The Brant Town Board Met for a regular meeting with bid for sale opening for backhoe and Public Hearing for Brant Water District/Surfside line extension on Tuesday February 13th, 2007. Councilmen Jeffrey Gier and Roseann Turner were absent. The meeting was opened with Supervisor Pero’s regular short announcement to the audience: “We are all here for the taxpayers and residents of the Town of Brant and nothing at this meeting should be taken personally. This is about a Town Board meeting making decisions in the best interest of the Town for its residents.” Supervisor Pero presented a plaque and an engraved watch to Ron Kobel for his 35 years of dedicated service to the Town of Brant in the Assessors office from 1972 till 2006. Supervisor Pero reviewed the change in the Assessors offices from three elected to one appointed assessor, the need for an assistant assessor position, Pero explained that unfortunately it was never created and approved by civil service and the need for the position was not warranted any longer. February 17, 2007 was proclaimed Ron Kobel Day in the Town of Brant. Supervisor Pero then answered some of the questions that had been brought to the Board at the January Town Board Meeting. Q. Is Police car money in budget? A. Yes there is money in the 2007 budget for a vehicle and we may only spend $8,000.00 this year. There was some discussion about purchasing a share in one vehicle (K-9). Councilman Arrigo pointed out that the Board has not approved a purchase and that he disagrees with it. Q. What hardships in Brant for the State Resolution on Code Enforcement/Fire Inspections? A. Hardship to the Town as insurance companies are already reviewing properties, and again unfunded mandates imposed by NY. Q. Police Officer in Charge- his hours? A. Pero elaborated the accomplishments’ of the Office in Charge (OIC) and his department explaining that the Town certainly is getting a fair deal, and he read a letter informing the Board of improvements in that department in the last year. Q. Why is the Supervisor receiving an increase in pay with the position of Parks Commissioner? A. The position has been in the budget for many years. The position is needed and the income Pero receives will be donated back to the Town. Pero also stated that all his meetings including cell phone, meals, and mileage are not charged to the Town. Starting with the February meeting, and agenda change is being enacted that will allow visitors to address the Board earlier in the meeting. Supervisor Pero explained the change frees visitors, other officials and guests to speak to the Board and leave at a reasonable time, before the board has any lengthy discussions and or business, etc. Ron Kobel stated that he had received his Tax bill and wondered why there was an increase on Erie County Sewer charges? Supervisor Pero stated that he will have to check with Erie County Sewer Authority. The Association of Towns are compiling information, questions, and concerns to question Authority’s (both Sewer & Water) on the increases. Lee Brunelli commented that the Refuse pick up was late last week and with the weather the town could have had garbage all over town. Martin Rosiek asked what was the increase in Refuse. The increase was about $20,000.00 but could have been increased another $10 – $15,000.00 if Town had stayed with Allied Waste. A public hearing was held on the Surfside Drive water extension. M. Rosiek asked if there will be an increase to the other water district customers? Councilman John Chiavetta calculated and estimated that a $100,000.00 assessed property could possibly see an increase of $15 – $20.00 a year for 2-5 years depending on available funding and the terms of the bond. Larry Nachreiner who owns property on Surfside addressed the Board and stated that they have been anticipating connection to water since the purchase of the land and that they have been contributing in taxes for the water district since its formation. Councilman John Arrigo questioned Councilman Chiavetta’ figures and asked where the figures came from? Councilman Chiavetta used Information from the Assessed value of the district and the anticipated cost from the project engineers. Arrigo asked if there will be problems with the new homes that are already on extensions. He was told none are anticipated. The Board will look at estimated financing for the extension project at next month’s meeting. OLD BUSINESS: PC UPDATE: As Councilman Chiavetta was to oversee purchase/lease of computers for the town clerks office, police department, and supervisors office he reported that Thea Ells and Dave Hock’s are up and running and Michele Brown’s will be next. CELL PHONE POLICY: Tabled till next month. SCHOOL CLOSING UPDATE: The Lake Shore School Board meeting that had been scheduled for tonight was cancelled due to the weather. Supervisor Pero shared the statement he was sending to the Evans Brant School board stating the Brant Town Board is strongly opposed to any school closing, and wished to make it clear that the Town is not interested in purchasing the School building. In other matters, the Board: • Received one bid for the Surplus 2001 John Deere 310G backhoe, being sold AS IS with an extend a hoe and a two ft digging bucket, from Mecca Farms for the amount of $26,260.00. The Board acknowledged the bid, but no action was taken. • Renamed delegates for Association of Towns Annual Training and Meeting: delegate Judge Peter Gugino and alternate Judge Debra Ritz • Approve Supervisor Pero sign a Memorandum Of Understanding between the Town of Eden, Town of Brant, Town of North Collins, Village of North Collins, Village of Angola: agreeing to engage in cooperative efforts to evaluate develop, construct, and maintain The SWED Regional Water Project in their respective communities. • Established a tax petty cash fund for 2007 property tax collection in the amount of $200.00 to be closed at the end of collection, and that property tax overpayments of .49 cents or less be turned over to the supervisor at the close of collection. • Read a resignation letter from Jack Mancuso for the Board of Review and Assessment due to illness and inability to attend the required classes. • Stated that the Town Park Maintenance Contract request would be for only one year as the park expansion projects will affect contracted work the following year. The Bid opening will be Tuesday March 13th at 8:00 PM. • Directed National Grid Power Corporation, in accordance with agreement dated June 27, 2005, to Install 2 - 100 whps streetlights on Brant N. Collins Road for an annual charge of $205.48 • In order to comply with Civil Service requirements the following positions are to be filed with Civil Service: ten (10)seasonal pt lifeguards, 25 (twenty five)seasonal pt recreation attendants, 3 (three) seasonal pt bus drivers, 4 (four) pt patrolmen, and 2 (two) seasonal pt laborers for the Highway Dept. • Approve appointment of Michele Hy as the Town of Brant’s Affirmative Action Officer. • Noted: •• Signs for entrances to Town have been delivered but will not be put in place till weather permits. •• Solar Installation classes will be held soon- contact Bill Henry •• Memorial Park Update: The lights have been chosen and ordered, and the committee is looking at shrubs (donation from Concord Nursery) and a gazebo. •• Park Expansion is looking at playground equipment and some of the requirements of the grant. Fire Company has concern over live burn and placement of buildings and wires. Pero met with grant writer Connie Miner and NYS rep and had the orientation, and set a tentative schedule. •• South towns Coalition Meeting was February 9th with the next being March 9 to start on Phase 2, looking at possible farm museum •• Read from a letter concerning a plan for a round about at Route 20, Route 5, and Route 438. •• Announced that the Assessor is available by appointment besides the hours the Assessors Clerk is available during the week and Town Clerk is also available by appointment as needed as always Grant Updates: • CDBG Senior Building Improvement application was denied. • CDBG Quality Community Grant (Farnham) was denied. • CDBG awarded $234,633.00 to Rural Transit • Arts council Awarded Brant $1250.00 for our Concert Series • The Quality Community Grant Application the Town of Brant is a part of South Towns Community Enhancement Coalition has received notice of a Shared Municipal Service Incentive Grant for $27,750. to implement not for profit status. • EFARM grant form NYS Dept of Ag & Markets to Phillip Farms • Records Management files for supervisor’s office will be delivered soon. Supervisor Pero recognized Mark Hageman Jr. who became a Eagle Scout on January 14, 2007. Mark worked on the sidewalk cleanup project which helped to earn his honor. Supervisor Pero made a public apology to Judge Peter Gugino for misinformation about his Justice budget being so grossly over stated, this was untrue, and the abuse he took while at one of our town Board meetings was uncalled for, he was embarrassed by the statements that had nothing to do with the situation and it caused disruption with the insults an mistruths. “We are sorry, Peter.” The meeting was adjourned in memory of former Farnham Mayor Ann Martorana who passed away on January 9th 2007.