REGULAR MEETING
February 4, 2019
A regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Busti was held on Monday, February 4, 2019 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 Rudy Mueller
Councilman Todd Hanson
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, LBPD Chief John Bentley, Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Swanson, Attorney Joel Seachrist, Busti Fire Department Chief Matt Stafford, Ray Ayers, Jack Knowlton, Susan Lane, and Post Journal Reporter – Eric Zavinski.
Clerk Darlene Nygren reported February 5th is the last day to pay 2019 County Town Taxes without penalty. The town portion of $1,815,037.94 was paid to the Town Supervisor on January 29, 2019.
Chief John Bentley reported the department has handled 963 incidents ytd and 805 since his last report to the town board. A recent bank robbery at Five Star Bank remains under investigation. The department will be participating in a Safety Security meeting at Southwestern Central School on Wednesday, February 6th; the Chautauqua County Sheriff Department and Ellicott Police Department will also be participating in the meeting.
Highway Superintendent Melvin Peterson reported the department continues dealing with the cyclic weather this year, with heavy snow and then the warming weather flooding. Three Highway employees participated in a Dig Safely course to be certified, the cost of the course was $25 for each person.
Code Enforcement Officer Jeffrey Swanson reported the town has received building permits for few new homes.
Busti Fire Department Chief Matt Stafford reported the department has had 25 incidents ytd: 18 EMS, 4 fire, and 3 automobile accidents.
Lakewood Fire Department President Jack Knowlton reported the department ended 2018 with 922 incidents. There were 77 incidents in the month of January and 9 in the first four days of February for a total of 86 ytd. The department sold their old ladder truck to E. Dunkirk. Mr. Knowlton requested to be authorized to investigate the cost of new signage for the dormant cemeteries in the town.
Supervisor Robbins motioned to authorize Jack Knowlton to investigate the cost of new signs for the town’s dormant cemeteries, which was duly moved by Councilman Hanson.
All in favor, carried.
Supervisor Robbins noted the town received a liability insurance policy proposal from NYMIR. The insurance proposal included a 2% increase from 2018, however, the addition of the Loomis Park concession stand/restroom facility and new highway equipment were added to the liability coverage. The NYMIR total premium is $30,789, total subscriber fees are $94.15; total of premium and fees is $30,843.55.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Hanson:
RESOLVED, the Town of Busti accept the NYMIR Insurance Proposal dated 2/1/19 in the amount of $30,343.55 and renew the liability insurance through NYMIR.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins noted Governor Cuomo proposed 2020 NYS budget includes cuts to AIM funding for towns and villages, which will cut $51,297 of funding for the Town of Busti. Letters were sent to Senator Cathy Young and Assemblyman Andrew Goodell asking them to oppose the proposed cuts to AIM.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Hanson:
RESOLVED, the Town of Busti Town Board execute interfund transfers from General Fund (A) to the Bentley Cemetery (CM1) in the amount of $7,525.15; from the General Fund (A) to the Busti Cemetery (CM2) in the amount of $5,598.78; and from General Fund (A) to the Wellman Cemetery Fund (CM3) in the amount of $2,763,90. $9,928.81 of these amounts have been included in the General Fund budget. The remainder is included above as a budget transfer. By definition, interfund transfers are transfers intended to subsidize the receiving funds and will not be repaid.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution which was duly seconded by Councilman Hanson:
RESOLVED, that Supervisor Robbins be authorized and directed to pay the presented General Fund, Highway Fund, and the Joint Recreation Fund for Abstract No. 20 from warrant #844 to and including warrant #859 in the amount of $13,571.15; and for Abstract No. 2 from warrant #15 to and including warrant #55 in the amount of $316,243.70.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved to accept the January 7, 2019 Regular Town Board minutes included in the 2019 Organizational minutes, motion was duly moved.
All in favor, carried.
Councilman Mueller noted that at the January 7th meeting the board had tabled discussion on reinstating Employee Incentives that employees employed January 2017 or after were not eligible to receive; he requested the board discuss the matter. Discussion followed. Superintendent Peterson requested the incentives be reinstated and the new employees receive the same incentives as those hired after January 2012. Councilman Hanson noted he understood that adding the cost of living raise to the 5-year tiered raises for MEOs compensated for the removing the incentives. Superintendent requested the board establish a committee to review the incentive plan.
Councilman Mueller moved to reinstate the incentives that were removed for new employees, to keep it uniform with the incentives for employees hired January 2012 or after.
The motion did not receive a second.
Councilman Hanson reported Solar Liberty will begin installing the solar panels this week. They will install panels at the Administration Office first and then at the Highway building. He will contact National Grid and get an update on the status of the LED Streetlight conversion.
Supervisor Robbins moved at 7:35 p.m. to move to Executive Session to discuss a proposed real estate transaction. Motion was duly moved by Councilman Hanson.
All in favor, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved at 8:08 p.m. to close the Executive Session and reenter the Regular Meeting.
Motion was duly moved by Councilman Lawton.
All in favor, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 p.m. which was duly moved by Councilman Andrews.
All in favor, carried.
Moved by Supervisor Robbins, seconded by Councilman Hanson:
RESOLVED, that the Town of Busti Town Board met at 8:09 p.m. and completed an annual audit of accounts for the Town Clerk, Tax Collector, Court Clerk, and Town Supervisor on February 4, 2019, and found such accounts to be true and correct.
Upon roll call vote,
Supervisor Jesse M. Robbins – aye
Councilman Todd M. Hanson – aye
Councilman Kenneth J. Lawton – aye
Councilman James Andrews – aye
Councilman Rudy Mueller – aye
Resolution adopted.
The audit meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Darlene H. Nygren, Town Clerk