Village Board of Trustees

Village of Massena BOARD OF TRUSTEES Meeting Minutes DATE/TIME: June 15, 2021 (5:30 p.m.) PLACE: Town Hall Building, 60 Main Street, Massena, New York PRESENT : Board of Trustees: Mayor Timothy J. Ahlfeld Trustee Christine Winston Trustee Francis Carvel Trustee Greg Paquin Trustee Matthew LeBire Staff: Monique N. Chatland (Village Administrator/Clerk) Kevin Felt (Treasurer) Hoss Fayad (DPW Superintendent) Aaron Hardy (Fire Foreman/Code Enforcement Officer) Jason Olson (Chief of Police) Steve Dailey (Water Foreman) (via Zoom) Press: Bob Beckstead (Courier Observer) Others: Sue Bellor (Town Council) (via Zoom) Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Ahlfeld asked that all electronic devices be silenced, proceeded to call the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and conducted a roll call of Board members present. APPROVE MINUTES: A motion was made by Trustee LeBire, seconded by Trustee Carvel, to approve the minutes of the February 18, March 17, & 31, 2020 Village Board Meetings. Motion Carried 4:0 (AYE=Winston/Carvel/Paquin/LeBire). PUBLIC HEARING TO AMEND CHAPTER 280 STOP SIGN ON WOODLAWN AVE. AT CEDAR ST. Trustee LeBire offered a motion, seconded by Trustee Paquin to open the public hearing to Amend Chapter 280 (Through Highways) Schedule VI of the General Code of the Village of Massena to Install a Traffic Control Device (Stop Sign) on Woodlawn Ave. at Cedar St. at 5:35p.m. Motion Carried 4 (AYE=Ahlfeld/Carvel/Paquin/LeBire) (Clerks Note: See page XXXX for Notice of Public Hearing.) Mayor Ahlfeld said this will allow us to install a stop sign at north bound and south bound approach. Trustee Winston is in favor due to recreational area with lots of traffic. Hearing no further public comments, Trustee Carvel made a motion, seconded by Trustee Paquin to close the public hearing at 5:36 p.m. Motion Carried 4:0 (AYE=Winston/Carvel/Paquin/LeBire) RESOLUTION #29-2021: AMEND CHAPTER 280 (THROUGH HIGHWAYS) STOP SIGN ON WOODLAWN AVE. AT CEDAR ST. A motion was offered by Trustee LeBire, seconded by Trustee Paquin, and carried, to adopt the following resolution to wit: RESOLUTION #29-2021 ADOPT LOCAL LAW #04-2021 CHAPTER 280 – Vehicles and Traffic ARTICLE IX: Schedules Schedule VI: Through Highways (Add): Name of Through Name of Entrance Direction From Which Street Street Entering Traffic Control Device Woodlawn Ave Cedar St. North & South Stop Sign Section xx : Effective Date This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State. Question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution resulted as follows: 1874  Village of Massena Board of Trustees Meeting June 15, 2021 AYE: Trustee Winston, Trustee Carvel, Trustee Paquin, Trustee LeBire NAY: Mayor Ahlfeld declared Resolution #29-2021 duly adopted (4:0). COMMITTEE REPORTS: Committee reports were presented for informational purposes only, the following was notable: BDC: Trustee LeBire attended meeting, administering microenterprise Joint Rec: Arena hosting dance recital, indoor lacrosse, and will be resurfacing tennis courts, Trustee Carvel reported budget turned out well, Evan Kassian Part-Time permanent started along with all summer help, and Town Beach offering free parking. PUBLIC HEARING TO AMEND CHAPTER 280 STOP SIGN ON WOODLAWN AVE. AT POPLAR ST. Trustee Carvel offered a motion, seconded by Trustee Paquin to open the public hearing to Amend Chapter 280 (Through Highways) Schedule VI of the General Code of the Village of Massena to Install a Traffic Control Device (Stop Sign) on Woodlawn Ave. at Poplar St. at 5:41p.m. Motion Carried 4:0 (AYE=Ahlfeld/Carvel/Paquin/LeBire) (Clerks Note: See page XXXX for Notice of Public Hearing.) Hearing no public comments, Trustee Carvel made a motion, seconded by Trustee Paquin to close the public hearing at 5:42 p.m. Motion Carried 4:0 (AYE=Winston/Carvel/Paquin/LeBire) RESOLUTION #30-2021: AMEND CHAPTER 280 (THROUGH HIGHWAYS) STOP SIGN ON WOODLAWN AVE. AT POPLAR ST. A motion was offered by Trustee Carvel, seconded by Trustee Paquin, and carried, to adopt the following resolution to wit: RESOLUTION # 30-2021 ADOPT LOCAL LAW #05-2021 CHAPTER 280 – Vehicles and Traffic ARTICLE IX: Schedules Schedule VI: Through Highways (Add): Name of Through Name of Entrance Direction From Which Street Street Entering Traffic Control Device Woodlawn Ave Cedar St. North & South Stop Sign Section xx : Effective Date This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State. Question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution resulted as follows: AYE: Trustee Winston, Trustee Carvel, Trustee Paquin, Trustee LeBire NAY: Mayor Ahlfeld declared Resolution #30-2021 duly adopted (4:0). COMMITTEE REPORTS: Committee reports were presented for informational purposes only, the following was notable: Streets: Busy, reminder brush at curb and they are not picking up at curb. Code: Trustee Winston voiced that there is a ongoing feral cat problem she has tried to reach out to others to find out the easiest way to start a mobile cat clinic, Spay neuter requirement on household cats, and limit number of cats per household. Trustee LeBire said at this time there is zero interest or resources available already handling so many code complaints at this time. TREASURER ’S REPORT: Village Treasurer Felt presented the following: 1875  Village of Massena Board of Trustees Meeting June 15, 2021 Village of Massena Treasurer ’s Report June 15, 2021 INFORMATION 1. You have been provided with the preliminary Projections and Revenue/Expense Actual to Budget comparison reports for May and the May summary follows: Net Favorable 2020/2021 Revenue % Collected Expense % Spent (Unfavorable) General Fund 10,905,596 113.68% 10,090,003 101.99% 815,593 Refuse Fund 1,122,329 89.91% 1,160,734 89.59% (38,405) Water fund 2,050,170 99.75% 1,767,150 81.32% 283,020 Sewer Fund 1,806,657 100.39% 1,616,749 84.45% 189,908 Joint Rec 936,049 99.93% 880,845 87.07% 55,203 16,820,801 15,515,482 Work on year-end entries is just beginning; therefore, there will be adjustments to these figures (especially on the revenue side, due to accruals). 2. Village tax collection began June 1. Through the close of business Friday (6/11), we had collected $1,164,200 which is 18.4% of the total tax warrant of $6,465,546 (same time last year was 14%). 3. Mortgage tax, typically received from the St. Lawrence County Treasurer in early June, has not been received yet to make this month’s report. 4. Set up as a continuing agreement, the contract we have with People Systems to handle the Village’s unemployment claims will continue for 2021-2022. Should the Village decide that we no longer wish to continue the agreement, we just need to notify them by the end of next March to not renew the following year. ACTION 5. Budget Amendments/Transfers 20/21: (Per attached schedules – Need motion to adopt, one at a time or altogether). Carvel/ Paquin/Carried (Clerks Note: See page xxxx for budget transfers.) INITIAL PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: No public comment was heard at this time. AUTHORIZATION TO MODIFY PURCHASING PREACTICES AT DPW FOR ITEMS APPROVED IN FY BUDGET DPW Supt. Fayad presented the following to the board: INSERT MEMO HERE Trustee LeBire mentioned this topic was tabled at last board meeting to allow Trustees time to research. After speaking with DPW Supt. Fayad he is reassured that he would feel comfortable with the changes presented in memo. Trustee Carvel believes this would be a problem with auditors due to just being specific to DPW? If reoccurring going forward Procurement policy will need to be revised. A motion was then offered by Trustee LeBire, seconded by Trustee Paquin to approve the policies as stated in DPW Supt. Fayad memo. Motion Carried 3:1 (AYE=Wilson/Paquin/LeBire) (NAY=Carvel) DISCUSSION : BRANDING & IDENTITY AGREEMENT WITH H-3 DESIGNS Trustee LeBire explained that the Town and Village entered into an agreement with H-3 designs for the explore Massena website, app, branding, and social media, etc. Shown a tremendous amount of potential although not 1876  Village of Massena Board of Trustees Meeting June 15, 2021 utilized as much for Village purposes at this time. Mainly focused on Towns Fishing tournaments of which the Village does benefit in other ways such as sales tax, tourist, etc. It is a town contract, but I would recommend the Village contribute $8,000 towards a two -year contract. A motion was offered by Trustee LeBire, seconded by Trustee Winston to approve contributing $8,000 (contingency) toward Town contract for branding & Identity with H3 Designs. Motion Carried 4:0 (AYE=Winston/Carvel/Paquin/LeBire) RESOLUTION #31-2021: AUTHORIZE SIX-MONTH EXTENSION WITH STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS FOR GRANT WRITING SERVICES A motion was offered by Trustee LeBire seconded by Trustee Winston, and carried, to adopt the following resolution to wit: RESOLUTION#31-2021 Authorize Six-Month Extension of Professional Services Agreement with Strategic Development Specialists, LLC for Grant Writing Services BE IT RESOLVED that the Village of Massena Board of Trustees hereby authorizes a six-month extension, June 16 – December 16, 2021, of the current agreement between the Village of Massena and Strategic Development Specialists, LLC for professional services related to grant writing services as detailed in attached agreement; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that in consideration of services provided by Strategic Development Specialists, LLC, monies are hereby appropriated from Budget Account #100.6789.400; Economic Development – Other (Grant Writing) at a rate of $4,250 per month for the term of the Agreement; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Timothy J. Ahlfeld, as Mayor of the Village of Massena, is hereby authorized and directed to execute said Agreement. Question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution resulted as follows: AYE: Trustee Winston, Trustee Carvel, Trustee Paquin , Trustee LeBire NAY: NONE Mayor Ahlfeld declared Resolution #31-2021 duly adopted (4:0). APPOINTMENT: TRISTA DRAKE-POLICE DEPT. MATRON A motion was made by Trustee LeBire, and seconded by Trustee Carvel to appoint Trista Drake to Police Dept. Matron. Motion Carried 4:0 (AYE=Winston/Carvel/Paquin/LeBire). RESIGNATION : BELSON HERNE- COURT OFFICDER (PART-TIME) A motion was made by Trustee Carvel, seconded by Trustee Winston to accept the resignation of Belson Herne As part-time court officer (eff.06/09/21). Motion Carried 4:0 (AYE=Winston/Carvel/Paquin/LeBire) RESIGNATION : EMILY DISHAW- PATROL OFFICER POLICE DEPT. A motion was made by Trustee Carvel, seconded by Trustee Winston to accept the resignation of Emily Dishaw Patrol Officer – Police Dept. Motion Carried 4:0 (AYE=Winston/Carvel/Paquin/LeBire) APPOINTMENT : JODY DAGGETT- PART-TIME POLICE OFFICER- COURT A motion was made by Trustee Paquin, with no second motion being offered to appoint Jody Daggett as a Part-time Non-Competitive Police Officer for the Justice Court. Motion Failed AUTHORIZATION TO CANVAS: PATROL OFFICER – POLICE DEPT. A motion was offered by Trustee LeBire, seconded by Trustee Carvel, to canvas for Patrol Officer for the Police Dept. Motion Carried 4:0 (AYE=Winston/Carvel/Paquin/LeBire). RESOLUTION#32-2021: AGREEMENT WITH MASSENA CENTRAL- SOLID WASTE PROGRAM 1877  Village of Massena Board of Trustees Meeting June 15, 2021 A motion was offered by Trustee LeBire seconded by Trustee Paquin, and carried, to adopt the following resolution to wit: Resolution#32-2021 Approve Memorandum of Agreement Between the Village of Massena and Massena Central School District [ SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM] BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Massena Board of Trustees hereby approves a Memorandum of Agreement between the Village of Massena and the Massena Central School District, for the purpose of implementing a cooperative solid waste management program as detailed in said Memorandum of Agreement effective July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2026; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED , that Timothy J. Ahlfeld, as Mayor of the Village of Massena, is hereby authorized and directed to execute said Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of the Village of Massena. Question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution resulted as follows: AYE: Trustee Winston, Trustee Carvel, Trustee Paquin , Trustee LeBire NAY: NONE Mayor Ahlfeld declared Resolution #32-2021 duly adopted (4:0). VOUCHER WARRANT: A motion was made by Trustee Carvel and seconded by Trustee Paquin to approve Voucher Warrant #450. Motion Carried 4:0 (AYE= Winston/Carvel//Paquin/LeBire) WARRANT#450 (Board Meeting 06/15/21) 227904 06/01/21 20,529.94 CSEA Employee Benefit Fund 227905 06/01/21 230,643.79 Excellus BCBS 227906 06/01/21 27,905.50 UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. 227907 06/01/21 1,371.50 UnitedHealthcare Ins. Co. (AARP) 227908-227915 06/02/21 46,882.36 Pre-Paid Payroll 227916-227924 06/09/21 46,578.29 Pre-Paid Payroll 227925 06/11/21 185.33 The Home Depot Credit Svcs. 227926 06/11/21 277.97 The Home Depot Credit Svcs. 227927 06/14/21 1,166.44 U.S. Postal Service 375,541.12 Total Pre-Paid 227928-228014 06/15/21 259,069.41 Total Un-Paid 634,610.53 Total Warrant#450 Including Prepaid Payroll MONTHLY REPORTS: The following monthly reports were presented and reviewed:  Massena Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. (May 2021)  Massena Permanent Firefighters/ Village of Massena Code Enforcement Office (May 2021) COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE: St. Lawrence Health Systems recognized EOC service awards to James Caruso, Aaron Hardy, Tom Miller and one officer. Congratulations to them all. Hosted roundtable COVID, new to make community robust. Landlords sent letter regarding not getting paid for rent will forward them off to local and state reps. MED will be increasing megawatts allocation from 10-20 for NYPA. Senator Schumer and Gillibrand would like U.S> to Manufacture chips under the U.S Innovation and Competition Act. South Racquette paving where Village of Massena and state highway 37 meet, St. Lawrence County paved SH 37 but not Village’s portion which is going to cause more accidents. State needs to transition and level off. CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: No public comment heard at this time. EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was offered by Trustee LeBire, seconded by Trustee Carvel, to enter into an Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining regarding an employee at 6:31 p.m. Motion Carried 4:0 1878  Village of Massena Board of Trustees Meeting June 15, 2021 (AYE= Winston/ Carvel/Paquin/LeBire). Also in attendance Jason Olson- Chief of Police (exit 7:13pm), Aaron Hardy – Fire /Code( exit 6:57pm), Hoss Fayad -DPW Supt. (exit 7:20 pm) Executive Session was held and no action was taken. At 7:46p.m. a motion was made by Trustee LeBire and seconded by Trustee Winstonl to close executive session and return to the open meeting. Motion Carried 4:0 (AYE= Winston/Carvel/Paquin/LeBire). ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, a motion to adjourn the Village Board meeting was made by Trustee Winston at 7:46 p.m. and seconded by Trustee LeBire. Motion Carried 4:0 (AYE= Winston/Carvel/Paquin/LeBire). MINUTES PREPARED BY: Monique N. Chatland, Village Clerk 1879 Village of Massena Board of Trustees Meeting June 15, 2021 1880 Village of Massena Board of Trustees Meeting June 15, 2021 1881