VILLAGE OF LOWVILLE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Meeting Minutes

December 19, 2007

I.      Call to Order

The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lowville was called to order at 5:29 PM on December 19, 2007 by Mayor Mary Youngs.

II.      Roll Call

The following members were present:

            Mayor Mary Youngs            Trustee Charles Truax               Trustee Brian Western                      Trustee Dennis Kraeger            Trustee Dennis Bishop

Others present:

            Eric Virkler                          Mark Tabolt              Chief Eric Fredenburg                 Dorothy Duflo                         Charlotte Beagle            John Mumford

III.      Orders of the Day                 None

IV.      Public Comment

§         Charlotte Beagle and John Mumford updated the Board on the Statue efforts. Ms. Beagle would like to begin the process to seek historic register designation for the statue and the park. She suggested the Village needs to be the applicant and requested the Board consider this action. Ms. Beagle discussed the financing for the project and asked if the Board would consider a bond and seeking legislative member items. The Board finance committee will review the bonding idea.

Motion by Trustee Kraeger, seconded by Trustee Bishop to authorize the Mayor or Administrator to sign the necessary documents for the historic register application. All in favor.

V.      Approval of Minutes / Excuse Absent Board Members

Motion by Trustee Bishop, seconded by Trustee Western to approve the minutes of the December5, 2007 meeting with one addition to state the Pledge of Allegiance was recited to begin the meeting.  All in favor.

VI.      Approval of Vouchers

Motion by Trustee Truax, seconded by Trustee Kraeger to approve the vouchers as audited.  All in favor.

F#013         $  34,886.77 

G#013         $  19,355.11

VII.      Correspondence

§         Attorney Gebo letter - This letter is clarification of the discrepancy on the Ross Road annexation. Mr. Gebo has determined the issue is if the Road itself would be in the Town or Village and he is looking for clarification from the Board on that question. Mark Tabolt and Eric Virkler noted the intent was for the Village to take ownership of the Road. Trustee Truax also asked about the speed limit and Village boundary sign.

Motion by Trustee Truax, seconded by Trustee Kraeger to confirm that the Village intention is to assume ownership of the Ross Road as the result of the previous annexation. All in favor.

VIII.      Officers & Committee Reports

a.       Mayor   - No report

b.       Clerk/Administrator/Treasurer

-         Mr. Virkler presented a written report.

c.       Municipal Board

§         Dorothy Duflo provided  a report for the Municipal Board meeting held on November 27. The primary topics of discussion involved water billing for the Fairgrounds, an update on the outfall sewer project and Kraft surcharges. The Board had some discussion on the fairgrounds topic and will be interested in the Municipal Board's further investigation of this issue.

IX.      Unfinished Business

a.       Kraft Surcharges

§         The Municipal Board has recommended approval of the October surcharges for Kraft.

§         Motion by Trustee Bishop, seconded by Trustee Kraeger levy the October surcharges in the amount of $24,750. All in favor with Western abstained.

b.       Sidewalk Program

§         The Board discussed winter snow removal on sidewalks and the challenges of enforcing this. All members agreed we should consider amending our local law to ensure it could be effectively enforced. The Capital Committee will look  at this issue with assistance from Mr. Tabolt.

c.       Police Personnel Issue

§         This will be discussed in executive session.

d.       Water Study

§         Mr. Virkler provided a summary of the water study and the possibility of the County commissioning a study. The County is planning to complete a separate study from the one the Village might complete if the SMSI application is funded.

X.      New Business

a.       Planning Board Appointments

§         Mayor Youngs recommended two appointments to the Town/Village Planning Board. Barbara Gray as a reappointment for a five year term and Britton Abbey to fill an unexpired term due to a resignation.

Motion by Trustee Kraeger, seconded by Trustee Bishop to approve the Mayor's reappointment of Barbara Gray. Mr. Kraeger subsequently withdrew his motion.

§         After some discussion about the Town of Lowville's concurrence with the joint appointment, the Mayor amended her recommendations. The Mayor thus formally recommended Barbara Gray be appointed to the open Planning Board seat that is a Village appointment. The Mayor also recommended appointment of Britton Abbey to a five year term which is a shared appointment with the Town.

Motion by Trustee Kraeger, seconded by Trustee Bishop to approve the Mayor's appointment of Barbara Gray to the village seat on the Planning Board with a term to expire December 31, 2010. All in favor.

Motion by Trustee Truax, seconded by Trustee Western to approve the Mayor's appointment of Britton Abbey to the town/village joint seat on the Planning Board with a term to expire December 31, 2012. All in favor.

b.       Municipal Board Appointments

Motion by Trustee Truax,, seconded by Trustee Kraeger to reappoint Rick Nortz to the Municipal Board for a term to expire December 31, 2012. All in favor.

c.       Stowe Street

§         Trustee Bishop updated the Board that he and Mark Tabolt have inspected the area of concern on Stowe Street. We have also had Bernier and Carr look at the site. We will gather all the information and determine possible solutions. Mr. Bishop did report there is definitely an open ditch at the property owner's location that has filed the complaint. The ditch is approximately eighteen inches deep and the surrounding sidewalks are not unstable. Mr. Virkler will check with Attorney Gebo to determine other steps we should take regarding the property owner complaint and Trustee Bishop will communicate the actions so far with the complainant.

XI.      Executive Session

6:44 PM Motion by Trustee Truax, seconded by Trustee Kraeger to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters. All in favor.

7:56 PM Motion by Trustee Kraeger, seconded by Trustee Truax to exit executive session.  All in favor.

Action:         Motion by Trustee Truax, seconded by Trustee Western to inform Officer Roggie the Board has considered his grievance regarding laundry allowances and we will not honor his request. All in favor.

XII.      Adjournment