REGULAR MEETING (Draft)
December 7, 2020
A regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Busti was held on Monday, December 7, 2020 at 6:45 p.m., at the Town of Busti, Town Administration Building, 125 Chautauqua Avenue, Lakewood, New York and via HD meeting video or tele conference, with the following members present:
Supervisor Jesse M. Robbins
Councilman Jim Andrews
Councilman Paul Gustafson
Councilman Randy Sargent
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: Attorney Joel Seachrist, Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Swanson, Fire Inspector Dave Wilfong, Doug Brown, Jack Knowlton, Matt Stafford, Jamie Gustafson, Mike Nygren, and Aaron Kier.
All present practiced social distancing as advised under NYS FORWARD directive.
Town Clerk Darlene Nygren reported she is reviewing and updating the 2021 Organizational Minutes and preparing for the 2021 tax collection.
Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Swanson reported he has building permit applications that he cannot give final approval for until stamped drawings are received, which would be acceptable for a state audit.
Fire Code Inspector Dave Wilfong reported he has completed 30 inspections for the Town of Busti, 4 locations are on a 30-day call back inspection list.
Busti Fire Department Chief Matt Stafford reported 383 incidents ytd which is the same number as 2019. The department had 46 calls in November including 27 EMS, 5 Fire, 3 Motor Vehicle Accidents, and 11 Service Calls. The air packs purchased through the air pack grant should arrive sometime in January or February. The department continues to follow the NYS COVID guidelines with no social gatherings and members are not permitted to congregate at the hall.
Jack Knowlton reported Lakewood Fire Department 88 incidents and 817 ytd. There were 17 calls the night of the last snow/windstorm. The departments water boat was tested over weekend and passed.
Supervisor Robbins stated the discussion on the proposed Local Law 6 -2020 is tabled until the next board meeting, January 4, 2021. He reported Code Enforcement Officer Swanson received a Commercial Solar Facility application, via email; after his review the application will be presented to the Planning Board for their review.
The Public Health Emergency Planning committee will begin meeting in January to create a proposed plan. The final plan must be in place no later than April 1, 2021. The committee will consist of Supervisor Robbins, Councilman Gustafson, Highway Superintendent Peterson, and Town Clerk Nygren.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution, which was duly moved by Councilman Andrews:
RESOLVED, to amend the current Fire Code Inspector Agreement with the Village of Lakewood; changing the total hours worked from 20 hours to 28 hours per week and adding the cell phone cost to the list of the Village 50% reimbursement.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins asked the board for their opinion of charging the public libraries for fire inspections. Discussion followed. Supervisor Robbins will discuss fire inspection fees with Attorney Joel Seachrist and Village of Lakewood Mayor Holcomb.
Supervisor Robbins moved to set the 2021 Organizational Meeting for Monday, January 4, 2021 at 6:45 p.m.. motion was duly moved by Councilman Gustafson.
All in favor, carried.
Supervisor Robbins 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. 14 from warrant #654 to and including warrant #733 in the amount of $225,203.46.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins motioned to accept the November 2, 2020 Regular Town Board minutes; motion was duly moved by Councilman Gustafson.
All in favor, carried.
Councilman Gustafson noted the Lakewood Busti Swales project trees on Southland Avenue have been planted and they look nice. Jack Knowlton stated the contractor inadvertently used screened top dirt at the Bentley Cemetery and should replace the dirt with the same type of dirt. Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Executive Director and Project Manager is aware of the situation and is following up with the contractor. Supervisor Robbins will contact Mr. Perry regarding the situation as well.
Councilman Gustafson thanked Councilman Sargent for his service and work on the town board. Supervisor Robbins also thanked Councilman Sargent for his service on the board. He thanked RMS Services for donating the Christmas tree to be used in the Busti Hamlet Triangle, he also thanked Aaron Kier and the other highway employees for the work they did in rebuilding the other holiday displays and the good work in decorating the “Triangle”.
Supervisor Robbins motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:14 p.m., motion was duly moved by Councilman Sargent.
All in favor, carried.
Respectfully Submitted, ________________________________
Darlene H. Nygren, Town Clerk