The Town of Champion Town Board met in regular monthly session Monday, March 3, 2003 at the Town of Champion Municipal Building.  Present were Supervisor Buckley, Councilmen Stewart, Watkins, Peck, and Buzzell, Attorney Farley, and Highway Superintendent Sech.

 

   Supervisor Buckley called the meeting to order at 7:00PM and opened the meeting for comment from the public.  Students attending the meeting to meet criteria for the Participation in Government class introduced themselves.

 

   Monthly Reports

 

·       Councilmen – Mr. Peck reported on the activities of the RACOG retail development committee and his recent attendance at the NYS Association of Towns annual conference.  Mr. Stewart reported on his attendance at the SuperCOG meeting.

·       Highway Superintendent- Mr. Sech reviewed his written report highlighting the current condition of pavement and efforts to repair holes and cracks, equipment maintenance, and the status of the department work force.  Mr. Sech recommended that the Town Board authorize him to post roads.  Motion by Mr. Peck, seconded by Mr. Stewart to authorize the Highway Superintendent to post roads as necessary.  Such posting shall be effective immediately and shall be in effect until the signs are removed by the Highway Superintendent.  Ayes-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

·       Assessor – Mr. Phelps reported that the taxable status date for the 2003 roll was March 1st.  The assessor’s office has been notified that the residential assessment ratio for the town has been set at 88.477%.  Supervisor Buckley asked how long it had been since the last townwide revaluation.  Mr. Phelps responded that it had been three years. 

·       Zoning Officer – No applications were received during the month of February.

·       Town Attorney – Mr. Farley responded to questions concerning the status of the lease renewal between the Town and Time Warner Cable.

 

   Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the minutes of February 3, 2003, as presented.  Ayes-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

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

 

        General #58-81…………………………………..$21,944.97

        Highway #31-53…………………………………. $25,807.91

        RACOG #10-13……………………………………$1,741.93

        SD#1 O&M #14-18………………………………...$3,604.91

        WD#1 O&M #6………………………………………. $273.21

        WD#2 O&M #9-14………………………………....$1,260.28

        WD#3 O&M #6-7……………………………………..$424.94

 

Ayes-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

   The Supervisor’s monthly report was read and discussed.  Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to approve the report as presented.  Ayes-5, Nays-0.   Motion carried.

 

  Supervisor Buckley reviewed correspondence received in February specifically a letter from CCSD relative to the shared recreational facility, recently adopted legislation that will allow the Town to effectively reduce the speed limit on Cole Road during school hours, and a membership application from the Association of the U.S. Army.  Supervisor Buckley recommended that the Board request membership information from the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization for consideration.

 

   Kathy Amyot was present to remind the Board of the upcoming Tug Hill Commission Local Government Conference.  Also attending was Kent Burto, Jefferson County Legislator.

 

   Proof of notice having been furnished, the following sealed bid was received for the purchase of a 2003 cab and chassis complete with plow equipment, dump body, and sander:

 

             Beam Mack…………………………. $131,300.00

 

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to accept the bid, in the amount of $131,300, from Beam Mack contingent on approval relative to the advertised specifications by the Highway Superintendent.

 

   Supervisor Buckley reviewed the status of highway accounts DA5142.2 and DA5142.4 for the Board’s information.  The Board agreed that the status is reflective of good management practices within the department.

 

   The Board discussed at length the possible relocation of the salt/sand barn.  Supervisor Buckley appointed Councilmen Stewart and Buzzell and Highway Superintendent Sech to a committee to study the proposal and recommend sites.

 

    Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the revisions to the NYS Route 3 Sewer Corridor Inter-Municipal Agreements as recommended.  Ayes-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

   Supervisor Buckley reviewed the monthly report from DANC and responded to questions concerning specific district operation and maintenance issues.

 

   Attorney Farley reviewed sections of the proposed revision of Local Law #1 for 1993-Unsafe Buildings Law.  Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to take no action on the proposal at this time.  Ayes-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.

 

   Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Peck to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations.  Ayes-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.  Executive session began at 8:38PM.

 

   Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Buzzell to return to open session.  Ayes-5, Nays-0.  Motion carried.  Open session resumed at 9:16PM.

 

   The following resolution was offered by Mr. Buzzell and seconded by Mr. Stewart to wit:

    The Town of Champion Town Board shall support all eligible applications from landowners who wish to have their properties included in the Residential Community Initiative (RCI) community proposal and shall render any appropriate technical support.

 

Roll call vote: Mr. Buzzell-aye, Mr. Watkins-aye, Mr. Stewart-aye, Mr. Peck-aye, and Supervisor Buckley-aye.  Resolution adopted.

 

   Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to adjourn.  The meeting adjourned at 9:24PM. 

Christina Vargulick
Town Clerk