Village Board Notes
Village Board Notes
Recycling issues sorted out; 9% spending hike; 2022-2023 Village Budget approved
The Refuse Committee has been dissolved, but officials may reconsider lowering fines in the Ellicottville Village Refuse Law.
The Ellicottville Village Board voted to take those actions at the April 19th meeting, following a report from Village Trustee Caitlin Croft.
"Town and Country (the Village's refuse disposal contractor through 2024) has purchased a new truck and the issue of not picking up recyclables at the road is done," Croft reported.
She also recommended lowering fines from $250 to $25 for the first offense of failing to remove emptied containers from the curb, and $50 and $150 for the second and subsequent offenses. Her committee has also suggested looking into different provisions for second homeowners; and asking them to pay a fee to Town and Country - or to a private individual - to walk emptied containers back to the home; and to include the service the next time the refuse contract is let out to bid.
Croft also reported that a line of communication has been opened for community recycling education after village officials fielded a false complaint to the state Department of Environmental Conservation alleging a recent amendment to village law had removed recycling requirements and that state recycling laws aren't being followed locally.
Mayor John Burrell said the DEC is aware that the claim is not true, adding the Department of Public Works has no time to move trash cans from the curb for absentee owners and the clerk shouldn't have to bill customers for this service.
"We are blessed to have so many part-time property owners and they take care of their properties very well. As part-time property owners they have an obligation to know what is going on in the community. They hire people to mow the lawn, rake leaves, plow driveways, shovel the sidewalk. I don't feel it is the responsibility of the village to take on the additional burden to take the cans back to the house," said Burrell.
Trustee Sean Lowes suggested that Town and Country could bill property owners for the service and predicted there may be only a dozen who want it.
Village Attorney Richard Stanton said he will investigate the fee structure and look into regulations for certified mail, or an alternative to door notices as an attempted service on ticketing violators. The issue, and possibly a proposed amendment to the town law, will be discussed at the May 17th meeting.
In another matter, the Board adopted a 2022-2023 budget to take effect June 1st, and also agreed to an override of the state's 2% tax cap. There were no comments from the public on the budget.
The plan was drafted during several work sessions involving Board members and staff, and carries a tax rate of 2.12% per $1,000 of assessed value, or an increase of 4%. The amount to be raised by taxes is projected at $295,160, or an 8% increase. The Village's total taxable assessed value also increased 4%, or nearly $5.17 million, for a total value of $139,213,674.
Appropriations of $1,330,504 in the General Fund reflect an 11% increase in spending, against an expected 1% increase in total revenues of $934,930. The plan includes a $100,414 General Fund contribution from the unexpended fund balance.
Sewer Fund spending will increase 5% to $891,127, with a 5% decrease in the $729,966 expected in sewer revenues. A $161,161 contribution from the unexpended fund balance - nearly doubled from the 2021-2022 amount - is responsible for the lowered revenues needed.
A law requiring prior written notice of dangerous conditions in public right-of-ways also brought no public comments prior to the Board's unanimous vote for passage. The measure will give the Village a chance to repair problems before civil claims or damages can be pursued by aggrieved parties.
Among other business matters, the Board discussed beginning a $20,000 project to replace a portion of sidewalks needing repair and consented to the Chamber of Commerce's request to allow Griffis Sculpture Park's installation of a bronze sculpture of artistic gymnast Gabrielle Douglas, a 2012 Olympian who was named an Individual All-Around Champion and has received other titles. The likeness will remain in place at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets from May through Fall Fest.
Approval was also given for a letter of support for Cattaraugus County's grant application for funding construction of the planned Mill Street tourist parking lot. It was reported that an archaeological survey found no artifacts at the site, which may have been a creekside pathway used long ago by Native Americans. A title search is also underway as the Village awaits funding from Cattaraugus County and prepares to purchase and take possession of the property before the month's end. The Board agreed to a possible borrowing from the Sewer Fund balance if the County's aid arrives before June 1st to pay back the Sewer Fund.
The Board also voted to release Tiny Home Village’s sewer and water easements at 6881 NYS Route 242, pending a review and possible amendment by the Village Attorney.
The Ellicottville Village Board will meet again for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 6:00pm. For more information, contact Village Clerk Mary Klahn at 716-699-4636.