West Seneca Town Board Minutes 11/28/2005
Supervisor Paul T. Clark called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with 30 seconds of silent prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present -
Absent - None Supervisor Clark read the Fire Prevention Code instructing the public where to exit in case of a fire or an emergency. The meeting was dedicated to the memory of Patricia A. (Doyle) Kane. 15-A MINUTES TO BE APPROVED
15-B LEGAL NOTICES 1. Proofs of publication and posting of legal notice: “OF THE ADOPTED CHANGE IN THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2341 UNION ROAD, BEING PART OF LOT NO. 294, CHANGING ITS CLASSIFICATION FROM C-1(S) TO C-1(S), FOR A SENIOR LIVING APARTMENT COMPLEX” in the Town of West Seneca, received and filed. (Clover Construction Management, Inc.) 15-C COMMUNICATIONS 1. Supervisor Clark re Opposition to changes in administrative structure of Erie County CDBG Program Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Graber, to adopt the attached resolution concerning proposed changes to the existing administrative structure of the Erie County Community Development Block Grant Program. On the question, Supervisor Clark stated that this resolution concerned proposed changes in the way the County HUD servicing group handled community project funds. The Town of West Seneca and many other consortium communities that joined together in administration of the federal block grant money hired the County of Erie through a special department that was completely federally funded and very familiar with HUD regulations. That department did a good job of making the process of awarding community projects to various communities extremely smooth and fair. They were never criticized and were praised by the federal HUD regarding administration of funds and timely spending of federal money. The County of Erie now proposed that the ECIDA would be a better administrator and custodian of the program. Supervisor Clark thought the communities that participated in the consortium should resist this since it was not a drain on the Erie County taxpayers and since they had been able to administrate and use the money in a very effective way and in total conformity with HUD regulations. Councilman Graber questioned if the county could make these changes without receiving approval from all the participating municipalities.
15-C COMMUNICATIONS 1. Supervisor Clark re Opposition to changes in administrative structure of Erie County CDBG Program (continued) Supervisor Clark stated that this was discussed in the consortium meetings, and without getting a written legal opinion, the initial response was that they could not do it without approval from the consortium.
*APPENDICES* 2. Supervisor Clark re Purchases requiring Town Board approval Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Bove, to authorize payment of $4500 to the West Seneca Town Band for the 2005 season and $2755 to West Seneca Printing for the 2006 Historical Calendars.
3. Highway Supt. Re Status change for Sanitation Alternates from part-time seasonal to part-time Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Graber, to change the status of the following Sanitation Alternates from part-time seasonal to part-time effective November 28, 2005: Kevin May and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
4. Highway Supt. Re Appointment of part-time laborers in Bldgs. & Grounds Department Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Graber, to appoint the following part-time laborers in the Buildings & Grounds Department effective November 28, 2005 at a rate of $6.50 per hour: Kyle Lepsch and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
5. Highway Supt. re Purchase requiring Town Board approval Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Graber, to authorize payment of $1785 to Lesco for ice melt.
15-C COMMUNICATIONS 6. Chief Gehen re Equipment purchase Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to authorize the purchase of ten (10) FX 8000 Helmet/Facemasks at a cost of $101.58 each and ten (10) Glock 17-T Sim Guns at a cost of $451.15 each for a total cost of $5527.30 from AmChar Wholesale Inc., 100 Airpark Drive, Rochester, NY 14624, noting that the equipment will be used to expand the firearms training program utilizing simunition training exercises.
7. Town Clerk re Purchase requiring Town Board approval Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Bove, to authorize payment of $1250 to Lederman & Associates, 55 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 125, Toronto, Canada, representing their retainer (25 percent of $5000 total fee) for consulting services for a needs assessment and feasibility study for imaging records in the Town Clerk’s office.
8. Disaster Coordinator re All Hazard Mitigation Plan Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to adopt the attached resolution concerning the All Hazard Mitigation Plan to meet criteria in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.
*APPENDICES* 9. Youth Director re Termination of Diane Kilijanski as part-time Clerk Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Graber, to terminate Diane Kilijansk effective October 14, 2005 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
10. Youth Director re Purchase requiring Town Board approval Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Bove, to authorize payment of $3330.05 to Al-Ross Sport Screening for AmeriCorps uniforms.
15-D REPORTS 15-E DEPARTMENTAL PRESENTATIONS Senior Citizens Director James Duffey commented on the history of the Senior Citizens Center and reported on various activities and events that took place at the center.
ISSUES OF THE PUBLIC STATUS OF LEASE PAYMENTS ON SOCCER PARK Joanne Viapiano, 51 Sunbriar Drive, stated that she had received information under the Freedom of Information Act concerning the bond payments on the soccer park and found that in 2001 the rent owed was $113,500 and the soccer association paid $18,193; in 2002, $128,500 was owed and $55,510 was paid; in 2003, $128,500 was owed and $21,710 was paid; in 2004, $128,500 was owed and $15,463 was paid; and in 2005, $128,500 was owed and $672 was paid to date. Almost one-half million dollars in back rent was owed on the soccer park and she questioned what was being done to recoup this money. Mrs. Viapiano noted that a number of events took place at the soccer park, and when she tried to rent space for a reunion she was told that it was $1500 to rent the space and they would have to get their own liability insurance. Mrs. Viapiano questioned where all the rent money was going. Comptroller Charles Koller noted that some payments for 2005 were not reflected on the schedule. Supervisor Clark stated that he hoped to bring this issue to a conclusion soon. The lease was originally set up as a method to try to finance some of the improvements for the soccer park and the soccer association had fallen short of their obligation to the town. Supervisor Clark stated that they were studying the situation and considering options. Mrs. Viapiano noted that a number of events being held at the soccer park were unrelated to soccer and someone had to be getting the money. Supervisor Clark stated that the soccer association received the money, but they also spent tens of thousands of dollars to properly maintain the park. PARKING PROBLEM ON OSCHAWA AVENUE Kristin Smith, 18 Oschawa Avenue, commented on a parking situation that was causing her a problem getting in and out of her driveway. Parking was only permitted on the opposite side of Oschawa Avenue, but people parked in front of her house and her neighbor’s house. Mrs. Smith requested a “No Parking” sign in front of her home. Highway Supt. Patrick Finnegan stated that all the streets from the city line to Route 400 were posted for no parking on one side, and there was limited parking for the entire area. Mr. Finnegan further noted that the parking ban was lifted for the area because several residents of Wildwood Avenue and Burch Avenue complained about lack of off-street parking. Mrs. Smith stated that the City of Buffalo line was to the left of her house and that was considered a parking zone, but her house was in West Seneca. Chief Gehen stated that if the cars were illegally parked in the Town of West Seneca, his department could ticket them. However, if this was actually the City of Buffalo, they would have no jurisdiction to do anything. Mr. Finnegan stated that he would check out the situation tomorrow and let Mrs. Smith know what could be done to resolve her problem. PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS BY BOARD MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS PURCHASE REQUIRING TOWN BOARD APPROVAL Motion by Councilman Hicks, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, to authorize payment of $5675 to Shell Fab & Design for countertops in the Detective Bureau.
PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS BY BOARD MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS ROBBERIES AT SOUTHGATE PLAZA SOLVED Councilman Bove commented on the recent robberies at the Southgate Plaza and commended Chief Gehen and his department for capturing the burglars. Chief Gehen stated that there was a recent robbery at the Sports Collectible store at Southgate Plaza and yesterday at the Tanning Bed. The Tanning Bed employees acted very responsibly and there was great communication with the dispatchers and police that led to two arrests. These arrests also solved robberies in Amherst, Hamburg, East Aurora, and the City of Buffalo. Chief Gehen commended the Tanning Bed employees, dispatchers and police officers on a great job. NEW REPORTER FOR WEST SENECA BEE WELCOMED Supervisor Clark welcomed Breann Howell, new reporter for the West Seneca Bee. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Supervisor Clark, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 P.M.
_______________________________________ PATRICIA C. DEPASQUALE, RMC/CMC |