RANDOLPH As part of the process for municipalities to make purchases, officials receive quotes or bids on items needed and accept the lowest bid. In the case of a much needed fire hydrant, the board approved a $1,500 hydrant purchase after accepting the lowest bid from EJ Prescott Co.
When Superintendent of Water and Sewer, Norm Moon, received the hydrant, he also received an unexpected shock; a bill for $1,850. Knowing the board had approved the purchase at the lower price, Moon contacted the company to find out what the cause of the discrepancy was, as the salesman had quoted him the lower price.
Moon knew after looking over the bill that something was not right. He contacted the company and they informed Moon that the price was $1850 and they would not honor the bid. Since the price was no longer the lowest bid, he returned the hydrant to the company and got approval from the board to accept the next highest bid of $1,600. Moon also reported that the wastewater and water departments are doing fine. The clarifier was cleaned and inspected.
Clerk Lori Milliman reported that fire inspections were done at various locations in the village and that a violation was sent to 274 Main St. from code enforcement.
The board discussed the comprehensive plan that is in its second draft. Clerk Milliman reported that the zoning law for all three municipalities is complete and a public hearing will be announced soon. On Jan. 5 at 7 p.m., she stated that the dissolution committee will meet with the members from the Town of Conewango and anyone who wishes may attend. A resolution was adopted to put the dissolution vote on the ballot in the March elections. Milliman stated that the biggest thing now is the debt; which without would show a 'huge' decrease in the tax rate. She stated that the committee has been doing a good job on drafting the plan.
Trustee John Congdon reported that he attempted to contact WARN to find out what municipalities participate in district five. He stated that he hadn't heard anything back from anyone. Moon clarified details of the plan to board members; stating that anytime they are called, they can decline assistance. Moon also informed board members that assistance would not come unless they were notified. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose, stated Deputy Mayor Scott Lampson. The board approved a motion to participate in the WARN plan. They then appointed Norm Moon as the Primary Contact Person and Jay Smith as the backup.
Milliman stated that the audit for 2008-09 needed to be completed for the village. She stated the auditor's feelings that the board needs to take more time in going over the books and look into them a little deeper than the checklist.
Milliman stated that Quality Markets and Lake County Dairy will both have a change of ownership. She reported some unpaid water and sewer bills that will be turned over to the village attorney. She also relayed that neither locations have the garbage stickers any longer but they can be purchased directly from the clerk's office.
Trustee Congdon informed board members that after the recent heavy winds, some glass has been blown out of the windows of the Dimension plant and on to the streets. Congdon inquired as to who was liable. Clerk Milliman stated that the building is still owned by Gary Peterson and the code enforcement officer should be called in such situations.
The cost effectiveness of contracting out for garbage pickup as opposed to pulling highway crew from their duties to pick up garbage was brought up by trustee Congdon. Clerk Milliman asked that he check into it and see what the cost would be.
Milliman reported that she had been contacted by the county about selling dump tickets. Previously available at Lake County Dairy and Quality Markets, that option is no longer available due to the loss of those businesses. Milliman stated that it wasn't really something that she wanted added to her list of duties, but it is a service that they should offer. She was informed that the village would receive a 6 percent of the sales of the dump tickets to the transfer station. When the two aforementioned businesses are taken over and operational again, the sale of dump tickets can resume at their locations. The board approved a motion to sell dump tickets temporarily, and if the store locations return to business, the county can contact them to resume the sale of the tickets.
Following an executive session, the deputy mayor stated that the board would be working on job descriptions, policies and procedures for payroll and part time employees, and policies and procedures for electronic devices in the work place as suggested by the state audit.
The board will convene again on Jan. 25, due to the holiday.