October 12, 2021 Regular Meeting
Mayor James M. Jaroszynski
Trustee Timothy Dunn-excused
Trustee Alan Gustafson, Jr.
Trustee Anthony Cavallaro
Trustee Annette Miller
Gregory Peterson, Village Attorney
Carl Caprino, DPW Superintendent
Laurie Becker, Library Director
Eric Yager, Fire Chief
Anna L. Fales, Village Clerk
The regular meeting of the Village of Falconer Mayor and Board of Trustees was called to order on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 7:00 P.M. at the Firemen’s’ Exempt Hall with Mayor James Jaroszynski presiding.
Pledge of Allegiance & Roll
Trustee Dunn-excused. Trustee Gustafson, Trustee Cavallaro, Trustee Miller, and Mayor Jaroszynski were present.
Parliamentary Procedure
SOCIAL DISTANCING PRACTICES WILL BE STRICTLY FOLLOWED AND MASKS ARE REQUIRED. VISITORS ARE ALLOWED A MAXIMUM OF THREE (3) MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE CHAIR. THIS IS NOT THE PLACE OR TIME TO CONDUCT A DEBATE WITH ANYONE. IT IS A MEETING TO DELIBERATE AS THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO TRANSACT THE BUSINESS OF THE VILLAGE. ALL REPORTS, REQUESTS, IF NECESSARY, WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE RESPECTIVE COMMITTEE OR COMMISSION FOR FURTHER STUDY, INFORMATION GATHERING AND RECOMMENDATIONS. ALL CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED HAS BEEN PLACED WITH THE TRUSTEES AND IS ON FILE.
Visitors:
Nina Gustafson, President of the Falconer Rotary Club, and Ron Schlegel of R.E. Kelley, Inc. in Brownsville, NY, were in attendance for board meeting.
Minutes
Trustee Gustafson made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cavallaro, to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2021 work session meeting and regular meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees. Roll: Gustafson, Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Carried.
Trustee Gustafson stated that the August fire chief’s report noted for calls given 4 YTD to Gerry, not 2. Clerk Fales will correct in the regular meeting minutes.
Fire Chief
The chief’s September report was reviewed and noted that the department responded to 77-EMS (494-YTD), 1-structure fire (13-YTD), 0-truck fire (9-YTD), 0-trees down (2-YTD), 5-fire alarms (34-YTD), 0-MVA (13 YTD), 0- lines down (1-YTD), 2 lift assist (7-YTD) and 0-flooded basements (9-YTD), 4-stand-by (5-YTD), 0-CO Alarm (5-YTD), totaling 96 calls (661-YTD) as reported in September.
Mutual Aid Breakdown- September
Given: Jamestown-9 (83-YTD), Frewsburg-22 (79-YTD), Kennedy-2 (13-YTD), Kiantone-1 (5-YTD), Gerry-0 (4-YTD), Fluvanna-0 (2-YTD), and Alstar-1 (3-YTD): totaling 35 (192-YTD).
Received: Medic 74-7 (47-YTD), Kennedy-3 (23-YTD), Frewsburg-1 (3-YTD), Fluvanna-0, Gerry-3 (9-YTD), Coroner-0, Kiantone-0 (2-YTD), Alstar-2 (14YTD), Stat Medivac-1 (2-YTD), and, Jamestown-0: totaling 17 (102-YTD).
The board once again voiced their concerns regarding the high volume of mutual aid EMS calls into a certain neighboring district. Trustee Cavallaro noted that “mutual aid is not meant to have anyone (department) handle daily calls. Mutual aid is for help. Each department has a responsibility to their district to cover their own calls.” Chief Yager stated that “Ambulance 71, when available, is the first unit toned out, then Falconer.
Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller, to accept Justin Marsh for membership into the Falconer Volunteer Fire Hose Company. Roll: Gustafson, Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Carried. Mr. Marsh was a past member of the Falconer Fire Company and has passed all the necessary medical and background checks.
Code Enforcement
The August -September code enforcement report was reviewed and noted 8 building permits were issued ($185.00), 30 YTD ($1,472.68), 15 building inspections performed (24 YTD), 0 certificates of occupancy (18 YTD), 2 certificates of compliance (4 YTD), N/R* phone calls/personal contact/email (90 YTD), 14 complaints received/actions taken (45 YTD), 0 notices of violation mailed (0 YTD), 0 notice of violations solved (0 YTD).
Department of Public Works
The DPW report was reviewed for the period September 13, 2021-October 7, 2021. Several village and shared service projects were completed.
Superintendent Caprino reported that the old fuel tanks and pumps sold at auction for $2,025.00. The DPW will be winterizing Falconer Park this week and locking the gates for the winter right before Halloween. Leaf pickup starts Monday. DPW staff will be back on 5-day work week beginning October 18, 2021.
Mr. Ron Schlegel, of R.E. Kelley, Inc., gave the board a brief description of his findings and remediation recommendations following his preliminary inspection of the Community Building masonry; including the parapet, chimney block and mortar around the garage doors.
Photos of the chimney were provided to the board showing the severe condition of the chimney’s brick and mortar, which substantiate Mr. Schlegel’s recommendation to either cap it off at the roofline or to have it rebuilt, depending on whether or not the chimney is being used to vent the heating system. Mr. Schlegel proposed that a real lift be brought in to be used to safely pull some of the bricks in order to inspect the extent of damage and degradation of the existing brick and mortar. The installation of flashing around the garage doors was also suggested to help minimize deterioration caused by water. Mr. Schlegel noted if they performed the inspection in the fall, the village would have a good idea of the scope of work needed; minimizing the need for assumptions on work needed and total associated cost.
Trustee Cavallaro noted that it has been approximately 30 years since the Community Building was repointed.
Library
The September library report was reviewed. This month the library received $95.00 (copies/fax), $71.50 (fines), $76.00 (Book Sales), $335.00 (gifts & donations), and $2243.80 (other).
The library board met on September 23rd and took the following actions:
- Approved Carrie Lyon as part-time library page, replacing Maree Dunn. Final approval is requested from the village board.
- Approved the Lego station for children, with the understanding that parents will be responsible to monitor their own children.
The board received a mini diversity grant to purchase materials for specials needs classes, books, resources to be used to help “break the barriers of special needs aversion”. The grant was written successfully by Sandy Thies.
Mrs. Becker noted that the owner of the Edward Work home located on E. Mosher Street has inquired regarding the village’s interest in its historical value should the current owner choose to sell the home.
Trustee Miller made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cavallaro, to approve Carrie Lyon for the position of Falconer Public Library’s part time library page, effective immediately. Aye, Gustafson, Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Carried.
Committees:
Legal:
Mr. Peterson submitted at photo copy of American Heavyweight Bare-knuckle Boxing Champion, John L. Sullivan. The photo was autographed during John L’s visit to Falconer in 10/30/1886. Inscribed along with his autograph, is the phrase,” Remember me I am the Knocker”. Mr. Peterson suggested the village add the photo to a village scrapbook for historical purposes.
Public Safety:
Trustee Cavallaro reported that 3 members of the truck committee will be traveling to Appleton, WI for a final inspection on the new pumper truck.
Finance:
The tax collectors report, dated 11/12/2021, of unpaid village taxes totaling $34,888.85, was submitted to the board for approval.
Parks:
The dog park committee is scheduled to meet on 10/14/2021. Mayor Jaroszynski stated that he would like the village to develop a park survey for residents to have input on what they would like to see in Falconer Park.
Pine Hill Cemetery:
Fall foundations are in.
Old Business:
The Village was awarded a Community Development grant from NYS to assist Jamestown Container in repair, upgrade and remediation activities at its manufacturing facility at 14 Deming Drive in the Village.
The electric sign committee will be meeting in November to review final price quotes.
Nina Gustafson, Falconer Rotary President, told the board that they will be holding the Santa Parade in the evening this year, at 5pm on November 20th. The Rotary will contact the Fire Auxiliary Craft Fair organizers regarding the change in time. Additionally, the Rotary is planning several other activities in hopes to build a daylong celebration of the holiday season.
New Business:
Clerk Fales proposed the village consider holding semi-annual Village-Clean-up Days, similar to those held in Celoron. Celoron, allows residents to dispose of trash, metals and other household items, free of charge, 2 times per year (some items will be excluded).
Superintendent Caprino asked for approval to publish employment ads for a DPW motor vehicle operator to begin training as Mr. Yager’s replacement.
Trustee Gustafson stated that he would invite Kris Stimson, of the Falconer School reunion committee to discuss their 2022 village-wide reunion plans at an upcoming board meeting. He also noted that he and Trustee Miller had met to discuss potential uses for the ARPA funding. He noted that the village has until April 2022 to provide a list of uses for the funds. Trustees Miller and Gustafson feel that a survey of village residents might be helpful.
Halloween trick or treat hours are set in the Village from 5:30-7 pm on October 31st.
Correspondence:
The Falconer Rotary requested that the Village proclaim October 24, 2021 at World Polio Day.
Trustee Gustafson’s letter, dated October 12, 2021, which acknowledged his review of the September 2021 unpaid vouchers and bank reconciliations on October 11, 2021, was reviewed and placed into record.
Abstracts:
Motion: It is moved by Trustee Cavallaro and seconded by Trustee Miller that Abstract #5, General Fund in the amount of $ 36,444.27, reflecting the addition of $4500.00 due to Donegal Construction Corporation for the purchase of 2.5” Mill Asphalt, be approved for payment. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried.
Motion: It is moved by Trustee Gustafson and seconded by Trustee Miller that Abstract #5, Cemetery Fund in the amount of $ 746.33 be approved for payment. Roll: Gustafson: 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 #5, Library Fund in the amount of $ 1,587.28 be approved for payment. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Abstain, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried.
Motion: It is moved by Trustee Miller and seconded by Trustee Cavallaro that Abstract #5, General Fund Hand Items in the amount of $ 33,768.36 be approved for payment. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried.
Trustee Miller made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cavallaro to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 pm. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Anna Fales, Village Clerk