The Champion Town Board met in regular session Monday, June 1, 1998 at 7:00PM at the Municipal Building. Present was Supervisor Buckley, Councilmen

Stewart, Miller, Watkins and Buzzell, Highway Superintendent Martin, and Attorney Farley.

Proof of Notice having been furnished, the Public Hearing on Local Law #4 for 1998-Enacting a 180 day moratorium on the permitting of telecommunication towers was called to order at 7:03PM by Supervisor Buckley.

The following person spoke in favor of the local law: Peter LaBarge. No one spoke against the law.

All persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, the Hearing was closed at 7:15PM.

Supervisor Buckley opened the floor to general public comment. P. LaBarge inquired about a letter from John and Marie Wagenaar to the Town Board concerning the transport of leachate from Laidlaw to the sewer plant along Lamb Road. The Wagenaar’s stated in their letter that they believed that the Whitaker Road was better suited to this heavy traffic. Supervisor Buckley read the letter for inclusion in the minutes (see attached). P. LaBarge, D. Brown, and Supervisor Buckley expressed their concern about the ability of the bridge on Rutland Hollow Road to accommodate the weight and size of the transport trucks and the narrowness of Lamb Road. Highway Superintendent Martin commented that the speed and size of the transport trucks also creates a dangerous situation on the Whitaker Road.

Supervisor Buckley stated that he had spoken to the County Highway Superintendent who recommended posting the Town roads and therefore compelling the truckers to travel state and county highways.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to authorize Superintendent Martin to request a voluntary re-routing of the trucks and to post Town roads as he deems necessary if an agreement can not be reached. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Monthly Reports

• Engineers-H. DeLong updated the Board on the status of Champion Water District #2 construction including information about the replacement of 6" plastic PVC main lines with 6" ductile iron main lines in Champion Heights at no additional cost to the project.
• Highway Superintendent-B. Martin reviewed with the Board the cost of constructing/resurfacing particular roads within the Town. Mr. Martin estimated the following costs:

Municipal Building parking lot…………………..$6653

Pine Drive…………………………………………$69,000

North Lake Road…………………………………$99,000

Line School Road………………………………...$77,000

Micek Road (T/Champion share)……………….$20,000

Supervisor Buckley questioned the advisability of resurfacing these roads compared to performing maintenance work some newer roads to prevent deterioration of their surfaces. Mr. Martin recommended working on Line School and Micek Roads as monies permit.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to expend an amount not to exceed $69,000 to construct and improve particular town highways including Micek Road and beginning at North Lake Road working north on Line School Road. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

• Assessor-Mr. White reported that ten property owners grieved their assessments before the Board of Assessment Review and that the total assessment reduction was $65,000. The Board expressed their appreciation to the Board of Assessment Review for a job well done.
• Zoning Enforcement-Report read and accepted
• Planning Board-P. LaBarge reported that members of the planning board had attended a seminar dealing with telecommunication towers. The board is continuing to work on a recommendation to the Town Board concerning zoning amendments to regulate the construction of towers within the Town.
• Justice-Report read and accepted
• Parks-N. Eddy reported that the Parks and Recreation grant would be submitted by 6/3/98. The committee is reviewing steps to protect shrubs and plants at two other park sites in the Town and will prepare a recommendation for the Board.
• Historian-S. Wiley reported on the much improved condition of South Champion Cemetery. The cemetery has been cleared of debris, mowed and many of the monuments have been returned to their original positions. Mrs. Wiley requested that a letter be sent to Boy Scout Troop 26 thanking them for their valuable community service.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to approve the minutes of 5/4/98 as amended. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

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

General fund #210-243……………………………$ 11,470.60

Highway fund #113-135……………………………$ 62,902.71

Water District #1 Capital #4……………………….$ 17.32

Water District #2 Capital #15-20………………….$129,499.69

Water District #1 O&M #11-13…………………….$ 8,772.67

Water District #2 O&M #15………………………...$ 248.63

SARA Capital #2…………………………………….$ 1,504.84

Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

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

The Board reviewed a letter from Jefferson County Planning requesting a representative to the Black River Advisory Council. Supervisor Buckley appointed Councilman Watkins to the position.

Supervisor Buckley reported that the Town had received the award of one generator for the use of Champion Water District #2 from the NYS Emergency Management Office. Supervisor Buckley will reapply for generators for the Town Barn and both Champion and Great Bend Fire Departments citing the important nature of the health and safety issues that could ensue if these locations were without power for an extended period.

Supervisor Buckley reported on a meeting of the Carthage-West Carthage Consolidated Health Board. An informal discussion was held concerning the inclusion of both the Towns of Champion and Wilna in the health district.

An informational meeting is scheduled for 6/9/98 at the Great Bend Fire hall to discuss with residents of the water district the proposal for extending the water district to conform with the boundaries of the sewer district, to update residents on the status of the sewer district and to hear comments concerning the structure of the water rates in Great Bend.

Supervisor Buckley informed the Board that the regional sewer system Town and Village representatives have selected Hrabchak & Gebo, P.C. to provide legal services. Supervisor Buckley recommended that the Board take the necessary steps to form Champion Sewer District #1. Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to authorize Attorney Mark Gebo to prepare documents for sewer district formation. Roll call vote: Mr. Buzzell-aye, Mr. Watkins-aye, Mr. Miller-aye, Mr. Stewart, aye, and Supervisor Buckley-aye. Motion carried.

New Business

• No requests for proposals were received for repairs/construction of the roof on the Town Barn or for the ventilation improvements. The clerk was instructed to draft a letter to directly solicit proposals from area contractors.
• The following sealed bids were received for the insurance needs of the Town:

Haylor, Freyer & Coon……………….$13,055

Fuller Insurance Agency…………….$11,685

The Board discussed the advisability of locking in the quotes for the three year option. Mr. Watkins recommended accepting the 3 year bid. Mr. Miller expressed a preference for bidding the insurance every year. Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to award the bid for insurance to Fuller Agency and to select the three year option (cost remains the same for 1998, 1999 & 2000). Roll call vote: Mr. Stewart-aye, Mr. Miller-aye, Mr. Watkins-aye, Mr. Buzzell-aye, and Supervisor Buckley-aye.

• The Board set 6/15/98 at 8:30AM as a meeting time to discuss the water law and water rates for Champion Water District #2.

• Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Miller to adopt Local Law #4 for 1998-Enacting a 180 day moratorium on the permitting of telecommunication towers. Roll call vote: Mr. Buzzell-aye, Mr. Watkins-aye, Mr. Miller-aye, Mr. Stewart-aye, and Supervisor Buckley-aye. Motion carried.

• Supervisor Buckley reported that he has had conversations with NYSDEC officials concerning the closing of spill #9512642 (Town Barn). Highway Superintendent Martin requested authorization to purchase a tank and surrounding dike. The Board requested that he solicit quotes.

Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:15PM.

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Christina Vargulick

Town Clerk