Village Board Notes
Village Board Notes
Downtown light poles to be replaced; concerns come in regarding refuse pick-up and recycling
The Ellicottville Village Board reviewed the conditions of its 12 downtown light poles after one snapped off at its base during a Dec. 11th windstorm that knocked out power and buffeted the business district with 46mph winds.
The broken pole in front of the Ellicottville Inn was taken down and power restored soon after. But a subsequent inspection by the Engineering Department revealed two more poles need immediate attention and nine others require varying degrees of maintenance and repair in the spring to prevent further degradation.
In a Zoom session of the Village Board meeting held Jan. 19th, Village Engineer Ben Slotman told the Board that two poles closest to Mill Street, on both sides of Washington Street, will be removed first. His department's recent evaluation states two others resemble the one that snapped, with one of them leaning slightly outward from its base.
According to the engineering report, "The major problem observed is with the pole bases under the base covers. The pole bases are in poor condition. The bolts used to connect the light pole to the foundation are in poor condition and will require the concrete bases to be replaced as part of any pole improvements."
The report recommends replacement of all the poles within 2-5 years. Slotman advised the Board that the state Department of Transportation can supply three new poles a year for four years. It will require some planning and selecting a pole design.
Mayor John Burrell asked Board members to look at the report in detail and reach a consensus for action. He recalled a light pole replacement project was part of the community's Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant application which was not awarded, but the cost projection was about $100,000 for state-of-the-art "smart poles”.
Trustee and Beautification Committee Chairman Sean Lowes suggested bringing in the Alley Katz to participate in planning because it will be an opportunity to make things look nice.
REFUSE PICK-UP / RECYCLING
The mayor also fielded several complaints from members of the public as the meeting got underway. On the topic of complaints about refuse pickup he said there have been many challenges and he has spoken to a number of homeowners about the possibilities of accommodating refuse for part-time residents. He noted that there is no way to timely contact many property owners who have not provided more than a mailing address for tax collection. He pointed out this became a problem during the pandemic shutdown when some were unable to travel to Ellicottville, and noted many officials and employees are spending a lot of time fielding complaints and answering questions. He said he wonders how much of the responsibility is on the owners themselves to know what they are supposed to do.
Trustee and Refuse Commissioner Caitlin Croft said she has been looking into ideas to improve refuse collection and has heard many great ideas. She provided her cell phone number to try to open communication with those in attendance.
Sheila M. Gallagher reported she was told by Town & Country Disposal of Cattaraugus, the village's refuse contractor, that workers send blue recycling box contents to a landfill. She asked Mayor Burrell to discontinue the blue boxes until the village has amended its refuse law and fixed the problem. She also asked Burrell to better publicize collection schedules on the government website, help residents who want to drop off recyclables for free at the county transfer stations, and to amend the refuse law.
Burrell replied that he believes Town & Country does not recycle but the former collection firm, Casella, recycled the blue box contents and cardboard when there was a market, adding that the village's current law requires people to source-separate, but the original intention was probably for tree and yard debris, with recycling placed at the curb on Mondays.
He said he is researching the matter, contacting past Board members to determine the intent of the local law. But Burrell pointed out that Gallagher's recent statement in Ellicottville Events "did not sound the same as we had talked about" (in a recent phone conversation). He asked for input from Village Attorney Richard Stanton.
"I don't want to say the Village will tell people not to use their blue box anymore because if I said that, we would not be following the local law," said Burrell.
Stanton agreed that it would be reckless to instruct people to not follow the law, which would not be a remedy. He added the procedures for amendments take at least 60 days. He agreed to review the terms of the disposal contract and look into the Village's obligations.
Lynn Lazzaro, of Elk St., also called for a study committee and updates to the local refuse law, stating he represents about 80 percent of nonresidents who are dissatisfied with the Village's trash collection paid for by all users. He said he was told disposal at the county "dump" would cost a $520 yearly fee.
"We're taking trash home over city and state lines," said Lazzaro, who referred to a problem in the Van Buren neighborhood and told the Board he has pictures of people putting trash on top of their cars to take it home. He also pointed out that garbage cans are left at the curb by refuse workers when residents have left town, which results in fines, and illegal bags are being placed at the curb. He asked for a solution, suggesting a different pickup day or a neighborhood dumpster that could be serviced easily.
Village Clerk Mary Klahn commented that as of Jan. 1st, an insert containing information on garbage pickup and under 30 day rentals has been included in the water and sewer bills, and will continue to be inserted into those bills, in hopes that people will become better informed about these services.
IN OTHER MATTERS
The Board granted permission to pay Parise Mechanical, Inc. a $25,470 invoice for the boiler replacement at the wastewater treatment plant, which Engineer Ben Slotman said he would approve as a 90 percent completion. Slotman said there is some training and other wrap-up tasks to be completed.
The Board then voted to signal general agreement with a year-old proposal from Madigan's owner Shane Kell and contractor Aaron Tiller to begin formal review of a plan for an addition. Burrell said all information had not yet been presented to the Board. Stanton advised that the matter can't be approved with a Board resolution but must begin with the Village Planning Board, the state Department of Transportation and complete a partial abandonment of a village-owned alley.
Streets Committee Chairman Doug Bush suggested a traffic study due to congestion and dangers to pedestrians crossing during periods of heavy traffic sometimes moving over the speed limit. Mayor Burrell agreed that a study would be needed to cure the traffic backups between Holiday Valley Road stop light and the Washington/Jefferson Street signal. Engineer Slotman said he would compose a letter making the request.
The Board approved No Parking signs on both sides of Madison Street Extension after discussion of problems with access to fire hydrants and plowed-in autos during snowy weather, where there is no turnaround and parking is only allowed on one side.
Board members then approved a parking prohibition on both sides of Mill Street from the railroad underpass to the Village line. The vote came after discussion of the Police Department's request to stop motorists from parking on the east side of Mill Street to conform with the Town's decision to restrict parking. But after hearing from Town Engineer Ben Slotman, Board members voted to prohibit parking on both sides of Mill Street from the railroad underpass to the Village line.
On the topic of the Skatepark bids, interviews of bidders will take place in early February before a selection is made.
Mayor Burrell reported that interviews for planner candidates have been narrowed down to one candidate who is currently negotiating salary and other terms with the Town and Village. He estimated a new planner will be in place within two months. He and Board members also commended the Department of Public Works for the recent efforts to remove snow and for quickly responding to a major water leak on Elizabeth Street on Jan. 19th.
The Ellicottville Village Board will hold their next regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022 at 6:00pm. To attend virtually, please go to ellicottvillegov.com and scroll down to “Board meetings” for the meeting link.