Aurora Village Board
Aurora, New York 13026

Minutes
Regular Monthly Meeting 
February 17, 2010

Present – Deputy Mayor Jim Chase, Trustees Janet Murphy, George Farenthold (7:10), and Lili MacCormick.
Also Present – Village Clerk Dee Nance and Code Enforcement Officer Mick Piechuta.

Regular Monthly Meeting
Deputy Mayor Chase called the regular monthly meeting to order at 7:05 PM, and led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Deputy Mayor Chase asked for approval of the January 20, 2010 regular meeting minutes.  A motion of acceptance was made by Trustee Murphy; seconded by Trustee MacCormick.  Motion carried 3:0.

Announcements – Clerk Nance reported that the annual New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) dues need to be paid.  She asked if this required a vote of the board.  A motion to pay the NYCOM dues was made by Trustee MacCormick; seconded by Trustee Murphy.  Motion carried 3:0.

Clerk Nance reported that preparations for the March 16 village election were running smoothly and that she had the ballot ready to send to Jacob’s Press.  She reported three candidates running for mayor—George Farenthold, Alan Connors and Bonnie Bennett.  There are two candidates for two trustee positions—Janet Murphy and Marie Taylor.  A question was raised about Trustee Farenthold’s trustee seat should he win the mayoral election.  The board concluded that in the event Trustee Farenthold was elected mayor, he would appoint someone to fill his vacated trustee seat until the next general village election.

Clerk Nance also reported that she has purchased a new upright vacuum cleaner for the village office cleaning staff.

Trustee Farenthold arrived at 7:10 PM and reminded those present that he is married to Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President of Wells College.

Treasurer’s Report – Ms. Brooks was absent due to the inclement weather, so Deputy Mayor Chase presented her report for the month of January to the board.

There were no budget modifications.

Deputy Mayor Chase presented the bills for payment on Abstract #9.
General Fund – voucher #’s 284-286, 290-293, 296-298, 301-306 and 308 in the amount of $8,495.04.  Trustee Murphy moved payment of the General Fund bills; seconded by Trustee MacCormick.  Motion carried 4:0.

Water Fund – voucher #’s 291, 300 and 307-308 in the amount of $6,637.68.  Trustee Murphy moved payment of the Water Fund bills; seconded by Trustee MacCormick.  Motion carried 4:0.

Sewer Fund – voucher #’s 287-289, 291, 294-295, 299 and 308 in the amount of $5,445.34.  Trustee Murphy moved payment of the Sewer Fund bills; seconded by Trustee MacCormick.  Motion carried 4:0.

Committee Reports
Buildings and Grounds – Trustee Farenthold reported that both Aurora sites were eliminated as possible candidates for the Finger Lakes Museum of Cultural and Natural History.  The two remaining sites are Keuka Lake State Park and the State Park in the city of Geneva.  Trustee Farenthold reported that Mr. Adamski is not through with us yet and has asked to meet with the Aurora group.  Mr. Adamski hopes for our continued support in building this museum.  Trustee Farenthold expressed his gratitude to everyone who worked to bring this museum to our community.

Trustee Farenthold also reported that he has spoken with Billy Hosford and the paint and repair work to the fire hall men’s room will be completed soon.

Parks and Recreation – Trustee MacCormick reported that she was unable to get an appointment with Well’s Dean Lundquist prior to the board meeting due to a visit from the Wells College Trustees.  She and Dean Lundquist will meet on Friday, February 19th and Trustee MacCormick will be seeking approval for this summer’s recreation program.  She would like the program to run from June 28th through August 22nd.  Carolyn Connors has agreed to be director at the same salary as last year.  Six lifeguards will be hired at a rate of $10.00 per hour.  The budget for the summer swim program will be the same as last year’s.

Trustee MacCormick reported that after several failed attempts to reach the gentleman at Ithaca BOCES who offered to build the village a picnic table, she is returning the $100 check to the village that was intended to cover the cost of the building materials.  Trustee MacCormick said she would try to purchase a picnic table from another source.  Trustee Murphy offered to make inquiries with Dean Tanner who works for the Auburn BOCES.

Trustee MacCormick reported that her idea for a basketball court is at a standstill.  She has a new idea of placing a volley ball net down near the boathouse this summer.  There was some discussion of ways to secure the net, including tires filled with concrete and pipes to hold up the net.  Deputy Mayor Chase said that the net would have to be portable to allow for lawn mowing.

Trustee MacCormick reported on a meeting with Britt Van Buskirk.  Britt would like to conduct a boxing club for the youth of Aurora, and wonders if the village would be willing to sponsor her and pay her a salary.  Deputy Mayor Chase noted that Britt is a certified boxing instructor.  Trustee MacCormick will continue to explore this idea.  She will ask Dean Lundquist if the boxing club could be held in the Schwartz Center.

Streets and Public Safety – Deputy Mayor Chase noted that the streets are snow-covered and cautioned everyone to drive safely.

Water and Sewer – Trustee Murphy reported that the Superintendent of Public Works, Kurt Wilmot, is dealing with a second grease clog at the Fargo. 

Mr. Wilmot will be meeting with Mayor Gunderson and Trustee Murphy in the coming weeks to work on the budget.

Community Preservation Panel – no minutes.
Planning Board – no minutes.
Zoning Board of Appeals – no minutes.

Code Enforcement Officer – monthly report for 1/21/2010 through 2/17/2010.  Mr. Piechuta reported that he inspected the Aurora Place and was issuing a permanent Certificate of Occupancy to the entire building.  He also issued a Certificate of Compliance to the Aurora Library for its steps and lighting project.  Mr. Piechuta also met with Village Attorney Andrew Fusco to discuss zoning issues in the village.

There was a discussion of the judgment in the lawsuit involving the Hollands, Zwigards and Koepp/Place properties.  Mr. Piechuta plans to meet with Attorney Fusco to discuss how the judge’s ruling will affect zoning questions in the village.

Old Business – Clerk Nance reported that Attorney Fusco reviewed Resolution #10-1 and approves of the village signing this agreement.

RESOLUTION #10-1
PARTICIPATION IN THE CAYUGA COUNTY FIRE MUTUAL AID ANNEX

RESOLVED that the Village of Aurora Board of Trustees approves continued participation by the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department under the direction of the Aurora-Ledyard Fire District in the Cayuga County Fire Mutual Aid Annex as now in effect and as amended from time to time and certifies to the Cayuga County Legislature through its Fire Coordinator that no restriction exists against “outside services” by such fire company and/or fire department within the meaning of Section 209 of the General Municipal Law which would affect the power of such fire company/fire department to participate in such plan.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be filed with the Cayuga County Fire Coordinator.

Trustee Farenthold moved acceptance of Resolution #10-1; seconded by Trustee Murphy.  Motion carried 4:0. 

New Business – Trustee Farenthold moved to adjourn the regular meeting and enter an executive session to discuss a personnel matter; seconded by Trustee MacCormick.  Motion carried 4:0.

Executive Session – The board conducted a performance review with Code Enforcement Officer Mick Piechuta.  

Trustee Farenthold moved to adjourn the executive session; seconded by Trustee MacCormick.  Motion carried 4:0.

The board reopened the regular monthly meeting.

Trustee Farenthold moved to change Mr. Piechuta’s employment status from Temporary PT to Permanent PT at a salary of $450.00 per month and 1/3 of his monthly cell phone bill or $20.00 per month; seconded by Trustee Murphy.  Motion carried 4:0. 

Trustee Farenthold announced that there are two planned “meet the mayoral candidates” events.  One will be held during the Wells College Activism Symposium and the other is being sponsored by John Miller and “Blessing of the Boats”.

Trustee MacCormick moved adjournment at 7:56 PM; seconded by Trustee Murphy.  Motion carried 4:0.

Respectfully submitted,

Dee Nance
Village Clerk