The Champion Town Board met in regular session Monday, June 7, 1999 at 7:00PM at the Champion Municipal Building. Present were Supervisor Buckley, Councilmen Watkins, Miller, Stewart, and Buzzell(7:24PM).
Supervisor Buckley called the meeting to order and opened the meeting for public comment. Richard Suicie, representing Carthage Area Rescue Squad, reviewed a proposal to increase emergency service rates in all categories of care. The Board questioned Mr. Suscie about the utilization of, services offered by, and oversight of the Rescue Squad and comparable rates of other local ambulance services.
Councilman Buzzell entered the meeting at 7:24PM.
Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the proposed rate increase effective immediately. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Louis Waite suggested that the Board trade Sayre and Cole Roads to the County, reported on two dry hydrants, and questioned the status of the property restoration in Champion Water District #2. Supervisor Buckley responded that deficiencies in the restoration are being addressed by the engineers.
MONTHLY REPORTS
- DANC-The monthly report was read and accepted. Champion Water District #1 was under a "boil water advisory" for a period of time in May. Pressure remains lower than normal in Water District #1 due to tank maintenance on Fort Drum.
- Parks-Mr. Eddy reported on progress in the Village Green park. The dedication of the park monument will be on June 10, 1999 at 4:00PM.
- Assessors-Mr. White reported that four property tax assessment grievances had been heard.
- Zoning Officer-The zoning report was read and accepted.
- Planning Board-Mr. LaBarge reported that Dane and David Zehr are seeking to have Montana Drive adopted as a Town road. The Board reaffirmed its position that a road must be built in compliance with the adopted highway standards to be considered for adoption as a Town road.
- Justice- New computer hardware has been received for the justice office. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the cost will be reimbursed through a federal grant.
- Historian-Mrs. Wiley reported on her activities in connection with the monument dedication.
Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the minutes for May 3, 1999. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to pay the following bills:
General #140-185
.$18,763.67
Highway #95-121
..$27,456.16
Champion Water #2 Capital #6-8
..$ 4,786.18
Champion Water #1 O&M #9-12
$ 798.16
Champion Water #2 O&M #21-29
..$ 4,459.05
SARA #6
.$ 1,792.50
Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Watkins to accept the Supervisors report as presented. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
- Supervisor Buckley discussed with the Board the health insurance Plan C that is being offered as an alternative to employees. Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Watkins to offer employees the option of Plan B or C at no cost to the employee with the understanding that the option will be reviewed during the next insurance sign up period in December, 1999. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Employees must indicate their preference, in writing, no later than June 18, 1999.
- Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Miller to set the salary for the temporary court clerk at $10.00/hour. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.
- The Board reviewed the addendum to the personnel policy dealing with issues of uniforms, shoe allowance, accrued vacation, night differential pay, and longevity pay. Mr. Watkins recommended amending the addendum to specify "Highway Department" employees in items C,D, and E. Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Stewart to adopt the addendum with the amendments. Roll call vote: Mr. Buzzell-aye, Mr. Watkins-aye, Mr. Miller-aye, Mr. Stewart-aye, and Supervisor Buckley-aye. Motion carried.
- The Board discussed the County Agreement for the Expenditure of Highway Moneys. The sum indicated, by Superintendent Martin, to be expended was in excess of moneys budgeted by the Board. Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to take no action on the agreement pending a discussion with Mr. Martin. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.
- Supervisor Buckley reviewed a proposal from Troy & Banks to initiate an energy cost recovery survey. The Town would receive sixty percent (60%) of any funds recouped but would not incur any costs if no monies were recouped. Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Miller to authorize the Supervisor to sign an agreement with Troy & Banks to perform the cost recovery survey. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.
- Supervisor Buckley reported that he has received a request from Raymond Putman to rename Woodhill Road. Mr. Putman requests that the road be renamed Putman Hill Road. The Board took no action on the request.
Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Watkins to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Executive session began at 8:45PM.
Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to return to open session. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Open session resumed at 9:14PM.
The Board discussed proposed options recommended by Bernier, Carr and Associates to address maintenance of the Municipal Building roof. Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Stewart to advertise for the submission of bids to repair the roof as stated in option 2,4, and 5 and to request bids for option 3 (removal and replacement of existing roof) as an alternate. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Supervisor Buckley will contact the Town engineers to prepare bid documents.
Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Miller to change the date of the July meeting to Tuesday, July 6, 1999 due to the 4th of July holiday. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Miller to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:32PM.
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Christina Vargulick
Town Clerk