REGULAR MEETING
VILLAGE OF CANDOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
138 MAIN STREET, CANDOR, NY
OCTOBER 6, 2009

After the Pledge of Allegiance, the regular meeting of the Village of Candor Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:30 pm on October 6, 2009, by the Honorable Mayor Steve Sparling at the Village Hall, 138 Main Street, Candor, NY.

Those in attendance included Trustees Chris Brown, Gary Consalvi, Nancy King, and Fred Martinez; Clerk Jan Swartz; Deputy Clerk Jean Dewey; Attorney Kurt Schrader; Roy Yarrington, representative of The Friends of the Library; and Robert & Deanna Downs, Village residents.

Library Canopy – The Friends of the Library are interested in purchasing and installing a canopy for over the entrance of the library. Roy Yarrington presented several styles and asked that the Board consider which one they preferred, as well as the choice of color. Roy indicated there would be no cost to the Village and that the library would assume responsibility for the care/repair of the canopy should it need such.

Library Foyer – Roy also advised the Board that the flooring in the foyer, as well as the covering on the steps in the stairwell needs to be replaced very soon, and that The Friends of the Library would assume the cost of replacement, as well. Roy left the meeting at 6:36 pm.

Request for Property - Robert and Deanna Downs are in the process of selling their home at 24 Smith Street but are required to install a replacement septic system before the sale can be completed. Upon survey of the property, it was learned that they currently don't have enough room to install the needed dry well. They asked if they could purchase a small amount of Village property that's adjacent to theirs so that the task can be completed. Extensive discussion ensued and the map they brought was reviewed. The Board indicated they would require more information, e.g., exactly how much property would be needed, before a decision could be made. The Downs left the meeting at 6:56 pm.

Minutes - A motion was made by Trustee King, seconded by Trustee Consalvi, to approve the minutes of the September 15, 2009, meeting as presented. A vote was taken and Mayor Sparling, along with Trustees King, Consalvi, and Martinez voted aye. Trustee Brown abstained. The motion was approved and carried.

Street Repairs – Paving on Foundry Street and Delray Avenue was completed today. The shoulders need to be backfilled, and this will have to be completed by Marvin. The Mayor noted again with appreciation the interfacing that Kevin Noble provided for the Village with Suit-Kote to enable the job to get done.

School Water Usage – Irrigation remains a concern that the Village would like to work out with the school.

Coal Barn Electric – Rick Parker has completed the electrical repairs to the coal barn.

USDA Grant/Loan Program – Mayor Sparling met with Chris Chamberlain to discuss the possibility of applying for a grant/loan to further enhance the water supply system. Because we're in a REAP zone, it appears the Village would be nearly guaranteed to be accepted. Discussion followed and it was decided it would be better to make such application and then if the Board chooses at a later time to withdraw it, they could.

Office Security – Discussion was held regarding locking the door between the office and the room the librarian uses for her office when the Village office is closed, as the librarian has questioned this action. A letter has been sent to the library board advising that the door will be locked and the Board maintained the decision.

Traffic Study – No communication has been received yet from the State Department of Transportation regarding the request for a traffic light at the intersection of Main and Owego Streets.

Hydrants – Hydrants haven't been painted yet, but the Mayor has asked Marvin to hold off until he has verification from the fire department which hydrants should be considered fully functional.

Doug Kirk and Robert Downs entered the meeting at 7:12 pm.

Well Head Protection – Mr. Winkley from the Rural Water Association will be in attendance at the next meeting to discuss well head protection.

Easement Request – Robert Downs again discussed the need for a section of Village property to allow installation of a dry well for his septic system. Doug Kirk was able to answer more pertinent questions regarding the system. At minimum, a piece of property 23' wide by 61' long would be required. Doug agreed to spray paint the proposed area so the Trustees would be able to get a visual perspective and could better consider the request. Robert and Doug left the meeting at 7:25 pm.

Extensive discussion ensued regarding allowing an easement to be put in place for the installation of the dry well. A motion was made by Trustee Martinez to authorize an easement to allow Downs' to proceed with their work project subject to approval by their attorney and the Village's attorney. The motion was seconded by Trustee Consalvi. A vote was taken and Trustees Martinez, Consalvi, and King, as well as Mayor Sparling, voted aye. Trustee Brown abstained. The motion was approved and carried. Attorney Schrader will draft an easement and send it to Adam Schumacher, Downs' attorney. When completed, Mayor Sparling will sign the document.

Water Billing/Tenant Usage – Beginning with the December billing, all water bills will be sent to the property owners rather than to the tenants, per the Village's water regulations. Letters advising owners and tenants of this procedure were sent with the October water bills.

Repair of Snow Plow – Marvin received a quote from Trux Outfitter in Ithaca to repair the plow for the dump truck. Discussion followed. A motion was made by Trustee Martinez, seconded by Trustee King, to authorize up to $1,500.00 for the repair of the snow plow. A vote was taken and Trustees Martinez, King, Consalvi, and Brown voted aye. The motion was approved and carried.

Halloween Curfew – The curfew for Halloween, October 31, is 8:00 pm, and Damir will be asked to work that evening. Trustee King will contact the school regarding the curfew information, and she also announced that the fire auxiliary-sponsored Halloween party will be held October 24th from 6-8 pm at the fire station for children up to age 12.

Library Canopy – The Board chose which canopy design they preferred, as well as the color preference of maroon. The information will be given to Roy Yarrington to present to the Library Board.

Car Give-Away – Cathy Rimby, a teacher at the school, has asked permission to park a car at Moyer Park on October 7th or 8th so that the students at school can see it. It'll be given away free at a later date to a student as part of an incentive program for her church. The Trustees were okay with the car being displayed there for one day.

Road Repair on Main Street – The condition of Route 96 from the grange to the upper bridge is a concern to the Trustees, and while they recognize repairs probably won't be achieved this year, a letter will be sent to the State DOT requesting it be put on the list for repair for next year. In addition, a report on the condition of the lower bridge will also be requested.

Sgt. Ken Showerman Day – Sgt. Ken Showerman is returning to Candor after having served two tours of duty in Iraq. A celebration of his return consisting of a parade followed by a reception at the Fire House Diner will take place on October 7th at 6:15 pm. Mayor Sparling has proclaimed October 7th as Sgt. Ken Showerman Day and will read a proclamation noting same at the Fire House Diner.

Repair of Dodge Pick-Up – An estimate for replacement of the ball joints on the Dodge pick-up is $583.70. A motion was made by Trustee Martinez, seconded by Trustee Consalvi, to approve repair to the Dodge pick-up per the submitted estimate. A vote was taken and Trustees Consalvi, Martinez, King, and Brown voted to approve. So moved.

Mini-Excavator Rental Estimates – Marvin submitted rental estimates for a mini-excavator from Seneca Supply in Ithaca and from Tioga Tool & Equipment Rental in Owego. Seneca Supply's estimate was $250/day, $750/week, $2,100/month. Tioga Tool's estimate was $180/day, $900/week, $1,620/month. Discussion followed. The Board requested that Marvin have a plan in place for the excavator usage prior to their approving the rental.

Water Repair Fund – Deputy Clerk Jean Dewey requested permission to close the water repair fund, which was receiving a low interest rate (with a balance of $480.39 balance), be moved to the higher interest earning water fund account. A motion was made by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee King, to allow Jean to make the requested transfer. A vote was taken and Trustees Brown, King, Martinez and Consalvi voted aye. The motion was approved.

20 Griffin Street – The Mayor announced that he will be demolishing his current house and will install a new house on the property at 20 Griffin Street. While the new home will be smaller (28'x28'), he would like to purchase at least a partial portion of the strip of property located between his home and King's home to allow a comfortable property line set-back as the house is presently situated very near to the property line.

At this time, Mayor Sparling withdrew and Deputy Mayor King took over the meeting. Discussion followed regarding a request for a variance versus purchasing the property. With the Village granting a variance, it would allow for the replacement of the existing house that's located at 20 Griffin Street, with no side set-back, to be replaced with a new home at the same address. Attorney Schrader advised the Mayor to get an opinion of value from a real estate agent for the requested property. Trustee Martinez made a motion to grant a variance to Steve Sparling in regard to the required ten foot set-back as set forth in Local Law #3 of 1984, Section 2.7, for the purpose of constructing a new home at 20 Griffin Street. The motion was seconded by Trustee Consalvi and a vote was taken. Trustees Martinez, Consalvi, Brown and King voted aye. Mayor Sparling abstained. The motion was approved and carried.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.

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