VILLAGE OF CHAMPLAIN
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 5, 2010
Click to view minutes from Organization meeting held on April 5th 2010
A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Champlain was held on Monday, April 5, 2010, at the Village Office, 1104 Route 9, Champlain, New York. Present were Mayor Moore, Trustees Gehrig, Martin, Kim Trombley, and Thomas Trombley, Clerk/Treasurer Munoz, Deputy Clerk Barcomb, Legislator McManus, Marie McKinnon, Jennifer Furman, and Mark Furman II. Superintendent Sorrell and Codes Officer Tetreault were excused this evening.
Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 6:48 p.m. A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig, seconded by Trustee Martin and carried, to approve the minutes of the
March 8, 2010, meeting as presented.
Report From Codes Officer Tetreault
Codes Officer Tetreault was excused this evening.
Report From Legislator McManus
1. He apologized for not being here more often, and said the torn retina in his eye was healing well.
2. He state the Tobacco Free Committee for Clinton County wants to make all County grounds tobacco free. He said if the Village wants to be included, municipalities can attend their upcoming meeting.
3. He asked if the Village had received any Homeland Security money yet, and some discussion followed.
4. He mentioned the cost of the new required election equipment and new ballots, and that everyone will be required to purchase them. The estimated cost of each vote in the Village of Champlain will be approximately $4.
5. He brought up the subject of Cape Air and Cogan Air and explained that one reason he voted for Cogan Air is that Clinton County will get $4.50 for everyone who books a flight with them. He also felt future growth will be with the bigger planes, and the two pilot planes are safer.
6. He said the County legislature proposed a 10% tax break for firefighters. He said this will pass the state, and the Village would have to pass a local law to implement this.
7. He said he and Mayor Moore attended the recent Pfizer meeting. He said 12-14 people from Champlain and 22 people from Rouses Point will be leaving the area. He was concerned that many of the people leaving are not just people that have moved here a short time ago, but are families that have been in this area for many years.
8. Trustee Gehrig inquired about the requirement by the Clinton County Health Department that the Youth Program be considered a summer camp. Legislator McManus said this has been changed back to the way is has been run for the last 25 years.
9. Trustee Martin asked if the County had assurances from Cogan Air that they will maintain cost parameters, and Legislator McManus said yes, the parameters will be between $75-$125 unless fuel costs increase dramatically. He also said that flights can now connect with U.S. Air in Boston; therefore passengers will be able to fly to anywhere in the United States. He also said the transition from Cape Air to Cogan Air will take place from mid-May to the end of May.
10. Trustee Martin said he had an opportunity to go to the Plattsburgh Airport, and he commented the parking situation is very bad. Legislator McManus said the County has talked about charging for parking in the future; however, at this time, they are reluctant to change as they are trying to get the employment rate up first. Some discussion followed regarding additional security required by TSA.
Public Hearing
A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig, seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley and carried, to open the Public Hearing for the 2010-2011 Budget at 7:10 p.m.
Mayor Moore reviewed the following highlights of the proposed budget:
1. The 2010-2011 general appropriations are $497,680, with the 2009-2010 appropriations being $485,485 for a difference of $12,195; therefore, this is an increase of 2.5%.
2. The water budget for this year is $211,000, with last year’s budget being $217,060, for a decrease of $6,000.
3. The sewer budget for this year is $375,825, with last year’s budget being $421,560, for a decrease of $45,000. However, there was also lost revenue because of the Wyeth/Pfizer closure in Chazy.
4. The general tax will increase by $.09/$1000 of assessed value, or 2.8% increase; water charge will remain the same at $2.98/1000 gallons; sewer charge will increase from $4.44/1000 gallons to $6.00/1000 gallons, which is an increase of $1.56/1000 for all users. He explained the reason for the sewer increase was due to the lost revenue of the Pfizer Chazy plant closure.
No one else had comments regarding the proposed 2010-2011 budget.
A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig, seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley and carried, to close the Public Hearing at 7:12 p.m.
A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig, seconded by Trustee Martin and carried, to
re-open the regular meeting at 7:13 p.m.
Public Comment
Marie McKinnon from Meadow Lane said her April 1, 2010, water/sewer bill was in the amount of $665.00. She said that the readings have been estimated for five years and she wanted to know the reason for this. She said she is on a fixed income and she did not feel it was fair for the Village to expect her to pay this since it took five years to repair the meter. She wanted to know what could be done, and also that the Village should take some responsibility. After some discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Gehrig, seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley and carried, to put this payment on hold until next month so the Board has time to research the facts and come up with a payment amount. Trustee Gehrig said she had Mrs. McKinnon’s phone number. Some discussion followed regarding meter breakage problems and meter pits.
Report From Mayor Moore
1. He said Spring Pick-Up Days are scheduled for Monday, April 19th and Tuesday, April 20th and is posted in the Village Office and will be in the newspaper. He reminded residents that only lawn debris will be picked up and must be in clear plastic bags, including brush no larger than 1” in diameter.
2. He said hydrant flushing will be done from Monday, April 12th through Friday,
April 16th and some discoloration may occur.
Report From Trustee Kim Trombley
1. She said she was looking forward to finishing the list of streets for paving for this year, and targeting streets for next year.
2. She welcomed Boy Scout Mark Furman here tonight and thanked him for coming.
Report From Trustee Martin
1. He congratulated Trustee Gehrig and Trustee Trombley on being re-elected.
2. He said the Shared Services report has been returned to Barton & Loguidice with suggestions, and we should have it back within two weeks. He said the next Shared Services meeting will be held at the Village Office on May 19, 2010, at 5 p.m.
Report From Trustee Thomas Trombley
1. He thanked the voters for their support.
Report From Trustee Gehrig
1. She reminded everyone that it is very important to fill out and return their Census.
2. She said the NYSDEC has a burn ban in effect through May.
3. She wanted to remind Superintendent Sorrell that we are supposed to do training to help with our Workers’ Compensation rates, and that a schedule needs to be put in place.
4. She asked if any money was budgeted for the St. Mary’s parade this year, as last year the Village donated toward it because of the Quadracentennial Celebration. She felt this practice should continue.
5. She asked if the Board wanted to move forward with the GPS system or not. She said there would be no expense involved for a year. Mayor Moore said we have no one to install them. Trustee Gehrig said the company would have someone install them, and that it is common courtesy to give them an answer.
6. She commented on the St. Mary’s Bazaar, and that there will be nine new rides. There will also be new games and a food booth that will be run by Canadian parents. Also, the ride company will be willing to hire local people for three days, and to bring your name and phone number to the Village Office if you are interested.
Report From Clerk/Treasurer Munoz
1. She said the Board had been copied with the Revenue/Expenditure Report for March.
2. She informed the Board that the April 1, 2010, water/sewer billing had been completed, with water totaling $51,526.74, and sewer totaling $75,141.94.
Presentation Of Warrant And Payment
Clerk/Treasurer Munoz said there was one additional invoice to add to the warrant as follows:
1. Pitney Bowes (postage)—F8310.4--$150.00
G8110.4--$150.00
A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig and seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley to approve Warrant #11 for Voucher #361 through #387 from the General, Water, and Sewer accounts, including the additional invoice, in the amount of $14,213.66. Roll call vote as follows:
Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Martin Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Trustee Gehrig Aye
Mayor Moore Aye
Motion carried.
Report From Superintendent Sorrell
Superintendent Sorrell was excused this evening; however, the Board was copied was his report.
Correspondence
- Correspondence from Barbara Jarvis resigning from Zoning Board.
- Correspondence from Clinton County Emergency Services regarding an Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents (I300) Course May 4-6, 2010.
- Census news update from the Secretary of State.
- Correspondence from Clinton County Health Department regarding the Annual Water Quality Report.
- Correspondence from United State Dept. of Interior regarding U.S. Geological Survey to sample Well #2 and results.
- Correspondence from Chris Trombley thanking the Mayor and the Village Board for their resolution for his Citizen of the Year Award.
- Correspondence from Joe Heath regarding the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Point Au Fer.
8. Liquor license renewal for American Legion Post 767.
9. Correspondence from Marie McKinnon requesting meeting with Board.
10. Correspondence from Clinton County Highway Department regarding road striping services for 2010.
11. Correspondence and e-mail from Linda Fredette, Youth Program Director, regarding summer youth programs.
12. Correspondence to Elegance Coating regarding industrial use approved by the Zoning Board.
13. Correspondence from Clinton County Highway Department regarding contract to supply and deliver road salt.
14. Correspondence from the Gorman Group regarding seminar on pavement preservation.
15. Letter to Clinton County Highway Department re-confirming road salt requirement for 2010-11.
Old Business
1. GSA meter—Mayor Moore said the decision has been made to put the GSA meter at the Village limits when the weather permits. He mentioned Trustee Martin has been very involved with this issue. Trustee Gehrig asked if this would be the Village’s expense, and Mayor Moore said yes. Some discussion followed.
New Business
1. A motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley and seconded by Trustee Gehrig to approve the 2010-2011 Budget as presented. Roll call vote as follows:
Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Martin Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Trustee Gehrig Aye
Mayor Moore Aye
Motion carried.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Mayor Moore, seconded by Trustee Gehrig and carried, to enter into Executive Session at 7:40 p.m. to discuss current union negotiations. The Board came out of Executive Session at 8 p.m. No motions were made.
A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley and seconded by Trustee Gehrig to purchase the following extended warranty for the 2010 Peterbilt plow truck:
1. 7 years 250K miles $2500.00
2. Injectors 5 years 200K miles $550.00
3. Turbo 5 years 200K miles $600.00
4. 5 year unlimited $425.00
TOTAL AMOUNT = $4075.00
Some discussion followed. Roll call vote as follows:
Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Martin Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Trustee Gehrig Aye
Mayor Moore Aye
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley and seconded by Trustee Gehrig to transfer $4,075.00 from A1990.4 to A5110.2 to pay for the extended warranty on the 2010 Peterbilt plow truck. Roll call vote as follows:
Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Martin Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Trustee Gehrig Aye
Mayor Moore Aye
Motion carried.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board this evening, a motion was made by Trustee Martin, seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley and carried, to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 p.m.
Donna Barcomb
Deputy Clerk