VILLAGE OF GENESEO
BOARD OF TRUSTEES July 11, 2005
PRESENT:
Richard B. Hatheway, Mayor
Peter E. Bondi, Deputy Mayor Marsha B. Merrick, Clerk/Treasurer
William S. Lofquist, Trustee J. Thomas Reynolds, Attorney
Robert D. Wilcox, Trustee
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Howard Appell Ben & Benjamin Esham Mark Shepard
Tiffany Adamson Corrin Strong Rachel Trost
Mark Gillespie Mallory Sackett Jamie Bennett
Mary Beth Mothersell
1. MEETING OPENED:
Mayor Hatheway opened the meeting at 7:00 PM. The minutes of the June 20, 2005 meeting were reviewed. Trustee Wilcox moved and Trustee Lofquist seconded the motion to adopt the minutes as presented. The vote was as follows: Deputy Mayor Bondi-Aye, Trustee Lofquist-Aye, Trustee Wilcox-Aye, and Mayor Hatheway-Aye. The motion passed.
2. MARK SHEPARD:
Mayor Hatheway gave a brief history of the issue of extending sewer service to out of district users before Mark spoke to the Board. There have been times, Mayor Hatheway began, when Mary Shepard and Pete Costanzo have requested sewer service to their properties on the east side of Haley Avenue (in the Town) that don’t currently have the service. At those times, annexation into the Village was the suggested remedy for obtaining the service. It was the feeling of the Board in place at the time (even when Mayor Eaton was in office back in the 1980’s) that extending sewer use outside of the Village was not a good precedent to set. Mark Shepard then came in during the 1990’s and requested sewer service to his property in order to build a new home. Again, the answer was the same, annexation.
At this time Mark is requesting sewer service to the former Geneseo Collision shop located on a parcel already served by a Village sewer line. He would like to extend that line to the shop from the tenant house located at 4154 Reservoir Road.
Deputy Mayor Bondi felt that a separate line, at the very least, should be installed to the shop rather than a tie-in to the line servicing the house on the property. In that way, the situation as has happened on Main and Wadsworth Street would not happen again.
Attorney Reynolds asked Mark if he had explored the installation of a septic system for the property and he replied that he had, but it would require a ‘raised bed’ system due to the elevation of the property. That type of system is very costly. Attorney Reynolds then addressed the Board and stated that they would have to decide whether to perpetuate the problem of out of district users or suggest annexation. Deputy Mayor Bondi stated that he would favor annexation over extension of the service; or, at the very least, perhaps install a lateral from the main sewer line running along Haley Avenue with the stipulation that Mark will proceed with the process of annexation in the near future. Trustee Wilcox felt the same way as Deputy Mayor Bondi, but did see the urgency Mark faces as he has prospective tenants awaiting the decision. Mayor Hatheway didn’t feel that the business aspect should enter into the decision. This has been an ongoing situation and he doesn’t feel the urgency at this point in time to grant the request.
Discussion followed regarding the other acreage (seven plus) that goes with the parcel and the prospect for further development. There is another vacant parcel owned by Mary Shepard adjoining the acreage as well. Discussion also took place with Attorney Reynolds regarding putting a clause in any easements necessary (for the new lateral) that annexation must take place at some point if the service request is granted. Tom stated that any future heirs, assignees, etc. must be bound to such an agreement and such a clause will ‘tie up’ the property in the future.
Mayor Hatheway sympathized with Mark in that he wanted an answer this evening, but it just wasn’t as easy as tying in to the existing line. Attorney Reynolds stated that the Village tax might be offset by less expensive Village water and sewer rates and other considerations if annexation were to take place. Corrin Strong assisted the discussion by consulting General Municipal Law Section 703 regarding the process for annexation. Attorney Reynolds added that attorneys are trained to stress “no out of district utility use”. Trustee Wilcox added that being a Village property might be an advantage not a hindrance to the future value of the property.
The discussion concluded with the consensus of the Board that annexation is the only way to obtain sewer service for the property. Mark thanked the Board for their consideration.
Deputy Mayor Bondi left the meeting.
3. RACHEL TROST:
Rachel Trost, Coordinator for Healthy Communities that Care, appeared before the Board to present awards to two young people who contribute to the community. Rachel stated that in her work with the Genesee Valley Health Partnership it’s important to recognize people who do things that are positive for others. Tiffany Adamson and Mallory Sackett are two such individuals. They have been involved in Healthy Communities that Care and Edifi helping with holiday decorations and other service projects. Tiffany also serves on the Geneseo Building upstairs committee.
After the youths were recognized, Mayor Hatheway added that the recognition given to youths is mostly on an athletic level. It’s nice to recognize youth for other service to the community as well. The Board applauded their efforts.
4. BEN ESHAM –
EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT:
Ben Esham, Life Scout with Troop 70 in Geneseo, came before the Board to present his plans for improving the Village Park. Ben’s proposal included installing 6-10 picnic tables, cleaning up the log cabin, and planting trees for his Eagle Scout project. As potential benefits, his improvements to the park would make it more attractive to local families (for picnicking), to college students (for playing games or even studying outside), and to local businesses (for the Summer Festival). The six-foot picnic tables are expected to cost $170 each for a total of $1,020 for six or $1,700 for ten. Fundraising efforts will include soliciting from local businesses, Garden Club, Rotary and Kiwanis. Ben also mentioned additional funding coming from the Village.
Mayor Hatheway suggested that Ben discuss his plans with Supt. Welch who has a map of the park including trees. Trustee Wilcox gave Ben other suggestions for park improvements and Trustee Lofquist was concerned with table placement and mowing issues. Ben plans to pattern the tables after the ones at Long Point Park that are heavy enough not to require permanent placement. Ben was also advised to research the lumber used for the tables and avoid any treated wood that has related health risks.
After further discussion the Board gave preliminary approval to the plan contingent upon consultation with Supt. Welch. Ben hopes to complete the project before school starts in September.
5. SNF PROPERTY:
Mary Beth Mothersell and Jamie Bennett planned to discuss the SNF property with the Board and their proposal for recreational use of the property. Mary Beth had already left the meeting and the Board invited them back to discuss their proposal on July 25.
6. LEGAL ITEMS:
Attorney Reynolds reported that a meeting was held with Mr. Riedman on June 23 to discuss the issues with the Woodbine subdivision and there has been progress since that date. Hopefully dedication of Phase II will take place soon.
Mayor Hatheway gave Attorney Reynolds a ‘marked up’ copy of the current Teresa House lease for his review.
Attorney Reynolds showed a map of the easements along Route 20A to the Board. The sidewalk will be place approximately seven feet north of the north right of way line. All of the property owners are in agreement. Trustee Lofquist would like to see trees planted at some point along the highway. Attorney Reynolds asked for Board approval of the easement for the Chamber of Commerce property. After discussion Trustee Wilcox moved and Trustee Lofquist seconded the motion to approve the agreement between Livingston County Commerce, Education & Tourism Inc. and the Village of Geneseo for a permanent easement for the purpose of laying, maintaining, plowing, repairing and replacing a public sidewalk over a strip of land 6’ in width and 1’ in depth, through lands … identified on the Livingston County tax maps as Parcel 81.10-1-3.2. The vote was as follows: Trustee Lofquist-Aye, Trustee Wilcox-Aye, and Mayor Hatheway-Aye. The motion carried, Mayor Hatheway signed the document and Attorney Reynolds will file the easement with the County Clerk.
Trustee Wilcox asked Attorney Reynolds about the status of the sub-lease between the Village and Town of Geneseo for the Team Cheer building. Mayor Hatheway interjected that the Town needs a number in the sublease that they would be responsible for; for example: expenses would be shared on a 70%/30% basis or some other formula based on use of the building. Attorney Coniglio and the Town Council would like that number to consider before the document is finalized. Conceptually the sub-lease is in order except for that one item, Mayor Hatheway concluded.
7. GENESEO BUILDING:
Mayor Hatheway reported that the design schematics have been received from Clark Patterson Associates and he encouraged Board members to review them. The process is moving forward, he added.
Trustee Wilcox stated that APOG is concerned with storage of their stage panels that have been upstairs. Mayor Hatheway and the Board agreed that they should be removed during renovation.
It was noted that LeChase Construction would be working on a cost estimate for the project based on the schematic designs, as requested by Clark Patterson.
Tim McGill, bond counsel for the Village, sent a letter regarding the January 23, 2003 bond resolution passed by the Village for renovation of the Geneseo Building. Attorney McGill believes that when the Village adopted its bond resolution, the joint project was different from the joint project approved by the Town at its April 6, 2004 referendum. Therefore, he feels that a Supplemental Bond Resolution that revises the joint project authorization to correspond with what the Town later adopted subject to permissive referendum and estoppel publications would be necessary.
8. PRESERVATION
ISSUES:
Trustee Lofquist reported on the meeting with Partners for a Livable Western New York. Bill stated that attendees met at the Geneseo Building on June 25 at 8:15AM and then toured the Village with George R. Grasser, President of Partners for a Livable WNY. Various sites included in the tour were the Least property, the Temple Hill/20A/Groveland Road area, the Volunteer Road area and the development along Route 20A. Following the tour, a discussion period was held lasting an hour and a half. The representatives of the group were uniformly impressed with Geneseo’s Main Street district and suggested preservation rather than change in that area.
They agreed that the super Wal-Mart would increase the need for more parking on Main Street. They were supportive of a traffic circle or roundabout at the Temple/20A/Groveland Road intersection and realize that the NYS DOT would need to make that determination.
As for the Least property, Mr. Grasser and the group agreed that the area could be designated a Brownfield, thereby improved with grant funding and perhaps provide an additional recreational area.
There was a great deal of conversation regarding the commercial area on Route 20A. Some of the topics included ‘Smart Growth’ practices, landscaping issues and architectural issues. Mr. Grasser stated that the commercial area is too large compared to the overall size of the community. That was a new concept to those gathered for the meeting. The concept was that the commercial area creates a lot of interest too far from the center of the Village.
On a legal angle, the Village should be concerned about allowing too much out of district use of the sewer utility. Village residents should not have limited potential for growth because the service was allowed out of the Village.
Trustee Wilcox added that the area is not growing as rapidly as it appears. According to the Code Office, there were forty new residences last year with an average for the Village of twenty-five. Other areas in the country are recording much higher new home construction than here.
Trustee Lofquist concluded that the meeting with Mr. Grasser was well received and provided the group with a lot of information.
On other development items, Planning Board Chair Brennan has written to Randall Arendt for guidance with how to manage additional requests for curb cuts along Route 20A.
Dawn Aprile sent a letter stating that the name of the street running perpendicular to Ryan Drive has been named Veteran Drive per the Village Board request. It was also noted that the Town is in agreement with the “volunteer” theme of street/road names in the Volunteer Road area.
9. WATER
TREATMENT PLANT:
Mayor Hatheway received word that the County has approved the plans for the supplemental water connection with the Livingston County Water & Sewer Authority.
A letter was received from Don Wetzel, Conesus Lake Watershed Manager stating that a pilot test will be performed for the use of aquatic weevils in controlling the Eurasian watermilfoil weed and the ability of the aquatic weevil to survive over winter in the Lake.
10. WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT:
The project is very near completion and closeout documents will be arriving shortly Mayor Hatheway reported.
11. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT:
12. REQUESTS:
The Garden Club has requested use of the Log Cabin on Mondays through October for their dried flower arrangements. The Board was supportive.
Beth Feuerstein requests the closing of Oak Street for the annual block party on August 22 from 5-9:30PM. The Board was supportive and Clerk Merrick will notify the Police, Fire, and DPW departments.
13. SAFETY & HEALTH COMMITTEE:
Insurance Agent Andrew Chanler passed along information from the Village Insurance carrier, St. Paul Insurance Company, regarding implementation of a safety committee. The purpose would be to support the Village’s safety and health program by bringing together employees and management in a cooperative effort to promote safety and health. This is a risk management initiative, Mayor Hatheway stated, and the Board was supportive of implementing the committee.
14. MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE:
Jim McNally wrote a letter of commendation for the work of the Village crew. He mentioned their work ethic and friendliness. The letter went on to say: Regardless of the time of the year or the weather conditions, these workers perform a service to the community which I have seen nowhere else. Supt. Welch was copied on the letter.
Anna Grace, Director of Wadsworth Library, sent a thank you letter for the annual contribution to the Library. The letter states that in 2004 circulation increased by 10% over 2003 with a total of 60,525 items circulated.
The Parents & Students of Geneseo Central Class of 2005 thank the Village of Geneseo for their donation to the Senior Bash. The Bash provided a safe and substance free fun night for GCS seniors on the night before graduation.
Notification has been received from Senator Volker’s office of a $5,500 grant for the Police Department’s wireless project. Chief Osganian reported that one additional antenna would be placed in the Highland Road area (between Highland Road and the Fire Hall) to complete the project (necessary because the signal will not pass through the incline created by Center Street). Eric has lined up funding in the amount of $5,000 from Wal-Mart, $5,000 from Assemblyman Burling and $5,500 from Senator Volker.
15. PUBLIC SAFETY:
Trustee Wilcox highlighted Chief Osganian’s report of activity for June. Calls for service to the Department have increased 15.5% over last year for the same period of time. The Department held a child seat safety check during Summer Festival on July 10.
Trustee Wilcox has been in conversation with Chief Osganian regarding the pedestrian crossing on Highland Road. Bob feels that perhaps a four-way stop as suggested by Supt. Welch would be a solution. The Board will consider this option and schedule a public hearing for passage of that local law.
Members of the Fire Department are hoping to purchase another ambulance during this fiscal year. The five-year replacement schedule is being reconsidered in light of the record number of calls handled by the Department each year.
16. PUBLIC WORKS:
Supt. Welch submitted an activity report to the Board. The North Street sewer line project is ready for bid and will be completed within seventy-five days from award (hopefully the first part of November). Due to MRB’s cost estimate of the project (approximately $260,000), Supt. Welch has decided to bid half the project and replace the main only to house #49. Perhaps in a couple of years the project will be completed.
Crossett and Orchard Street have been paved and Oak Street has been milled and paved with recycled millings.
The Garden Club asked to place a bench in the Village Park in honor of Cookie Sherman and Doug would be installing that soon.
17. TRUSTEES:
Trustee Lofquist reported that he would contact Heather Ferrero at County Planning about the status of the RFP for zoning revisions.
Trustee Wilcox reported that the Town Master Plan Committee has compiled the information from the surveys but has not yet compiled the comments from the surveys.
18. CLERK/TREASURER:
Clerk/Treasurer Merrick asked the Board for approval of the insurance premium vouchers from Agent Chanler. The premiums have increased between 8% and 12% due to increases in the umbrella coverage portion of the policy. After discussion, Trustee Lofquist moved and Trustee Wilcox seconded the motion to approve vouchers in the amount of $113,801.13. The vote was as follows: Trustee Lofquist-Aye, Trustee Wilcox-Aye, and Mayor Hatheway-Aye. Clerk Merrick added that the total budget for 2005-06 for insurance amounts to $115,000 leaving $1198.87 for the Fire Department Accident & Sickness policy renewal.
19. OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Hatheway reported that he and Supervisor Kennison would be meeting with the Justices (Linfoot/Cannon) and Clark Patterson architect Jon Norris on Friday to discuss the building renovations.
20. MEETING CLOSE:
With no further business to discuss, Trustee Lofquist moved and Trustee Wilcox seconded the motion to adjourn. The vote was as follows: Trustee Lofquist-Aye, Trustee Wilcox-Aye, and Mayor Hatheway-Aye. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 9:20PM.
Marsha B. Merrick, Village Clerk