Minutes of the regular meeting of the Brant Town Board at 8:00 PM, at the Brant Town Hall, held February 08, 2005, at 1294 Brant-N. Collins Rd, Brant, New York.

There were present:

Supervisor Samuel J. Chiavetta

Councilman Martin Rosiek

Councilman Eugene Czyz             

Councilman John Arrigo      

Councilman Leonard Pero                      

Attorney John Grennell                          

Recording Secretary: Thea Ells Town Clerk

Also present were:

Joseph Gardyjan, Planning Board Chairman                   Lee Brunelli, resident        

George Cordia, Village Trustee                                    Joseph Giambrone, Highway Super.

Charles Arrigo, resident                                             Dolly Dion, resident

Alice Escott, Town Crier                                             Ed Dion, resident

Sherry Hughes, The Sun                                            Thomas Bowman Jr., Ombudsman Comm.

          The meeting was opened with a pledge to the flag led by Supervisor Chiavetta.

Councilman Rosiek made a motion; duly seconded by Councilman Arrigo to accept the record of the Town Board work sessions from November 1, 2004, November 23, 2004, December 28, 2004, the record of the work session on January 27, 2005 as submitted by the Town Clerk. 5 ayes

 MOTION CARRIED: RECORD OF WORK SESSIONS APPROVED

           Supervisor Chiavetta made a motion, which was duly seconded by Councilman Rosiek to accept the minutes of the January 4^th , 2005 Organizational Meeting with the noted addition on page 3 as submitted by the Town Clerk. 5 ayes

MOTION CARRIED: JANUARY 4^TH ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING MINUTES APPROVED

          Councilman Rosiek made a motion, which was duly seconded by Councilman Czyz to accept the minutes of the January 11^th, 2005 Regular Meeting with the noted correction on page 17 as submitted by the Town Clerk. 5 ayes

MOTION CARRIED: REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FROM JANUARY 11 APPROVED

A Motion was made by Councilman Czyz, duly seconded by Councilman Rosiek to accept the Supervisors Financial report for the month of December as submitted. 5 ayes

 MOTION CARRIED: SUPERVISOR FINANCIAL REPORT ACCEPTED

A motion was made by Councilman Rosiek and duly seconded by Councilman Pero to accept the Town Clerk’s Financial Reconciliation Report for December 2004 and January 2005 and a 2004 Annual Report. 5 ayes

MOTION CARRIED: TOWN CLERK FINANCIAL RECONCILIATION REPORTS ACCEPTED

 A motion was made by Councilman Rosiek and duly seconded by Councilman Czyz to accept the Justice Court Clerk’s Financial Reconciliation Report for January 2005. 5 ayes

 MOTION CARRIED: COURT CLERK FINANCIAL RECONCILIATION REPORT ACCEPTED

Code Enforcement Officer Fred Ball Jr. submitted his January 2005 report previously to the Board as he is on vacation.  A motion was made by Supervisor Chiavetta and duly seconded by Councilman Czyz to accept the report. 5 ayes    

MOTION CARRIED: CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT APPROVED

 No Dog Control Officer’s report submitted for the month of January, as the Dog Control Officer is out of Town.

            A motion was made by Councilman Arrigo, duly seconded by Supervisor Chiavetta to accept the Police Chiefs report as submitted by Chief Wayne Falk and read by Supervisor Chiavetta for the month of January. 5 ayes

MOTION CARRIED: POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT ACCEPTED

No Planning Board report submitted for the month of January.

          Supervisor Chiavetta advised the Board Members and visitors that some figures were presented at the Southwest Erie County Regional Water Plan January 25^th informational meeting which was at the Community Building, and that the Town Board would need to informally join in the plan now, this will lead to the next step of securing funding from various state and federal agencies. Supervisor Chiavetta brought forward a motion for the Town of Brant to participate in a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southwest Erie County Regional Water Plan to be included in an Intended Use Plan to seek funding for the plan. Discussion and explanation followed among the board members that it would be the logical step to join in the plan as the project may be downsized but not enlarged and that the people in the planned area will be able to vote on the final decision to join in the plan. Councilman Czyz duly seconded the motion. 5 ayes

MOTION CARRIED: INTENDED USE PLAN APPROVED

Supervisor Chiavetta opened the Acknowledgement of Visitors if anyone present had any questions or concerns that are not listed on the agenda.

George Cordia thanked the Board on behalf of the Village for supporting the Community Development Block Grant request for the Playground which has been approved for $90,000.00, and would like the Town Board to send a representative to the Planning Meetings for the playground. Councilman Czyz volunteered to attend one meeting night as they are the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.

Ed Dion Representing the Brant- Farnham Senior Organization thanked the Board for the increase in the funding for their programs.

Councilman Pero duly brought forward a resolution for the Board to consider joining with Evans, Eden, North Collins, Angola, and Farnham to apply for a Collaborative Quality Community Grant Application for improving Economic Prosperity in our communities as follows:

Whereas,     The Town Board of the Town of Brant fully supports initiatives to enhance area

                   Wide environmental protection, economic prosperity and community well being,

                   and

Whereas,     the communities in Southwestern Erie County realize the need to identify and

promote the various resources and assets of the area, and

Whereas,     there is currently no plans or initiatives to attract visitors and/or tourists to our

                   communities as a coalition of municipalities with a common plan; and

Whereas,     the Towns of Brant, Evans, Eden and North Collins as well as the Villages of

Angola, Farnham and North Collins have expressed a willingness to promote

tourism to enhance the environment, economic prosperity and community well

being of these municipalities;

NOW BE IT

RESOLVED:   that Samuel J. Chiavetta, as Supervisor of the Town of Brant is hereby authorized

and directed to support an application filed by the Town of Evans on our behalf to

the New York State Quality Communities Program to obtain financial assistance

to develop a plan and implementation strategy which will enhance the

environment, economic prosperity and community well being of the Town of

Brant and upon approval of said grant request, will enter into an agreement with

New York State as well as the collaborating communities to develop said plans

for identifying and promoting the assets of our region, and

BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED:   that this Town Board endorses the commitment of the communities identified in

this resolution to continue to meet on a regular basis for the purpose of discussing

other ways that we can work together for the betterment of our shared region.

Supervisor Chiavetta duly seconded the adoption of the resolution.

A roll call vote was taken:

Councilman Pero                           AYE

Supervisor Chiavetta                     AYE

Councilman Rosiek                        AYE

Councilman Czyz                           AYE

Councilman Arrigo                        AYE                                

The vote being 5 Ayes and 0 Nays 

RESOLUTION ADOPTED: COLLABORATIVE QUALITY COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION RESOLUTION 020805- #1

Councilman Pero and Supervisor Chiavetta mentioned some supporting ideas for seeking funding which would help visitors find access from the New York State Thruway and Route 5 & Routes 20. This would promote tourism and promote access to areas of interest and help visitors find their way and help endorse interest in historic sites.

Councilman Czyz asked for a resolution to approve the year End Budget changes as recommended and attached per the Town Accountant, Councilman Rosiek seconded the motion.

A roll call vote was taken:

Councilman Czyz                     AYE

Councilman Rosiek                   AYE

Supervisor Chiavetta                AYE

Councilman Arrigo                    AYE

Councilman Pero                      AYE

The vote being 5 Ayes and 0 Nays 

RESOLUTION ADOPTED: BUDGET MODIFICATIONS RESOLUTION 020805- #2 ADOPTED

Councilman Czyz made a motion for a Resolution to establish a Tax Petty Cash Fund for 2004 Property Tax Collection in the amount of $200.00, to be closed at the end of collection, and that Property Tax overpayments of .49 cents or less be turned over to the Supervisor, at the close of collection, Supervisor Chiavetta seconded the motion 5 ayes  

RESOLUTION ADOPTED: TAX PETTY CASH ESTAB/LESS.49 TO SUPERVISOR 020805-#3

Supervisor Chiavetta made a motion to advertise a request for bid proposals to be opened at the next regular meeting on March 8^th at 8:30 PM for the Town of Brant Grounds Maintenance, Councilman Czyz seconded the motion.  5 ayes

MOTION CARRIED: ADVERTISE FOR BID PROPOSALS FOR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

Councilman Czyz made a motion to approve the purchase of a new Patrol Vehicle as budgeted in the 2005 Budget.   Councilman Rosiek seconded the motion. 5 ayes

MOTION CARRIED: PURCHASE NEW PATROL VEHICLE

            Councilman Czyz made a motion to have a Public Hearing at the next regular meeting on March 8^th at 8:15 PM for Proposed Local Law #1 re: Adult Use and Entertainment Establishments and Supervisor Chiavetta seconded the motion. 5 ayes

MOTION CARRIED: PUBLIC HEARING SET LOCAL LAW #1 2005 MARCH 8, 8:15 PM   

          Councilman Czyz made a motion to authorize Attorney John Grennell to obtain reports from the Engineer, Code Enforcement, and or Zoning, and a possible study of health and safety requirements. Supervisor Chiavetta seconded the motion. 5 ayes

MOTION CARRIED: AUTHORIZE ATTORNEY TO OBTAIN REPORTS FOR HEARING

 Supervisor Chiavetta acknowledged receipt of a letter of congratulations from County Executive Joel Giambra in regards to Brant: Business District – Streetscape/Four Corners- $33,750.00, Farnham: Village Park/Playground Project - $90,000.00 and Rural Transit: $204,651.00 award of grants through Erie County Consortium Community Development Block Grant Program which was approved earlier.

          Supervisor Chiavetta acknowledged receipt of letters from: Adelphia Cable showing rate increases, and a letter from Erie County Environment and Planning advising members of a change in our contact person who is now Adam Zaklakowski.

Supervisor Chiavetta read the following Proclamation which was presented to Brant Angola Furniture in Honor of being the recipient for the 2004 Business Award at the Evans Brant Chamber of Commerce Annual Presidents Dinner on February 26, 2005.

WHEREAS, BRANT-ANGOLA FURNITURE, INC. is owned and operated by Geraldine Jacobs and this year proudly celebrates her 50^th year in business and

WHEREAS, Brant-Angola Furniture is a recipient of the Evans-Brant Chamber of Commerce Business Award for 2004 and

WHEREAS, Brant-Angola Furniture will be bestowed this award at the Chamber’s President’s Award Dinner on Saturday, February 26^th, 2005 and

WHEREAS, the Town of Brant wishes to congratulate Brant-Angola Furniture on its success as a renowned business in the Town and

WHEREAS, the Town of Brant wishes to congratulate Brant-Angola Furniture for the Honor of being the recipient of Chamber’s Business Award for 2004.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, I, SAMUEL J. CHIAVETTA, JR., SUPERVISOR of the Town of Brant wishes to Congratulate Geraldine Jacobs and Brant –Angola Furniture for operating a great business for the last 50 years.

IN WITNESS WHEROF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Town of Brant this 28^th day of January, 2005.

Supervisor Chiavetta announced the Association of Erie County Governments monthly meeting is being held on Thursday February 24, 2005 at Michaels in Hamburg.

Councilman Rosiek made mention that Supervisor Chiavetta is serving as President of the Association of Erie County Governments this year. 

            There was an announcement that the Association of Erie County Governments is planning a lobbying trip to Albany to talk with our Assembly people and State Senators.

          Items for the Newsletter need to be submitted as soon as possible.

Supervisor Chiavetta announced that the next Town Board meeting is scheduled for March 8^th, 2005 at 8:00pm.

A motion was made by Councilman Rosiek and seconded by Councilman Czyz that the abstract as shown be approved for payment. 5 ayes       

Abstract:       2 for the year 2005

Abstract 14 for 2005

MOTION CARRIED: ABSTRACTS APPROVED FOR PAYMENT

          The Board agreed to have the next work session on Tuesday March 1^st, 2005 at 7 PM at the Town Hall.

            Councilman Czyz, seconded by Supervisor Chiavetta made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. 5 ayes

MOTION CARRIED: MEETING ADJOURNED

Respectfully submitted,

Thea A. Ells, Brant Town Clerk

APPROVED BY:

SUPERVISOR CHIAVETTA: ___________________________________

COUNCILMAN ROSIEK:                                                                             __

COUNCILMAN CZYZ:             ___________________________________                                                                     

COUNCILMAN ARRIGO:     ____________________________________

COUNCILMAN PERO:                                                                   __________