VILLAGE OF CHAMPLAIN
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 1, 2011
A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Champlain was held on Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at the Village Office, 1104 Route 9, Champlain, New York. Present were Mayor Martin, Trustees Gurzenda, Kim Trombley, and Thomas Trombley, Clerk/Treasurer Munoz, Deputy Clerk Barcomb, Superintendent Sorrell, Codes Officer Tetreault, Karen Gurzenda, and John Triller. Trustee Gehrig arrived late.
Mayor Martin called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. A motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley, seconded by Trustee Gurzenda and carried, to approve the minutes as presented from the January 4, 2011, regular meeting; the January 19, 2011, budget workshop (no quorum); and the January 24, 2011, budget workshop.
Public Comment
Mayor Martin asked if there was anyone here this evening who would like to address the Board. John Kevin Triller said he was curious as to the status of his request to dissolve the Village. Mayor Martin said he had been in contact with the Department of State as well as investigating the possibility of using grant money for this purpose. He has not had a chance to discuss this issue with the Board yet. He mentioned this is a slow process that will take a lot of research; however, the Board is moving forward. He stated there has been a lot of interest in the subject by residents as he meets people while working on his election petition. He asked if Mr. Triller would be receptive to meeting with him to discuss this issue, and Mr. Triller said he was.
Report From Codes Officer Tetreault
1. He said he mailed a couple of violations. He also mentioned that building permits had been slow.
2. He has been working on his yearly report to the State. Mayor Martin asked when it was due, and Mr. Tetreault said March 31st. He then explained what the report was.
3. There will be a Zoning Board public hearing on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, for a use variance for the former elementary school. He said the owner is requesting permission to renovate the school into a 21-apartment building.
Report From Mayor Martin
1. He thanked Superintendent Sorrell and the DPW crew for their hard work keeping the streets and sidewalks cleaned.
2. He mentioned the Village had saved a substantial amount of money by constructing the salt shed. This was due to the fact that we were able to store the salt we did not use during the previous winter in the shed, which meant we were able to purchase less salt for the current year.
3. He reminded everyone that Voter Registration Day will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2011, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Village Office. He said Village Elections will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, from noon to 9 p.m. at the Village Office. He encouraged everyone to please vote.
4. He mentioned that the crew had been working on the ice rink and it will be open soon. He said motor vehicles are not allowed on the ice and violators will be pursued.
5. He reminded residents there is no parking on the Village streets because of plowing between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. He thanked everyone for their cooperation.
Report From Trustee Kim Trombley
1. She said there will be a Zoning Board public hearing on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 for a use variance for the elementary school.
2. She said the crew has done a great job on the streets. We are expecting another storm, but the crew will be ready for it.
Report From Trustee Gurzenda
1. He thanked the residents he has met while getting signatures for his election petition. There have been some interesting discussions on the issues, and he hopes to meet more.
Report From Trustee Thomas Trombley
1. He said he and Mayor Martin have been working with representatives from the Town of Champlain to revise the current water and sewer agreements. These should be completed shortly and ready for review by the lawyers.
Report From Trustee Gehrig
Trustee Gehrig was late this evening.
Report From Clerk/Treasurer Munoz
1. She said the Board had been copied with the Revenue/Expenditure Report for January.
2. She requested the following transfers be approved:
a. From A7110.4 to A8666.4--$3100.00
b. From A7110.4 to A9040.8--$400.00
c. From G9010.8 to G9040.8--$200.00
A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley, seconded by Trustee Gurzenda and carried, to approve the transfers as presented.
3. She said there were several purchase requisitions that need to be approved. Mayor Martin explained that he asked Superintendent Sorrell to purchase items from this year’s budget so we can have them in stock. Some discussion followed. Then each purchase requisition was voted on as follows:
A. Foxcroft Free chlorine analyzer—F8310.2--$2,895.00—A motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley and seconded by Trustee Gurzenda to approve this purchase. Some discussion followed. Roll call vote as follows:
Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Gurzenda Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Mayor Martin Aye
Motion carried.
B. Flow Serve pump & motor—F8320.2--$10,726.00 & freight—A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley and seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley to approve this purchase. Mayor Martin said we got a better price by buying both the pump and motor. Some discussion followed. Roll call vote as follows:
Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Gurzenda Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Mayor Martin Aye
Motion carried.
C. Complete polyblend pump—G8130.2--$918.65 & freight—A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley and seconded by Trustee Gurzenda to approve this purchase. Mayor Martin said we received a $50 discount due to Superintendent Sorrell’s efforts. Roll call vote as follows:
Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Gurzenda Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Mayor Martin Aye
Motion carried.
D. 8-foot ladder—G8130.2--$161.35—A motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley and seconded by Trustee Gurzenda to approve this purchase. Mayor Martin said this was to replace the broken one at the wastewater plant. Roll call vote as follows:
Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Gurzenda Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Mayor Martin Aye
Motion carried.
E. Water meters & repair kits—F8310.2-$907.62 & freight—A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley and seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley to approve the purchase. Some discussion followed. Roll call vote as follows:
Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Gurzenda Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Mayor Martin Aye
Motion carried.
F. Fittings & connections—F8310.2--$84.48 & freight—A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley and seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley to approve the purchase. Some discussion followed. Roll call vote as follows:
Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Gurzenda Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Mayor Martin Aye
Motion carried.
G. Tail nuts & band clamps—F8310.2--$562.14 & freight—A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley and seconded by Trustee Gurzenda to approve the purchase. Some discussion followed. Roll call vote as follows:
Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Gurzenda Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Mayor Martin Aye
Motion carried.
Presentation Of Warrant And Payment
Clerk/Treasurer Munoz said the following invoices need to be added to the warrant:
Endyne Inc. G8110.4 $ 140.00
NYSEG G8120.4 $ 71.22
NYSEG G8130.4 $1,282.23
NYSEG Solutions G8120.4 $ 13.46
NYSEG Solutions G8130.4 $1,773.11
Surpass Chemical Co. F8330.4 $ 654.00
Powerplan A5110.4 $ 217.50
Valley Sanitation A5110.4 $ 90.00
GE Capital A1410.4 $ 89.17
Champlain Telephone G8120.4 $ 29.98
Champlain Telephone A1410.4 $ 149.19
Champlain Telephone F8310.4 $ 21.04
Champlain Telephone A1490.4 $ 48.00
Primelink A1410.4 $ 25.00
A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley and seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley to approve Warrant #9 for Voucher #274 through #304 from the General, Water, and Sewer accounts, including the additional invoices, in the amount of $39,376.84. Roll call vote as follows:
Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Gurzenda Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Mayor Martin Aye
Motion carried.
Correspondence
1. Correspondence from John K. Triller requesting immediate action for dissolution.
2. Notice of Violation from Codes Officer Tetreault to Aldo Dibiasio/Gary Clark
3. FOIL request from John Triller regarding the new snowplow and front end loader purchases.
4. FOIL request from John Triller regarding shared services study prepared by Barton & Loguidice.
5. Letter to John Triller from Clerk/Treasurer Munoz regarding FOIL request.
6. Information regarding upcoming training for Zoning & Planning Board members.
7. Correspondence from Gary & Susan Clarke regarding property maintenance of their property at 732 Prospect Street.
8. Correspondence from Fischer, Bessette, Muldowney and Hunter regarding Chad Poirier.
9. Notice of Violation to Corrine Lafountain, and copied for property owner Steve Dunn, for the property located at 39 Elm Street.
10. Memo from Deputy Clerk Barcomb regarding upcoming Village audit by the State Comptroller’s Office.
11. Memo from Deputy Clerk Barcomb regarding grant for War of 1812 panels.
Old Business
1. GSA meter—There was nothing new to report on this issue.
2. Property tax cap—Mayor Martin informed the Board that the State Senate has approved this and it is now going to the Assembly. According to the NYCOM article we received, there is no mandate relief in the Governor’s new budget, which was one of the most important issues. Trustee Thomas Trombley said mandate relief would allow us to handle the 2% tax cap. Mayor Martin stated the AIM funding from the State is being reduced by 2% but our CHIPS funding will remain the same, which is a good sign. After some further discussion, he asked for a motion to remove this item from Old Business. A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig, seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley and carried, to remove the Property tax cap issue from Old Business.
New Business
1. Mayor Martin said he spoke with David Patrick about the grant for the War of 1812 historic panels, as he asked the Village to sponsor this grant. The only cost to the Village will be for cement, renting a posthole digger, and in-kind services. The panels will be similar to the one at the Samuel de Champlain statue by St. Mary’s Church. Some discussion followed. A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig and seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley to approve the Village sponsorship of the panels for the War of 1812, with the placement of the panel to be in Paquette Park on Main Street. There was some discussion about the placement of the panel in the park, and about also moving the stone that is in front of the old fire station to the park this summer. All Board members voted aye on the motion.
2. The Board then discussed the Confined Space Training to be held in Rouses Point on Monday, February 7, 2011. A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley, seconded by Trustee Gurzenda and carried, to send two crew members to the Confined Space Training at no cost to the Village. Mayor Martin said that there may only be space for one person, as only 20 people can attend, and all three municipalities are participating.
3. Mayor Martin said he would like to attend the New York State Legislative Forum scheduled for March 4, 2011, in Plattsburgh from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at a cost of $17. A motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley, seconded by Trustee Gehrig and carried, allowing Mayor Martin to attend the New York State Legislative Forum.
4. Mayor Martin said the water/wastewater contracts are complete and Attorney Marshall has approved them. They have been forwarded to the Town of Champlain for review by their attorney. They should be ready to approve at the next Board meeting.
5. Trustee Gehrig said she would like to revisit the security and GPS system issues. Superintendent Sorrell said Sheriff Favro was still looking into the $3,000 grant for the security system.
6. Trustee Gurzenda mentioned that Correspondence #9 should be 139 Elm Street,
not 39 Elm Street.
7. Trustee Gehrig said there was money available for sidewalks in the current budget, and she suggested we use this before the end of the year. Superintendent Sorrell said he would have a list of sidewalks to repair at the next Board meeting.
8. Trustee Gehrig asked what equipment purchases were planned, and Mayor Martin said the purchase requisitions that were approved this evening were for items that were needed right away, but also to have some items in stock that we do not have now.
9. Trustee Gehrig further discussed the security system funding and the pump that was being purchased. Superintendent Sorrell said the pump being purchased is the only one that will fit the application.
10. Trustee Gehrig asked when the ice rink would be ready, and Superintendent Sorrell said it was up and ready now.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board this evening, a motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley, seconded by Trustee Gurzenda and carried, to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
Donna Barcomb
Deputy Clerk