REGULAR MEETING
July 17, 2017
A regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Busti was held on Monday, July 17, 2017 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 Todd Hanson
Councilman Rudy Mueller
Councilman Kenneth Lawton
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, Mary Griffin, Debi Thayer, and Chautauqua County Legislator P. J. Wendel.
Mary Griffin asked who she should contact to complain about the way Southwestern Drive has been left after being oiled and stoned. She was referred to Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities Director, George Spanos.
Debi Thayer, Pikes Auto Repair located in Ashville, asked the Town Board to consider installing a sign at the corner of Routes 394 and 474 listing the businesses in Ashville. Currently, several of the businesses have placed temporary lawn signs on the said corner and it looks cluttered and unprofessional. Ms. Thayer noted the Town of North Harmony installed a 4’ x 8’ sign, made by Tim Barron, on the corner of Route 394 and North Maple similar to what she is suggesting the Town of Busti install. Discussion followed. County Legislator Wendel will contact Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities regarding any regulations they may have. Supervisor Robbins will contact the Town of North Harmony Supervisor regarding what steps they followed to install the above-mentioned sign. Ms. Thayer will locate who the property owner is and report back to the board.
Town Clerk Darlene Nygren reported 723 transfer stickers have been sold to date, which is within 5 of what was sold last year at this time. She noted the Chautauqua County Municipal Clerks Association awarded the $300 annual scholarship to Skye Daily, LoGuidance BOCES graduate, who will be pursuing a career as a probation officer. The CCMCA awards an annual scholarship to a student who is pursuing a career in public service. The association, also, donated $300 to Royal Family Kids Camp which is a camp for abused, neglected, or abandoned children (ages 7-11 years). Currently the camp is meeting at Camp Findlay as well as storing their supplies there. Camp Findlay is currently for sale and RFK camp will need an alternate location for storage when the camp sells. Clerk Nygren asked the board if they would consider allowing the camp to use a corner in the back-storage area; she also suggested donating any recreation equipment to the camp that they could use. The equipment has not been used since the Recreation Center and Summer Rec Program was closed 2+ years ago. Attorney Joel Seachrist noted the equipment would need to be declared surplus and then could be donated. Councilman Hanson recommended Clerk Nygren contact Royal Family Kids Camp and find out how much space they may need for storage and see what equipment they may have a use for. Town Clerk Nygren reported Sarah Durling, the current New York State Archives, Regional Advisory Officer for Western New York, visited and toured the town office on Thursday, July 13th. Ms. Durling restated the need for a “Records Room” that is secure with the proper environmental conditions. Clerk Nygren noted that the town needs to purchase or lease a new postage meter next year. The current meter will no longer be supported by Pitney Bowes, she will contact three vendors and request bids.
Highway Superintendent Melvin Peterson reported the department is blacktopping this week. The department will be stoning and oiling roads, working with the Towns of Harmony, Kiantone, Stockton, and the Village of Lakewood. Superintendent Peterson noted a gentleman recently fell at the transfer station and hit his head while bringing in his trash. Superintendent Peterson reported the incident to the town insurance agent. He recommends installing a camera on the building. Superintendent Peterson has received a proposal and will contact Allied Alarm Service for an additional proposal.
Discussion followed regarding the removal and replacement of the roof on the Highway Cold Storage Building. Superintendent Peterson stated the department has discussed the possibility of doing the work themselves.
Supervisor Robbins noted the 4 Four 44 Relay scheduled for September 10, 2017 is still on schedule. However, the 5K has been canceled. The relay was approved to use town roads at the February 6, 2017 town board meeting.
Supervisor Robbins noted the Town Board received a letter from Congressman Tom Reed in response to the letter sent to him last month, Mr. Reed thanked the town for hosting the May 6th meeting and stated he will continue to hold town hall meetings to hear from the people.
Supervisor Robbins noted Chautauqua County Land Bank has acquired property on First Street in Cottage Park. The land bank will need to use the town’s landfill tipping credits.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Hanson:
RESOLVED, the Town of Busti agrees to pledge and provide its Chautauqua County Landfill Credits to Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency, per a contract with Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation, relating to a proposal to demolish the structurally unsound and unsafe single-family residence at 2241 First Avenue, s/b/l – 385.05-5-50, located in the Town of Busti.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Hanson:
RESOLVED, Court Clerk Elizabeth Davis be authorized to submit an application for the Justice Court Assistance Program (JCAP) grant.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Lawton:
RESOLVED, that Supervisor Robbins be authorized and directed to pay the presented General Fund, Highway Fund, and the Joint Recreation Fund for Abstract No. 10 from warrant #374 to and including warrant #445 in the amount of $89,607.27.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved to accept the June 19, 2017 Town Board minutes as presented, motion was duly moved by Councilman Andrews.
All in favor, carried.
Councilman Mueller reported he and Village of Lakewood Trustee Sue Drago will be meeting with the libraries. He will have a one-page fact sheet available for town board members at the next meeting.
Councilman Hanson stated he would like to see the “File Room” constructed and the back-storage area cleaned out. He plans to meet with Code Enforcement Officer Swanson to design the “File room”.
Supervisor Robbins motioned to close the meeting at 7:39 p.m., which was duly moved by Councilman Andrews.
All aye, carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________________ Darlene H. Nygren, Town Clerk