Massena Town Council

JAN. 21, 2015 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MASSENA HELD ON JAN.21, 2014 AT 5:30 PM AT THE MASSENA TOWN HALL. PRESENT: SUPERVISOR JOSEPH D. GRAY COUNCILMAN ALBERT NICOLA COUNCILMAN JOHN MACAULAY COUNCILMAN SAMUEL CARBONE JR. COUNCILMAN THOMAS MILLER ALSO PRESENT: JOHN MICHAUD III, MEDIA, ANDY GARDNER, NORTH COUNTRY NOW, BEN FAIRCHILD, CO, NANCY FREGOE, FRANK DIAGOSTINO, TOWN EMPLOYEES, ROGER BENNETT, MVEU, LARRY RALSTON, BDC, MARK SCOTT, TASK FORCE, KAREN WHITE, NYPA, BRENDA HARWOOD, HEATHER TRUAX, CSEA, ED KANEB, RESIDENT. SUPERVISOR OPENED THE MEETING WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. SUPERVISOR OPENED THE 15 MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. ED KANEB- ADDRESSED THE TOWN BOARD REGARDING THE NYPA AGREEMENT. COUNCILMAN CARBONE IMMEDIATELY RECUSED HIMSELF ON ANY COMMENTS REGARDING THE POWER AUTHORITY BECAUSE HE IS An EMPLOYEE. MR. KANEB STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE STATE IS SCREWING MASSENA. HE COMPARED IT TO NURSING HOMES COMPLAINED OF RATE REPEALS. FIRST THE STATE TAXES ONE WAY THEN IF IT GETS CHANGED THEY TAX YOU ANOTHER. THE POWER AUTHORITY AGREED TO A SETTLEMENT, THEN THEY INCREASED THE POWER RATES AFTER THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED. MR. KANEB ASKED THE BOARD TO STAND FIRM AND TELL THE POWER AUTHORITY THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THIS BOARD NEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD. HE SAID THE TOWN WON’T GET ANYWHERE UNLESS WE TAKE NYPA TO TASK. FRANK LALLIER- BLEVINS MOTORS, ASKED THE TOWN BOARD IF THEY WERE GOING TO DO ANYTHING REGARDING THE OFF SITE USED CAR SALES THAT COME INTO TOWN. HE STATED THAT HE HAD MET WITH THE SUPERVISOR AND PROVIDED SOME SAMPLE CODE. HE ASKED THAT THE BOARD TO CONSIDER PROHIBITING THESE CAR SALES AND TRY TO KEEP BUSINESS AND MONIES LOCAL. COUNCILMAN CARBONE STATED HE WAS WORKING ON THIS ISSUE AND HE IS MEETING WITH SOME PEOPLE FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS IN FEBRUARY. COUNCILMAN MACAULAY SPOKE UP AND SAID THAT THIS BOARD SUPPORTS A CHANGE TO THE CODE.  JAN. 21, 2015 MARK SCOTT-VICE CHAIR OF THE TASK FORCE, PAST SUPERVISOR-TOWN OF WADDINGTON, READ MANY POINTS HE HAD WRITTEN DOWN REGARDING THE POWER AUTHORITY AGREEMENT. HE SAID THAT MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE ARE BEING FORCED TO ACCEPT IT. THERE IS NO NEW MONEY. THE 20 WATTS OF POWER WAS ALLOCATED FOR THE NORTH COUNTRY, BUT NEVER HAPPENED. MONETIZATION OCCURRED IN 2014- 3RD AGREEMENT. THE GOVERNOR SIGNED ANOTHER AGREEMENT. IF YOU DON’T AGREE WITH THE REVIEW, YOU WON’T GET MONEY. THE POWER IS NOT A NEW ITEM. NO CASH AMOUNT WAS GIVEN FOR FIRST RESPONDERS. HE BROUGHT UP THE ITEM REGARDING THE NYPA UPGRADING THE RECREATION AREAS. FERC REQUIRES THAT NYPA UPGRADE RECREATION AREAS EVERY TEN YEARS. HE ASKED THE BOARD TO LOOK AT THE TERMS OF THE WLADIS AGREEMENT. IN ENDING HE ASKED THE BOARD NOT TO ACCEPT THE AGREEMENT. SUPERVISOR GRAY STATED HE HAD ALREADY STATED HE WOULD SIGN THE AGREEMENT EVEN THOUGH HE WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH IT. HE SAID HE WASN’T GOING TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS UNTIL HE READ THE COMMENTS FROM THE POWER AUTHORITY IN THE PAPER. HE THEN READ A WRITTEN STATEMENT. COUNCILMAN MACAULAY ASKED, WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES, IF THE HOST COMMUNITIES TURN IT DOWN. HE FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THE TASK FORCE HAD HIRED WLADIS AND WLADIS RECOMMENDED TAKING THE DEAL. HE FURTHER STATE THAT THE ENTIRE BOARD ALL HATE IT, BUT WE HAVEN’T GOTTEN A LOT OF HELP. BOTH THE TASK FORCE & THE COMMUNITIES HAVE NOT HAD A LOT OF HELP. SUPERVISOR GRAY STATED THAT ASSEMBLYWOMAN ADDIE RUSSELL WROTE A LETTER, SENATOR GRIFFO WAS AWOL, AND SENATOR RITCHIE WAS THE ONLY ONE TO GET INVOLVED. COUNCILMAN MILLER EXPLAINED THAT HE TOOK PART IN THE STUDY REGARDING THE FIRST RESPONDERS. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE STUDY WAS BEING DONE ON SERVICES AND HOW MUCH TIME IT TAKES TO RESPOND. HE FURTHER STATED THAT WHEN THE STUDY IS COMPLETED, THERE SHOULD BE PLENTY TO LOOK AT. SUPERVISOR GRAY ADDED THAT THE RECREATION IS A 12 YEAR REVIEW PROCESS WHICH IS A SPECIFIC FERC REQUIREMENT. HE STATED THAT HE WANTED A REAL TRAIL FROM HAWKINS POINT TO WADDINGTON. IF THERE IS ANY POWER IT IS WITH FERC, SOME RECREATION CAN BE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.  JAN. 21, 2015 RESOLUTION_____ THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN NICOLA, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MILLER, AND CARRIED, TO ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING MINUTES-12/17/14 & 1/7/15. CARRIED 5-0 RESOLUTION_____ ON A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MACAULAY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CARBONE AND CARRIED, TO ACCEPT THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE YEAR- 2014, FROM THE TOWN CLERK, RECEIVER OF TAXES, AND THE JUSTICE OFFICE. CARRIED 5-0 (reports at end of minutes) RESOLUTION_____ THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN CARBONE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN NICOLA, AND CARRIED, TO ACCEPT THE CORRECTION TO THE TOWN BOARD CALENDAR SCHEDULE. THE FEBRUARY MEETING SHOULD BE LISTED AS FEB. 25 TH NOT 26TH. CARRIED 5-0 BEFORE VOTING ON THE NYPA AGREEMENT. SUPERVISOR GRAY READ HIS LETTER ALOUD RESOLUTION_____ ON A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MACAULAY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN NICOLA AND CARRIED, TO ACCEPT THE FIRST 10 YEAR REVIEW OF THE 2002 ST. LAWRENCE –FDR PROJECT No. 2000 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT. (Full Resolution at end of minutes) CARRIED 4-0, COUNCILMAN CARBONE ABSTAINED FROM VOTING. DISCUSSION-RENEWAL AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES AT TRAVEL PLAZA CENTERS@ COST $995 YEAR (FOR TRAVEL BROCHURES), AND AUTHORIZE THE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN THE PAPERWORK. THIS IS TO BE PAID OUT OF ___ THE SUPERVISOR ASKED TO DELAY THIS DISCUSSION RESOLUTION_____ THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN MILLER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CARBONE, AND CARRIED, TO AUTHORIZE NOT MORE THAT THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO ALLOW REPRESENTATION AT THE SPRINGFIELD SPORTSMAN SHOW-FEB.-19-22, 2015 (TO SPONSOR A BOOTH, PAY FOR FOOD & LODGING FOR 4 DAYS), TO BE PAID OUT COMPACT MONIES. CARRIED 5-0 FRANK DIAGOSTINO DISCUSSED - COST ESTIMATES –RESCUE SQUAD PROJECT. HE PROVIDED INFO TO THE BOARD AND EXPLAINED HOW HE WANTED TO BID IT. HE ASKED THE BOARD FOR PERMISSION TO BID THE PROJECT IN MARCH.  JAN. 21, 2015 RESOLUTION_____ ON A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MACAULAY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN NICOLA AND CARRIED, TO AUTHORIZE THE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS REGARDING THE RECUE SQUAD PROJECT IN MARCH 2015. CARRIED 5-0 SUPERVISOR GRAY GAVE A UPDATE- CABLE FRANCHISE FROM TIME WARNER TO COMCAST. SUPERVISOR GRAY ASKED COUNCILMEN CARBONE TO SIT DOWN WITH HIM AND THE ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS WHERE THE TOWN WANTS TO GO COUNCILMAN MACAULAY GAVE A UPDATE-MASSENA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE HOSPITAL BROKE EVEN FOR THE YEAR AT AN 82 THOUSAND DOLLAR BALANCE. THIS HAPPENED DUE TO THE ONE TIME PAYMENT 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS OF IIAF MONEY. THE RENAL DIALYSIS TRANSITION HAS HAPPENED. THE PAYMENT FOR THE PENSION WAS MADE. UPDATE-TOWN OF MASSENA PROMOTIONAL VIDEO, WILL BE READY SOON. RESOLUTION_____ ON A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN CARBONE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MILLER, AND CARRIED, TO ENTER INTO A SECURITY MONITORING AGREEMENT WITH NCC FOR THE MUSEUM AT $25 DOLLARS PER MONTH. CARRIED 5-0 COUNCILMAN MACAULAY EXPLAINED TO THE BOARD THAT NANCY FREGOE RECEIVED THE DEBIT CARDS FOR THE RETIREE GAP INSURANCE PLAN. HE ASKED ABOUT A FORM WITH GUIDELINES EXPLAINING THAT THE INDIVIDUAL WOULD SIGN A STATEMENT STATING THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE CARD ON THIS DATE. THIS CARD CAN ONLY BE USED FOR COVERED SERVICES. IF THERE IS ANY INAPPROPRIATE USE, THE TOWN HAS THE ABILITY TO SUSPEND COVERAGE/OR CHANGE ACCOUNT NUMBERS. THE TOWN HAS THE ABILITY TO ADD FUNDS & AUDIT FUNDS (SEE RECEIPTS). THE BOARD ALSO STATED THE TERMS COULD BE REVISED. RESOLUTION ______ THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN MACAULAY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CARBONE, AND CARRIED, TO ADOPT A FORM FOR THE RETIREE GAP INSURANCE, WITH THE INFORMATION LISTED ABOVE. CARRIED 5-0  JAN. 21, 2015 COUNCILMAN MILLER BROUGHT UP CAPITAL PROJECTS. HE EXPLAINED THAT HE SPOKE TO NANCY FREGOE, AND SHE CALLED THE STATE COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE. NANCY FREGOE EXPLAINED THAT SHE SPOKE WITH LAIRD PETRIE ON HOW TO PREPARE A CAPITAL PROJECT LAN. MAINTENANCE AND SETTING UP RESERVE ACCOUNTS. MR. PETRIE COULD DO A PHONE CONFERENCE ON FEB. 11TH FROM 4PM -5:30PM IN ROOM 30. SUPERVISOR GRAY EXPLAINED AT A PRIOR BOARD MEETING THE TOWN HAD DISCUSSED LOWERING THE MALL’S ASSESSMENT. AS IT TURNS OUT THE ASSESSMENT REDUCTION PERTAINS TO THE MALL, THE ARENA, TWO OUT PARCELS IN FRONT OF MALL-UNDEVELOPED AND A PARCEL BEHIND MCDONALDS. RESOLUTION_____ THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN MACAULAY, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR GRAY, AND CARRIED, TO ACCEPT THE REVISED REDUCED ASSESSMENT WITH CARLYLE ST. LAWRENCE LLC. CARRIED 5-0 RESOLUTION_____ ON A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN NICOLA, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MILLER AND CARRIED, TO AGREEMENT TO SPEND HIGHWAY FUNDS. CARRIED 5-0 RESOLUTION_____ THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN NICOLA, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CARBONE, AND CARRIED, TO ACCEPT CHANGE ORDER #1 AND FINAL ON THE RUNWAY 9-27 REHABILITATION & SAFETY AREA IMPROVEMENTS DECREASING THE TOTAL AMOUNT BY $202,253.00. THE LOCAL SHARE BY $5,056.34. CARRIED 5-0 RESOLUTION_____ ON A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MACAULAY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CARBONE AND CARRIED, TO ACCEPT ALL TRANSFERS/AMENDMENTS: LIBRARY (2), TOWN (1), AND AUTHORIZE THE OPENING OF FOUR BANK ACCOUNTS. CARRIED 5-0 LIBRARY-two transfers:  JAN. 21, 2015 January 7, 2015 Joseph Gray, Supervisor Town of Massena 60 Main Street Massena, New York 13662 Dear Mr. Gray: The Board of Trustees of the Massena Public Library, at its January 13, 2015 meeting, approved the following transfer: $50.00 from GL Account #L.0200 Massena Public Library Cash to GL Account #L.0230 Brasher Branch. Purpose of transfer is to set up petty cash at Brasher Library Branch. Thank you, Sincerely,  JAN. 21, 2015 January 7, 2015 Joseph Gray, Supervisor Town of Massena 60 Main Street Massena, New York 13662 Dear Mr. Gray: The Board of Trustees of the Massena Public Library, at its January 13, 2015 meeting, approved the following inter-fund transfer: Debbie Fuehring December 18th – 4 hours @ $17.71 per hour $70.84 (Salary) + $53.59 (Fringe Benefits) = $124.43 Mary Hall December 16th, 23rd, 30th and January 6th – 16 hours @ 13.14 per hour $210.24 (Salary) + $159.04 (Fringe Benefits) = $369.28 $493.71 from BPL7401.1 to 7410.460 MPL (Salaries) Thank you, Sincerely,  JAN. 21, 2015 TOWN OF MASSENA TOWN BOARD MEETING JANUARY 21, 2015 BUDGET TRANSFERS, AMENDMENTS AND CASH TRANSFERS CASH TRANSFERS: TRANSFER: $531,445.63 from MBIA/CLASS NY-01-0307-0021 Sold Real Estate to Community Bank checking account # ******6937 T-Hangar 10 Bay & Site Improvements This transfer will assist in covering the cost of partial payment #1 from Con Tech. Since this is a State grant only, with no Federal funding, drawdowns are done via US Mail and take several weeks to be processed. These funds will be reimbursed to the Class account once received from the State. TRANSFER $23,563.00 from General fund for Town’s share of grants as follows: (HAA Fund) T-Hangar Taxilane (Construction) $20,300 (HBB Fund) Remove Obstruction – Phase IV 1,030 (HCC Fund) General Aviation Access Road Rehab (Design) 1,200 (HDD Fund) Security System Equipment Purchase 1,033 $23,563 REQUEST PERMISSION: (1) To open four (4) new airport grant checking accounts at Community Bank as follows: T-Hangar Taxilane (Construction) Remove Obstruction-Phase IV General Aviation Access Road Rehab (Design) Security System Equipment Purchase/Install (2) To create a Due To/Due From – Due to A Fund from HTH Fund to account for cash transfer in the amount of $531,445.63 as mentioned above. (3) Once new checking accounts are open, request permission to pay the following invoices: HAA Fund Barrett Paving PP#1 $60,055.20 C&S Inv#149916 2,992.83 HBB Fund C&S Inv#149822 $11,051.46 HCC Fund C&S Inv#149821 $ 3,581.83 HDD Fund C&S Inv#149820 $ 486.17  JAN. 21, 2015 RESOLUTION_____ THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN NICOLA, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MACAULAY, AND CARRIED, TO ACCEPT WARRANT#1 AS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD AS FOLLOWS: CARRIED 5-0 TOWN OF MASSENA TOWN BOARD MEETING JANUARY 21, 2015 AUDIT #1 FUND DESCRIPTION AMOUNT A GENERAL $ 153,182.71 B GENERAL OUTSIDE 85,281.30 DA HIGHWAY 114,329.50 DB HIGHWAY OUTSIDE 1,710.00 HCS R/W 9-27 REHAB CONST 444,332.94 HTH T-HANGAR 10 BAY & SITE IMP 6,306.00 HLE OFF AIRPORT LAND ACQ. PHASE III 25,000.00 HTH T-HANGAR 10 BAY SITE 650,396.39 L LIBRARY 21,440.93 SF FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 82,000.00 SSM SO. MAIN STREET SEWER 120.49 SWA E. MASSENA CONSOLIDATED WATER DISTRICT 2,386.52 SWE E. MASSENA WATER DISTRICT 74.22 TOTAL $1,586,561.00 AUDIT #1 CHECK #’S 37923-38038 $379,634.13 MANUAL CHECKS 1,206,926.87 TOTAL $1,586,561.00  JAN. 21, 2015 NEXT MEETINGS: - MEETING ON 2/25/2015 AT 5:30PM FINANCIAL REPORTS PROVIDED BY SUPERVISOR: 1) REVENUE /EXPENSE REPORT DEC. 2014 2) YEAR TO DATE FUND SUMMARY DEC. 2014 COMMITTEE REPORTS: AIRPORT/HIGHWAY- MR. DIAGOSTINO REPORTED THAT THE HIGHWAY CREW HAS BEEN OUT FOR 20 DAYS THIS MONTH. THE AIRPORT IS DOWN TO ONE GATE. HAD TO REPLACE THE CONTROLS AT THE TERMINAL GATE. IT IS 20 YRS OLD. SECURITY UPGRADES ARE GOING ON, GATE IS CONTROL ON WIRELESS. AVIATION GRANT AWARDED TO EXPAND THE LONG-TERM PARKING. KYLE BIGNESS STARTED WORK. GEORGE CHASE FOUND THAT WE COULD BUY FUEL OIL ON STATE BID. RESCUE SQUAD- NO REPORT HOSPITAL -NO REPORT MED-COUNCILMAN NICOLA REPORTED THAT LED LIGHTING ON BEACH ST- LIBERTY IS SAVING LOTS OF WATTAGE. LIBRARY- COUNCILMAN CARBONE PRESENTED A BREAKDOWN FOR THE EXPENSES INCURRED FOR BOCES. MR. DIAGOSTINO REPORTED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING NEEDS REPLACEMENT. HE WILL GET WITH TRANE. RESOLUTION_____ THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN CARBONE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MILLER, AND CARRIED, TO APPOINT JENNA MATTHEWS TO THE LIBRARY BOARD REPLACING EMILY HUTCHISON FOR A FIVE YEAR TERM EXPIRING 12/31/2019. CARRIED 5-0 MUSEUM- COUNCILMAN CARBONE REPORTED THAT THE HISTORIAN IS LOOKING FOR A GRANT TO REPLACE ITEMS LISTED IN TH ENERGY AUDIT. RECREATION- COUNCILMAN NICOLA, REPORTED THAT RICH BOPREY IS RETIRING ON 1/27/15. THE NEXT MEETING IS NEXT TUESDAY WITH THE MAYOR.  JAN. 21, 2015 BDCGM- COUNCILMAN CARBONE REPORTED THAT THERE WAS DISCUSSION ON TH RAIL SPUR & ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS. FOUR DOWNTOWN PROPERTIES REMODELED THE FRONT OF THEIR BUSINESSES. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE- SUPERVISOR GRAY REPORTED THAT THE WINTER CARNIVAL ATTENDANCE IS GOOD. THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS GREAT. ICE SCULPTURES ARE LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CHAMBER OFFICE AND SOME LOCAL BUSINESSES. THERE IS NO DIRECTOR NOW, WILL ADVERTISE SOON. SUPERVISOR REPORT- SUPERVISOR GRAY REPORTED THAT HE NEEDS TO SUBMIT A PLAN FOR THE NEXT COMPACT MONIES. SUPERVISOR GRAY EXPLAINED THAT THE TOWN NEEDS TO COME UP WITH 330 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE T-HANGER PROJECT. NEED TO HAVE THIS MONEY THIS YEAR. WE HAD TO COVER ADDITIONAL COSTS (PYLONS) HAD TO BE PUT IN THE GROUND DUE TO THE UNSTABLE GROUND UNDER THE T-HANGER. RESOLUTION ______ THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN NICOLA, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CARBONE AND CARRIED, TO ACCEPT THE SUPERVISOR’S PLAN OF USING THE NEXT COMPACT MONIES FOR THE T-HANGER PROJECT AND AUTHORIZE THE SUPERVISOR TO SUBMIT THE PLAN. CARRIED 5-0 COUNCILMAN NICOLA TALKED TO THE BOARD ABOUT AN AIRPORT BOARD. HE STATED HE WOULD CONTACT JON DONAHUE & PAT HLUDZENSKI TO DISCUSS THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD WITH NUMBERS. SUPERVISOR STATED THAT HE HAD A POSITIVE MEETING WITH MR. WACHS FROM THE HARTE HAVEN. THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS OFFERED BY COUNCILMAN NICOLA, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MACAULAY, AND CARRIED, TO ENTER INTO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:28 PM TO DISCUSS A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION & POSSIBLE EMPLOYMENT. NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN. CARRIED 5-0 RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, GEORGETTE L. DAVIS MASSENA TOWN CLERK