The Town of Champion Town Board met in regular session on Monday, May 4, 1998 at 7:00PM at the Municipal Building. Present were Supervisor Buckley, Councilmen Buzzell, Watkins, Miller, and Stewart, Attorney Farley, and Highway Superintendent Martin.

Proof of Notice having been furnished, the Public Hearing on increasing the maximum amount to be expended for the improvement district known as Town of Champion Water District #2-Champion Hamlet Service District to $1.85 million was called to order at 7:00PM by Supervisor Buckley.

No one spoke for or against the bonding increase. L. Waite questioned the necessity of the increase. Supervisor Buckley explained that the project was slightly over budget and that the entire amount of the increase would be covered by grant monies.

All persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, the Hearing was closed at 7:05PM.

Supervisor Buckley opened the public forum. S. Eddy, Eddy Road, requested that the brush in the seasonally maintained portion of his road be pushed to the side so that he may access his fields for plowing.

L. Prievo questioned why the boundaries of Champion Water District #2 do not extend farther up County Route 47. Supervisor Buckley responded that the distance between services would make the cost of the project prohibitive.

• DANC-D. Henry distributed copies of the April activity report.
• Engineer-H. DeLong reported that the contractors were directed to prepare a written proposal for a alternate process to flush lines that would not cause a loss of pressure to homes already on the system. The proposal has been reviewed and approved. Seven (7) residences on the eastern end of the system have been approved for connection by the DOH. 50% of the 8" main line and 30% of the copper service have been installed. 50% of the rock excavation has been completed.
• Councilmen- Mr. Stewart reported on the last meeting of the Twin Village Pool Commission. A June 27^th opening is planned. Supervisor Buckley questioned references in the Commission’s minutes concerning inequities between municipal contributions.

Mr. Watkins responded to questions raised at the last Town Board meeting

Concerning insurance coverage. He reported those workers in the Village

Green, rental equipment and the screener are all covered by Town

insurance.

• Highway Superintendent-Mr. Martin appealed for Town residents to be patient. The highway crew is cleaning up storm debris daily but the volume of debris makes progress slow. The road tour is scheduled for May 8, 1998.
• Assessor-Mr. White reported that grievance day will be May 26, 1998. The monthly meeting of the Jefferson County Assessors Association will be held at the Town of Champion Municipal Building on May 21, 1998.
• Zoning Officer-Report read and accepted.
• Planning Board-S. Eddy reported that a majority of the members will be attending a workshop dealing with telecommunication towers. The Board is continuing to refine a draft of a survey for Pleasant Lake property owners.
• Parks-N. Eddy requested highway department assistance to repair the Village Green sign. Mr. Eddy presented the architectural drawings of suggested improvements to the Village Green and requested the Board’s approval of a matching grant funding application. The cost of Phase I of the project is estimated at $70,000.

• Historian-Mrs. Wiley reported on the excellent job that the Boy Scouts have done cleaning the South Champion Cemetery.

Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the minutes for

April 6 as presented. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the minutes for April 21 as presented. Ayes-4, Nays-0, Abstained-Mr. Buzzell (did not attend the meeting). Motion carried.

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

General fund #173-209…………………$ 22,435.06

Highway fund #89-112………………….$ 19,833.88

Champion Water #2 Capital #11-14…..$105,709.45

Champion Water #1 O&M #9-10………$ 7,430.24

Champion Water #2 O&M #12-14…….$ 437.26

Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

The Supervisor’s report was read. Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the Supervisor’s report as presented. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the increase in the maximum amount to be expended for the improvement district known as the Town of Champion Water District #2 in the Town of Champion – Champion Hamlet Service District to $1.85 million. Roll call vote: Mr. Buzzell-aye, Mr. Watkins-aye, Supervisor Buckley-aye, Mr. Miller-aye, and Mr. Stewart-aye.

Motion carried.

Attorney Farley polled the Board for responses to the SEQR. Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to make a declaration of negative environmental impact. Roll call vote: Mr. Buzzell-aye, Mr. Watkins-aye, Supervisor Buckley-aye, Mr. Miller-aye, and Mr. Stewart-aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Buzzell authorizing the issuance of serial bonds in the Town in the principal amount of $1.85 million to finance improvements to a water district known as the Town of Champion Water District #2. Roll call vote: Mr. Buzzell-aye, Mr. Watkins-aye, Supervisor Buckley-aye, Mr. Miller-aye, and Mr. Stewart-aye. Motion carried.

The following sealed bids were received for the purchase of fuel for the needs of the Town:

Supplier Gas Kerosene #2Heating Diesel

Simpson Fuels $.5940 $.5900 $.5550 $.5695

Agway $.5750 $.5841 $.5550 $.5750

Griffith Energy $.6135 $.6190 $.5600 $.5970

Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Stewart to adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the Town of Champion solicited bids by public advertising and;

WHEREAS, all bids were received in accordance with the specified time and

place;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Champion award the bid to Simpson Fuels as the lowest responsible bidder.

Ayes-5, Nays-0. Resolution adopted.

The Board discussed the condition of the roof on the Town Garage and the options for the repair or replacement of the roof and improvements to the building ventilation. H. DeLong, Bernier, Carr & Associates, will make an informal survey of the building and recommend a ventilation system. Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Stewart to advertise a request for proposals for the repair or replacement of the roof and ventilation to be opened at the June 1^st meeting.

Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to authorize the Supervisor to apply for and execute documents for funding for the Champion Sewer Project #1-Hamlet of Great Bend. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

The Board reviewed and discussed a Management Service Agreement with DANC to cover the following services: 1) Phase 1- Legal, engineering, and financing procurement; and 2) Phase 2- Design, funding liaison, financial management, bidding/contract award, construction administration, special services and project completion/closeout. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Miller to approve the contract as presented. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to set the wage rate at $10.79/hour for John Sech. This is the rate for a machine equipment operator (MEO). Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to schedule a public hearing on Local Law #4 for 1998-180 day moratorium permitting telecommunication towers for June 1, 1998 at 7:00PM. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Supervisor Buckley reported on a program to provide grant assistance for the purchase of generators for emergency use. Supervisor Buckley recommended requesting five (5) generators, one each for the Municipal Building, Town Garage, Champion Fire Department and Great Bend Fire Department. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to send a letter of intent to participate in the 404 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

The Board discussed the proposed Jefferson County Snow and Ice Agreement. Highway Superintendent Martin recommended that no action by taken until after his Highway Association meeting to assess the support for the program throughout Jefferson County. As proposed, the Town of Champion would receive $4300/mile. Mr. Martin recommended that the Board request language in the contract stating that there is not a "bare road" policy and that compensation be included for use of the Town pick up. Supervisor Buckley was concerned that the agreement does not include an escalator clause.

Supervisor Buckley reported that he had had a conversation with Legislator Fikes and was told that the Towns could sign single or multiple year contracts. No action was taken.

Supervisor Buckley reported that sales tax receipts were up approximately $3000 over the same quarter in 1997.

Correspondence was read from Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation stating that the Village of West Carthage will receive one (1) dry hydrant under a grant from Senator James Wright.

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

________________________

Christina Vargulick

Town Clerk