Town Board Minutes

WEST SENECA TOWN OFFICES                                       TOWN BOARD PROCEEDINGS
1250 Union Road                                                             Minutes #2015-25
West Seneca, NY 14224                                                            December 21, 2015
 
 
Supervisor Sheila M. Meegan called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M. with 30 seconds of silent prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senior Recreation Therapist of Senior Services Mary Josefiak.
 
ROLL CALL:           Present    -    Sheila M. Meegan              Supervisor
                                                  Eugene P. Hart                  Councilman
                                                  William P. Hanley, Jr.        Councilman
                                                 
Absent    -     None
 
Supervisor Meegan 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 Joseph Marinaro.
 
25-A MINUTES TO BE APPROVED
 
§ Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hart, to approve minutes from the December 14, 2015 work session.
 
Ayes: All                                    Noes: None                                Motion Carried  
 
§ Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hanley, to approve Minutes #2015-24 of December 14, 2015.
 
Ayes: All                                     Noes: None                                 Motion Carried
 
 
25-B COMMUNICATIONS
 

1.    Town Attorney re Employment Agreement with Chief of Police and Assistant Chief of Police
 
Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hanley, to authorize the Supervisor to execute the attached Employment Agreement with the Chief of Police and Assistant Chief of Police.

 
          On the question, Town Attorney John Fenz stated this agreement is effective January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2017 and includes an option to coincide in the future with the Police Benevolent Association collective bargaining agreement. The base salary and any additional compensation and benefits for the Chief of Police and Assistant Chief of Police will be adjusted to reflect any change.
 
          Ayes: All                                     Noes: None                                 Motion Carried
                                                                                                                                                                    *APPENDICES*
 
 
 
WEST SENECA TOWN OFFICES                                       TOWN BOARD PROCEEDINGS
1250 Union Road                                                             Minutes #2015-25
West Seneca, NY 14224                                                            December 21, 2015
                                                                                          Page two . . .
 
25-B COMMUNICATIONS

 
             
   2.    Highway Sup’t. re Title change for Baird Hageman to Sewer Maintenance Worker
 
 
Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hart, to terminate Baird Hageman as Sanitation Motor Equipment Operator and appoint him as Sewer Maintenance Worker, Group 2, Step 1 at a rate of $26.52 per hour effective December 17, 2015 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.    
 
Ayes: All                 Noes: None             Motion Carried
 
   3.    Highway Sup’t. re Purchase of two new dump trucks
 
 
 
             
 
Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hanley, to authorize the purchase of two 2015 heavy duty Class 8, cab-chassis type trucks with dump bodies, snow plows and associated options/accessories from International with Viking bodies at a total cost of $296,932 under the piggyback provision which authorizes purchases by other municipalities as allowed by General Municipal Law §103(16), noting funds are available in the Highway Reserve Fund and this purchase is subject to permissive referendum.
         

            On the question, Councilman Hart stated the Town Board previously created the Highway Reserve Fund to cover the cost of this type of purchase. They will continue to fund the Highway Reserve Fund so no debt will have to be issued for equipment purchases.
 
          Ayes: All                                     Noes: None                                 Motion Carried                                                      

   4.    Chief Denz re Termination of Samuel Cellino as part-time Public Safety Dispatcher
 
 
Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hart, to terminate Samuel Cellino as part-time Public Safety Dispatcher effective December 22, 2015 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
 
Ayes: (2) Supervisor Meegan, Councilman Hart
 
Noes: None             Abstentions: (1) Councilman Hanley
 
Motion Carried
 
Councilman Hanley abstained from this vote because one of Samuel Cellino’s parents is his boss at National Fuel Gas.

 
WEST SENECA TOWN OFFICES                                       TOWN BOARD PROCEEDINGS
1250 Union Road                                                             Minutes #2015-25
West Seneca, NY 14224                                                            December 21, 2015
                                                                                          Page three . . .
 
25-B COMMUNICATIONS

 
 5.    Chief Denz re Appointment of Louis M. Reiner as part-time Public Safety Dispatcher
 
                                                         
Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hanley, to appoint Louis M. Reiner as part-time Public Safety Dispatcher effective December 22, 2015 at a rate of $10.95 per hour and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.                                                         

 
            On the question, Chief Denz stated there are still six open part-time Public Safety Dispatcher positions and interested candidates can apply online.
 
          Ayes: All                                     Noes: None                                 Motion Carried
 

   6.    Finance Office re Budget amendment request
 
Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hart, to approve an amendment to the adopted 2015 General Fund budget increasing revenue acct. #002.0002.4860 Erie County Community Development Block Grant and increasing expense acct. #002.5110.0497 Highway General Repairs & Paving by $100,000 each.

 
            On the question, Councilman Hart noted the town received $100,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds and those funds are being added to the 2015 budget.
  
          Ayes: All                                     Noes: None                                 Motion Carried

 
  7.    Senior Recreation Therapist of Sr. Services re Budgetary transfer request
 
 
 
 
 
                                                          
Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hart, to approve a budget transfer of $333.53 from Craft Material/Supplies Acct. #001.7620.0475 to Equipment Repairs & Maintenance Acct. #001.7620.0443.      
 
Ayes: All                 Noes: None             Motion Carried
                                                     
   8.    Town Attorney re Appointment of Sarah Maj as part-time law clerk
 
Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hanley, to appoint Sarah Maj as part-time law clerk effective December 28, 2015 at a rate of $16 per hour and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
 
Ayes: All                 Noes: None             Motion Carried
 

 
 
 
WEST SENECA TOWN OFFICES                                       TOWN BOARD PROCEEDINGS
1250 Union Road                                                             Minutes #2015-25
West Seneca, NY 14224                                                            December 21, 2015
                                                                                          Page four . . .
 
25-C APPROVAL OF WARRANT
 
Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hart, to approve the vouchers submitted for audit, chargeable to the respective funds as follows: General Fund - $213,713.11; Highway Fund - $108,033.97; Special Districts - $12,491.12; Capital Fund - $78,414.88 (voucher #’s 91758 - 92121)
 
Ayes: All                                     Noes: None                                 Motion Carried
 
ISSUES OF THE PUBLIC
 
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST FOR RECREATION DEPARTMENT INFO
 
Susan Kims referred to a recent FOIL request for information on Recreation Department revenues and expenses and an employee log and stated the information she received from the Finance Department is not exactly what she was looking for.
 
Supervisor Meegan suggested Mrs. Kims meet with Youth Service Coordinator Lauren Masset to review the staffing schedule and other details. Councilman Hart and Supervisor Meegan also offered to meet with Mrs. Kims to address her questions.
 
Chief Denz cautioned against providing specific scheduling and staffing levels for security reasons.
 
TOWN EMAIL ADDRESSES ON VERIZON BLACKLIST
 
Susan Kims commented on a problem with town emails that are sent to Verizon addresses. Verizon informed her that the town’s email address was put on a blacklist with Verizon and it will have a cascading effect on other emails if it is not corrected.
 
Town Attorney John Fenz stated the town’s security system was updated and this may have caused the problem.
 
MINERAL SPRINGS ROAD BUILDING
 
Susan Kims referred to a comment in the West Seneca Bee concerning a recently constructed building on Mineral Springs Road. Councilman Hanley was familiar with the building and responded the owner properly obtained all approvals and permits from the town prior to its construction.
 
 
 
 
WEST SENECA TOWN OFFICES                                       TOWN BOARD PROCEEDINGS
1250 Union Road                                                             Minutes #2015-25
West Seneca, NY 14224                                                            December 21, 2015
                                                                                          Page five . . .
 
ISSUES OF THE PUBLIC
 
KIWANIS BUILDING ASBESTOS ABATEMENT PROJECT
 
Susan Kims questioned the amount of the original bid for the Kiwanis building asbestos abatement project and if the change order approved at the last Town Board meeting was the first change order for that project.
 
Councilman Hart did not recall the amount of the bid but stated that was the first and only change order and the total was still below the other bids received.
 
Mrs. Kims questioned if debris from the building will be buried on site.
 
Supervisor Meegan responded that some will be used to fill in the basement, but Highway Department trucks will be used to haul most of it away to be repurposed.
 
PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS BY BOARD MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS
          WINTER RECREATION PROGRAMS
          Youth Service Coordinator Lauren Masset stated the winter 2016 program brochure is available and will be distributed in the schools within the next two weeks.
          MESSAGE FROM CHIEF DENZ
          Chief Denz stated the parking ban is in effect even with no snow. He further reminded everyone to be vigilant of their surroundings during the holiday season and report any suspicious activity to his department.
          PUBLIC PRESENTATION ON SENECA PLACE FEASIBILITY STUDY
          Councilman Hart announced there will be a public presentation on the Seneca Place Feasibility Study by the consultant on January 7th at 7:00 P.M. at East Senior High School. Written questions will be accepted from the public.
          HOLIDAY WISHES
          Board members and department heads wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
          EXECUTIVE SESSION
          Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hart, to recess to executive session at 3:40 P.M. to discuss four personnel issues and legal matters.
          The board members returned from executive session at 5:15 P.M.
 
WEST SENECA TOWN OFFICES                                       TOWN BOARD PROCEEDINGS
1250 Union Road                                                             Minutes #2015-25
West Seneca, NY 14224                                                            December 21, 2015
                                                                                          Page six . . .
 
PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS BY BOARD MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS
ADJOURNMENT
 
          Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hart, to adjourn the meeting at 5:15 P.M.
 
          Ayes: All                                    Noes: None                                 Motion Carried
 
 
 
 
_______________________________________
 JACQUELINE A FELSER, TOWN CLERK