The Brant Town Board met in regular session on Tuesday, January 9, 2007. All members were present. Gary Brecker, Code Enforcement Officer, stated that the format of his report was changed to better show what is being done about violations. Currently there are 2 active litigations – 1 has a court date set in the next 3 weeks and the other is on a court ordered compliance schedule. This month there were approximately 12 sites found to not be in compliance and 5 found in compliance. During 2007, the Town will be undertaking a major clean-up campaign to answer the many complaints that are being received. Code Enforcement is in the process of posting a map that will show the “hot spots” in the Town. This month there was a complaint concerning a private airplane using a private air strip. There is nothing in the Town Code that specifically regulates private air strips. Mr. Brecker will contact the FAA about the air strip. Since the Route 62 Southtowns Water Project has been eliminated, the Board is looking into what other alternatives there may be to bring water into the Town. All avenues are being pursued. Garbage Service has been started with Westfield Sanitation. The contract allows for 5 items to be picked up each week. Large items may be put out each week but are to be included as one of the 5 items for the week’s pick up. Pick up days will be Thursdays for residents living on Route 20 and west; on Fridays for residents living on Route 20 and east. Recycling bins are available at the Town Hall. Supervisor Leonard Pero has received many complaints about the previous garbage service provider, BFI, especially during their last weeks of service to the Town. The BFI representative assured Supervisor Pero that the complaints will be addressed because BFI would like to be able to serve the Town again in the future. At the end of 2006, Councilman John Chiavetta asked for an assessment of all the town hall computers, Hardware, software, operating systems, etc. The immediate need is for 3 new computers (1 for the town clerk, 1 for the supervisor’s secretary and 1 for the police department). Dell Computers could be purchased or leased that will include upgraded operating systems and Office software that would allow networking of the computers and coordination of technology – such as the sharing of printers/copiers through networking. Councilman Chiavetta asked for approval of the Board to coordinate the upgrades and continue to oversee the development of a Technology reserve to be used for Training classes and upgrades. This is a project that needs immediate action if it is to be of value to the Town Clerk’s office before tax time. The Board approved the purchase/lease of the 3 computers and appropriate software, not to exceed $4800. Residnets were reminded that nmbers on homes are necessary for emergeny personnel to be able to locate where they are to go on an emergency call. Numbers should be visible from the road. Numbers are available at all local hardware stores that are made of reflective materials that would be visible at night. The Events Committee reported that July 28, 2007 has been set for Summerfest. The parade is scheduled to begin at noon. The next meeting of the Events Committee will be February 16 at 6:30. In other matters, the Board: • Approved Budget modifications/transfers as recommended by accountant. • Set a bid opening for the surplus Backhoe sale for February 13 at 8pm • Tabled, for further discussion, a motion to join with the Villages of Gowanda and Springville in the purchase of a Ford Expedition to be used as a K9 vehicle for intercommunity policing. The cost to Brant would be approximately $8000 for the purchase of the vehicle. Officer in Charge David Hoch would have access to the vehicle freeing one of Brant’s Police Vehicles. Town attorney Bill Trask will discuss the idea with the Villages of Gowanda and Springville and bring the necessary information back to the Board for their next meeting. • Tabled the Resolution to support the New York State Unfunded Mandate on Code Enforcement stating that it would cause an undue financial hardship on the Town residents. During the Visitor’s portion of the meeting, Marty Rosiek asked the Board to reconsider this resolution looking at it from a safety standpoint (code enforcement inspections/fire safety inspections) rather than from only a financial standpoint. • Approved a resolution opposing unfunded mandates • Tabled a discussion on changing the night for residents to meet with the Town Assessors from Monday to another night to avoid the confusion in the parking lot caused by the congestion of Court night. • Decided that the liability issue of allowing the removal of “useful” items from the buildings to be demolished on the newly acquired Town Park land was too significant. A No Trespassing sign will be erected. • Tabled discussion on a Town Cell Phone Policy. It was recommended that a policy be introduced regarding cell phone use of Town owned cell phones. • Appointed Councilman Jeff Gier as Highway liaison • Approved sigining the Lease agreement with Erie County Board of Elections for payment for 2006 elections. • Received notification from D.O.T. that the CHIPS money, $29,225, has been deposited. • Set a Public Hearing for February 13, 2007 at 8pm for the Surfside Drive water project. The Town is looking for possible funding from Quinn and Volker to help with the cost of the project which will be borne by the entire District. Bids have come in. • Approved the agreement with Lake Shore Central for $18.75/ton for salt grit for the 2006/07 winter season • Received a letter from the NYS Office of Real Property – The annual reassessment has been completed and the Town will receive $5/parcel for a total of $6785. This is the 5th year Brant has been sent this money. Kurt Ritz addressed the Board. He was upset about the amount of money that has been put into the put into town park. Why do we need a parks commissioner, to be paid $500 and why should the commissioner be the supervisor? It was explained that additional money for the Commissioner was not put into the budget, it had been there. The position was not a new one but one that had not been filled in the resent past and so the duties were not performed resulting in a neglect of the facilities that is proving to be a costly omission. Mr. Ritz suggested that the money could have been better spent on police protection instead of on park. Marty Rosiek asked if money was being set in a reserve fund for the purchase of a new police vehicle since he hadn’t seen the item in the 2007 Budget. He was told there is sufficient money in the reserve fund to purchase a car now if needed. Mr. Rosiek added that budgeting for future replacements is also necessary. The meeting was adjourned with a moment of silence in memory of Officer Ron Raczka’s Mother Dorothea Raczka and Code Officer Gary Brecker’s Mother Adeline Brecker. The next meeting of the Board will be in a work session on February 8 at 7:30pm and at the next Board meeting on February 13, 2007 at 7:30pm.

     Assemblyman Jack Quinn announced that the Department of Civil Service will be holding a Corrections Officer trainee exam for qualified applicants on April 14, 2007. “The 146th and surrounding Assembly districts are home to several correctional facilities,” said Quinn. “I would like to encourage anyone looking to embark on a new and challenging career to take advantage of this opportunity right here in Erie County.” A Corrections Officer Trainee’s starting salary is $34,329. After successful completion of a one-year traineeship, the salary increases to $41,348. To qualify for consideration, candidates must be a U.S. citizen at least 21 years of age, a New York state resident, and have either a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Individuals in good physical and mental health must take a comprehensive written exam. A background, medical, physical and psychological check will follow prior to appointment to the training academy. Applications can be obtained through Assemblyman Quinn’s district office by calling (716) 826-1878. Applications are also available at www.docs.state.ny.us and at all state Department of Labor offices and New York state correctional facilities. Completed applications must be postmarked by February 26, 2007. Please include a $30 check payable to the New York State Department of Civil Service.