The Town of Champion Town Board met in regular monthly session on Monday, July 7, 2003 at 7:00PM at the Town of Champion Mu

The Town of Champion Town Board met in regular monthly session on Monday, July 7, 2003 at 7:00PM at the Town of Champion Municipal Building. Present were Supervisor Buckley, Councilmen Watkins, Stewart, and Peck and Attorney Farley. Councilman Buzzell was absent.

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

Monthly Reports

DANC – Written report read and accepted.
Highway – A written report submitted by Highway Superintendent Sech was read and accepted.
Assessor – Mr. White announced that the Town shall receive maintenance aid at a rate of $2/parcel.
Zoning Officer – A written report submitted by Mr. Phelps was read and accepted.
Planning Board – Mr. LaBarge updated the Board on the status of a major sub-division on Montana Drive and reported, that due to delays in submitting the required road maintenance agreement, the application had been denied. The road maintenance agreement has been completed by the applicant and reviewed by the Town attorney. Mr. LaBarge requested that the Town Board waive the fees for re-application. Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart that the fee be waived on the recommendation of the Planning Board. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried. Signed copies of the agreement shall be delivered to the Town Attorney with a check in an amount to cover the filing costs with the County Clerk’s office prior to sealing and signing the sub-division surveys for filing to assure compliance with Town law. Mr. LaBarge reported that the Planning Board has begun work with the Tug Hill Commission to implement the strategies identified in the EDR planning study.
Parks – Mr. Eddy reported that all of the annuals have been planted and that a chain has been affixed around the monument. A memorial tree donated in memory of Jack Phelps has been planted. Mr. Eddy requested assistance to complete the mowing and removing of stumps to facilitate tree replacement. Planning for a summer concert is proceeding.
Circuit Rider – Ms. Amyot reported that the Village of Carthage has adopted the proposed ZBA by-laws.

Motion by Mr. Peck, seconded by Mr. Stewart to approve the minutes for June 2, 2003 as submitted. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to approve payment of the following bills as submitted:

General #155-185................................................$9,744.63

Highway #134-149.............................................$33,438.18

RACOG #29-32....................................................$3,289.22

SD#1 O&M #35-41...............................................$1,893.18

Twin Village Pool #1.............................................$5,981.23

WD#1 O&M #17-21.................................................$825.53

WD#2 O&M #35-46..............................................$3,092.47

WD#3 O&M #16-21.................................................$884.35

WD#4 O&M #9-12...................................................$439.67

Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

The Supervisor’s monthly report was read and discussed. Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Peck to approve the report as presented. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

Supervisor Buckley reviewed correspondence received during the month. The Carthage Chamber of Commerce has requested a donation to support the annual fireworks display. Supervisor Buckley recommended that the Board contribute the funds appropriated in the 2003 budget and stipulate that the funds be used for paving the new Farmer’s Market building. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Peck to contribute $500 and an equivalent amount of in-kind service (ie. trucks and/or equipment) to the Carthage Chamber of Commerce with the stipulation that the funds and in-kind service be used to pave the Farmer’s Market. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.

A letter received from the VIP Seniors of St. James was read and discussed. The group is requesting a contribution of the $300 for unspecified activities rather than an excursion. Supervisor Buckley cautioned the Board against setting a precedent for contributing funds for unspecified purposes. The Board took no action on the request.

New Business

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to authorize the Supervisor to execute a renewal BAN for the Municipal Building. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Peck to adopt a resolution authorizing the issuance of serial bonds for the purchase of a 2004 Mack truck and plow at a cost not to exceed $132,588. Roll call vote: Mr. Watkins-aye, Mr. Stewart-aye, Mr. Peck-aye, Mr. Buzzell-absent, and Supervisor Buckley-aye. Resolution adopted.
As requested by the Board, Attorney Farley researched Local Law #1 for 1999 regulating ATV’s on Town roads for references to snowmobile use. The opinion submitted by Attorney Farley stated that the law did not allow for snowmobile operations on designated ATV roads. In view of the request from Missing Link Snowmobile Club to include the Taylor Road within their trail system, a motion was made by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Watkins to hold a public hearing on Local Law #2 for 2003 to allow for the operation of snowmobiles on the entire length of Taylor Road between the intersection with the Lamb Road to the intersection with the Austin Road and a section of the Lamb Road from an abandoned road, formerly known as Freeman Road, to the intersection with the Taylor Road. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried. The public hearing will be held August 4, 2003 at 7:15PM.
Motion by Mr. Peck, seconded by Mr. Stewart to direct the Town Clerk to send a letter to the Jefferson County Building Code office requesting a safety inspection on property located at 35465 Line School Road. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Mr. Stewart reported on bids received for wiring and lights at the town gravel pit on Hall Road. A bid in the amount of $2,717.45 was received from Stan’s Electric and one from Marriott Electric in the amount of $3,278.85. Motion by Mr. Watkins, seconded by Mr. Stewart to authorize the Supervisor to execute the necessary easements with Niagara Mohawk to proceed with the installation of underground electric and telephone services to the gravel pit in an amount not to exceed $6,459.83. Ayes-5, Nays-0. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Peck to authorize the Supervisor to accept the proposal from Stan’s Electric for the parts and labor to wire the building at the gravel pit and install interior and exterior lighting as stated. Ayes-4, Nays-0. Motion carried.
Supervisor Buckley distributed the mid-year budget analysis for the Board’s review and consideration.

Motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Supervisor Buckley to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:18PM.

Christina Vargulick

Christina Vargulick, Town Clerk