March 2, 2020 Regular Meeting
Mayor James M. Jaroszynski
Trustee Timothy Dunn
Trustee J. Michael Steele
Trustee Alan Gustafson, Jr.
Anna L. Fales, Village Clerk
Lawrence Trask, Treasurer
Bryce Webster, Fire Chief
W. Robert Morris, Code Enforcement Officer
Peter C. Fuller, DPW Superintendent
The regular meeting of the Village of Falconer Mayor and Board of Trustees was held on Monday, March 2, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. in the Falconer Community Building Board Room with Mayor James Jaroszynski presiding.
Pledge & Roll:
Mayor James Jaroszynski: Here; Trustee Mike Steele: Here; Trustee Timothy Dunn: Here; Trustee Alan Gustafson: Here. One unaccepted trustee position remains vacant.
Visitors
Joseph Taylor, 25 E. Falconer Street, reported to the board that someone had broken into his shed and stolen some property. Town of Ellicott police were investigating.
Rhonda A. Brown, 31 Cherry Street, spoke regarding the Falconer Farmer’s Market. Mrs. Brown, who has extensive experience in working with the USDA and rural villages, expressed interest in helping to keep the market in the village. She stated that she would be willing to take the lead, however, she would need additional help. She also noted that it may be best to hold off this year and work on a plan to roll the market back out next year. Mrs. Brown stated that she would be willing to draft a letter to current vendors, alerting them of the village’s plan to take a one-year hiatus. Mayor Jaroszynski thanks Mrs. Brown for her willingness to step forward and offer her help.
Mr. Gary Visosky, 7 E. Main Street and owner-operator of the Bellview East Restaurant, addressed the board concerning problematic issues he has observed over the last two months regarding the Budget Inn. He asked the village board to look into it, along with the Town of Ellicott Police, and to again take action to control the issues. He stated; “This is not good for my business.”
Jordan Patterson of the Post Journal, Matt Conklin, 837 Spring Street in Jamestown, and Curt Doverspike, 59 Alleghany in Jamestown, were all present to observe the proceedings.
Minutes
Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson, to approve the minutes of February 10, 2020 Board of Trustee meeting as written. Ayes-Steele, Dunn, Gustafson, and Jaroszynski. Nays-none. Carried.
Fire Chief
The chief’s February chief’s report was reviewed and noted that the department responded to 36 EMS, 8 Cancelled in Route, 2 Structure Fire, 1 Chemical Release, 1 Electrical Wiring, 1 System or Detector Malfunction, totaling 49 calls in February /293.24 personnel hours.
Due to circumstances, no Mutual Aid Report was available.
Chief Webster reported that 36 members of the Falconer Fire Department, along with 17 mutual aid responders, battled an early morning a house fire at 217 Pearl Street. The department was called out again later in the morning to a tractor-trailer fire on Route 86, near exit 13.
It was noted by Chief Webster that the 13 (of the 20 needed) air bottles and 500 feet of 4” hose, have been delivered and put into service.\
Chief Webster reported that the department has hired a grant writer to facilitate the departments application for a $ 125,223 Federal FEMA AFG (Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program) grant to be used to update new standard for SCBA’s (self-contained breathing apparatuses). Grants will be awarded mid-summer/early fall.
The grant-writer’s fee is $2600, with $1500 to be paid upfront. Treasurer Trask noted that board approval is needed to process a $1500 hand check to cover this expense. The balance will be due upon submission of the grant.
Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Steele, to approve the Falconer Fire Department to submit a Federal FEMA AFG (Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program) grant application in the amount of $125,233 to upgrade the Department’s SCBA’s (self-contained breathing apparatuses) as required to meet upcoming NFPA mandated standards. Roll: Steele-aye, Dunn-aye, Gustafson-aye, Jaroszynski-aye. Nays-none. Carried.
Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, to approve for the Falconer Fire Chief to execute the professional service agreement as written, with Grantmasters, Inc., of Lewiston, NY, for grant writing services not to exceed $2600. Furthermore, to approve a one-time hand-check for, in the amount of $1500 to be paid to Grantmasters, Inc, to assist the Fire Department in writing and applying for a $125,223 Federal FEMA grant. This grant would fund the NFPA mandated upgrades to the Falconer Fire Department SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatuses) equipment. As per the service agreement, the balance of $1100 will be paid to the Grantmasters Inc. within 30 days of completion and submission of the grant to FEMA. Roll: Steele-aye, Dunn-aye, Gustafson-aye, Jaroszynski-aye. Nays-none. Carried
Trustee Steele asked Chief Webster for an update on a mutual aid agreement with the city of Jamestown. The chief responded that the county is still negotiating with the city.
Code Enforcement
The February code officer report was reviewed. It was noted 2 ($50.00) building permit was issued, 0 building inspections were performed, 1 certificates of occupancy were issued, 1 certificates of compliance, 50 phone calls/personal contact/emails were addressed, and 15 complaints received/actions taken. Mayor Jaroszynski inquired as to the status of the building permit for the 39-43 W. Main Street property.
Department of Public Works
The DPW report was reviewed for the period February 10, 2020-March 1, 2020. Superintendent Fuller reported that the leak on the DPW roof had been located around a vent and has been repaired. The potential upgrades to heating system at the Community Building are still being reviewed.
Library
The February library report was reviewed. This month the library received $37.96 for fines, $88.57 for copies and faxes, $153.00 book sale, $1,215.00 for gifts & donations and $4,642.62 other receivables.
The library was extremely active during the month of February as they displayed the knitting groups handmade items, hosted Selbourne students, Craig Thompson’s 2020 Great Backyard Bird Count at Falconer Park and, Ro Woodard’s open house instruction on making no-sew reusage t-shirt bags.
Legal
Goodwill Disposition-Dismissal with the following 3 conditions:
- Sales contract in hand within 90-day time period
- Follows all laws of the village
- Maintains current population of 10-cats and 2-dogs, no additions.
Committees:
Animal Control:
The village received the Municipal Shelter Inspection Report from the NYS Agriculture & Markets Department which noted that the dog shelter was inspected on 2/13/2020, by Emily Bailey, NYS Animal Health Inspector. The report indicates that the dog shelter services used by the village were rated “Satisfactory”.
A letter was received requesting a special permit to house 3 dogs. It was noted by Trustee Steele that there have been no neighborhood complaints to date regarding this resident and their animals. Trustee Steele noted that the Village must act when neighbors are being inconvenienced.
Attorney Peterson explained the village law to the Board. Trustee’s Steele and Dunn both suggested that the animal control officer inspect the residence prior to approving the request.
Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, to authorize the Village Animal control Officer to inspect the requestor’s property and report back to the board at the next meeting. Ayes-Steele, Dunn, Gustafson, and Jaroszynski. Nays-none. Carried.
Community Building:
The quote from Kings Heating for the purchase and installation of two carrier heating/cooling systems was tabled awaiting 2 additional competitive quotes as required by the Village’s Procurement Policy.
Trustee Steele requested an update on the parapet quotes for the community Building. Superintendent Fuller said he is still working on them.
Farmers Market:
The board agreed that the market should be put on a one-year hiatus.
Downtown Development:
Mayor Jaroszynski noted that there is a new consignment shop in the village plaza and invited the village board and staff to stop in and pay them a visit.
Finance:
Treasurer Trask presented the proposed 2020/2021 Budget to the Board, noting that it increased slightly and is balanced.
It calls for a .159/$1000 increase in taxes over last year. The new tax rate would be $9.399/$1000 up from 9.24/$1000 this year. The Village would remain within the NYS Tax Cap at 1.72%.
Sales tax projections are very conservative based on the current financial environment (COVID-19). It was also noted that AIM payments are included in the current state budget.
Mr. Trask remarked that the parapet repair and DPW roof replacement are not included in the budget because he was not provided with the cost information.
Trustee Dunn made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gustafson, to set up a Reserve Fund for Community Building maintenance and that the associated line item should be added to the 20/21 Budget. Ayes-Steele, Dunn, Gustafson, and Jaroszynski. Nays-none. Carried.
Proposed Budget 20/21 as presented:
Appropriations $1,410,842
Revenues $1,410,842
($ 0) Balanced Budget
Trustee Gustafson made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, to table the village’s 2020-2021 fiscal year budget for 30 days, as written. Roll: Steele-aye, Dunn-aye, Gustafson-aye, Jaroszynski-aye. Nays-none. Carried
This budget will be available in the Village Clerk/Treasurer office for public viewing and will be presented to the public at the April 13, 2020 Board Meeting/Public Hearing, at which time it will be voted upon.
Parks:
A community park committee is being formed to investigate ideas for new playground at the Kingsley Little League Field.
Old Business:
Kipp Reynolds has accepted the Mayor’s appointment to the Village Trustee position. Mr. Reynold’s was unavailable for this evenings meeting. He will take the Oath of Office prior to the meeting on March 23, 2020.
The garbage bid will be published as written with a submission deadline and bid opening date of May 4, 2020 in the Community Building Board Room. The board will review the bids for approval at their May 11, 2020 meeting.
Correspondence:
As required by Article 18 of the General Municipal Law, Trustee Steele disclosed that he is currently an employee of the city of Jamestown, with whom the village is currently involved in litigation regarding the Jamestown BPU’s attempt to Annex the Down Street Substation property.
As required by Article 18 of the General Municipal Law, Mayor Jaroszynski disclosed that he is currently an employee of the city of Jamestown, with whom the village is currently involved in litigation regarding the Jamestown BPU’s attempt to Annex the Down Street Substation property.
As required by Article 18 of the General Municipal Law, Mayor Jaroszynski disclosed that he is currently an employee of the Falconer Central School District. The Village Town of Ellicott and Falconer Schools are currently involved in litigation opposing the Jamestown BPU’s attempt to Annex the Down Street Substation property.
Both Trustee Steele and Mayor Jaroszynski stand with the Village in its opposition to the Annexation.
Trustee Steele made a motion, seconded by Trustee Dunn, to adjourn the meeting at 7:29 pm. Ayes-Steele, Dunn, Gustafson, and Jaroszynski. Nays-none. Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Anna Fales, Village Clerk