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October 15, 2019 Regular Meeting

Mayor James R. Rensel
Trustee Timothy Dunn
Trustee James Jaroszynski
Trustee J. Michael Steele
Trustee Carmella Catanese

Anna L. Fales, Village Clerk
Lawrence Trask, Treasurer
Alan Gustafson, Code Enforcement Officer
Peter C. Fuller, DPW Superintendent

The regular meeting of the Village of Falconer Mayor and Board of Trustees was held on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 7:00 P.M. in the Community Building Board Room with Mayor James Rensel presiding.

Visitor

Joseph Taylor, 25 E, Falconer Street, Falconer, NY; addressed the board to request an Executive Session regarding a Fire Department Personnel matter. Mayor Rensel responded that in the absence of Village Attorney, Gregory Peterson, the Board was unable to grant his request at this time but the village’s attorney will be consulted for a meeting at a later time.

Mr. Taylor voiced concern over adolescents’ running at large and “hanging out in the park” after curfew. He stated that he had contacted Town of Ellicott Police Chief Ohnmeiss regarding the matter. Superintendent Fuller corroborated Mr. Taylor’s statement regarding youth in the Park after hours and stated that there had been some graffiti damage in the main park.

Mr. Taylor requested that Falconer Fire Department Bi-Laws be made public and questioned if the fire chief was required to be a resident of the fire district.

Treasurer Trask recommended the village compile a volunteer handbook, similar to village’s employee handbook.

Steed Merrill, 117 Lister Avenue, Lea Perdue, 69 E. Everett Street, Avery Faulkner, 2726 Horton Road, Ian Webster, 204 W. Faulkner, and Sydnee Williams, 113 E. James Street, Falconer, NY were all in attendance to observe the proceedings.

Minutes

Trustee Catanese made a motion, seconded by Trustee Jaroszynski, to approve the minutes of September 9, 2019 as written. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese, and Rensel. Carried.

Fire Chief

The chief’s September report was reviewed and noted that the department responded to 74 EMS calls, 2 stand-by calls, 3 carbon monoxide and 3 fire alarms, totaling 85 calls/738.47 personnel hours in September.

Mutual Aid Breakdown:

  • Received: Alstar 3, Kennedy 5, CCEMS 13, Kiantone 3, Chautauqua Corner 1
  • Given: Frewsburg 6, Jamestown 17, Kennedy 1, EPD 3

Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, to accept Chelsea R. Edmunds of E. Elmwood Avenue, Falconer, NY, as a member of the Falconer Fire Department Hose Company. All required background checks and physicals have been completed satisfactorily. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.

Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, to accept Krysten G. Sisson of Waldemeere Avenue, Falconer, NY, as a member of the Falconer Fire Department Hose Company. All required background checks and physicals have been completed satisfactorily. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.

Code Enforcement Office

Mr. Gustafson was in attendance to provide the Board with a verbal code report for September stating that several permits were issued in September.

  • Contacted the owner of a N. Dow Street property and will continue to follow-up on the garbage complaint. This is the 2nd instance of excessive garbage at this location.
  • Several high grass issues
  • There has been an inquiry regarding possible updates/lease of the old Bonsies commercial space on S. Work Street. It is only preliminary/fact-finding at this time by the interested party. Code issues must be addressed first.
  • A Zoning Board meeting is scheduled for October 22nd at 7:00 pm for a variance request for a property on E. Elmwood Avenue. Mr. Trask asked to go on record that he is opposed to the variance request based on the fact that the variance will follow future ownership.
  • Santa Parade has been scheduled for November 23rd at 1 pm.

Department of Public Works

The DPW report was reviewed for the period September 10-October 13, 2019. Leaf pickup will be starting on Monday, October 21st. Mr. Fuller reported that salt prices have increased 13% over last year.

Library

The September library report was reviewed. This month the library received $18.00 for fines, $49.00 for copies and faxes, $56.00 basket sale, $3,527.00 for gifts & donations, and 934.67 other.

The Falconer Rotary presented the Falconer Public Library with a check for $500.00 in honor of Sue Seamans’ 44 years of service to the library.

The 2019-2020 Story Hour program began on September 11th. There are 7 children in the 3-year-old group and 7 children in the 4-year-old group. Ashely Nelson is doing a fantastic job as a Story Hour Director.

The Library Board met on September 26th. They approved the purchase of a wooden bench/bookshelf using some of the donations given to the library in honor of Sue.

Committees:

Animal Control:

The August and September animal control reports were reviewed. Several complaints were received and followed up. One dog was taken to the Humane Society.

Finance:

Treasurer Trask presented the Board with the Chautauqua County Returned Tax document. The percentage of property tax warrant uncollected was $39,740 (4.74%). The total tax warrant was $837,876 of which we collected $798,136. Payment of unpaid tax plus late fees should be sent to us by the County sometime in March or April 2020. Under the County Returned Tax agreement, the county makes villages and towns whole on unpaid taxes. The mayor and members of the board signed the document for submission to the county.

Pine Hill Cemetery:

Fall foundations are in. Leaf pickup will begin.

Planning & Zoning:

The board will be reviewing a use variance application submitted by Taylor Property Management on October 22, 2019 at 7 pm.

New Business:

Trustee Jaroszynski made a motion, seconded by Trustee Steele, to resolve that Trustee Catanese’ Standard Workday be set at 1.07 days, based on her documented work hours between 5/1/19-7/31/19. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, and Rensel. Catanese –abstained. Carried.

Correspondence:

Clerk Fales reported that the United Way is once again seeking donations from the village employees. If interested in giving, please see Clerk Fales.

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Jaroszynski, to draft a letter of support for restoration of commercial air service at the Chautauqua County Airport as local air service is critical to not only business and industry but it is also an important service for residents and the county tourism industry. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.

Abstracts

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Steele that Abstract #5, General Fund in the amount of $41.136.99 be approved for payment. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.

Trustee Jaroszynski made a motion, seconded by Trustee Catanese, that Abstract #5, Cemetery Fund in the amount of $1.465.69 be approved for payment. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.

Trustee Catanese made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, that Abstract #5, Library Fund in the amount of $3.552.04 be approved for payment. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.

Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Jaroszynski, that Abstract #5, General Fund Hand Items in the amount of $50.806.66 be approved for payment. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.

Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session

Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, to adjourn into Executive Session at 7:52 PM to discuss a real estate matter. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.

Motion to Re-enter into Open Session

Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Jaroszynski, to re-enter into Open Session at 8:10 PM. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.

Trustee Catanese made a motion, seconded by Trustee Steele, to reject the real-estate offer to purchase 211 E. James Street at a price of $1,500.00 with the sole intent of constructing a garage. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.

Motion to Adjourn

Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 PM. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Anna Fales, Village Clerk