The Champion Town Board met in regular monthly session on Monday, March 1, 1999 at the Town Municipal Office

The Champion Town Board met in regular monthly session on Monday, March 1, 1999 at the Town Municipal Office. Present were Supervisor Buckley, Councilman Watkins, Stewart, Miller and Buzzell (6:08pm), Highway Superintendent Martin and Attorney Farley.

Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried. Executive session began at 6:00pm. Mr. Buzzell entered the meeting at 6:08pm.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to return to open session. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Executive session ended at 6:53pm.

Supervisor Buckley called the regular meeting to order at 7:00pm and opened the meeting for comments from the public. No one addressed the Board.

Monthly Reports

DANC-Supervisor Buckley reviewed the submitted written report.
Councilmen-Board members discussed the excessed equipment located at the Champion Water District #2 water plant. Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Stewart to advertise the excessed water equipment for sale by bid with the exception of the 21’lengths of 6" pipe. The pipe shall be available for $4.00/length. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Councilman Stewart recommended that locks be installed on each gate enclosure in Champion Water District #2. All Board members agreed. Supervisor Buckley will contact DANC to have the locks installed.

Supervisor Buckley stated that plans should be complete and a bid opening announced for Champion Water District #3 in April. Supervisor Buckley also read a letter to Robert Peck sent in response a letter received from Mr. Peck stating that he did not wish to be in Water District #3. Mr. Peck’s property is not located within the boundaries of the district.

Attorney-Mr. Farley stated that he is continuing to prepare the easements for Champion Water District #3 and Champion Sewer District #1.
Zoning Officer-A report from Mr. Phelps was read and accepted.
Planning Board-Mr. LaBarge referred the Board to a letter from the Planning Board recommending that no action be taken to rezone the areas surrounding Pleasant Lake. Mr. LaBarge said that a survey of residents indicated satisfaction with the current zoning regulations. Zoning Officer Phelps stated that the majority of zoning permits will require a variance for construction.
Parks-N. Eddy presented a final drawing for the Village Green memorial. The highway department has begun preliminary site preparation. Mr. Eddy requested that the committee be authorized to expend an amount not to exceed $1000 for perennials and annuals to be planted at the parks in Champion and Great Bend. Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the expenditure. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Historian-S. Wiley invited the Board to her presentation at the Jefferson County Historical Society on March 11^th.

Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the minutes for February 1, 1999 as presented. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to approve payment for the following bills:

General fund #53-81…………………………………$10,834.35

Highway fund #30-53…………………………………$25,180.55

Water District #2 Capital #3………………………….$1,500.00

Water District #1 O&M #3-4………………………….$344.56

Water District #2 O&M #7-10………………………...$815.29

SARA Capital #2………………………………………$608.00

Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Watkins to accept the Supervisor’s report as presented. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

New Business

Supervisor Buckley explained changes in the self-insured health plan. The executive board for the plan has hired a new third party administrator and improved the stop loss insurance coverage. Premiums will increase by 10% and an additional plan C will be added, at a lower cost than the A or B plan, for those selecting primarily major medical coverage. A thirty (30) day open enrollment will be held and deductibles will be transferable between plans. Motion by Supervisor Buckley, seconded by Mr. Stewart to raise the cap on health insurance for highway employees to $485.00. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Supervisor Buckley informed the Board that Stanley Sech has sold approximately one (1) acre of land to the Champion Hillside Cemetery Association. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to approve the purchase and use of the land by the cemetery association. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

The Board discussed a request from Dane Zehr to designate his driveway as "Montana Drive" for the purpose of 911 emergency management identification. Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to name the drive Montana Drive and provide a sign with the provision that the Town accepts no responsibility for the maintenance, upkeep, or care of the driveway and that the action in no way supersedes any Town Zoning laws. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

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

WHEREAS, the Town of Antwerp has been informed that the State Department of Corrections is considering a correctional facility in, or near the Village of Antwerp, Jefferson County, New York, and;

WHEREAS, we feel this facility will benefit Northern New York and will be a welcome addition to the economy of the region;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Champion does fully support this important project and the resulting benefits to the economy of Northern New York.

Ayes-5, Nays-0. Resolution adopted.

Highway Superintendent Martin questioned the Board’s intended actions on the bids received for a 1999 pickup. The Board responded that it did not intend to take action on the bids at this time.

Board members commented on a proposal from Town of Watertown Supervisor Joel Bartlett concerning an intermunicipal agreement between several Towns and Villages to support financially the construction and maintenance of a multipurpose convention center and ice arena. The Board declined the opportunity to participate in the project in favor of supporting growth and construction locally in the Twin Villages and Town of Champion and Wilna.

Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Miller to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:07pm.

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Christina Vargulick

Town Clerk