April 2014 Minutes

MINUTES

April 21, 2014



The meeting was opened by Mayor Kevin J. Flint at 7 p.m. In attendance were Trustee Louis A. Guido, Jr., Clerk-Treasurer Dorothy E. Johnson, Attorney Dennis B. Laughlin, Interim DPW Superintendent David R. Hajczewski, Larry Thompson, Part Time Cemetery Maintenance Worker, Jeff Wait, Albert Wait, Debbie Ellis, and Shannon Carley.



MINUTES



The first item on the agenda was the approval of the minutes, as sent to all board members in written form.

It was upon motion of Trustee Guido, seconded by Mayor Flint, and unanimously carried,

RESOLVED, to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as written.



TREASURER’S REPORT



Checking Account 4/1/14 Balance

General $69,115.77

Water 1,980.79

Total Fund 71,096.56

Trust & Agency 456.23



Savings Accounts 4/1/14 Balance

Water System Repair Reserve $ 2,890.16

Cemetery Capital Reserve 11,141.08

Unemployment Insurance Reserve 5,171.28

Water Debt Service Reserve 24,498.35

Parks & Recreation Reserve 8,481.34

Sidewalk Repair & Replacement Reserve 233.4144



Unpaid Water Unpaid Taxes

Unpaid 3/1/14 17,127.92

Paid in Mar. 1,415.15



Unpaid 4/1/14 15,883.27





After discussion, it was upon motion of Trustee Guido, seconded by Mayor Flint, unanimously carried,

RESOLVED, to accept the report as given.



BOYSCOUT EAGLE PROJECT



Jeff and Albert Wait gave a progress report on Albert’s Eagle Scout Project – redoing and/or creating handicap parking places within the village. They have verbal approval from the New York State Department of Transportation, though are waiting for a permit from the Binghamton office. The Boy Scouts have given their permission for the project as well. Mr. Wait said he will pay for the signs and posts, but would appreciate help from the village DPW with cutting the sidewalks, etc. Board members agreed to help with the project.



Mr. Wait also reported that James Wait’s project – paving/creating the basketball court on Alden Field has also been approved. He said this year will be for collecting funds for the project, with the actual work expected to be completed next year. Funds will come into the village office, which the Clerk will set up a separate fund for this project. She will then notify Mr. Wait of each donation.



CAT PROBLEMS



Mrs. Ellis and Mrs. Carley had previously requested help with a problem on their property caused by 30+ neighborhood cats. Mayor Flint said he had seen about 45 cats in this area while he was there for about 15 minutes. A lot of the cats looked unhealthy and he feels this is definitely a health hazard especially for the children. He has spoken to the State Health Department and will continue investigating what can be done to make the neighborhood a safe place to live. Trustee Guido said he will also pursue the matter.

Attorney Laughlin will write letters to the parties involved. A discussion regarding the cats being vaccinated was also held and possible laws that may be adopted.



BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM



Again this year awards will be given by an anonymous donor, through the Village of Cherry Valley for two commercial and two residential properties within the village for general upkeep, sprucing up/beautifying their property. Recipients will be presented with a plaque and a monetary prize.

Prizes will be awarded in July.



DPW



FLUSHING HYDRANTS



Superintendent Hajczewski said that hydrants will be flushed on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. He has placed signs out regarding the above at entrances of the village.



WATER COURSE



Conway Bishop has been registered for the Class C Water Operator Course with Morrisville State College, to attend in August, the first available opening.



STREET SWEEPING



Mr. Hajczewski reported all streets within the village have been swept. However, as noted by Mayor Flint, they may have to be gone over again due to the heavy winter and considerable use of sand on them. It was also noted that the crosswalks will be shoveled.

Mayor Flint said he is pretty certain that the Fire Department will again hose the streets during one of their drills, possibly in May.



SIDEWALKS



Mr. Hajczewski said he would like to have all new sidewalks in place before August.

Board members set a tentative date Tuesday, May 29th for their walk to make further plans on work needed.



REPLACE SIGNS



The Board will also make a list of signs that need to be removed/replaced within the village during their walk.



NATIONAL GRID



Trustee Guido reported that he is still trying to get information from National Grid regarding the increasing electric bills. He Senator’s Chief of Staff, Duncan Davie is looking possible funding/low interest loans through NYSERDA to help lower bills.



NYS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION



In response to Trustee Guido’s letter he received a letter stating that the broken curbs within the village are under maintenance jurisdiction of the village and there are no such projects planned by DOT in the foreseeable future. He was assured, however that the Department of Transportation will re-stripe the cross walks as weather allows. Also, after asphalt plants reopen they will perform more aggressive patching of Route 166 in the village.



ALDEN FIELD



Superintendent Hajczewski said the one soccer field in the park is in very rough condition with deep ditches and hills caused from the winter weather.

The Clerk said people had inquired about donating time at Alden Field during the ball games. Some of the parents/grandparents had asked about selling concessions, which has been approved by the village. However, the mowing and use of machinery will be left to village employees.



CEMETERY MAINTENANCE



It was decided upon motion of Trustee Guido, seconded by Mayor Flint, unanimously carried,

Mr. Larry Thompson, Cemetery Maintenance Worker will work part time, not to exceed 32 hours weekly.

Mr. Thompson asked if he could work 8 – 10 hours a week during the winter months. Board members will discuss this at a later date.



REFUSE REMOVAL CONTRACT



Attorney Laughlin reported that in regards to the awarding of the refuse removal bid, a freedom of information request had been received from the Ayer’s Law Firm, representing Mr. Randy Weaver. Attorney Laughlin said his response had been postponed due to the minutes not being approved yet. The Clerk was authorized to send the information on.





AUDIT OF CLAIMS



After review by the board, it was upon motion of Trustee Harvey, seconded Trustee Guido, unanimously carried,

RESOLVED to make payment on bills as follows:



General Fund Ch #’s10598 - 10634 $33,076.35

Water Fund " 3,891.11

Total Fund $36,967.56



Trust & Agency Fund, Including deductions – Social Security, Medicare, Federal, Retirement Ch # 1802 - 1806 $2,197.50









ADJOURNMENT



The meeting adjourned upon motion of Trustee Guido, seconded by Mayor Flint at 8:30 pm.



Respectfully Submitted,





Dorothy E. Johnson

Clerk-Treasurer

April 25, 2014