A regular meeting of the Town Board of Grand Island, New York was held at the Town Hall, 2255 Baseline Rd., Grand Island, NY at 8:00 P.M. on the 2nd of October 2006.

 

Present:                      Peter A. McMahon                Supervisor

Mary S. Cooke                        Councilwoman

Richard W. Crawford                         Councilman

Gary G. Roesch                        Councilman

Susan J. Argy                                    Councilwoman

Karen M. Cooney                        Deputy Town Clerk

Peter C. Godfrey                         Town Attorney

 

Also Present:              John Whitney                                   Town Engineer

 

Supervisor McMahon called the meeting to order at 8:00P.M.

Reverend Earle King, Jr. of Saint Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church gave the Invocation. 

Councilwoman Mary Cooke led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

PROCLAMATION:

Grand Island Memorial Library 60th Anniversary

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:

This is an opportunity for residents to comment on any matter regarding the meeting agenda items only.

Speakers:                  None               

                                              

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A motion was made by Councilman Roesch, seconded by Councilwoman Cooke to approve Minutes of Workshop Meeting #46, September 18, 2006 and Minutes of Regular Meeting #17, September 18, 2006, Workshop Meeting #47, September 25, 2006.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

Noes            0

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

Park Place Patio Homes – Preliminary Plat Approval (Cluster Development)

A public hearing was held at 8:00 P.M. for purpose of hearing anyone who wanted to make comments in favor of or in opposition to Park Place Patio Homes – Preliminary Plat Approval (Cluster Development)

      

       Speakers in Favor:                 Sean Hopkins, Al Hopkins, James Dinsmore       

      

       Speakers in Opposition:             George White, Sean Squire, Jen Persico, Sharon Federico, Pat Levitro, Julius Horvath, Chuck Morrell           

 

Supervisor McMahon declared the Public Hearing closed.

 

A motion was made by Councilman Crawford, seconded by Councilwoman Argy to table the Preliminary Plat Approval for Park Place Patio Homes pending response from Erie County on the coordinated review.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

CONSENT AGENDA:

1.      State of New York, Department of State – Agreement #T006423 – Scenic Woods/Bicentennial Park Master Plan

2.      Meeting Minutes – GIFTS Executive Team – August 8, 2006

3.      Erie County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day – Saturday, October 14, 2006

4.      Ambassador Niagara – Ambassador Niagara Signature Bridge Project

5.      Meeting Minutes – Long Range Planning Committee – July 25, 2006

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilwoman Argy to approve the consent agenda as distributed.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

COMMUNICATIONS – TOWN BOARD:

SUPERVISOR McMAHON:

Authorize Supervisor to Sign License Agreement with ASCAP

A motion was made by Councilman Crawford, seconded by Councilman Roesch to authorize the Supervisor to sign the license agreement with The American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) at an annual cost of $280.00.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

Resolution of Support – NYPA and the Public Power Coalition

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilwoman Argy to adopt the amended Resolution of Support for a settlement agreement with NYPA and the Public Power Coalition as follows:

WHEREAS,  the Public Power Coalition is an alliance of five communities – the cites of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, and the towns of Amherst, Grand Island, and Tonawanda – that have intervened in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s relicensing proceedings for the New York Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project (the Project);  and

            WHEREAS,  the Public Power Coalition communities are located on the Niagara River or its main tributaries within a 15-mile radius of the Niagara Power Project and represent 270,000 residents and major industrial and commercial employers;  and

            WHEREAS,  the Project has had significant effects on the Public Power Coalition communities that are not addressed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement prepared by the New York Power Authority for the Niagara Power Project that include the following:

·         Lack of low-cost power from NYPA, as required by the existing operating license: This has grievously harmed the industrial and residential tax base and local economies of the Public Power Coalition communities.

·         Additional costs required for water treatment resulting from turbidity: On average, PPC communities expend $1,150,000 per year in additional water treatment costs as a result of Niagara Power Project operations.

·         Additional costs for erosion control: The cost of erosion control has been shown to be $1,000 per foot of waterfront, or $11.5 million per year of additional costs for PPC communities as a result of Niagara Power Project operations.

·         The proposed settlement between the NYPA and earmarked communities in Erie and Niagara counties, which do not include PPC communities, would cause additional social and economic damage to PPC communities;  now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED,  that the Town Board of the Town of Grand Island supports a settlement agreement between NYPA and the PPC communities that includes the following provisions:

·         $5 million per year for water treatment and erosion control, for the duration of the license

·         $5 million per year for economic development, for the duration of the license

·         A one-time payment of $50 million for major flood and erosion control projects PPC communities must undertake as a result of Niagara Power Project operations

·         30MW of low-cost power per year (to be used by residents, municipalities, and businesses), provided at the same rate as power given to “host communities” under the proposed settlement, for the duration of the license; and

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,   that the PPC communities call upon United States Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton; Representatives Louise Slaughter, Brian Higgins, and Thomas Reynolds; the members of the Western New York State Legislative Delegation to the Assembly and Senate; and Governor George E. Pataki to intervene on behalf of the PPC communities with both NYPA and FERC to urge the New York Power Authority to reach a settlement agreement with the PPC communities; and

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,   that certified copies of this resolution be forwarded to all of the above-mentioned elected officials.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

Appointments – Parks & Recreation Advisory Board

A motion was made by Councilman Crawford, seconded by Councilwoman Cooke to appoint Joseph Ilecki to fill the remainder of an unexpired term ending December 31, 2008 and Donna Tomkins to fill the remainder of an unexpired term ending

December 31, 2010 on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

Appointments – Economic Development Advisory Board

A motion was made by Councilman Roesch, seconded by Councilwoman Argy to appoint Bonnie Sciuk to fill the remainder of an unexpired term ending December 31, 2007 and LuJean Jennings to fill the remainder of an unexpired term ending

December 31, 2008 on the Economic Development Advisory Board.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

COMMUNICATIONS - OTHER TOWN OFFICIALS:

DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING & WATER RESOURCES –  JOHN WHITNEY:

Change Order No. 1 – Grand Island Boulevard Sanitary Sewer Construction – Job No. M-22-04

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilman Roesch to approve the Change Order for Grand Island Boulevard Sanitary Sewer Construction – Job No. M-22-04.  Change Order No. 1 is for the labor and materials to install a guard rail for pump station #21 as required by DOT.  The Change Order will result in the net increase to the contract of $16,928.00.

APPROVED            Ayes            5            Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

ZONING OFFICER – JOHN McCARTHY:

Special Use Permit Renewal – Joseph Higgins – Keeping of 3 Agricultural Animals on 4.35 Acres

A motion was made by Councilman Roesch, seconded by Councilwoman Cooke to renew the Special Use Permit for Joseph Higgins, for keeping of 3 agricultural animals on 4.35 acres on Ransom Road.  The property has been inspected and it is unchanged.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

COMMUNICATIONS - GENERAL

Bill Torchia – Request Waiver of Subdivision Regulations – West End of Bush Road Near Alt Boulevard

A motion was made by Councilman Crawford, seconded by Councilwoman Cooke to approve the request for Waiver of Subdivision Regulations at the west end of Bush Road near Alt Boulevard for Bill Torchia subject to the Zoning Board of Appeals issuing all required variances, proof of filing of deeds from the Erie County Clerk’s office showing the lots have been combined and approval of the Town Attorney.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

Noes            0

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE:

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilman Roesch to pay

Vouchers #84258,84456 - #84569

General      $  29,290.68  

Highway     $  23,190.55

Sewer         $  10,217.27

Water         $    5,854.74

Capital        $206,730.00

Lighting      $       116.00

      Total          $275,399.24

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Buckhorn Estates (Formerly Buckhorn Park/Long Road Subdivision a.k.a. Lang Farm) Now Known As Ash Brooke Court Estates – Preliminary Plat Approval 

A motion was made by Councilman Crawford, seconded by Councilwoman Cooke to grant Preliminary Plat Approval for Buckhorn Estates (Formerly Buckhorn Park/Long Road Subdivision a.k.a. Lang Farm now known as Ash Brooke Court Estates.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

Noes            0

 

Waterford Park Subdivision – Preliminary Plat Approval (Revised Plan)

Remains Tabled.

 

SUSPENSION OF THE RULES:

A motion was made by Councilman Roesch, seconded by Councilwoman Cooke to Suspend the Rules to consider setting a Public Hearing to solicit project ideas for Community Development Block Grant funding for 2007.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

Noes            0

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING:

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilman Roesch to set a Public Hearing for Monday, October 16, 2006 at 8:00p.m. for the purpose of hearing recommendations for Community Development Block Grant funding for 2007.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

Noes            0

 

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:

This is an opportunity for residents to comment on any matter regarding Town government on any subject. 

       Speakers:                              None

    

FROM THE TOWN BOARD:

Councilwoman Cooke: Library Celebration October 21, 2006 from 2:00-4:00p.m. , Hazardous Waste Drop-Off flyer posted in Town Hall foyer.

Councilman Roesch: Beaver Island Parkway Cleanup

Councilman Crawford: Public Hearing – Park Place

Supervisor McMahon: Halloween October 31, 2006 – Trick or Treating hours from

5:00-8:00p.m

 

ADJOURNMENT:

A motion was made by Councilwoman Cooke, seconded by Councilman Crawford to adjourn the meeting at 8:39p.m.

APPROVED       Ayes       5   Cooke, Crawford, Roesch, Argy, McMahon

                        Noes            0

 

A moment of silence was observed in memory of the following:

 

Frances Ficorilli

George Backlund

Charles Truitt

 

Respectfully submitted in the Town Clerk’s absence,

 

 

 

Karen Cooney
DeputyTown Clerk