The Regular Meeting of the Town
of Wellsville, County of Allegany and the State of New York was held at the Wellsville
Municipal Airport 2600 Tarantine Blvd on the 10th day of June 2020.
Present: Shad Alsworth, Supervisor
Patricia
Graves, Council Member
Jesse Case, Council
Member
Mike Miller, Council
Member
Dean Arnold, Highway
Superintendent
Willis Shutt, Airport Manager
Michelle Dunbar, Bookkeeper
Rob Marsh, Code Enforcement
Absent:
Bill Fish, Council Member, Michael
Finn, Town Attorney
Others Present: Mike Roeske, Village Trustee; Chris Martelle, Doug Majot, Wesley
Fortney
Alsworth opened the meeting at 7:00 pm and led the pledge to the Flag.
Minutes: Accepted as written with a motion made by Case,
seconded by Graves. Carried.
Community Comment: Wesley Fortney, member of the planning
board wanted to address the board in regards to the Solar Farm project on Lewis
Road that was discussed at the planning board meeting. He stated that our
county is already provided with green energy from Niagara Falls Power Station.
He stated he is concerned with overburdening our local community/county and
this would not be a fiscal reality. He also stated that the company proposing
to bring the solar farm here is backed by Chinese funding. He personally disagrees
with Americans supporting Chinese Companies with tax dollars. He stated that the
construction services will be coming from outside the county. He stated this project will provide little to
no long-term job opportunity for any locals.
Financial Report: Accepted as
presented
Departmental
Reports: Accepted as presented
SOLAR LAW/SOLAR PERMIT:
Alsworth wanted to start out by saying
thank you to all of the planning board and Craig Clark from the IDA for all their
hard work in regards to the Solar Farm discussions.
Council Member, Mike Miller pointed out that the town does not currently
have in place a Solar Law and/or Permit. After a lengthy discussion, it was
decided by the board members that a local law be put into place. There will have
to be a public hearing with 30-day notice given.
A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Case
to send the local law to the town Attorney for review, adding into the local
law that Town be the lead agent on any PILOT agreements and lead agent on all SEQR’S.
Motion was Carried.
Moved that the following resolution be adopted:
The Town of Wellsville agrees to be the
lead agent on current solar project from Omni Navitas-Solar Fields: Wellsville,
NY. Project location at 2495 Lewis Road Wellsville, NY.
Such motion was seconded by Councilman Case
and following a discussion of the proposal, the Supervisor instructed the Town
Clerk to call the roll of the Town Board, which was done with the following
results:
Supervisor Alsworth Aye
Councilman Case Aye
Councilman Miller Aye
Councilman Graves Abstained
Councilman Fish Absent
A motion was made by Miller, seconded by Case
by to submit Part 1 of SEQR for project at 2495 Lewis Road Wellsville, NY 14895
to the Allegany County Planning Board for comment. Motion was carried.
A motion was made by Alsworth, seconded by
Case to create a “Solar SEQR Committee” to work on these projects. Appointing Jesse
Case as Chair and Mike Miller as second seat. Motion was carried.
PARK: Dean Arnold stated
the park personnel have started working again for the year. They have managed to get the park and all the
ball fields mowed and everything is in good shape. Also, stated that daily sanitation will be put in place. JJH
Power Wash came in and power washed
and sanitized everything to prepare for reopening.
A
motion was made by Alsworth; seconded by Graves for the bathrooms and playgrounds
to be sanitized daily. Motion
was carried with one objection from Miller.
Emergency
Management Coordinator, Christ Martelle said he had no issues to report.
AIRPORT:
A. A
motion was made by Miller; seconded by Case to purchase a zero turn Exmark
96 in Diesel Mower using half of the $30,000 stimulus money to cover a portion
of this purchase. Willis Shutt is to notify the town board via email if there
is any change in model for approval. Motion was Carried.
A motion was
made by Miller; seconded by Case to take $4,075.00 from NY -01-0706-0004 Equipment
Reserve for a portion of the Exmark Zero turn mower, monies from selling the old
snowblower.
A Motion was
made by Miller; seconded by Case to use money from the County. This money was
originally planned for runway project and a tow bar, which is no longer needed because
the runway project is now covered at 100%. Monies to be taken from NY-01-0706-0046.
Motion was carried.
B. Miller
stated that Willis Shutt will be getting quotes to add some lighting outside the
buildings.
C. A
motion was made by Miller, seconded by Graves to add Doug Majot to the Airport
Committee. Motion was carried.
Transfer Clarifications:
A. A
motion was made by Michelle Dunbar on behalf of Alsworth, Seconded by
Graves to do an interfund transfer from NY-07-0706-0046 A to EA Reserve for
$100,133.22.
B. A
motion was made by Michelle Dunbar on behalf of Alsworth, Seconded by Graves
to close Cemetery Reserve Acct 1291996 and move monies into NY-0706-0008
C. A
motion was made by Michelle Dunbar on behalf of Alsworth, Seconded by Graves
to close Airport Construction Acct 1260738 and move into A391.
D. A
motion was made Alsworth; seconded by Case to create a line item in park
for any covid-19 purchases. Carried
FIRE PROTECTION POICY: Supervisor Alsworth stated a fire contract
has been reached between the Town and Village. He also wanted to thank everyone
for all their hard work and a special thank you to Ed Fahs and Jeff Monroe for
making this happen. This contract supersedes any other laws/contracts on the
books. Clearly states there are town accounts/village accounts, as well as town
assets/village assets that exist within the “Wellsville Fire
Department.”
VILLAGE: Water Front Revitalization Grant
A motion was made by Alsworth; seconded by Case to pay
the $5,000 invoice sent from the village for town contributions to the water
front project. Motion was not denied due to lack of information. With further
discussion inquiring more about how this project/grant is moving forward. The
board asked Mike Roeske, Village Liaison to look into this and report back.
Committee:
Graves reported that she had contacted Mr. Barry and Mr. Stevens on the progress
on the Proctor road property transfer and new building. She received a return
email from Mr. Barry stating he has moved and is no longer involved in the
project. Mr. Joyce will be the new point of contact for this project with the
Education Foundation.
ADJOURN: Case /Graves / Carried
Respectfully Submitted,
Danielle Osgood
Town Clerk
