REGULAR MEETING
October 17, 2016
A regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Busti was held on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 6:45 p.m., at the Town of Busti, Town Administration Building, 125 Chautauqua Avenue, Lakewood, New York with the following members present:
Supervisor Jesse M. Robbins
Councilman Jim Andrews
Councilman Kenneth Lawton
Councilman Rudy Mueller
Absent:
Councilman Todd Hanson
Supervisor Robbins called the meeting to order with the salute to the flag and a moment of silence was observed.
Present at the meeting were: Highway Superintendent Melvin Peterson, Code Enforcement Officer Jeffrey Swanson, Attorney Joel Seachrist, Adam Glasier – Post Journal, Susan Lane, Jean S. Pearson, Jon Pearson, David Bargar, Mary Seger, John Francisco, Tim Young, Kai Smith, Myra Blasius, Kathleen Anderson, Michael Looker, Karen Dennerlein, Mary Miller, Dona Willaims, Nancy Bargar, David Menzies, Rod Williams, Joan Erickson, Bruce Erickson, Sara Vail, Geraldine Swanson, Linda cowan, Cheryl A. Johnson, Georgia A. Lampropolos, Elaine Lampropolos, Mary McCague, EJ McCague, Village of Lakewood Trustee David DiSalvo, David Card, Susan Chandler, Marian Anderson, Duane Anderson, Ray Ayers, Kathie Ayers, Priscilla Menzies, Anne Kohl, Marybeth Wuebbolt, Linda Tudor, Ray Tudor, Barb Willow, County Legislator P.J. Wendell, Joyce Rose, Richard Rose, Kay Videll, Sandra Kearney, Pat Fincher, Cara Berrittieri, J. Hartley, and Wendy Kane.
Many in attendance stated they were present to support the Lakewood Memorial Library’s request for additional funding from the Town of Busti in 2017.
Supervisor Robbins noted that it was 7:04 p.m. and moved to open the public hearing on Local Law 2016-3, “A LOCAL LAW TO OVERRIDE THE TAX LEVY LIMIT ESTABLISHED IN GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW SECTION 3-C”, which was duly moved by Councilman Lawton.
All aye, carried.
No one present spoke on the matter.
Supervisor Robbins moved to close the public hearing at 7:05 p.m., which was duly moved by Councilman Lawton.
All aye, carried.
Councilman Mueller stated he was against the law; his concern is that passing the law would enable the board to go over the tax cap set by New York State for the 2107 budget. Councilman Lawton asked for clarification of the repercussion of exceeding the tax CAP without the law being passed. Attorney Seachrist noted that it would have an effect on the next year’s budget.
Supervisor Robbins withdrew the motion. The law will be on the November 7, 2016 agenda, an additional public hearing is not required.
Supervisor Robbins noted it was 7:15 p.m. and moved to open the public hearing on the 2017 Preliminary Budget, which was duly moved by Councilman Lawton.
All aye, carried.
Highway Superintendent Peterson noted $160,000 was requested to be budgeted in 2017 for Highway Equipment (DB5130.200) however that amount was reduced to $20,000 in the 2017 Preliminary Budget. He added that $15,000 was requested for Parks Equipment (A7110.200) and the amount in the Preliminary Budget was increased to $140,000. Supervisor Robbins noted the Preliminary Budget figures would be changed prior to the final adoption of the budget. Superintendent Peterson inquired about what percentage was budgeted for employee salary raise increase. Supervisor Robbins noted that the 2017 Preliminary Budget included a 2% raise for employees, with the exclusion of the Superintendent of Highways (A5010.100) which had no increase. Superintendent Peterson also noted the amount requested for Snow Removal (DB5142.400) had been changed from $100,000 to $98,000.
Discussion followed regarding Highway Equipment and the budgeted 2017 contribution to the libraries.
Supervisor Robbins moved to close the public hearing at 8:31 p.m., which was duly moved by Councilman Mueller.
All aye, carried.
Councilman Lawton moved the following resolution, which was duly moved by Councilman Mueller:
RESOLVED, to raise the 2017 town contribution to the Lakewood Memorial Library and amend the 2017 Preliminary Budget Library account A7410.400 with an increase from $46,500 to $58,000.
Upon roll call vote,
Supervisor Robbins – nay
Councilman Andrews – aye
Councilman Mueller – aye
Councilman Lawton – aye
Carried.
Councilman Lawton moved the following resolution, which was duly moved by Councilman Mueller:
RESOLVED, the town will pay 90% of Independent Health’s Gold Standard Plan for employees’ health care insurance, with the intention of a step program of paying 88% in 2018, 86% in 2019, and 85% in 2020 and further. The town will provide a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) card for ½ of the deductible amount which will equal to $300 for single plans and $600 for all other plans.
Upon roll call vote,
Supervisor Robbins – nay
Councilman Andrews – aye
Councilman Mueller – aye
Councilman Lawton – aye
Carried.
Councilman Mueller moved the following resolution, which was duly moved by Councilman Lawton:
RESOLVED, to amend the 2017 Preliminary Budget Parks Equipment account A7110.200, decreasing the amount budgeted from $140,000 to $15,000.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Councilman Mueller moved the following resolution, which was duly moved by Councilman Lawton:
RESOLVED, to amend the 2017 Preliminary Budget Non-Property Tax accounts B1120 and DB1120, increasing the amount budgeted for each account from $370,000 to $380,000.
Upon roll call vote,
Supervisor Robbins – nay
Councilman Andrews – aye
Councilman Mueller – aye
Councilman Lawton – aye
Carried.
Councilman Mueller asked to see a three year report of revenues/expenditures for the cemetery accounts. Town Clerk Nygren will have the bookkeeper run the report and then forward it to the town board.
Councilman Mueller moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Lawton:
RESOLVED, to amend the 2017 Preliminary Budget Transportation-Maintenance of Bridges – Capital Outlay account DA5120.200, increasing the proposed 2017 budgeted amount from $5,000 to $15,000, the additional $10,000 will come from fund balance not funds to be raised by taxes.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Councilman Lawton moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Andrews:
RESOLVED, to increase the town’s 2017 contribution to Chautauqua Lake Association from $2,000 to $6,000; this would increase the Home and Community Services – Environmental Control account A8090.400 from $7,000 to $11,000.
Discussion followed.
Councilman Lawton withdrew the motion.
Town Clerk Darlene Nygren reported the town has received 100 Doe Management Assistant Program (DMAP) tags; to date 30 has been given to residents in the designated area. The tags can be used during any of the 2016 Deer Hunting Season.
Supervisor Robbins moved to authorize Allstate Insurance to meet with town employees to present Voluntary Benefits that can be purchased and to authorize Supervisor Robbins to sign the Employer’s Acceptance of Voluntary Insurance Program, motion was duly moved by Councilman Mueller.
All aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved to authorize Town Clerk Nygren to sign National Grid’s Attachment Agreement for the 2016-17 Holiday Season, motion was duly moved by Councilman Mueller:
All aye, carried.
Highway Superintendent Melvin Peterson reported Park Meadow Drive has been paved and the department will be paving 7/10th of a mile on Pine Ridge Road.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution, which was duly moved by Councilman Mueller:
RESOLVED, to declare the 2005 International 7600 truck with a 14’ painted stainless steel box as surplus equipment and authorize Highway Superintendent Peterson to advertise for bids to sell the said truck with or without the plow and wing. The bid opening will be November 7, 2016 at noon at the Town’s Administration Building, 125 Chautauqua Avenue, Lakewood.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Code Enforcement Officer Jeffrey Swanson reported building construction has continued this fall and he has been addressing property maintenance issues.
Legislature Wendell reported Busti and Lakewood Fire Departments are no longer dispatching both departments but have returned to dispatching the single department.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution, which was duly moved by Councilman Lawton:
RESOLVED, authorize the rental of the Cold Storage Space at 125 Chautauqua Avenue to Extreme Marine for winter boat storage. The cost of rental will be ½ of the storage fee collected by Extreme Marine.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Councilman Lawton noted Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development and Department of Public Works will be applying for 2016 New York State TAP funding for the “Lakewood-Jamestown Connector” project; the Village of Lakewood passed a resolution at their October 11, 2016 supporting Chautauqua County grant application.
Discussion followed.
Councilman Lawton moved the following resolution, which was duly moved by Councilman Mueller:
RESOLVED, the Town of Busti, Town Board endorses and supports Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development and Department of Public Works efforts to secure 2016 New York State TAP funding for the “Lakewood-Jamestown Connector” project.
All aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved that he be authorized to sign Nationwide Deferred Compensation Trust-Bonding Coverage Application; motion was duly moved by Councilman Mueller.
All aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Mueller:
RESOLVED, that Supervisor Robbins be authorized and directed to pay the presented General Fund, Highway Fund, and the Joint Recreation Fund for Abstract No. 17 from warrant #643 to and including warrant #670 in the amount of $19,244.30.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved to accept the October 3, 2016 town board minutes, which was duly moved by Councilman Andrews.
All aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m., which was duly moved by Councilman Andrews.
All aye, carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________________
Darlene H. Nygren, Town Clerk