REGULAR MEETING
December 4, 2017
A regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Busti was held on Monday, December 4, 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:
Councilman Jim Andrews
Councilman Todd Hanson
Councilman Kenneth Lawton
Councilman Rudy Mueller
Absent: Supervisor Jesse M. Robbins
Councilman Hanson 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, Busti Lakewood Police Chief John Bentley, Attorney Joel Seachrist, Busti Fire Department Chief Matt Stafford, Post Journal Reporter Mallory Rockwell.
Town Clerk Darlene Nygren reported 2018 County Town tax bills will be mailed out on Friday, January 5th and collection will begin January 8th. January 8th – February 6th collection is penalty free, February 7th – February 28th collection will include a 1% penalty, and March 1st – April 2nd collection will include a 2% penalty. Any payments after April 2nd must be made at Chautauqua County. Clerk Nygren noted all employees have made their 2018 health insurance plan selection. Several employees chose to use the FSA this year, the fact that the money will be immediately accessible to them and that there is now a $500 rollover allowance. She, also, noted she attended a NYS Archives webinar on Cyber Security and recommends the town board research the risk and how it can be protected from such an attack.
Chief John Bentley reported the department has had 8,779 incidents ytd and 666 incidents since the last board meeting. Chief Bentley noted there has been an increase of car burglaries in the area and reminded residents to keep their cars locked and not leave valuables in the cars. The department had a drug search warrant mid-November in the town which resulted in one arrest and a warrant for another individual. The department has new Drug Test kits which was funded with Asset Forfeiture money. The new radios have been ordered and should arrive soon. Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department has stated they could install the radio’s, however Chief Bentley is concerned about the turn around time, which could be up to 5 weeks per unit.
Highway Superintendent Melvin Peterson reported the department is ready for the plowing season, the salt building is full and the trucks are equipped. The department has been finishing up loose ends before the snow begins. Superintendent Peterson noted the department had worked at Loomis Park and capped the walls on the concession stand to eliminate water and snow from getting in the blocks.
Busti Fire Department Chief reported the department had a total of 23 incidents this past month: 16 EMT, 2 motor vehicles, and 5 fires. The department is in the beginning stages of applying for a grant to fund the purchase of new air packs.
Councilman Hanson will contact Ryan White regarding the Loomis Park Concession Stand and a timetable for completion.
Councilman Mueller moved the Town of Busti register to use the NYS Department of Financial Services Foreclosure Database, which was duly moved by Councilman Andrews.
All aye, carried.
Councilman Andrews moved the following resolution, which was duly moved by Councilman Lawton:
TOWN OF BUSTI, NEW YORK
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE USE OF MUNICIPAL LANDFILL TIPPING CREDITS FOR THE DEMOLITION OF THE 2241 FIRST AVE SBL# 385.05-5-50
December 4, 2017
The Board of the Town of BUSTI, New York, hereby resolves as follows:
WHEREAS, The Village Code Enforcement Officer has CONDEMNED the property known as 2241 First Avenue Central Avenue, SBL# 385.05-5-50 is a blighted property, and finding that it is in a state of structural collapse and ordering its demolition as soon as possible; and
WHEREAS, the Chautauqua County Department of Real Property has a judgment of tax foreclosure and has removed the property to be sold by auction for the purpose of demolition to be completed by the Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation utilizing grant moneys from the New York State Office of Attorney General to cover demolition expenses incurred for a demolition; and
WHEREAS, the Board believes that the current condition of the structure poses an imminent danger to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the Town of Busti and it should be demolished as soon as possible; and
WHEREAS, the Town has available (240) Municipal Landfill Credits available for demolition and Derelict Structural Disposal through a shared services agreement with Chautauqua County; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes the use of its available municipal landfill credits for the disposal of all waste and debris associated with the demolition of 2241 First Avenue, SBL# 385.05-5-50 to the Chautauqua County Landfill as per the Shared Services Agreement.
Upon roll call vote,
Councilman Hanson – aye
Councilman Andrews – aye
Councilman Mueller – aye
Councilman Lawton – aye
Carried.
Councilman Lawton moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Andrews:
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 #700 to and including warrant #762 in the amount of $178,398.61.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Councilman Mueller moved to accept the November 6, 2017 Town Board minutes as presented, motion was duly moved by Councilman Lawton.
All in favor, carried.
Councilman Mueller reported he contact the Office of the State Comptroller regarding the use of fund balance. The OSC recommends the town set a policy of a reasonable rate for fund balance. School Districts are set at 4% of annual appropriations. Councilman Mueller asked the board to begin discussion regarding creating such a policy.
Councilman Mueller suggested the Town and Village boards schedule a joint meeting on January 29th, which is the 5th Monday to discuss the possibility of consolidating office buildings and neither board would have a scheduled meeting. Discussion followed. Councilman Hanson suggested the board begin with writing a letter to the Village Trustees and offering negotiations for consolidating office space.
Councilman Hanson will contact the NYSERDA representative regarding the progress and timeline of the NYSERDA Clean Energy Community grant. Councilman Hanson noted he will develop a final design and cost of the proposed Records Room after the first of the year.
The first meeting of 2018 falls on New Year’s Day, the Town Board will determine the date of the January meeting at the next board meeting on December 18th.
Highway Superintendent Peterson noted funds were budgeted in the 2017 Budget to purchase a new truck for the Superintendent and the Parks Department to purchase the truck that the Highway Superintendent is currently driving, at this time neither purchase has been made. Superintendent Peterson noted there are funds that were not used in the DB Roads account and he would like to take $20,000 from this year’s Highway “Outside the Village” Roads account budget and designate the funds in a “Reserve Account” to be used towards blacktopping. Highway Superintendent Peterson will have the specific figures and details at the December 18th meeting.
Councilman Hanson motioned to adjourn the meeting 7:17 p.m., which was duly moved by Councilman Lawton.
All in favor, carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
_________________________________
Darlene H. Nygren, Town Clerk