THE R.A.P. SHEET
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 Prattsburgh

PUBLIC HEARING-Local Law #1 of 2008-Amending Local Law #1 of 2004-Property Maintenance Code

Supervisor McConnell declared the public hearing open at 7:00 P.M. Following distribution of the proposed Local Law to the Town Board members in December of 2007, Notice of said Public Hearing was duly published in the Corning Leader on December 29, 2007, with same being posted on same date at the Town Hall.

Town Clerk Kula read Notice of Hearing for the record.

No one wished to comment.

With all persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, Supervisor McConnell closed the hearing at 7:02 P.M.

The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Prattsburgh was called to order at 7:02 P.M. on January 15, 2008 at the Prattsburgh Town Hall, 19 North Main Street, Prattsburgh, N.Y.

The Call to Order was made by Supervisor McConnell and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

PRESENT: Supervisor J. Harold McConnell, Councilwoman Stacey Bottoni, Councilman Steven Kula, Councilman Charles Shick, and Councilwoman Sharon Quigley; Highway Superintendent Chris Jensen; Water/CEO Les Babcock; Town Attorney John Leyden; Bookkeeper Dolores Billings; and Town Clerk Pamela Kula.

ALSO PRESENT and welcomed by the Supervisor was Kim Lamberts, Nancy and David Hall, Donnie Snyder, and Casey Conte.

On a motion of Councilman Shick, seconded by Councilman Kula, it is resolved that the minutes of the December 18, 2007 Town Board Meeting and the January 3, 2008 Organizational Meeting are approved.

On a motion of Councilwoman Quigley, seconded by Councilman Kula, it is resolved to accept the monthly financial report as submitted by the Town Supervisor.

On a motion of Councilwoman "Quigley, seconded by Councilwoman Bottoni, it is resolved that the following bills be paid as audited. GENERAL FUND BILLS ck#18305 through ck#18352 (Including Highway, Light, Sidewalk and Water) and amounting to $497,346.67. TRUST & AGENCY BILLS ck#5276 through ck#5315 including payroll checks and electronic transfer and amounting to $43,505.68.

Communications:

The Town Clerk told the board that she has received a notice from the Department of Labor advising that Deborah J. Calderwood dba Edge of Time Trading Post has received an explosive magazine certificate with an expiration date of 12/31/2008 from the New York State Department of Labor.

Adoption of Local Law Number 1 of 2008 - Amending "Property Maintenance Code" Local Law Number 1of 2004

On a motion of Councilman Kula, seconded by Councilwoman Bottoni, the following resolution wa s ADOPTED: Supervisor McConnell, Aye; Councilwoman Quigley, Aye; Councilwoman Bottoni, Aye; Councilman Shick, Aye; Councilman Kula, Aye.

RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Prattsburgh does herby adopt Local Law Number 1 of 2008 as follows:

A Local Law to Amend Local Law Numbered 1 of the year 2004 entitled "Property Maintenance Code"

Be it enacted by the Town Board of the Town of Prattsburgh, as follows:

1) The Town Board of the Town of Prattsburgh did enact Local Law No. 1 of the year 2004 entitled "Property Maintenance Code".

2) This Local Law hereby amends Local Law No. 1 of the year 2004 as follows:

Section 6 entitled "Notice of Violation" and Section 7 entitled "Declaration of Public Nuisance and Remediation" are hereby eliminated.

3) All other provision of Local Law No. 1 of the year 2004 shall remain in full force and effect.

4) This Local Law shall take effect upon filing with the New York State Secretary of State.

New Business:

Supervisor McConnell asked the Town Board to consider negotiating with David Sherwood to include, along with the sale of the old Town Hall, a small approximately 50' piece of Town property in order to square the property off. The Town Board agreed that it would be okay for the Supervisor to look into an appropriate way to accomplish this. McConnell said that the property is in the process of being surveyed at this time.

The Annual Agreement to spend Town Highway funds was signed.

There was some discussion regarding the possibility of the Town having an Amnesty Day for Tires. There was no decision made regarding this issue.

There was some discussion regarding the appointment of members to serve on a Code Of Ethics Committee. No decision was made at this time.

Casey Conte presented the Board with a Bike Race Outline. He would like to put on a bicycle race based out of Prattsburgh that would utilize the Town Park as a Start/Finish area and area roads for the courses. There would be three races during the day: an advanced 30-mile, an intermediate/beginner 15 mile, and a kids race in the park. The race would be on Sunday, April 27, 2008 in the early afternoon so local Church activities are not disturbed. Casey stated that he will carry his own insurance, and that all proceeds after expenses would go to the Town of Prattsburgh.

On a Motion of Councilman Kula, seconded by Councilwoman Bottoni and duly carried, the Town Board resolved to allow the Prattsburgh Bike Race to be held on Sunday, April 27, 2008. Highway Report: (Chris Jensen) Since our last meeting, we have been plowing and sanding. We hauled in more sand and sand mix and due to the rapid melt down and rain, we have been repairing washes in the shoulders of the roads and putting rock in some of the worst ruts. We have also had some trees down from the high winds.

In the shop, along with normal maintenance, we have replaced the lower plate that is under the sander chain in two of our 10-wheelers and welded the cross members back in on one. Replaced one rear spring in our single axle truck and removed all the plow and sanding equipment off T- 205 and sent it to McMinns in Guyanoga to start building the flat deck to set our new brine tank on.

I have received three quotes to haul sand and salt mix from Bath to our storage barn in the event that we get low and are busy plowing.

The quotes are as follows: 1. Snyder Trucking - $3.25/ton

2. Elrose Farms - $3.05/ton

3. Campbell Trucking - $2.95/ton (guaranteed 1000 ton increments)

The Highway Superintendents pick-up is scheduled for replacement this year. We have been gathering information on the State Bid Pickups and I would like to suggest we stick with the Ford F-250. This truck has performed well and it handles the equipment well. I would also suggest that we stay with Air Flo plow & sander. They not only work well, but the service has been real good also. So, with Board approval, I would like to put together a package including prices to be presented at our next Board meeting.

On a motion of Councilwoman Quigley, seconded by Councilwoman Bottoni and duly carried, it was resolved to allow the Highway Superintendent to put together a package for a new Ford-250 pickup as stated above.

Code Enforcement/Water: (Les Babcock) Issued 4 buildings permits which includes the following: 3 pole

buildings, 1 septic & wood stove installation. Did 2 Public Assembly inspections, 7 building inspections, 1 septic inspection with report. Had 3 code complaints, 2 calls from Naples Fire Department concerning calls in Ingleside, did 5 chimney & stove inspections, issued 2 certificates of occupancy, submitted annual report to New York Codes Division, submitted annual report to the Town of Prattsburgh; had 3 dig safely notices to mark. Water Department… Repaired Service line on Mill Street, took a water sample to Wayland. Parks & Maintenance… Took down Christmas decoration. Thanks to Historical Society and Stevie Kula for cleaning up trees in the park.

Town Clerk: (Pamela J. Kula) Pam presented the Town board with her annual report for 2007. She read the Dog Control Officer's report for December. Also presented was a Dog Control Officer Inspection Report done by the The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. The report stated that the dog control services in the Town of Prattsburgh are rendered properly.

Town Clerk Kula said that she has received and has on file the following:

2008 annual agreement between the Town of Prattsburgh and the Prattsburgh Senior Citizens; 2008 annual agreement between the Town of Prattsburgh and the Prattsburgh Library; the 2007 annual report from the Prattsburgh Emergency Food Pantry; 2007 annual report from Les Babcock regarding Code enforcement, Parks & Sidewalk Maintenance, and the Water System; 2007 Town Clerk's annual report; 2007 Town of Prattsburgh's Annual Financial Report; and the December 2007 monthly reports of the Town Clerk, the Town Justice and the Dog Control Officer.

Pam said that the Salvation Army Food Donation Truck will be here at the Town Hall Parking Lot on Thursday, January 24, 2008; and from then on, it will be here on the 3rd Thursday of every month.

On a motion by Councilwoman Bottoni, seconded by Councilman Kula, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 P.M.

Town of Pulteney

The organizational meeting of the Pulteney Town Board was called to order by Supervisor William Weber at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at the Pulteney Town Hall with roll call followed by Pledge of Allegiance.

Present were: Supervisor William Weber; Councilman Janet Stone; Councilmen Richard French; Councilman James Fox; Councilman Robert Kemp; Highway Supt. George McIntyre; Town Attorney John F. Leyden; Bookkeeper Helen Coombs and Town Clerk Donna Conley. Also present were Water Operator Ken Forenz and Code, Zoning and Watershed Officer Lauren Welch.

Councilman Fox made motion seconded by Councilman French designating the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM as the regular Town Board meeting night.

Councilman French made motion seconded by Councilman Fox to accept the Public Officials Blanket bonding of all necessary town employees to be in effect for the year 2008. Said coverage is with the Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. of America with Sprague Insurance Company as agent for bonding of all employees $25,000 each and additional bonding on Supervisor - $50,000; Town Clerk/Tax Collector - $150,000 and Bookkeeper - $100,000. All in favor. Carried.

Councilman Kemp made motion seconded by Councilman Fox consenting to the temporary assignment of the Town of Pulteney Justice to preside in other town/village courts in the Seventh Judicial District as need arises during the year 2008 and approve the temporary assignment of judges from other town/village courts in the Seventh Judicial District to its court as need arises during the year 2008. All in favor. Carried.

BOARD APPOINTMENTS:

Voting Machine Custodian - Gaynor Updike; Water Plant Operator - Ken Forenz; CEO (Code Enforcement Officer) - Lauren Welch; Watershed Officer - Lauren Welch; Zoning Officer - Lauren Welch; DCO (Dog Control Officer) - John Ballam; Records Management & Access Officer and Registrar of Vital Statistics - Donna Conley; Cemetery Registrar - Donna Conley; Historian - Phyllis Peek; Health Officer - Karen Nesbitt, RN; Deputy Health Officer - Dr. Alexander Wahlig; Town Attorney - Attorney John F. Leyden

Councilman French made motion seconded by Councilman Fox to accept the above appointments for 2008. All in favor. Carried.

Official Newspaper - Corning Leader; Other Newspapers used - Courier Advocate & Shopper

Councilman Kemp made motion seconded by Councilman Fox to accept the above newspapers for 2008. All in favor. Carried.

Banks - M & T Bank , Five Star Bank & Lyons National Bank

Councilman French made motion seconded by Councilman Fox to accept the above banks for 2008. All in favor. Carried.

PAY SCHEDULE:

Mileage - $.45 per mile

Town Board & Dog Control Officer - quarterly

CEO Officer, Watershed Officer,

Zoning Officer, Town Clerk, Bookkeeper - semi-monthly

Supervisor, Assessor,

Justice and Attorney - monthly

Highway Superintendent - biweekly

Registrar of Vital Statistics, Cemetery Registrar - annually

Board of Assessment Review, Historian, Health Officer- annually

Highway Employees - terms and hours pursuant to the union contract

Councilman Kemp made motion seconded by Councilman Fox to accept the above pay schedule. All in favor. Carried.

A petty cash fund for the Town Clerk/Tax Collector in the amount of $100.00.

Councilman French made motion seconded by Councilman Fox to accept the petty cash fund for the Town Clerk/Tax Collector. All in favor. Carried.

Councilman French made motion seconded by Councilman Stone to make the following reappointments:

Barbara Welles to the Board of Assessment Review for a term of 5 years;

Helen Coombs to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a 5 year term;

Mark Fellows to the Planning Board for a term of 7 years;

Alise Irwin and James Sprague to the Ethics Board for a term of three years;

Fred Schulte as computer consultant

All in favor. Carried.

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT APPOINTMENTS:

Deputy Highway Superintendent - Jason Tears

SUPERVISOR APPOINTMENTS:

Deputy Supervisor - Councilman Richard French

Bookkeeper - Helen Coombs

SUPERVISOR COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS:

Water District Committee - Councilman Kemp and Councilman Fox

Farming & Development Committee - Councilman French and Councilman Stone

Recreation Committee - Councilman Stone and Councilman Fox

No one is planning on attending the Association of Towns meeting in February.

Councilman French made motion seconded by Councilman Kemp to adjourn the organizational meeting. All in favor. Carried.

Supervisor Weber called the regular meeting to order.

Councilman French made motion seconded by Councilman Fox to accept the minutes of December 12, 2007, and the December 27thh yearend meetings. All in favor. Carried.

Chuck Franzese, Hunt Engineer, discussed a change order that is being worked on but not ready yet, there is ice forming on the tanks and it is being discussed how to remedy it. A completion date for the water project is being worked on so warranties can be put in place.

Councilman Stone made motion seconded by Councilman Fox for the Water District Committee and Supervisor Weber to review reasonable solutions to prevent icing on the tanks and make a decision to prevent further problems before out next meeting. Roll call vote: Councilman Stone, yes; Councilman French, yes; Councilman Fox, yes; Councilman Kemp, yes; Supervisor Weber, yes. Carried.

Chuck Franzese further explained a proposal for engineering services for a water system hydraulic model for a cost of $27,000, which includes the software for the Water Operator's computer. The project should be acceptable to EFC for funding.

Supervisor Weber made motion seconded by Councilman Stone authorizing Supervisor Weber to execute the contract for $27,000 for the engineering services for a water system hydraulic model as described with the understanding it is an eligible EFC fund. Roll call vote: Councilman Stone, yes; Councilman French, yes; Councilman Fox, yes; Councilman Kemp, yes; Supervisor Weber, yes. Carried.

John Murphy, Hunt Engineers, said the telemetry is ready to be wired in and hopefully EFIwill make the final set ups at the stations and hopefully everything will be done next week.

If someone wants to be added to the water line, they need to get a contractor with the equipment needed to connect them to the main water line and the water dept. would be involved.

Contracts for Gary Dinehart and Paul Enos were discussed. They are certified water plant operators for the Town of Jerusalem and would be assisting our water plant operator when he is unavailable or help him when and where needed with professional help. They would be paid Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for each trip required to be made to the Town to render professional assistance. Should the trip exceed two (2) hours, the Town shall pay them the rate of twenty dollars ($20.00) per hour for time exceeding two (2) hours per trip. There will be no mileage paid.

Councilman Kemp made motion seconded by Councilman French authorizing Supervisor Weber to sign the two (2) contracts discussed above with Gary Dinehart and Paul Enos. Roll call vote: Councilman Stone, yes; Councilman French, yes; Councilman Fox, yes; Councilman Kemp, yes; Supervisor Weber, yes. Carried.

Chris Norman from Tracey Road Equipment, Inc. was present to discuss lease quotes for a 2007 Sterling Truck w/Tenco Plow package at the price of $120,804.24. As it is a state bid we do not need to go out for bids.

Board discussed the interest rates he provided and the possibility of getting a cheaper rate through a bank with a bond resolution.

Supervisor Weber made motion seconded by Councilman Kemp for the Town of Pulteney to purchase the truck as described by Tracey Road Equipment, Inc. under the terms of the lease described and Attorney Leyden is directed to draw up a bond resolution for the February meeting and Supervisor Weber will check with the bank to get paper work started for an amount not to exceed $121,000.00. Roll call vote: Councilman Stone, yes; Councilman French, yes; Councilman Fox, no; Councilman Kemp, yes; Supervisor Weber, yes. Carried.

Councilman French made motion seconded by Councilman Fox to receive and place on file Code Enforcement Officer's (CEO) & Watershed Officer's; Zoning Officer's; Water Operator's and Justice's report. All in favor. Carried.

Highway Supt. McIntyre reported they have put a culvert pipe in, put the water line in at the Town Hall, done ditching, worked in shop, plowing and sanding. Noted the new pickup was here and asked what is to be done with old one.

Councilman Kemp made motion seconded by Councilman Stone to hire Michael Tietjen to clean up the old pickup and take it to auction. Roll call vote: Councilman Stone, yes; Councilman French, yes; Councilman Fox, yes; Councilman Kemp, yes; Supervisor Weber recused himself from voting. Carried.

Grants for the handicap swing, sidewalks and for agriculture land were discussed. Councilman Stone will check further into the sidewalk grant. Agriculture Committee will look into the agricultural land grant.

Security cameras around the Town Hall was discussed. Supervisor Weber and CEO Officer Lauren Welch will check to see what would work best for us.

New refrigerated water cooler and new faucets in the Town Hall were discussed. Board agreed to have our handyman check into what is needed now that the water is in and report at the next meeting.

Vincent Spagnoletti, Commissioner of Public Works, told Supervisor Weber that the four (4) way "STOP" at the top of Boyd Hill will be there for the next 12 months to see how it works out.

Library contract with the Town of Pulteney was provided.

Councilman French made motion seconded by Councilman Stone authorizing Supervisor Weber to execute the contract with the Library for the year 2008. Roll call vote: Councilman Stone, yes; Councilman French, yes; Councilman Fox, yes; Councilman Kemp, yes; Supervisor Weber, yes.. Carried.

Supervisor Weber made motion seconded by Councilman Stone authorizing Attorney Leyden to generate a new sub-division law with a different fee schedule similar to new Zoning Regulations with a public hearing to be held at 7:30 pm at our February 13th regular board meeting. Roll call vote: Councilman Stone, yes; Councilman French, yes; Councilman Fox, yes; Councilman Kemp, yes; Supervisor Weber, yes. Carried.

Councilman French made motion to adjourn.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.

Town of Avoca

Minutes of the Avoca Town Board regular meeting Jan. 16, 2008 called to order by Supervisor Wellington at 7:05 p.m. Held at the Avoca Central School Auditorium.

Present were: Supervisor, Chris Wellington; Councilman, Doug Heinemann; Councilwoman, Wendi Hammond; Councilman, Ken Parsels; Attorney, Karl Anderson Jr.; Town Clerk, Kim Jackson; Highway Super., Dan Hamilton.

Others present were: Richard Heard, Gretchen Hubbard, Evelyn Goodine, Joe Hargrave, John Walsh, Yolande Loucks, Eric Tyner, Connie and Ivan Smith, Frank Lysyczyn, Jan and Laurie Stowe, Harvey and Elizabeth Tremper, Stanley Apenowich, Eric and Elaine Barnes, Renant and Peggy Ravelingeen, Mrs. Vernon Tyner, Connie and Mike Dickson, Sharon Moss, Dennis and Sandra Crawford, Vincent and Rhonda Crawford, Richard Crawford, Richard Wightman, Mike Slayton, Wanda Young and Alexis, Jay Ewell, Mr. and Mrs. Slack, David Margeson, Joel Margeson, Jim Grace, Peter Gledhill, Mary Peharm (The Leader), Bob Clark (The Evening Tribune) Janet Kropp, John Clark, Rick Snavely, Sherry Hogan, Dorthea Stowe, Steve and Gail Stowe, Tom and Pam Bolton, Sheldon and Elizabeth Santacroce, William Warfe, Ernie Lathrop, Dennis Cleland, Walter Gronski, William Cartwright, Sandra Seager, Reynold Belanger, Allen Belanger, Vicki Olds, Chuck and Shelly Cagle, Todd Oliver, Bud Longwell, Dave McCarroll, Tim Hubbard, Dan and Karron Hubbard, Stephanie Manciocchi and Logan, Mike Babyak, Clair and Gail Hammond, Jeff and Denise Mitchell, George and Dawn Hoffman, Ronald Saltsman, Michele Copeland, Daniel towner, Julie Pietsch, Doris Kromer, Bill Brinkus, Charles and Aaron Alsheimer, Cathy Rouse-Nicholson, Stacy Shearer, James Burns, Theresa Prestridge, Barbara Wellington, Charlie Feihn, Rhodes Evarts, Dan Reppert, Shirley Edwards, Vicki Anderson, Bruce English, Pam Harmon and David Lannoye.

I apologize to anyone who did not get listed here as a visitor. It was stated to me that there were over 100 people that attended the meeting.

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

Motion by Councilwoman Hammond, seconded by Councilman Parsels accepting the minutes of the Dec. 19, 2007 minutes of the regular meeting. With the changes made that I had Mr. Feely there and he wasn't and also something that the Supervisor said and he stated he had interrupted to there is a notation in the minutes books. All in favor. Carried.

Motion by Councilman Heinemann, seconded by Councilman Parsels approving the following departmental reports for the month of Dec. 2007. All if favor. Carried.

Town Clerk; Animal Control; Zoning; Building Code

Motion by Councilwoman Hammond, seconded by Councilman Parsels authorizing to pay the abstract of bills. Except there was question about a bill for the calendars. All in favor. Carried.

Motion by Councilman Heinemann, seconded by Councilwoman Hammond accepting the minutes of the organizational meeting on Jan. 7, 2008. All in favor. Carried.

Report from John Walsh: John reported about the jail expansion being complete, on time and on budget. The county is receiving 1.3 million in revenue for keeping the inmates here as to spending $600,000.00 last year to house out inmates. Health Care Facility is coming along on time. There is a study being done to see what the different uses for the old health care facility can be used for, for the county. Preschool handicapped program is going through a rate adjustment. The Landfill will be accepting #1 plastic starting in early March.

Highway Super: Dan reported to the board that we had some heavy rain in Dec. and some washes needed to be fixed on some town roads. We have been doing some maintenance on the plow equipment. I call UPC about tractor trailers using VanAucker and Fairbrother roads to haul up the windmills, they are not using these roads. The vibrator is installed on the truck and working good.

Visitors: The following questions and concerns are for the Town of Avoca Taxpayers, Jan. 16, 2008 board meeting.

First and Foremost, by virtue of accepting our tax dollars as a salary the Supervisor and each Town Board Member have an obligation

to the Taxpayers. The taxpayers hereby request that the following questions be answered by the Supervisor and/or Town Board at tonight's meeting and that these questions and responses be part of the minutes of this meeting.

1. Who developed our current budget and who passed it?

Mr. Wellington responded by saying that Mr. Feely and Betty Mattison did the budget through various workshops. The board then passed it, the exact date I don't' have it right here.

2. Who filed the budget and on what date?

Mr. Wellington stated the date the budget was filed was Nov. 27, 2007.

3. Considering, that there is money unaccounted for and if a tax increase was necessary, how does the Supervisor and Board justify passing a budget which included pay raises for numerous positions that were already way about corresponding positions in surrounding towns and comparable size?

Mr. Wellington stated we checked with surrounding towns pay, the full time employees that had an increase in their health insurance, the pay raises were $2,000.00 maximum we didn't feel that poor judgment or poor records keeping for the last 6-7 years that the employees should be punished for it.

4. Did the Supervisor or any board member review the budget and/or question the pay raises and/or huge increase of 48.4%? If not, why not?

Mr. Wellington stated yes we did at these budget workshops we had a very bad problem with trying to raise taxes that high. Unfortunately Mr. Freely went to the accounting people and that, when it originally came back to us it was $14. And some cents that was their recommendation. After we changed money around to different accounts. Mr. Feely took it back to the accounting people and they came back with $10.59 that was their recommendation. We felt the numbers were not actual that not everything was where it should be, we also felt there was one account part town was escalating. They said we could not use that money for taxes that money had to stay in that account and could not be used for lowering taxes. We believed that was wrong, based on the fact that stuff should have been coming out of that account all these years. Dan wasn't taking nearly the stuff he should out of there, he didn't know. Mr. Wellington said that they said it's not allowable to keep that money and transfer it over there, what would have to been done is we would have to have gone back to the last 6- 7 years and try and find out what money should have come out of there and approach it that way taking money out of there and credited the tax payers. Mr. Feely was against using that. Someone from the audience asked Mr. Wellington about if they were going to put any money back into reserves and another part of the question I didn't get. Mr. Wellington said it should, providing spending stays way down and expenditures come it. I just spoke with Mr. Eaton about 3 hours before the meeting and asked just general what's your assessment and everything basically, he said he did not have all the figures for when the budget had to be done and his assessment is looking back now that we have all the figures and had more time to get them it probably could have survived with $1.00 to $1.25 increase and been okay. Our unexpended balance on the sheet of the budget was estimated at $301,000.00 actual as of the end of year unexpended balance is $402,000.00 that's $101,000.00 more than estimated at the beginning and right there is $100,000.00 but the problem we have, is everybody wants from the phone calls I have gotten is to bash the bookkeeper and the truth of the matter is we, everything is changed over to the computer. Mr. Wellington stated that she the bookkeeper could not even enter into the computer figures for 2007 until August the reason is she had to have everything else done before she, basically had to do 2004, 2005 and 2006 annual reports to find out what shape your town is in and these had not been done. Mr. Wellington went on to tell the public why in his opinion things weren't done yet on the computer because of the back annual reports that weren't done and my estimate is they should have never lowered taxes last year. We couldn't foresee the price of gasoline or diesel and heating fuel. Be honest with you the numbers they had when in on that budget, were numbers that they just made guesstimates on. It's not the people that are here now, not their fault they didn't' have the numbers, it's not they had to catch up three years of financial. Mr. Eaton and Betty had to go back; one check book hadn't been balanced in three years. Mr. Wellington said to the public that it was the pervious Supervisors fault for the problems that have arisen now. Mr. Gretchen Hubbard asked are the books up to date now and have monthly reports been filed since June? Mr. Wellington said he didn't want to tell you wrong I know they have been done, monthly balance. Mrs. Hubbard said that I know they haven't been done since June the month financial reports. Mr. Wellington said the report hasn't been done yet we haven't had a chance to close the books yet because she, Betty, has been doing all the other stuff we basically pulled her off everything else except for trying to deal with the budget and get everything figured out on the budget. Mrs. Hubbard asked again are they up to date now or are they six months in the rears? I can't give you exact, Betty's not here so I can't tell the exact when the report is we have all the abstracts all that stuff but I can't tell you. Mrs. Hubbard said she read today that another town has their report done. Chris said ours would be done if we didn't have to do, how many did we do this year, I think we finished off two if not three reports this year. We paid outside help to finish the reports. Mr. Wellington said that the reason we went with the outside firm is because the comptroller's office said we want checks and balances. When Mr. Feely brought this back from St. John and Baldwin Mr. Eaton said something isn't right he did not agree to the figures that he came back with something is out of place. So the board agreed to go with Mr. Eaton and pay him $10.00 an hour to figure if he could get the figures lowered so the taxes weren't going to be as high as St. John and Baldwin wanted and Mr. Eaton said he would donate some of this time to help. Mr. Dan Hubbard asked how long Mr. Anderson had been the Town Attorney, Mr. Anderson since early 70's how long has Mr. Eaton been involved in town politics and village politics how long has it been falling on deaf ears that you advised the board about what had happened with the reports being done. Mr. Hubbard went on to state about something that had happened years ago in the village budget, they found, the auditors found $1000,000.00 and that was over the ten percent that is allowed to stay in the budget and Village clerk didn't know that money was in there at that time. They took it and started to work on the fire hall, my feeling is that Mr. Anderson was village Attorney at that time and Mr. Eaton was Village Clerk at the time Nelson is starting to get involved in town politics and we are starting to have budget problems and money not being accounted for and we should ask for some resignations, and any body that is one the board when this is going on should stand up and resign and maybe we will have to take further steps. Mr. Wellington said we took him the budget this last year to have him double check it, obviously something is amiss that is what we want to find out. I would rather listen to someone who has twenty-twenty five years of experience in what the past Supervisor and just hear his input whether it is right or wrong we agree with it or not. I sat with Mr. Eaton and Mrs. Anderson we sat at the table trying to figure it out any problems that were on there we couldn't change it we don't have check books can't do this or that there was nothing can be done. I don't want to put all my trust into St. John and Baldwin. When they did our annual reports the only thing I disagree with is that the town has been running their accounts to low. Mr. Wellington said to the taxpayers that it is the previous Supervisors fault. Mrs. Gretchen Hubbard said Chris you have been there a year and a half when are you going to stop blaming the past administration and start taking responsibility on yourself, you had the last budget, Chris agreed he did have the last budget. Pam Harmon stood and spoke to the public that the annual reports did get done and Mr. Canale had come and he found where all the money was and what accounts it was in, there was no money missing from any account in the Town. Mrs. Harmon said you wouldn't be able to get a budget done if you didn't have the figures to begin with. Michelle Copeland stated that there are people in this town that are accountants and bookkeepers that would probably volunteer their time to help out to get this figured out. Mrs. Gail Stowe said there are no financial reports as of June she feels that if there are no financial reports done then how do you know where you stand as how much money you have left to spend. Chris said a lot of it was because it wasn't done and lot of stuff was in the wrong accounts. Gail said bottom line your board has no inclination as to where the money has gone, what accounts has it been coming out of and how is the account doing so how can you do budget if there is no financial reports from July through December are not done. Mr. Wellington said that is the chief reason we have Leann Wightman now as budget officer so she can come down every month or two and give us an account so we can know in May or June if we have a problem with accounts. Mrs. Stowe feels that the bookkeeper is not qualified to do this job she has been here for a year and half and if she doesn't get it by now she will not. Chris said on Betty's behalf yes she has done stuff wrong a lot of stuff wrong the only think I can say is hard to try an judge because Mr. Canale was going to show her things to do and he died, and I feel that the board this last year didn't let her go to St. John and Baldwin. Taxpayers asked who hired her, Chris stated it was Mr. Feely's suggestion that Mattison was the person he could trust for the position because at the time Mr. Feely was going to take over the position of Supervisor. Mr. Ivan Smith asked why wouldn't you hire an public accountant to do this and not someone that has no knowledge we are not putting mr. Eaton down we are holding you accountable for what has happened. Mr. Warfe asked are we good shape now or now. Chris said based on our unexpended balance as of Jan. 1, the reports aren't done up from June, Mr. Warfe said lets get them done and get on with it we can't keep going on like this Chris agreed I'm a taxpayer like you are and I was unhappy with the way stuff was going on back then, that's why I come to meetings and all that, that's the reason I wanted to do something about it. Mrs. Prestridge asked how many people show up at meetings. Chris said four of five. Mr. Ravelingeen asked why you don't come out shake our hands and let us taxpayers know who you are so we can get to know you. He also asked about the wages of some of the employees from the papers that were handed out he felt they were below minimum wage. He asked how many of these people are full time; he felt some of the wages were high for a down this size, Chris said that they compared surrounding town's wages, It's not up to me for come around to your door. A taxpayer asked who got put to full time. Chris stated for 2007, Betty Mattison got concerted to full time and got benefits and Shawn Wellington back in the court got full time and benefits.

5. How can the Supervisor and the Board justify the new York City trip for the Supervisor and his wife and the Town Attorney at a cost of $3,700.00 when the same information is available locally for much less?

Mr. Chuck Cagle asked how can you justify spending $3,700.00 for training, you could have saved some money by going some place closer for training.

Mr. Wellington said that one of the biggest things when I first came on is talking about Supervisors going different meeting other meeting other town have and stuff like that and one of the things they recommended to do was to go to NYC that's where the State comptroller are, that's by far the biggest meeting every year. Karl has been our delegate for 15 years. I was told that is the first think I should do, to go down to that meeting, it's two and half full days of meeting nothing else around here can come close to that. The reason my wife went is because for the past, five, eight, ten years the senior court clerk always went down there and to the meeting because they have to have so many credits. This last year because our town went to computers with tickets and things my wife is the one that does most of the computer stuff senior court clerk came to me and said rather than me go down there take her because that will also decrease the towns expenses and go down together and got only one motel so the expense rather than Barb go down it saved probably $1,000.00 to $1,100.00 and since stuff had to do with computers Shawn could go instead of her. My wife has been there thirteen years.

6. Why are some "minutes" missing and some completely incorrect from the two most recent board meetings? Specifically one audience member's comments concerning "babysitting" in the Town Office and another audience member's comments of pornography being viewed on at least one computer in the Town Building.

Mr. Wellington said to the public that I know Kim does the minutes and her minutes are just paraphrases of the meetings. Someone asked don't you approve them. Ask her the reason why the minutes aren't done. The Clerk, Kim Jackson stood and answered to the public and explained that my minutes are not verbatim, my minutes are town records, there are things stated in my minutes that are on recorded tapes any one that is interested can come to my office any time and listen to those tapes, if I don't get someone speaking loud enough on this tape I can't add words to peoples mouths to put in what I want to put. The verbatim is town records as to what goes on in a town meeting. I try to highlight on some of the things that are brought up, like the pornography, that was an issue that was brought up and Mr. Wellington knows very well about that and it hasn't been handled correctly, and that is not up to me to put that in my minutes. Mr. Wellington went on to talk about the pornography issue and stated whose computer is was viewed on and what office.

7. Have all the board members or the Supervisor gone through the proper training so that they can effectively represent the taxpayers who pay their salaries? Are all other employees and appointees properly trained for their respective job so that the taxpayers are getting their money's worth?

Mr. Wellington, most of these board members here now they haven't even had the training, they haven't had the classes, and they haven't even started yet. They have been here six months, 6-8 months if I had to guess. I've gone to Corning Community College. Mrs. Gretchen Hubbard said in the Courier that Prattsburgh advised their board to go to training now, haven't you received an advisory of that, Mr. Wellington, that was put out and everything, Mrs. Hubbard asked why didn't you tell them. Mr. Chuck Cagle asked how could you justify that much money. Mr. Wellington said that was for three people. Someone said that was just a vacation. Mr. Wellington said that you have to pay for classes and pay for parking he tried to explain how expensive the parking was. Mr. Cagle said you could have saved money if you went some place closer. Mr. Saltsman asked we vote on a school budget why don't we vote on a Town budget. I believe I can't tell you the leagal right, I think that is why we have the public hearing to get input. Mr. Anderson said. that the law doesn't allow that. Someone asked how do you know that there is an opening on the board. Mr. Wellington said that it is unfair that one person has theh input to get people on the board that was mr. Feely's suggestion of the last few people that are on the board. Mr. Wellington said he feels that Mr. Feely is not coming back; he said he feels that it should be posted in the shopper and the boards at the post office. Who makes the final decision to put someone on the board? Mr. Wellington said it depends on what time of year say in March it would be up to the board if not it is up to election. He went on to tell the public about when he first ran to get on the board. The last position was the Assessor Clerk we had about 6 applications. I gave them to Gary Calkins and he made the decision who to hire. Mr. Charles Alsheimer is there any procedure manuals so the board can look through and to see what to do, to file things on time and other things that need to be done on time. There is a turn over on the board. This is a business, an dnot clear who is in charge of the business here, whoever is in charge the annual report has to be done and filed. Is there a financial report placed in the hands of the board members each month? If it is not done and not given to them who is responsible to get it done? Karl said it was the board's responsibility. Mr. Alsheimer asked who theChairman of the Board is. Mr. Anderson stated the Supervisor is. Mr. Anderson went on to tell the public he was notified of the reports not being done so he advised the board he went on to explain to the public what he felt had happened during the budget process this year. Mr. Ivan Smith asked do you Mr. Anderson represent the Town Taxpayers or the Town Board or both. Mr. Anderson, I do not represent the public or the taxpayers, I advise the board. Mr. Gronski asked if you are representing the board how did you not verify that the reports were done. By my opinion you are overpaid for what you do. Mr. Warfe, Ladies and gentlemand of the board you have a lot of unhappy campers here as taxpayers and since you work fo us lets do something about it. Mr. Smith, asked if you find something that is illegal what is your responsibility? Mr. Anderson, I report to the board, so they need to do something about it. Mr. Dan Hubbard, if you find any wrong doing, is it attorney client privilage to keep it quite? Mr. Anderson, as far as I go I will suggest and offer legal advice to the board. Mr. Ivan Smith, What do you plan on doing with some of these issues, what are your intentions on taking care of these matters as far as the bookkeeper, are you keeping her if she is not competent? Do you i ntend to keep people that are not qualified? Chris, that is more of the stuff we done as far as making sure all the stuff was signed, taht is why we hired Leann as budget officer and what we decided to do is have Leann be budget officer and over see Betty and see what, does Betty know what she is doing or is it because things were so screwed up, we can give her a fare shake does she think she can do the job or was it things were so screwed up that, that is what hampered her, perfect example I went to see Leann about 2-3 weeks ago or so we went over stuff, what accounts had been used and could be used all of this stuff is accountant, basically the blame is there, I wanted to know hod did you screw this up, how did this money get screwed up the money had been growing for years, went over to Dan and went over the stuff, fas diesel, it wasn't on his sheet to go there I can't blame it on him he didn't know where to put it. Chris asked does anyone have any suggestions as to who to hire. Mr. Gretchen Hubbard said that Lynn Wallace's father is keeping the books for different towns why don't you contact him to se if he will do the books and what the cost would be. The biggest problem with the budget I had and the tax rate that Mr. Feely wanted, was when we went through all that screwed up through the year every time he would make a motion to spend something or do something on small amount everything was right there and we would talk to him, Mr. Feely had been here 25-30 years, Doug has been on the board 5-6 years, my first question to them is wait a minute if the spending the amount to be raised by taxes jumped from what it averaged before which was about $360,000.00 a year to $740,000.00 a year what happened did you do anything different this year than any other year was there anything different purchases or anything, no. Every year we had purchases, every couple years we bought new trucks, this, that everything, no. These guys been here 20 years six seven years so how could it have been done. That's what I do blame it on this year when everything finally caught up as far as all the paper work and a lot of the stuff was entered wrong and done wrong and like I say I can't rag on Dan it was the information he had. These are expenses we will be looking at over the next couple years. the library, I know I get a lot of calls and comments on that the library has moved over to the new building, we are going to have to do some work on the library in the next couple years you people are going to have to let us know what, I get ragged on from both ends we give them too much we don't give them enough. This building we are in the town building we are in I was flabbergasted when I found out we pay $15,000.00 a year rent plus we pay taxes. It was presented to the Town for $3,000.00 for rent about ten years ago I couldn't believe it Kenny showed me the proof. Someone mentioned that there were renovations that needed to be made back then and the board decided they didn't want to do that then. Chris said there are decisions to be made about the building. Mr. Smith asked why don't you buy the building for a dollar and sell it. Ron Saltsmaan, I was at the meeting when the board decided not to purchase the building. The estimate right now for a building is $770,000.00, and to redo that one estimated to be $300,000.00 to $400,000.00. Something has to be done. It was discussed six months ago and the public decided not to do that. Mr. Wellington asked from the public of who to fill the vacancy with, I don't believe Mr. Feely is coming back. I figure you people should hav eto say as to who should replace Mr. Feely. Mr. Bill Brinkus asked, is there any way in the future that USDA will force the town to have a structure built for sand and salt. mr. Wellington said yes. Dan said that total cost from the last report was $220,000.00. He has applied for grants for the last two years and they have been turned down. Dan said he hopes he will get a grant to help cover the cost, which would probably be about 50/50 grang and until they absolutely tell us we have to have that. Mr. Brinkus also asked about the pornography, can be downloaded from the computer and put to an end. Mr. Wellington said he thought that it shouldn't be brought out into public, it should be done privately. He talked to Mr. Tyner, that should be done privately and if it is true then yes by all means, just because someone else said they saw is. I don't think it should be brought out into public. One of the things we just dealt with, we had hidden cameras installed in some of the offices at work, not hidden anymore. That was done by Mr. Tyner and myself after one of the last meetings. We heard about some stuff and that people going into offices of some of teh employees most of the employees down there had told me someone had gotten into their stuff and had been on their computer, that's how it transpired. Crystal Laverty said that someone had been on my computer

Mr. Saxton, Mrs. Laverty, the court clerk and Leann said, look all in the last two days. Someone had gotten in here at night and messed with our stuff. Then the court clerk brought up about changing the locks, it had been awhile since they had been changed. Mr. Ivan Smith, how long are you going to continue to use unqualified people? Are you going to replace them? What time frame are you going to give to do something about the incompetent people there? Mr. Wellington, If I had to give a time line, that's why we have Leann checking. She is in the same building, and is very experienced with that software. The software we use is the same software that the village uses and that's the biggest part of the job. So what we talked about the personnel in the last two weeks that's what was brought up and it was decided that we put Leann over there and give us an assessment, this lady know what she is doing or do we have to hire someone else. She said it might take her a month or two to get everything figured out, to get all caught up and thing is if we get rid of someone now we would have to put someone else in there and they would have to figure out what that person did and start that would just set stuff back. Mrs. Sandra Crawford asked why you don't' give a 6-month probation period. And why is she, Betty, has been there a year and a half now it has taken her so long now to figure out finances they you need to get rid of them and get someone in that knows what they are doing. Mr. Wellington, but in that time, well that's not a fair assessment to figure out what she had to learn and what she didn't learn and what was screwed up and what wasn't screwed up. January is her first fiscal year so as of two weeks ago this is her first fiscal year that she would have to learn everything and yea after her first fiscal year then that is when to decide. I do think Leann can give us a fair assessment on what we can do. Mr. Ivan Smith, Mr. Eaton is not a qualified CPA. Mr. Wellington, he is just another opinion of what went wrong with the budget. He came back and said all the figures aren't right. The numbers weren't adding up we didn't spend that much so how can the taxes go up that much. Mr. Smith asked that Mr. Feely's name has some up many times and he recommended a pay cut across the board of 10%. Mr. Wellington, said that Mr. Feely recommended that was on of his recommendations but he four or five, what he recommended a 10% pay cut across the board, but with the taxes at that time going to $10.50 roughly per thousand. One of the other recommendations before that, that the employees, not all the employees the highway workers always got their raises every year that is in the contract for five years. Then the other proposal was that certain couple of individual employees and paying 50% of their health insurance to change stuff around, then he said lets give three, now mind you that is with the taxes higher that $7.50 they 2-4 dollars higher, first lets give three employees raises, lets give two employees raises, lets give one employee a raise and each time it would be like what if we did it like this and then we would go into the back office and do it on the computer and right then on his program and come back and say well if you give one employee a raise it will go to eleven dollars so if we cut people by ten percent it would go to $10.50. Mr. Smith, so how did you give salary raises to most people and only raise the taxes about $2.00 per thousand and Mr. Feely wanted a 10% decrease and still raise taxes to $10.00 per thousand, how can that be possible? Because you think people are upset now at $7.50 per thousand, what would it be if they went to $10.50 per thousand? One of the things I wanted to see is how far out of whack our accounts are. Mr. Wellington, because they should have been raised before they were to low for long I went and checked with our towns and they are right inline with other towns. If you don't pay enough how do you get someone to work, that's what I do I check other towns pay. Mrs. Gail Stowe, bottom line this is where we are at, you need to put steps in place to, so this doesn't happen again, I can't say enough you need to be aware of what your finances are, you as a board need to get the financial information and get it from someone that can provide that information. You need that information every month. Betty needs to be put on probation because you as the board do not have a clue as to what your expenditures are they are not done from July thru December.

Motion by Councilwoman Hammond, seconded by Councilman Heinemann that Chris has the ability before the next meeting to go to St. John and Baldwin's or whatever to and find an accounting company to decide to go with and we can afford.

Councilwoman Hammond said that she would like to see several candidates not just one or two and bring to the next meeting that are suitable. All in favor. Carried.

Mr. Wellington read the report for the Assessor, this is on file in the my office if anyone is interested.

Mr. James Burns, I think that is one of our problems this year, our assessments went up so much and then you raised the taxes 48% people can't afford three thousand dollar increase in taxes, people are at their end between gas and everything else. Mr. Wellington, people up here are seeing both. Mr. Burns, but we can do something about it. Mrs. Gretchen Hubbard, you did this to us. Mrs. Wellington said that he gets calls the Highways guys aren't doing anything and some are saying they aren't doing enough. Everything we spend is going to be criticized in one way. Mr. Burns said something is wrong. Mr. Steve Stowe said that Chris you are elected to take the bull crape and answer to the public you need to do something about it. All we wanted were answers not finger pointing and all you did was finger point tonight, and you mentioned names about things that should have not been mentioned in a public meeting. Mr. Dan Reppert, said he would like to thank the board for doing a good job and convey to they board that there is no illegal intent but just through ignorance that is why we are at the point we are at with the taxes being raised.

Motion by Councilman Parsels, seconded by Councilman Heinemann approving to adjourn at 9:50 p.m. All in favor. Carried.