Massena Town Council

Town Board Minutes March 16, 2022 MINUTES Regular Town Council Meeting, Town of Massena Date/Time: Wednesday March 16, 2022 at 5:30 PM Location: Massena Town Hall LIVE-STREAMED ON ZOOM ATTENDANCE: MEMBER PRESENT ABSENT Supervisor Susan Bellor X Board Member Thomas Miller X Board Member Patrick Facteau X Board Member Adrian Taraska X Board Member Debra Willer X ALSO PRESENT: Jeannine Brouse, Town Clerk; Sean Lynch, Deputy Town Clerk; Brenda Mossow, Secretary/Bookkeeper; Frank Diagostino, Highway and Airport Eric Gustafson, Town Attorney; Austyn Allen, IT; Joe Savoca, Library Board; Members of the Press; Members of the Public. Brooks Washburn, Architect; via ZOOM; Lori Collins (Mega Reunion); Francis Carvel, Village Board; Anthony Young & Matthew Cooper, Barton & Loguidice The Supervisor opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Called to order at 5:30 PM Announcements / Notifications Supervisor Bellor informed all that the April 20, 2022 Board Meeting will be moved to April 27, 2022 due to scheduling conflicts. Supervisor Bellor read the Resignation letter form Mary Ellen Casselman and thanked her for all of her years of service. Presentations / Discussions. Lori Collins presented information on the upcoming Mega Reunion, a 3-day event for all the 1980’s graduating classes. They are hoping for 2000 participants and as of now 300 people have signed up. They are hoping to get help with Liability Insurance with either the Town or Village or possibly split the cost between the two. Anthony Young and Matthew Cooper with Barton & Loguidice presented an update on the Massena Water Study Project. There were many concerns raised regarding the cost and maintenance of this project. The Board thanked them but will have to look into this much further before any decision is made either for or against this project. Resolution 49 - 2022 Approval of the Minutes (February 16, 2022) Motion by: Facteau Vote: Second by: Miller Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Thomas Miller X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Debra Willer X Motion is Carried. Page 1|8 Town Board Minutes March 16, 2022 Resolution 50 - 2022 Scheduling Public Hearing on April 27, 2022 at 5:30 PM to consider Extending Moratorium on Cryptocurrency Mining Motion by: Miller Vote: Second by: Taraska Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Thomas Miller X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Debra Willer X Motion is Carried. Resolution 51 - 2022 Amending Town Budget to Decrease the Massena BDC’s 2022 Funding Level from $75,000.00 per year to $40,000.00 per year. Board members, prior to the vote, expressed comments/concerns about both cutting/maintaining funding and operations of the BDC. The Supervisor indicated she may look at grant writing alternatives, possibly with Village. Motion by: Facteau Vote: Second by: Willer Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Thomas Miller X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Debra Willer X Motion is Carried. Resolution 52 - 2022 Authorizing $100 Application Fee for the St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency’s 2022 CDEIP Grant Application Motion by: Miller Vote: Second by: Facteau Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Thomas Miller X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Debra Willer X Motion is Carried. Resolution 53 - 2022 Implementing a Security Badge Request and Replacement Process. Motion by: Willer Vote: Second by: Taraska Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Thomas Miller X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Debra Willer X Motion is Carried. Page 2|8 Town Board Minutes March 16, 2022 Resolution 54 - 2022 Restoring the Deputy Town Clerk position to Full Time effective March 21, 2022. Motion by: Facteau Vote: Second by: Taraska Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Thomas Miller X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Debra Willer X Motion is Carried. Resolution 55 - 2022 Approving the Hiring of a Motor Equipment Operator for the Town of Massena Highway Department, the name to be announced during the April 27 meeting, at a rate of $23.37 per hour, to start April 13, 2022. Motion by: Facteau Vote: Second by: Miller Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Thomas Miller X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Debra Willer X Motion is Carried. Resolution 56 - 2022 Approving 2022 Town of Massena Spring Cleanup Days (May 2 – May 31, 2022) Motion by: Willer Vote: Second by: Facteau Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Thomas Miller X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Debra Willer X Motion is Carried. Resolution 57 - 2022 Accepting 2021 AIR’99 Grant Documentation for the Massena International Airport under the 2021 Aviation Capital Grant Program, which will cover over $1million. The cost to the Town is $103,702.00; C&S will provide more detailed requirements and the project will be undertaken in 2023. Motion by: Miller Vote: Second by: Facteau Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Thomas Miller X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Debra Willer X Motion is Carried. Page 3|8 Town Board Minutes March 16, 2022 Resolution 58 - 2022 Authorizing a Lease Agreement with St. Lawrence Centre Mall for Storage Space for the Town’s Museum Artifacts at a cost of $500 per year, to run April 1, 2022 through April 1, 2023. Motion by: Willer Vote: Second by: Miller Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Thomas Miller X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Debra Willer X Motion is Carried. Resolution 59 - 2022 Authorizing Budget and Cash Transfers and Amendments CASH TRANSFER: TRANSFER $500.00 from NBT Bank A/C#****8489 Town of Massena General Fund to NBT Bank A/C#****9869 Town of Massena – Brian Chase TRANSFER $1,000.00 from NBT Bank A/C#****8489 Town of Massena General Fund at NBT Bank A/C#****9869 Town of Massena – Brian Chase TRANSFER $500.00 from NBT Bank A/C#****8489 Town of Massena General Fund At NBT Bank A/C#****7891 Town of Massena – Dale Peets Jr. (These transfers will allow for a portion of the Town’s share of insurance deductibles deposited as needed.) TRANSFER $13,150.95 from Town of Massena – Brasher Branch A/C#****1460 to Town of Massena General Fund A/C#****8489 at NBT Bank. (This transfer will reimburse the Town of Massena 4th Qtr 2021 expenses for the Massena Public Library-Brasher Branch expenses.) TRANSFER $2,085.00 from Attorney Contractual A/C# A.1420.400 to Attorney Contractual Hospital A/C# A.1420.400.4510 (This transfer will cover the over-run in this account due to creating a new general ledger account for Massena Memorial Hospital legal fees.) TRANSFER $90.72 from Airport Contractual Services A/C#A.5610.400.0403 to Airport Contractual. Sales Tax A/C# A.5610.400.0410 (This transfer will cover the over-run in this general ledger account.) TRANSFER $2,481.45 from Town of Massena Supervisor Office A/C#****0120 to Town of Massena Airport Pavement Management System A/C#****3022 at Community Bank. (This transfer is for FAA#6) TRANSFER $20,000.00 from the Town of Massena Supervisor Office A/C#****0120 to Town of Massena Runway 5-23 Rehabilitation (Design) A/C#****2453 at Community Bank. (This transfer is for FAA#14) REQUEST PERMISSION to close the following checking account at Community Bank: Checking A/C#****2131 ARFF Vehicle (This airport grant has exhausted all funds and is closed out.) CREATE A DUE TO/DUE FROM REQUEST PERMISSION to create Due to/Due from entry as follows: From the General A Fund $1,000.00 to HRC Fund Taxiway “C” Rehab (Const) From the General A Fund $1,000.00 to HFC Fund Fence Improvements and Stabilization (Const) From the General A Fund $14,000.00 to HCG Fund CARES Act (To cover the cost of an invoices due to be paid back when State Funds are received.) Motion by: Miller Vote: Second by: Taraska Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Thomas Miller X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Debra Willer X Motion is Carried. Page 4|8 Town Board Minutes March 16, 2022 Resolution 60 - 2022 Authorizing Warrant #3 FUND DESCRIPTION AMOUNT A GENERAL $473,663.87 B GENERAL OUTSIDE 47,929.01 DA HIGHWAY 115,721.40 DB HIGHWAY OUTSIDE 19,255.06 HAP AIRPORT PAVEMENT SYSTEM MANAGEMENT 2,481.45 HCG CARES ACT 22,763.54 HDA RUNWAY 5-23 REHAB (DESIGN) 20,000.00 HFC FENCE IMPROVEMENTS & STAB (CONST) 6,576.24 HPC DEPT OF PUBLIC SERVICE 48,913.76 HRC TAXIWAY “C” REHAB (CONST) 1,327.87 L LIBRARY 33,168.49 SSH HIGHLAND BUCKTOWN SEWER 22,653.16 SSM SOUTH MAIN STREET SEWER 178.45 SWA E. MASSENA CONSOLIDATED WATER DISTRICT 7,150.61 TOTAL $821,782.91 WARRANT #3 CHECK #S 49733 – 49800 $664,744.40 MANUAL CHECKS 157,038.51 TOTAL $821,782.91 Motion by: Taraska Vote: Second by: Miller Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Thomas Miller X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Debra Willer X Motion is Carried. Committee Reports: Report Submitted by Frank Diagostino Highway Department February 2022 out (14) times between Feb. 1 / Feb. 28, 2022. Worked 200 hours of overtime February 2022. Thursday 2/3/2022; Tuesday 2/21/2022; Friday 2/4/2022; Wednesday 2/23/2022; Saturday 2/12/2022; Friday 2/25/2022; Tuesday 2/15/2022; Saturday 2/26/2022; Thursday 2/17/2022; Sunday 2/27/2022; Friday 2/18/2022; Monday 2/28/2022; Saturday 2/19/2022; Sunday 2/20/2022. Performed maintenance (PM), repairs and service on plow trucks after each weather event. Received and pushed up 1195 tons of road salt. Removed snow from fire hydrants, catch basins, intersection, turn arounds and culdesac’s. Dealt with long duration periods of drifting, freezing rain and windy conditions. Dealt with numerous water issues on town roads. Unit #52 replaced material conveyor chain, gear box, front shaft, sprockets, bearing, rear shaft, bearings, sprockets and adjustment cylinders. Massena Airport Boutique Air numbers for February 2022 Enplaned 270, Deplaned 241, Total 511, landings 117. Cancelled for weather 28, Cancelled other 23, Total cancelled flights 51 for February 2022. Maintained runways and taxiways during weather events. Performed maintenance (PM), repairs and service on plow trucks, snowblower and tractors. Replaced blown hydraulic hose on A55 plow truck. Worked with Baseline King on light issue on 5-23 Runway, west end found burned up transformer in ground wiring connection canister. Worked with Baseline King on 9-27 Runway light issue and Taxiway A east end light issue. Both issues have been resolved. Repaired damage wheel bearing on Kodiak snow blower. Massena Library No issues Massena Museum No issues Page 5|8 Town Board Minutes March 16, 2022 Massena Town Hall No issues Report Submitted by Debra Willer Museum The Museum Board met on March 10, 2022. President Joe Macaulay reviewed information on the DRI grant awarded to the Village. He will contact Jim Murphy at the BDC for assistance in filling out the application for funds. The proposed lease for storage space at the mall was approved by the board and the invoice was signed; I will deliver these to the Town offices March 11. Plans for relocating the stored items were discussed. Joe suggested that if items are placed in the display windows at the front of the location, a banner stating that they belong to the museum should be displayed. Massena Electric Department The Massena Electric Utility Board met on Feb 22, 2022. Through January 31, 2022, MED has been 553 days without a lost time injury. In January, there were 7 trouble calls at affected 0-1 customer and 9 calls that affected multiple customers. Most calls were either due to utility poles being damaged by vehicle accidents or by transformer overloads. There was additional discussion about the number of transformer overloads; crews are finding a significant increase in the use of space heaters in poorly insulated residences. 2 of the current employees are finishing their apprenticeships; this will result in 8 linemen and 6 journeymen. MED’s cost of purchasing power (beyond the NYPA contract) increased again in January and is reflected in the higher bills to customers. January saw the continuation of numerous below zero temperatures, resulting in increased residential electric consumption. In light of the robbery at Massena Savings and Loan on Feb 7th, the department met with staff to review security procedures and plans to do a tabletop exercise on same. Report by Sue Bellor Chamber of Commerce The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors met on February 17th. Usual bills for water and utilities were paid. The grant that was submitted to support the Summer Concerts in the Park is expected to finalize early March to cover 11 bands. They are proposing a request of $2500 from the Village to cover promotion and advertising. Letters were sent to members for dues and announcing sponsorship opportunities for the concerts. Discussed also was the golf tournament, and several activities were mentioned relevant to the Mega Reunion the first weekend of August. The next meeting is March 17th. Ethics Board The Ethics Board met on February 28th and agreed in concept to replace the current “Code of Ethics, Chapter 29” with the “Model Code of Ethics for Local Governments” (aka Model Code), promulgated by the NYS Office of Comptroller. Additionally, the committee plans to update the current “Appendix A2-Code of Ethics” section of the Employee Handbook with key points contained in the Model Code. Their next meeting is April 25th. Old Business (None) New Business (None) Next Scheduled Meeting (April 27, 2022 at 5:30 PM – Public Hearing and Regular Meeting) Closing 15-Minute Comment Period. Closing Remarks Executive Session Motion by Willer, seconded by Miller to conduct an Executive Session to discuss litigation , Motion carried unanimously. The Board went into Executive Session at 6:48 PM. Returned to Open Session at 7:45 PM Page 6|8 Town Board Minutes March 16, 2022 Page 7|8 Town Board Minutes March 16, 2022 Resolution 61 - 2022 Authorizing the Reimbursement of Pre-Paid Health Insurance to a Former Town Employee. Motion by: Facteau Vote: Second by: Miller Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Thomas Miller X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Debra Willer X Motion is Carried. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:48 Respectfully Submitted, Jeannine L. Brouse Page 8|8