Village of Aurora Board of Trustees 
Public Hearing May 15, 2013 
Present: Mayor Bennett, Trustee Murphy, Trustee Ominsky, and Trustee Taylor 
Absent: Trustee Farenthold 
Others Present: Village Clerk, Ann Balloni; Treasurer, Deborah Brooks; Code Enforcement Officer, Michael Piechuta; Wells College Dean of Students, Jenn Michael; and Village Resident, David Brooks. 
Call to Order: Mayor Bennett opened the Public Hearing at 7:00pm for discussion on expending funds from the Water Reserve Repair Fund to pay for several water line breaks along Main Street. Mayor Bennett asked for public comment and there was none. Mayor Bennett informed all present that the expenditure was subject to permissive referendum and closed the Public Hearing at 7:01pm. 
Village of Aurora Board of Trustees 
Regular Meeting May 15, 2013 
Present: Mayor Bennett, Trustee Murphy, Trustee Ominsky, and Trustee Taylor 
Absent: Trustee Farenthold 
Others Present: Village Clerk, Ann Balloni; Treasurer, Deborah Brooks; Code Enforcement Officer, Michael Piechuta; Village Historian, Dr. Linda Schwab (arrived at 7:15pm), Wells College Dean of Students, Jenn Michael; and Village Resident, David Brooks. 
Call to Order: Mayor Bennett called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:02pm and all rose for the Pledge of Allegiance. 
Approval of Minutes 
On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Ominsky, the Village Board voted to approve the April 17, 2013 Minutes. 
AYES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky, and Taylor NAYS: None 
Motion carried unanimously. 
Announcements
Clerk: 
•	Aurora is hosting the Village Association Dinner at the Aurora Inn on May 28, 2013. The speaker is Rick Emanuel, Publisher of the Auburn Citizen, and the topic is the Business of Local News Today. 
•	Several Planning and Zoning Board members, as well as Office Staff, attended various trainings. 
•	Sales Tax Distribution list is included in the Board packets. 
Mayor: 
•	The Technical Assistance Grant for Patrick Tavern was submitted. 
•	Doug Bates made a stock donation to the Village for approximately $3500.00 to go towards the Village Park renovations. 

•	The Planning Board would like the Inns of Aurora to follow through with a traffic study planned during the Abbott House application process. Mayor Bennett and PB Chair, Nancy Gil, are meeting with Mike Simon BME Associates on May 17th• 
Visitor Recognition: David Brooks recommended moving the speed bump on Court Street further north so it is closer to the Memorial Park. Trustee Murphy agreed and will alert DPW. 
Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Brooks reported that money from the Jumbo CD was removed from the water fund and deposited in the water checking account.  

On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Ominsky, the Board voted to approve the Treasurer’s Report.

AYES:  Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor
NAYS:  None
Motion carried unanimously.

Budget Modifications

General Fund:

$1337.29 From A1990.4 – Contingency Account

$466.04 To A1210.4 – Mayor – Contractual

$871.25 To A1460.1 Records Management – Personal Services

$64.63 From A1620.2 Buildings – Equipment
             
            To   A1620.43 Buildings – Cleaning Supplies

On motion by Trustee Murphy, seconded by Trustee Taylor, the Board voted to approve the Budget Modifications for the General Fund.

AYES:  Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor
NAYS:  None
Motion carried unanimously.

Water Fund:

$1826.67 From F1990.4 – Contingency Account
                
               To F8340.4 – Transmission and Distribution - Contractual 

On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Ominsky, the Board voted to approve the Budget Modifications for the Water Fund.

AYES:  Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor.
NAYS:  None
Motion carried unanimously.

Sewer Fund:

$1705.15 From G190.4 – Contingency Account
                
                To G8130.41 – Sewage Treatment – Personal Services

$116.90 From G9010.8 – State Retirement
              
            To G9030.8 – Social Security

$253.36 From G8130.4 - Sewage Treatment – Contractual
              
              To G8130.47 Sewage Treatment – Sludge

On motion by Trustee Ominsky, seconded by Trustee Murphy, the Board voted to approve the Budget Modifications for the Sewer Fund.

AYES:  Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor.
NAYS:  None
Motion carried unanimously.

Encumbrances (2012-2013):  

1) $2400.00  A1620.23 Buildings – Fire House – for east apparatus bay door

2) $430.00  A7140.4  Playgrounds & Recreation CTR – Contractual
      724.93  A7180.2  Recreational Facilities – Equipment
    +387.55  A7310.4  Youth Program – Contractual
   $1543.18  Total to A7140.4 Playgrounds & Recreation CTR

3) Historian

$1500.00 A7520.2 Historic Preservation – Equipment
                  Vertical Map and Plan File $1105.00 + shipping

$2000.00 A7520.4 Historic preservation – Contractual
           Expanding folders, deep lid boxes, slide pages and album pages
                    $1708.98 + shipping

4)  Kurt’s for WWTP

$1000.00  G8130.47  Sewage Treatment – Sludge removal
 + 800.00                                                   - clean out chambers
 $1880.00  Total

$2000.00  G8130.2 Sewage Treatment – Equipment – mechanical pump seals
+ 500.00                                                                      - chlorine pump
$2500.00 Total
 
Approval of Abstract #12

On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Murphy, the Board voted to approve the General Fund Abstract #12 for payment.

Voucher #s 384-396, 398-410, and 412-417.
Total:  $54,338.42

AYES:  Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor.
NAYS:  None
Motion carried unanimously.

On motion by Trustee Murphy, seconded by Trustee Taylor, the Board voted to approve the Water Fund Abstract #12 for payment.  .

Voucher #s 393, 394, 405, 409, 411, and 417. 
Total:  $5,676.34

AYES:  Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor.
NAYS:  None
Motion carried unanimously.

On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Ominsky, the Board voted to approve the Sewer Fund Abstract #12 for payment.

Voucher #s 384, 385, 388, 394, 397, 398, 405, 409, and 417.
Total:  $8,022.56

AYES:  Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor.
NAYS:  None
Motion carried unanimously.
Committee Reports 
Building and Grounds: Mayor Bennett reported that the Village is waiting on quotes for the paving and excavating of the steps to the Village Park. 
Parks and Recreation: Trustee Murphy reported that several applications have come in for the lifeguard positions for the Summer Swim Program. Trustee Murphy spoke with Lori Fessenden about possible shared services for next year's Southern Cayuga and Aurora swim programs. 
Streets and Public Safety: Mayor Bennett reported that the Aurora Arts and Merchants Association would like a representative from the Village to attend their meetings. Mayor Bennett will check with Trustee Farenthold on his attending the meetings. Mayor Bennett also reported that the new crosswalk signs have arrived. 
Water and Sewer: Trustee Taylor reported: 
•	The DPW is soliciting quotes for the Post Office facade renovation. 
•	New street signs have been ordered to replace the stolen/vandalized signs. 
•	Water problems are solved 
•	Some of the display flags in the Village need replacing. Trustee Murphy recommended buying sturdier flags. 
Board Minutes 
CPP: No comments ZBA: No Minutes 
Planning Board: The Village Board reviewed one additional recommendation to the Zoning Law Dock Amendment.  Section “e” below:

e) The approval from the NYS Office of General Services may also be required under Section 75 (7) of the Public Lands Law (i.e., the lake). Submerged Land License applications and instructions may be obtained at the OGS website:  http://www.ogs.ny.gov/BU/RE/LM/Docs/License.pdf 

Code Enforcement Officer: See attached 
Village Historian: See attached. 
Discussion ensued regarding the Historian's role in the application process, specifically demolition applications. It was agreed that the Historian would work with the Code Enforcement Officer, the Clerk, and the Community Preservation Panel to ensure proper documentation of all buildings slated for demolition. 
Old Business 
Resolution # 13-20 to Expend Funds from the Water Repair Reserve Fund to Repair Village Water Line Breaks. 

Whereas, the Village of Aurora established a Water Repair Reserve Fund, April 20, 1994 for the purpose of providing for the future repair of distribution filtration and pumping facilities, and

Whereas, the Village of Aurora established a Water Improvement Reserve Fund April 16, 1997, for the purpose of providing for the future extension and or replacement of the water transmission and distribution system.

Now therefore be it resolved, that pursuant to sections 6-C and 6-D of the General Municipal Law, the Board of Trustees approve the expenditure of up to a maximum of $20,000.00 from the water repair and water improvement reserve funds for repairs and improvements to segments of the village owned transmission and distribution system running along State Rt. 90 and

Be it further resolved that the Board of Trustees authorizes the Village Treasurer to expend those funds from water repair and water improvement reserve funds for expenses related to this project after the permissive referendum time has lapsed. 
On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Ominsky, the Village Board adopted Resolution # 13-20
AYES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky, and Taylor
NAYS: None 
Motion carried unanimously. 

New Business
Resolution # 13-19  2012-2013 Delinquent Water and Sewer Accounts 
RESOLVED that there be levied and assessed against the real property of the Village of Aurora, the following sums for the fiscal year 2012-2013 totaling $2,063.32.
On motion by Trustee Murphy, seconded by Trustee Taylor, the Village Board voted to add the Delinquent Water and Sewer Payments onto the Village Tax Bills. 
AYES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor NAYS: None 
Motion Carried unanimously. 
Resolution #13-21 to Authorize the Expenditures from the Recreation Repair Reserve Fund to Repair the Stairs to the Village Park

WHEREAS the access stairs to the Village Park were clearly unsafe due to rotting wood and frost heaving resulting in uneven steps, and

WHEREAS for purposes of public safety it was necessary to demolish the existing staircase and stabilize the slope; and

WHEREAS these issues needed to be corrected immediately; and

WHEREAS the Village received a quote of $6,944.86 from C.S. Reynolds & Sons, Inc. who were available to perform the work;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board authorizes the contract with C.S. Reynolds & Sons, Inc. for the demolition of the stairs and stabilization of the bank; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Village Board authorizes the Village Treasurer to expend these funds from the Recreation Reserve Fund after the time for a permissive referendum has elapsed according to law.
On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Ominsky, the Village Board voted to authorize Resolution #13-21 
AYES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor NAYS: None 
Motion carried unanimously. 
Resolution # 13-22 to Obtain Quotes for Village Park Stairs 

WHEREAS the Village Board recognizes the need to reconstruct the stairs to the Village Park and,

WHEREAS as part of the project the Village Board has determined that this is an opportunity to provide improved access to the Village Park and,

WHEREAS Village Public Works personnel have consulted with the Mayor to produce plans for the reconstruction and,

WHEREAS plans for these improvements will be brought before the Planning Board for their May 22, 2013 meeting,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of the Village of Aurora authorizes Village personnel to obtain quotes for the proposed reconstruction
On motion by Trustee Ominsky, seconded by Trustee Murphy, the Village Board voted to obtain quotes for the renovation of the Village Park Stairs. 
AYES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor NAYS: None 
Motion carried unanimously. 
Resolution #13-23 to Solicit Quotes for the Post Office Facade Renovation 

WHEREAS the Village Board would like to make improvements to the Post Office building and,

WHEREAS plans for these improvements will be reviewed by the Planning Board at their May 22, 2013 meeting, 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board authorizes Village personnel to solicit quotes for the proposed renovation.
On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Ominsky, the Village board voted to solicit quotes for the PO renovation. 
AYES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor NAYS: None 
Motion carried unanimously. 
Resolution #13-24 to Replace Playground Equipment  

WHEREAS the Village Board of the Village of Aurora would like to replace playground equipment removed from the Memorial Park and,

WHEREAS the application detailing the equipment will be reviewed by the Community Preservation Panel at their June 5, 2013 meeting,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board authorizes Village personnel to obtain quotes for a slide and a swing set.
On motion by Trustee Ominsky, seconded by Trustee Murphy, the Village Board voted to replace playground equipment. 

AYES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor NAYS: None 
Motion carried unanimously. 

Resolution #13-25 to Consider Expenditures from the Recreational Reserve and Building Improvement Reserve Funds 

BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board set a Public Hearing for a Special Village Board Meeting on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 7:00pm at the Firehouse Meeting Room, 456 Main Street, for the purpose of considering expenditures from the Recreational Reserve and Building Improvement Reserve Funds for the following projects:

1. Reconstruction of the Stairway to the Village Park
2. Improvements to the Post Office Façade
3. Replacement of Playground Equipment 
On motion by Trustee Ominsky, seconded by Trustee Murphy, the Village Board voted to consider expenditures for the Village Park Stairway, Post Office Façade and Playground Equipment projects.

AYES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor
NAYS: None 
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution #13-26 to Authorize Destruction of Village Records 

WHEREAS the Village Clerk has identified certain records in the custody of the Village Clerk that are eligible for disposal pursuant to the New York State Record Retention and Disposition Schedule MU-1, and

WHEREAS a Records Destruction Authorization form listing those records, their MU-1 Series number, and their retention periods was submitted to the Village Trustees for their consideration,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board authorizes the Village Clerk to dispose of the records listed in accordance with State recommended disposal methods, and it is further

RESOLVED that the signed Records Destruction Authorization form be attached to the meeting minutes.
On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Ominsky, the Village Board voted to authorize destruction of village records. 
AYES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor NAYS: None 
Motion carried unanimously. 
Contracts
Village Attorney
On motion by Trustee Murphy, seconded by Trustee Ominsky, the Village Board voted to renew the Attorney Contract with Cheney and Blair, LLP.
AYES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor NAYS: None 
Motion carried unanimously. 

Town of Ledyard Summer Swim Program Agreement
On motion by Trustee Ominsky, seconded by Trustee Murphy, the Village Board voted to renew the Summer Swim Program Contract with the Town of Ledyard. 
AYES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor NAYS: None 
Motion carried unanimously. 
Aurora Free Library
On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Ominsky the Village Board voted to renew the Aurora Free Library Contract. 
AYES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor NAYS: None 
Motion carried unanimously. 
Morgan Opera House
On motion by Trustee Ominsky, seconded by Trustee Taylor, the Village Board voted to renew the Morgan Opera House Contract. 
A YES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor NAYS: None 
Motion carried unanimously. 
Aurorafest
On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Ominsky, the Village Board agreed to the 2013 Aurorafest contract. 
AYES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor NAYS: None 
Motion carried unanimously. 
Discussion ensued regarding the Aurorafest Committee’s desire to launch wishing lanterns for the culmination of Aurorafest.  All Board members agreed that given that the location of Aurorafest is in a field, as well as next to a residential area, the Village will not take on the potential liability issues of the wishing lanterns.
Williamson Law Book
On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Ominsky, the Village Board voted to renew the Williamson Law Book tax software contract. 
A YES: Bennett, Murphy, Ominsky and Taylor NAYS: None 
Motion carried unanimously. 

Adjournment

On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Ominsky, the Village Board voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Ann Balloni Village Clerk 

VILLAGE of AURORA CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICE 
Monthly Report April - 2013 
Hours: 24.5 

Permits Issued: 
13 - 08 Wendy/Larry Winant 13 - 11 Dories 
13 - 13 Levanna Meadows 

262 Main St. Roof-Railings 283 Main St. Renovations 
39 Cherry Ave. Basement Door 

Inspections: 
Abbott Project 
	Wells College(COfC) 	Tank 
T. Gunderson(TCofO) Station 
Levanna Meadows Basement Door - Garage 
	G. Johnson(CofC) 	Sun Room 
Issues/Comments/Concerns: 
Met with Sue Edinger concerning Dories 
Went to Wells training on new Propane system 
Met with Aina Aparlo on some issues at the Abbott Project. Continue to work with residents that have building, zoning, and other questions about the laws of Aurora. 
Reviewed local flood plain regulations and laws. 
Attended a presentation put on by the Army Corps of Engineer's 
Continue to update past permits and keep current. 

May 2013 Historian’s Report to the Village Board, Village of Aurora
Update on current activities:
Selected activities: Since my April report, I have continued to work with Andrew Roblee,
historian at Seward House, who is now preparing a book proposal on the life of E. B. Morgan. I
assisted Mayor Bennett and Trustee Ominsky in preparing a grant proposal for documentation of
Patrick Tavern. In this connection, I have also formed a core group to serve as oversight
committee for that project and to be the nucleus for an Aurora Historical Society. The group’s
first project was an assessment of what needs to be done to make the online records of Oak Glen
Cemetery more up-to-date and useful to genealogists. We will also see to the decoration of
veterans’ graves that have been omitted in earlier surveys. Judy Furness, Linda Kabelac and I
are continuing to work on organizing and sorting the historical archives, and I have ordered
archival boxes, folders and a map case for appropriate storage. With the implicit approval of this
Board (you didn’t say “no”) I contacted the NYSEG forester and pressed for a promise to keep
this Village and its residents better informed of future tree work to bring it more in line with the
historical character of the Village.
Historical Reflection: “History changes.”
It might seem strange to think of history changing, but it does. New material can always be
discovered, of course, but also perceptions of what is interesting and important can and do
change. For example, Aurora was designated an Historic District well before the important work
on the Freedom Trail in Cayuga County, and its thriving African-American community is being
documented with increasing thoroughness.
As I think that report points out, Aurora stands out among many area municipalities in retaining
many of the homes of the workers who made the village run, in other words, tenant houses.
These homes are of greater interest than the name would suggest, for this reason: only the very
richest of Aurora residents could afford to tear down a house. Houses and parts of houses were
moved, combined and built around. Even E. B. Morgan, having built his stone house, let the
kitchen of his first frame house be moved for a barn on Cherry Ave., and also moved a row of old
houses from Main St. to upper Cherry for employees, a development known as “Morgan’s Row.”
It might almost be said that the more ramshackle and “worn out” a building appears, the more
one might look for signs of earlier history: even for parts or frames pushing the two-hundredyear
mark.
Sometimes buildings do wear out and cannot be salvaged, but in that case should be thoroughly
documented. The Aurora demolition permit does have a line asking whether the Village
Historian has documented the building, but there is no procedure in place to be sure that the
Historian actually gets notified in enough time to do a good job, or even if the job is done at all.
Of course, I can rely on Mick and Ann, being aware of this, to let me know, and I do keep up
with meeting agendas as best I can. It would be a great deal better if the relevant committees,
CPP and PB, could include me in the loop early on, and I would like you to think about the best
way to do that, and instruct all of us accordingly.
As you consider this, let me tell you a very short story about why it is important not to restrict
“history” to “lives of the rich and famous.” The other day I happened to remember coming on a
small glen with a few little, worn tombstones while birdwatching at Ft. Ward, a restored Civil
War fort in Alexandria, VA, in about 1967-8. Either a trail map or the museum clerk told me that
this was “an old Negro cemetery,” leaving the impression that it had been for slaves.
Two days ago I looked it up, to find that it had been the cemetery of a thriving post-Civil War
community of freedmen and women, most of whom worked at Virginia Theological Seminary.
These hard-working African-American families, over the century that they lived there, built a
school and a church of their own, fostering a community of unusual closeness and raising up
men and women distinguished in several fields. In 1965, this community was evicted and the
homes demolished for the construction of the National Park. Then, it was, if noted at all, just
“poor people’s houses.” Now it is an important part of why people visit Ft. Ward, but present
only in faded pictures.
I think we can do better. I hope so.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda S. Schwab
Village Historian