A regular meeting of the Town Board of Grand Island, New York was held at the Town Hall, 2255 Baseline Rd., Grand Island, NY at 8:00p.m. on the 4th of December 2006.

 

Present:                      Peter A. McMahon                Supervisor

Mary S. Cooke                        Councilwoman

Richard W. Crawford                         Councilman

Gary G. Roesch                        Councilman

Susan J. Argy                                    Councilwoman

Patricia A. Frentzel                        Town Clerk

Peter C. Godfrey                         Town Attorney

 

Also Present:              Raymond Dlugokinski             Highway Superintendent

 

Supervisor McMahon called the meeting to order at 8:00p.m.

Reverend David Rodgers of Emmanuel Community Bible Church gave the Invocation. 

Councilwoman Mary S. Cooke led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:

This is an opportunity for residents to comment on any matter regarding the meeting agenda items only.

 

Speakers:            Anthony Scanio, Sean Hopkins                                     

Re: Park Place Patio Homes

James Mulcahy, Donald Wilkinson

Re: School Referendum           

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

2007 Sewer Rents

A public hearing was held at 8:00 P.M. for purpose of hearing anyone who wanted to speak in favor of or in opposition to the proposed sewer rents in the Consolidated Sanitary Sewer District of the Town of Grand Island for 2007 of $4.40 per 1,000 gallons of water usage.

       Speakers in Favor:             None           

       Speakers in Opposition:            None

 

Supervisor McMahon declared the Public Hearing closed.

A motion was made by Councilman Crawford, seconded by Councilman Roesch to refer the resolution for 2007 Sewer Rents to the Town Board for review and action.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

Noes            0

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilwoman Argy to approve Minutes of Workshop Meeting #58, November 6, 2006, Minutes of Workshop Meeting #62, November 20, 2006 and Minutes of Regular Meeting #21, November 20, 2006.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

Noes            0

 

CONSENT AGENDA:

1.      New York State Senate – Funding from the 60th Senatorial District Crime Prevention Fund

2.      New York Power Authority – State Comptroller’s Audit of the Niagara Power Project

3.      County of Erie, Department of Environment and Planning – Framework for Regional Growth – Erie and Niagara Counties

4.      SEQR – Notice of Completion of a Draft EIS – Notice of Hearing

5.      Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council – Notice of GBNRTC-PCC Meeting

6.      Time Warner Cable – Developments Affecting Cable Television – WUTV and WNYO

7.      Meeting Minutes – Long Range Planning Committee – October 24, 2006

8.      Meeting Minutes – GIFTS Executive Meeting – October 10, 2006

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilman Roesch to approve the consent agenda as distributed.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

COMMUNICATIONS – TOWN BOARD:

SUPERVISOR McMAHON:

Grand Island Central School District – School Building Renovation Project

Dr. Larry Zacher, Superintendent from the Grand Island School District made a presentation on the Buildings Renovation Project Vote, Tuesday, December 12, 2006 in the Grand Island High School Main Foyer from 7:00a.m. – 9:00p.m.

No action by the Town Board.

 

Set Public Hearing – Niagara Development Group, LLC – East River Road – Rezone from R-2 to R1-D

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilwoman Argy to set a Public Hearing for Monday, December 18, 2006 at 8:00p.m. for the purpose of hearing anyone who wanted to make comments in favor or in opposition to the application from Niagara Development Group, LLC to rezone a portion of East River Road from R-2 to

R1-D.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

Authorize Supervisor to Sign Plan Documents – Health Reimbursement – P&A

The Town seeks to establish a health reimbursement account for all its employees.  The plan will be administered by P & A Administrative Services.

A motion was made by Councilman Roesch, seconded by Councilman Crawford to authorize the Supervisor to sign the plan documents with P & A.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

Sewer Charges – Refund

The resident at 2407 Long Road has been paying sewer rents since 1988.  He is not connected, has never been and has requested a refund.  The Town Attorney advises that the maximum period for such a refund is 6 years or 72 months.

A motion was made by Councilman Crawford, seconded by Councilwoman Cooke to authorize a refund to Mr. Andrew Szolnoky in the amount of $2,762.82 which is the total refund allowed.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

 

 

Golf Course Villas – Turnarounds

The developer has requested a waiver from the Town’s standard  requirement for a paved turnaround at the dead end, which is actually the end of Phase I.  The developer has agreed to construct a temporary stone turnaround at every temporary dead end and remove it when the road is extended for the next phase.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilman Roesch to waive the requirement for a paved turnaround and that the temporary turnaround is to be constructed in a manner satisfactory to the Town Engineer and under a written agreement satisfactory to the Town Attorney.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

ZONING OFFICER – JOHN McCARTHY:

Special Use Permit Renewal – Richard Benz – Keeping of 3 Agricultural Animals on 4 Acres

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilwoman Argy to renew the Special Use Permit for Richard Benz for keeping of 3 agricultural animals on 4 acres.  The property has been inspected and it is unchanged.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

GOLDEN AGE CENTER – BARBARA GANNON:

Cook Resignation & Request to Advertise to Fill Position

A motion was made by Councilman Roesch, seconded by Councilwoman Cooke to accept with regret a letter of resignation from Catherine Knight as a cook-helper at the Golden Age Center effective December 22, 2006 and give authorization to advertise the position for a replacement.  A certificate of appreciation will be sent to Ms. Knight. 

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

PLANNING BOARD:

Section 24A-9/Town Code

A motion was made by Councilman Crawford, seconded by Councilwoman Cooke to refer the recommendation of the Planning Board regarding amending Section 24A-9 of the Town Code to the Town Board for review and action.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

James H. & Elaine Oakley – Fix Road – SBL #50.03-2-3 – SEQR & Exception to Subdivision Regulations

Supervisor McMahon presented Parts I & II SEQR – Short Form Environmental Assessment Form for exception to Subdivision Regulations.  Mr. McMahon informed the Town Board that the proposed action is an unlisted action under SEQR and after reviewing the project information of the SEQR Short Form the proposed action will not result in any significant adverse environmental impact.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilman Roesch to issue a Negative Declaration for James H. & Elaine Oakley – Fix Road –

SBL #50.03-2-3 for Exception to Subdivision Regulations.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

James H. & Elaine Oakley – Fix Road – SBL #50.03-2-3 – SEQR & Exception to Subdivision Regulations

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilman Roesch to accept the Planning Board’s recommendation and waive the Subdivision Requirements with the condition that the applicant pay the recreation fee of $500 per lot in lieu of 10% land for recreation.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

COMMUNICATIONS – GENERAL:

Architectural Review Advisory Board Resignations

A motion was made by Councilman Crawford, seconded by Councilwoman Argy to accept with regret the letters of resignation from Ilona Lang and Joan Bodkin as members of the Architectural Review Board.   Certificates of appreciation will be sent to Ms. Lang and Ms. Bodkin. 

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE:

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilman Roesch to pay

Vouchers #85035 - #85110

General     $  13,450.67

Highway    $    1,088.88

Sewer        $  17,938.29

Water         $    6,105.90 

Fire            $ 205,051.25

      Total          $ 243,634.99

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Majestic Woods – Petition Requesting Stop Sign & Reduction of Speed Limit

Remains Tabled.

 

Majestic Woods – Violation of Conservation Easement

Remains Tabled.

 

Park Place Patio Homes – SEQR & Preliminary Plat Approval

Supervisor McMahon presented Parts I & II SEQR – Long Form Environmental Assessment Form for Park Place Patio Homes Preliminary Plat Approval.  Mr. McMahon informed the Town Board that the proposed action is an unlisted action under SEQR and after reviewing the project information of the SEQR Short Form the proposed action will not result in any significant adverse environmental impact.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilwoman Argy to issue a Negative Declaration for Park Place Patio Homes – Preliminary Plat Approval.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

A motion was made by Councilman Roesch, seconded by Councilwoman Argy to accept the Planning Board’s recommendation and grant Preliminary Plat Approval for Park Place Patio Homes.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

Waterford Park Subdivision – Preliminary Plat Approval (Revised Plan)

Remains Tabled.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES:

A motion was made by Councilman Roesch, seconded by Councilwoman Cooke to suspend the rules for the purpose of considering authorizing the Supervisor to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with Mr. Federspiel for repayment of overpayment of wages. 

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

Authorize the Supervisor to sign MOA with Town Employee for Overpayment of Wages

A motion was made by Councilman Roesch, seconded by Councilman Crawford to authorize the Supervisor to sign a Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Grand Island and Mr. Federspiel for repayment of overpayment of wages. 

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:

This is an opportunity for residents to comment on any matter regarding Town government on any subject. 

       Speakers:            Rus Thompson                                Re: GI Tolls                            

                                                Donald Wilkinson, Peter McKee      Re: School Referendum                                            

FROM THE TOWN BOARD:

Councilwoman Cooke: Park Place Patio Homes, Town Hall Holiday Celebration – Santa arrives – Community Chorus  – Town Hall Saturday, December. 9th 4:30p.m.                                   Councilman Crawford: Pearl Harbor Ceremony VFW – December 7th at 12:00noon

Councilman Roesch: School Vote – Dec. 12th Blood Drive at Fire Hall, December 12th, Rotary Club – Bell Ringers for Salvation Army at Tops this weekend.                           

Supervisor McMahon: Niagara Greenway – Information Meeting – December 5th at Beaver Island at 7:00p.m – Public Hearings – Dec 12th, Dec 13th

 

ADJOURNMENT:

A motion was made by Councilman Crawford, seconded by Councilwoman Cooke to adjourn the meeting at 9:15p.m.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

A moment of silence was observed in memory of the following:

Charles Staly

Paul Dyck

Eleanor Kachurek

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Patricia A. Frentzel

Town Clerk