Town Board Meeting

1250 Union Road                                                           Work Session

West Seneca, NY 14224                                                          August 5, 2013

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.

Supervisor Meegan read the Fire Prevention Code instructing the public where to exit in case of a fire or an emergency.

Ø      New computers are installed and working nicely

Ø      Tax rolls have been sent to Erie County

Ø      Requested an executive session with board members

Ø      Hunting Licenses go on sale Monday, August 12^th

Ø      Tax bills will be in the beginning of September

 

Ø      Discussed plaque for police expansion and the fundraising committee. Original proposal was a 4’ x 6’ wooden plaque consisting of 700+ names of contributors. Chief Denz spoke with Mike Kalenda of Trophy’s Trophy’s who suggested a bronze plaque (12’ x 30’ or 20’ x 30’ costing $550 - $600) thanking the community which would be more durable and cost effective vs. the original proposal. He further suggested printing contributor names in the Pennysaver or W.S. Bee rather than on the plaque. The original understanding was that a portion of the total amount collected (approximately $25,000) would be used to recognize all 700 contributors on a plaque, which would be costly. Money raised has been earmarked and used for furniture and IT purchases, while the expansion project has been funded by grant money. Chief Denz suggested scheduling a meeting with board members and committee members to discuss what is practical and economically feasible with hopes of reaching a compromise. Councilman Rusinski commented that the committee should be recognized, but the spirit in which the money was donated should not be forgotten.

 

1250 Union Road                                                           Work Session

West Seneca, NY 14224                                                          August 5, 2013

 

Ø      Has been in contact with the local DEC office and deer biologists who are willing to meet with the Town Board to discuss the growing deer population. Options other than bait & shoot are available to help control deer population.

Ø      Requested an executive session to discuss two minor personnel matters.

 

Ø      Requested an executive session to discuss two litigation issues concerning a contract property matter and the tote bids. Overall tote bids are public; the decision of awarding the tote bid is confidential.

 

Ø      Congratulated the West Seneca American Legion baseball team on winning the NYS championship.

Ø      Brian Kulpa of Clark Patterson Lee discussed quotes received for the re-bidding of the Burchfield Storage Building Project. All extras were excluded in the rebid, but bids received were still extremely high. No recommendation is being made to award low bid of $265,000 since project only entails a concrete block restroom with vinyl siding and onsite garage construction. Problems with existing and relocating foundations, along with site excavation do not allow the project to be stripped down any further. Other options are being considered since the project continues to bid high.  Plans were presented for a prefabricated unit made by Romtec that would be assembled on site and cost between $29,000 and $39,000. Plans would not include the storage building with overhead doors but the building would lend itself to the possibility of future expansion. Construction would be done by the Buildings & Grounds Department. Councilman Hart questioned the cost of doing the expansion now vs. later, stating it may be cheaper to do it all at once. Supervisor Meegan stated she would pursue the opportunity of reaching out to plumbers, carpenters and bricklayers requesting their assistance in finishing the product. Mr. Kulpa stated there are various options available if this project goes from a contractor bid build to a project being done in house. He explained utilizing the existing foundation, adding drainage, tapping the main county sanitary sewer line and introduction of a new storm sewer, water lateral and power.

Ø      Requesting bid date for sewer replacement project on East & West Road (Psych Center to Garry Drive).  A serious sewer restriction at this location contributes to capacity issues in the Leydecker area.  Councilman Rusinski stated the storm sewer located on the east side of Garry Drive is problematic when it rains and asked that it be looked at and possibly cleaned.

Ø      Preparing Economic Development Grant application (due next week) & SEQR Type II action resolution plan

Ø      Ice rink flooring to be installed soon; some moisture issues from existing concrete flooring have to be addressed

 

1250 Union Road                                                           Work Session

West Seneca, NY 14224                                                          August 5, 2013

Ø      Road reconstruction project going well and on schedule. Contractor has used watering trucks to help control dust after a couple of complaints were received.

Ø      GIS training was completed

 

Ø      Questioned if there was an update on the Metz Building. Town Engineer Richard Henry responded they anticipated utilizing the remaining balance from the Burchfield Storage Project, which has bid higher than anticipated and is too expensive to award.

Ø      Requested Town Engineer Richard Henry and Code Enforcement Officer John Gullo join him and fellow board members to tour Building 9 at the State School; possibility of acquiring the building at a low cost. The Children’s Psychiatric Center will be closing in the future; would like to be proactive and look at the possibility of also acquiring that building.

Ø      Spoke with a representative from Bryant & Stratton regarding the possibility of interns working on the town’s website

Ø      Questioned the responsibility of homeowners who have hydrants located on their property, referring to hydrants on Harlem Road that are covered with plastic. Code Enforcement Officer John Gullo responded that hydrants on Harlem Road are out of service and no longer necessary; he will contact property owners and look into having them removed.

Ø      Inquired if there was any update on the abandoned house on Fawn Trail. Code Enforcement Officer John Gullo responded this residence is one of three homes being looked at for possible demolition.

 

Ø   Bank of America & Wells Fargo are working with the town regarding vacant homes and the town is continuing to take aggressive action while following the County Charter. Removal of unsafe conditions at a vacant house on Seneca Street will be addressed at tonight’s Town Board meeting. Councilman Hart was approached by someone interested in acquiring a vacant home at 90 Maplewood Avenue. Town Attorney Shawn Martin suggested anyone interested in purchasing a vacant home should send a letter outlining their request. Code Enforcement Officer John Gullo suggested residents directly contact the bank.

 

The board recessed to Executive Session at 4:00 P.M. to discuss issues with Assessor Kandace Wittmeyer, Chief Denz and Town Attorney Shawn Martin.

The work session concluded at 4:15 P.M. _______________________________________