Village Board

Village Board Meeting Minutes August 22, 2022 Present : Mayor Lee, Trustees, Fowler, Farrell, Speer, Zabelny Village Manager Shari Wilson- Pearce DPW Superintendent Jeff Pearce Asst Superintendent Chad McManus Code Enforcement Officer Mark Mazzucco Deputy Clerk Amy Harter Guests: Cody Kelly, Cody Pierce, Andy Steiger, Russ Zurick, Zack Klein, Scott Deutsch, Kevin Burritt, Debbie Jones, Aimee Doser, Reg Allen, Chris Dewey, Mike Weldon Sr, Dennis Bates, Larry Gursslin, Supervisor Jim Roose, Town Clerk, Carrie Fracassi, Assessor Don Wells Mayor Lee called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance followed by a moment of silence. This was a special meeting to discuss employee wages and the proposal to create a tax district for paid ambulance service. Discussion Wages: Shari Pearce opened the meeting explaining an increase to employee wage brackets are being considered. Shari is suggesting a three-year bracket of $18-25 and/or a 6 year step program. Kevin Burritt commented that the starting wage is not attractive for candidates. He continued the younger generation is not starting at a high enough wage and that an 18-year-old employee has already left and is making more money in Greece. Shari noted people don’t want to do this work and the Village has to change with the times to maintain employees. Cody Kelly said department is shorthanded. Mayor Lee does not want to wait too long to make changes and wants the employees to be satisfied. Trustee Speer noted he has experience doing all the jobs at the DPW, he wants to be competitive with wages and maintain good employees as they are our most valuable resource. Trustee Fowler said he would like to fill the open position with experienced staff. Trustee Zabelny also wants to keep valuable employees; the budget needs to be reviewed. The board agreed to discuss this at the September meeting. Eagle Scout project: A candidate would like to rehab the outdoor classroom located behind Quest Elementary School. Jeff Pearce asked if the Village would supply the concrete. The board would prefer the school be contacted about paying the cost but having the DPW tear out the necessary concrete. Jeff will speak to a representative from the district. SG Security: Last month, Shari Pearce, provided a quote from SG Security to install Access Control on 5 exterior doors and take over access control on the Village office door. Trustee Zabelny stated her strong support of the security of the building due to the number of children and employees. Trustee Fowler agreed with Shannon’s statements. Resolution to approve the proposal of $33,069.00 from SG Security to install Access Control on five exterior doors and take over access control on the Village Office door. The funds to be taken from the ARPA funding. Motion made by Trustee Zabelny, seconded by Trustee Fowler. Carried unanimously, 5-0. Ambulance proposal: Reg Allen from CHS and John Lemcke, Commissioner Hilton Fire District were present to discuss creating a taxable district. John Lemcke explained the history of the ambulance service. It was originally staffed by volunteers of the Hilton Fire Department. It became increasingly difficult to make 80% of the calls. Therefore, the Hilton Volunteer Ambulance was dismantled, and Greece Ambulance began serving the community. Eventually CHS took over, they are coming to the end of their contract with the Hilton Fire District. The Fire District charges CHS $1400 per month to use the Fire Department’s facilities when they are not on a call. Mayor Lee asked why, it was explained it is to cover utilities. John Lemcke stated CHS receives a $400.00 monthly credit to provide janitorial services at the fire hall. The reason a tax district is being suggested is the cost to operate the ambulance service has increased and CHS cannot continue to operate on the current funds. Mr. Allen asked if the Town and Village do not approve a tax district, how will he be able to close the deficit. He would not commit to a cost per household. Dennis Bates, 359 Lake Avenue, stated the last thing Village residents need is another tax. He also said the “Certificate of Need” could be sold back to the Village; Reg disagreed. The discussion moved to costs. Mr. Allen stated he would not talk finances with the representative of Monroe Ambulance in the room. He stated the time frame is short and they are working in a deficit. Mayor Lee said no decisions will be rushed through. Shari Pearce suggested inviting both AMR and Monroe to a Village Board meeting to discuss their operations and possible services they can provide to the community. Mr. Allen noted that is upsetting to him as he sent out vendor information two weeks ago. The board suggested this be decided by the residents at a public referendum. General discussion followed. Trustee Fowler suggested a joint meeting be held with a decision made for next year. Mr. Allen stated CHS needs 30 days’ notice to vacate and if they leave, they will not be coming back to service the community in the future. Trustee Fowler said the decision should be left to the taxpayers by holding a public referendum. The board’s agreed to meet with two board members each with Monroe and AMR. There being no further business, Mayor Lee asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion made by Trustee Fowler, seconded by Trustee Zabelny to adjourn at 6:55 p.m. Carried unanimously, 5-0. Respectfully Submitted, Amy Harter, Deputy Clerk