REGULAR MEETING
May 4, 2020
A regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Busti was held on Monday, March 4, 2020 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 Todd Hanson
Councilman Jim Andrews
Councilman Paul Gustafson
Councilman Randy Sargent
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, Penny Tracy, Drew Tracy, and Doug Brown (via teleconference).
All present practiced social distancing as advised under NYS PAUSE directive.
Town Clerk Darlene Nygren reported she submitted the final 2020 tax collection report to the Town Supervisor and Chautauqua County Real Property Tax Department. The Town of Busti 2019 Annual Update Document (AUD) is completed and sent to the state, a legal notice has been submitted to the Post Journal notifying the public that the document can be viewed at the Town Clerk’s office (when NYS PAUSE is lifted). Clerk Nygren reported that she, Councilman Hanson, and Councilman Gustafson met with Windstream Representative, Kelly Snow, via Video Conference to discuss the fact that the “Dedicated Internet Line” agreement is expiring in October. Ms. Snow presented a new service “My Office Suite Portal” which is a cloud communications service that is customizable and easily accessed remotely. Windstream is offering a free 90 day HD meeting trial for video conferences. Ms. Snow will prepare a cost estimate for the service and is anticipating it will not be an increase to what the town is currently paying.
Superintendent Peterson reported the Highway Department has provided a truck to assist the Village of Lakewood with their brush pickup and brush grind up. He reported there is a debris blockage at Vukote Canal and reached out to the Town of Chautauqua inquiring on the availability of their Moby Trac. He was told that due to spawning season, DEC will not permit access until July 1st. Supervisor Robbins stated he would contact the Town of Chautauqua regarding the matter. Supervisor Peterson continued his report stating the department’s Kentworth truck has been taken to Buffalo for repairs. The town parks are open for individual use. There are swing sets and other park equipment that need repair. There is a tree located at the Hatch Cemetery on Southwestern Drive that lost a branch in the recent windstorm and needs to have additional branches removed. He received an $1,000 estimate to remove the branches. He noted the price of fuel is now .995 for diesel and .9223 for gas, which should be a cost savings to the town. However, there has not been a drop in price of blacktop. Superintendent Peterson reported Governor Cuomo left CHIPS funding in the budget with the PAVE NY money that was included last year and the Winter Repair. This would equal approximately $61,500 for Winter Recovery and PAVE NY and $147,000 in CHIPS funding. The Governor has up to 90 days to change the budget. Other towns are beginning to spend the money and request reimbursement from the state. The process to request reimbursement includes proving the work was completed and proof of payment for the work, by submitting the canceled check. The process could take up to two months. Discussion followed. Superintendent Peterson noted that cold mix used to patch the roads is very expensive and would not be cost effective in patching the roads during the warmer weather. Councilman Hanson asked what road repair would be considered a priority. Superintendent Peterson stated the priority would be paving Hoag Road, Shadyside Road, Mead Road, Garfield Road, Paternitti Place, Holly Lane, and Lakeside Drive. The department could begin paving in a couple of weeks.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Hanson:
RESOLVED, Superintendent Peterson be authorized to use the proposed CHIPS funding and Winter Recovery along with PAVE NY funding to pave town roads, not to include stone and oil or patching. The total funding available to be used is $208,500 and should be used according to the list of priority given earlier.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Superintendent Peterson noted the bid for salt has to be submitted by May 15th.
Supervisor Robbins noted the Chautauqua County Tax Foreclosure auction has been postpned until further notice due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Sargent:
RESOVED, the Town of Busti town board declare the Busti Historical Society Campus as a Historical Site within the Town of Busti.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Gustafson:
RESOLVED,
WHEREAS, the very first act of Chautauqua County Courts on June 25, 1811 was to grant a license to Thomas Bemus allowing him to operate a ferry at the Narrows on Chautauqua Lake; and
WHEREAS, the Bemus Point Stow Ferry has seasonally provided continuous service between Stow and Bemus Point since 1811; and
WHEREAS, the Bemus Point Stow Ferry had a significant role in the development of Western New York and Chautauqua County: and
WHEREAS, the Bemus Point Stow Ferry is an active historic vessel operating in homage to the past; and
WHEREAS, the Bemus Point Stow Ferry is a resource for field trips for school children to learn and experience local history; and
WHEREAS, the Bemus Point Stow Ferry is a unique form of transportation driven by paddle wheels while guided by fixed cables; and
WHEREAS, recollections of past generations are relived and passed on while creating new memories when riding the Bemus Point Stow Ferry; and
WHEREAS, the iconic status of the Bemus Point Stow Ferry is an attraction to tourists and local citizens you can see and ride for free; and
WHEREAS, the Bemus Point Stow Ferry has survived changes in ownership, shape, size and propulsion; and
WHEREAS, we believe the Bemus Point Stow Ferry should continue to serve the residents and tourists to our county for many years to come;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Busti recognizes and supports the efforts of the dedicated volunteers that pilot, maintain, and repair the Bemus Point Stow Ferry thru the oversight of The Sea Lion Project Ltd.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT
Town of Busti recognizes and thanks the numerous individuals, organizations and businesses that have provided financial support in keeping the historic Bemus Point Stow Ferry running on Chautauqua Lake.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins reported the Town Clerk has received a letter of resignation from Doug Hooper for the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Hooper has been a longtime member of the said board and the Town Board would like to thank him for his many years of service.
Supervisor Robbins reported he has received notification from the City of Jamestown that Assessor Kevin Okerlund will be retiring from the position effective June 27, 2020. Supervisor Robbins is communicating with Mayor Sundquist regarding his replacement.
Craig Rodgers has sent a request to install and establish a disc golf course at Lawson Park. The board has requested to have Mr. Rodgers submit a layout of his proposal.
Supervisor Robbins noted he and Village of Lakewood Mayor Holcomb met with a candidate for the Fire Code Inspector and they are recommending him for the position.
Councilman Hanson moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Sargent:
RESOLVED, the Town of Busti hire Dave Wilfong for the position of Fire Code Inspector with a start date to be determined when he is able to complete training to update his Code Enforcement certification. The position will be part-time (28 hours per week) and at a pay rate of $18 per hour.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins noted that last year John Jablonski, Chautauqua Watershed, had approached the board regarding a real estate exchange between the Town of Busti and the Village of Lakewood. The property is located just north of the Grandview Estate development near the railroad tracks, it would be used in a watershed project. Councilman Hanson recommended the Village of Lakewood Trustees resolve to acquire the land and submit the request to the Town of Busti. Supervisor Robbins will contact Mayor Holcomb regarding the matter.
Drew Tracy, Boy Scout Troop 162, approached the board regarding a proposed Eagle Scout project at Lawson Park. He submitted a list of project ideas, stating he would plan the project with guidance from the town and the project would be funding through the Boy Scouts. Discussion followed.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Gustafson:
RESOLVED, the Town of Busti gratefully accept the offer of Eagle Scout Candidate, Drew Tracy, to complete a project, after discussing the options with Highway Superintendent Peterson. Boy Scout Troop 162 members will assist with the project and keep the number helping to 10 or less.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Councilman Gustafson reported he and Councilman Andrews met Jack Knowlton at the Bentley Cemetery, he passed around pictures of the cemetery areas that need attention. The recent windstorm caused trees along Southland Avenue to fall and take down power lines. Highway Superintendent Peterson met with Mr. Knowlton earlier in the day. National Grid was on site repairing the power lines and the Village of Lakewood DPW helped with the tree cleanup. National Grid has said they would cut the remaining trees along Southland Avenue to a height lower than the power lines, the Highway Department could finish cutting the trees down and haul the wood away. Jack Knowlton showed the councilmen other trees in the cemetery that need to be removed due to their condition and the risk of damage to gravestones. Secondly, there is a ditch near Fairmount Avenue and Southland Avenue that needs to have the steel pipe replaced along with other cleanup to eliminate flooding that has been a reoccurring problem. Supervisor Robbins noted $10,000 has been designated over the past two years for that project. Highway Superintendent Peterson will get an estimate of the cost to replace the pipe and cleanup the ditch area. Third, Councilmen Gustafson and Andrews are recommending a tree removal schedule be developed starting with a large tree along Fairmount Avenue and to replant trees that are suitable for a cemetery. Fourth, Councilman Gustafson inquired if Southland Avenue was involved in a Swale project that could assist with the proposed projects.
Supervisor Robbins noted the Memorial Parade in the Town of Busti Hamlet has been canceled due to the COVID 19 pandemic, this is the first time in its 135 existence that the parade has been canceled.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Andrews:
RESOLVED, the cost to purchase a 2020-2021 Transfer Sticker remain at $90 and $25 for a second or replacement sticker.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution which was duly moved 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. 5 from warrant #212 to and including warrant #262 in the amount of $46,238.27.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins motioned to accept the March 2, 2020 Regular Town Board minutes and April 9, 2020 Special Board minutes; motion was duly moved by Councilman Gustafson.
All in favor, carried.
Councilman Andrews referred to the letter from Town of Carroll Supervisor recommending municipalities establish a dump/land fill legislation to protect themselves from any being established in their jurisdiction. Supervisor Robbins will ask Attorney Seachrist to look into such legislation. Councilman Andrews noted Supervisor Robbins asked him to meet with S. Main Street resident, Ang Terrano. To date, he hasn’t been able to meet with Mr. Terrano to look at the drainage issue. Superintendent Peterson stated he thought the issue was in the hands of the county, but nothing has been done. Councilman Andrews will contact Dave Spann regarding the matter.
Councilman Hanson noted Solar Liberty had submitted a proposal for Solar Arrays installed on Town of Busti property; he has informed them the project will have to placed on hold until the town is able to assess the financial effect from the COVID 19 pandemic. He inquired about the status of the records room. Clerk Nygren stated the environmental issues with temperature and humidity seem to be resolved; she has talked to Superintendent Peterson about his department moving records to the room but unfortunately with the NYS PAUSE they have not been able to do that. Hopefully, once things begin to reopen and if there are rainy days some of the Highway Department can begin to transfer files. Councilman Hanson wants to relook at inscribing Lance Corporal Aaron Swanson’s name on the monument in the Hamlet and to ensure that it is done correctly.
The board discussed the need to find a person who would be available to assist with grant writing on behalf of the town. Clerk Nygren will reach out to the person who assisted Chautauqua Lake Partnership grant application.
Supervisor Robbins noted the next town board meeting is scheduled for June 1st. Councilman Hanson asked if the board could meet via video conferencing. After discussion the board recommended signing up for the 90-day free HD Meeting; Clerk Nygren will work on setting it up through Windstream.
Supervisor Robbins moved to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:12 p.m. which was duly moved by Councilman Andrews.
All in favor, carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Darlene H. Nygren, Town Clerk