SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF AVOCA, PRATTSBURGH AND PULTENEY
Editor's Note: The Minutes of the Village and Town Board meetings appearing below have not been approved at the time this goes to press.

Town of Avoca

Minutes of the Avoca Town Board regular meeting August, 15, 2007 called to order by Supervisor Wellington at 7:01 p.m.

Present were: Supervisor, Chris Wellington; Councilman, Doug Heinemann; Councilman, Francis Feely; Councilwoman, Wendi Hammond; Coucilman, Ken Parsels (absent); Attorney, Karl Anderson Jr.; Town Clerk, Kim Jackson; Deputy Highway Super., Gary Weldy; Bookkeeper, Betty Mattison.

Others present were: Don Evia, John Walsh, Barbara Eaton and Nelson Eaton.

The Avoca Town Board said the Pledge of Allegiance for the meeting.

Motion by Supervisor Wellington, seconded by Councilwoman Hammond accepting the minutes of the July 18, 2007 minutes of the regular meeting. All if favor. Carried.

Motion by Councilmann Heinemann, seconded by Councilman Feely approving the following departmental reports for the month of July 2007. All in favor. Carried.

Town Clerk Zoning

Animal Control Officer Building Code

Motion by Councilman Feely, seconded by Supervisor Wellington authorizing to pay the vouchers, abstract. All in favor. Carried.

Visitors: Don Evia was here to let the board know he was running for District 7 Legislature. Barb was here to ask the board for a resolution for a grant for new computers and other office equipment in the court. Nelson as here to give the board information on the building committee progress to take home and look at. John updated the board about country happenings, the jail is looking like it will be finished in Oct., and they should be opening the two pods at the beginning. The great eastern trail goes through nine states and when they are finished with it will join with the Finger Lakes trail. I-35 bridge tragedy, the county checked their bridges and there is only one bridge in Steuben County that was built like the bridge that collapsed it is located in Rathbone on Saunders Road and is due for repair next year. The own of Tuscarora had a one day tire amnesty and received 5000 tires. The state is going to be starting deposit of juice and sport drink bottles. The county is setting up to recycle #1 plastic. The spread of Hogweed in Steuben County which is a very toxic week, the county plans to spray this weed next spring.

Highway Super. Gary informed the board about the town roads; the loader at the auct ion brought $56,000.00 and the 87 Mack $4250.00. Dyer road needs a top coat yet. Cook Road working in sections. Dan sent a check for $29,664.00 for CHIPS reimbursement. Loucks Pond Road and Smith Pond Road intersection has stop signs up.

Motion by Councilman Feely, seconded by Supervisor Wellington authorizing the Highway crew attend the annual picnic in Campbell, Aug. 16, 2007. All in favor. Carried.

Motion by Councilman Feely, seco nded by Councilwoman Hammond authorizing the court clerk, Barbara Eaton to apply for a grant for new computers and other office equipment for the court room. All in favor. Carried.

The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Feely, seco nded by Councilwoman Hammond approving the Town's Justice Department to submit a "Justic Court Assistance Program Grant" to the NYS Unified Court system. For the purchase of two new computers with printers and other court clerical equipment. The dollar amount is not known, as items will be purchased by UCS and shipped to the court. These items will be used exclusivel in the Town's Justice Department to help wiht the large court load. Authorization is given to the Town Justices and Supervisor to sign on behalf of the town. All in favor. Carried.

Motion by Councilman Feely, seconded by Councilman Heinemann authorizing to set a date for a hearing on local law #2 2007, entitld "Wind Energy Facilities," Sept. 19, 2007, at 7:30 p.m.

Update on building committee progress; the committee met on July 10, 2007 and got input from everyone that was at the meeting. Everyone agreed to move forward to see what it would cost to build a new building or renovated the old one and what price square foot it would be for both options.

Information: Steuben County IDA will be holding a public hearing Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007 at 10 a.m. at the Town Hall n the wind farm project, about he transmission line that runs through the corner of the Town of Avoca.

Information: The Town clerk had requested her pay for the time she was off. She originally asked that her pay be given to the deputy town clerk while she was working for the clerk so that it would not cost the town any extra money to pay the deputy clerk, this did not happen. Councilman Feely stated that the duputy town clerk would be paid her regular rate, that was decided at the budget meeting. So the clerk asked that she receive her salary.

Information: th e accounting for the town is up to date.

Motion by Councilman Feely, seconded by Supervisor Wellington that there is some kind of back up done on the accounting program so that if anything happens the information will not be lost. Authorizing to get the necessary equipment to back up the accounting program. All in favor. Carried.

Motion by Councilman Heinemann, seconded by Councilwoman Hammond recommending that Betty Mattison take the notary class and the town will pay the cost. All in favor. Carried.

Motion by Councilman Feely, seconded by Councilman Heinemann authorizing that all departments turn bills into Betty, the bookkeeper the Monday before the meeting date if not they will not get paid until next months meeting. All in favor. Carried.

The clerk read the resignation of Ronald Wilston of the Town Planning Board.

Motion by Supervisor Wellington, seconded by Councilwoman Heinemann to go into executive session at 8:10 p.m. to discuss the response to the Comptrollers report Betty was asked to stay. All in favor. Carried.

Motion by Councilman Feely, seco nded by Councilwoman Hammond to return to regular session.

Motion by Councilman Heinemann, seconded by Councilwoman Hammond to adjourn