VILLAGE OF CHAMPLAIN
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
MAY 10, 2010

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Champlain was held on Monday, May 10, 2010, at the Village Office, 1104 Route 9, Champlain, New York.  Present were Mayor Moore, Trustees Gehrig, Kim Trombley, and Thomas Trombley, Clerk/Treasurer Munoz, Deputy Clerk Barcomb, Superintendent Sorrell, Codes Officer Tetreault, Tom Gurzenda, Jeremy Miller, Marie McKinnon, John Cooper, Steve Southwick, Sue Moore, and Diane Brockway.  Trustee Martin was excused this evening.

Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  A motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley, seconded by Trustee Gehrig and carried, to approve the minutes of the April 5, 2010, meeting as presented.

Public Comment

Tom Gurzenda from 119 Elm Street said he was concerned with the grass not being cut by the new owner of the former elementary school.  This was a problem last year, and he was concerned that it would also be a problem this year.  Mayor Moore said the Board is not happy with the situation either, and this will be pursued.  Mr. Gurzenda also said he enjoyed the Village website but wondered when the current minutes would be available for viewing.  Deputy Clerk Barcomb said she would forward them to the person who does the website maintenance.

Sue Moore gave the Board copies of a list of property maintenance issues, with most being uncut grass and debris.  Some discussion followed.  Mayor Moore said the Board plans to follow through with taking care of these issues, and if they are not resolved, they will be mowed and the expense put on the property owner’s taxes.

Marie McKinnon asked what the status of her water bill was.  She also said she was told by the Village that the sewer problem she had was not in the Village lines; therefore, it was her problem.  After she had the problem taken care of, she found out that the Village had a blockage 150’ down the road and that it was not her problem.  She wanted to know if the Village would be reimbursing her for the original repairs, as the cost was $1200.  She also said that Trustee Martin was there too.  Further discussion followed.  Mayor Moore said this issue would be investigated by the Board.

Steve Southwick and John Cooper were here tonight representing the Town of Champlain regarding the proposed DOT project.  The State is using eminent domain to acquire the land to erect an $8,000,000 inspection station near the border crossing.  They would like to get together with the Village to look at the feasibility of establishing a water district.  Mr. Tetreault said the research for this district was done in the 1980’s but was never finished.  They invited the Board to attend tomorrow night’s Town Board meeting at
7 p.m.  They said they want to get help from the State and Federal governments to establish a water loop there.  This may be the last attempt to establish a water district, as it is quite costly.  However, if everyone is involved, it may get completed with funding.  Mr. Tetreault also stated they are trying to establish a water/sewer district in the East/West Service Roads area.  Mayor Moore said this was an opportune time to leverage to get this done.  If we work together, they will be aware of our concerns.  This is an area to develop because of the businesses that are already there.  Mr. Southwick said the Town wanted to make the Village aware of the situation and to work together on this project.

Diane Brockway addressed the Board about rumors she has heard regarding the fire hydrant on Meadow Lane being removed.  Superintendent Sorrell explained that the hydrant was just being moved to the opposite side of the street so the Village can make a turnaround for the plow truck in the winter.

Report From Codes Officer Tetreault

1.  He said he is working with Deputy Clerk Barcomb to come up with a form letter for violations.  He also asked for clarification of what properties the Board wants notices sent to.  For example, residences, empty lots, etc.  Mayor Moore said notices of violations should be sent to anyone in the Village limits.  Some discussion followed regarding height of the grass and court issues.  Mr. Tetreault said he would send notice of violations stating they have five days to comply.  After that, a court appearance notice will be sent but will have to be three weeks out.  Mayor Moore stated that after 30 days the Village has the right to continue to maintain the property until such time as the property owner does it.  Further discussion followed regarding real estate companies maintaining properties that are listed with them.

2.  He said he has issued a few permits, but none for new houses. 

Report From Mayor Moore

1.  He thanked Barb Jarvis, on behalf of himself and the Board, for her years of service on the Zoning Board. 

2.  He said Spring Pick-up Days will be on Monday, May 17th and Tuesday, May 18th.  He reminded residents no loose brush will be picked up, and all lawn debris must be in manageable, clear plastic bags and put by the curbside by 7 a.m.

3.  He said the crew will be sweeping streets this month, and there may be some dust.

4.  He commented the Board has received a request from Mike and Cathy Duquette to annex their property located on Main Street into the Village.

 

 

Report From Trustee Kim Trombley

1.  She spoke with Superintendent Sorrell, and paving of Elm Street will start as soon as possible. 

2.  She stated that the price of asphalt is down to $39/ton; therefore, we may be able to do another street.

3.  She is looking forward to spring clean up, and commented that the crew was doing a good job.

Report From Trustee Martin

Trustee Martin was excused this evening.

Report From Trustee Thomas Trombley

Trustee Trombley had nothing to report this evening.

Report From Trustee Gehrig

1.  She said the St. Mary’s Bazaar was less than three weeks away.  She commented there will be many new things this year, including new rides and games.

2.  She said the ride company is still looking for local people to work.  If anyone is interested, they should stop by the Village Office and leave their name and phone number.

3.  She said the parade starts at noon on Sunday, May 30th.  The auction will be held on Saturday, May 29th and will be conducted by auctioneer Steve Brody. 

4.  Donations of items are still being accepted from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday.  Glass items are especially needed for the dime pitch booth.  If you cannot drop the items off, call the school and they will be picked up.

5.  She said if anyone wants to volunteer to work at the bazaar to call her at 298-2829 and leave a detailed message.

6.  She said there will be a D.J. on Saturday night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; the North Country Squares will have a one-hour demonstration on Sunday; BBQ dinner on Sunday at 11 a.m.; Bracelet Day on Saturday from 12 noon to 5 p.m.  Ride all rides for $15.

Public Hearing

A motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley, seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley and carried, to open the Public Hearing at 7:05 p.m. for Local Law #1 of 2010, Cross Connection Control Law.  No one had any comments.  A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley, seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley and carried, to close the Public Hearing at 7:07 p.m.  A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley and seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley to approve Local Law #1 of 2010.  Some discussion followed.  Roll call vote as follows:
                                                Trustee Kim Trombley            Aye
                                                Trustee Thomas Trombley            Aye
                                                Trustee Gehrig                       Aye
                                                Mayor Moore                         Aye
Motion carried.

Report From Clerk/Treasurer Munoz

1.  She said the Board had been copied with the Revenue/Expenditure Report for April.

Presentation Of Warrant And Payment

Clerk/Treasurer Munoz said there were three additional invoices to add to the warrant as follows:
                        1.  NCLRA (union)—A1490.4--$220.00
                        2.  NYCOM (dues)--A1920.4--$814.00
                        3.  Town of Champlain (codes officer)—A8010.1--$2027.50

A motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley and seconded by Trustee Gehrig to approve Warrant #12 for Voucher #388 through #425 from the General, Water, and Sewer accounts, including the additional invoices, in the amount of $28,186.16.  Roll call vote as follows:
                                                Trustee Kim Trombley            Aye
                                                Trustee Thomas Trombley            Aye
                                                Trustee Gehrig                       Aye
                                                Mayor Moore                         Aye
Motion carried.

Clerk/Treasurer Munoz presented the Board with the following year-end transfers:

 

Some discussion followed.  A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig and seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley to approve the 2009-10 year-end transfers as presented.  Roll call vote as follows:
                                                Trustee Kim Trombley            Aye
                                                Trustee Thomas Trombley            Aye
                                                Trustee Gehrig                       Aye
                                                Mayor Moore                         Aye
Motion carried.

Report From Superintendent Sorrell

1.  He explained the situation with Mrs. McKinnon’s sewer line.  He said originally Chad Poirier checked her line and was only able to go about 10 feet from her house before there was a blockage, when he found old tar paper pipe.  Mrs. McKinnon decided to hire another contractor, Mr. Poquette, to repair this line.  Mr. Poquette found a piece of plastic pipe with fernco on both ends that was connected to her original pipe that was collapsed and was full of mud and grease.  The Village hired Chad Poirier to clean out the Village sewer line along the side of the road before Mr. Poquette hooked Mrs. McKinnon’s line back to the Village line to make sure none of the mud and grease from her line was still in the Village line.

2.  He said the crew took the sander off the truck and cut the top off, as they are going to repair it with one of the old drainmad machines to help stop the sand from coming out.

3. He asked for permission to purchase a meter pit for the GSA meter.  Some discussion followed.  Mayor Moore said this would be brought up under New Business.

4.  He said the crew would be sweeping streets, and will finish distributing the Annual Water Quality Reports to residents.

5.  He said he had a meeting with Tom Sears regarding paving.  They discussed storm drains, curbs, and he suggested crack sealing with rubber to preserve the roads.  Trustee Gehrig asked if the bad dip in the road at the end of Prospect Street would be fixed, and Superintendent Sorrell said they will go around the DI and angle it.

6.  Trustee Gehrig and Trustee Thomas Trombley asked that the sand be removed from the road, as this can trap the water in the road.  Superintendent Sorrell said he wants to cut back some of the sod on the edge of the streets to stop the water from pooling.

7.  Trustee Kim Trombley asked what recourse the Village has when a homeowner does not allow access to the water meter inside their home, per Work Report #3.  Superintendent Sorrell said we would either have to call the sheriff or shut the water off.  Some discussion followed.

8.  Superintendent Sorrell said the crew has repaired or rebuilt 25 meters.

9.  Trustee Gehrig discussed the Village not picking brush up anymore, as she does not think this policy works well.  She said some people do not have the means or time to get rid of it.  She asked if the Village could go back to chipping brush and if there was any place to put it.  She said people want to clean up their property, but might not if they have no place to bring the brush.  Codes Officer Tetreault agreed with Trustee Gehrig, but did acknowledge that it is labor intensive.  Superintendent Sorrell said chipping would be fine; however, people put out more than just brush to chip.  Some discussion followed.  Mayor Moore asked Trustee Thomas Trombley to look into this issue.

10. Trustee Gehrig asked about repairing sidewalks and hole patching on Elm Street.  Superintendent Sorrell said the water shut offs were knocked back down on the sidewalks, and the holes on Elm Street will be patched before the parade.

Correspondence

 

 

 

 

8.  and 8a.  Correspondence from World Warehouse & Distribution requesting a                  one-time sewer credit, and a memo from Deputy Clerk Barcomb.

9.  Memo from Deputy Clerk Barcomb regarding selling of buy-out properties.

10. Correspondence from Clinton County Health Department regarding training             on Complete Streets Planning for Pedestrians & Bicyclists.

11. Correspondence from Clinton County Health Department regarding the 2010             Annual Water System Inspection Report.

12. Thank you letter to Barb Jarvis for her service on the Zoning Board.

13.  Letter to American Legion Post 767 Auxiliary and Proclamation for their             Annual Buddy Poppy Sales.

Mayor Moore asked Clerk/Treasurer Munoz to read the following proclamation:

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS the annual sale of Buddy Poppies by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United Stated has been officially recognized and endorsed by governmental leaders since 1922; and

WHEREAS VFW Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled veterans, and the proceeds of this worthy fund-raising campaign are used exclusively for the benefit of disabled and needy veterans and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans; and

WHEREAS the basic purpose of the annual sale of Buddy Poppies by the Veterans of Foreign Wars is eloquently reflected in the desire to “Honor the Dead by Helping the Living”; therefore

I, Jeffrey P. Moore, Mayor of the Village of Champlain, do hereby urge the citizens of this community to recognize the merits of this cause by contributing generously to its support through the purchase of Buddy Poppies on the days set aside for the distribution of these symbols of appreciation for the sacrifices of our honored dead.

I urge all patriotic citizens to wear a Buddy Poppy as mute evidence of our gratitude to the men of this country who have risked their lives in defense of the freedoms, which we continue to enjoy as American citizens.

A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig, seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley and carried, approving the Buddy Poppy Sales Proclamation as read.

Old Business

1.  GSA meter – Mayor Moore said we are ready to move forward with this issue.  Superintendent Sorrell has been getting quotes for the meter pit, and he will try to get a backflow preventer for the meter we have.  A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley and seconded by Trustee Gehrig, approving spending up to $4,000 for the meter pit and backflow preventer.  Some discussion followed.  Roll call vote as follows:

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

2.  Mayor Moore brought up the issue of making a donation to St. Mary’s for the 2010 parade.  Some discussion followed.  A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig and seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley to donate $2,000 to the 2010 St. Mary’s Parade.  After further discussion, an amended motion was made by Trustee Gehrig and seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley to donate $1,250 to St. Mary’s Church to help with parade expenses for 2010.  Roll call vote as follows:

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

Clerk/Treasurer Munoz asked if the Board wanted to add this to the warrant.  A motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley and seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley to add the donation to St. Mary’s Church in the amount of $1,250 from Code A7110.4 to the warrant.  Roll call vote as follows:
                                               
                                                Trustee Kim Trombley            Aye
                                                Trustee Thomas Trombley            Aye
                                                Trustee Gehrig                       Aye
                                                Mayor Moore                         Aye
Motion carried.

3.  Mayor Moore said World Warehouse is asking for a one-time sewer credit on their April 1, 2010, water/sewer invoice in the amount of $612.36.  After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley and seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley to grant the one-time sewer credit to World Warehouse in the amount of $612.36.  Roll call vote as follows:

                                                Trustee Kim Trombley            Aye
                                                Trustee Thomas Trombley            Nay
                                                Trustee Gehrig                       Nay
                                                Mayor Moore                         Nay
Motion failed.

After further discussion by the Board regarding this request, a motion was made by Trustee Gehrig, seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley and carried, to table the request for a one-time sewer credit for World Warehouse in the amount of $612.36.

4.  Mayor Moore said the Board needed to approve continuing health insurance for Superintendent Sorrell and Clerk/Treasurer Munoz.  A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig and seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley approving continuing insurance for Superintendent Sorrell with the Teamsters and Clerk/Treasurer Munoz with Blue Cross/Blue Shield HMO.  Roll call vote as follows:

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

5.  Mayor Moore informed the Board that Attorney Marshall suggested we have an abstract done of the old pump house property located on the Perry Mills Road.  He has researched the old deeds as far as he can, and this would be the cheapest way to get the complete history of the property.  A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig, seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley and carried, to have an abstract done, per the advisement of Attorney Marshall.

6.  Mayor Moore mentioned the issue of the GPS devices in the Village vehicles.  A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig and seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley, to have the company that the devices were purchased from reinstall them.  Some discussion followed.  Trustee Gehrig said one was installed in her car and it worked fine.  Trustee Kim Trombley said her fear is that the warranty on the vehicles will be void if the devices cause a problem.  Superintendent Sorrell reminded the Board of the problems he had with the new Ford pick-up truck when the device was in it.  After further discussion, Trustee Gehrig and Trustee Thomas Trombley withdrew their motion, and this item was tabled until the next meeting.

7.  Mayor Moore said the Board was copied with four requests to carry over vacation, including optional holidays, into next year.  These were from Donna Barcomb, Terry Lincourt, Juanita Munoz, and Larry Sorrell.  A motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley, seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley and carried, approving the requests to carry over unused vacation and optional holidays into the 2010-2011 year, with the stipulation that these days be used by December 31, 2010.

Executive Session

A motion was made by Mayor Moore, seconded by Trustee Gehrig and carried, to go into Executive Session at 8:15 p.m. to discussion union negotiations.

A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig, seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley and carried, to come out of Executive Session at 8:25 p.m.

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the Board this evening, a motion was made by Trustee Gehrig, seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley and carried, to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m.