August 12, 2024 Regular Meeting

Mayor James M. Jaroszynski
Trustee Anthony Cavallaro
Trustee Timothy Dunn 
Trustee Alan Gustafson Jr.
Trustee Annette Miller

Gregory Peterson, Attorney-absent
Cindy Capestrani, Village Clerk
Paula Spunaugle, Treasurer
Bryce Webster, Fire Chief
Paul Capitano, Code Enforcement Officer
Avery Faulkner, Dpw Deputy Superintendent
Laurie Becker, Library Director

The regular meeting of the Village of Falconer Mayor and Board of Trustees was held on Monday, August 12, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. in the Firemen’s Exempt Hall with Mayor James Jaroszynski presiding.

Pledge of Allegiance & Roll:

Trustee Gustafson, Trustee Dunn, Trustee Cavallaro, Trustee Miller and Mayor Jaroszynski were all present.

Visitors

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

VISITORS ARE ALLOWED A MAXIMUM OF THREE (3) MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. THIS IS NOT THE TIME OR PLACE FOR A DEBATE. IT IS A MEETING FOR THE BOARD TO CONDUCT VILLAGE BUSINESS. ALLCOMPLAINTS/REQUESTS WILL BE CONSIDERED AND REVIEWED AT A LATER TIME.

Visitor Comments

• Becky Dewey resident of Prosser Street is concerned about the structural integrity of foot bridge that goes over the river and suggested that it should be looked at.  When the water under the foot bridge is flowing fast, the foot bridge shakes. The railings also are rotting out and should be looked at. Mayor Jaroszynski asked Deputy Superintendent Faulkner to contact the county for an inspection of the foot bridge.

Minutes

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson, to approve the minutes of the July 8, 2024 Regular Board of Trustees Meeting. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Mayors Remarks

• Representatives from NYS Empire Development, Chautauqua County Economic Development, Chautauqua County IDA and a representative from the Governor’s office recently toured the village in preparation for our NY Forward Grant application. 
• Our first National Night Out, organized by Kerry Chase from the Neighborhood Watch Group, was held on August 6^th at the Fire Hall and was well attended.
• West Main Mercantile at 17-19 W. Main Street held their grand opening ribbon cutting today, August 12^th. Congratulations to Angelo and Danille Marra for the great addition to the village.
• An announcement will be coming soon from the owner of the building at 1 East Main Street as to the new tenant going into the space.

Fire Chief

The Fire Chief’s July report was reviewed and noted that the department responded to 37 EMS incidents, 29 cancelled in route, 1 power line down, 1 building fires, 1 wind storm assessment, 1 motor vehicle accident with no injuries, 1 motor vehicle accident with injuries, 1 rubbish fire, 1 assist invalid, 2 alarm system malfunction, 75 total incidents.

Mutual Aid Breakdown – July 2024
Given:  Jamestown-5, Gerry-2, Frewsburg-2, Kennedy-2, Sinclarville-1, Fluvanna-1, total 13 
Received:  Medic 74-5, Alstar-13, Kiantone-1, Kennedy-6, Coroner-2, Frewsburg-1, Mercy Flight-1, total 29

 Highlights:

• Review/Approval of 1 Membership Application
  Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn to approve Rya Lorraina Giuffre into the Falconer Jr. Fire Company. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried

Code Enforcement

The July code officer report was reviewed. It was noted 15 building permits totaling $435 were issued this past month, totaling $1,996.70 year-to-date.

Highlights:

• Continuing problems with 8 N. Dow Street – will be summoned to court to resolve issues.
• Fire inspections for 17-19 N. Work, 13-21 E. Main, 232 W. Main, 233-235 W. Main to be scheduled.
• Sent out 3^rd and final notice to 121 E Elmwood for a 5^th wheel camper parked on village property. The camper can be towed off village property if there is no response to the letter.

Department of Public Works

The DPW report was submitted for the month of July 2024. 

• Lewis Contracting has completed the sidewalks on the bid and the DPW crew has backfilled and planted grass seed over the areas affected. Any additional sidewalks done on private property adjacent to the village sidewalks were billed and paid for by the village residents. 
• The DPW replaced approximately 100 ft of sidewalk on Phetteplace going towards the park.
• Three storm drain man holes were repaired.
• Trustee Dunn suggested that we add the bucket truck as well as other equipment shared with other municipalities to the current equipment schedule to avoid future emergency purchases.
• Cyncon has picked up the sidewalk plow for repair. The plow is still covered under warranty.
• Deputy Superintendent Faulkner shared 2 quotes for the board to review as requested at the last meeting to get a ballpark cost to run a new water line to the rec building. Peter Fuller reported that there is a company out of Pennsylvania that boars the line versus digging it up as an alternative. It is a quicker, neater method. Deputy Superintendent Faulkner will get pricing to compare to the current quotes before the board makes a decision.
• The flashing around the fire hall doors needs to be sandblasted and painted. Deputy Superintendent Faulkner received 2 quotes for the work. The quoted prices are the same from both companies at $2,800 but he recommends Blue Collar Works LLC, as we have been happy with the work they have done for us in the past. Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn to move forward to have the work done by Blue Collar Works LLC. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried
• The handicap mechanism is not working properly on the Community Building doors. The mechanism is old and it might make sense to replace it versus repairing the one side. One quote of $5,300 has been received so far to replace the one side that is not working, still waiting for another quote to come back. The cost for just the part to repair the motor is $1,500. Additional quotes will be obtained and discussed at the next board meeting.
• The Community Building front doors will also need to be stripped and refinished as they are starting to show weather wear.
• Plyer has started replacing the DPW garage doors that were ordered previously by Superintendent Caprino and will be paid out of the CHIPS money.

Library  

The July 9, 2024 – August 12, 2024 Library report was reviewed.

Highlights:

• July has been a very busy month averaging over 90 patrons per day for the month of July. “Off the Stick” ice cream truck closed out the summer reading program with a visit on Thursday, August 8^th. Free ice cream coupons were given to those who completed the summer reading challenge. Thank you to Brian and Kay Nelson for sponsoring this event.
• The Annual Book Sale was held August 8th-10th. A preliminary figure from the sale, including the year-long ongoing sale, is $5,214. Library Director Laurie Becker thanked the board and staff for their support.
• There has been progress on the front door construction project. The book drop and front door have been ordered and the wood is ready to be replaced. The library board has recommended to close the library the last week of August to allow staff the opportunity to use vacation days.
• Robin Grandin, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame member, will perform at the “Music to Remember” concert on Tuesday, August 13^th at 2:00 pm in Davis Park. The concert is part of the summer programing that includes Alzheimer’s and Dementia education as well as elder care information. The event is made possible in part by support from the United Arts Appeal of Chautauqua County Projects Pool Grants Program.
• The next library board meeting is scheduled for October 3, 2024 at 8:00 am in the library. Mayor Jaroszynski commended the library staff for a job well done on the book sale and the summer concert series which were well attended. Also thank you to Brian and Kay Nelson from the Falconer Vac Shop for sponsoring the ice cream event as part of the summer reading program.

Committees:

Finance:

• Budget Modifications
  Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson to approve Resolution 2024-9 Budget Modification to the 2023-24 General Fund Budget:

REVENUES

APPROPRIATIONS

Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Treasurer Spunaugle also shared the 23/24 Fiscal Year End report showing the net incomes for the Cemetery, Library and General Fund. Budgeted reserve fund amounts were transferred to the reserve accounts at the end of the fiscal year as recommended by Bahget & Laurito-Bahgat accounting firm as per below: 

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cavallaro to approve Resolution 2024-11 to authorize the Village Treasurer to make the following transfers to the Reserve Funds Balance:

Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Treasurer Spunaugle also shared a review of the Street Equipment Reserve balance so that a decision can be made regarding the village’s portion of the bucket truck that needs to be replaced (shared with the Town of Ellicott, Carroll and Poland). Trustee Gustafson reminded the board that the village still has $68K in ARPA funds that needs to be obligated by the end of 2024. Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller to purchase the bucket truck with funds from the street reserve, not to exceed $42K. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Legal: 

• Nothing to report.

Public Safety: 

• The Dog Control Report for June and July was reviewed.

Downtown Development:  

• A street banner to promote the “Made in Falconer” event being planned for October 5^th will require a permit from the DOT if it is placed over Main Street.
• A new thrift store, “Falconer Thrift This & That”, is planning a grand opening on August 14^th, located in the Budget Hotel Plaza on the corner of Work and Main Street. 
• Barton and LoGuidice will be assisting the village with the NY Forward Grant Application again this year.

Farmers Market:

• Nothing to report.

Parks:

• Thank you to Deputy Superintendent Faulkner for working on getting water to the rec building at the park. Will be looking further at converting the tennis courts into pickleball courts. 

Pine Hill Cemetery:

• The cemetery has been busy with 3 cremains burials last week and 2 full burials this week.

Planning/Zoning Board

• There is nothing new to report but Mayor Jaroszynski asked for follow up on the food truck and requested zoning changes that were previously met on by the Planning and Zoning Boards.

Old Business:

• Wastewater Project Update – Peter Fuller
  The project. engineers from Square Engineering have been down twice for manhole inspections. There are 370 total manholes in the village and they average 65 manholes per day. The manholes are checked for a list of conditions so that they will have a full report of what needs to be corrected for Phase 2 of the project. The project currently has 7 days allocated for manhole inspections, but are hoping to get those completed in 5 days to save time for more infiltration studies. There was a lot of slip lining done to the sewer lines 30 years ago and some of that is starting to deteriorate around the grout allowing water to seep into the lines. The larger problem areas can be taken care of now instead of waiting 2-5 years for the capitol project to be approved. We are looking at a 5M-10M project with a 5-year timeline to complete. Will continue to update the board at the next board meeting.
• Pro-Housing Community Designation – Update
  Obtaining pro-housing certification is now required to be eligible to receive specific NYS funding grants, such as the NY Forward grant. The village is in the process of obtaining this certification, already submitting the letter of intent. The code enforcement officer will be working on the required reports: zoning code summary and housing planning and building permit information from prior five years.
• DPW Pole Barn addition – update
  Deputy Superintendent Faulkner reported that he has contacted a few contractors to get an estimated cost for the pole barn addition. The board requested an approximate cost at the last meeting before a decision to move forward with the project. Trustee Cavallaro recommended that we put out an RFP to start the process and have figures to look at. We do not need to move forward with the project if we decide not to.
  
  Deputy Superintendent Faulkner and CEO Capitano will provide the dimensions for the RFP.  Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller, that we authorize the DPW Deputy Superintendent to advertise a request for proposal for a pole barn storage addition. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.
• Purchase Agreement – 29-35 West Main Street – to be discussed in executive session

New Business: 

• No new business.

Correspondence:      

• Abstract Audit – Trustee Gustafson
  Trustee Gustafson’s letter, date August 12, 2024, which acknowledged his review on August 11-12, 2024 of the unpaid vouchers for Abstract #3 (FY 24/25) and bank reconciliations from M&T Bank, Community Bank and NYCLASS for the month of June 2024 was placed into record.
• Thank You Note – Memorial Donation 

Abstracts

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Dunn and seconded by Trustee Cavallaro that Abstract #3, General Fund in the amount of $69,873.16 be approved for payment. Discussion: Trustee Gustafson noted the change on the approved sidewalk bid. The original accepted bid was for $81,913.50, and due to additional sidewalks being added to the project, the final total was $97,181.25. Also, the DPW petty cash drawer was made whole but there is one receipt missing that will need to be looked into. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Gustafson and seconded by Trustee Dunn that Abstract #3, Cemetery Fund in the amount of $1,362.29 be approved for payment.  Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Motion: It is moved by Trustee Miller, and seconded by Trustee Gustafson that Abstract #2 Library Fund in the amount of $1,767.48 be approved for payment. (tabled from last meeting) Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Abstain, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Motion: It is moved by Trustee Miller, and seconded by Trustee Gustafson that Abstract #3 Library Fund in the amount of $1,290.00 be approved for payment.  Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Abstain, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Cavallaro and seconded by Trustee Miller that Abstract #3, General Fund Hand Items in the amount of $5,595.55 be approved for payment. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Mayor Jaroszynski made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller to move into executive session to discuss the employment of a particular person(s) and also real estate at 29-35 West Main Street and discussion on the sidewalk bill at 7:11 p.m. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Dunn: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

There was no action taken during the executive session.

A motion to exit the executive session was made by Trustee Dunn and seconded by Trustee Cavallaro at 8:16 p.m. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried. 

A motion was made by Trustee Dunn and seconded by Trustee Cavallaro to approve the purchase and sale agreement by the Village of Falconer and Peak Development Partners. Ayes-all. Nays-none. Motion carried.

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson, to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:17 p.m. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Capestrani, Village Clerk