Town of Williamson – November 27, 2012

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 by Supervisor Jim Hoffman; all Board members were present.

– Public Comment – Resident Bert Peters shared his opinion that the proposed Demolition Ordinance should be postponed until the Zoning Ordinance is completed; he feels things are fine just the way they are now.

– Consent Agenda – The Board accepted the meeting minutes of 11/13/12, the Supervisor’s October report, the payment of the Library bills in the amount of $53,232.85, and the budgetary transfers within each of the General, Highway, Water, and Sewer Funds.

– Finance – A discussion took place on the need to use Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) regarding the hiring of a Town Attorney. The Board feels that this is a good practice to continue to do so. There were 6 submissions for the position; it was decided to continue with current Town Attorney Art Williams. Supervisor Hoffman made a motion to authorize the Town Supervisor to sign an agreement with FreedMaxick to perform an agreed-upon procedures audit for the Town’s Deferred Compensation Plan. The cost of this service will be $1900.00.

– Parks and Recreation – Councilman Mike Bixby moved to advertise for an at-large opening on the Park Committee. Applications will be accepted until December 14th, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. The term will be for three years – from 1/1/13 until 12/31/15.

– Personnel – Counciman Tony Verno made a motion to authorize up to 5 Town of Williamson town employees to attend the Association of Towns’ Annual Meeting in New York City, to be held February 17th – 20th, 2013. The pre-registration fee is $100.00 per person, and all other actual and necessary expenses are to be a Town charge. Councilman Verno moved to authorize the Town Clerk to advertise in the official Town papers the week of December 2nd that the Town offices will be closed on Monday, December 24th, and Tuesday, December 25th, as well as on Tuesday, January 1st for the holidays. The Board also passed a resolution to authorize the Town Clerk to advertise in the designated papers the week of December 2nd that the last Town Board meeting of 2012 will be held Thursday, December 27th at 7:00 p.m.

– Planning – Councilman Tom Watson shared that the Planning Committee has reviewed the Demolition Ordinance for 2 or 3 meetings, and members’ opinions have been wide and varied. The proposed ordinance is an attempt to bring the 2 sides together, but has not been successful, so he is bringing this to the Town Board for a discussion. The question remains “should there be any type of ordinance so as to protect historic structures”? The Councilman is in favor of this ordinance. Councilman Bixby responded that several steps are not in place. For example, what criteria will define it? Is the structure historical or just “old”? Currently there is no process in place to define this criteria. He would like a packet put together now so that interested parties would know the historical significance of a questioned structure. If a structure is over 100 years old, it should go to a review committee which would include people who have a knowledge of historical buildings. Councilman Verno stated that he is not in favor of this ordinance; feedback he has received has indicated that “people want to be able to do whatever they want to a building they own”. Supervisor Hoffman offered that the plan does have some value but would like to wait until the Zoning Ordinance is in place. Councilman Gary Orbaker questioned the future status of his barns, which are old and might need future renovations to accomodate modern equipment. Councilman Watson responded that the ordinance would be designed for homes, not barns. At the close of the discussion, a poll was taken and indicated that 4 of the Councilment were against the proposal, with only Councilman Watson being in favor of it.

Councilman Watson moved to accept the resignation of Tom DeMarree as Chairman of the Planning Board, effective January 1, 2013. He will continue serving on the Board till the end of his term on January 12, 2014. He has been the chairman for 7+ years during his 14 years on the Board. Tom Wozniak was appointed as the new Chairman of the Planning Board, effective 1/1/13. Mr. Wozniak has been on the Economic Development Board for one year.
Next was a discussion regarding Zoning changes. Mr. Ernie Norton, chairman of the Zoning Board, presented to the Board a proposal to install temporary signs on properties that are under consideration by the Zoning Board. Mr. Norton brought with him as an example a sign that is used by the Town of Penfield. These signs give the neighbors and the general public a “heads-up” that the property is requesting some sort of variance/permit according to the Zoning Ordinance.He said there is a gentleman who would install and remove the signs for $19.95 for each occurrence.

Planning Board chairman Tom DeMarree assured the Board that the signs would be in place for no more than one month, and Mr. Norton agreed with him. The Planning Board has approximately 1 or 2 hearings per year, and the Zoning Board has about 3 or 4 per year. Councilman Bixby suggested that the cost for this service could be added to the permit fee. Mr. DeMarree would like to compare this proposal to the Town of Ontario’s procedure before a decision is made.

– Public Services – Councilman Verno made a motion to authorize the Town Supervisor to enter into an agreement with Wayne County for Snow and Ice Control on County roads in the Town of Williamson. This agreement will supercede any existing agreements Williamson now has with the County for this service, and shall commence on 1/1/13 and end on 12/31/13. The amount paid to the Town by the County shall be $1261.65 per trip; a trip is considered the effort required to plow and treat all of the County road mileage within the Town. The next resolution, passed unanimously, was to award the bid for a new Stainless Steel Dump Body, Plow Equipment, and Stainless Steel “V” Box Spreader to Henderson Truck Equipment – NY (Watertown) who submitted the low bid of $74,500.00. Councilman Verno then moved for adoption a resolution to authorize the Superintendent of Highways to purchase a 2013 Ford F250 XL Super Cab 4-wheel drive pick-up truck under State Contract #PC6585 at a cost not to exceed $34,000.00, to be paid from Highway Fund line item DA5130.200. Finally, a motion was approved to authorize the Town Clerk to advertise in the official Town papers the week of December 2nd to receive bids for a custom service body for the Regional International truck purchased for the Water Department. Bids will be received until 12/17/12 at 11:00 a.m., when they will be opened and read. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Submitted by Monica Deyo

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