MOTION was made by Councilman Walker to approve the “Final Audit of Bills for 2004”as presented; seconded by Councilman Vacco; All “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

New and Unfinished Business:

1. Set bid opening date for new vehicle – Eden Emergency Squad

MOTION was made by Councilman Walker, acting on the request and recommendation of the Eden Emergency and Rescue Squad to advertise specifications for a new Type I, Class I Ambulance for the Eden Emergency Squad with a bid opening date of Thursday, January 20, 2005 at 12:00 noon in the Town Clerk’s office; seconded by Councilman Vacco; All “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

MOTION was made by Councilman Walker to close the Regular Meeting of the Eden Town Board for public hearing; seconded by Councilman Vacco; All “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

            Supervisor Nellis closed the Regular Meeting of the Eden Town Board at 7:45 P.M.

MOTION was made by Councilman Walker to open the Public Hearing regarding the Annual Special Use Permit Renewal for Richard Minekime for a residential unit at 2679 Hemlock Road; seconded by Councilman Vacco; All “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

            Supervisor Nellis opened the Public Hearing at 7:45 P.M.

7:45 P. M.

Public Hearing

Annual Special Use Permit – Minekime

Residential Unit at 2679 Hemlock Road

            Supervisor Nellis explained the purpose of the public hearing was to listen to any concerns or questions that citizens have.

            Supervisor Nellis also explained that although Mr. Minekime has not yet converted his building into a caretaker’s apartment, because his original permit stated that the permit needed to be renewed by January 1, 2005, it was necessary to conduct a public hearing for the renewal.

The following persons spoke and asked questions about the Special Use Permit:

            Joyce Harms, 2677 West Church Street, stated she would like to see the Town Board vote against the renewal of Mr. Minekime’s permit because of a fire at this location a few weeks ago.  She felt that a caretaker never would have seen where the fire started and if a fire could start in one of the businesses, a residential unit could offer even more chances for a fire to start.  She is concerned because her family business (Page-Harms Oil Co.) is located next door to the Minekime property.

All persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, Supervisor Nellis closed the Public Hearing at 7:50 P.M.

MOTION was made by Councilman Krycia to close the Public Hearing; seconded by Councilman Vacco; All “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

MOTION was made by Councilman Krycia to open the Regular Meeting of the Town Board; seconded by Councilman Vacco; All “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

2. Resolution – Establishment of New York State Veterans Cemetery – Alabama, New York

The Town Board has received two requests for support for the creation of a

Veterans cemetery in New York State; one from the Town of Alabama in Genesee County and the other from Cheektowaga in Erie County.  Following a brief discussion and the fact that nearly half of the veterans from Western New York are located in Erie County, the Town Board concluded that they should support the request from Cheektowaga.

            Supervisor Nellis offered the following resolution:

RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR CREATION OF A NEW YORK STATE

VETERANS CEMETARY IN THE TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK

WHEREAS,   statistics show there is a need for a State Veterans Cemetery in Western New York, and

WHEREAS,   the Mount Calvary Cemetery Group has submitted a proposal to the N.Y.S. Division of Cemeteries for a Veterans Memorial Cemetery; and

WHEREAS,   the establishment of such Veterans Cemetery in Cheektowaga would best serve the needs of all veterans and their families in the Western New York region,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we fully support the creation of a State Veterans Cemetery at the Mount Calvary site in the Town of Cheektowaga;

AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED we encourage the New York State Legislature and the Governor of New York State to enact and approve any legislation needed to establish said cemetery.  A copy of this resolution is to be mailed to Louis R. Palma, Director, County of Erie, Office of Veterans’ Services, 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, New York 14202.

MOTION was made by Supervisor Nellis to approve the resolution; seconded by Councilwoman Pew; All “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

3. Recreation Department – Award of Bid for Baseball Equipment

Acting on the recommendation of the Recreation Department the following

Motion was made:

MOTION was made by Councilman Walker to award the bid for baseball equipment to Anaconda Sports, the only bidder to respond, in the amount of $1,042.76; seconded by Councilman Krycia; All “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

MOTION was made by Councilman Walker to table any action regarding the Annual Association of Towns Meeting scheduled for New York City February 20^th through February 23^rd to the January 12, 2005 meeting; seconded by Councilman Vacco; All “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

MOTION was made by Councilman Krycia to renew the Special Use Permit for Richard Minekime for a caretaker apartment at 2679 Hemlock Road for a period of one year with the following conditions:

1.     Must provide yearly proof that the caretaker is employed in connection with any permitted use on said lot.

2.     The Caretaker’s apartment must conform to all of the Town of Eden Building Codes as reviewed by our Town Code Enforcement Officer.

3.     This Special Use Permit shall be renewed annually.

Seconded by Councilman Vincent Vacco.

On the Vote:  Supervisor Nellis, Councilman Krycia and Councilman Vacco – “Ayes”

                      Councilman Pew – Opposed     Councilman Walker – Abstained

Motion approved by majority.

Supervisor’s Report

            Supervisor Nellis reported that the Town Board had received a request from BFI to switch the Town’s residential pickup service from Mondays and Thursdays to Tuesdays and Fridays and that the Board, seeing no particular problem with doing so, had advised BFI to go ahead.  BFI will be responsible for notifying each town resident as well as running some ads in our local newspaper.  This change should take place soon after the first of the year.

Hearing of Visitors

            Richard Minekime asked the Board if there was anything official with regards to the recreation green space for his Evelyn Drive/Beverly Avenue subdivision.  The Board told Mr. Minekime that it was in the hands of the Town Attorney to draw up a legal agreement but that nothing had changed from the Board’s original meeting and understanding with him (Mr. Minekime) regarding the green space.

For the record, the Town Board, who is awaiting the Town Attorney’s legal review, has approved, in concept, the proposal that is currently before the Planning Board with regards to the recreation portion of the Minekime Evelyn Drive/Beverly Avenue subdivision.

Adjournment

MOTION was made by Councilman Walker to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Eden Town Board; seconded by Councilman Krycia; All “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

            Supervisor Nellis adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Eden Town Board at 8:02 P.M.

MOTION was made by Councilman Vacco to open the 2005 Reorganization Meeting of the Eden Town Board; seconded by Councilman Krycia; All “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

FOR THE YEAR 2005

TOWN OF EDEN

            Councilman Walker began the Re-organizational Meeting by reading the following items:

1.     Regular meetings of the Eden Town Board will be held on the second Wednesday of each month starting at 7:30 P.M.  Additional meetings will be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month as needed.

2.     The official newspaper of the Town of Eden will be “The Sun” located in Hamburg, New York.

3.     Surety Bonds will be carried as follows:

$490,000.00 – Tax Collector

$40,000.00 Supervisor

$24,000.00 – All Others

4.     Mileage reimbursement will be $.34 per mile while using personal vehicles on Town business, authorized in advance.

5.     Copies of adopted minutes will be on file at the Eden Library and the Town Clerk’s office.

6.     Appoint HSBC, M & T, Evans National & Bank of America and other institutions as deemed appropriate by the Board, as banks for deposits, checking and investments.

MOTION was made by Councilman Walker to accept and approve Items Nos. 1 thru 6 as presented; seconded by Councilman Krycia; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

            Councilman Walker then read the Salaries of Elected Officials as follows:

Salaries of Elected Officials:

1.     Town Board Members $8,290.00 yearly to be paid monthly.

2.     Justices Michael Cooper and Colin Campbell at $12,414.00 each yearly to be paid monthly.

3.     Supervisor Glenn R. Nellis at $30,501.00 yearly to be paid bi-weekly.

4.     The Head Assessor will receive $14,776.00 yearly, to be paid monthly and the other two assessors $11,496.00 each yearly, to be paid monthly.

5.     Town Clerk, Mary Jo Hultquist $28,943.00 yearly, to be paid bi-weekly.

6.     Highway Superintendent, Ronald Maggs at $55,371.00 yearly, to be paid bi-weekly.

MOTION was made by Councilman Walker to approve the above salaries; seconded by Councilwoman Pew; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

            Councilman Walker then read the Appointments and Salaries as follows:

Appointments and Salaries:

Appoint Jayne Cohoon full-time Court Clerk at $26,402.00 yearly to be paid bi-weekly.

Appoint Bettyann Neifer part-time Court Clerk at $11.68/hr. for up to 300 hours per year.

Appoint Joyce Guziec part-time Court Clerk at $9.34/hr. for 20 hours per month.

The salary of the full-time Building Inspector will be $47,929.00 yearly, to be paid bi-weekly.

Appoint William Laing Fire Inspector for structural fires at $67.53 per occurrence.

Appoint Catherine Swiech part-time secretary to the Building Inspector for five (5) hours per week at $9.34/hr. to be paid bi-weekly.

MOTION was by Councilman Walker to approve the above appointments; seconded by Councilman Vacco; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

Appoint Joan Doctor part-time secretary to the Assessors for 19 hours per week at the rate of $11.15/hr., to be paid bi-weekly.

The Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals will receive an annual stipend of $500.00 to be paid yearly.

The Chairman of the Assessment Board of Review is to be paid $125.00 yearly and the other members of the Assessment Board to be compensated $85.00 each yearly.  A secretary, if needed, will be compensated $200.00 per year.

Deputy Town Clerk Janice King will be paid $8.74 per hour and Deputy Town Clerk Heather Ohmit will be paid $8.24 per hour.  The hours and salaries of the  Town Clerk’s office shall not exceed a total of 1,350 Deputy Clerk hours or $12,614.00 for the year.

Appoint Mary Jo Hultquist, Registrar, at a rate of $2,753.00 yearly, to be paid monthly.

Appoint William Sickau part-time custodian at 40 hours per month at $11.55/hr. to be paid monthly.

Appoint Katherine Czaster as Senior Citizen Transportation Coordinator at $7.42/hr. for 19 hours per week, to be paid bi-weekly.

Appoint Raymond Zabron, part-time Dog Control Officer, at an annual salary of $11,285.00, to be paid monthly.

Appoint Maureen Zabron, part-time Dog Control Officer’s secretary at an annual salary of $2,404.00, to be paid monthly.

Appoint Susan Brass, Recreation Director at $16,952.00 yearly, to be paid monthly.

Appoint Scot Christiansen, Recreation Working Crew Chief, at $15.76/hr., to be paid bi-weekly.

Appoint Cynthia Kugler, secretary to the Highway Superintendent at $10.61 per hour for 24 hours per week, to be paid bi-weekly, and GIS Clerk at $10.61 per hour for 16 hours per week, to be paid bi-weekly.

Appoint Melissa Zittel, Town Prosecutor, at annual salary of $4,765.00, to be paid monthly.

Appoint Shaw & Shaw (William Trask, Town Attorney) to provide legal services for the Town at an annual compensation of $24,400.00, to be paid monthly.

The full-time Police Dispatcher will be compensated $26,130.00 for the year, to be paid bi-weekly.

Part-time Police Officers will be paid $11.76 per hour, not to exceed a total expenditure of $32,576.00 for the year.

Part-time dispatchers will be paid $8.40 per hour with the exception of Jane Henry who will be compensated $10.56 per hour. Total dispatching allotment shall not to exceed the budgeted authorization of $28,392.00 per year.

Appoint Thomas Jones, Robert Brueggeman, Donald Crowe, Teresa Blasz, Julie Boedo, Seth Howard and Jane Henry part-time Police Dispatchers; Joseph Flynn, Charles Privitera, Mark Baltes, Nicholas Blasz, Michael Dau, Ray Zabron and Dave Hock part-time Police Officers, not to exceed sixteen (16) hours per week each.

MOTION was made by Councilman Walker to approve the above appointments and salaries; seconded by Councilwoman Pew; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

            Councilwoman Pew read the following appointments:

Appoint Catherine Swiech, Planning Board Secretary at $66.95 per occasion.

Appoint Stacey Callinan secretary to the Historic Review Board to be compensated $65.20 per meeting and Zoning Board secretary at the rate of $67.70 per hearing plus $10.25/hr. for reconvened hearings.

Appoint Police Chief Patrick Howard the inspection official for games of chance at no pay.

Appoint Police Chief Howard, Bingo Inspector at no pay.

Appoint the Town Clerk as Affirmative Action Officer at no pay.

The Eden and East Eden Fire Chiefs will receive an annual stipend of $1,000.00 each.

The Director of Operations for the Eden Emergency and Rescue Squad will receive an annual stipend of $1,000.00.

MOTION was by Councilwoman Pew to approve the above appointments and salaries; seconded by Councilman Walker; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

Appointments of the Supervisor:

Councilwoman Pew read the following appointments of the Supervisor:

Appoint Anne Mae Knack, Administrative Assistant and Confidential Secretary to the Supervisor at $39,365.00 yearly, to be paid bi-weekly.

Appoint Laura Krolewicz, Bookkeeper at $26,084.00 yearly, to be paid bi-weekly.

Appoint Catherine Swiech, part-time secretary to the Supervisor at $9.34 per hour for 14 hours per week, to be paid bi-weekly.

Appoint Dorothea Meyer, Town Historian at $1,922.00 for the year.

Appoint Glenn Nellis, Director of Civil Defense, at no salary.

Appoint Joseph Flynn, Captain of the Reserve Police, at no salary.

MOTION was made by Councilwoman Pew to approve the appointments and salaries: seconded by Councilman Walker; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

            Supervisor Nellis read the following appointments:

Appoint Mary Lou Pew Deputy Town Supervisor at no salary.

Appoint Robert Pietrocarlo Head Assessor.

MOTION was made by Supervisor Nellis to approve the appointments; seconded by Councilman Walker; All “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? –none; Motion carried.

MOTION was made by Supervisor Nellis that the rate of pay for election inspectors will be:

Primary                       $120.00 per day

Election                       $120.00 per day

Training School           $  25.00 per day (no mileage)

Special Election          $  65.00 per day (specific hours to be set for each election)

The rate of pay for the Election Custodian will be $13.64/hr. plus mileage.

Seconded by Councilman Walker; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

Supervisor Nellis made the following appointments as Town Board Liaisons to the various Town Boards/Committees:

Mary Lou Pew & Timothy Walker                  Code Review Committee

Vincent V. Vacco & Timothy Walker  Recreation Advisory Board

Edward Krycia, Jr.                                          Eden Chamber of Commerce

Glenn R. Nellis                                               Historic Preservation Board

Edward Krycia, Jr. & Timothy Walker           Economic Development Committee

Edward Krycia, Jr.                                          Conservation Advisory Board

Mary Lou Pew                                                 Zoning Board of Appeals

Edward Krycia, Jr.                                          Library Board

Mary Lou Pew                                                 Emergency Squad

Vincent V. Vacco                                            Street Lights

Timothy Walker & Edward Krycia, Jr.           Planning Board

Mary Lou Pew & Vincent V. Vacco                Fire Departments

Timothy Walker                                              Assessment Board of Review

Edward Krycia & Vincent V. Vacco               Agricultural Advisory Board

Glenn R. Nellis & Vincent V. Vacco               Drainage Committee

Mary Lou Pew                                                 Technology Committee

Mary Lou Pew                                                 Emergency Preparedness Committee

Edward Krycia, Jr. & Mary Lou Pew             Comprehensive Plan Implementation   Committee

Glenn R. Nellis                                               Hamlet Revitalization Committee

Glenn R. Nellis                                               Association of Erie County Governments

Glenn R. Nellis                                               NEST- Solid Waste

Glenn R. Nellis & Timothy Walker                 Southtowns Water Consortium

Glenn R. Nellis                                               Erie County Sewer District No. 3

Glenn R. Nellis                                               Community Development Block Grant

Glenn R. Nellis                                               Rural Transit Service Advisory Board

MOTION was made by Supervisor Nellis to approve the appointments of Town Board Liaisons; seconded by Councilman Walker; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

            Supervisor Nellis read the following reappointments:

Reappointment of Wendel Duchscherer as Town Engineer at an annual retainer of $6,600.00, to be paid monthly.

MOTION was made by Supervisor Nellis to approve the reappointment; seconded by Councilman Walker; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

Advisory Board Appointments/Reappointments:

Supervisor Nellis stated all Committee/Board members whose terms were due to expire December 31, 2004 were notified and requested to fill out a new application if they wished to be considered for reappointment.  Board Chairs were also asked to supply a recommendation for reappointment and appointments to their various boards.  Based on the recommendations received to date:

Reappoint Lamont Beers, Jack Cuddihy, Linda Steele and Donald Suchan to two-year terms on the Conservation Advisory Board.

Reappoint Phillip Muck to a five-year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals

Reappoint James Agle to a five-year term on the Eden Library Board.

Reappoint Gerald Schwab to a seven-year term on the Planning Board and Andrew Romanowski to a one-year term as an Alternate on the Planning Board.

MOTION was made by Supervisor Nellis to approve the Advisory Board reappointments/appointments; seconded by Councilman Walker; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

Reaffirmation of the Town’s Procurement and Investment Polices:

MOTION was made by Supervisor Nellis to reaffirm the Procurement Policy adopted August 14, 1996, unchanged and to reaffirm the Investment Policies and Guidelines of the Town of Eden, both are on file in the Town Clerk’s office; seconded by Councilman Walker; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

Reaffirm daily meal allowance for annual Association of Towns Meeting held in New York City at $40.00 a day.

MOTION was made by Supervisor Nellis to reaffirm the daily meal allowance for annual Association of Towns Meeting held in New York City at $40.00 a day; seconded by Councilwoman Pew; All “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried

Adjournment:

MOTION was made by Councilman Walker to adjourn the Re-organizational Meeting of the Eden Town Board; seconded by Councilwoman Pew; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

            Supervisor Nellis adjourned the Re-organizational Meeting of the Eden Town Board at 8:22 P.M.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Janice King, Deputy Town Clerk