February 20, 2008

 The regular meeting of the Town of Wilson Town Board was held Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Town Hall.   

The following people were present:

Supervisor                    Joseph A. Jastrzemski

Councilman                  Brad Clark

                                    Melinda Major

                                    James Muscoreil

                                    Thomas Thompson

Highway Supt.  Daniel Kerwin

 At this time, the Supervisor and Board Members recognized Randy Miller, a 16-year-old Wilson High School student, who saved his wheelchair bound grandmother from a fire that destroyed their home February 10.  Mr. Jastrzemski presented Randy with a certificate of recognition, a key to the Town and a monetary donation from town employees.  Randy’s grandmother, grandfather, aunt and uncle were present along with newspaper and television reporters to cover the event.  Mr. Jastrzemski commended Randy for his heroic actions and thanked our local fire companies for their quick responses and the invaluable services they provide to our community on a daily basis.

 Mr. Jastrzemski announced a fund has been set up for the Miller Family and donations can be sent to the Miller Family Fund, Post Office Box 58, Ransomville NY 14131.

 A motion was made by Mr. Muscoreil, seconded by Ms. Major and unanimously carried, the minutes of the January 23, 2007 regular meeting, the January 29, February 6 and February 7, 2008 special meetings be approved as submitted by the Clerk.

 A Resolution was offered by Mr. Clark, seconded by Mr. Thompson and unanimously adopted, the following bills be approved as audited by the Board:

  General A Fund                      #39 thru #64                  $20,444.82

  General B Fund                      #12 thru #22                    25,215.37

  Hwy DA Fund                        #17 thru #32                    33,490.41

  Hwy DB fund                          #5 thru #7                          5,344.76

  SL                                          #3 thru #5                             390.80

  SF                                          #4 thru #9                        96,071.84

                                                                Total All Vouchers  $188,577.40

At this time, Mr. Jastrzemski opened the public hearing on proposed Local Law, No. 1, 2008 “A Local Law Providing for Various Changes to Pond Regulations”. 

 Mr. Jastrzemski read the proposed Local Law in its entirety.

 A Beebe Road resident spoke in opposition to the acreage requirement.  

All being heard who wished to be heard, Mr. Jastrzemski closed the public hearing.

 A request was received from the Highway Superintendent for authorization for Linda Pease to attend a Ihelper training program February 26, 2008 in Lewiston at a cost of $105.00

 Notification was received from Rosanne Wikor, President of Sunset Girls, Inc., doing business as Sunset Grille, of their intent to apply for an on-premises liquor license at 18 Shore Drive.

 A request was received from Tax Collector Julia Godfrey for authorization to attend a seminar on Payment in Lieu of Tax Agreements March 4 in Sanborn at no cost to the Town.

 A thank you was received from Senator George Maziarz for the copy of the resolution adopted by the Wilson Town Board in support of Governor Spitzer’s plan for property tax relief.

 Mr. Jastrzemski opened public participation.

 A Beebe Road resident submitted paperwork to the Board Members pertaining to a Coordinating Assessing Program.  She and her husband spoke about the program.

 A Shore Drive resident spoke about cutting costs and suggested hiring out some work, such as cemetery mowing, etc.

 A Maple Road resident spoke about the Shared Services Agreement with Niagara Falls.

 A Fitch Road resident spoke about the proposed primate sanctuary.

 All being heard who wished to be heard, Mr. Jastrzemski closed public participation.

 Mr. Jastrzemski spoke about his meeting with Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte and his discussion with her about property tax relief.  He also spoke about his efforts to obtain State Parks and Greenway money to construct a bike path along the lake to Newfane and grants available in rural areas for shared services and wi-fi installation.

 Mr. Jastrzemski notified the Board that the Niagara County Legislature approved funding for an engineering study to be done on Beebe Road repairs.

 Concerning the repairs to the Town’s boat ramp on Riverview Drive, Mr. Jastrzemski reported that a grant in the amount of $30,000 from the Occidental settlement was awarded for this work.  He has requested additional funding from Assemblywoman DelMonte for this project.

A motion was made by Mr. Jastrzemski, seconded by Mr. Muscoreil and unanimously carried, this Board request that the Highway Department test all grinder pumps on Sunset Island to be sure they are in good working order before the warranties run out.

 A motion was made by Mr. Jastrzemski, seconded by Mr. Muscoreil and unanimously carried, the Board audit the Town Clerk’s and Justices’ books March 19, 2008.

 A motion was made by Mr. Clark, seconded by Mr. Muscoreil and unanimously carried, Linda Pease be authorized to attend an Ihelper training program in Lewiston February 26 as requested.

 A Resolution was offered by Mr. Jastrzemski, seconded by Mr. Clark and unanimously adopted, amending the agreement with Crown Castle for the Water District cell tower as submitted by Gary Gochberg, Representative for Crown Castle International.  Copy attached to these minutes.

 A Resolution was offered by Mr. Muscoreil, seconded by Mr. Thompson and unanimously adopted, authorizing the purchase of time clocks from Buffalo Time Clock.  The cost will be $3,635.00. 

A Resolution was offered by Mr. Muscoreil, seconded by Ms. Major and unanimously adopted,  approving a Lease Agreement with Mawhiney Trucking, Inc.  Copy attached to these minutes.

 A Resolution was offered by Mr. Jastrzemski, seconded by Mr. Clark and unanimously adopted, authorizing Newfane Building Inspector Doug Nankey to act on behalf of Wilson Building Inspector Lawrence Banks in his absence.

  A Resolution was offered by Ms. Major, seconded by Mr. Thompson and unanimously adopted, authorizing the Town Clerk and First Deputy Town Clerk to attend the IIMC Regional Meeting March 27 and 28, 2008 in Saratoga Springs at a cost of $225.00 each.

 Mr. Clark spoke about his meeting with Wilson Tuscarora State Park Manager John Devlin and an analyst for the State Parks to discuss the problems parks are experiencing with Canadian Geese. The Geese Abatement Program calls for oiling the nest eggs and using Border Collies to chase the geese. Remote control boats will also be used to frighten them from the water.  The Parks Department will be looking for volunteers to help with the program.

 A Resolution was offered by Mr. Clark, seconded by Mr. Muscoreil and unanimously adopted, in support of Wilson Tuscarora Park’s Goose Management Project.

A Resolution was offered by Mr. Jastrzemski, seconded by Mr. Muscoreil and unanimously adopted, authorizing Councilman Brad Clark to apply for a Canada Goose Nest Egg Depredation Permit.

A motion was made by Mr. Muscoreil, seconded by Mr. Clark and unanimously carried, authorizing the Tax Collector to attend a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Seminar March 4, 2008 in Sanborn as requested.

A motion was made by Mr. Jastrzemski, seconded by Mr. Muscoreil and carried, the voting on proposed Local Law establishing minimum lot sizes and sloping requirements for all recreational and farm ponds be tabled.  Mr. Clark cast the one “no” vote.

 The next workshop meeting will be Wednesday, March 5, 2008.

 The next regular meeting will be Wednesday,  March 19, 2008.

 A motion was made by Mr. Muscoreil, seconded by Mr. Thompson and unanimously carried, the meeting be adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                         Wanda E. Burrows

                                                                        Town Clerk