March 8, 2021 Regular Meeting
Mayor James M. Jaroszynski
Trustee Timothy Dunn
Trustee Alan Gustafson, Jr.
Trustee Kipp Reynolds
Trustee Anthony Cavallaro
Gregory Peterson, Village Attorney
Carl Caprino, DPW Superintendent
Lawrence E. Trask, Treasurer
Laurie Becker, Library Director
W. Robert Morris, Code Enforcement Officer
Eric Yager, Fire Chief-Excused
Anna L. Fales, Village Clerk
The regular meeting of the Village of Falconer Mayor and Board of Trustees was called to order on Monday, March 8, 2021 at 7:04 P.M. via Zoom Video/Teleconference with Mayor James Jaroszynski presiding.
Pledge of Allegiance & Roll
Trustee Dunn, Trustee Gustafson, Trustee Reynolds, Trustee Cavallaro, and Mayor Jaroszynski were all present via Zoom.
Parliamentary Procedures
The Governor in Executive Order No. 202.1 and Executive Order No. 202.92 has relaxed the Open Meetings Law 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), the Village of Falconer will be replacing in person open meetings with remote telephonic or other digital meetings until the crisis has passed.
Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Village of Falconer, NY, will be held at 7:00 pm on Monday, March 8, 2021 via Zoom video conference/teleconference. This meeting will include the presentation of the Village of Falconer 2021/2022 Budget for consideration. Persons wishing to review meeting documents may receive a copy by calling (716) 665-4400 or emailing a request to: falconer@netsync.net.
Board members and officials will participate in the meeting from their personal residences or from the Village of Falconer Community Building, 101 W. Main Street, Falconer, NY. The public may join in the meeting remotely using the following link and password: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81276513153. Meeting ID: 812 7651 3153 Password: board or to participate by teleconference: dial: +1-(646) 558-8656, Meeting ID: 812 7651 3153 #,1#, Password: 228831.
Any person wishing to address the meeting should call (716) 665-4400 or email falconer@netsync.net, prior to 4 pm March 8, 2021, giving their name, address and contact information. Persons unable to attend the meeting may send comments to be read and entered into public record to falconer@netsync.net prior to 4 pm on March 8, 2021.
Visitors:
Mayor Jaroszynski noted that unscheduled public comment has been waived for this meeting. Questions or comments were to be directed to the Village Board prior to 4 pm today, as outlined in the Legal Notice published in the Post-Journal on March 2, 2021.
Tammie Swanson and Crystal LaRoy were in attendance via Zoom conference. Mrs. Swanson asked to speak and was readvised that unscheduled public comment had been waived for this meeting.
Minutes
Trustee Gustafson made a motion, seconded by Trustee Reynolds, to approve the minutes of the February 16, 2021 meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees, as written. Roll: Dunn, Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried.
Fire Chief
Mayor Jaroszynski reported that Fire Chief Yager was on his way to a structure fire and unable to attend this evening’s meeting. The chief’s February report was reviewed and noted that the department responded to 39 (98 YTD) EMS, 0 (3 YTD) structure fire, 0 (1 YTD) vehicle fire, 2 (8 YTD) fire alarms, 0 (3 YTD) MVA, 1 (2 YTD) CO alarms, and 2 (4 YTD) natural gas leaks, totaling 45 calls in February. Year to Date Calls: 120.
Mutual Aid Breakdown- February
Given: Jamestown-6 (29 YTD), Frewsburg-1 (5YTD), Kennedy-1 (1 YTD), Kiantone-1 (1 YTD), Fluvanna-1 (1 YTD), and Gerry-1 (1 YTD), totaling 11 (40 YTD).
Received: Medic 72-11 (15 YTD), Kennedy-2 (7 YTD), Frewsburg-0 (1 YTD), Fluvanna-0 (0 YTD), Gerry-0 (0 YTD), Coroner-1 (1 YTD) and, Jamestown-0 (0 YTD), totaling 14 (24 YTD).
Trustee Cavallaro reported the fire department had a very positive meeting with the city of Jamestown fire department on March 3rd and all agreed to reduce Falconer’s coverage area in the city. Trustee Cavallaro made special note that this will have no effect on the mutual aid agreement. Falconer will still respond to mutual aid calls.
The Fire Advisory Committee has reviewed initial drawings of the new fire truck and following review asked for some slight revisions to the drawings. The order is on track for a possible October 2021 delivery.
Code Enforcement
The code officer’s February report was reviewed and noted 4 (4 YTD) building permits were issued ($360.00), 4 YTD ($360.00), 0 building inspections performed (0 YTD), 0 certificates of occupancy (0 YTD), 0 certificates of compliance (0 YTD), 15 phone calls/personal contact/email (21 YTD), 0 complaints received/actions taken (3 YTD), 0 notices of violation mailed (0 YTD), 0 notice of violations solved (0 YTD). Code Officer Morris reported that the fire damaged house on Pearl Street is still under investigation by the insurance carrier.
Department of Public Works
The DPW report was reviewed for the period February 12, 2021-March 8, 2021.
Superintendent Caprino discussed several upcoming objectives with the Board. He also reviewed the DPW equipment replacement schedule, noting that the 10-Wheeler should be reviewed for replacement. The roof on the DPW shop leaked and was repaired today, however, the repair is temporary and the roof will need to be replaced next year. Superintendent Caprino will be seeking bids and will report back at the April board meeting. He also noted that the Chautauqua County Humane Society requested use of the DPW building for another drive-thru rabies clinic, to be held in April. The board had no objections and were in support of the function. The village landscaping work is also under review by Superintendent Caprino.
Library
The February library report was reviewed. This month the library received $58.00 (copies/fax), $10.00 (fines), $68.00 (Book Sales), $1,404.00 gifts & donations, and $3,500.00 other. Mrs. Becker reported that the 2020 Annual Report for New York State Public Libraries was submitted on February 26, 2021. She also noted in her report that the library along with the Chautauqua Cattaraugus Library System shared their concerns with Assemblyman Goodell and a representative of Assemblyman Giglio’s office’s regarding the Governor’s budget proposal of a further 7.5% reduction in library funding.
Committees:
Animal Control:
The February 2021 animal control report was reviewed. Two issues remain unresolved.
Crossing Guard:
The village is still actively searching for a crossing guard to cover all days and shifts.
Historian:
The village recently received a donation of a rare American Manufacturing opener/ruler for the historical archives.
Farmers Market:
Trustee Reynolds reported that Hannah Jaroszynski has offered to volunteer alongside Mr. Reynold’s with the management of this year’s Farmer’s Market. Hannah is the daughter of Mayor Jaroszynski. Farmer’s applications are due back to the village on or before March 19th.
Finance:
Treasurer Trask presented the 2021/22 fiscal year budget to the Board for review. He noted that the budget is open for public review for at least 30 days. The budget vote will take place during the public hearing scheduled for April 12, 2021 at 7 pm in the Firemen’s Exempt Hall.
Old Business:
Trustee Gustafson reported that the new website is now live: falconerny.gov.
Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cavallaro, to seek bids for the property located at 211 E. James Street in Falconer, furthermore, the property bid request notice shall note that property will be “as is” and that the “Village reserves the right to reject any or all bids”. Roll: Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Nay, Cavallaro: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye.
Ayes:4, Nays: 1- Motion carried.
New Business:
Park Pavilions will be available for rental this summer. Village residents can begin reserving pavilions on March 22. Non-residents can start to reserve pavilions on April 5th. All CDC guidelines which are in place at the time of use must be strictly followed. The summer rec program is still undecided due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Reynolds to approve the NYS Public Health Emergency Plan, as written and dated 3/9/2021. Roll: Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Motion carried.
The April 12, 2021 regular meeting and budget hearing will be held in person at the Firemen’s Exempt Hall at 7 pm. The exempt hall, located at 3 Coleson Drive, will provide adequate room for social distancing. The meeting location will be noticed in the Post Journal and on the front door of the Community Building.
Clerk Fales presented the new Employee Handbook to be distributed to all village employees. The Handbook will available for review for thirty days. Any necessary action will be put forth by the Board at the April 12 meeting.
Correspondence
Trustee Gustafson’s letter of acknowledgement for review of the unpaid vouchers and bank reconciliations for the month of February 2021, dated March 6, 2021, and bank reconciliations for January 2021, letter dated February 16, 2021, were entered into record.
Trustee Cavallaro entered into record a disclosure letter noting that he is the husband of Village Historian, Brenda Cavallaro. The historian is paid via Anderson Roush Funds on the monthly library abstract. Mrs. Cavallaro, likewise disclosed that she is the wife of Trustee Cavallaro.
A document was received from a village resident with suggestions for a “Christmas in July” event. The village will continue to monitor the state and federal COVID-19 guidelines.
Abstracts
Motion: It is moved by Trustee Cavallaro and seconded by Trustee Dunn that Abstract #10, General Fund in the amount of $ 26,559.90 be approved for payment. Roll: Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried
Motion: It is moved by Trustee Gustafson and seconded by Trustee Reynolds that Abstract #10, Cemetery Fund in the amount of $ 897.51be approved for payment. Roll: Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried
Motion: It is moved by Trustee Reynolds and seconded by Trustee Gustafson that Abstract #10, Library Fund in the amount of $ 1,287.42 be approved for payment. Roll: Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, Cavallaro: Abstain, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Ayes: 4, Abstain: 1, Nays: None. Carried
Motion: It is moved by Trustee Dunn and seconded by Trustee Gustafson that Abstract #10, General Fund Hand Items in the amount of $ 33,755.77 be approved for payment. Roll: Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried
Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Reynolds, to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 pm. Roll: Dunn: Aye, Gustafson: Aye, Reynolds: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried
Respectfully submitted,
Anna Fales, Village Clerk