August 2019 meeting minutes


 MINUTES
August 19, 2019

Meeting opened at 7:00 PM by Mayor Guido with the Pledge to the Flag.  In attendance were Mayor Louis A. Guido, Trustee Conway Bishop, Trustee Ian Feulner, David Hajczewski, Int. DPW Superintendent, Amy Herr, Clerk-Treasurer, Taylor Miles, Maintenance Worker, Hyde Clarke, Attorney and Edward Harvey, Consultant.  Also in attendance were JoAnn Guido, Barbara Hall, Gary Lozier, Jennifer Bishop, Dorothy Johnson, Jennifer Hill (Freeman’s Journal) Andy Minnig, Kathryn Lane, Peter Freehafer, Dennis Laughlin, Lisa Heinrich, Jordan Zaccagnino, Lewis Warner, Michael Nelson and Laura Freer.

Approval of the July minutes as members received in written form.  It was upon motion of Trustee Feulner, seconded by Trustee Bishop, unanimously carried, to accept the minutes as written.

TREASURER’S REPORT 

Checking Account

08/01/19 Balance
General

$207,922.21
Water

$52,441.71
Total Fund

$260,363.92
Trust & Agency

                 $311.95
Savings Accounts      

08/01/19 Balance
Water System Repair Reserve

$2,898.47
Cemetery Capital Reserve

$10,834.75
Unemployment Insurance Reserve

$2,640.17
Water Debt Service Reserve

$20,922.48
Parks & Recreation Reserve

$3,572.73
Sidewalk Repair & Replacement Res

$238.65
General Fund Savings

$25,012.71
                                               
Water
Taxes
Taxes Unpaid 7/1/19
Water Unpaid 7/1/19

$0.00
$42,954.30
Paid in July
$36,633.06
$18,949.33
Billed in July
$50,560.62
$0.00
Unpaid 8/1/19
$13,927.56
$24,004.97

It was upon motion of Trustee Bishop, seconded by Trustee Feulner, unanimously carried, to accept the report as given.

PUBLIC HEARING ON LOCAL LAW 1 OF 2019

            Public Hearing was opened at 7:05 PM. Notice of the Public Hearing ws published in The Daily Star on August 3, 2019 and was posted at the Village Office on July 31, 2019

Attorney Clarke gave a summary of the changes in the law from the previous public hearing.  Comments in favor of the local law included that animals need space to move around, they are a nuisance on sidewalks and roads, it is for the good and well-being of the village residents and property values and the law will have no impact on non-village residents.  Comments against the local law were that the waiver section is weak, the Purpose and Findings section does not have documented support and that there is not a need for the law.  Questions were asked about the religious waiver in regard to an Amish family.  Attorney Clarke responded that an Amish resident could apply for a waiver and if turned down by the Board would then be able to file a lawsuit against the Village. Questions were asked about keeping chickens in the Village and the waiver process for religious reasons.

            Motion made to close the Public Hearing by Trustee Bishop, seconded by Trustee Feulner, unanimously carried.  Public Hearing closed at 7:22 PM.

ANIMAL LAW

            Attorney Clarke stated that Local Law 1 of 2019 had been referred to Otsego County Planning Office and was returned for local action.  He clarified the provisions of the law regarding chickens.  He stated that an application for a waiver would be done after the law was passed as this is an administrative function. 

            Motion made by Trustee Feulner, seconded by Trustee Bishop, unanimously carried to declare the Village Board as the lead agency for SEQR.  Motion made by Trustee Bishop, seconded by Trustee Feulner, unanimously carried to declare the action an unlisted action under SEQR.  Board advised by Attorney Clarke that Part 1 of the SEQR form is completed.  Part 2 of the form was then read and completed by Mayor Guido.  Motion made by Trustee Feulner, seconded by Trustee Bishop, unanimously carried to adopt a negative declaration pursuant to SEQR.    

            Motion made by Trustee Bishop, seconded by Trustee Feulner, RESOLVED that Local Law 1 of 2019, A Local Law to Repeal Local Law #2 of the Year 1986, as Amended by Local Law #2 of 1994, and to Prohibit Livestock and Regulate the Keeping of Fowl is approved by a vote of 3-0, Mayor Guido, Trustee Bishop and Trustee Feulner all voting in favor of the law.

RESCHEDULING OF SEPTEMBER 2019 MEETING

            Motion made by Trustee Feulner, seconded by Trustee Bishop, unanimously carried to reschedule the September 2019 meeting to the 4th Monday of the month, 9/23/19, due to the unavailability of the Clerk-Treasurer.

Trustee Feulner had to leave the meeting at 7:30 PM.

DPW

There has been a drainage problem due to the ditch at 8 Lancaster Street needing to be cleaned.  Approval was given by Mayor Guido for the DPW to clean the ditch to resolve the problem.

REQUEST FOR NEW WATER CONNECTION AND POOL FILLING

            Jonathan Ackerman of Maple Avenue requested to have his pool filled from the Fire Hydrant near his home.  As this will cause problems with the water pressure and discoloration at the neighboring homes this request is denied.  Greg Noonan requested a new water connection on his property on Lancaster Street as he is planning to build a home there.  This request will be reviewed once the house is begun to know the best location to put the new water line.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING

            Sexual Harassment training is required for all employees by October 9, 2019.  The training will be scheduled to be held in the afternoon for all Board members and employees.

OTHER BUSINESS
           
            Gary Losier stated that last Christmas Eve there was a problem with the weather and it ws very cold out when the children were visiting Santa Claus.  He would like to be able to move this into the gazebo in the park on Main Street.  He would also like to have the Fire Truck that he arrives on moved from the area as it is loud due to it running the whole time.  Gary Losier will discuss this with Fire Chief Martin Field.

            Taylor Miles reported that the Fire Department would like to sponsor a Trunk and Treat in the Village Parking Lot prior to Trick or Treating in the Village on Halloween.  This was approved.

            Amy Herr reported that the Presbyterian Church will not be sponsoring the Chicken Barbeque on Memorial Day.  If there is any organization that would like to take this date for a Chicken Barbeque they can contact the Village Office.

            Mike Nelson asked where the responsibility for the water lines begins for a resident.  He is having an issue with his water.  Dave Hajczewski told him it is at the shut off.  He will come to the Nelson home to check on the water issue.  Mike Nelson also asked about planting trees between the sidewalk and road.  He was advised that he can do that, but will want to take in account for the needed root structure of the tree so it does not interfere with the sidewalk.  Mayor Guido stated that the Village has a grant to plant some trees in the village.  

AUDIT OF CLAIMS

After review by the board, it was upon motion of Trustee Bishop, seconded by Mayor Guido, unanimously carried to make payment on bills and budget amendments and modifications as follows:

General Fund
Ch. #’s 13655-13704
$54,417.37
Water Fund                                            
Ch. #’s 13655-13704
$5,143.86
Total Fund
Ch. #’s 13655-13704
$59,561.23
Trust and Agency Fund
Ch. #’s 1930-1932 & Auto deductions
$3,346.93

Budget Modifications
To                                                                    From                                                              
A5112.2                      $909.66                       A1990             $909.66
A5187.2                      $819.00                       A1990             $819.00
A5410.4                      $5000.00                     A1990             $5000.00

Budget Amendments
From                                       To                                            To                                             
None

ADJOURNMENT

            The meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM upon motion of Trustee Bishop, seconded by Mayor Guido, unanimously carried.

Respectfully Submitted,

Amy S. Herr, Clerk-Treasurer
August 22, 2019

July 2019 Meeting Minutes


 MINUTES
July 15, 2019

Meeting opened at 7:02 PM by Mayor Guido with the Pledge to the Flag.  In attendance were Mayor Louis A. Guido, Trustee Conway Bishop, Trustee Ian Feulner, David Hajczewski, Int. DPW Superintendent, Amy Herr, Clerk-Treasurer, Taylor Miles, Maintenance Worker and Edward Harvey, Consultant.  Also in attendance were JoAnn Guido, Jennifer Bishop, Dennis Laughlin, Kevin Flint, Mary Beth Flint, Andy Minnig, Dan Heinrich, Lisa Heinrich, Catherine Moore, Robin Huff, Jordan Zaccagnino, Dan Yerdon, Clint Young, Ashlee Cornelia, DJ Cornelia, Brenda Davies-Wait and Denise Weaver.

Approval of the June minutes as members received in written form.  It was upon motion of Trustee Bishop, seconded by Trustee Feulner, unanimously carried, to accept the minutes as written.

Public Hearing regarding Local Law #1 of 2019 was continued.  Questions were asked about the waiver, who would enforce the law and what the criteria would be for a waiver.  Comments were made that the waiver should be more defined and strict criteria should be in the law for the waiver.  Comment made that in the past there were no farm animals allowed in the village.  Comment was made to change the penalties to eliminate possible incarceration.  A suggestion was made that the law be put on a ballot for Village residents to vote on at an election.

Motion made by Trustee Bishop, seconded by Trustee Feulner, unanimously carried to close the Public Hearing at 7:43 PM. 

FARM ANIMAL LAW

            Motion made by Trustee Feulner, seconded by Trustee Bishop, unanimously carried to table further discussion and action on Local Law 1 of 2019.

Trustee Feulner had to leave the meeting at 7:45 PM.

TREASURER’S REPORT 

Checking Account

07/01/19 Balance
General

$212,264.60
Water

$19,301.10
Total Fund

$231,565.70
Trust & Agency

                 $311.95
Savings Accounts        

07/01/19 Balance
Water System Repair Reserve

$2,898.42
Cemetery Capital Reserve

$10,834.57
Unemployment Insurance Reserve

$2,640.13
Water Debt Service Reserve

$20,922.12
Parks & Recreation Reserve

$3,572.67
Sidewalk Repair & Replacement Res

$238.65
General Fund Savings

$25,012.71
                                               
Water
Taxes
Taxes Unpaid 6/1/19
Water Unpaid 6/1/19

$140.00
$0.00
Paid in June
$140.00
$154,764.62
Billed in June
$0.00
$197,718.92
Unpaid 7/1/19
$0.00
$42,954.30

It was upon motion of Trustee Bishop, seconded by Mayor Guido, unanimously carried, to accept the report as given.

DPW

Written report was presented for the past month.  Lancaster and Church Street have been paved.  They will be sealed soon.  The sidewalk on Genesee Street to be started in the next couple of weeks.

GRANTS

            The ORCA mini-grant that was applied for was received in the amount of $2250.00 for paving of the walking path.  Contact will be made with the grantor about what work can be completed to receive the grant. 

The contract has been signed with Otsego Soil and Water for a $1000.00 grant to plant trees in the Village.  The work must be done by December 31, 2019.

CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITIES INSTITUTE

            Otsego County and NYSERDA are applying for an Institute that would provide points toward becoming a Climate Smart Community.  To participate, a letter of support needs to be sent in.  Mayor Guido agreed to submission of the letter of support for the Village of Cherry Valley.

OTHER BUSINESS
           
            DJ and Ashley Cornelia requested an adjustment to their water bill due to a leak they had in January.  The bill will be adjusted to be the same as the July 2018 bill.

            Clerk-Treasurer Herr stated that Edward Rury had asked for an adjustment to his water bill as they never use over the minimum.  Dave Hajczewski will check on the usage since the new meter was put in and then a decision will be made on the adjustment.

            Wendy Reich stated that she would like to donate the trellis that she made for the Sculpture Trail to the Village in October when it is taken down.  It can then be put up somewhere on Village property in the spring as it should not be outside during the winter.  She also stated that she would like to do a mosaic project with children in the future for placement in the Village.

            Mayor Guido reported that the Village has purchased 2 radar speed signs that can be put up and moved to different locations in the Village. 

AUDIT OF CLAIMS

After review by the board, it was upon motion of Trustee Bishop, seconded by Mayor Guido, unanimously carried to make payment on bills and budget amendments and modifications as follows:

General Fund
Ch. #’s 13605-13654 &
EFT #7
$27,793.43
Water Fund                                              
Ch. #’s 13605-13654 &
EFT #7
$4,660.03
Total Fund
Ch. #’s 13605-13654 &
EFT #7
$32,453.46
Trust and Agency Fund
Ch. #’s 1929 & Auto deductions
$2,379.89

Budget Modifications for 2018-2019 Budget
To                                                                    From                                                               
A8560.4           $2000.00                                  A1990              $2000.00

Budget Amendments for 2019-2020 Budget
From                                        To                                            To                                             
None
ADJOURNMENT

            The meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM upon motion of Trustee Bishop, seconded by Mayor Guido, unanimously carried.

Respectfully Submitted,

Amy S. Herr, Clerk-Treasurer
July 16, 2019