December 14, 2020 Regular Meeting

Mayor James M. Jaroszynski
Trustee J. Michael Steele-Excused
Trustee Timothy Dunn
Trustee Alan Gustafson, Jr.
Trustee Kipp Reynolds

Anna L. Fales, Village Clerk
Bryce Webster, Fire Chief
Carl Caprino, DPW Superintendent
Laurie Becker, Library Director

The regular meeting of the Village of Falconer Mayor and Board of Trustees was held on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. in the Falconer Public Library with Mayor James Jaroszynski presiding.  All COVID-19 protocols were followed.

Pledge of Allegiance & Roll:

Roll: Trustee Dunn, Trustee Gustafson, Trustee Reynolds, and Mayor Jaroszynski were all present. Trustee Steele was not present.

Visitors

Skip Cavallaro, Joseph Taylor, Avery Faulkner, Eric B. Yager, and Tyler A. Stimson were present to view the proceedings.

Minutes

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson, to approve the minutes of November 9, 2020 meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees, as written. Roll: Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried.

Fire Chief

The chief’s November report was reviewed and noted that the department responded to 61 EMS, 1 fire, 2 Search, 9 wires/trees down, 1 MVA, 6 false alarms and 1 hazmat, totaling 81 calls in November.

Mutual Aid Breakdown- November

Given:  Jamestown-13, Frewsburg-7, Fluvanna-2, Gerry-5, Alstar-1, and Ellington-1: totaling 29

Received:   Jamestown-0, Kennedy-2, Kiantone-0, Medic 74-3, Alstar-5: totaling 10.

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Reynolds, to accept Sierra Fish, Ethan Destro, Davis Saxton, and Joseph Taylor as members of the Falconer Fire Department Hose Company upon their successful completion of the NYS required human resource trainings.  All required background checks and physicals have been completed satisfactorily.  Roll: Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried.

A motion was made by Trustee Dunn, seconded by Trustee Reynolds, to approve the 2021 Line Officers for the Falconer Fire Department as elected by membership at the December Fire Department Meeting held on Monday, December 7. 2020 and as submitted by Chief Webster to the Village Board for approval:

Roll: Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried.

The following persons were also elected to office at the 12/7/2020 Fire Company elections:

Code Enforcement

The November code officer report was reviewed.  It was noted that 3(77-YTD) -$320.00 ($2,115.20-YTD) building permits were issued, 0 (1-YTD) building inspections were performed, 1 (30-YTD) certificates of occupancy were issued, 0 (10-YTD) certificates of compliance, 10(267-YTD) phone calls/personal contact/emails were addressed, 1 (48-YTD) complaints received/actions taken, 0 (20-YTD) notices of violations mailed, 0 (5-YTD) notice of violations resolved, 0 stop work order issued, and 0 stop work order resolved. 

Mayor Jaroszynski noted that a new home is being built on E. Main Street which is located partially in the Village and partially in the Town of Ellicott.  The town and village officials decided that the town’s code officer, Dave Rowe, will take the lead on permits, inspections, etc.

Department of Public Works

The DPW report was reviewed for the period November 10, 2020-December 13, 2020.

Superintendent Caprino noted that his staff has been busy with snowing plowing/salting roads, putting up Christmas decorations and taking care of recent storm damage at cemetery and Little League field.

Mayor Jaroszynski commended Superintendent Caprino, his crew along with the fire department crews for their efforts in response to the storm and the resulting damage. Superintendent Caprino noted that the Town of Ellicott crews assisted the village in clearing the downed tree on Park Avenue to reopen the road and clear the way to the fire hydrant.  The mayor reported that there was also a large tree down at the Little League field that damaged a portion of the fence as well as a small portion of the bleachers.

The humane society drive through rabies clinic held at the village’s DPW barn on Saturday, November 21, 2020 went well. 

Trustee Reynolds commended all involved with the “Santa ride around the village”.  He said the kids really enjoyed it.

Trustee Reynolds also inquired whether or not a “game plan” was decided for the trees on Almet?  Mayor Jaroszynski noted that he had consulted with surrounding officials and the village’s attorney regarding responsibility, funding and liability.   More information is needed. No definite plan is in place at this time.

Library

The November library report was reviewed.  This month the library received $27.00 (copies), $7.00 (fines), $237.00 (Book Sales), and $420.00 gifts & donations.

Rhonda Hedlund shared her paper cutting display this month.  Originally, Ms. Hedlund was scheduled to demonstrate her craft and teach a class but unfortunately, due to COVID, the event could not be held at this time.

The Library Board met on Thursday, November 12^th.  During this meeting the lineup for the Summer Band Concerts to be held throughout July 2021 in Davis Park was finalized:

• July 8- Razz’s Dixie Band
• July 12- Pat Cook’s Tribute to the Women in Country
• July 22- Rockin Robin
• July 29-Pearl City Jazz

The Holiday Book Sale began on November 16^th.  The sale will continue through the holidays.

The November Storywalk story was Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes. Participating readers, young and old, were asked to write what they were thankful for on a paper feather.  The feathers were assed to the library’s “Thankful Turkey”.

Committees:

Legal:

Attorney Peterson is being honored tonight at the Robert H. Jackson Center for his 20 years of service on their Board of Directors.  Mr. Peterson is a co-founder of the Jackson Center.

Animal Control:

The October animal control report was reviewed.

Community Building:

The village’s insurer advised to hold off on allowing Senior Walkers or any group to use the building with COVID cases on the rise.  The senior walkers were made aware that for now the building will remain closed to all groups.

Parks:

Park Pavilion reservations will be pushed back until April for village residents and May for non-residents.  All summer activities are still pending and will be based on COVID rates & restrictions at that time.

Planning & Zoning:

Ingall’s Planning & Design suggested the board consider a temporary moratorium be put into place on commercial and industrial permits until the new Zoning Code updates are finalized.  They also suggested a verbiage change in regards to “uses permitted”.  Both items were tabled pending discussion with Attorney Peterson.

Old Business:

Superintendent Caprino confirmed that the village vehicles are now using county fuel station and things are going well.

RESOLUTION #41-2020   Approval of .Gov Website Extension

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Reynolds, to adopt Trustee Gustafson’s suggestion to setup a .gov extension for the new village website at a cost of $400/year for the domain hosting fee.   Mayor Jaroszynski is authorized to sign a letter on behalf of the village authorizing the .gov extension for the establishment of a new official village website. Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried.  

Mayor Jaroszynski reported that, as per the authorization by the Board at the November Village Board Meeting, he has executed all necessary documents/contract with Churchville Fire Company for the purchase of the new fire truck.

New Business:

RESOLUTION #42 -2020   Approving the Destruction of Records Based on the MU-1 Retention Schedule

(List attached)

It is moved by Trustee Dunn, Seconded by Trustee Gustafson, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Board of Trustees of the Village of Falconer that the RECORDS DISPOSAL FORM (2 pages), dated October 2020, and submitted via email on 11/12/2020, by Sarah Phearsdorf, Community Assistant Specials at Southern Tier West, be approved for destruction as written.  Be it further approved that the village clerk has the authorization to sign and date this list upon the proper destruction of the listed documents.

Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried.  

RESOLUTION #43-2020   LGS1 Adoption

It is moved by Trustee Gustafson, Seconded by Trustee Dunn, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Board of Trustees of Village of Falconer that Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records (LGS-1), issued pursuant to Article 57-A of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, and containing legal minimum retention periods for local government records, is hereby adopted for use by all officers in legally disposing of valueless records listed therein. FURTHER RESOLVED, that in accordance with Article 57-A: (a) only those records will be disposed of that are described in Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records (LGS-1), after they have met the minimum retention periods described therein; (b) only those records will be disposed of that do not have sufficient administrative, fiscal, legal, or historical value to merit retention beyond established legal minimum periods.

Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried

Mayor Jaroszynski notified the Board of his decision to hold all Village work sessions and board meetings via Zoom for the foreseeable future, beginning January 2021. This decision was made in accordance with The Governor’s Executive Order No. 202.1 to allow meetings of public bodies to be held remotely by conference call or similar services in light of the potential risks to public health and safety from the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).  Trustee Dunn requested that a document be designed and distributed prior to the January meeting, outlining best practices/protocol for Zoom meetings.

Mayor Jaroszynski noted that, due to Trustee Steele’s absence this evening, the village recognition of Trustee Steele’s service to the village will be postponed until January.

Correspondence

The Board reviewed a document which was received by the Village on December 8, 2020, as a notice of disclosure of a purchase agreement for the sale of a privately owned washer and dryer from Carl Caprino and sold to the Falconer Fire Department. It was further noted that the transaction was made during non-working hours. The agreement, as written, was signed by Mr. Caprino and Chief Webster and dated October 20, 2020.

Mayor Jaroszynski stated that he had received a citizen complaint of a green tarp, located along W. James Street and West Avenue that is in need of repair.  Superintendent Caprino was assigned to address the situation with the property owner.

There was also a concern regarding speeding vehicles on Homestead Street. 

Abstracts

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Dunn and seconded by Trustee Reynolds that Abstract #7, General Fund in the amount of $ 41,134.89 be approved for payment.  Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Gustafson and seconded by Trustee Dunn that Abstract #7, Cemetery Fund in the amount of $ 326.83 be approved for payment.  Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Reynolds and seconded by Trustee Gustafson that Abstract #7, Library Fund in the amount of $ 1,809.36 be approved for payment.  Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried

Motion:  It is moved by Trustee Dunn and seconded by Trustee Gustafson that Abstract #7, General Fund Hand Items in the amount of $ 51,773.25 be approved for payment.  Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried

Mayor Jaroszynski thanked Chief Webster for his dedicated service during his term as fire chief, for his integral role in the recent fire department grant awards, and for responding so quickly to set up the Santa Drive Around the Village, which was a great success.

Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Reynolds, to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 pm. Roll:  Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None.  Carried

Respectfully submitted,
Anna Fales, Village Clerk