VILLAGE OF CANASTOTA

MINUTES

January 4, 2023

Deputy Mayor Gustin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

PRESENT:	Deputy Mayor Doug Gustin and Trustees Jeffrey Watkins, Bill Haddad and Lori Torrey; Village Administrator Ryan; Jerry and Sue Halloran; and Bruce Burke of PAC 99.

ABSENT:	Mayor Rosanne Warner (Mayor Warner participated in discussion only via telephone but did not vote on any matters before the Board).

Motion by Trustee Watkins, seconded by Trustee Haddad, to approve the General Fund Abstract in the amount of $90,014.40. Passed 4 to 0.

Motion by Trustee Torrey, seconded by Trustee Watkins, to approve the Sewer Fund Abstract in the amount of $21,519.28. Passed 4 to 0.

Motion by Trustee Watkins, seconded by Trustee Haddad, to approve the Capital Fund Abstract in the amount of $2,159.00. Passed 4 to 0.

Public Comments.

Jerry and Sue Halloran asked the Board for an updated on the Queensboro odor problem. Administrator Ryan advised that we have met with Queensboro a couple of time and explained that an inspector was there to look into the smell. They are not certain what the problem is, but they believe that it is a reaction of the chemicals that are being used in the pre-treatment process. They are aware of the problem and they are working to figure out the situation. Administrator Ryan also reported that Queensboro had a team at the plant taking samples and monitoring and the DEC is also involved. Trustee Watkins asked if there was an update from CEO Adsit on the matter and added that he would like an update by Friday. Administrator Ryan will get that from CEO Adsit. The Board discussed with Sue Halloran what has happened and they talked about the process for giving citations that will lead to fines being assessed. Jerry Halloran asked what the DEC has said on the matter. Administrator Ryan does not know as he has not heard from the DEC. He will reach out to them. Sue Halloran asked what they can expect - should they expect to live this way or will something happen so that they do not have to live with the smell. Administrator Ryan stated that they can expect a solution and that we are working on it. Administrator Ryan stated that they should not have to live this way. He also noted that Queensboro is working on the problem and they have now suspect the source of the problem is a chemical one and not a biological one. Jerry Halloran suggested that the should be required to bring in experts to handle this matter since they cannot handle it themselves. Administrator Ryan noted that our plan operator has been involved and is now helping to determine the source. Sue Halloran noted that it has been 7 months and it is winter and they can still smell it inside their home. It is unbearable and this is moving too slow. Jerry Halloran feels that Queensboro should be held responsible. Deputy Mayor Gustin asked Administrator Ryan to let the Hallorans know what is happening after he talks to CEO Adsit. Sue Halloran asked about the sewer separation project on State Street and Commerce Street and why we are doing that area and not Hickory Street. From the phone, the Mayor gave the background on the project, advising how it was selected to present to Congresswoman Tenney's office for the grant. Mayor Warner advised that we needed something that was engineered already to be competitive on the grant application. The Mayor gave a brief history of the problems in the area. Trustee Haddad noted that we have applied for funding for this project in the past and the funding has never come in. Sue Halloran remembers that there was work done about 40 years ago on her area. Jerry Halloran asked if we are getting any other engineering ready so that we can have other shovel-ready projects. Trustee Watkins noted that that is something that we need to work at in the next conversation. Sue Halloran stated that the current problem with her street affects the whole Village. The Board talked with the Hallorans about getting other projects ready for potential funding. Trustee Haddad advised that Mayor Warner will be going to a meeting in Albany in February to talk about getting money for us for some projects. We have spoken with the Federal Representatives and State Representatives about getting money for projects in our area.

Motion by Trustee Watkins, seconded by Trustee Haddad, accepting the Agreed Upon Procedures Report from D'Arcangelo & Co., LLP for period ending May 31, 2022, for the Court and General (Clerk/Treasurer's) Office. Passed 4 to 0.

Motion by Trustee Haddad, seconded by Trustee Torrey, approving the attached Training Request from Mayor Rosanne Warner to attend the NYCOM Winter Legislative Meeting from February 5, 2023 - February 7, 2023 at a total cost of $723.00. Passed 4 to 0.

Motion by Trustee Watkins, seconded by Trustee Torrey, approving the attached Online Auctions Contract with Auctions International, Inc. and authorizing the Mayor to execute the same. Passed 4 to 0.

Motion by Trustee Haddad, seconded by Trustee Watkins, approving the attached New Position Duties Statement creating the position of full-time Laborer with the DPW. Passed 4 to 0.

Motion by Trustee Torrey, seconded by Trustee Haddad, appointing Nicholas J. Hluska as a full-time Laborer with the DPW at Step 2 effective January 11, 2023. Passed 4 to 0.

Motion by Trustee Watkins, seconded by Trustee Haddad, to consent to the Town of Lenox Planning Board's attached request for Lead Agency Designation under SEQRA for the Site Plan and Special Use Permit application of Baseline Development Inc. (owner) and CCI Companies, Inc. (applicant) for property located at 7840 NYS Route 13, in the Town of Lenox and partially in the Village of Canastota. Passed 4 to 0.

Correspondence.

None

Administrator.

Administrator Ryan advised that he and Foreman Holdridge met with the school regarding the problem with parking and getting the busses through Center Street. The discussion was had about removing parking on the south side of Center Street from Chapman Place to Main Street. Administrator Ryan reached out to the State about a drainage problem with the corner building on Center and Peterboro Street (old pharmacy location) which resulted after the recent curb/bump-out project that the State completed. The representative of the State will get in touch with the contractor to see what can be done to correct the situation. Administrator Ryan reported that the elevator repair was completed this afternoon and needs a third-party inspection before we can use it. He asked for a rush as there is a meeting with the Town of Lenox next week. Administrator Ryan advised that Rick Myers will update the figures for the Commerce Street project as soon as possible. The opening was posted at the DPW. Administrator Ryan will reach out to Trustee Haddad when resumes are received to schedule interviews. He talked about a problem at the headwords with the mother board for the alarm system. This will be looked at again when the current project is completed. The DPW planned to work on the removal of the James Street sidewalk but they need to wait until spring to be safe. Administrator Ryan met with the Mayor and Queensboro about outstanding invoices and back payments that are owed for capital recovery and industrial user charges. The Mayor gave additional background on the matter. The Mayor would like to have our accountant review the situation. We are not making any progress with Queensboro. Trustee Haddad asked if they have given us an accounting of what they believe the problem is. The Mayor talked about her conversation with Queensboro and their representative. She also talked about an email that was received from Ken Skibinski, our Pretreatment Consultant, on this matter.

Trustee Comments.

Trustee Torrey has nothing tonight.

Trustee Haddad has nothing tonight.

Trustee Watkins has nothing tonight.

Trustee Gustin has nothing tonight.

Motion by Trustee Watkins, seconded by Trustee Haddad, to enter Executive Session regarding personnel matters and contract negotiations. Note: Attorney Chris Militello has joined the meeting and will be staying for Executive Session. Passed 4 to 0.

Motion by Trustee Watkins, seconded by Trustee Torrey, to exit Executive Session at 8:52 p.m. Passed 4 to 0.

Mayor Warner advised the Board that she has had conversations with Joel Arsenault regarding the brewery. She also advised that Louie Zupan, Jr. has a potential buyer for property of his on Warners Road that wants to put a pot farm in. Mayor Warner noted that there is a truck committee meeting tomorrow and she asked Deputy Mayor Gustin to sit in on the meeting. Mayor Warner also advised that the sale of property to Clark is moving forward.

Motion by Trustee Watkins, seconded by Trustee Torrey, to adjourn at 8:57 p.m. Passed 4 to 0.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine E. Williams

Clerk/Treasurer