Town Board Meeting
Town Board Meeting
Board members discuss Town Center renovations; Skatepark
Due to the recent climb in COVID-19 infection rates in Cattaraugus County, the Ellicottville Town Board held its Nov. 17th monthly meeting by telephone and took steps to ramp up renovations at the Town Center at 28 Parkside Dr.
A $7,500 contract was approved authorizing MDA Consulting Engineers, PLLC of Ellicottville to immediately begin four tasks: a new entrance and corridor, flooring, lighting are key elements of the project, along with with some heating, plumbing and electrical changes, painting and a new coffee station in the conference room.
Cattaraugus County Cornell Cooperative Extension is a long-term occupant and tenant of a portion of the building and has hired MDA to engineer renovations in the leased portion, according to the firm's letter to the Town outlining the proposal. MDA is working with the Town and the Extension are coordinating work on some common areas, such as replacing new exterior doors and designing a new entrance and access corridor.
Recently, in a meeting on the 2022 budget, the Town awarded bids for asbestos abatement and air monitoring. Metro's $37,000 abatement bid and Siena's $6,201 air monitoring bid were chosen for the work.
Board members accepted the resignation of Town and Village Planner Gary Palumbo, who had returned to employment as the full-time planner only a year ago, expressing their regrets during the roll call vote, and paying tribute to his skills and extensive work at a time when the community is undergoing significant changes.
Palumbo reminded the Board of his former 18-year involvement as a part-time planner and consultant for the municipalities and said half his professional career has been spent in the community.
He presented his strategic 10-year work plan for the planner position and commented on several areas, especially the Town's approach to regulating solar energy projects as a host community, and promised he will be available for advice and information. He suggested a Comprehensive Plan update to describe potential completion of Route 219, despite the lack of federal funding and the apparent suspension of plans to utilize a bypass alternative around the village through lands governed by the Town. He also suggested a policy for short-term rentals in the town and advised contracting with an electronic codifying service that could regularly cross-reference zoning laws and update changes in regulations and zoning which would be accessible to the public.
He said a junior planner isn't needed unless additional municipalities want to contract with the Town and Village for planning services.
Palumbo will be employed by the Town of Amherst, where he resides, after December 7th. He said he especially enjoyed working as a team with Code Enforcement Officer Kelly Fredrickson and Engineer Ben Slotman on planning for the Town Center improvements, adding his decision to resign was based on "the number of meetings, the drive, weighted against working for one municipality four miles away from my home."
In other business, no comments were offered by the public during a hearing on the proposed road conveyance to the Valley Village Homeowners Association. Town Attorney Kathleen Moriarty and Planner Gary Palumbo updated the Board regarding environmental matters for Valley Village Road, with no adverse impacts noted.
After some discussion the Board voted unanimously to convey Valley Village Road to the Homeowners Association, subject to signing of certain documents such as the quit claim deed, water easements and clarification of some drainage issues.
Design/build firms have been invited by Village officials to bid on the Ellicottville Skatepark Project. The Board was briefed on the Request For Proposals announcement, which appeared Nov. 18th on ellicottvillegov.com. The process is under a partnership with the local group, SK8EVL and the New Car Dealers of WNY. Plans must be submitted for the "Ellicottville Skatepark Project" by Jan. 14th with a pre-bid meeting scheduled for Dec. 8th.
The RFP calls for an experienced concrete skatepark contractor to take the project from concept-to-construction for a "complete and operational skatepark" measuring 10,000 square feet within the Village Park north of the bleachers. The facility will be a permanent outdoor installation for free public use, with the $550,000 cost paid for with a $250,000 matching grant from The Skatepark Project's Built to Play Skatepark Grant Program and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, SK8EVL's fundraising efforts and a $50,000 Environmental Impact Award grant won by the Village.
The Environmental Impact Award requires the chosen contractor to integrate features such as green stormwater infrastructure, reclaimed concrete material, educational signage, shade trees and benches, etc.
The anticipated construction timeframe is from May through October 2022. According to Town Engineer Ben Slotman the preference for local contractors is part of the RFP and due to federal funding and local government involvement, prevailing wage laws will be honored. The Scope of Work and RFP-related information can be found at www.ellicottvillegov.com.
Police Chief Don Auge reported on his recent meeting regarding new mandates under the Department of Criminal Justice Services that will require officers to receive psychological testing, background checks and polygraph tests, along with accredited training and testing.
"Most of our officers are already police officers," Auge said, but noted he is just learning about the April 2021 mandates, adding, "We have a lot of work to get approved."
Auge noted that the county has a role in testing but is limited on staff. He also observed that he is not sure of the costs and responsibility for paying for the new procedures.
He also reported there have been a number of false burglar alarms. There were 11 in the town and 11 in the village during October. Auge said some businesses have higher numbers of false alarms. A Town law governs alarm permits, with fees and notices sent for first, second and third false alarms, and fees doubled if not paid within 10 days. Permits may be revoked. The Board agreed to discuss the matter further with Code Enforcement Officer Kelly Fredrickson.
Auge, who recently recovered from an illness during the Fall Festival, credited Officer Jim Bouchard for stepping in and taking charge of the Department. He reported that the Department will receive about $8,000 in revenue from Fall Festival and a Half Marathon event.
In other matters, an update was given by Moriarty on the final steps for a culvert at the end of Quackenbush Road, which could be placed solely for the purpose of highway maintenance. A four-way easement between the Town and three adjoining property owners will be necessary but officials are clear that the arrangement will not provide public use or plowing. According to Supervisor Matt McAndrew, additional details are needed regarding a property survey.
The Board briefly discussed progress on Elk Creek Subdivision, and Slotman provided an update on a temporary easement that will be needed for town maintenance of a newly paved but unfinished road. A number of unfinished items, such as sewer laterals and sidewalks, have been noted prior to scheduling a final inspection, and the dedication of the road may be delayed until the construction work is closer to completion.
"We've done everything to keep it moving, but the dedication is on their side," said Slotman.
In Highway Department matters, the Board heard from Superintendent Tom Scharf regarding a property owner's consent for placement of a 12-foot by 32-inch pedestrian bridge across a ditch on Poverty Hill Road to ease access for hikers on the Finger Lakes Conservation Trail. He also provided information regarding details about a 2022 16-foot Hydraulic Quick Tilt equipment trailer he has ordered from Roy Teitsworth, Inc. at the discounted cost of $7,897.50.
Also discussed were temporary procedures to form lighting districts, and a brief report from Seth Pullen regarding a joint noise law that could be shared with the Village.
The Ellicottville Town Board will next meet at the Ellicottville Town Hall at 6:00pm on Wednesday, Dec. 15th, however it is advised to contact the Town of Ellicottville offices in advance to verify if the meeting will be held in a public setting or if it will be necessary to attend via a phone dial-in option. The Town office can be reached at 716-699-2240.