VILLAGE OF AURORA BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 19, 2011
Held at the Aurora Firehouse Meeting Room

THOSE PRESENT:  Mayor Bennett, Trustee Farenthold Trustee MacCormick, Trustee Murphy,  Trustee Taylor 
Deborah Brooks, Treasurer; Michael Piechuta, Code Enforcement Office

OTHERS PRESENT:   David Brooks; Andrew Fusco (arrived at 8:45 p.m.)

CALL TO ORDER:  Mayor Bennett called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the Board rose for the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Farenthold, the Board approved the minutes of September 21, 2011.

AYE:   	Bennett, MacCormick, Murphy, Taylor
NAY:   	None
ABSTAIN:  	Farenthold, not present at the September meeting 
Motion carried:   4:0:1

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Patrick Tavern:  Mayor Bennett reported that Greg Dende, structural engineer, was in the Village last week to take a look at Patrick Tavern.  He will be working with Todd Zwigard to produce construction drawings for renovating Patrick Tavern.  

Aurora Ledyard Fire Department: Mayor Bennett shared with the Board a letter of appreciation she would like to send to the Fire Department thanking them for their recent open house.  The Board authorized her to send it out.

Sunset Beach:  Mayor Bennett reported that she had spoken to Dave Brong and everybody is on board with the project going ahead in the spring.  Trustee MacCormick questioned why they were waiting until spring. Mayor Bennett responded stating the people were not in residence during the winter.

Association of Villages Dinner: Debbie Brooks asked for confirmation of attendance at the October 25, 2011 Association of Villages dinner.  Trustee Murphy was the only Board member able to attend.

Liquor License Application: Debbie Brooks told the Board that the Village had received a liquor license application from the Aurora Inn, Inc.  There were no comments from the Board.   

Village Clerk:  Mayor Bennett told the Board that Tee-Ann Hunter would be taking minutes for the Board at the evening’s meeting.  Additionally, Ms. Hunter is working on some records management projects and will be helping train the new Village Clerk. 

VISITOR RECOGNITION

There was no one wishing to address the Board

TREASURER’S REPORTS

There were no reports to come before the Board.  Ms. Brooks reported that she was still catching up following computer problems and is working on completing the Annual Financial Report. 

Ms. Brooks told the Board that due to the computer problems she had some trouble with the water and sewer program and had to manually redo some of the bills.  She is working on the problem with Williamson Law Book.

Ms. Brooks reported that the Village received a donation from Mayor Bennett for Patrick Tavern.  Ms. Bennett told the Board the donation consisted of a fee she received for officiating at a wedding. 

BUDGET MODIFICATIONS

Approval of Budget Modifications

On motion by Trustee Farenthold, seconded by Trustee Taylor, the Board approved the following General Fund Budget Modifications:

$322.50  	From 		A1990.4 Contingency Account

$322.50	To		A1460.1 Records Management - Personal Services

AYE:  	Bennett, Farenthold, MacCormick, Murphy, Taylor
NAY:   None
Motion carried unanimously

Approval of Abstract

General Fund

On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee MacCormick, the Board approved the General Fund Abstract for payment:

 Voucher Numbers:  134, 134a, 135 through 143, 145, 149, 151 through 155, 155a, 				 157 through 159, 161, 163

Total Amount:	 $6,665.16.

AYE:  Bennett, Farenthold, MacCormick, Murphy, Taylor
NAY:  None
Motion carried unanimously

Water Fund

On motion by Trustee MacCormick, seconded by Trustee Taylor, the Board approved the Water Fund Abstract for payment:

Voucher Numbers:	140, 143, 144, 150, 158, 162, 163

Total Amount:	 $2,470.24

AYE:  Bennett, Farenthold, MacCormick, Murphy, Taylor
NAY:  None
Motion carried unanimously

Sewer Fund

On motion by Trustee MacCormick, seconded by Trustee Taylor, the Board approved the Sewer Fund Abstract for payment:

Voucher Numbers:	133, 135, 137, 140, 142, 143, 146, 147, 148, 150, 156, 158, 
			160, 163

Total Amount:	$2,625.89

AYE:  Bennett, Farenthold, MacCormick, Murphy, Taylor
NAY:  None
Motion carried unanimously

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Buildings and Grounds - nothing to report

Parks, Recreation and Public Events - nothing to report

Streets and Public Safety - Trustee Farenthold reported having registered complaints regarding six consecutive garbage trucks on Route 90.  He told the Board that Union Springs was opposed to use of their fire house parking as an inspection/weigh station.  The Upstate Safety Task Force has written a letter supporting the use of rail service to transport garbage to Seneca Meadows.  The Task Force’s next meeting is scheduled for November 11, 2011 in Skaneateles.   

Finger Lakes Museum - Trustee Farenthold told the Board that he had been asked to serve as the vice president of the Finger Lakes Museum project.  

Water and Sewer- Trustee Taylor reported that Adam told her everything was working well at the plant,  Mike likes his job, and  Kurt will be attending the upcoming NYCOM public water supply training.

The Board received a letter from Winnie Murphy requesting relief from her water sewer bill due to an undetected garage faucet leak.   She was asking for relief from the sewer portion of bill.

On motion by Trustee Farenthold, seconded by Trustee Taylor, the Board considered granting Winifred Murphy relief from her water and sewer bill 

Resolution No. 2001-12:  Granting Winifred Murphy relief from her water and sewer bill 

BE IT RESOLVED that the Village of Aurora grant Winifred Murphy relief from her water and sewer bill as follows:  Charged for her total water usage for third quarter 2011 plus the third quarter 2010 sewer charge.

FIRST:  Trustee Farenthold		SECOND:  Trustee Taylor

Trustee Murphy disclosed her relationship (daughter-in-law) to Winifred Murphy. 

AYE:  Bennett, Farenthold, MacCormick, Murphy, Taylor
NAY:  None
Motion carried unanimously

Community Preservation Panel - Nothing to report

Planning Board - The Board received a copy of the Planning Board’s September 14, 2011 minutes in their packet.  There was nothing to report

ZBA - Did not meet.

Zoning Officer - Mr Piechuta reviewed his monthly report (attached to these minutes) with the Board.  He recommended that the Board implement some rental zoning laws and reported that he was researching what is done in other municipalities and will share the information with the Board. 

The Board discussed the McMullen house property.  It is owned by Wells College.  Mr. Piechuta reported that Michael Peters has expressed an interest in buying the property.  Mr. Piechuta told the Board he was gathering information about the property.  

Village Historian - nothing to report

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business for discussion.

NEW BUSINESS

Appointment of Jeffrey Blum to the Community Preservation Panel

Mayor Bennett told the Board that Jeffrey Blum has expressed interest in leaving the Zoning Board of Appeals to fill the  Community Preservation Panel seat vacated by Todd Zwigard. 

On motion by Mayor Bennett, seconded by Trustee Farenthold, the Board considered appointment of Jeffrey Blum to the Community Preservation Panel and acceptance his resignation from the Zoning Board of Appeals

Resolution No. 2011-013:  Appoint of Jeffrey Blum to the Community Preservation Panel 

BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board appoint Jeffrey Blum to the Community Preservation Panel for a term ending May 31, 2012 and accept his resignation from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

FIRST:  Mayor Bennett		SECOND:  Trustee Farenthold  

AYE:  Bennett, Farenthold, MacCormick, Murphy, Taylor
NAY:  None
Motion carried unanimously

Resignation of Avery Ayers from the Community Preservation Panel

Mayor Bennett read a letter (attached to these minutes) from Avery Ayers resigning from the Community Preservation and his role as chair.  She took time to recount the many things that Mr. Ayers has done during his lengthy service to the community including his work on the Village’s Zoning Law.   

On motion by Trustee Farenthold, seconded by Trustee MacCormick, the Board considered the resignation of Avery Ayers from the Community Preservation Panel.   

Resolution No. 2011-014:  Accepting with regret the Resignation of Avery Ayers from the Community Preservation Panel and his seat as Chair

BE IT RESOLVED that with regret and appreciation for his many years of service the Village Board accepts the resignation of Avery Ayers from the Community Preservation Panel and his seat as chair.

FIRST:  Trustee Farenthold	SECOND:  Trustee MacCormick

AYE:  Bennett, Farenthold, MacCormick, Murphy, Taylor
NAY:  None
Motion carried unanimously

Appointment of Christopher MacCormick as Chair of the Community Preservation Panel

Mayor Bennett told the Board she had spoken with Christopher MacCormick about filling the chairmanship of the Community Preservation Panel.  Mr. MacCormick has agreed to step in as temporary chair.

On motion by Mayor Bennett, seconded by Trustee Murphy, the Board considered appointing Christopher MacCormick as temporary chair of the Community Preservation Panel 

Resolution No. 2011-15:  Appointing Christopher MacCormick as Temporary Chair of the Community Preservation Panel.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board appoint Christopher MacCormick as temporary chair of the Community Preservation Panel for a term starting immediately and running through April 30, 2012.

FIRST:  Mayor Bennett		SECOND:  Trustee Murphy

Trustee MacCormick disclosed her relationship (mother) to Christopher MacCormick

AYE:  Bennett, Farenthold, MacCormick, Murphy, Taylor
NAY:  None
Motion carried unanimously

Mayor Bennett asked the Board to think of nominations for people to fill the empty seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Community Preservation Panel.   .

Parking

Mayor Bennett briefly reviewed with the Board the Inns of Aurora’s parking proposal presented to the Planning Board in connection with their application for the conversion of Abbott House.  The Board discussed various parking alternatives and the need for a better understanding of expanding traffic volume and parking needs.  There was discussion of possible temporary parking solutions until a study could done.  

The Board reviewed a letter (attached to these minutes) from Charles and Marsha Echelbarger expressing their concerns, as adjoining property owners, regarding the Inns of Aurora’s proposed parking lot on Wells College property.

Trustee Farenthold requested that the Village explore pocket parking at the Oak Glen cemetery entrance and in the lot east of the firehouse.  Mayor Bennett and the other trustees felt it was not in the best interests of the Village to use public property for a private parking facility.

On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Farenthold, the Board considered authorizing Mayor Bennett to discuss parking solutions, both temporary and long term, with Wells College and the Inns of Aurora.

Resolution No. 2011-16:  Authorizing Mayor Bennett to Discuss Parking with Wells College and the Inns of Aurora

BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board authorizes the Mayor to discuss with the Inns of Aurora the development of a master parking plan to accommodate the needs of the Inns of Aurora that includes use of existing Wells College campus parking lots to address the issue of employee and event parking needs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village Board investigate the possibility of utilizing diagonal parking on Lafayette Street. 

FIRST:  Trustee Taylor    SECOND:  Trustee Farenthold

AYE:  Bennett, Farenthold, MacCormick, Murphy, Taylor
NAY:  None
Motion carried unanimously

Records Management Procedures

The Board received the beginnings of a Records Management Policy and Procedures Manual that was included in their packet.  A complete manual will be presented to the Board for their approval within the next few months.  Ms. Hunter briefly reviewed with the Board records management practices that she and Ms. Brooks were putting into place, and the Board authorized Ms. Hunter to continue working on the Village records.  
   
EXECUTIVE SESSION

On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Farenthold, the Board moved into executive session at 8:52 p.m. for discussion of personnel matters.

FIRST:  Trustee Taylor		SECOND:  Trustee Farenthold

AYE:  Bennett, Farenthold, MacCormick, Murphy, Taylor
NAY:  None
Motion carried unanimously

Ms. Brooks, Mr. Brooks, and Ms. Hunter left the room.  Mr. Fusco remained.

On motion by Trustee Taylor, seconded by Trustee Farenthold, the Board returned to regular session at 10:00 p.m.

FIRST:  Trustee Taylor			SECOND:  Trustee Farenthold

AYE:  Bennett, Farenthold, MacCormick, Murphy, Taylor
NAY:  None
Motion carried unanimously

Village Clerk Vacancy

On motion by Trustee Farenthold, seconded by Trustee Murphy, the Board considered the appointment of Ann Balloni as Village Clerk.

RESOLUTION NO. 2011-17:  Appointment of Ann Balloni as Village Clerk

BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board offer the position of Village Clerk to Ann Balloni beginning October 24, 2011 at a rate of $12.00 per hour with a probationary review after 6 months.

FIRST:  Trustee Farenthold		SECONDED:  Trustee Murphy

AYE:  Bennett, Farenthold, MacCormick, Murphy, Taylor
NAY:  None
Motion carried unanimously

ADJOURNMENT

On motion by Trustee Farenthold, seconded by Trustee Taylor, the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tee-Ann Hunter