Village of Macedon – August 8, 2012

Mayor Cramer called to order a regular Meeting of the Village Board at 7:00 PM. Meeting minutes from the July 25, 2012 meeting were approved as presented. The board also approved Abstract #1 in the amount of $14,106.31, and a transfer of funds for the May and June Financials of 2012 was also approved.
A presentation from Peter Pizzutelli of Entre Computer Services highlighted what his company could do to help the village meets its goals with the village-wide e-mail system. The company previously worked, successfully, on the village web site, and was called back to offer services regarding the Microsoft Exchange Online and Support Services. He said that the village employees can retain the macedon.org domain name with this service. In an effort to be cost efficient, discussion ensued regarding whether or not the archiving feature is necessary. Mayor Cramer explained that she verified that, by law, the village is required to have archiving, and currently does not with the existing e-mail service. Mayor Cramer said she would like to move forward with this, and requested a motion be made to move forward. Trustee Sliney requested there be additional discussion, noting that he has concern about the additional cost of the service, for a municipality that houses only 1,500 residents. The annual budget allotted was $5,000.00 for the year. $2,800.00 has already spent on the village web site. The proposed e-mail cost will, in total, for the year cost $2,112.00, coupled with the additional cost of $1,300.00 would be a combined cost of $3,412.00, putting the line item over by $1,212.00. They also noted these costs do not include costs for IT Support that have also been billed thus far. Mayor Cramer explained that this is the standard for businesses, and is looking to protect village officials who prefer to use their personal e-mail accounts for village business, as people can then FOIL their personal e-mail accounts. Trustee Sliney replied, “I don’t have anything that I wouldn’t let anybody else read. You’re welcome to get in, be my guest.” After discussing the necessity of this upgraded service, Mayor Cramer made a motion to move forward with the new e-mail system and there was no second from the board. Trustee Sliney requested the subject be tabled until the next board meeting, as there was considerable further business on the agenda, and the board agreed.
Regarding the Mutual Aid Agreement request sent to the Village of Macedon by the Town of Macedon, Town Supervisor Bill Hammond, Town Councilman Paul Kenyon, Ambulance Director Paul Harkness, along with two Town of Macedon Ambulance EMT’s attended the meeting to adress the village board, and assist them in any questions they may have regarding the request. The request is for mutual aid between the Town and Village of Macedon, allowing emergency calls to be toned out to each agency as back-up. Currently the Village of Macedon has a mutual aid agreement with the Town of Walworth, which is located at a much greater distance and also does not offer 24-7 coverage. Mayor Cramer responded that they have sent the request to the village attorney for review. When Supervisor Hammond questioned if there were any questions, commenting that the agreement was drawn up in a straight-forward manner, Trustee Dave Kelly countered that the agreement was “straightforward, in a round-about way.” Supervisor Hammond outlined the intent of the town as this: “The only thing we want to do is provide great service 24-7, and we want that service to be available to all the residents in the village. Why would the village want residents to wait until an ambulance can arrive to a call from the Town of Walworth?” Town of Macedon Ambulance Director, Paul Harkness, asked “Why would your residents want to wait for another town to come in when we’re here, and we have 24 hour coverage? Specifically the request is that the Town of Macedon be toned out as a unit, as the Town and the Village. We can’t play in your house unless we’re invited in the door.” Discussing the fact that both the village and the town want to provide the best service possible, but that this needs to be relayed to 911. Mr. Harkness responded that “Unfortunately the state doesn’t understand that, it’s very well known that the town and village don’t have a working relationship. We can work out anything together, and nothing apart. My only concern is that we are a fully staffed agency with 24 hour care being totally eliminated from providing service.” He also noted that he is willing to meet the village halfway on anything that may come up, and pointed out “I am just a mile down the road.” Trustee Don Lohse commented “I don’t understand the problem. If the Town Ambulance wants to share revenue from calls, we (the village) can consider that.” Supervisor Hammond explained that the town isn’t making any money. Contrasted to the village ambulance service was is profitable after responding to the 150 calls, but it was also noted that the village ambulance is not a 24-7 service. A resident questioned the board, asking “Is there a reason why we have 2 ambulance services in the town and village? Volunteer ambulances are a thing of the past.” Mayor Cramer concluded the discussion explaining “We are trying to make changes that are good for the residents, and we are working on it.”
Under Correspondence, a letter was received from Mr. Dan Beagley of Shop Wayne County, requesting a banner be hung across the Main Street in the village, and Mayor Cramer reported that Village Attorney, Mr. Art Williams reviewed the easement at the Pal-Mac Intermediate School and saw no problems, therefore the board will give their approval. She also noted that the Community Garage Sale was a wonderful success.
Trustee Sliney then made a motion to award volunteer personnel of the Village of Macedon Fire Department and the Village of Macedon Volunteer Ambulance who have served the Village of Macedon for 10 or more years should be given a 50% discount off of the Village of Macedon (owned) Cemetery prevailing rates for cemetery plots, for the volunteer and their spouse. This was approved by the board. Trustee Sliney also made a motion for the board to hold public hearings allowing public comment when monies are removed from the general fund balance after the annual budget has been passed, notingn “It’s not fair to remove money from the general fund without receiving public input.” While Trustee Lohse seconded the motion, the board voted a split vote, with two ‘yays’ and two ‘nays’ and the motion was therefore not approved.
Trustee Lohse reported that the Village Mart will be open for business next Wednesday. He also noted that the abstracts are in and surveys will now be conducted in order to prepare the Kent Street properties for sale.
In other business, the board discussed the need for PERMA insurance quotes, as per the audit, and will seek multiple quotes through local insurance companies via request. Lastly the board discussed Mayor Cramer’s telephone bill went over by $130.00, and as a result she upgraded her plan to “unlimited” at a cost increase of $10.00 monthly, and the board made a motion to reimburse her a total of $230.00 to cover the additional expenses. The board also approved a motion to pay the final payment for thepublic improvement serial bond for the STP Plant in the amount of $21,040.00.
No other business came before the board and the public meeting was adjourned at PM for the board to meet in Executive Session regarding . The next regular meeting of the Macedon Village Board will be held on Wednesday, August 22nd, at 7:00 PM in the Village Hall.
By Becky Block

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