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 Louis E. Wieder & Stefania Golda.

4-A  MINUTES TO BE APPROVED

4-B COMMUNICATIONS

1.   Supervisor Clark re Request for West Seneca Town Band

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to grant permission for the West Seneca Town Band to perform on Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church annual Roast Beef Dinner.

2.   Town Attorney re 2001 STOP DWI contracts

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to authorize the Supervisor to execute the 2001 STOP DWI agreement that covers reimbursement to the town for police work and court processing.

3.   Highway Supt. re Purchases requiring Town Board approval

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

4.   Chief Miskovski re Appointment of Donald Hilbert as part-time Crossing Guard

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to appoint Donald G. Hilbert as part-time Crossing Guard at a rate of $15.96 per day effective February 27, 2001 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

4-B   COMMUNICATIONS

5.   Chief Miskovski re Purchase requiring Town Board approval

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to authorize payment of $5165.47 to Jurek Brothers, Inc. for ammunition.

6.   Comptroller re Year end fund transfers

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to approve the attached list of year end fund transfers.

*APPENDICES*

7.   Senior Citizens Supervisor re Appointment of Donald Bebak as part-time Van Driver

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to appoint Donald J. Bebak as part-time Van Driver at a rate of $6.65 per hour effective February 12, 2001 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

On the question, Supervisor Clark noted that on Wednesday, February 28th at 4:30 P.M. they would be dedicating the new senior citizens van that was purchased with HUD money. For the first time, the Town of West Seneca would be able to provide its own van service for elderly and disabled individuals.

8.   Youth Director re Attendance at Association of NYS Youth Bureaus meeting

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to authorize Youth Director Mark P. Lazzara to attend the Association of New York State Youth Bureaus meeting in Albany, New York, February 6 - 7, 2001 at a cost not to exceed $400.

PROBLEMS OF THE PUBLIC

SNOW ON UNION ROAD BRIDGE

Ferol Webb, 1300 Indian Church Road, stated that she was very apprehensive and frightened this winter with the snow on the Union Road bridge in the Gardenville area. She was happy to see when it finally got shoveled and thanked the AmeriCorps for doing the work.

DESIGNATION OF GARDENVILLE AS A HISTORIC AREA

Ferol Webb, 1300 Indian Church Road, referred to an article in this evening's paper with regard to making Gardenville a historic area.

Supervisor Clark responded that this was a general designation and he hoped it would enhance the town's opportunity to receive more grant funding for additional resources in that area.

PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS BY BOARD MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS

SALE OF TOWN PROPERTY FOR RECREATION PARK

Supervisor Clark referred to an article in the newspaper concerning a proposed development plan by a national company that develops outdoor recreation areas for young people. Several years ago, a number of young people submitted a petition to the Town Board requesting an outdoor recreation area devoted to inline skating, skateboarding and BMX bicycling. Supervisor Clark stated that the Town of West Seneca was always very aggressive in offering the young people many opportunities for recreation in many different areas. Most of the areas involved organized sports under the direction of a coach, but everyone was different and liked to do different things. Supervisor Clark thought that this was a great opportunity for the town to work with a private developer in developing a Bikes, Blades and Boards recreation park on a piece of property owned by the town for many years that was not suitable to develop for traditional commercial purposes due to the way it was situated in the water tables, the hydraulics of the land, and major easements and sewer lines that ran directly through it. He felt that this developer would do some great things with the property and noted that it would return to the tax rolls with no tax incentives, give the town revenue to offset budgets, and give young people a place to do this type of recreation in an organized, safe and well disciplined atmosphere.

Motion by Supervisor Clark, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, to declare approximately 10 acres of vacant land identified as SBL #134.05-2-5 as surplus town property and enter into a contract for its sale to Maurice D. Cooper Jr. and Barbara A. Cooper, the principals of Bikes, Blades & Boards, for a price of $150,000 subject to the contingencies contained in the proposed contract, including approval by the County of Erie, and subject to a permissive referendum.

On the question, Councilman Osmanski stated that the property had a manufacturing zoning and a good potential for manufacturing use, but there was a large water line that ran through the center of the property. This made it difficult to site a building on the property and it was economically unfeasible to move the line. The town wanted to sell the property and when they were contacted with this proposal it fit in perfectly with their plan.

Supervisor Clark stated that the town had considered building this type of facility and had looked into the possibility of state legislation to limit liability because this was such an active sport. He thought that a private developer was ideal because the land would be put back on the tax rolls, the facility would be well staffed and maintained, and they would have the expertise to operate a good, safe facility. Supervisor Clark noted that the facility would be accessed from I-90 and would be an enhancement for the town.

Councilman Wroblewski commented on the liability exposure to the town if they were to build a facility of this type and was happy that this company was coming into West Seneca to build this recreation park. He noted the possibility for injuries and suggested that representatives of Winchester Fire Company be invited to some of the meetings during the development stage of the park.

Supervisor Clark stated that he had spoken with the Supervisor of Wheatfield and the Wheatfield Planning Director where another facility like this was located. They thought that this was a good facility, a positive resource for their area, and a community asset. They had not had any problems with regard to increased vandalism activities and only a slight incidence of first aid calls.

Councilman Osmanski noted that if the town had marketed this property for manufacturing and were successful, the manufacturing concern would most likely have wanted tax abatements and the town would have only gotten slight tax revenue. The proposed recreation facility would be fully assessed right from the start with no tax abatements.

PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS BY BOARD MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS

PURCHASE OF COPIER FOR YOUTH BUREAU

Motion by Councilman Wroblewski, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, to authorize the purchase of a Sharp AR405 imager digital copier to be used as a printer from Duplicating Consultants Inc., 315 Creekside Drive, Amherst, New York, at a cost of $6325.00, noting that this machine will be paid for jointly with Youth Bureau and AmeriCorps funds.

Councilman Hicks stated that he was abstaining from this vote because he was currently employed by Duplicating Consultants, but noted that the town was doing business with Duplicating Consultants for five years prior to his election.

BID DATE FOR LEASE OF TWO (2) FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES

Motion by Councilman Hicks, seconded by Councilman Graber, to set a bid date of March 9, 2001 at 10:00 A.M. for receipt of bids on a lease for two (2) four-wheel drive vehicles.

APPOINTMENT OF DONALD DOCTOR AS WORKING CREW CHIEF

Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, in accordance with the Blue Collar Contract and on the recommendation of Highway Supt. Pat Finnegan, to terminate Donald Doctor as Laborer in the Buildings & Grounds Department and appoint Donald Doctor as Working Crew Chief, Step 5, at a rate of $20.40 per hour effective February 27, 2001 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

PAYMENT FOR MICROFILMING RECORDS

Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to authorize payment of $1850.20 to Biel's Information Technology Systems for microfilming of deed transfers and assessment exemptions.

CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TELETHON Supervisor Clark noted that the Children's Hospital Telethon would be held this weekend at the Harvey D. Morin VFW Post 2940 and Town Board members were invited to attend the opening ceremony on Saturday at 6:00 P.M.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Supervisor Clark, seconded by Councilman Graber, to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 P.M.

PATRICIA C. WISNIEWSKI, RMC/CMC

TOWN CLERK