June 20, 2005
Mayor Fischbach called the meeting to order at 7:00PM
Roll Call: Sandy Humbert, No. Joe Hernandez, Yes. Jeff Coleman, No.
Dan Thoreson, Yes. Judy Beaumier, Yes. Dianne Lillibridge, Yes.
Visitors: Edna Davis, Chip Hess, Dennis Nichols, David Ondrey, Chuck Stahler, Joe Koziol
Police Report: Chief Nichols
Chief Nichols reported that 3900 miles were put on the cruisers last month. There were 8 arrests, 36 traffic stops, and 108 activity calls.
Chief Nichols reported that Officer Michalski received an award from Burton Middlefield Rotary for his work. The Village was also presented with two portable defibrulator units.
As a reminder to the Village, Chief Nichols stated that his officers had done an informal survey in the early morning hours and noted that approximately 30 garages were left open during the night, a target for thieves and intruders.
Engineers Report: Hess and Associates
Mr. Hess reported that he had handed off the easement for Evergreen Street and the Historical Society to the Solicitor. Mr. Hess was going out for bids this week for paving Evergreen and he expected to present the winning bid to Council at the July Council meeting with the expectation to pave before the fair.
Solicitors Report: Thrasher, Dinsmore, and Dolan
Mr. Ondrey recommended executive session to discuss pending litigation. Mrs. Beaumier asked Mr. Ondrey his thoughts on the letter from Cingular regarding cellular antenna tower rent. Mr. Ondrey indicated that he believed our contract with Cingular was good on its own and no further action was needed. Mr. Paquette as Mr. Ondrey to review the request by Time-Warner/Adelphia to submit a resolution reaffirming the Villages commitment to the current cable franchise fee agreement. Mr. Ondrey will review.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
At the Fiscal Officers request, voting on Ordinances and Resolutions was postponed until five council members were present so that emergency measures to waive readings might be implemented.
Fiscal Officers Report: C. Paquette
2006 Tax Budget is an estimate based upon current usage and does not account for any changes to appropriations that may take place during the rest of the year.
Mr. Paquette recommended the purchase of a new police cruiser to replace the Crown Vic that is topping 100,000 miles. He also recommended sale of the old police cruiser, funds to go to General and transferred to Equipment Capitalization for future cars.
Mr. Paquette recommended the purchase of a new compact tractor and snowplow at the latest in 2006 if the Council wishes to maintain the standard of plowing sidewalks for residents. Current tractor is over twenty years old and the wheels fell off, the frame is cracked, and vehicle itself is mechanically unsound. Street Department has indicated that for the 2005 2006 snow season this tractor will be unavailable to use due to its poor condition. The Council discussed the idea and generally agreed that plowing sidewalks was something they wanted to continue. Mr. Paquette will provide quotes and a funding source at the next meeting.
Mr. Paquette provided a list of future expected major vehicle and equipment purchases in the next 7 to 10 years. In 2012, there could be a need for a large outlay of cash. This is not to say that some of the purchases could not be pushed back if the equipment holds up. Use of the saltboxes and prudent maintenance should increase the life expectancy of many of the vehicles.
The Street Department Operating budget and the Police department Operating budget use 32% and 51% respectively of the income tax. That leaves 17% or $61,200 left to augment Cemetery, Tree Commission, Equipment and Vehicle purchases, Street Repair (crack sealing and striping run about $20,000 every year), Sidewalk repair (we currently commit $10,000 every year but that should go down), Facilities repair (new roofs, painting, eventually a new gazebo, not to mention painting). The General fund can absorb some things along with Admissions Tax and, when available, Permissive tax. The Water and Sewer Funds are self-sustaining, but we cannot forget that a new sewer plant may need to be built in as little as 10 years.
Judy Beaumier moved to approve bills for payment. Mr. Hernandez seconded the motion. By voice vote all approved.
Judy Beaumier moved to adopt May Committee minutes as written. Dan Thoreson seconded the motion. By voice vote all approved.
Judy Beaumier moved to adopt June Council minutes as written. Dianne Lillibridge seconded the motion to adopt. By voice vote all approved.
Committee Reports;
Streets; Joe Hernandez
Mr. Hernandez stated that the Evergreen Storm Sewer portion of the project was proceeding at a pace that would allow them to finish by next week.
A sidewalk that has tilted on Hickox has been increased in priority and Mr. Hernandez and Mr. Rose are looking at ways to do part of Hickox and part of North Cheshire as planned. Mr. Hernandez reiterated the need for a new compact tractor to plow sidewalks.
Mr. Hernandez brought up the subject of providing the Burton Public Library $10,000.00 to cover half the cost of storm drains and repaving of the Library parking lot. Council and the Mayor felt that more research into the availability of Village funds and other possible sources was necessary. The Mayor recommended contacting Anita Stockard for assistance.
Finance; Jeff Coleman
Not available to report
Parks and Trees; Sandy Humbert
Not available to report.
Board of Public Affairs; Judy Beaumier
Mrs. Beaumier gave a summary of the Joint BPA and Council meeting including the agreement to hire Burgess and Niple to do a study of the Sewer system for planning purposes. The Mayor spoke about AGAPE Christian School being reviewed for acceptance to continue using the sewer system. Mr. Thoreson opened a discussion of this subject.
Jeff Coleman arrived at 7:35 PM
Mrs. Beaumier reminded Council of the Rosie the Riveter contest at Century Village and the World War II poster exhibit. Mrs. Beaumier also mentioned the American Legion Steak Fry scheduled for July 9th and the July 3rd veterans appreciation day and fire works at the fairgrounds.
Local Government; Dianne Lillibridge
Mrs. Lillibridge met with the Berkshire Planning Commission and discussed three bid proposals to be reviewed on Thursday June 23, 2005 for the planning study. The meeting will be at Burton Township at 7:00 PM.
Mrs. Lillibridge met with Sue Wayman of the Main Street Eateries Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Wayman would like to get signs for the Main Street that are perpendicular. The Mayor suggested that she be invited to Council.
Schools and Fire Department Dan Thoreson
Nothing to Report.
Ordinances and Resolutions
Ordinance 2112-05 authorizing the Mayor and the Fiscal Officer to enter into an agreement to authorize ODOT to pave South Cheshire was placed on second reading. Mrs. Beaumier moved to waive further readings. Dan Thoreson seconded the motion. Roll Call: Judy Beaumier Yes, Dan Thoreson Yes, Jeff Coleman Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes, Dianne Lillibridge Yes.
Mrs. Beaumier moved to adopt. Mrs. Lillibridge seconded the motion. Roll Call: Judy Beaumier Yes, Dianne Lillibridge Yes, Jeff Coleman Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes, Dan Thoreson Yes.
Ordinance 2112-05 passed.
Ordinance 2113-05, adopting the 2006 tax budget introduced by Joe Hernandez and placed on first reading.
Resolution 2005-03, requesting an advance of tax monies collected, introduced by Judy Beaumier. Jeff Coleman moved to waive further readings. Joe Hernandez seconded the motion. Roll Call: Jeff Coleman Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes, Dianne Lillibridge Yes, Dan Thoreson Yes, Judy Beaumier Yes.
Jeff Coleman moved to adopt. Judy Beaumier seconded the motion. Roll Call: Jeff Coleman Yes, Judy Beaumier Yes, Dianne Lillibridge Yes, Dan Thoreson Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes.
Resolution 2005-03 passed.
Old Business
Mr. Coleman asked for a motion to have the Street Department water the hanging baskets in the Village. A discussion ensued.
Mr. Coleman moved to have the Street Department water the hanging baskets in the Village in lieu of paying $2500 to the Chamber of Commerce and contingent upon indemnification from Burton Floral and Garden and Burton Chamber of Commerce. Joe Hernandez seconded the motion. Roll Call: Jeff Coleman Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes, Judy Beaumier Yes, Dianne Lillibridge Yes, Dan Thoreson Yes.
Mr. Ondrey stated that he did not see a problem at this time with making a resolution in support of the Time Warner/Adelphia contract.
New Business
Mr. Coleman reported that he was able to meet with Mr. Paquette to discuss finances this week. Mr. Coleman agreed with the need to develop a five year forecast for the Village. In addition, Mr. Coleman thought that this planning should enable the Water and Sewer Utilities to pay for an expansion of the Waste Water Treatment Plant. The Mayor asked Mr. Hess if any grants were available. Mr. Hess thought that US Department of Agriculture and the RCAP would be good starting places to look for grants and loans. Mr. Coleman also asked Council carefully consider whether it wanted to seriously pursue getting a new Village Hall or not.
Judy Beaumier moved to enter executive session to discuss pending legal issues. Dan Thoreson seconded the issue. Roll Call: Judy Beaumier Yes, Dan Thoreson Yes, Jeff Coleman Yes, Dianne Lillibridge Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes. Council entered executive session at 8:25PM
Judy Beaumier moved to adjourn executive session and Joe Hernandez seconded the motion. Roll Call: Judy Beaumier Yes, Joe Hernandez Yes, Jeff Coleman Yes, Dan Thoreson Yes, Dianne Lillibridge Yes. Council returned to regular session at 9:05 PM.
Mr. Thoreson brought up before Council the large amounts of accumulated sick leave for employees. An employee who retires could take a substantial payout from the Village. Mr. Thoreson wondered if there was any way possible to limit excessive accumulation of sick leave.
Judy Beaumier made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Jeff Coleman seconded. Council adjourned at 9:10 PM
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Mayor Fischbach Fiscal Officer