The Champion Town Board met in regular monthly session on Monday, March 5, 2001 at 7:00PM

The Champion Town Board met in regular monthly session on Monday, March 5, 2001 at 7:00PM. Present were Supervisor Buckley, Councilmen Miller, Stewart, Watkins, and Buzzell and Gerald Shattuck, Highway Foreman.

Supervisor Buckley opened the meeting for public comment. Mr. Brian Brennon, Time Warner Cable, presented a proposal to the board for the construction of a 15'x20' building at the rear corner of the lot occupied by the Town of Champion municipal building with adjacent parking for Time Warner vehicles by Time Warner in conjunction with the extension of the lease for the currently occupied office space. Mr. Watkins expressed reservations about setting a precedent and the legality of the agreement. It was the consensus of the board to refer the matter to the town attorney for comment.

Mr. Allen Conover, 35920 Sayre Road, commented on his dissatisfaction with snow and ice removal.

Monthly Reports

Highway-Mr. Martin was absent due to an on the job injury. Mr. Shattuck, highway foreman, has been designated to act in Mr. Martin's place for the duration of his recovery.
Councilmen-Mr. Stewart recommended that the Town inquire about the possibility of receiving funding for a generator for the municipal building through a program coordinated by Jefferson County Emergency Management. Mr. Watkins reported on his review of the insurance coverage and submitted specifications for the board's consideration. Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Stewart to authorize the Clerk to publish a notice to bidders for insurance and to receive bids through 4:00PM, May 21, 2001.
Assessor-Mr. Phelps reported that the reval is complete and that informal hearings have been scheduled for the end of the month.
Zoning Officer-Report read and accepted.

Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the minutes for February 5, 2001 as presented. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

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

General #57-88......................................................$16,803.28

Highway #40-59.....................................................$23,342.41

SD #1 Capital #11-15............................................$200,373.21

WD #3 Capital #5-6.................................................$44,526.10

WD #4 Capital #1-3.................................................$65,114.06

WD #1 O&M #4-5..........................................................$294.68

WD #2 O&M #8-12.....................................................$1,828.71

WD #3 O&M #3..............................................................$277.68

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.

New Business

Supervisor Buckley reported to the Board that the width of Maiden Lane, at the intersection with NYS Route 3, is restricted due to the curb cuts. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to request permission from the NYS Department of Transportation to reduce the curb cuts at the intersection of Maiden Lane and NYS Route 3. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

The Board reviewed and discussed the proposed by-laws and mission statement for RACOG as submitted. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Miller to approve the version of the mission statement identified as "T/Champion draft". Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to approve the by-laws as amended by RACOG and to authorize approval of any additional amendments at the discretion of the Town's appointed representatives. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to approve the appropriation of $50.00 for RACOG to cover administrative and operational costs. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to authorize the Supervisor to sign an agreement with Troy & Banks for the purpose of performing an audit of the records of Time Warner Cable in accordance with the provisions of the franchise ordinance to determine the accuracy of the franchise fee remitted to the Town at no cost to the Town. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

The Board reviewed and discussed rates for Sewer District #1. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Miller that the rates for Town of Champion Sewer District #1 be set as follows per equivalent dwelling unit(EDU):

Metered services

$210.00 flat rate to be assessed on the Town tax bill

$40.00 quarterly flat rate for 0-12,500 gallons of water metered

$2.50/1000 gallons of water metered over 12, 500 gallons quarterly

Unmetered services

$210 flat rate to be assessed on Town tax bill

Roll call vote: Councilman Stewart-aye, Councilman Miller-aye, Councilman Watkins-aye, Councilman Buzzell-aye, and Supervisor Buckley-aye. Motion carried.

The Board discussed the continuing work by the planning study committee to standardize procedures. Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart that the Supervisor of the Town of Champion is hereby authorized to enter into discussion with the Town of Wilna for the purpose of establishing a joint Zoning Board of Appeals. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to authorize the highway superintendent to post roads as deemed necessary. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to appoint William Nier to a five-year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Terms expires 12/31/2005. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

The Board discussed correspondence from Sequoia Pacific Voting Machine informing the Town that their company would no longer be supplying parts and/or service for our mechanical voting machines. It was the consensus of the Board to contact area voting machine suppliers for information and prices for electronic machines.

Supervisor Buckley reported that the new grader would be delivered soon. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to authorize the Supervisor to execute a bond anticipation note in the amount $80,000 to finance the balance of the grader cost. Roll call vote: Councilman Stewart-aye, Councilman Miller-aye, Councilman Watkins-aye, Councilman Buzzell-aye, and Supervisor Buckley-aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Stewart to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:34PM.

___________________________

Christina Vargulick

Town Clerk