April 10, 2024 Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING of the Town Board of the Town of Pomfret held at 6:30 P.M. April 10, 2024, at the Pomfret Town Hall, 9 Day Street, Fredonia, N.Y.
Supervisor Daniel Pacos
Deputy Town Clerk Wendy Harrington
PRESENT: Town Counsel Jeffrey Passafaro
Highway Superintendent Jude Gardner
COUNCILPERSONS: John Sedota
Adam Rak
Christopher Schaeffer
Ann Eckman
ABSENT: Town Clerk Allison Vento
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and led by Supervisor Pacos to open the Regular Town Board Meeting.
DULY MOVED by Councilwoman Eckman to accept the minutes of the March 13, 2024 Regular Town Board Meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rak carried unanimously.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Rak to approve the payment of bills on abstract #4 of 2024 with two additions for Synchronet. The motion was seconded by Councilman Schaeffer and carried by a roll call vote.
Voucher # Claimant Amount Budget Code
50846 Synchronet $3,328.20 A1355.4
50847 Synchronet $3,148.00 A1355.4
Roll Call:
Councilman Rak-AYE
Councilman Schaeffer-AYE
Councilman Sedota-AYE
Councilwoman Eckman-AYE
Supervisor Pacos-AYE
General Fund Town Wide $24,857.14
General Fund Part Town $5,148.59
Highway Fund Part Town $14,636.58
Berry Water District $7,872.32
Chestnut Water District $1,345.74
North End Water District $64,668.54
Lily Dale Water District $4,235.41
Lakeview Sewer District $115.87
Lily Dale Sewer District $7,328.05
Rt.20 Water District $55.74
Rt. 20 Sewer District $59.25
Rt. 60 Water District $356.87
Rt. 60 Sewer District $443.72
Sewer District 1 $1,323.15
Sewer District 2 $1,083.08
Capital Projects $8,322.50
DULY MOVED by Supervisor Pacos to approve the payment of bills on abstract #2-4 of 2024 in the amount of $265,561.32 for Chadwick Bay Intermunicipal Waterworks. The motion was seconded by Councilman Schaeffer and carried by a roll call vote.
Roll Call:
Supervisor Pacos-AYE
Councilman Schaeffer-AYE
Councilman Rak-AYE
Councilwoman Eckman-AYE
Councilman Sedota-AYE
TOWN CLERK REPORTS
Total Fine & Surcharges: $7,642.00
Cases dismissed: 20
Pomfret Town Justice Report for March 2024 is as follows:
Justice Cerrie Total Cases: 87
Total Fines & Surcharges: $6,111
Cases dismissed: 15
Pomfret Town Justice Report for March 2024 is as follows:
Justice Dietzen Total Cases: 107
Total Fines & Surcharges: $7,178.00
Cases dismissed: 16
In Opposition to the Lake Erie Wind Turbines
WHEREAS, the Town is aware of efforts to place wind energy turbines in Lake Erie in the vicinity of the Town of Pomfret, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Pomfret, in Chautauqua County, shares the Lake Erie coast line with other towns and cities in Western New York, and
WHEREAS, the push for such wind turbines is originating down state, and not from the local communities; this despite two New York State studies that did not recommend wind turbines in Lake Erie, and
WHEREAS, Lake Erie is a vital part of the way of life for the shoreline communities; Lake Erie contributes to the economy of the area through tourism; residents and visitors enjoy fishing, boating, wind surfing, and jet skiing in Lake Erie, and
WHEREAS, Lake Erie is the source of drinking water for many communities along the Lake Shore, and
WHEREAS, wind energy development in Lake Erie will adversely affect all of the uses mentioned above, and fish, birds, and wildlife, dependent on Lake Erie for habitat
RESOLVED, that the Town of Pomfret, in Chautauqua County, joins with other Western New York communities in expressing its firm opposition to the placement of wind energy turbines in Lake Erie, and it is further
RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Governor, Assembly, and Senate of the State of New York, and distributed to other shoreline communities in Western New York .
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT JUDE GARDNER
SUPERVISOR PACOS
COUNCILWOMAN ECKMAN
-Nothing to report at this time.
COUNCILMAN SCHAEFFER
-Nothing to report at this time.
TOWN ATTORNEY PASSAFARO
-Nothing to report at this time.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Schaeffer to adjourn the Regular Town Board Meeting at 7:12 P.M., seconded by Councilman Sedota and carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Wendy Harrington
Deputy Town Clerk
Supervisor Daniel Pacos
Deputy Town Clerk Wendy Harrington
PRESENT: Town Counsel Jeffrey Passafaro
Highway Superintendent Jude Gardner
COUNCILPERSONS: John Sedota
Adam Rak
Christopher Schaeffer
Ann Eckman
ABSENT: Town Clerk Allison Vento
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and led by Supervisor Pacos to open the Regular Town Board Meeting.
DULY MOVED by Councilwoman Eckman to accept the minutes of the March 13, 2024 Regular Town Board Meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rak carried unanimously.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Rak to approve the payment of bills on abstract #4 of 2024 with two additions for Synchronet. The motion was seconded by Councilman Schaeffer and carried by a roll call vote.
Voucher # Claimant Amount Budget Code
50846 Synchronet $3,328.20 A1355.4
50847 Synchronet $3,148.00 A1355.4
Roll Call:
Councilman Rak-AYE
Councilman Schaeffer-AYE
Councilman Sedota-AYE
Councilwoman Eckman-AYE
Supervisor Pacos-AYE
General Fund Town Wide $24,857.14
General Fund Part Town $5,148.59
Highway Fund Part Town $14,636.58
Berry Water District $7,872.32
Chestnut Water District $1,345.74
North End Water District $64,668.54
Lily Dale Water District $4,235.41
Lakeview Sewer District $115.87
Lily Dale Sewer District $7,328.05
Rt.20 Water District $55.74
Rt. 20 Sewer District $59.25
Rt. 60 Water District $356.87
Rt. 60 Sewer District $443.72
Sewer District 1 $1,323.15
Sewer District 2 $1,083.08
Capital Projects $8,322.50
DULY MOVED by Supervisor Pacos to approve the payment of bills on abstract #2-4 of 2024 in the amount of $265,561.32 for Chadwick Bay Intermunicipal Waterworks. The motion was seconded by Councilman Schaeffer and carried by a roll call vote.
Roll Call:
Supervisor Pacos-AYE
Councilman Schaeffer-AYE
Councilman Rak-AYE
Councilwoman Eckman-AYE
Councilman Sedota-AYE
TOWN CLERK REPORTS
- Town Clerk Vento provided to the Pomfret Board the March 2024 report of monies collected. A total of $5,373.00 was collected. The report is on file with the Clerk’s Office.
- The tax report for March (2% Penalty) is as follows:
- Bills Processed: 239
- Pomfret Town Justice report for February 2024 is as follows:
Total Fine & Surcharges: $7,642.00
Cases dismissed: 20
Pomfret Town Justice Report for March 2024 is as follows:
Justice Cerrie Total Cases: 87
Total Fines & Surcharges: $6,111
Cases dismissed: 15
Pomfret Town Justice Report for March 2024 is as follows:
Justice Dietzen Total Cases: 107
Total Fines & Surcharges: $7,178.00
Cases dismissed: 16
- The Historian Report for March 2024 has been distributed to the board and is on file in the Clerk’s office.
- The Code Enforcement monthly report for March is on file in the Clerk’s office.
- Mark Twitchell addressed the board in regard to adopting a resolution on behalf of the Citizens Against Wind Turbines in Lake Erie.
- Motion made by Supervisor Pacos to approve the following resolution seconded by Councilwoman Eckman and carried with Councilman Schaeffer voting Nay.
In Opposition to the Lake Erie Wind Turbines
WHEREAS, the Town is aware of efforts to place wind energy turbines in Lake Erie in the vicinity of the Town of Pomfret, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Pomfret, in Chautauqua County, shares the Lake Erie coast line with other towns and cities in Western New York, and
WHEREAS, the push for such wind turbines is originating down state, and not from the local communities; this despite two New York State studies that did not recommend wind turbines in Lake Erie, and
WHEREAS, Lake Erie is a vital part of the way of life for the shoreline communities; Lake Erie contributes to the economy of the area through tourism; residents and visitors enjoy fishing, boating, wind surfing, and jet skiing in Lake Erie, and
WHEREAS, Lake Erie is the source of drinking water for many communities along the Lake Shore, and
WHEREAS, wind energy development in Lake Erie will adversely affect all of the uses mentioned above, and fish, birds, and wildlife, dependent on Lake Erie for habitat
RESOLVED, that the Town of Pomfret, in Chautauqua County, joins with other Western New York communities in expressing its firm opposition to the placement of wind energy turbines in Lake Erie, and it is further
RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Governor, Assembly, and Senate of the State of New York, and distributed to other shoreline communities in Western New York .
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT JUDE GARDNER
- The March work report was shared with the board.
- Highway Superintendent Gardner reported the original authorized truck purchase is not available. He found another truck from a USDA RD approved vendor that he would like to purchase.
- Councilman Schaeffer made the motion to authorize Highway Superintendent Gardner to purchase a 2025 MACK Granite 64FR truck from Conway Beam Truck Group not to exceed $332,176.48, seconded by Councilman Sedota and carried unanimously.
- Councilman Sedota made the motion to authorize Highway Superintendent Gardner to expend the $7,823.52 for additional items for the truck to meet the $340,000 USDA RD grant, seconded by Councilwoman Eckman and carried unanimously.
-
Councilman Rak made the motion to approve the following Cemetery Seasonal Employee, motion was seconded by Councilwoman Eckman and carried unanimously.
- Donovan Dowdy – 28 Cleveland Avenue, Fredonia $15.00 per hour
- Contacted National Grid regarding two LED lights for Martha’s Vineyard. Waiting for pricing/details from National Grid.
SUPERVISOR PACOS
- Supervisor Pacos received correspondence from the NYS Town Clerks Association informing him that Town Clerk Vento has renewed her RMC (Registered Municipal Clerk) Designation. The Board acknowledged Town Clerk Vento’s hard work and accomplishments.
- Restoration of the Pioneer Cemetery Wall bid approval was tabled until the next meeting. Eric to attend to present pictures of the project.
- Fuel Easement – no action required not in our right of way.
- Forest Hill Cemetery Request – Councilwoman Eckman will follow-up with request. The Town Board agreed that visitation requests need to be in writing and no bus tours will be allowed in Forest Hill Cemetery.
- The Town of Pomfret received notification from NYS DOT that the request for posting speed on Farel Road has been accepted. Signes will be posted for the new 45 mph on Farel Road within the Town of Pomfret.
- Councilman Sedota made a motion to approve the appointment of Nicole Waite, 736 Washington Ave., Dunkirk, as Assessor Clerk and Planning and Zoning Clerk at a rate of pay of $16.20 per hour. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Eckman and carried unanimously.
- A motion made by Councilwoman Eckman to approve the equipment request of Jeanne Ebersole, Assessor, for a Lenovo Thinbook 16’ Touchscreen Notebook, cables, HP 27’ Full HD LCD Monitor, and windows 10 Pro, at a cost not to exceed $3,148.00. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rak and carried unanimously.
- The Town Board received an invitation from the Boys & Girls Club of N. Chautauqua County to attend their annual Gala on April 26, 2024, at Shorewood Country Club.
- Supervisor Pacos reported that he attended the April 1st Ribbon Cutting for ‘Merge’, a new clothing shop in Fredonia.
- The Town Board received an invitation to attend the Chautauqua County Workers’ Memorial on May 4, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at the Erlandson County Park in Frewsburg.
- Acknowledged Fredonia Fire Department’s preparedness for the Solar Eclipse event.
- Eric Wies, CPL Clark Patterson Lee met with John Bell, Operator, Lily Dale Wastewater Treatment Plant, to discuss the plans to move forward with upgrades. Grant money is available to help with upgrade costs.
COUNCILWOMAN ECKMAN
- Councilwoman Eckman reported that she met with Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation and representatives with the Love of Trees to discuss a survey of Forest Hill to determine the health and future planning for removal/replanting of trees. Cost for the project will be provided by the Forest Hill Endowment fund. Timeline for completion is approximately six months.
-Nothing to report at this time.
COUNCILMAN SCHAEFFER
-Nothing to report at this time.
TOWN ATTORNEY PASSAFARO
-Nothing to report at this time.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Schaeffer to adjourn the Regular Town Board Meeting at 7:12 P.M., seconded by Councilman Sedota and carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Wendy Harrington
Deputy Town Clerk