMMENT
There being no further business, it was on motion by Trustee Ikewood, seconded by Trustee Masino to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. / ADJOURN
AYES: / 4 / NOES: / 0 / MOTION CARRIED

Respectfully Submitted,

Martha Dygert

Deputy Clerk