Work Session
West Seneca, NY 14224 March 9, 2015
Supervisor Meegan called the work session to order at 3:00 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Town Clerk Jacqueline Felser.
ROLL CALL: Present - Sheila M. Meegan Supervisor
William P. Hanley Councilman
John Fenz Town Attorney
Jacqueline A. Felser Town Clerk
John Gullo Code Enforcement Officer
Daniel Denz Police Chief
Luke Malecki Finance Director
Steven Tanner Town Engineer
Mary Josefiak Sr. Recreation Therapist of Sr. Services
Lauren Masset Youth Service Coordinator
Supervisor Meegan read the Fire Prevention Code instructing the public where to exit in case of a fire or an emergency.
OFFICER BRYAN FRENCH
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Requested approval for one mile race challenge series on Wednesday, July 22nd from West Seneca West High School to the Main Street entrance of Town Hall with party at finish line afterward including service of beer. Town Attorney John Fenz will get appropriate insurance certificates. Supervisor Meegan stated parking lot improvements will hopefully be started right after Community Days, including tearing down recreation building, but arrangements will be made to keep people safe.
TOWN ENGINEER STEVEN TANNER
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Update on flooding issues in Lexington Green and other parts of town and efforts to reduce the risk
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Study by Army Corps of Engineers to focus on Lexington Green will be three phases – 1) determination for justification of federal interest (funding should be in place in 60 days and process will take 6 to 9 months); 2) feasibility study (could take up to 36 months); 3) project is selected (may or may not be economically justifiable)
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Berm is to be left in place with no adjustments to how it stands
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Pumps are mobilized in Lexington Green and throughout town in typical trouble spots to help with snow melt but cannot stop ice dam issues
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May cut triangular relief cuts throughout the creeks to help break up ice
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Plan to buy elastomeric valves in late spring/early summer and install product in catch basins to prevent water from flowing through storm sewers into neighborhoods and basements to help reduce flooding
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Disaster Coordinator John Gullo stated within ten days they will be renting a 60 ft. reach excavator to access Buffalo Creek from Harlem Road Bridge and Union Road Bridge, and if necessary, Cazenovia Creek from Ridge Road Bridge
West Seneca, NY 14224 March 9, 2015
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Fire departments have pumps available and ready to go
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School buses will be available and on standby to transport displaced residents
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Homeowners especially in flood plain should be prepared for potential flooding by moving valuables off basement floor
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Change order for East & West Road project - saved $23,000 on materials not used for the job
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Change order for Beechwood/Hilltop project - $22,000 increase due to asbestos concrete pipe found and asphalt binder to winterize project
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Solicit for lead agency on SEQR review for 16” ciphon project at West Senior High
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needs coordinated review (approximately 30 day process)
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will be sent out to interested/involved agencies
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project will provide for increased capacity
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Sanitary sewer maintenance crew overtime
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large amount of overtime and double time in 2014 due in part to collapse at Mineral Springs Road
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crew consists of workers assigned to Highway Department so they get overtime when called out for plowing as well as for sewer backups
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crew reports to calls as a crew for safety reasons
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pump maintenance crew overtime was in line and at normal level
FINANCE DIRECTOR LUKE MALECKI
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Met with board members and some department heads on year end 2014 figures
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Estimated to be $700,000 over budget on health insurance line ($5,000,000)
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Monitoring eight line items that are risky (IT costs; legal costs; overtime in Highway & Sanitation Departments due to storms; overall expenses in Police Department; recreation revenues; street lighting contract)
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Supervisor Meegan stated the town will be going out to bid on Modern recycling contract to try to reduce those costs; looking at charging recreation fees which historically has never been done
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Councilman Hart questioned the status of the transfer to the Highway Fund and Mr. Malecki responded the preliminary figures reported are fairly close
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Councilman Hanley asked that the unions be informed of the status of town finances in light of it being contract season and Mr. Malecki thought it would be more appropriate coming from the auditor who is completely independent from the town
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER JOHN GULLO
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Memorandum of understanding needed for use of long reach excavator; Town Attorney John Fenz to prepare for tonight’s Town Board Meeting.
HIGHWAY SUP’T. MATTHEW ENGLISH
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One employee issue and one legal item for executive session
CHIEF DENZ
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Award ceremony at start of Town Board meeting
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One employee issue for executive session
West Seneca, NY 14224 March 9, 2015
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YOUTH SERVICE COORDINATOR
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Recreation facility user agreement
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Reviewing recreation fees for use of facilities, comparing fees of other municipalities to determine where they should be
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Summer day camp filling up fast; all six weeks are at 40 percent capacity; employees from last year and ice rink employees will be canvassed
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Supervisor Meegan stated no decision will be made tonight on the Recreation Director position
TOWN ATTORNEY JOHN FENZ
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Five legal items for executive session
SENIOR RECREATION THERAPIST OF SENIOR SERVICES MARY JOSEFIAK
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St. Patrick’s Day lunch upcoming
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Copies machines were removed from the basement
COUNCILMAN HART
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Master Plan Review Committee update - working on revision of Master Plan, prioritizing potential projects with town center/Town Hall campus as priority
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Tree ordinance final version to be submitted to Environmental Commission this month
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hart, to recess to Executive Session at 4:10 P.M. to discuss three employee issues and seven legal matters.
Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried
The work session concluded at 6:00 P.M.
JACQUELINE A. FELSER, TOWN CLERK