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The Town Crier August 22, 2007 |
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The Town Crier August 22, 2007 |
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Brant Senior/Community Center Has New Patio
Highlights from the Brant Town Board Meeting The Brant Town Board met on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 before a standing room only audience. All Board members were present. During the portion of the meeting that was open to comments by visitors, former Councilman Marty Rosiek stated that he had made a suggestion when he left the Board that some long-term planning for the Police Department in Brant was needed. Rosiek again suggested the Board consider what the needs of the Town will be in 2020 and beyond and possibly look to an outside consultant for recommendations. Another former councilman asked, what was the limit for vouchers before pre-approval is needed? The limit is $250 and a new procedure is being put into place that will hopefully assure that an over-the-limit voucher does not go through without pre-approval. Kirk Ritz asked if the DA and Comptroller had been contacted in accordance with the resolutions that were passed at Thursday, August 9’s work session. Yes they have been contacted. Ritz also asked about Officer Hock’s purchase of a dress uniform and was told it had been a pre-approved expenditure so Hock could respectfully attend a funeral for a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty. Ritz’s last question was if the rumor that Officer Hock would be back in service was true. Supervisor Pero responded that the question would be addressed later in the meeting. Additional questions about Officer Hock’s status, payroll records and duty hours were asked. Since these were personnel issues, the Board responded that they were not areas to be discussed in an open meeting. Several people spoke in praise of the way Supervisor Pero has handled situations in Brant. Betty O’Donnell applauded those people that were availing themselves of the right to FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) information but asked, "where were you during the previous administration?" O’Donnell was sorry to see that the current issue [Officer Hock] was so politically aligned. She praised Pero for recognizing that "Brant is more than just the Four Corners." Bill Henry reported an Energy Fair will take place on Saturday, September 22 at the Brant Fire Hall. Many exhibitors are scheduled to be there along with experts to explain the benefits of "green energy", where to find available funding and tax advantages for home owners who install "green energy" home improvements. The Energy Fair is open to everyone and is free. In addition to the Energy Fair, Supervisor Pero announced the planning of an Energy Park in the Town of Brant. With the help of State Senator Dale Volker, Brant is on board to be the first town in New York State to own its own energy park that will be able to provide a clean source of energy for the Town. The Energy Park will produce electricity for the Town, reduce or eliminate Town taxes and possibly supply electricity to Town residents eliminating or reducing electrical bills. week. A Re-Dedication Ceremony will be scheduled for Saturday, October 13 at 1pm. In other matters, the Board • Set September 11, 2007 at 8:00pm for a Public Hearing to consider the re-zoning request of George Castle. • Set Saturday, September 15 at 2pm for the dedication of the Memorial Park • Will support the grant application by Justice Debra Ritz for a security system for the court. If approved the grant will provide for a hand held wand metal detector, a walk thru metal detector and video surveillance equipment. • Will be looking into all information available prior to making a decision about appointing the assessor. The appointment has to be made prior to September 30. • Accepted Delta Dental for Town employees and 2 retirees as the Town’s dental plan. The old plan included dental coverage the current plan did not. • Authorized the Supervisor to sign the contract with Lake Shore Central Schools that covered the buses used for the Summer Recreation program. • Announced that Flu Shots will be available, by appointment, at the Senior/Community Center on Saturday, October 20 from noon to 4pm. • Passed a resolution to support Congressman Brian Higgins in his request to General Conway to see to it that all US Marines are equipped with appropriate body armor. • Resolved to oppose a State resolution that would give control to the State in the siting of windmills in town throughout the state. • Support a resolution asking Erie County to continue to budget and perform routine road and road side maintenance. The Board voted to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. When they returned to the regular meeting, Supervisor Pero read the letter he wrote (letter is printed on page 2) refuting the article in the Buffalo News concerning the suspension of Officer David Hock. Because of the questionable voucher that was involved, the following procedure will be in effect immediately: Memo sent to all Heads of Departments. To be added to Town of Brant Procurement Policy: 1.) All Vouchers to be paid must be signed by Department Heads and presented to Town Supervisor and audited by the Town Board at workshop meetings. The Board also amended the resolutions passed during the workshop on August 9, 2007 changing responsibility from the Town Attorney to Special Counsel for the audit and investigation. The Board also rescinded, retroactive to August 9, 2007, and immediately lifted the suspension of Part time Police Officer David Hock Supervisor Pero announced the resignation of Town Attorney William Trask and the creation of the position of Special Counsel to the Town of Brant. John C. Grennell, Esq. was appointed to the position of Special Counsel to the Town of Brant with compensation as may be determined by the Board. Supervisor Pero read the following statement: "We as a Town Board realize that the suspension of David Hock was done in haste and we are morally and ethically obligated to change what we feel was a hasty decision before we gathered all of the facts. So therefore: The Brant Town Board is embarrassed and would like to make a public apology to Part Time Police Officer David Hock and his family and also to the residents of the Town of Brant for the public embarrassment sustained from our prompted actions." Before the adjournment of the meeting, Councilman John Arrigo resigned, effective immediately. Highlights from the Evans Town Board Meeting The Evans Town Board met in regular session on Wednesday, August 15, 2007. Supervisor Robert Catalino was excused from the meeting. A resident had a question about a neighbor’s "junkyard". She had addressed the Board last month (June) about this yard and was told that Supervisor Catalino would look into the matter. As of the day of the Board meeting, nothing in the offending yard had changed. This "junkyard" has been an issue the resident has been trying to have resolved for 5 months. Chuck LaBarbera from the Building Code Enforcement Office responded that the only violation was an uncovered vehicle. LaBarbera had been told that the vehicle would be taken care of by the owner. LaBarbera has not followed up on the matter because Building Codes office is in the midst of its busy season. LaBarbera will schedule a follow up. A resident from Lake Bay thanked Councilman Paul Cooper for attending the Lake Bay community’s association meeting and helping them with their garbage issue. A question about the status of the Hike/Bike Path project was addressed. The project is moving ahead. It is moving at the speed of state and federal guidelines. It is frustrating for everyone, and costly – an example of costly - a survey that was needed was done and considered good for 6 months. It was not used until 9 months had elapsed and therefore had to be redone and paid for again. Hopefully, groundbreaking will take place this Fall possibly October. Councilman Mike Spence reported that the Town’s chipper truck has been repaired and is out cleaning up from the October Storm. Spence asked that residents "bear with us, we will get to it [your downed tree branches]". Councilman Kathy Bartus reported that response times for Rural Metro are at 97% meaning that an ambulance is at the scene of the call within 10 minutes. Bartus also noted that the speed limit on Route 5 between Wisconsin/Delamater Road and the Highland area of Derby is 45mph. This is the area in front of ACE Hardware. Councilman Paul Cooper reported that the North Evans Firemen are holding a mega-raffle on Saturday August 25 at the North Evans Fireman’s Park. Underground Stampede will be playing. Cooper also received a letter thanking the Seniors’ Department and Mark for providing transportation from Steepleview to the Angola Gazebo Concerts on Wednesday evenings. Councilman Karen Erickson congratulated Lori Szewczyk for her part in the successful Legislative Breakfast that was held at the American Legion and sponsored by the Evans Brant Chamber of Commerce. It was a well attended and informative meeting. A Public Hearing was held to consider the joint increase and improvement of the Town of Evans water system facilities for proposed consolidation with the Erie County Water Authority. No public input was presented. The Board approved the a resolution to proceed with the project. [The complete resolution appears on page 15 as a Legal Notice.] A Public Hearing was held to consider rezoning and issuance of a Special Use Permit at 1303 Pontiac Road, Angola – petitioner David Symington – First Place Finishes. No public input was presented. The rezoning from General Business to Motor Service was granted and a 5 year Special Use Permit was granted. At the end of 5 years, the Special Use Permit will be eligible for renewal. In other matters, the Board • Approved a list of organizations that may be used to meet the State’s 4 hour (minimum) yearly training requirements for the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals members. Additional training options may be approved on a case-by-case basis. Training in excess of 4 hours in any one year may be carried over into succeeding years. The Planning Office and the Code Enforcement Office will create and maintain a system of tracking the training for individual members and present that information to the Town Board prior to consideration of a member for reappointment. • Issued a negative declaration, according to SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review Act) requirements, thereby concluding that the Hike/Bike Path project will not adversely affect the natural resources of the State and/or health, safety and welfare of the public and is consistent with social and economic considerations. • Authorized the Supervisor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding agreement transferring the employees and positions from the IBEW collective bargaining unit to the SEIU collective bargaining unit to be effective September 1, 2007 and subject to approval of the Town Attorney and the Town Comptroller. [The employees transferred were from the Town Parks, Water and Buildings and Grounds Departments that were consolidated on May 2, 2007 into the Department of Public Works. The consolidation was an effort to maximize efficiency and save costs. The employees retain their current seniority.] • Approved Special Live Band Permits for Russell T. Mogavero d/b/a Meadowbrook Restaurant and Bar, Inc. and Jean LaMarche of 6456 Hamilton Dr., Derby. • Approved the request of John A. Latimore, Chairman of the Pioneer Cemetery Committee for funding assistance to initiate a title search of the cemetery property. The information that will be obtained by the title search is necessary for applications for grant funds to help in the restoration and preservation of the cemetery. The cemetery, when restored, may become a point of interest for tourists. • Approved the division of the property owned by Benderson Development at 6914 Erie Road (Martin’s Plaza) into 2 parcels, one 8.89+/- acres and one .683+/- acres. • Approved the request of Justice Timothy Cooper to attend the Annual Conference of Magistrates and Court Clerks in Terrytown, NY September 30 – October 3, 2007. His Court Clerk Maryann Baake will also attend. Both will be teaching courses during the conference. The meeting was adjourned in memory of Scott Berns, Assistant Park Manager at Evangola State Park, who died July 30, 2007. The next meeting of the Evans Town Board will be Wednesday, September 5 at 7:30.
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