The Village of Champlain

VILLAGE OF CHAMPLAIN
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 14, 2010

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Champlain was held on Monday June 14, 2010, at the Village Office, 1104 Route 9, Champlain, New York. Present were Mayor Moore, Trustees Martin, Kim Trombley, and Thomas Trombley, Clerk/Treasurer Munoz, Deputy Clerk Barcomb, Superintendent Sorrell, Codes Officer Tetreault, Sue Moore, and Stephen Meier. Trustee Gehrig was excused this evening.

Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley, seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley and carried, to approve the minutes of the May 10, 2010, meeting as presented. Trustee Martin abstained from voting.

Public Comment

There was no one here this evening to make public comments.

Report From Codes Officer Tetreault

1. He reported that many Notice of Violation letters had been sent out this month. He commented that realtors who have homes listed with them do not want to cut the grass. He asked the Board if they wanted to take these violators to court or would they rather cut the grass, since some are past the 30 day limit. Mayor Moore said the Board wants the grass cut and citations to be done. Some discussion followed.

Report From Mayor Moore

1. He informed everyone there will be a rabies clinic held at the Mooers Fire Station on July 8, 2010, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

2. He said he had been working with Superintendent Sorrell regarding the brush issue. We may be able to have one or two days a month for residents to bring their brush to a specific area on Village property. The Village may then be able to use the Town equipment to chip it. This will not involve the Village crew picking up brush, but it will give residents another option to dispose of their brush. The diameter of the brush will be limited and it will have to be policed. He said all of the details have not been completed yet; however, something will be in place before the end of the summer. Some discussion followed.

3. He informed the Board that Stephen Meier has volunteered to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals. A motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley, seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley and carried, approving the appointment of Stephen Meier to the Zoning Board of Appeals, with his term expiring on April 8, 2013. Trustee Martin said this is an important job that needs active board members. Mayor Moore commented that a community is only as good as the people who are willing to help. Mr. Meier said he hopes to make a contribution to the Village by serving on the Zoning Board.

Report From Trustee Kim Trombley

1. She said she spoke with Superintendent Sorrell regarding paving, which will start in the not to distant future.

2. She said the Board received a note from Bill and Sue Hoke, former owners of Twin Town True Value Hardware. She thanked them for their many years of service to all local communities, and wished the new owners well. Mayor Moore said those sentiments are mirrored by the rest of the Board members.

Report From Trustee Martin

1. He thanked the crew for the good job cleaning the streets.

2. He said the Shared Services report is available for inspection, and said the next meeting of the Shared Services Committee will be held on Wednesday, June 23, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. at the Village of Champlain.

Report From Trustee Thomas Trombley

1. He said brush chipping has already been discussed this evening. He thanked Steve Southwick for his efforts with shared services in securing the chipper for future use. Trustee Martin asked Trustee Trombley if Mr. Southwick mentioned the crack sealer, and Trustee Trombley said no. Trustee Martin stated that John Cooper is supposed to have information on the equipment, and said the funding from Senator Little should be used to purchase this item. Some discussion followed. Mayor Moore thanked Trustee Trombley for his work on the brush issue.

Report From Trustee Gehrig

Trustee Gehrig was excused this evening.

Report From Clerk/Treasurer Munoz

1. She said the Board had been copied with the Revenue/Expenditure Report for May, and also the year-end reports.

Presentation Of Warrant And Payment

A motion was made by Trustee Martin and seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley to approve Warrant #1 for Voucher #1 through #31 from the General, Water, and Sewer accounts in the amount of $12,299.01. Roll call vote as follows:

                                    Trustee Kim Trombley            Aye
                                    Trustee Martin                                  Aye
                                    Trustee Thomas Trombley            Aye
                                    Mayor Moore                         Aye
Motion carried.

Report From Superintendent Sorrell

1. He said the Board had been copied with his report.

2. He informed the Board that all but one meter had been repaired or replaced. He thanked the Town of Chazy and the Town of Plattsburgh for letting us borrow their meter guns, as ours was broke.

3. He asked the Board what they wanted to do about the sidewalks on Elm Street in front of the Kimpex building. Mayor Moore said he looked at the sidewalk and curb and they appear to be alright. Superintendent Sorrell said some places will need to be fixed, and there was some discussion about the DI’s. Trustee Trombley thought swales were going to be put in, and Superintendent Sorrell said Gorman’s has a machine that does the crown of the road and the swale at the same time. Further discussion followed regarding the paving and if reclamation would work best.

Correspondence

Correspondence from Allen Poquette regarding Marie McKinnon’s sewer line.

Correspondence from Michael Oliver regarding his trailer at 36 Moore St.

Correspondence from Michael Duquette regarding annexing his property on Main Street into the Village.

Memo from Ron Hicks regarding his property at the end of Meadow Lane.

Statements from Mayor Moore and Superintendent Sorrell regarding trailer on 36 Moore Street property.

Statement from Superintendent Sorrell regarding Marie McKinnon’s sewer problem.

Correspondence from Trident Insurance regarding Michael Oliver’s property at 36 Moore Street.

8. Notice of Violation to Alvest Development of America regarding property maintenance issue.

9. Correspondence from Clinton County Dept. of Personnel regarding 2010 Payroll Certification.

10. Correspondence from Trident Insurance regarding hydrant damage.

11. Various Notice of Violation forms.

Old Business

1. GSA meter—Superintendent Sorrell said he spoke with the Clinton County Health Department, as any plans have to be approved by them before a district can be formed.

2. GPS system—A motion was made by Trustee Martin, seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley and carried, to remove the GPS devices from the vehicles and return them to Jett Track with a thank you letter; however, we are not interested in using these devices at this time.

New Business

1. A motion was made by Trustee Martin and seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley to stop allowing sewer credits, except for filling pools which requires the home owner calling the Village Office so the meter can be read before and after the pool is filled. This will take effect as of June 14, 2010. Some discussion followed. All Board Members voted aye. Motion carried.

2. A motion was made by Trustee Martin and seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley approving the installation of a water meter at the fire station on Elm Street, which will be used to determine the amount of water usage. Some discussion followed regarding the amount of water that is unaccounted for each year from our water system. Superintendent Sorrell said a meter is required by the Clinton County Health Department. Trustee Thomas Trombley commented the Village provides water to the fire department, but we have no idea how much they are using. All Board Members voted aye. Motion carried.

3. A motion was made by Trustee Martin and seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley to approve having an energy audit completed by NYSERDA in the amount of $400. Some discussion followed. Roll call vote as follows:

4. A motion was made by Trustee Martin and seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley allowing Michael and Cathy Duquette to connect to the Village water and sewer systems as an outside user for their new home located on Route 9 next to Marjorie Duquette. Some discussion followed. All Board Members voted aye. Trustee Thomas Trombley abstained from voting. Motion carried.

Adjournment

A motion was made by Trustee Martin, seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley and carried, to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m. After some discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Martin, seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley and carried, to re-open the meeting at 7:11 p.m.

A motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley and seconded by Trustee Martin to discuss the previously tabled request by World Warehouse for a one-time sewer credit in the amount of $612.36 because of a leaking toilet. In light of earlier discussion and motion this evening regarding these credits, the Board denied the request from World Warehouse. Roll call vote as follows to deny the one-time sewer credit request in the amount of $612.36 from World Warehouse:

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the Board this evening, a motion was made by Trustee Martin, seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley and carried, to adjourn the meeting at 7:16 p.m.