The Town of Champion Town Board met in regular session Monday, May 3, 1999 at 6:00PM in the Champion Municipal Building, 10 North Broad Street, West Carthage. Present were Supervisor Buckley, Councilmen Watkins, Miller, Stewart and Buzzell, Highway Superintendent Martin, and Attorney Farley.

Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing possible litigation. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Executive session began at 6:07PM.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to return to open session. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Executive session closed at 6:47PM.

Supervisor Buckley called the meeting to order at 7:01PM and opened the meeting for comment from the public.

Helen Ormiston, representing the Wilna-Champion Transportation Association, requested that the Board consider an increase in the 1999 appropriation to the Association due to a reduction in the funds they normally receive from the United Way. The Board questioned the utilization of the service and the availability of buses to transport seniors/handicapped to polling places. Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to appropriate an additional $500 to the Transportation Association from the 1999 budget. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

David Wiltse, Champion Fire Department chief, thanked the Board for the increase in the amount budgeted for the department.

John Illingworth, Great Bend Fire Department president, asked the Board to appropriate funds for Champion Fire District #1. Funds expended in 1999 would be returned to the general fund from the 2000 Fire District tax levy. Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Stewart to appropriate an amount not to exceed $2,500. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Mr. Illingworth also requested a joint meeting between the fire department and the Town Board to discuss snow removal around the fire hydrants in Champion Water District #1.

Monthly Reports

• Highway Superintendent- Mr. Martin reminded the Board that the annual road inspection is scheduled for 1:00PM, May 14, 1999.
• Town Attorney- Mr. Farley reviewed the revisions to the personnel policy. Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to adopt the revisions as presented. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Mr. Farley reported that he had been contacted by Champion Fire District #1 requesting that he act as their legal counsel. By consensus, the Board approved of Mr. Farley acting as legal counsel to the fire district. Mr. Farley will provide a formal letter of disclosure.
• Planning Board- Mr. LaBarge informed the Board that the planning board has approved a minor subdivision on NYS Route 26 that is the intended building site for Long Falls Baptist Church.
• Parks Committee- Mr. Nelson Eddy reported that Mr. Larry Eddy has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the committee. Clean-up work has begun in the Village Green Park. Mr. Eddy discussed the opportunity for individuals and associations to make memorial donations of plants.

• Historian- Mrs. Wiley reported on the cultural tourism conference.

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

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

General #114-139……………………………………..$6,268.67

Highway #80-94……………………………………….$8,294.55

Champion Water #2 Capital #5………………………$1,100.00

Champion Water #1 O&M #7-8…………………………….$2,113.94

Champion Water #2 O&M #18-20………………………….$ 917.77

SARA Capital #5……………………………………………..$1,792.50

Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

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

Supervisor Buckley reviewed the options now being offered by the North Country Towns and Villages Health Group. Group administrators from POMCO will hold informational meetings on May 4^th for all employees in the plan.

Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to approve the renewal of a junkyard license for Eric Burke, NYS Route 3, Great Bend. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:05PM.

______________________________

Christina Vargulick

Town Clerk