VILLAGE OF CHAMPLAIN
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 17, 2011

 

Click here to view the Special Board Meeting held on October 3rd, 2011

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Champlain was held on Monday October 17, 2011, at the Village Office, 1104 Route 9, Champlain, New York. Present were Mayor Martin, Trustees Gehrig, Gurzenda, Kim Trombley, and Thomas Trombley, Clerk/Treasurer Munoz, Deputy Clerk Barcomb, Superintendent Sorrell, Codes Officer Tetreault, Legislator Harry McManus, Kevin Triller, and Tina Demers.

Mayor Martin called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. A motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley and seconded by Trustee Gurzenda to approve the minutes from the September 12, 2011, Board Meeting as presented. Trustee Gurzenda stated there was one correction to the minutes. He said Trustee Thomas Trombley was actually the one who brought up the subject of the loading docks at the Kimpex building and not him. All Board Members present approved the minutes with the changes. Mayor Martin said the minutes from the special Board Meeting held on September 29, 2011, will be presented at the November 14, 2011, Board Meeting.

Public Comment

Legislator Harry McManus was here this evening and updated the Board on the following issues:

1. He said the sales tax revenue was up again, and the Village amount should be $3,000 to $4,000 over what was anticipated.

2. He said the County will have to make some hard choices to meet the 2% tax cap required by the State. He said the home health care license has been sold for $2.1 million. This program was in the red by $1.9 million. The bidder assured the County that all current employees that want to work will be hired, as many clients want to keep the same person they are used to dealing with.

3. He said the Chamber of Commerce voted to have the occupancy tax in Clinton County. He said $440,000 was generated this year from this tax because of the various events held in the area, including six professional fishing tournaments. The Battle of Plattsburgh, the Adirondack Wine Festival, and a bike event will contribute to next year’s occupancy tax.

4. He mentioned that he plans to apply for funding for the bike path again between Rouses Point and Champlain, as there is another round of grants coming out. The application can be for up to $400,000 with a 50% match. This is something he has been pursuing since 1996 and he feels this will be good for the community, as the kids can bike on the paved path instead of the road. Some discussion followed where the route would be.

5. He said the Plattsburgh Airport has interviews scheduled for a new director, and he hoped someone would be hired soon, as the twenty-five million dollar expansion will be starting in the near future.

6. Trustee Gehrig asked about the issue of Medicaid and medical coordinators and said there are no checks and balances. Legislator McManus said he would research this issue.

7. Mayor Martin asked if a new carrier has been found for the airport. Legislator McManus said not yet, and that Cogan Air has to stay until one is found. He commented that Gary Douglas from the Chamber of Commerce is great at marketing, so they hope to have another one soon. He said they also hope to get the Las Vegas connection.

Kevin Triller asked for an update on the historic rock that was removed from the Payette property on Main Street and the bench that was put in its place. Mayor Martin informed him he spoke with a representative from NYCOM and the State Comptroller’s Office recently. We were informed that if the stone belonged to the current owner, the Village could bargain for it as long as it was a fair exchange. We could not find any record of the stone being turned over to the Village; therefore, the stone belonged to the Mr. Payette who asked that a bench be put in place of the stone. The Village Board felt this was an important piece of Village history and needed to be kept in the Village. Both NYCOM and State Comptroller representatives agreed this was a fair exchange. Mr. Triller asked what the cost of the bench was, and Superintendent Sorrell said $385. Mayor Martin again stated this was a fair trade for the stone.

Mr. Triller informed the Board the trucks at the Kimpex loading dock are still blocking Elm Street. Mayor Martin said he would call about this tomorrow.

Mayor Martin asked Superintendent Sorrell if the speed signs had been put up at the Village limits, and Superintendent Sorrell said not yet, as they have to go in the Town. Mayor Martin also said the speed limit for the section of road in the Town on the east end of Elm Street from the Village limits to Route 11 is 30 mph, per information from Clinton County. Some further discussion followed.

Tina Demers said she was here this evening to discuss her high water/sewer bill for her rental trailer located at 672 Prospect Street. She said there was a small leak under the trailer that was repaired immediately. She also had two contractors check for leaks after that and none were found. After a lengthy discussion, the Board came to the conclusion that there was a leak; however, the water ran onto the ground and did not go into the sewer system. A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig and seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley to approve a one-time sewer credit for Michael & Tina Demers’ property located at 672 Prospect Street (Acct. B5110) in the amount of $240. Roll call vote as follows:

Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Gurzenda Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Trustee Gehrig Aye
Mayor Martin Aye
Motion carried.

Mayor Martin informed the Board that Greg Fleming asked to be put on this evening’s agenda, but he called the office to let us know he would not be here tonight. He asked to be put on next month’s agenda to explain his proposed plans for the American Legion, if he purchases it.

Report From Codes Officer Tetreault

1. He said he has not received a response yet to the compliance letter he mailed to the owner of 93 Church Street. He said the Board can set the time lines for this property after the next Board meeting. Mayor Martin said we can set a public hearing whether or not we here from the property owner. Some discussion followed on the condemnation time line.

2. He said the building permit for 36 Moore Street has expired, and it has been 1 ½ years since the permit was issued. Mayor Martin said the Village had received a notice of claim from this property owner.

3. He said the owner of the property located at 93 Oak Street is still removing junk he found while using the backhoe. He said he informed the owner that it had to be rebuilt or torn down. He told the Board that there is nothing holding up the gable ends, and this is an unsafe structure.

4. Trustee Gehrig said the grass at 177 South Street needs to be mowed again. Superintendent Sorrell said he wants to wait for a frost before the grass is cut again. He mentioned the long grass at the former elementary school will need to be brush hogged. Trustee Gehrig said we need to keep to the standards of the property maintenance law.

5. Trustee Gehrig said that Jim Tetreault’s property on Prospect Street has quite a bit of junk around it. Some discussion followed. Mayor Martin asked Codes Officer Tetreault to follow up on this issue.

Report From Mayor Martin

1. He said hydrant flushing is taking place this week, and some discoloration of the water may occur.

2. He informed everyone that the Village will be collecting property taxes until November 1, 2011. After that date, any unpaid taxes will be turned over to the County for collection.

3. He said the community garden has come to an end. It was very successful, and the Village plans to expand the garden next year.

4. He said Village fall pick-up days will be November 3 & 4, and November 17 & 18. Please put only your lawn debris in clear plastic bags and have them by the curb by
7 a.m. each day for pick up.

Report From Trustee Kim Trombley

Trustee Trombley had nothing to report this evening.

 

Report From Trustee Gurzenda

1. He said there has been an increase in law enforcement on Elm Street recently. He commented local residents are aware of this, but not the truckers. He said certain trucks use Elm Street as a shortcut, even though there are signs prohibiting through traffic. Mayor Martin commented this is also a problem on Prospect Street. Trustee Gurzenda said the increased law enforcement presence has slowed the traffic down somewhat.

Report From Trustee Thomas Trombley

1. He thanked the community for supporting the food drive held by the K of C recently. This effort was people helping people.

Report From Trustee Gehrig

1. She said the annual Halloween Party will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2011, from
3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s School. There will be games, music, and snacks for the children, and she encouraged everyone to come in costume. She also asked for $50-$60 for posters, cider, and donuts. Mayor Martin said last year’s party was well attended.

Report From Clerk/Treasurer Munoz

1. She said the Board had been copied with the Revenues/Expenditures Report for October.

2. She said the October 1, 2011, water/sewer billing was complete, with water totaling $54,524.43, and sewer totaling $90,875.83.

3. Mayor Martin said the Board had been copied with a request from Superintendent Sorrell to attend the NYCOM Fall Training School in Saratoga, and said the registration fee was $250. After some discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Gehrig and seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley to approve Superintendent Sorrell’s attendance to the NYCOM Fall Training School to be held from October 24-27, 2011. Roll call vote as follows:

Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Gurzenda Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Trustee Gehrig Aye
Mayor Martin Aye
Motion carried.

Presentation Of Warrant And Payment

Clerk/Treasurer Munoz said there were two invoices to add to the warrant as follows:

1. Registration for Larry Sorrell—NYCOM Fall Training School-A9089.8--$250.00
2. Erin Sorrell website maintenance-A1410.4--$120.00

A motion was made by Trustee Gehrig and seconded by Trustee Thomas Trombley to approve Warrant #5 for Voucher #113 through #147 from the General, Water, and Sewer accounts in the amount of $20,475.55, including the additional invoices.

Mayor Martin said the Village will be reimbursed $339 for signs purchased from
Mid-State Supply by the Town of Champlain. He also said the invoices from Smith & Son for gas seemed high; however, one invoice was received at the beginning of September for August charges, and the other was received at the end of September for September charges. Roll call vote as follows:

Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Gurzenda Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Trustee Gehrig Aye
Mayor Martin Aye
Motion carried.

Report From Superintendent Sorrell

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

2. He said the DPW crew is flushing hydrants this week and residents may experience discolored water.

3. He said he attended the conference in Potsdam and spoke with a vendor there about turbine blowers for the wastewater treatment plant, which could cut energy costs by 20%. They will be here in a couple of weeks to review the plant. He said the motors at the plant are approximately 11 years old. Mayor Martin said these blowers are made locally, and this may be a good advertising tool for the vendor.

4. He is waiting to hear from Allen Racine as to when the Town will be bringing the Village sand so that the salt can be ordered at the same time.

5. Trustee Gurzenda asked what was being done to the road near the Kimpex driveway. Superintendent Sorrell said there was a high spot that was created when Kimpex blacktopped their driveway. This caused water to go into Tony Filion’s driveway, so the Village ground this down to change the flow of the water.

6. Trustee Gehrig asked if the large crack on Spruce Street could be repaired. Some discussion followed on rubber sealer, and Superintendent Sorrell said he would ask Tom Sears what he has available to repair the crack. Some discussion followed regarding why this street is deteriorating.

Correspondence

1. Stop Work Order to Michael Oliver

2. Letter to Jason O’Connell regarding his property at 93 Church Street

3. JCEO Community Outreach Report for September

4. Correspondence from Paul Gehrig regarding Eagle Scout George Gehrig

 

5. Letter/invoice to Town of Champlain regarding blocked manhole at Border View Grocery

6. Notice of Claim from Michael Oliver

Mayor Martin noted Correspondence #3 and that the JCEO Office is very busy. He said it was a benefit to have it here in the Village to help people, and would like to see it open full time.

Old Business

1. GSA meter—There was nothing new to report on this issue.

New Business

1. Resolution for CFA funding—Mayor Martin explained there are two projects we are requesting CFA grant funding for. The first is for an energy study by NYSERDA that we agreed to participate in. NYSERDA will reimburse up to 50% of the study cost, with the total cost of the study being $11,700. He said the second CFA grant is for playground equipment and a basketball/hockey rink. He explained that the Board needs to approve the following resolution to continue to apply for the playground grant money. A motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley, seconded by Trustee Thomas Gurzenda and carried, approving the following resolution:

AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION

RESOLVED that the Village of Champlain is hereby authorized and directed to file an application for funds from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in accordance with the provisions of Title 9 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1993, in an amount not to exceed $100,000, and upon approval of said request to enter into and execute a project agreement with the State for such financial assistance to the Village of Champlain for a grant to purchase playground equipment and construct a basketball court/ice rink through the Municipal Parks and Historic Preservation Projects.

There was some discussion whether or not the Village can put permanent structures on this property, and Mayor Martin said we would get clarification on that point.

2. Resolution for Eagle Scout George Gehrig—Mayor Martin tabled this item until the November Board Meeting.

3. Resolution for NYS Employees Retirement—There was some discussion regarding this required resolution. The following resolution was presented:

STANDARD WORK DAY AND REPORTING RESOLUTION

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Champlain hereby establishes the following as standard work days for elected and appointed officials and will report the following days worked to the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System based on the record of activities maintained and submitted by these officials to the clerk of this body:

EMPLOYER'S

TIME KEEPING

RETIRE.

STANDARD

SYSTEM

DAYS/

TITLE

NAME

SS#

REG. #

WORK DAY

TERM

(Y/N)

MONTH

Trustee Kim Trombley 4800

38433900

6
04/05/11 – 04/02/13

N

2.25

Clerk/Treasurer Juanita Munoz 3709

41594425

8
04/05/10 - 04/03/12

Y


Supt. of Public Works Larry Sorrell 7427

3541418-4

8
04/05/11 - 04/03/12

Y

A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley and seconded by Trustee Gehrig to approve the Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolution. Roll call vote as follows:

Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Gurzenda Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Trustee Gehrig Aye
Mayor Martin Aye
Motion carried.

4. Water class for contact hours—Larry Sorrell and Terry Lincourt—Mayor Martin said there is a water class to be held in Peru on November 2 & 3, 2011, that Larry Sorrell and Terry Lincourt need to attend to earn contact hours for their water licenses. The cost is $60 each for the first day and $75 each for the second day, for a total of $270. Some discussion followed. A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley and seconded by Trustee Kim Trombley to approve the attendance by Larry Sorrell and Terry Lincourt to the water class to be held in Peru on November 2 & 3, 2011, at a total cost of $270 to come from F9089.8. Roll call vote as follows:
Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Gurzenda Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Trustee Gehrig Aye
Mayor Martin Aye
Motion carried.

5. A motion was made by Trustee Thomas Trombley and seconded by Trustee Gurzenda authorizing expending up to $100 for the Annual Community Halloween Party, sponsored by the Village of Champlain, to purchase posters, donuts and cider to come from A7989.4. Roll call vote as follows:
Trustee Kim Trombley Aye
Trustee Gurzenda Aye
Trustee Thomas Trombley Aye
Trustee Gehrig Aye
Mayor Martin Aye
Motion carried.

Codes Officer Tetreault reminded everyone there will be a budget hearing at 6:30 p.m. before the regular Fire District meeting that begins at 7 p.m. on October 18, 2011.

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the Board this evening, a motion was made by Trustee Kim Trombley and seconded by Trustee Gehrig to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 p.m. All Board Members present voted aye, motion carried.

Donna Barcomb
Deputy Clerk