The Town of Champion Town Board met in regular session Monday, January 5, 1998 at 7:00pm at the Municipal office, 10 North Broad Street, Carthage for its annual organizational meeting. Present were Supervisor Buckley, Councilmen Watkins, Miller and Stewart, Highway Superintendent Martin and Attorney Farley.

Councilman Buzzell was absent.

All new and re-elected officials were given the oath of office by Justice Dennis Quinn prior to the meeting.

Supervisor Buckley opened the public forum. Becky Murphy, representing Comprehensive Testing Services, outlined the alcohol and substance testing services available including on-site testing, reporting and 24 hours/day-7days/week service for an annual fee of $520.00.

Monthly Reports

• Highway-Mr. Martin informed the Board that D.M. Ferlito had requested permission to store explosives, that will be used during the construction of Champion Water District #2, on Town property.

Mr. Martin reported that the County has agreed to consider budgeting

monies to replace the Rutland Hollow Bridge in the 1999 budget.

• Assessors-thanked the Highway department for their assistance in moving records to the new office.
• Zoning Enforcement Officer-received one zoning permit application and granted one zoning application.
• Justice-report was read and accepted. The justices requested a fax machine for their office. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to purchase a fax machine for the justice office for a cost not to exceed $600. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.
• Parks Committee-Mr. Eddy reported on the three meetings that the committee has held and requested authorization to request bids for planning development of the village park. Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to request bids in an amount not to exceed $1500. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.
• DANC-report read and accepted. The Board urged DANC to continue to reduce the levels of sodium in the water in Champion District #2.

• Engineers-Mr. Dimmick delivered the drawings and specifications for Champion Water District #2, Contract #2-Water System Plant. The Board set February 3, 1998 at 2:00pm as the tentative date for bid opening pending review by the Department of Health. Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Miller to request bids for Champion Water District #2-Water System Plant. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Miller to approve the minutes as presented. Ayes-3, Nays-0, Abstentions-Mr. Watkins. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Miller to pay the following bills:

General fund #1-27………………………….$9669.18

Highway fund #1-11…………………………$67091.89

Champion Water #2 O&M #1-2…………….566.52

Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Supervisor Buckley expressed his appreciation to the Highway Department for the help and assistance that they provided during the move to the new Municipal offices. Supervisor Buckley reported that the first Town Hall in the Town of Champion’s history opened for business on Monday, December 29, 1997. The first month’s rent has been received from Time Warner.

Supervisor Buckley recommended that the Board appoint Bernier, Carr and Associates Town Engineer for a retainer of $750.00 annually. Planning Board Chairman LaBarge expressed his support for the recommendation citing development issues that may confront the planning board due to the improved water systems within the Town. Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to appoint Bernier, Carr and Associates Town Engineer. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

The Supervisor’s monthly report was read and accepted.

New Business

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to appoint the following:

Deputy Clerk-Janice Houghton

Registrar-Christina Vargulick

Deputy registrar-Janice Houghton

Historian-Suzanne Wiley

Town Attorney-Conboy, McKay, Bachman & Kendall

Zoning Enforcement Officer-Brian Phelps

Planning Board member-Frank Koster

Zoning Board member-Allan Moseley

Twin Village Recreation represenative-Thomas Stewart

Deputy Supervisor-Richard Miller

Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to appoint Maryann Yuhas as the voting delegate at the Association of Towns convention. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the salaries as presented (see attached). Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to adopt the investment and procurement policies without amendment. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Miller to set the first Monday of each month as the meeting date and 7:00pm as the meeting time. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to designate Key Bank, Community Bank and Marine Midland Bank as the depositories in which the Supervisor, Town Clerk, Collector and Justices shall deposit all monies coming into their hands by virtue of their offices. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart authorizing all elected officials to attend all necessary schools. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Miller to set the mileage reimbursement rate at $.27/mile. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to designate the Carthage Republican Tribune and the Watertown Daily Times as the official newspapers of the Town. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to authorize the Supervisor or the Deputy Supervisor to sign checks. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Miller to designate Comprehensive Testing Services as the firm to perform all necessary alcohol and substance testing. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart recognizing all Town employees who belong to the NYS retirement system, their retirement numbers and the number of days worked during a bi-weekly period (see attached). Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:40PM.

___________________________

Christina Vargulick

Town Clerk