Aurora Village Board
Aurora, New York 13026

Minutes
Regular Monthly Meeting 
December 16, 2009

Present – Mayor Tom Gunderson, Trustees Janet Murphy, George Farenthold, Jim Chase and Lili MacCormick.
Also Present – Village Clerk Dee Nance, Treasurer Deborah Brooks and Code Enforcement Officer Mick Piechuta.
Members of the Public – David Brooks.

Regular Monthly Meeting
Mayor Gunderson called the regular monthly meeting to order at 7:00 PM and led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Trustee Farenthold reminded those present that he is married to Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President of Wells College.

Mayor Gunderson asked for approval of the November 18, 2009 regular meeting minutes.  A motion of acceptance was made by Trustee Farenthold; seconded by Trustee Chase.  Motion carried 5:0.

Mayor Gunderson asked for approval of the December 1, 2009 special meeting minutes.  A motion of acceptance was made by Trustee Chase; seconded by Trustee Farenthold.  Motion carried 5:0.

Correspondence – Mayor Gunderson read a letter from the Aurora-Ledyard Fire District dated November 7, 2009, expressing their appreciation for the paving job completed at the firehouse.  Clerk Nance apologized for leaving this letter off the November meeting agenda.

Mayor Gunderson read a letter from the Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development.  The letter stated that Aurora Planning Board member, Pat Bianconi, had recently attended their training session entitled, “Planning for Storm water”.

Announcements – Clerk Nance asked the board to submit items for the first quarter newsletter.

Clerk Nance asked the board to suggest names of potential election inspectors for the upcoming village election.

Treasurer’s Report – Ms. Brooks presented reports for the months of October and November.  Mayor Gunderson noted a dip in revenue in October that came back up in November.  Ms. Brooks commented that water usage was down for this quarter perhaps because the Aurora Inn was closed and because we’ve had a lot of rain.  She added that we are trying to keep the bills down.

Mayor Gunderson presented the budget modifications to the board.  Modifications were necessary to pay the salary of seasonal employee Gary Gamlen.  Ms. Brooks said we have used up the funds allocated for Mr. Gamlen.  Mayor Gunderson felt it was necessary to transfer funds so that Mr. Gamlen could work for us in the spring.  Mayor Gunderson asked Ms. Brooks to look into the feasibility of combining budget categories into one category for temporary help.  Ms. Brooks noted that some workers are salaried and others paid by voucher.  Mayor Gunderson suggested that all temporary employees be salaried.  This might require creating a new job title with civil service, but would streamline the accounting process. 

General Fund 
$650.00	FROM		A1990.4 – Contingency Account
		TO		A5110.4 – Street Maintenance – Contractual

$3,200.00	FROM		A5110.12 – Street Maintenance – Village Maint. Person
		TO		A5110.4 – Street Maintenance – Contractual

Total replacement of $3,850.50 for Salary.  Account A5110.12 did not set up properly in Payroll program.  With this transfer the account A5110.12 will have a zero balance.

Trustee Farenthold moved approval of the General Fund Budget Modification; seconded by Trustee Chase.  Motion carried 5:0.

$192.75	FROM		A1990.4 – Contingency Account
$192.45	TO		A1410.41 – Clerk/Treasurer – Computer/Copier
$      .30	TO		A7310.4 – Youth Program – Contractual 

Trustee Farenthold moved approval of the Contingency Fund Modification; seconded by Trustee MacCormick.  Motion carried 5:0.

Mayor Gunderson presented the bills for payment on Abstract #7.

General Fund – voucher #’s 219, 221-222, 224, 226-227, 230-234, 236, 238-240, 242-245, 247-250 in the amount of $6,449.81.  Trustee Farenthold moved payment of the General Fund bills; seconded by Trustee Murphy.  Motion carried 5:0.

Water Fund – voucher #’s 220, 228-229, 231 in the amount of $721.43.  Trustee Farenthold moved payment of the Water Fund bills; seconded by Trustee MacCormick.  Motion carried 5:0.

Sewer Fund – voucher #’s 222-223, 225, 228, 230-231, 235, 237, 241, 246 in the amount of $5,480.96.  Trustee Murphy moved payment of the Sewer Fund bills; seconded by Trustee Farenthold.  Motion carried 5:0.

Unaudited Voucher – Route 90 South Water Improvement Project – voucher #1 in the amount of $24.85.  Trustee Farenthold moved payment of the unaudited voucher; seconded by Trustee MacCormick.  Motion carried 5:0.

Committee Reports
Buildings and Grounds – Trustee Farenthold reported that the most recent request for an extension of the comment period on the trash truck legislation was denied.  He added that the Motor Truck Association might be considering legal action.

Trustee Farenthold reported on his attendance today at a meeting with the site selection team of the Finger Lakes Cultural and Natural History Museum.  This was Cayuga County’s last opportunity to make their case for siting the museum in Aurora or the Town of Ledyard.  Trustee Farenthold reported that the meeting went well and we await the site team’s decision in eight to ten weeks.  Others present at this meeting were Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President of Wells College, and nine Wells College faculty members, Pleasant T. Rowland, Mayor Gunderson, Aurora Inn Manager, Sue Edinger, Planning Board Chair, Nancy Gil and Cayuga County Industrial Development Agency Executive Director, Stephen Lynch. 

Trustee Farenthold noted that Ms. Rowland was asked during the meeting if she would allow the museum to use Abbott house, and Ms. Rowland replied that this idea could be given consideration.

Trustee Farenthold also noted strong representation from Aurora at the December 5th meeting for the establishment of the Finger Lake Museum’s planning committees.

Parks and Recreation – Trustee MacCormick had nothing to report.

Streets and Public Safety – Trustee Chase reported on roadwork at the south end of the village.  Construction on the new bridge will begin in March.  A conduit has been placed under the road for a future water main.  There was discussion of the new configuration of the road to Long Point.

Water and Sewer – Trustee Murphy had nothing new to report.  Ms. Brooks asked the board to resolve the question concerning the unusually high water bill at the United Ministry Church.  Ms. Brooks reported that Superintendent of Public Works, Kurt Wilmot, reported that the water had passed through the sewer line, therefore the church should be charged.  Mayor Gunderson agreed but asked that they be allowed to pay it off in installments.  Mayor Gunderson asked Ms. Brooks to write a letter to the church explaining the board’s decision, and that this has long been the village’s policy.  Mayor Gunderson called for a motion.

Trustee Murphy moved that the United Ministry Church be required to pay its third quarter water and sewer bill, but in installments, if necessary; seconded by Trustee Farenthold.  Motion carried 5:0.

Community Preservation Panel – Minutes of November 4, 2009.
Planning Board – no minutes.
Zoning Board of Appeals – Draft minutes of August 26, 2009.

Code Enforcement Officer – monthly report for November 18 through December 16, 2009.  Mr. Piechuta reported that he continues to research the files pertaining to the Holland, Koepp/Place and Zwigard properties, and that he will soon be drafting a letter to the three households.

Mayor Gunderson brought up the issue raised by the Holland’s lawyer regarding a permit for the shared driveway between Koepp/Place and Zwigard.  Mr. Piechuta reported that his search of the files has not turned up an actual permit.  Mayor Gunderson wondered if we should ask the Planning Board to retroactively issue a permit, but would first seek the opinion of Village Attorney Andrew Fusco.  He asked Clerk Nance to contact Mr. Fusco for his opinion on the matter.

Trustee Murphy asked if that would set a bad precedent.  She did not feel that residents should be allowed to build a driveway without approval and then expect permission after the fact.

Clerk Nance noted that the files contained architectural drawings showing the shared driveway and that these drawings had been approved and signed by the Planning Board chair.

Trustee Murphy replied that if this were true, then the Planning Board should be asked to issue a permit, immediately.

Ms. Brooks made the point that Wells College should have applied for the shared driveway permit, as they were the owners of Lyon House at the time.  Discussion ensued and Mr. Piechuta remarked that projects do not appear to have been monitored well in the past and he hopes to correct this problem.

Old Business – Trustee Murphy reported on her efforts to negotiate a new cablevision contract with Time Warner.  Trustee Murphy has contacted the villages of Cayuga and Union Springs.  Both are on board but she thinks they are expecting her to lead.  Trustee Murphy said she would not be able to give this matter her full attention until Christmas break.  She wondered how long we could wait to begin our negotiations with Time Warner.  Mayor Gunderson asked Clerk Nance to contact NYCOM for advice.  There may be a representative for our area who can guide Trustee Murphy through this negotiation process.
 
New Business – Clerk Nance presented a resolution establishing a polling place and polling hours for the March 16, 2010 village election.

RESOLUTION #09-25
POLLING PLACE AND POLLING HOURS
MARCH 16, 2010 – VILLAGE ELECTION
WHEREAS, the village of Aurora has vacancies for one (1) Mayor position and two (2) Trustee positions;
WHEREAS, Village Elections are held on the third Tuesday in March;
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Aurora Village Election will take place on March 16, 2010;
BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, that the Polling Place for the March 16, 2010 Village Election will be the Aurora Firehouse, located at 456 Main Street, Aurora, New York;
AND BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, that the polls will open at 12:00 Noon and close at 9:00 PM.
Trustee Farenthold moved acceptance of Resolution #09-25; seconded by Trustee MacCormick.  Motion carried 5:0.
Mayor Gunderson reported on negotiations for a new lease agreement with Richard Russo of the U.S. Postal Service.  The USPS is amenable to extending the current lease for one more year, but would like to have the stability of a five-year lease next time.  They would like the same rental rate of $10,000 per year.  Mayor Gunderson called for a motion.
Trustee Farenthold moved approval of extending the USPS lease agreement for one more year at the current rate of $10,000 per year; seconded by Trustee MacCormick.  Motion carried 5:0.
After the vote, Mayor Gunderson remarked that he does not want to enter into a long-term lease until he knows if the village will be selling the firehouse to the Fire District.
Mayor Gunderson posed the idea of holding a public informational meeting regarding the Finger Lakes Cultural and Natural History Museum.  He thought some time in January would be good, before the site selection team makes their announcement.  Discussion ensued.  Mayor Gunderson concluded that he would contact Steve Lynch to set up a meeting and advertise it in the Village Newsletter.  Mayor Gunderson also indicated that he wanted the Town of Ledyard to be involved in this meeting.  Mayor Gunderson had discussed this idea with Steve Lynch, and Mr. Lynch has agreed to give the presentation.  Mayor Gunderson called for a motion of support.
Trustee Chase moved acceptance of Mayor Gunderson’s plan to hold a public informational meeting regarding the Finger Lakes Cultural and Natural History Museum; seconded by Trustee Farenthold.  Motion carried 5:0.
Trustee MacCormick raised the issue of hydrofracking and wondered if the village could pass a resolution against drilling in the Marcellus Shale.  Mayor Gunderson asked what our statement would be and who would we send it to.  He asked Trustee MacCormick to research this question for the board and report back at the next meeting.
Mr. Piechuta reported that the new railing at the Aurora Free Library is not the design he approved and does not meet code.  He believes that the State Office of Historic Preservation likely approved it, allowing for the railing to be reinstalled to its original design. 
Trustee Farenthold moved adjournment; seconded by Trustee Murphy.  Motion carried 5:0.  The meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted, 

 Dee Nance                                                                                                                   Village Clerk