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November 12, 2024 Regular Meeting

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

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

The regular meeting of the Village of Falconer Mayor and Board of Trustees was held on Tuesday, 

November 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 Cavallaro, Trustee Miller and Mayor Jaroszynski were all present.

Visitors

Chris Blakeslee-Post Journal
Nina Gustafson
Sue Martorell

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

  • No visitor comments

Minutes

Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2024 Work Session Board of Trustees Meeting. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Trustee Gustafson made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2024 Regular Board of Trustees Meeting with correction to Resolution #17-2024 to include the roll for voting. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Mayors Remarks

  • The monthly Falconer Chamber meeting was held on November 7th. The group reviewed the “Made in Falconer” event that was held on October 5th and made notes for any improvements to the event as there are plans to hold the event again in 2025.
  • A Neighborhood Watch meeting was held on November 6th which included an Identity Theft presentation by Nina Gustafson from CCB and a detective from the Town of Ellicott Police Department.

Fire Chief

The Fire Chief’s October report was reviewed and noted that the department responded to 25 EMS calls, 19 cancelled in route, 9 cover assignment, 2 motor vehicle accident with injuries, 1 with no injuries, 1 alarm system malfunction, 1 passenger vehicle fire, 1 assist invalid, 1 smoke detector malfunction, 1 public service, 1 cooking fire contained, 1 smoke detector unintentional, 1 building fire, 64 total incidents.

Mutual Aid Breakdown – October 2024
Given:  Jamestown-2, Gerry-1, Frewsburg-1, Kiantone-1 Kennedy-4, total 9 
Received: Medic 74-10, Alstar-11, Gerry-1, Kennedy-3, Celoron-1, Coroner-1, total 27

 Highlights: 

  • Fire Chief Webster commended the effort of the volunteers that responded to the recent fire on Dow Street. The call came in at 2:15am and Falconer responded alone and was able to save the 5 houses and 2 garages nearby.
  • The fire department was awarded $325K from the NYS V-Fire Grant program. The grant will be used to replace the fire siren, generator and a new roof on the building. Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson to accept the volunteer fireman V-Grant in the amount of $325K. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.
  • FEMA Safer grant update – Chief Webster checked into a portable sign but the price is higher than the funds requested for the electronic sign. The portable sign would require a generator or solar power that would be an additional cost. FEMA requires submitting the bill of sale in order to receive the awarded funds. The board prefers getting a portable sign that can be moved around and asked Chief Webster to get an exact price and submit an amendment to FEMA. 
  • Review/Approval of 1 Membership Application
    Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller to approve Connor Retterer into the Falconer Junior Program. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried

Code Enforcement

The October code officer report was reviewed. It was noted 3 building permits totaling $100 were issued this past month, totaling $3,026 year-to-date.

     Highlights:

  • W. Main Street and Dow Street – violation letter sent to attorney for SDM Development 
  • Working on Pro-Housing Community Program application

Department of Public Works

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

Highlights:

  • Railings were built and installed for the library book drop area
  • Prepared site for DPW Pole Barn
  • Continuing with leaf pick-up and getting equipment ready for the snow season
  • The sidewalk plow should be back from the dealer soon – shims were custom made from the manufacturer and sent to the dealer to be installed
  • Superintendent Faulkner presented a proposal to the board to replace the existing 2004 dump/plow truck. The total price for a new truck, using the state contract, is $288,568. This price includes a prepay incentive of $8K if the cab and chassis is paid within 60 days after the chassis arrives at the body company. The discounted cab and chassis cost is $128,936 and is estimated to be built by the fall of 2025. The street equipment fund will have approximately $269K by the end of May 2025. With an estimated fall 2026 delivery date for the truck, the village would have another year to contribute to the equipment fund. Once the new truck is delivered, the 2004 truck can be listed on Auctions International with an approximate selling price of $20K.
  • Trustee Cavallaro made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller to allow Superintendent Faulkner to purchase a new dump/plow truck, not to exceed $290K. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: None. Carried
  • Mayor Jaroszynski and the board thanked Superintendent Faulkner for a thorough presentation with all the details required for the board to make a decision. Trustee Gustafson noted that since we are in a falling interest rate environment, we may need to look at a bond for future large purchases.

Library  

The October 15, 2024 – November 12, 2024 Library report was reviewed. 

Highlights:

  • The library offered “Lego Day” on Friday, November 1st, which was an in-service day for most local schools. There were 45 participants that enjoyed pizza and made some amazing Lego creations.
  • “Origami Day” will be held on Saturday, November 23 from 9-11 am. Ro Woodard will be teaching participants to make an origami magic star or wreath.
  • Donna Zeiders will be teaching a class on making a paper quill snowflake on Saturday, December 7th from 10am-noon.
  • Sue Johnson donated a stocking, tote bag, gift card holder and ornament for a Christmas Basket Raffle. All profits from the raffle will be donated to the library.
  • The next library board meeting is scheduled for December 5, 2024 at 8:00 am in the library.

Committees:

     Finance:

  • Nothing to report.

     Legal: 

  • Nothing to report.

     Public Safety: 

  • There was nothing to report from the Dog Control Officer.
  • The Fire Advisory Board (FAB) met recently with the county to go over their recommended changes on the EMS billing contract. There will be more information to follow once the FAB hears back from the county. 

Downtown Development: 

  • PersNikkity Pies was recognized as the Chamber’s 2024 “Business of the Year” at the annual CHQ Chamber awards banquet that was held on October, 10, 2024. Prevention Works was also recognized as its “Not-for-Profit of the Year” recipient. Prevention Works is in the process of moving into the former First Niagara building at 1 East Main Street in the village and will be holding a grand opening on Thursday, December 5th, 2024 at 3 p.m.
  • A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for This & That Thrift Shop on Friday, November 8, 2024.
  • New Business – Eleven Eleven Beauty opened its doors at 21 East Main Street. The business offers a number of treatments, including spa services and massage therapy.
  • The Village of Falconer was selected for a NY Forward interview on November 13 with members of the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council (WNYREDC) and Empire State Development (ESD) to discuss Falconer’s application.

  Farmers Market:

  • Nothing to report.

Parks:

  • The board reviewed the park pavilion rentals from this past summer as well as rentals from other area municipal parks. It was decided to eliminate the half day rental as there were very few half day rentals. The 2025 pavilion rates were set by the board as $25 for village residents and $50 for non-village residents.
  • A special use park permit fee was discussed briefly and tabled for a future meeting.

Pine Hill Cemetery:

  • Working on leaf pick-up with the new leaf machine.

Planning/Zoning Board

  • Waiting for the referral to be returned from the county for the zoning changes.

Old Business:

  • Wastewater Project Update – Peter Fuller
    • Televising of the problem sewer line areas is now completed. Everett and Falconer Streets were some of the problem areas. There were a lot of roots that had to be cut ahead of the televising. 
    • The village has approximately 66,000 linear feet of sewer lines and the recommendation is to re-slip line the entire system, since some areas are over 100 years old. The new process steams the slip line to cure it to the outside of the pipes. This process eliminates the gap between old slip lined pipes which allow for water to seep through.
    • The projected cost for the sewer line project which includes televising, manhole replacement and relining is approximately $8.6M and another $1.7M to update the sewer pump station.
    • Square Engineering will assist with obtaining grants and a bond anticipation note for $10M in case we need for the project. After the report is submitted Square Engineering will attend a board meeting to give a presentation on the findings and information on obtaining the bond anticipation note.
  • Resolution #18-2024 to expend ARPA money as discussed in work session
    Trustee Gustafson made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller for Resolution #18-2024 to purchased office furniture at a cost to not exceed $5K, two AED units not to exceed $4K, four brackets and four banners not to exceed $1,200, with the remaining balance to be applied to two overhead doors for the fire station. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

New Business: 

  • 2025 Garbage/Recycling Calendar – review for any recommended changes
    The garbage/recycling for 2025 was reviewed with no recommended changes.
  • Contractual Agreement – Accumulated Time for Appointed Employee
    Trustee Gustafson made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cavallaro to approve the accumulated time contractual agreement for DPW Superintendent Avery Faulkner. Discussion: a question came up regarding the payment of unused sick time upon dismissal but it was determined that this agreement mirrored the DPW contractual agreement. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Correspondence:      

  • Abstract Audit – Trustee Gustafson
    Trustee Gustafson’s letter, dated November 12, 2024, which acknowledged his review on November 11-12, 2024 of the unpaid vouchers for Abstract #6 (FY 24/25) and bank reconciliations from M&T Bank, Community Bank and NYCLASS for the month of September 2024 was placed into record.
  • Belle-View correspondence
    Notification received of the renewal application from the Belle-View to the NYS Liquor Authority.
  • Falconer Apparel Store 
    Village of Falconer apparel can be purchased from Falconer Printing via a link provided from November 8 through November 30.
  • The Falconer Fire Department Annual Fund Drive letters have been mailed out.
  • The Fireman’s Auxiliary Holiday Expo will be on November 23 from 9am – 3pm in the Falconer Fire Hall followed the Santa Parade at 5pm. The parade starts at Falconer High School going down Main Street and turning on Davis Street.

Abstracts

Motion: It is moved by Trustee Cavallaro and seconded by Trustee Miller that Abstract #6, General Fund in the amount of $34,625.00 be approved for payment. Discussion: Trustee Gustafson noted that the abstract includes a payment reimbursement claim for traveling to the Southern Tier West Conference and payment for the website host as there was an issue with the payment setup so he would be abstaining.  Roll: Gustafson: Abstain, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Motion: It is moved by Trustee Gustafson and seconded by Trustee Cavallaro that Abstract #6, Cemetery Fund in the amount of $1,120.73 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 #6 Library Fund in the amount of $1,678.16 be approved for payment.  Roll: Gustafson: 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 #6, General Fund Hand Items in the amount of $4,210.01 be approved for payment. Roll: Gustafson: Aye, Cavallaro: Aye, Miller: Aye, and Jaroszynski: Aye. Nays: none. Carried.

Trustee Gustafson made a motion, seconded by Trustee Miller, to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:12 p.m. Ayes: all. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Capestrani, Village Clerk