Minutes

JULY 14, 2016

The regular meeting of the Town of Hartland, County of Niagara, State of New York, was held on the above date at the Town Hall, 8942 Ridge Road, Gasport convening at 7:30 p.m.

Members present:

Minutes

RESOLUTION 75-2016

MOTION by Councilman Reed, seconded by Councilman Snyder to adopt the minutes of the June 9, 2016 meeting as presented.

Ayes:  Annable, Snyder, Reed, Hill, Grant    Nays:   0          CARRIED

RESOLUTION 76-2016

MOTION by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Reed to adopt the minute of the June 21, 2016 Special Meeting.

Ayes:  Annable, Snyder, Reed, Hill, Grant    Nays:   0          CARRIED

July 14, 2016

Abstract of Bills

RESOLUTION 77-2016

MOTION by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Reed resolved that the following bills, as prepared by the Clerk and having been reviewed by the Town Board, be authorized for payment in the following amounts:

ASSESSOR / CEO REPORTS:

Assessor Hartman is attending a conference and was not present.  Find attached the minutes of the Joint Board meeting between Hartland and Royalton.

HIGHWAY REPORT:                                Read and filed

Deputy Superintendent Christopher Jenks reported on the Highway and Water Departments.  The crew has been busy mowing roadsides and spraying for weeds.  Some paving and patching throughout the Town.  The gators have been repaired and were ready for the July 4^th celebration.  All preparations for the celebration were completed and the permanent outfield fences and new swings have been installed.

The results from the Tire and Electronic event and the results from the Auction were presented.  (See attached.)

WATER REPORT:                                     Read and filed

Deputy Superintendent Jenks reported that the meters were read for the 4^th quarter billing. All of the irrigation meters have been installed and are being monitored.  There have been several leaks repaired and have installed one new meter pit.                        

July 14, 2016

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:                    

Lois Stevenson, 7322 Ridge Road approached the Board with concerns about the vacant trailer which sits on the property next to her home.  The trailer is in disrepair and sits vacant, it now draws wild animals and has trash stacked in the front and back yards.  Mrs. Stevenson stated that the condition of the property is pulling down her property value. Stevenson read aloud Local Laws £105-3 and £105-10, each dealing with rubbish and debris and the use of trailers for storage.  They requested that Hartman inspect the property again and report back to them.

Supervisor Annable stated that our CEO Hartman has notified the new owners that the trailer needs to be removed; however, there is no time frame set for that removal.  The situation would be the same if someone had abandoned a house.

Mrs. Stevenson along with neighbors, Charles Miesner and Martin Schultz complained that the yard is not being maintained and would like Hartman to send a notice.

Annable replied that the Town is limited to what restrictions can be placed on an owner, but that he will have Hartman check it out again.

Mr. Meisner stated that there were contractors placing flags on the property this past week.

All three neighbors thanked Councilman Grant for his quick response to their concerns.

Matthew Costello, 7803 Gill Road approached the Board with his concerns about the new refuse carts.  He stated that he has been very pleased with Waste Management and wanted to know if the Town had considered asking the residents if they wanted to change to the cart system?

Supervisor Annable answered that there had been a survey in the spring newsletter and the response was 65 – 70 % in favor of the new system.  The contract with Waste Management was up for renewal and they would have to raise the price considerably, so it was decided to set the contract out for bid.  Modern was awarded the contract with the lowest responsible bid.  The Town will be able to keep the rate the same while providing a better garbage collection service.

Costello asked if the curbside service will be specific to placement of the carts?

Annable stated that Modern would provide all residents with the details and procedures for pick up.

Costello also voiced concerns about the size of a 95 gallon tote and that he did not believe it would hold the same amount as the present limit of 6 bags.  He was also not sure that residents would abide by the rules and regulations; there will be a lot of garbage left at the roadside.  He did not like the cost of $3.50 per extra bag.

July 14, 2016

Mrs. Stevenson also stated that she has a lot of leaves in the fall and the tote would not be big enough to hold them all.  She wishes that the Town would purchase a mulcher for small branches and limbs. 

Annable stated that Stevenson is allowed to burn a “celebratory” fire as per the DEC Officer.

Councilman Grant said that he has followed the garbage trucks and many times there is debris that blows out of the truck and scatters on the roadway.

Annable said that with the new trucks the carts are emptied into the top of the truck, not in the back, so this should decrease that problem.

OLD BUSINESS:                                        

Matthew Snell gave a recap on the July 4^th Celebration.  The event was deemed a success, Snell thanked everyone who helped to make it such a safe and family oriented occasion.  The committee would like to continue to hold the event in Hartland for the future years.  Supervisor Annable congratulated Snell on a job well done and stated how pleased everyone was with the outcome.  Councilman Grant stated that the lighting on the fields was a big help with the traffic after the fireworks, it also was a great help for the vendors who were packing up at the end of the event.  Councilman Snyder suggested that the committee meet with everyone involved, early in the fall for the planning of next year’s celebration.

Supervisor gave an update on the healthcare consortium.  The unions will now meet with the consortium to establish plans.  Time frame is still 1 to 2 years before it will be possible.                                             

NEW BUSINESS:

Clerk Boyler has submitted the Standard Workday Resolution to the NYS Retirement System, they have responded back with one amendment to the resolution.  An elected official only has to keep a record of activities every 8 years.  A letter of recertification must be filed in place of the 60 day record of activities.  The Town Clerk position qualified for this recertification, however, on the actual worksheet a check mark was placed in the box signifying that there was not a record of activities submitted.  There should not have been a checkmark, since the recertification letter was attached.  The NYS Retirement requests a new resolution reflecting the correction.

Amendment to the Standard Workday Resolution

RESOLUTION 30-2016

MOTION by Councilman Reed, seconded by Councilman Snyder to amend the Standard Workday Resolution to reflect the letter of recertification as the approved record of activities.

July 14, 2016

Ayes:  Annable, Snyder, Reed, Hill, Grant      Nays:  0  CARRIED

Clerk Boyler will resubmit the amended Standard Workday Resolution.

Supervisor Annable read correspondence from the Herbert W. Carr Legion Post 425.  In 2016 the post placed 896 flags on graves in six cemeteries in the Town.  Markers were placed on 11 new sites and all have been respectfully maintained.  It was unanimously agreed to help with the cost of the flags and markers and donate in the amount of $1400.00. 

Adjournment

RESOLUTION 79-2016

MOTION by Councilman Reed, seconded by Councilman Grant that since there is no further business to come before the board, the meeting be adjourned at   8:15 p. m.

Ayes:  Annable, Snyder, Reed, Hill, Grant    Nays:   0          CARRIED

Respectfully submitted:                                 

Cynthia S. Boyler

Town Clerk

Next scheduled regular meeting will be August 11, 2016 at 7:30 p. m.