The Champion Town Board met in regular session on Tuesday, September 7, 1999 (meeting rescheduled due to the Labor Day holiday) at 7:00PM in the board room of the Municipal Building. Present were Supervisor Buckley, Councilmen Stewart, Watkins, and Buzzell and Attorney Farley. Forty (40) members of the public were also present. Absent were Councilman Miller and Highway Superintendent Martin.

Supervisor Buckley opened the public forum. John Illingworth, representing the Great Bend Fire Department, presented a proposal and drawings for a monument honoring past, present and future fire department volunteers on one side and Joseph Martin, original resident of Great Bend, on the other. The fire department requested the Town Board appropriate $2000 toward the total cost of $3170.50 for the monument. Mr. Stewart asked if foreign insurance monies received by the department would be used toward the costs. Mr. Illingworth responded that they receive a very small amount of foreign insurance funds but would be willing to earmark them to pay a portion of the cost of the memorial.

Mr. Illingworth also asked the Board about arrangements to have fire hydrants cleared this winter. Supervisor Buckley said that a plan is still under discussion.

David Wilsie, representing Champion Fire department, thanked the Board for previous increases in the monies appropriated for the department and requested the Board’s consideration for an equal percentage raise in the 2000 budget. He echoed Mr. Illingworth’s concerns for clearing fire hydrants during the winter.

Proof of notice having been furnished, the Public Hearing on Local Law #1 for 1999-Regulating the Use of All-Terrain Vehicles on Town Roads was called to order at 7:15PM by Supervisor Buckley. The following persons spoke in favor of the Local Law #1 for 1999: Dennis Sears

Richard Hollenbeck

Claude Linck

The following person spoke against the adoption of Local Law #1 for 1999:

John Sawyer

All persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, the Hearing was closed at 7:46PM.

Board members discussed which roads in the Town should be considered for ATV traffic. The Board reviewed a list of Town roads and reminded those present that the Town Board has no regulatory authority over State and County roads within the Town. Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Stewart to open all Town Roads to all-terrain vehicles. Roll call vote: Mr. Stewart-aye, Mr. Watkins-aye, Mr. Buzzell-aye, and Supervisor Buckley-aye. Motion carried.

Monthly Reports

• Councilmen-Mr. Stewart and Mr. Watkins reported on meetings at which they represented the Town.
• Highway Superintendent-Supervisor Buckley spoke in the absence of Mr. Martin concerning the need to replace a motor in the "glider" truck before winter. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to authorize the appropriation. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.
• Assessor-Mr. White requested that the Board authorize the assessors to conduct a revaluation in 2000. Mr. White cited the declining equalization rate and the detrimental effect that a further decline would have on tax and aid rates. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to authorize the assessors to revalue properties during 2000 in preparation for the 2001 tax roll. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.
• Zoning Officer-Report read and accepted.
• Justice-Mr. Quinn reported on the fines and surcharges collected and received thanks from the Board for the extra work he has performed in the absence of Mr. Church.

Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to accept the minutes for August 2, 1999 as presented. Ayes-3, Nays-0, Abstained-Mr. Buzzell.

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

General fund #251-278…………………………………..$20,060.20

Highway fund #154-170………………………………….$15,781.81

Champion Water #2 Capital #23-26……………………..$1,852.38

Champion Water #1 O&M #15-17………………………….$538.89

Champion Water #2 O&M #36-39………………………..$1,756.78

Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Christina Vargulick, Town Clerk, presented a proposal from Brown’s River Records Preservation Service to repair and maintain some of the permanent and archival records of the Town. Mrs. Vargulick recommended that priority be given to Birth, Deaths, and Marriages 1884-1911 and Births and Deaths 1911-1924. Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Watkins to authorize the Clerk to have the recommended volumes repaired and preserved at a cost not to exceed $1780.00. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Mr. Patrick Keough and Mr. Ron Roch, Town of Wilna Councilmen, were present to propose that the Town of Champion support the Town of Wilna’s application to be considered by State of New York Corrections as an alternate site for the construction of a correctional facility. The Wilna councilmen distributed a packet of materials outlining the criteria for a correction facility site and the reactions of officials from neighboring communities that have facilities and responded to questions from the Board. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to support the Town of Wilna as an alternate site for the construction of a correction facility. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

The Board discussed the request for funds for a memorial made by the Great Bend Fire Department. Mr. Watkins questioned why only Great Bend firemen were being recognized. Board members were not prepared to take action on the request immediately. The Board referred the request to the Parks Committee for a recommendation.

The Supervisor’s report was read and discussed. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to accept the report as presented. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Mr. Yuhas presented an investment policy for the Board’s consideration with changes in language recommended by the State. The Board referred the policy to Mr. Farley for his review and recommendations.

Supervisor Buckley presented a proposed contract from DANC for the operation and maintenance of Champion Sewer District #1. Supervisor Buckley discussed the specifications for emergency generators and pumping stations accepted by the Regional Sewer Board. Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Buzzell authorizing the Supervisor to sign the agreement, pending review and recommendations from Mr. Farley and editing corrections, as presented.

Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

The Board set September 15^th at 5:00PM to do a door to door canvas in Champion Sewer District #1 to complete easements for district construction.

Supervisor Buckley reviewed correspondence from DANC and the Town engineer concerning air pressure release valves and site remediation in Champion Water District #2.

Supervisor Buckley also noted a large increase in the cost of workmens’ compensation over 1998.

Supervisor Buckley presented the intergovernmental agreement between Jefferson County and the Town of Champion relative to road and bridge maintenance; construction and reconstruction of County roads; and sanding, snow and ice removal. Supervisor Buckley informed the Board that the reimbursement will remain equal to that in the 1999 agreement. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to authorize the Supervisor to execute the agreement with Jefferson County pending review and recommendation by Mr. Farley. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Executive session began at 9:35PM.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to return to open session. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried. Open session resumed at 10:13PM.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 10:14PM.

______________________________

Christina Vargulick

Town Clerk