Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

14-B    LEGAL NOTICES

1. Motion by Supervisor Clark, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, that proofs of publication and posting of legal notice: "OF A PUBLIC HEARING TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO EXPRESS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING NEEDS AND TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE PROJECTS WHICH WOULD BENEFIT LOW AND MODERATE INCOME PERSONS" in the Town of West Seneca, be received and filed.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

Motion by Supervisor Clark, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, to open the public hearing.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

Supervisor Clark stated that based on population every community in the country received an allocation of money called federal block grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Nine years ago the Town of West Seneca joined a regional consortium of communities for administration of the funds. The funds went into three main sections: 1) Housing - Low and moderate income individuals could apply for low interest housing loans to improve and buy property or fix up rental property. First-time home buyers with low and moderate incomes were also eligible for funding. 2) Economic Development - Thirty percent of the total HUD allocation went into a county administered economic development fund. Many local companies received some of this money in the form of low interest loans and grants to create low and moderate income jobs. 3) Community Projects - Towns submitted ideas for consideration and a project selection committee ranked them according to their benefit and how they met the needs of the community. All the projects had to meet very distinct criteria, such as benefiting low and moderate income individuals by census tracts, senior citizens, disabled persons, and sometimes programs for the youth qualified. The community projects generally had a maximum of $90,000 per project and it helped if the town put some of its own money into it. A lot of road and sidewalk reconstruction projects in the city line area were done with block grant funds, and Supervisor Clark suggested that sidewalks on Delray Avenue be submitted as one of the projects for the upcoming year. He also questioned where they had ended the reconstruction on Kirkwood Drive.

Highway Supt. Pat Finnegan advised that they had stopped the reconstruction of Kirkwood Drive at Manhassett Street, and that was only half of it. He suggested that they submit both the remainder of Kirkwood Drive and the sidewalks on Delray Avenue for possible projects.

14-B    LEGAL NOTICES

1.    (continued)

Supervisor Clark thought that each of these projects would run substantially over the $90,000 individual limit, but they could work up the numbers to see if they would be feasible. They had been doing one large project per year, and doing two might take too much of town funds for the year so they would probably have to bond the work. Supervisor Clark further stated that another program that was discussed was through the AmeriCorps where a computer station would be set up to more effectively link children to the America's Promise program. HUD Administrator Mike Alspaugh had informed Supervisor Clark that this program would be eligible for block grant funds, and they would work together to identify low income families and verify that they were being served. Supervisor Clark also suggested reconstruction of the remainder of Race Street where it turned into Henrietta Avenue and installation of a wheelchair ramp on Westgate Blvd. where it met Michael Road.

Jim Bove, 11 Willowdale Avenue, stated that he was a schoolteacher in the City of Buffalo and had worked with the alternative program there for 25 years. They set up GED satellites in the city for kids who dropped out of school so they would have an opportunity to get a high school diploma and much of the funding came from programs similar to this. Mr. Bove suggested that the town look into establishing a GED satellite in conjunction with the City of Buffalo at the Seneca Street city line. The City of Buffalo currently had three GED satellites and they were looking to do more. They had also been working with major employers trying to place some of the students in jobs or college after they completed the program. Mr. Bove stated that the program was pretty successful and thought it might be worth looking into.

Supervisor Clark agreed and suggested that they discuss this possibility with Youth Director Mark Lazzara to see if it could be incorporated with the program. He noted that an employer like Multisorb located on Harlem Road would like to have good, qualified students with GED's that lived in the community and needed a job. Supervisor Clark asked for the other board members input with regard to the projects that were proposed.

Councilman Osmanski thought that any immediate infrastructure needs should be addressed first.

Town Engineer George Montz advised that the design engineer for New York State that was working up the design for Southwestern Blvd. contacted his department. Principal Engineer Assistant Gary Bommer meet with the engineer and reported that they were looking to install wheelchair access to Westgate Blvd. on the Southwestern Blvd. side of the intersection.

Supervisor Clark suggested that they not submit the wheelchair access project this year and wait to see if New York State included it with the Southwestern Blvd. project.

Motion by Supervisor Clark, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, to close the public hearing.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

Motion by Supervisor Clark, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, that the Town of West Seneca apply for the following projects in the next round of Community Development Block Grant competition and in the following preferred order: 1) sidewalk replacement on the upper end of Kirkwood Drive; 2) sidewalks and curbs on Delray Avenue; 3) Youth Bureau's proposed drop off center; 4) resurfacing of Race Street/Henrietta Avenue.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

14-C    COMMUNICATIONS

1.   Supervisor Clark re Amendment to grant application for Water Quality Improvement Projects

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to amend the figures for the August 20, 2001 resolution submitting an application to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Water Quality Improvement Projects (Waste Treatment Improvement) requesting $14,000 under the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act of 1996 to upgrade the town's Union Road pump station with the replacement of two pumps, control systems and attendant plumbing and electrical work, noting that the Town of West Seneca will contribute $14,000 in cash and in-kind goods and services or 50 percent of the total project cost of $28,000.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

2.   Councilman Wroblewski re Title change for Alan Kerner to Asst. Dog Control Officer

Motion by Councilman Wroblewski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to transfer Alan J. Kerner from his position as Heavy Motor Equipment Operator and appoint Alan J. Kerner as Assistant Dog Control Officer (Laborer), Group 1, Step 5, at an annual salary of $38,493.94 effective October 2, 2001, and grant Mr. Kerner a one-year leave of absence from his position as Heavy Motor Equipment Operator in the Highway Department and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

3.   Town Attorney re West Seneca Youth Hockey Association agreement

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to authorize the Supervisor to execute the West Seneca Youth Hockey Association (House League) Agreement covering the 2001-2002 season, noting that the fees will remain the same as last year.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

4.   Town Engineer re Proposal for installation of culverts in soccer complex berm

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to approve the proposal from Kandey Company, Inc. in the amount of $18,495 for furnishing all labor, supervision and equipment necessary to install three cross culverts with manholes and check valves in the soccer complex berm with all major materials supplies by the town, noting that it was important to install these culverts as soon as possible before unfavorable winter weather greatly hindered or prevented construction.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

5.   Chief Gehen re Appointment of Dale Wight as Asst. Chief of Police Provisional

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to grant a leave of absence to Dale Wight from his position as Lieutenant of Detectives Temporary effective October 1, 2001 and appoint Dale Wight as Assistant Chief of Police Provisional at an annual salary of $69,580 effective October 2, 2001 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

On the question, Supervisor Clark commented that Chief Gehen recommended a very fine individual to serve as Asst. Chief of Police, and Mr. Wight had some complimentary skills that would serve the town well. He further noted that this appointment would be provisional pending Mr. Wight's successful completion of the exam within the top three.

14-C    COMMUNICATIONS

Councilman Osmanski stated that Mr. Wight served in a variety of positions within the West Seneca Police Department and had gained a lot of experience. He had an excellent service record and was highly recommended by Chief Gehen.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

6.   Chief Gehen re Appointment of Philip Steffan as Lieutenant of Detectives Temporary

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to grant a leave of absence to Philip Steffan from his position as Patrol Lieutenant effective October 1, 2001 and appoint Philip Steffan as Lieutenant of Detectives Temporary at an annual salary of $60,387 effective October 2, 2001 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

7.   Chief Gehen re Military leave of absence for Officer Timothy Pratt

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to grant a military leave of absence to Police Officer Timothy Pratt effective September 24, 2001 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel, noting that Officer Pratt's Coast Guard Unit was ordered to active duty for a period of twelve consecutive months; and further, continue medical coverage for Officer Pratt's family during this period in accordance with the union contract.

On the question, Supervisor Clark wished Officer Pratt well and noted that he was the first town employee summoned to take part in the military activity in response to the events of September 11th.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

8.   Chief Gehen re Rate increase for Police Matron

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to increase the hourly rate from $7 per hour to $8 per hour for Police Matron with a minimum of $32 per call and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

9.   Chief Gehen re Purchase of ammunition

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to authorize the purchase of various service ammunition totaling $2328 from Ultramax Inc., 2112 Elk Vale Road, Rapid City, SD 57701-8526, noting that this price was well below the state contract price.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

10.   Chief Gehen re Purchase of three police radios

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to authorize the purchase of three (3) Kenwood high power, 110-watt, single head, remote mount mobile radios, Model TK-790HBK at the state contract price of $1287.75 each for a total of $3863.25.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

14-C    COMMUNICATIONS

11.   Dog Control Officer re Purchase of laptop computer

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to authorize the purchase of a Dell Pentium III laptop computer for the Dog Control Officer at a cost of $1661.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

12.   Recreation Director re Appointment of part-time employees for winter recreation programs

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to appoint the following individuals to work part-time in the winter recreation programs effective September 17, 2001 through May 31, 2002:

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

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

13.   Recreation Supervisor re Status change for June Edie to part-time seasonal

Motion by Councilman Wroblewski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to change the status of part-time Food Service Helper June Edie to part-time seasonal effective October 1, 2001 to March 1, 2002 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS BY BOARD MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS

VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT SENT TO AUCTION

Motion by Councilman Hicks, seconded by Councilman Graber, to authorize the following town vehicles and equipment to be sent to auction for disposal:

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS BY BOARD MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS

STATUS OF DRAINAGE SITUATION AT TONY ROME'S

Councilman Osmanski requested and update on the drainage situation at Tony Rome's.

Town Engineer George Montz advised that the state had returned the drawings and required that some changes be made to them. The drawings were forwarded to Soderholm Engineering and Mr. Montz was not certain when they were due back.

STATUS OF CAR LOT ON CLINTON STREET

Councilman Osmanski questioned the status of the situation at the used car dealer on Clinton Street.

Building Inspector Bill Czuprynski responded that a letter was sent to the owner, and he contacted Mr. Czuprynski and informed him that the area with the crushed stone would be filled in. Mr. Czuprynski gave the owner two weeks to start the work.

PROPOSED 2002 BUDGET FILED

Supervisor Clark announced that the proposed 2002 budget had been filed with the Town Clerk's Office and a public hearing would be scheduled for the end of October.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Supervisor Clark, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 P.M.

Ayes: All

Noes: None

Motion Carried

PATRICIA C. WISNIEWSKI, RMC/CMC

TOWN CLERK