The Town of Champion Town Board met in regular session on Monday, June 3, 2002 at 7PM at the Champion Municipal Building

The Town of Champion Town Board met in regular session on Monday, June 3, 2002 at 7PM at the Champion Municipal Building. Present were Supervisor Buckley, Councilmen Watkins, Stewart, Peck and Buzzell (7:11), Highway Superintendent Sech, and Attorney Farley.

Supervisor Buckley called the meeting to order at 7PM and opened the meeting for public comment. No one from the public spoke.

Monthly Reports

Councilmen-Mr. Watkins advised the Board that no applications from the Town of Champion or Village of West Carthage had been received for grant funds made available by the Black River Advisory Council.
Highway Superintendent-Mr. Sech reveiwed his written report with the Board and discussed proposed construction on Pine Drive, Lamb Road and VanBrocklin Road at a cost of approximately $44,654.00. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Peck to construct the aforementioned roads as proposed. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Peck to approve the purchase of two-20 ply tires for the loader at a cost not to exceed $992 each. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Stewart to purchase a sander from the Town of LeRay at a cost not to exceed $3,000. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Assessor-Mr. Phelps reported that the Town held Grievance Day May 28^th and received ten complaints. The overall effect on the Town assessment was less than $11,000.
Zoning Officer-Mr. Phelps reported that the NYSDEC has begun legal action in regards to the Lunco property on NYS Route 126. An appearance ticket has been issued to Daniel Richardson for a zoning violation on NYS Route 3.
Planning Board-Board members reviewed the proposed amendments to the Town Zoning Law. The following items were noted for further discussion: Pg. 13-Insert front setbacks for properties with public water and/or sewer; Pg. 18-Section 520R insert County and; Pg. ii-delete Section 815 Application Materials. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to set a public hearing on the proposed amendments to Local Law #3 for 1997 for July 1, 2002 at 7:30PM. Ayes5, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Parks-Mr. Eddy reported that the remainder of the fence will be delivered within the week. Flowers have been purchased for the parks and will be planted as soon as weather permits.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to authorize RACOG to act as the fiscal agent for the Twin Village Area Swimming Pool Commission. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the minutes for May 6 and May 13, 2002 as presented. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

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

General #152-171...............................................$18,441.04

Highway #113-136..............................................$48,479.78

RACOG #1-4........................................................$1,726.95

SD#1 O&M #26-27..................................................$893.00

Twin Village Swimming Pool #1-2...........................$106.55

WD#1 O&M #13-14.................................................$325.59

WD#2 O&M #32-35...............................................$1,267.50

WD#3 Capital #10.................................................$1,029.13

WD#3 O&M #18.......................................................$308.58

WD#4 Capital #11....................................................$155.00

Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

The Supervisor's report was read. Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Peck to approve the report as presented. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

New Business

The following resolution was offered by Mr. Buzzell, who moved its adoption, seconded by Mr. Stewart, to wit:

A resolution authorizing an additional $500,000 for the construction of a water

distribution system to be known as Town of Champion Water District #4 area,

and authorizing the issuance of a maximum of $500,000 in serial bonds of said

Town to pay the cost thereof.

Roll call vote: Mr. Buzzell-aye, Mr. Watkins-aye, Mr. Stewart-aye, Mr. Peck-

aye, and Supervisor Buckley-aye. Resolution adopted.

The following resolution was offered by Mr. Stewart, who moved its adoption, and seconded by Mr. Buzzell, to wit:

A resolution authorizing the borrowing of a maximum of $71,000 from the

general fund account to Water District #4 capital fund for the construction of a

water distribution system.

Roll call vote: Mr. Buzzell-aye, Mr. Watkins-aye, Mr. Stewart-aye, Mr. Peck-

aye, and Supervisor Buckley-aye. Resolution adopted.

The following resolution was offered by Mr. Buzzell, who moved its adoption, and seconded by Mr. Peck, to wit:

A resolution authorizing the borrowing of a maximum of $19,000 from the

Sewer District #1 operating and maintenance account to Water District #3

capital fund for the construction of a water distribution system.

Roll call vote: Mr. Buzzell-aye, Mr. Watkins-aye, Mr. Stewart-aye, Mr. Peck-

aye, and Supervisor Buckley-aye. Resolution adopted.

Supervisor Buckley presented the final draft of the proposed PILOT agreement with Mohawk, Adirondack, & Northern Railroad Corporation for the consideration of the Board. The agreement is based on a series of meetings including represenatives from the Villages of Carthage and West Carthage, the Towns of Wilna and Champion, Jefferson County and the Carthage Central School District and testimony by represenatives from Climax Manufacturing and Slack Chemical Co. Inc. As part of the PILOT agreement, the JCIDA will acquire certain railroad properties, as described, and will agree to lease the facilities to Mohawk, Adirondack & Northern Railroad Corp. in exchange for a percentage of the switching revenues to be paid to JCIDA and forwarded to Jefferson County until such time that the deliquent taxes have been paid in full. The railroad further agrees to convey certain real property including property known as "Depot Property", "Gazebo Property", and an easement and right-of-way to the Villages of Carthage and West Carthage granting the Villages the right to use the present railroad bridge for the purpose of snowmobiles and granting an easement to construct an attachment to the present bridge subject to reasonable rules, regulations and indemnification. Mr. Buzzell questioned the availibility of the bridge to all- terrain vehicles. R. Schroy questioned the liability incurred by the Town and Mrs. Andrew Miles expressed her opposition to the conveyance of the bridge easment and right-of-way to the Villages citing concerns for personal liability, in so much, as the Miles property adjoins the railroad property. Mr. Stewart and Supervisor Buckley commented on the importance of the operation of the railroad to local business. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to approve the PILOT agreement as presented. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.
The Board discussed a presentation made at the May RACOG meeting concerning co-operative energy purchasing. The Town of Champion is estimated to save approximately $185.00 annually through the program. Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Peck to authorize the Supervisor to execute an agreement with Mirabito Gas & Electric Inc. Roll call vote: Mr. Watkins-aye, Mr. Peck-aye, and Supervisor Buckley-aye. Mr. Stewart and Mr. Buzzell abstained from the vote due to financial consideration received from Niagara Mohawk as a result of their employment. Motion carried.
Attorney Farley commented on the contract compromise proposed between Jefferson County and the Towns of Jefferson County which the town attorneys' are recommending for signature. Motion by Mr. Buzzell, seconded by Mr. Stewart to authorize the Supervisor to execute the contract with the County subject to review by the Town's insurer. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.
The Board reviewed the amended quote received from NYMIR for the insurance needs of the Town and the Twin Village Swimming Pool. Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Peck to approve the agreement with NYMIR for insurance coverage for the period 6/5/02 through 6/4/2003 at a cost of $19,951. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Supervisor Buckley reviewed correspondence. A letter has been received from the Copenhagen Senior Citizens Club requesting $595.00 for a trip to Erie Canal Village. The 2002 budget for adult recreation included requests from multiple senior groups. In consideration of honoring future requests, a motion was made by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Buzzell that the Town appropriate $300 to the Copenhagen Seniors Club to support their activities pending execution of a contract between the Town and the Club. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

A letter requesting support for the July 4^th fireworks has been received from the Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Peck to appropriate $250.00 to defray the costs of the fireworks display pending execution of a contract between the Town and the Chamber. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried.

The Supervisor discussed with the Board recent incidences of unmetered water being pumped directly from a hydrant to a tanker belonging to the Great Bend Fire Department. Section 27 of the Water District #1 water law prohibits filling pools from hydrants and Section 28 of the Water District #1 water law requires written notice forty-eight hours prior to honoring a request to supply water for wells and pre-payment of all requested water. The fire department did not notify the Town and made no arrangements for payment. The Board, by consensus, requested that a letter be directed to the Fire Department and Fire District to inform them that they are in violation of Water District law and may be subject to penalities.

Supervisor Buckley informed the Board that due to catastrophic losses by the North Country Towns & Villages Health Benefits Group that the Town of Champion shall be assessed approximately $19,000, payable over six months. He also reminded the Board, that effective January 1, 2003, the highway department will be insured through the Teamsters Union as per the negotiated contract. Resolution offered by Mr. Buzzell, who moved its adoption and seconded by Mr. Peck, to wit:

The Town of Champion hereby notifies the North Country Towns & Villages Health Benefits Group of their intention to withdraw from the plan effective December 31, 2002.

Ayes-5, Nays-0. Resolution adopted.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:48PM.

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Christina Vargulick

Town Clerk