The Champion Town Board met in regular monthly session on Monday, December 7, 1998 at 7:30PM at the Town Municipal Office Building. Present were Supervisor Buckley, Councilmen Buzzell, Miller, Stewart and Watkins, Attorney Farley, and Highway Superintendent Martin.

Proof of Notice having been furnished, the Public Hearing on the issuance of $1,000,000 in serial bonds to finance the construction of Champion Water District #3 was called to order at 7:09PM by Supervisor Buckley.

John Sawyer, Bud-Lo Drive, Great Bend spoke in favor of the bonding resolution. No one spoke against the resolution.

All persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, the Hearing was closed at 7:10PM.

Supervisor Buckley reviewed correspondence. The Environmental Facilities Corporation has reviewed the application for Champion Water District #3 and increased the hardship points. The increase in points will have a positive impact on State funding for construction of the district.

Monthly Reports

• Engineer-Kris Dimmick, Bernier, Carr & Associates reported that the remote monitoring system for Champion Water District #2 is operational. The fire pump has been activated and tested. DANC and DOH were present for the testing and responded favorably to the results. Calibration corrections have been made to the hydropneumatic pumps to correct excessive air in system. The air has been leached from the main lines.
• DANC-A meeting will be scheduled with the Champion Fire Department to instruct the members on fire pump and hydrant procedures. The pump in well #2 has been replaced and the well has been videotaped.

Supervisor Buckley recommended to the Board that no water rent for the Oct.-Dec. quarter be charged to new connections in Champion Water District #2 in consideration of the inconveniences during the start up of the system. Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to levy no water rents to new connections in Champion Water District #2 for the Oct.-Dec. quarter. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

• Councilmen-Mr. Watkins questioned if the fans in the highway garage are connected. Mr. Martin responded that the electrical lines have been run pending hookup by the electrical contractor.
• Highway Superintendent-Mr. Martin reported that the holiday decorations donated to the Town by the Village of West Carthage have been hung. There is no electrical service to the majority of the decorations at this time.

Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to authorize the Supervisor to send a letter to Niagara Mohawk requesting convenience outlets on the affected poles including seven (7) in the Hamlet of Champion and three (3) in Great Bend.

Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Mr. Martin recommended to the Board that they declare the second loader excessed and advertise it for sale to the highest bidder. Mr. Martin estimated the value of the loader at $10-12,000. The Board directed Mr. Martin to deliver specifications for the loader to the Clerk for advertising.

Mr. Martin recommended that the Board consider improvements to the Cole and Sayre Roads pending approval of the Carthage Central Schools building renovation referendum.

Mr. Martin reported that a night crew would be scheduled beginning December 7, 1998.

• Assessors-Mr. White reported that a settlement has been reached with Climax concerning their assessment. The state has set the equalization rate for the Town at 106.67%.
• Town Attorney-Mr. Farley reported that the fire commissioners for Champion Fire District #1 may by appointed after publication of district formation documents.
• Zoning Enforcement Officer-Report read and accepted.
• Justice-Report read and accepted.
• Historian-Mrs. Wiley reported that the Bicentennial Committee has a byline in the Carthage Republican Tribune and has begun distributing bumper stickers. Mrs. Wiley is working in conjunction with West Carthage Village historian, Harold Sanders, to prepare a comprehensive history of West Carthage.

Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the minutes for November 2 and 5, 1998 as submitted. Ayes-5, Nays-0 (Mr. Watkins and Mr. Buzzell abstained on the minutes for 11/5/98 because they were absent from the meeting). Motion carried.

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

General fund #429-484………………………………$105,391.67

Highway fund #246-272……………………………...$ 54,716.17

Champion Water District #2 Capital #51-58……….$112,464.39

Champion Water District #1 O&M #28-30…………$ 926.33

Champion Water District #2 O&M #33-38…………$ 2,746.02

Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Chris Vargulick, RMO, reviewed the quotes received for construction of the records storage facility with the Board and recommended that the Board appropriate $1000 from the general fund to supplement the grant funds received through the LGRIF. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to appropriate $1000 for construction of a records storage facility. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Mr. Yuhas reviewed the monthly Supervisor’s report. Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the report as presented. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Supervisor Buckley reported to the Board that the tax rates for both inside and outside the Village have been recalculated to reflect changes in the County figures. The rate will decrease $.14 inside the Village and decrease $.03 outside the Village.

New Business

Supervisor Buckley presented the NYS Snow and Ice agreement for a lump sum payment of $88,430. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to authorize the Supervisor to sign the agreement with the State. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Supervisor Buckley reported that he had attended a meeting of the Carthage-West Carthage Management Study. A proposal had been made to investigate the possibility of a joint recreation commission to develop and manage a comprehensive recreation program for the benefit of the Villages of Carthage and West Carthage and the Towns of Champion and Wilna. It was the consensus of the Board that the Supervisor participates in continuing discussion of the proposal.

Mr. Buzzell, who moved its adoption, seconded by Mr. Stewart, offered the following resolution:

A Resolution authorizing the construction of a water distribution system to be know as Town of Champion Water District #3- Great Bend Service Area, and authorizing the issuance of a maximum of $1,000,000.00 in serial bonds of said Town to pay the cost thereof. The adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows: Supervisor Buckley-aye, Mr. Buzzell-aye, Mr. Miller-aye, Mr. Stewart-aye, and Mr. Watkins-aye. The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Supervisor Buckley reviewed changes to the intermunicipal agreement for the regional sewer line that were recommended by legal counsel and the State Comptroller. Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to authorize the Supervisor to sign the amended agreement. Roll call vote: Supervisor Buckley-aye, Mr. Buzzell-aye, Mr. Miller-aye, Mr. Stewart-aye, and Mr. Watkins-aye. Motion carried.

The Board set 12/30/98 at 9:00AM for a special meeting to pay year-end bills and to conduct all other necessary business.

Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Executive session began at 8:50PM.

The Board discussed the post retirement employment of Theodore Rice. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to continue to provide uniforms for Mr. Rice.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to return to open session. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Open session resumed at 9:38PM.

The Board discussed the joint bid for fuel. Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to authorize the Clerk to advertise for bids for the fuel needs of the Towns of Champion and Wilna for opening at the 12/30/98 meeting.

The Board discussed a proposal from Highway Superintendent Martin to construct a pole barn at the Hall Road gravel pit for the purpose of storing machinery. It was the consensus of the Board to construct a pole barn.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:58PM.

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Christina Vargulick

Town Clerk