West Seneca Town Board Minutes 01/30/2006


WEST SENECA TOWN OFFICES   TOWN BOARD PROCEEDINGS
1250 Union Road Minutes #2006-01
West Seneca, NY 14224 January 30, 2006

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 and the changing of the colors from Marine Corps League to VFW Post #8113.

ROLL CALL:   Present -

Paul T. Clark   Supervisor
Christopher F. Osmanski   Councilman
Vincent J. Graber Jr.   Councilman
Craig J. Hicks   Councilman
Christina Wleklinski Bove   Councilman

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 Richard D. Keogh, Gene H. Wendley, Valerie W. Inman, Frank C. Max Sr., Catherine Delmont, Carmela Lafferty, Nathalie D. Loga, Pete Knaus, Kevin D. Klenk, Lois A. Sullivan, Rita M. Moser, Norma C. Doering, Ninfa Ambrose, Gregory Wielgoszynski, Daniel Majeski, and Dolores Hoy.

1-A   MINUTES TO BE APPROVED

  • Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to approve Minutes #2005-16 of December 12, 2005.

    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried
  • Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to approve minutes from the January 9, 2006 public hearing on the Draft Comprehensive Plan.

    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried
  • Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to approve minutes from the January 12, 2006 Organization Meeting.

    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried
  • Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to approve minutes from the January 23, 2006 Special Meeting.

    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    1-B    LEGAL NOTICES

    1.   Proofs of publication and posting of legal notice: “OF THE ADOPTED CHANGE IN THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3502 CLINTON STREET, BEING PART OF LOT NO. 38, CHANGING ITS CLASSIFICATION FROM C-2 TO C-2(S), FOR SALE OF GASOLINE” in the Town of West Seneca, received and filed.             (David J. Galbo, R.A.)

    2.   Proofs of publication and posting of legal notice: “OF THE ADOPTED CHANGE IN THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 150 GEMCOR DRIVE, BEING PART OF LOT NOS. 79, 80, 83, 84 & 87, CHANGING ITS CLASSIFICATION FROM M-2 TO M-2(S), FOR AN ASPHALT PROCESSING FACILITY” in the Town of West Seneca, received and filed.             (150 Gemcor LLC)


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    1-C    COMMUNICATIONS

    1.   Supervisor Clark re Retirement of Kathleen Herman as Legal Stenographer

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Bove, to accept the retirement of Kathleen E. Herman and terminate her as Legal Stenographer effective January 14, 2006 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    2.   Supervisor Clark re Retirement of Thomas Casey as General Crew Chief

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to accept the retirement of Thomas Casey and terminate him as General Crew Chief effective January 28, 2006 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel, noting that Mr. Casey worked for the town for more than 36 years.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    3.   Supervisor Clark re Retirement of Charles Lagana as Laborer

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Graber, to accept the retirement of Charles Lagana and terminate him as Laborer effective February 6, 2006 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel, noting that Mr. Lagana worked for the town for over 22 years.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    4.   Supervisor Clark re Attendance at Annual Association of Towns meeting

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to authorize the Supervisor, Council Members, Town Justices, Town Attorney, Deputy Town Attorney’s, Town Comptroller, and two (2) Court Clerks to attend the 2006 Training School & Annual Meeting of the Association of Towns of the State of New York to be held in New York City, February 19 – 22, 2006 at a total cost not to exceed $1475 per person attending.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    5.   Supervisor Clark re March of Dimes WalkMania 2006

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Bove, to grant permission for the March of Dimes to hold their Walkmania 2006 on Saturday, May 6, 2006 from 9:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. on designated streets in the Town of West Seneca with a start/finish point at West Seneca East Middle School.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    6.   Supervisor Clark re Town Band

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to authorize the West Seneca Town Band to perform at the Seneca United Methodist Church on Wednesday evening, June 28, 2006, for their annual strawberry festival.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried


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    1-C   COMMUNICATIONS

    7.   Councilman Hicks re Appointment of L. Loucks & A. Kerner to W.S. Environmental Commission

    Motion by Councilman Hicks, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, to appoint Lester Loucks and Alan Kerner to the West Seneca Environmental Commission.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    8.   Town Attorney re Nutrition Contract

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Bove, to authorize the Supervisor to sign the 2006 Department of Senior Services Nutrition Contract.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    9.   Town Attorney re Lease agreement for legislative office space at 12 School Street

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Graber, to authorize the Supervisor to sign a lease agreement with the County of Erie for legislative office space at 12 School Street for newly elected 9th District County Legislator Cindy Locklear.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    10.   Town Attorney re Verizon Wireless lease agreement

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Graber, to authorize the Supervisor to execute an agreement with Verizon Wireless to lease space on the public safety tower for the installation of a wireless transmitter.

    On the question, Councilman Bove questioned how much the town would receive per month for this lease.

    Deputy Town Attorney Paul Notaro advised that the town would receive $18,000 annually. The lease was for an initial five-year term, renewable for four additional five-year terms with a 3 percent increase each year the lease is in effect. The total amount for the 25-year period is $702,000.

    Supervisor Clark stated that the base unit for the public safety phase of the tower was financed by the town and the six fire districts, supplemented with money from the state legislature through former Assemblyman Brian Higgins. Councilman Graber had suggested upgrading the tower to provide additional space and earn extra revenue. This would pay off by covering the cost of the tower many times.

    Councilman Graber noted that there was room on the tower for two additional service providers, so they could end up with over two million dollars in revenue over a 25-year period.

    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    11.   Town Engineer re Bid date for Sanitary Sewer Repair Contract

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to set a bid date of February 21, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. for receipt of bids on the Sanitary Sewer Repair Contract, Job No. S-0602.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried


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    1-C   COMMUNICATIONS

    12.   Town Engineer re Attendance at SEQRA seminar

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Graber, to authorize payment of $1595 to Lorman Education Services for Code Enforcement Officer William Czuprynski, Fire Inspector John Gullo, Planning Board Chairman Joseph Ciancio, Deputy Town Attorney Paul Notaro, and Town Engineer George Montz to attend a one-day seminar on SEQRA at the Amherst Marriott on February 28, 2006.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    13.   Town Engineer re Purchase of printer

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to authorize the purchase of a Hewlett Packard Designjet 4000 printer from Charrette, 31 Olympia Avenue, Woburn, MA 01801, at a cost of $10,239.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    14.   Town Engineer re Purchase requiring Town Board approval

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to authorize payment of $1758 to Waste Stream Technology for quarterly sampling.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    15.   Highway Supt. re Termination of Robert Mroz as Sanitation MEO

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to terminate Robert Mroz as Sanitation Motor Equipment Operator effective January 30, 2006 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    16.   Highway Supt. re Termination of Randall Larivey as Sanitation Laborer

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to terminate Randall Larivey as Sanitation Laborer effective January 13, 2006 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    17.   Highway Supt. re Purchases requiring Town Board approval

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to authorize payment of the following vouchers for the Highway Department:

    Valley Tire Co. Inc. (tires) $9654.48
    Erb Co. Inc. (plumbing supplies) $2558.64
    Cyncon Equipment Inc. (equipment repairs) $2024.64
    Buffalo Truck Center Inc. (truck repairs) $5496.46
    Fleet Maintenance Inc. (truck repairs) $1906.33
    Gerster/Trane Sales & Service Inc. (annual service agreement at Ice Rink)     $2000.00
    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried


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    1-C   COMMUNICATIONS

    18.   Chief Gehen re Title change for Officer Daniel Crowe to Detective Temporary

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to grant a leave of absence to Daniel Crowe from his position as Police Officer effective January 28, 2006 and appoint Daniel Crowe as Detective Temporary effective January 29, 2006 at an annual salary of $63,838.04 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    19.   Chief Gehen re Termination of Officer Timothy Comerford

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to terminate Timothy Comerford as Police Officer effective March 2, 2006 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel, noting that Mr. Comerford has been absent from the Police Department since June 29, 2004 and will be unable to return to duty.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    20.   Chief Gehen re Status change for Public Safety Dispatcher J. McCullough to part-time seasonal

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to change the status of part-time Public Safety Dispatcher James McCullough to part-time seasonal effective February 1 – April 30, 2006 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    21.   Chief Gehen re Attendance of Officer Timothy Pratt at School Resource Officer training course

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Graber, to authorize Officer Timothy Pratt to attend the School Resource Officer training course in Rochester, New York, February 20 – 24, 2006 at a cost not to exceed $525.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    22.   Chief Gehen re Lease of copier

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to authorize a 48-month lease for one (1) Sharp ARM-205 digital copier from Duplicating Consultants, Inc., Audubon Industrial Park, 315 Creekside Drive, Amherst, NY 14228, at the New York State contract price of $150 per month.

    Ayes:  (4)    Councilman Osmanski, Councilman Graber, Councilman Bove, Supervisor Clark
    Noes: None
    Abstentions:  (1)    Councilman Hicks
    Motion Carried

    Councilman Hicks stated that he abstained from voting on this item because he was employed by Duplicating Consultants, but he received no financial gain from this transaction.


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    1-C    COMMUNICATIONS

    23.   Chief Gehen re Bid date for purchase of five (5) marked police vehicles

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to set a bid date of February 13, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. for receipt of bids on the purchase of five (5) marked police vehicles.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    24.   Chief Gehen re Purchase requiring Town Board approval

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to authorize payment of $2554.93 to West Seneca Auto & Glass for repairs to Car #27.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    25.   Town Clerk re Payment for document imaging needs assessment

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Bove, to authorize payment of $3750 to Lederman & Associates, 55 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 125, Toronto, Canada, representing the balance due upon completion of the final document imaging needs assessment.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    26.   Town Clerk re Annual maintenance fee for Clerk’s Accounting System

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to authorize payment of $2002 to Niagara Business Solutions, Inc., 4661 Apple Drive, Lewiston, NY 14092, for the annual maintenance fee on the Clerk’s Accounting System software.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    27.   Comptroller re Correction of salary for Deputy Registrar

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Graber, to correct the salary of the Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics and set the salary at $1558 per year effective January 1, 2006 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    28.   Code Enforcement Officer re Attendance at Building Official’s training conference

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to authorize Code Enforcement Officer William Czuprynski, Assistant Code Enforcement Officer Robert Pinnavaia, and Fire Inspector John Gullo to attend the Finger Lakes Building Officials Training Conference, March 20 – 23, 2006 at a cost not to exceed $1900 and with use of a town vehicle.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried


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    1-C    COMMUNICATIONS

    29.   Tax Receiver re Status change for part-time clerks to seasonal

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Bove, to change the status of the following part-time clerks to part-time seasonal effective January 15 – March 30, 2006:

    Patricia Farr Carol Talty
    Margaret Pomana Margaret Welker
    Lorie Fischione Marcia Turner
    Christina Salisbury       

    and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    30.   Recreation Supervisor re Purchase of 12-passenger van

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Bove, to authorize the purchase of a 12-passenger van with options off the New York State Contract at a cost of $21,500 to be used in conjunction with the West Seneca Senior Citizens “Going Places” van transportation.

    On the question, Supervisor Clark thought that HUD funds could be used for this purchase and asked that Comptroller Charles Koller follow up on this.


    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    1-D    REPORTS

  • Patricia C. DePasquale, Town Clerk’s report for December 2005 received and filed.

  • William P. Czuprynski, Code Enforcement Officer’s report for December 2005 and year end 2005 and Plumbing report for November & December 2005 and year end 2005 received and filed.

    ISSUES OF THE PUBLIC

    RESIDENT THANKS TOWN BOARD FOR WORK ON ICE RETENTION STRUCTURE

    Diane Siminski, Parkside Drive, thanked the board members for their work in acquiring the easements for the ice retention structure. The residents were happy to see that the ice retention structure was almost completed and they were hopeful that it would accomplish what it was built for and resolve their problem.

    SENECA STREET SOCCER COMPLEX

    Diane Siminski, Parkside Drive, questioned if the town had made a decision on the operation and control of the soccer park for the year 2006.

    Councilman Hicks stated that the town had decided to renegotiate the lease with the soccer association. They would also be taking greater control of the soccer park with regard to scheduling of events, and any events scheduled at the soccer park would require approval of the Town Board. Councilman Hicks stated that they would also be taking a look at the possibility of the town taking over the maintenance of the park because they thought it could be done better and more cost effectively. Not everything was in place yet, but they would be moving forward with the changes.


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    ISSUES OF THE PUBLIC

    SENECA STREET SOCCER COMPLEX    (continued)

    Mrs. Siminski questioned if the current lease had been terminated.

    Councilman Hicks responded that the current lease had not yet been officially terminated, but he hoped that it would be finalized by the end of February.

    Nancy Nehl, 51 Parkside Drive, questioned the revenue brought in for the 2005 fall season for non-West Seneca group activities at the soccer park.

    Town Attorney Timothy Greenan stated that he had met with David Zygaj who was working with the soccer association on scheduling activities at the soccer park. They would have a full report on all rentals for the year 2005 as part of the renegotiation of the lease. The board had requested a full accounting of past performance to show where the revenue was coming in. Mr. Greenan noted that one of the things being contemplated in the new lease was that all revenue would be paid directly to the town so that the town would have an instant accounting of it. This information should be available by the end of February.

    Councilman Hicks stated that the soccer association was currently going through a restructuring process, so there would be a new President, Vice President, and other board members.

    Ms. Nehl questioned if non-West Seneca groups would need Town Board approval to hold events at the soccer park.

    Mr. Greenan stated that as part of the renegotiation of the lease, the town had discussed setting parameters as to what was permitted at the soccer park. The Town Board wanted input as to the location, date, and time that a soccer team wanted to rent a field, but it was generally non-soccer use that would require Town Board approval.

    Ms. Nehl questioned who would authorize the 2006 fall activities at the soccer park.

    Mr. Greenan responded that the Town Board wanted to generally develop a policy as to what was authorized and what was not authorized. The board members thought that scheduling the men’s league along the back of Parkside Drive in the fall of 2005 was done in a way that unduly imposed upon the neighbors, and they wanted a policy in place to prevent that from happening again.

    Ms. Nehl questioned if any non-West Seneca activities had already been scheduled and approved for the fall of 2006.

    Councilman Hicks responded that they had not yet received a list, but he was sure that there would be non-West Seneca activities at the soccer park. These activities would not take place on the soccer fields near the Parkside Drive residents, especially if there are other open fields, and it will be closely monitored.

    Ms. Nehl understood that D’Youville, Damien, and Medaille College all stated that the West Seneca Soccer Complex was their home field.

    Mr. Greenan stated that out of the people that paid the soccer association for use of the soccer fields, these colleges paid the most and those funds were used to pay the person to mow the lawn and do the striping. It would add to the cost if the town were to cut out that revenue.

    Dale Clarke, 379 Indian Church Road, questioned if Buffalo/Niagara Sports was still managing the soccer complex activities.


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    ISSUES OF THE PUBLIC

    SENECA STREET SOCCER COMPLEX    (continued)

    Supervisor Clark responded that the agreement was still in place between the soccer association and Buffalo/Niagara Sports, but the town was in the process of trying to work with all parties to re-engineer the legal agreements and the operation of the soccer park to a better and higher level.

    Councilman Osmanski noted that Mr. Zygaj of Buffalo/Niagara Sports got another job so Buffalo/Niagara Sports no longer existed as an entity.

    Mr. Clarke asked the commission percentage that Buffalo/Niagara Sports received while managing programs for the soccer association.

    Councilman Osmanski responded that the agreement was between the soccer association and Buffalo/Niagara Sports, so he did not know the amount of commission received.

    Mr. Greenan stated that he had asked for a complete report, and according to Mr. Zygaj they ended up significantly subsidizing the soccer park out of their own funds. There was ultimately no commission or net profit, which is why he left for another position.

    Joe Farr, 75 Parkside Drive, understood that the soccer association was over one-half million dollars behind on the old contract and questioned if the taxpayers would have to pay for this.

    Mr. Greenan stated that the one-half million dollar figure was based upon the revenues the soccer association had projected they would generate. That figure had to be adjusted, but they also had to take into account the bills that the soccer association paid, such as utility bills. Mr. Greenan thought that after adjustments were made there would be a deficit, and the board had required that any deficit be paid over time.

    Councilman Osmanski noted that there was only two ways to generate revenue. They could rent out the soccer park more, or they could raise the fees for the kids playing soccer there.

    Sharon Farr, 75 Parkside Drive, was not opposed to renting out the soccer park, but hoped that when possible the fields farthest away from Parkside Drive would be used. She would not tolerate grown men cursing and urinating in the neighbors’ yards.

    Mr. Greenan stated that Councilman Graber had suggested including a clause in the user agreement that the right to use the soccer park would be revoked if any complaints were received or if the park rules were violated. It was also suggested that Recreation Director Robert Walsh be the contact person to report complaints to and communicate with the Town Board.

    Mrs. Farr further commented on a tournament held at the soccer park last summer where people camped out. They were noisy throughout the night and when she awoke in the morning there was a 10-foot canopy tent set up on top of the berm, directly in front of the “Keep Off the Berm” sign.

    Supervisor Clark stated that they hoped to get a better handle on things such as this and would be exercising a lot more control over the soccer park, both financially and operationally.

    Mrs. Farr questioned if use of the soccer park would be strictly limited to soccer. She hoped that there would not be car shows, craft shows, etc. held there every weekend.

    Supervisor Clark responded that these types of events could be held at the soccer park, but they would have to get Town Board approval for them.


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    ISSUES OF THE PUBLIC

    SENECA STREET SOCCER COMPLEX    (continued)

    Councilman Hicks stated that they would try to recoup some of the money with events that were not offensive to the neighbors. They will be closely monitored by the Buildings & Grounds Department and there will be a lot more control.

    Councilman Osmanski recalled a complaint about airhorns and questioned if they were used during the men’s league or tournaments.

    Mrs. Farr thought that it was the high schools that used the airhorns on Saturday afternoons.

    Joan Russo, Parkside Drive, questioned if the soccer park would be used seven days a week and how many months of the year it would be used.

    Supervisor Clark thought that there could be events held at the soccer park every day.

    Councilman Hicks responded that the number of months it was used depended on the scheduling. They had no plan yet and had not seen a list of proposed events or made a decision on what events would take place at the soccer park.

    Mrs. Russo asked that the Town Board think about the surrounding residents that will have to hear events being held every day of the week, month after month, and consider restricting the use of the soccer park to give the residents a break from the noise.

    Councilman Hicks stated that they would try to change the quality of life for the residents surrounding the soccer park by controlling the events held at the park and keeping people away from behind the Parkside Drive residents’ homes.

    Frank Russo, Parkside Drive, was disappointed that the Town Board did not have more answers concerning the soccer park. He stated that in 2005 only $15,000 was turned over to the town, and of that amount, $13,000 was for soccer registration fees. Mr. Russo further commented that he was not happy about having activities and events at the soccer park in the fall. He suggested that when soccer ended in August for West Seneca kids, the town mow the lawn once a week and save money on maintenance.

    Anthony Sansone, 15 Parkside Drive, stated that he was very disappointed that the soccer complex would continue to be used for soccer groups other than West Seneca children. Other towns would continue to use the park throughout the year and the residents would have to listen to the noise. Mr. Sansone commented that he and the other residents lived in their homes before the soccer complex was built, but now their quality of life had been ruined.

    Councilman Hicks noted that there would be more control over the activities at the soccer park.

    Councilman Bove stated that the board members listened to the residents and were trying to make changes at the soccer park, but they were not finished and would re-evaluate everything.

    Councilman Graber stated that this was only a starting point. The town had to get completely involved in running the park and start making decisions. They would have to look at the revenues and decide if it is worth holding events at the park in the fall. There was not a quick fix to the problem and they would be continually looking for ways to improve the situation.


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    ISSUES OF THE PUBLIC

    SENECA STREET SOCCER COMPLEX    (continued)

    Councilman Osmanski stated that they wanted to see the revenue involved in the soccer park, but they still had not received any figures from the soccer association. They could not make any decisions without having the facts. Councilman Osmanski further commented that the residents were complaining about the debt, but the only way to increase revenue to pay the debt was to hold events at the soccer park and the residents did not want that.

    Peter Rola, 4 W. Willowdale Drive, questioned if the soccer complex was a commercial enterprise or if it was for the children of West Seneca. He referred to the out-of-state vehicles parked at the soccer park during the summer.

    Supervisor Clark responded that the soccer complex was a facility that promoted and nurtured the enjoyment of soccer. There were also some enhancements built into the soccer park, such as the walking path, that were enjoyed by others and served as a buffer. Supervisor Clark stated that the soccer complex helped the economy by bringing in outside revenue that Western New York sorely needed.

    Mr. Rola questioned if the soccer complex would be able to sustain itself financially and suggested that a business plan be put in place.

    Supervisor Clark hoped that the soccer complex would eventually be able to sustain itself financially but noted that the town has subsidized many different youth and sporting activities as other municipalities have. He stated that the town has been working on a new look to the operation of the soccer park and improving the financial operations.

    SEWER PROBLEM ON ROSEWOOD DRIVE

    Suzanne Stover, 215 Rosewood Drive, commented on the condition of the sewer system in her neighborhood and stated that whenever there was a thaw or heavy rain the sewer line on Azalea Drive filled up and she was afraid to flush the toilet because it would back up in her basement. She had the back valve in her home inspected by a plumber and found that there was no problem with it; the problem was with the sewer line on the street. The plumber informed Mrs. Stover that other homes on her street had the same problem and she understood that other neighborhoods in town had the same problem. Mrs. Stover referred to the proposed Master Plan and encouraged the board members to seriously look at the condition of the sewers.

    Councilman Graber stated that Mrs. Stover was referring to West Seneca Sewer District #13 and the town was investing $500,000 each year in upgrades to it. He noted that West Seneca Sewer District #13 was 105 miles long and 85 percent of it was the old style clay pipe rather than pvc. Councilman Graber noted that there were things the residents could do to help minimize the impact of this sewer system.

    Mr. Montz noted that they were also in the process of getting an engineering study done to look at the entire problem and recommend a solution. He suggested that Mrs. Stover contact him for some options to help resolve her problem.

    RESIDENT QUESTIONS SEQR FOR CANISIUS PROJECT ON CLINTON STREET

    Don Grasso, 64 Lexington Green, questioned if the SEQR report for Canisius had been amended to reflect the proper zoning and if any declaration had been made on it.

    Town Engineer George Montz responded that the SEQR report was amended, but no declaration had yet been made.


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    ISSUES OF THE PUBLIC

    RESIDENT COMMENTS ON TOWN TAX INCREASE

    Don Grasso, 64 Lexington Green, referred to the town budget and the statement that town taxes were increased 5.8 percent; however, the tax bills indicated that general taxes went up 9.6 percent. He thought the increase should have been correctly listed as 9.6 percent in the town budget and that residents had a right to know that their taxes actually increased that amount rather than 5.8 percent.

    Supervisor Clark stated that the difference between the total of the General Fund and Highway Fund rates from last year and this year is 5.8 percent. The rate increase indicated on the tax bill was a separate calculation that the County of Erie did because they used the increase in the overall levy. That did not include the growth in taxable assessed value from new additional development. Supervisor Clark was not sure what Mr. Grasso was referring to but would have Comptroller Charles Koller take a look at his calculations.

    PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS BY BOARD MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS

    APPOINTMENT OF J. MCPARLANE & A. SKRZYPCZYK AS LABORERS

    Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to appoint James J. McParlane III and Andrew Skrzypczyk as Laborers, in the Buildings & Grounds Department, Group 1, Step 1, at a rate of $20.02 per hour effective March 6, 2006 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel, noting that these appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of physical exams.

    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    ADDITIONAL SUPERVISORY SERVICES FOR SENIOR CITIZEN’S FITNESS CENTER

    Motion by Supervisor Clark, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, to authorize payment of $3000 to LMC Company for additional supervisory services on the fitness center at the West Seneca Senior Citizens Center.

    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR VERIZON WIRELESS LEASE

    Deputy Town Attorney suggested that the Town Board issue a Negative Declaration with regard to the Verizon Wireless lease for space on the public safety tower.

    Motion by Supervisor Clark, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, to adopt the attached resolution issuing a Negative Declaration pursuant to SEQRA with respect to the agreement between the Town of West Seneca and Verizon Wireless for lease of space on the town’s public safety tower.

    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried

    *APPENDICES*

    ADJOURNMENT

    Motion by Supervisor Clark, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 P.M.

    Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried




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    PATRICIA C. DEPASQUALE, RMC/CMC
    TOWN CLERK