June 10, 2019 Regular Meeting
Mayor James R. Rensel
Trustee Timothy Dunn
Trustee James Jaroszynski
Trustee J. Michael Steele
Trustee Carmella Catanese
Lawrence Trask, Treasurer
Anna L. Fales, Village Clerk
Charles Piazza, Fire Chief
Alan P. Gustafson, Code Enforcement Officer
Peter C. Fuller, Dpw Superintendent
Charles Piazza, Fire Chief
Laurie Becker, Library Director
The regular meeting of the Village of Falconer Mayor and Board of Trustees was held on Monday, June 10, 2019 at 7:00 P.M. in the Community Building Board Room with Mayor James Rensel presiding.
Visitor
Ardis Johnson, 3194 Falconer Kimball Stand Road, requested a refund of her park $75.00 pavilion rental fee. She was unable to use the pavilion due to lack of picnic tables in pavilion #4 on Saturday, June 8th. Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Steele, to approve the refund of park pavilion #4 fee in the amount of $75.00 to Ardis Johnson for unacceptable pavilion resources on June 8, 2019. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried. Trustee Steele apologized on behalf of the Mayor and Board of Trustees for her inconvenience. Alan Gustafson Jr., 105 W. James Street, was in attendance to observe proceedings.
Minutes
Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Jaroszynski, to approve the minutes of May 13, 2019 as written. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.
Fire Chief
The chief’s May report was reviewed and noted that the department responded to 55 EMS calls, 3 fire, 1 MVA, 1 carbon monoxide, 1 weather, and 1 water evacuation, totaling 63 calls, 449 personnel hours in May. The new E-450 Ambulance was placed into service. FFD members hosted new ambulance Boot Drive.
Chief Piazza reported that the security system at the fire hall is down. FSC has quoted $205.54 to repair the DVR system, including labor & parts. FSC currently holds the service contract for the system so no other company was asked for a price quote. Mayor Rensel asked for warranty details. Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Jaroszynski, to table the discussion for details on the warranty. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.
Trustee Steele voiced concern regarding the age of the youth involved with the recent car wash on 6/9/19 which was held at the fire hall.
A motion was made by Trustee Steele, seconded by Trustee Jaroszynski, to reinstate Bryce Webster into the Falconer Fire Department Hose Company. All required health and background checks are in proper order and have been filed with the village clerk. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.
Code Enforcement Office
The code enforcement report for May was reviewed noting that 2 building permits/19 YTD were issued ($50.00 collected/$742.14 YTD), 20 building inspections were performed/45 YTD, 0 certificates of occupancy/0 YTD, and 5 certificates of compliance/11 YTD. There were 45 phone calls, e-mails, personal contacts made/314 YTD and 20 notices of complaints filed with action taken by the CE office in the month of May/61 YTD.
Burger King, 43 E. Main Street, has completed renovations and has re-opened.
Revised code reports were submitted for February, May and April 2019 with corrected totals.
A motion was made by Trustee Dunn, seconded by Trustee Jaroszynski, to accept the February, March, and April 2019 corrected code reports into permanent record and have been filed with the village clerk. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.
Mr. Gustafson reported that Patty Frank’s neighbors on Central Avenue are against the village offering Patty Frank a variance for 5+ dogs. In fact, village code does not allow for a variance in this case. Village attorney, Greg Peterson advised amending the code if the village wants to allow additional pets.
An anonymous report was made regarding a home on Park Avenue in the village who is allegedly running an unlicensed cat recue out of their home. NYS Agriculture and Markets should be contacted along with dog control officer, LeRoy Belin.
Mr. Gustafson submitted his Letter of Resignation to the board stating that he has accepted a full-time position with the city of Dunkirk. Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn to accept Mr. Gustafson’s Letter of Resignation from the position of part-time code officer for the village of Falconer, effective June 30, 2019, with regret. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.
Mayor Rensel thanked Mr. Gustafson, on behalf of himself and the village board, for Mr. Gustafson’s 5 years of service to the village of Falconer. Mayor Rensel expressed that Mr. Gustafson will be sorely missed.
Department of Public Works
The DPW report was reviewed for the period May 13-June 9, 2019.
Avery Faulkner attended pesticide school. Once he passes the required exam, he will apprentice under Superintendent Fuller for 1 year before becoming fully certified as a pesticide applicator.
Library
The May library report was reviewed. This month the library received $50.00 for fines, $45.00 for copies and faxes, $28.00 basket sale, $300.00 for gifts and donations. Laurie Becker, library director, reported to the board that she and library assistant, Sandy Thies took their Civil Service exams and should have results in approximately 4 month.
Mrs. Becker presented “Story Walks” to the board. During concerts, throughout the month of July, kids can walk through a sign path. Each sign is a page of a story book. It’s an innovative and different way to encourage children to read. The DPW agreed to help in anyway needed.
Committees:
Legal:
Regarding on-going court appearances, Powell’s have procured a demolition contact. A permit is the next step.
Home Leasing now has approval from all 5 property owners to move forward.
Animal Control:
The May Dog Control Incidence Report was reviewed and noted one complaint on a dog running at large along 2 E. Main Street. Unable to locate the dog.
Beautification:
Flower pots are out throughout the village.
Community Building:
Westfield Historical Society is going to be called to look at the Community Building.
Crossing Guard:
Superintendent Fuller questioned the need to have a crossing-guard on Main and East Avenue now that the light is in. He stated children seem to know how to cross using the light. If a crossing guard is needed, Mr. Fuller suggested the school be contacted to absorb some of the cost for a school crossing-guard.
Farmers Market:
Going well at new location. Patronage is slow but expected to pick up as produce becomes available.
Finance:
Village tax collection has commenced.
Gray Insurance submitted their new policy which has increased $715. The majority of the increase is due to the W. Main Street properties the village now owns and the farmers’ market new location no longer located on village owned property. The new policy goes into effect 7/1/2019. Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Jaroszynski to approve the 2019-2020 insurance as presented through Gray insurance totaling $21,806.45. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.
Parks:
Pastor Robbins from the Falconer Baptist Church would like area churches to put on an afternoon luncheon with music, etc in Davis Park on August 25th. If approved, Pastor Robbins will pursue with other churches. Following discussion, the board agreed to approve use of Davis Park for the event but could not provide exclusive use to anyone. A certificate of insurance listing the village as an additional insured is required from the church for the event. No motion was needed.
The board once again agreed to have one board member walk the park on weekends. The schedule for each weekend is as follows:
- June 15th– Steele
- June 22-Rensel
- June 30th– Catanese
- July 6th -Dunn
- July 13th-Jaroszynski
- July 2oth-Steele
- July 27th-Dunn
- Aug 3-Jaroszynski
- Aug 17th-Rensel
- Aug 24th-Catanese
- Aug 31st-Steele
Correspondence:
Retired library director, Sue Seamans submitted her Letter of Resignation effective, June 29, 2019. In her letter, Mrs. Seamans stated she has” had a wonderful work experience at the Falconer Public Library since 1975.” She also stated that her leaving will be “emotional” and opted that no parties be held in her honor. A motion was made by Trustee Catanese, seconded by Trustee Jaroszynski, to accept Mrs. Seamans Letter of Resignation with regret. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.
Abstracts
Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Steele that Abstract #1, General Fund in the amount of $52,806.10 be approved for payment. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.
Trustee Jaroszynski made a motion, seconded by Trustee Catanese, that Abstract #1, Cemetery Fund in the amount of $1,268.54 be approved for payment. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.
Trustee Catanese made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, that Abstract #1, Library Fund in the amount of $3,674.44 be approved for payment. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.
Trustee Jaroszynski made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, that Abstract #1, General Fund Hand Items in the amount of $ 37,945.26 be approved for payment. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.
Motion to Adjourn
Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Jaroszynski, to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 PM. Ayes: Dunn, Steele, Jaroszynski, Catanese and Rensel. Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Anna Fales, Village Clerk