The Odessa File: Government of Schuyler County

Pictured below, from left: Mayor Betsy Austin and Village Board trustees Keith Pierce, Peggy Tomassi, Rita Decker and Robin Thoman.

Bids for 2008 Mowing and Trimming season of Laurel Hill Cemetery located at the intersection of Schuyler County Routes 10 and 6, Odessa, are being accepted. Proof of insurance is required. Send bids to: Laurel Hill Cemetery c/o Kristi Pierce 319 Speedway Odessa NY 14869. Any question, please call 607-594-2628 and speak to David Bailey. Bids must be received by April 18, 2008.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, the Village of Odessa is accepting applications for the position of Summer Youth Supervisor for the Summer Recreation Program held at the Odessa-Montour School District for a period of five weeks. Duties included, but not limited to, all aspects of hiring, supervising and evaluating Summer Student Aides. Assignment of daily tasks, record keeping of work done by aides; insure safety measures are observed, prepare reports, both written and oral for agency supervisor and County Youth Bureau. Applicants should have the ability to work with both youth and employers; have personality, ambition, be friendly; have energy; show initiative; and be able to take directions and to plan and issue directions to others. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either: A. Completion of a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in a regionally accredited or NYS regional college or university; or B. One year paid experience in human service, employment program or supervisory capacity; or C. Any equivalent combination of training and experience in A. and B. above. Civil Service applications can be picked up at the Village office during business hours: Monday- Friday 8am to 1pm. Applications along with resumes must be submitted by April 14, 2008 at 1pm.

The Village Of Odessa will be holding their regular Board meetings on the following dates: Feb. 25th (4th Monday), Mar. 17, Apr. 21, May 19, Jun. 16, Jul. 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15. All meetings to take place at 7:30pm in the Community Room of the Municipal Building at 300 E. Main Street, Odessa.

The following are the minutes of the Odessa Village Board's regular meeting held on Feb. 25, 2008, in the Municipal Building Community Room.

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustee was held on February 25, 2008 at 7:30PM in the Village Community Room.

ROLL CALL:
Mayor Austin - Present; Deputy Mayor Decker – Present
Trustee Pierce- Present; Trustee Thoman – Present
Trustee Tomassi – Present; Supt. Jaynes – Absent
Fire Chief Jelliff – Present; Deputy Supt. Walp – Absent
Clerk-Treasurer Pierce – Present; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Collins- Absent
Building Inspector Seager – Absent; 1st Asst. Chief Tomassi – Present

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs. Rhonda Goossen resident at 317 Speedway Road – New to the Village.

PUBLIC:
Mrs. Goossen spoke to the Village Board regarding the recycling program and asked if the Village would consider expanding the program to include all plastics and “single stream recycling” where things would not have to be separated. Clerk Pierce informed the Board and Mrs. Goossen that a bid proposal had been written up since that is what the Board stated last budget year to do with the 08-09 budget. Mrs. Goossen also provided the Board with pamphlets from Cornell Cooperative Extension regarding recycling in Schuyler County.

Resolution 58-2007
Motion to accept the minutes of the January 22, 2008 regular Board meeting with addition to newsletter dates made by Deputy Mayor Decker seconded by Trustee Tomassi. Voted” YES” by Austin, Decker, Pierce and Tomassi.
Trustee Thoman abstained due to absence. Motion Carried.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
• January Calls 43 Total calls -- 34 medical, 9 fire
• Jeremy Hoffman Benefit moving forward.
• Fire Banquet will be Saturday, April 6th at the Montour Moose Lodge.
• Fire Department Pagers purchased with donation from Mae Kadlecek have been issued.
• New Fire Department Member – Keith T. Pierce.

Resolution 59– 2007
Motion made by Trustee Thoman, seconded by Deputy Mayor Decker to accept Keith T. Pierce into the Fire Dept. Voted “YES” by Austin, Decker, Thoman and Tomassi. Trustee Pierce abstained. Motion Carried

Resolution 60– 2007
Motion made by Trustee Thoman, seconded by Deputy Mayor Decker to accept Brandon Shisler into the Fire Dept Junior Program.
Voted “YES” by Austin, Decker, Thoman and Tomassi.
Trustee Pierce abstained. Motion Carried.

• Purchase Order submitted for Fire Gear for Keith Pierce approved.
• Chief Jelliff went over some equipment they are possibly considering for grant opportunities.
-- Tanker Truck -- $100k-$200k (tanker was purchased used and needs replacement.)
-- Air Cascade System -- $25k-$30k (the current system is 25-30 years old)
• Chief Jelliff requested that the board approve a PO for work that needs to be done above the deductible for the Tahoe which was hit by a deer while in Asst. Chief Gerdes' possession. Discussion held regarding repainting the Tahoe.

Resolution 61– 2007
Motion made by Trustee Thoman, seconded by Deputy Mayor Decker to approve the repair or the Fire Dept. Tahoe in the amount of $1,607.
Voted “YES” by Austin, Decker, Thoman and Tomassi.
Trustee Pierce abstained. Motion Carried

BUILDING INSPECTOR:
Clerk Pierce reported/read: BI Seager Report
• Bauman property – At the 2/11/08 court date it was stated that Bill and Richard Bauman had until 2/25/08 to make progress, if there was progress made than they would not need to return on the 25th but it would be continued.
• Stated that BI Seager had informed that a Fire Inspection schedule had been set up. Board members stated they would like a copy.

DPW REPORT:
Clerk Pierce reported:
-- Trade in for Traks – will be receiving $1,424 for Tracks trade in, we also purchased a canvas cover for the Bobcat that cost $275.
-- Safe Routes to School Update – County will be helping with the removal of the MacDowell Street Pedestrian Bridge, we just need a motion to be made by the Board to remove it.

Resolution 62-2007
Motion to remove the top portion of the MacDowell Road Pedestrian Bridge made by Trustee Tomassi, seconded by Trustee Thoman.
Voted” YES” by ALL. Motion Carried.

-- Tim Jaynes Six Month Probation is up – Board deferred to next meeting due to Supt. Jaynes being on vacation.
-- New Mower – Supt. Jaynes received several different quotes for various mowers. Board deferred until next month.
-- Water Break – Mayor Austin would like a procedure regarding how to handle water breaks. Trustee Pierce also informed the Board about the issues with the water break. Including the lack of a trench box to protect works while in the “hole.”

Resolution 63-2007
Motion to approve additional vouchers for the month of December 2007, totaling $3,485.96 made by Trustee Pierce seconded by Deputy Mayor Decker.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Motion Carried.

Resolution 64-2007
Motion to approve additional vouchers for the month of January 2008, totaling $11,163.25 made by Trustee Thoman seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Motion Carried.

Resolution 65-2007
Motion to approve vouchers for the month of February 2008, totaling $12,571.61 made by Trustee Pierce seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Motion Carried.

-- Clerk Pierce read/submitted the resignation from Summer Recreation Director Kim Caldwell.

Resolution 66-2007
Motion made by Trustee Thoman, seconded by Trustee Pierce to advertise for the Summer Recreation position. Voted “YES” by ALL. Motion Carried.

-- Discussed recycling bid specs and letter to current provider.
-- Horton Property Update – Past due taxes and water have been paid.
-- Board reviewed outstanding tax list.
-- Requested resolution to destroy ’99-'00 records due to the retention schedule being six years.

Resolution 67-2007
Motion made by Trustee Tomassi, to destroy all Vouchers from 1999-2000 budget year, seconded by Deputy Mayor Decker.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Motion Carried.

Resolution 68-2007
Motion to approve December 2007 Justice Report for Judge Norman made by Trustee Pierce and seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

Resolution 69-2007
Motion to approve January 2008 Justice Report for Judge Norman made by Trustee Pierce and seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

OLD BUSINESS:
-- Need a replacement for Althea Carpenter as Election Inspector.

Resolution 70-2007
Motion to allow Kay Collins be the election inspector if NYCOM approves and no alternate is available made by Trustee Thoman, seconded by Trustee Tomassi
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

NEW BUSINESS:
-- Budget Workshops needs to be set: Monday, March 3rd at 6:30pm and Saturday, March 15 at 9AM. Need to advertise.

CORRESPONDENCE:
-- Joint Sanitary Landfill Commission Minutes February 2008
-- NYCOM News = January 18, 2008
-- Rural Futures January/February 2008
-- NYS Public Service Commission Notice of Hearing for NYSEG
-- Department of State January 2008 Newsletter
-- Journal Schuyler County Historical Society January 2008
-- SCOPED Minutes and Notice
-- NYCOM Regulation of Parks and other Municipal Property 1/08
-- 2007 Water and Sewer Rate Report – NYCOM
-- Schuyler County Environmental Mgmt Council Minutes
-- The Portal February 2008
-- NYS Public Safety Group – Revision for Rules & Regulations
-- Community Room Application/ltr for Tutti Fluti (several dates) -- APPROVED
-- Real Property Transfer = 203 Merchant – Horton to Beneficial

TRUSTEE COMMENTS:
Trustee Thoman asked the Board if it was okay to hold a Car Wash at the Village, the Fire Department has Okayed it for them. Board stated it was fine.

ADJOURNED
Motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters at 9:05 pm. Motion to adjourn executive session and Board meeting made at 9:22 p.m.

The following are the minutes of the Odessa Village Board's regular meeting held on Jan. 22, 2008, in the Municipal Building Community Room.

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustee was held on January 22, 2008 at 7:30PM in the Village Community Room.

ROLL CALL:
Mayor Austin -- Present; Deputy Mayor Decker – Present
Trustee Pierce -- Present; Trustee Thoman – Absent
Trustee Tomassi – Present; Supt. Jaynes – Present
Fire Chief Jelliff – Present; Deputy Supt. Walp – Absent
Clerk-Treasurer Pierce – Absent; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Collins- Present
Building Inspector Seager – Present; 1st Asst. Chief Tomassi – Present 7:45

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr. Michael Evans and Miss Tracy Gates
Mr. MacDougall
Odessa File – Charles Haeffner

Mr. Michael Evans and Mrs. Tracy Gates have resided at 409 Church St. for several years very happily in the Village of Odessa. Recently issues with plowing and a portable basketball hoop have arisen. Superintendent Jaynes requested in person that the net be moved in order to plow and said resident refused and police were contacted. Resident complained that plowing was tearing up grass and therefore erected poles and rope to help guide. These also were asked to be removed as they are in the right of way. Residents now state that they are feeling a bit singled out and harassed as others in the village have portable basketball nets also. Mayor Austin stated that others were asked to relocate the portable nets in which they complied. Code Enforcement Officer Seager sent a letter stating Zoning ordinance and requested net be moved as the law states it cannot be on public property. DPW will repair grass in spring.

Resolution 53-2007
Motion to accept the minutes of the December 17, 2007 Regular Board meeting made by Deputy Mayor Decker seconded by Trustee Pierce.
Voted” YES” by ALL. Motion Carried.

DPW REPORT:
Superintendent Jaynes reported:
-- Trade in for Traks – still negotiating
-- Digital Camera – prices range from $99 to $500.
-- Safe Routes to School Update – Meeting on the 25th of January with villages and county so everything can be done at once. Doesn’t think whole bridge needs to be taken down, can replace with wood.
-- Stripping streets – Schuyler and Chemung counties have machine; we only need to buy paint. Studies have shown having stripes on streets tend to help people slow down.
-- Salt spreader – Cost $100 plus shared services (mowing grass etc.)
-- CPR class – April 15 & 16 at Human Services Complex in Montour Falls.
-- Twin Tier Trees – marked 10 trees to be removed and is working on a quote.
-- Chair rail up in Community Room
-- Camp Monterey cleaning and waxing floors in community room.
-- Concern about condensation on walls in community room. Still big water on roof.
-- Hole on Brooklyn Terrace – needs to be dug back up and repaired.
-- New chain on spreader

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
• Mae Kadlecek donated $25,000 to Odessa Fire Department. Chief Jelliff requested approval from the board to purchase new pagers costing $11,700 for the fireman. Will buy back old pagers and distribute new and old pagers according to priority. Fireman will be required to sign a contract stating they are liable for the pager. They will be insured under “fireman equipment.” The Fire Dept. will also use some the funds for new accountability tags.

Resolution 54-2007
Motion made by Deputy Mayor Decker for fire department to purchase new pagers. Seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted “YES” by all. Carried

• 24 Total calls- 13 medical, 11 fire
• Siren will be shortened from about 2 ½ minutes to less than 1 minute.
• Jeremy Hoffman Benefit will be held March 8 at the Watkins Community Center. Starting at Noon will be family time with games for children and Chicken BBQ, starting at 6:00 will be adult-oriented with bands and games of chance. Mayor requested more advertising be done. Flyers are being printed and distributed soon.

Resolution 55– 2007
Motion made by Trustee Tomassi to accept Josh Holloway as Jr. Firefighter. Trustee Pierce seconded.
Voted “YES” by all. Carried

Building Inspector Seager Reported:
• Written Report submitted to Board.
• Bauman property -- charges were dropped against Margaret Bauman, property actually in son’s name. The two vehicles have been removed. Some piles still remain, new court date of February 11th.
• Has new form for building permits which consists of a checklist -- a friendlier form to use.
• Needs to attend flood erosion training, encouraged DPW and contractors to attend also.
• Would like hedge trimming to be put in newsletter. Hedges should be no more than 36 inches high.
• Will contact residents for basketball nets, hedge trimming, fence removal, etc. with a request that needs to be met in a timely manner, if not taken care of in time frame, village will do work and charge resident.
• Trustee Tomassi questioned if there is a fire inspection plan. There currently is not, need to make a plan. A list of all public assembly buildings, businesses, multiple dwellings, was requested by Building Inspector Seager.

Resolution 56-2007
Motion to approve vouchers for the month of January, totaling $13,349.85 made by Trustee Pierce seconded by Deputy Mayor Decker.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

Resolution 57-2007
Motion to approve Election Inspectors Bonnie Seeley and Althea Carpenter made by Trustee Pierce seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted “YES” by all. Carried

Community Room application for Kay Collins for February 16 – Approved.
Community Room application for Joan Scott for Boy Scout sleepover – Rejected due to fire regulations.

Stating necessity of her having a phone due to the fact that she has her own cell phone and also home phone that she can be reached any time.

Newsletter:
• Include that 4-wheelers and snowmobiles need to be respectful to residents' property.
• Newsletters should go out 4 times a year. (December, March, June, September)

CORRESPONDENCE:
-- Joint Sanitary Landfill Commission Minutes January 2008
-- Schuyler County Environmental Management Council Meeting
-- The Portal January 2008
-- SCOPED Meeting Notice and Minutes 12/26/07
-- Nuggets and Nibbles Fall 2007
-- Empire State Report January '08
-- Sydney Place Appts. Pilot Taxes July-Dec '07
-- NYS Public Entities Safety Group 497
-- Letter from Schuyler County Environmental regarding meetings
-- Insight Winter 2007
-- USDA Letter regarding Bath Office taking over Schuyler County.
-- Real Property Transfer Fannie Mae to Pearsall – 213 Main Street
-- Real Property Transfer Federal Home Loan to Shisler –204 MacDowell
-- Real Property Transfer Brant to Seewald – 113 Hanlon Drive
-- Real Property Transfer Frances Lindsley to William Lindsley – 206 First Street

ADJOURNED
Motion to adjourn at 8:50 pm made by Trustee Pierce seconded by Trustee Tomassi. Executive Session called. Executive session adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

From left: Odessa Mayor Betsy Austin and Village Board members Peggy Tomassi and Rita Decker.

Back in charge: Austin runs board meeting

Betsy Austin -- who served as Odessa mayor from 1995-2001 -- is back in the center seat at Odessa Village Board meetings after being appointed last month to succeed Rob Ketchum as mayor. At the monthly board session on Jan. 22 -- Austin's first since the appointment -- she dealt with a village dispute with a property owner over placement of a portable basketball hoop deemed too close to a road and obstructing plowing (it will apparently be moved back), heard of a $25,000 gift to the fire department from the estate of Mae Kadlecek -- part of which will be used to purchase new pagers -- and heard from the DPW that a tree-removal firm had studied the village and identified about 10 trees in need of removal. Austin's appointment extends through March, the month in which the final year of Ketchum's term is up for election. Ketchum resigned the mayor's post after about two years in the job.

The following are the minutes of the Odessa Village Board's regular meeting held on Dec. 17, 2007, in the Municipal Building Community Room.

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustee was held on December 17, 2007 at 7:30PM in the Village Community Room.

ROLL CALL:
Mayor Ketchum -- Present; Deputy Mayor Decker – Present
Trustee Pierce -- Present; Trustee Thoman – Present
Trustee Tomassi – Present; Supt. Jaynes – Present
Fire Chief Jelliff – Absent; Deputy Supt. Walp – Absent
Clerk-Treasurer Pierce – Present; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Collins- Absent
Building Inspector Seager – Absent; 1st Asst. Chief Tomassi - Absent

Approval of Minutes:
Resolution 44-2007
Motion to accept the minutes of the October 24, 2007 Regular Board meeting made by Trustee Thoman seconded by Trustee Pierce.
Voted” YES” by Thoman, Pierce and Ketchum, Abstain by Tomassi and Decker due to absence from meeting. Motion Carried.

Resolution 45-2007
Motion to accept the minutes of the November 19, 2007 Regular Board meeting made by Trustee Pierce seconded by Deputy Mayor Decker.
Voted” YES” by all with Trustee Thoman abstaining due to absence.
Motion Carried.

DPW REPORT:
Supt. Jaynes reported:
• Still working with Bobcat to return the traks purchased last budget year.
• Placed a bid on Cinder Spreader Village of Watkins has placed an ad for.
• Will be meeting with Mayor Phillips to discuss shared services.
• Received 15 ton of waste salt at no cost.
• Camp Monterey will be working on cleaning and striping Community Room Floor.
• Look into CPR/First Aid class.
• Looking into with County on the Safe Routes to School Grant being offered by NYS.
• Received notice from Environmental council regarding possible plaques for drain inlets stating not for waste water.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
• Clerk Pierce asked the Board to approve the update of the back door into the fire department side with a panic bar and the Fire Department would like a combo lock installed which will be at the cost of the Fire Department.
Resolution 46-2007
Motion made by Trustee Pierce to approve the quote from Montour Glass for the amount of $833.50 which the Odessa Fire Dept. will reimburse the Village the cost of the combo lock in the amount of $467.50, seconded by Trustee Thoman.
Voted “YES” by ALL.
Carried.

• Ronald Goossen needs board’s approval for membership to the Odessa Fire Dept.
Resolution 47-2007
Motion made by Trustee Thoman to approve the membership of Ronald Goossen to the Odessa Fire Department, seconded by Trustee Pierce.
Voted “YES” by ALL.
Carried.

BUILDING INSPECTOR:
Clerk Pierce reported that there is a court date of January 7th issued on the Bauman property.

Resolution 48-2007
Motion to approve additional vouchers for the month of November 2007, totaling $2,241.95 made by Deputy Mayor Decker seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted “YES” by ALL.
Carried.

Resolution 49-2007
Motion to approve vouchers for the month of December 2007, totaling $6,827.33 made by Trustee Tomassi seconded by Deputy Mayor Decker.
Voted “YES” by ALL.
Carried.

• Discussed Newsletter.
• Updated Board that 201 Merchant owned by the Rices is now in Foreclosure.
• Horton Property at 203 Merchant is being sold at auction on 1/7/08.
• Clerk Pierce requested that lack of people taking advantage of the evening hours is very low and would like to consider changing hours to 8am to 1pm everyday with the exception of tax time in June where Thursdays will be back to 1pm to 6pm.

Resolution 50-2007
Motion made by Deputy Mayor Decker to have Clerk’s hours be 8am to 1pm Monday through Friday and June will be Monday – Wednesday and Fridays 8am to 1pm and Thursdays 1pm to 6pm. To commence January 1, 2008, seconded by Trustee Tomassi. Voted “YES” by ALL.
Carried.

Resolution 51-2007
Motion to approve November 2007 Justice Report for Judge Norman made by Trustee Tomassi and seconded by Deputy Mayor Decker.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

NEW BUSINESS:
• Trustee Pierce brought up a complaint from Mane Street Hair Design at 107 E. Main Street regarding the numbering on Main Street and the confusion with 107 West Main, the Haeffner residence. Clerk Pierce has placed a call with Bill Kennedy who will be researching possibly renumbering Mane Street Hair Design.

MAYOR:
Mayor Ketchum stated his last day will actually be 12/18/07 due to Village Law only allowing resignation to take place no longer than 30 days from date of resignation letter. Need to decide on whether to appoint someone or leave it open until March elections.
Resolution 52-2007
Motion made by Trustee Tomassi to appoint Betsy Austin as Mayor,
Seconded by Trustee Thoman.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

Mayor Ketchum said Thank You to everyone on the Board, especially former Mayor Carpenter for his assistance and support while working on the Board.

CORRESPONDENCE:
-- Joint Sanitary Landfill Commission Minutes November 2007
-- Schuyler County Environmental Management Council
-- The Portal December 2007
-- Taking Root Autumn 2007
-- Across the Table – September/October 2007
-- Schuyler County Youth Bureau Youth Court
-- Time Warner Franchise Fee – Quarterly Statement
-- Copy of Spreader Bid to Village of Watkins Glen
-- Real Property Transfer Rentschler to Jelliff – 512 Church Street
-- Real Property Transfer Baudenistle to Goossen – 317 Speedway
-- Real Property Transfer Starkweather/Joslyn to Moran – Mitchell Hollow Road
-- Community Room App.– Al Parke/Tim Jaynes – 2/9/08 Noon-6pm - APPROVED
-- Community Room App. – Tim Jaynes – 4/12/08 – Noon – 6pm. - APPROVED.

ODESSA, Dec. 18 -- Betsy Austin, who served as mayor of Odessa from 1995-2001, has been appointed to the post again to succeed Rob Ketchum.

Austin, in the last item on the agenda of Monday night's Village Board meeting, was nominated and appointed without discussion. Trustee Peggy Tomassi proposed the appointment, and trustee Robin Thoman seconded it.

The appointment takes effect Wednesday -- when Austin signs the oath book signed by all incoming mayors -- and lasts through March. In order to continue in office beyond that, Austin would have to run for the last year of Ketchum's term in the March election. Also up for grabs in that elecction will be the two-year trustee seats of Tomassi and Rita Decker, as well as the final year of the village justice position -- the final year of Michael Donnelly's term.

Ketchum -- mayor since February 2006 -- announced on Nov. 19th that he would step down from the post due to the need to attend more closely to his job as pastor of the Odessa Wesleyan Church. He had first cited a resignation date at the end of the year, but when it was discovered that New York Conference of Mayors rules allow a maximum of 30 days on a resignation notice, the date was moved up to Dec. 18.

Speculation had held that deputy mayor Decker would run meetings and fill the other roles required of a mayor -- without appointment to the job. But Austin stepped forward, instead.

Austin, who lives on Merchant Avenue, has long run a day care out of her home. She was in office as mayor when the state mandated a new water system for the village, and helped steer that complex and expensive project to reality. She left office at the end of her third two-year term without seeking reelection.

ODESSA, Nov. 20 -- Rob Ketchum, who has served as Odessa mayor since February 2006, has submitted his resignation from that post effective Dec. 31.

Ketchum, announcing the move at Monday night's monthly Village Board session, cited his job as pastor of the Odessa Wesleyan Church as the primary reason -- that he needs to focus on the church in order to help it grow. He also works part-time for Stone Ridge Contracting of Odessa.

In a letter to the board, Ketchum said he has "a desire to see the village move forward by retaining and attracting new and younger families. I do not have what is needed to accomplish the task."

The board "regretfully" accepted the resignation, and will discuss at its next meeting -- scheduled for Dec. 17th -- what step it might take in response. The board could appoint a temporary successor, but also could leave the post vacant until the March elections determine who will fill the final year of Ketchum's term. In the absence of a mayor, Deputy Mayor Rita Decker -- a trustee on the board -- would be in charge.

Ketchum -- who was serving as trustee at the time -- was appointed mayor in February 2006 upon the resignation of Bob Carpenter from the post. Since it was too late at the time for the filing of election petitions, Ketchum was appointed to serve the final year of Carpenter's term. He then won a two-year term in the March election this year.

-- The board decided to advertise for suggestions in its proposed quest to rename the Municipal Building. It is considering the possibility of naming it after a community leader from either the recent or distant past.

The following are the minutes of the Odessa Village Board's regular meeting held on Nov. 19, 2007, in the Municipal Building Community Room.

ROLL CALL:
Mayor Ketchum -- Present; Deputy Mayor Decker – Present
Trustee Pierce -- Present; Trustee Thoman – Absent
Trustee Tomassi – Present; Supt. Jaynes – Present
Fire Chief Jelliff – Present; Deputy Supt. Walp – Absent
Clerk-Treasurer Pierce – Present; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Collins -- Absent
Building Inspector Seager – Absent; 1st Asst. Chief Tomassi -- Present

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Robert Harrison, Steve DeWalt, Cynthia Emerson, Rebecca Franklin.

PUBLIC:
• Robert Harrison – Spoke regarding the naming of the building and spoke of several possible nominations: Charlie Harrington, Don Flatt, Betsy Austin, and Robert Carpenter.
• Steve Dewalt from the Planning Board, a local Pastor, asked if there was anything in the works for some kind of recreation in the Village for our young people. He mentioned that some older children have been using the area by the DPW for “X games” on bikes and skateboards. The Board discussed possibly using the DPW area when/if the site is moved. Trustee Pierce asked if we should post to keep off Village property in case of injury.

DPW REPORT:
Supt. Jaynes reported:
-- Inventory of flags completed
-- Pine branches for baskets completed
-- Discussed paper bags that Village of Watkins Glen purchased for their leaves; consider for next years budget. Bags are 30 gallons and are $1.95/bag.
-- Attended the Camp Monterey meeting and will have work crew regularly on Wednesdays.
-- Inspections on both trucks are completed
-- Mowers are winterized
-- Discussed bidding on a cinder spreader that the Village of Watkins has for bid.
-- NYCOM Conference was very informative.
-- Discussed need for new mower, estimates received for a 3-wheel mower $6,999 and walk-behind $5,322. The John Deere has no trade-in value.
-- Discussed Traks for the Bobcat and trade in, will research other options.
-- Passed water test.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
Fire Chief Jelliff Reported:
Finances as of 10/07:
-- Checking: $8,176.27
-- Memorial: $1,262.62
-- Operating: $6,913.65
-- Foreign Tax: $ 3,671.49

• Replacement Ice Rescue Board has been received and placed in service.
• 2nd Assistant Hoffman had an accident in October 2007 and is at Upstate Medical. Fundraising efforts are being made and a large fundraiser will be held March 8th. The Fire Department is looking for help from all organizations in the community.
• Breakfast raised $600 and 50/50 raised additional funds.
• Roof in OFD Bays is still leaking.
• Michael Pischel needs board’s approval to approve for membership.

Resolution 40-2007
Motion made by Trustee Tomassi to approve the membership to the Odessa Fire Department, seconded by Deputy Mayor Decker.
Voted “YES” by ALL.
Carried.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: (continued)
-- Blue Wreath is once again in place for the county. Red bulbs will signify house fires within the county.

-- Will be attending a Shared Service meeting on Fire Prevention.
-- Floor Drain – Have received one quote from Silverline Construction for $6,500
-- Number of Calls:
o 21 Calls – 17 Rescues and 4 Fire.

BUILDING INSPECTOR:
Written Report submitted to Board. Also submitted a letter from Richard Bauman regarding property located at 203 E. Main Street.

Resolution 41-2007
Motion to approve vouchers for the month of November 2007, totaling $49,541, made by Trustee Pierce, seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted “YES” by ALL.
Carried.

Resolution 42-2007
Motion to approve October 2007 Justice Report for Judge Norman made by Trustee Pierce and seconded by Deputy Mayor Decker.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

-- Changing Name of Municipal Building – Board agreed in December/January Newsletter to ask for submissions for naming the building and why.

-- Mayor Ketchum discussed talks that he and other Board members have been having with Catharine Supervisor Brace regarding possible shared services. However, a feasibility study and other efforts will need to be made prior to this occurring. Trustee Pierce stated that we need to move forward carefully and to be aware that we are handling things correctly.

-- Schuyler County Sales Tax Distribution 3rd Qtr.
-- Schuyler County Human Resources – Health Insurance
-- SCOPED Newsletter October 2007
-- Joint Sanitary Landfill Commission Minutes November 2007
-- The Portal November 2007
-- Letter from Richard Bauman regarding Property owned by Oakley Bauman
-- Real Property Transfer Bauman to Heichel 207 Maple Avenue
-- Community Room Use Application – 39’rs Chapter NCHA 12/15/07 APPROVED

-- Fire Department will be holding their meeting the same night as the Board meeting; there will be a dish to pass that the Board has been invited to.

Resolution 43-2007
Motion made by Trustee Tomassi to regretfully accept the resignation of Mayor Robert Ketchum, seconded by Trustee Pierce
Voted “YES” by ALL.
Carried

Motion to adjourn at 8:40pm made by Trustee Tomassi, seconded by Deputy-Mayor Decker.

The following are the minutes of the Odessa Village Board's regular meeting held on Oct. 24, 2007, in the Municipal Building Community Room.

ROLL CALL:
Mayor Ketchum -- Present; Deputy Mayor Decker – Absent
Trustee Pierce -- Present; Trustee Thoman – Present
Trustee Tomassi – Absent; Supt. Jaynes – Absent
Fire Chief Jelliff – Absent; Deputy Supt. Walp – Absent
Clerk-Treasurer Pierce – Present; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Collins -- Absent
Building Inspector Seager – Absent; 1st Asst. Chief Tomassi -- Absent

Resolution 36-2007
Motion to accept the minutes of the October 10, 2007 Regular Board meeting made by Trustee Pierce, seconded by Trustee Thoman.
Voted” YES” by ALL. Motion Carried.

DPW REPORT:
Clerk Pierce reported:
-- Windshield for Truck #2 has been replaced
-- Still working on plan for Village Barns

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
Clerk Pierce reported that the Village has received a check from NYMIR for the Ice Rescue Board. The Board should be in service by the end of the November.

BUILDING INSPECTOR:
Written report submitted to Board. The Board questioned if Mr. Seager was following up on older permits and would like to see letters or personal visits to permits over 6 months to close them out if the resident has forgotten to follow up.

Resolution 37-2007
Motion to approve vouchers for the month of October 2007, totaling $28,667.77, made by Trustee Pierce and seconded by Trustee Thoman.
Voted “YES” by ALL.
Carried.

-- Village Logo – Mayor Ketchum showed the Board members the Village Logo that the vendor he contacted had produced.

Resolution 38-2007
Motion made by Trustee Thoman to purchase six vinyl Village Logo signs,
seconded by Trustee Pierce.
Voted “YES” by ALL.
Carried.

NEW BUSINESS:
-- Naming the Municipal Building – Clerk Pierce spoke to Attorney Mattison regarding any legal issues with naming the Municipal Building. There are no legal issues; the Board would have to pass a resolution. After further discussion the Board decided they would post in the newsletter asking for the residents opinions regarding possibly naming the building.

Resolution 39-2007
Motion made by Trustee Thoman to accept the bid from Stone Ridge Contracting to complete the repairs needed to the back of the Municipal Building Roof, seconded by Trustee Pierce. Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:
-- NYS Public Safety Group 497 – Safety Agenda October 2007
-- NYCOM Albany Action October 17, 2007
-- Community Room Use Application – Karen Rounds 11/4 & 11/18 - APPROVED

TRUSTEE COMMENTS:
Trustee Thoman informed the Board that she and Trustee Tomassi had been talking to Supervisor Brace regarding a joint building venture; further discussion will involve the Mayor.

ADJOURNED
Motion to adjourn at 8:21pm made by Trustee Thoman, seconded by Trustee Pierce.

The following are the minutes of the Odessa Village Board's regular meeting held on Sept. 26, 2007, in the Municipal Building Community Room.

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustee was held on September 26, 2007 at 7:30PM in the Village Community Room.

ROLL CALL:
Mayor Ketchum - Present; Deputy Mayor Decker – Present
Trustee Pierce- Present; Trustee Thoman – Absent
Trustee Tomassi – Present; Supt. Jaynes – Present
Fire Chief Jelliff – Absent; Deputy Supt. Walp – Absent
Clerk-Treasurer Pierce – Present; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Collins- Absent
Building Inspector Seager – Present; 1st Asst. Chief Tomassi - Absent

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: John Laughlin and Lori Ketchum, Stone Ridge Contracting.

PUBLIC: Mr. Laughlin submitted a bid for repair of the damaged masonry part of the roof. The quote was $800 for the one portion; the Board asked how much to repair both sections and it was raised to $1,600. This comes with a 1-year workmanship warranty. The Board requested that Clerk Pierce obtain two other quotes.

Resolution 25-2007
Motion to accept the minutes of the September 12, 2007 Regular Board meeting made by Trustee Pierce seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted” YES” by ALL
Motion Carried.

DPW REPORT:
Supt. Jaynes reported:
-- Drain Inlets and Storm Sewers. Most all are completed; with the exception of one on Speedway and one on Hanlon.
-- Tim Hicks from Schuyler Watershed will be bringing die to test where the sewage smell is coming from.
-- John Deere mower is still having problems.
-- Water class is going well.
-- Truck hoods are painted
-- There has been no response from the Bobcat retailer who was a no-show.
-- Camp Monterey has been working on Wednesdays.
-- Hydrant Flushing will be the week of Columbus Day.
-- Spoke to Gail Carpenter regarding mowing the drainage ditch and she agreed to late Spring and Summer, but would like it grown up for the Fall.
-- Locksmith to come and change locks.
-- Bridge on Brooklyn Terrace -- there is a water pipe, does anyone know about it.
-- Reviewed the DPW Prelim-Vehicle Policy
-- Homecoming parade is this Friday and has enlisted the Fire Dept. to help with traffic.
-- Walk Thru by NYSIF Update: All issues have been addressed.
-- Repaired sidewalk under overhang at Village DPW Building.
-- Complaint received regarding house on Main Street owned by Oakley Bauman’s Widow.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
• Final SOG for the Tahoe submitted.
• Clerk Pierce submitted a Purchase order for the Fire Dept. for HE-23 that is in need of an emergency head gasket repair for a cost of $2,626.33. Purchase Order was approved.
• Due to emergency repair the Fire Department has asked that the $6,440 for the previously approved Insta-chains and Exhaust Brake be taken out of the Capital fund, a motion that has been approved by the Fire Dept. Board of Directors.
Resolution 26-2007
Motion to transfer monies from FASNY to General Fund in the amount of $6,440 to cover the cost of Insta-Chains and Exhaust brake for HE-23 made by Deputy Mayor Decker seconded by Trustee Pierce.
Voted” YES” by ALL
Motion Carried.

BUILDING INSPECTOR:
BI Seager reported:
• 4 Permits issued
• Letter for Richard Bauman has been returned unaccepted. Will follow next step with taking owner to court.
• Vacant Trailer is being maintained, a letter was sent to owner of other trailer; no response as of yet.
• Will work with Supt. Jaynes regarding the driveway issues at 108 Merchant Avenue.

Resolution 27-2007
Motion to approve additional vouchers for the month of August 2007, totaling $5,467.50 made by Trustee Tomassi, seconded by Deputy Mayor (DM) Decker.
Voted “YES” by ALL.
Carried.

Resolution 28-2007
Motion to approve vouchers for the month of September 2007, totaling $52,454.72 made by Deputy Mayor (DM) Decker seconded by Trustee Pierce.
Voted “YES” by ALL.
Carried.

JUSTICE
-- Reviewed resumes and discussed training cost associated with position. Board decided to ask Acting Judge Norman to fill in until the Village elections in March 2008.

-- Village Logo – Clerk Pierce explained logo issues with Board and will be researching other avenues.

CORRESPONDENCE:
-- Letter from NYS Archives – Thank you for hosting workshop
-- Village Planning Board Minutes 8/23/07
-- Empire State Report Magazine July/August
-- The Portal – September 2007
-- Community Room Use -- Odessa Lions Club -- APPROVED

TRUSTEE COMMENTS:
-- DM Decker has purchased bulbs to be placed at the Memorial Garden
-- Trustee Tomassi and DM Decker will take care of Village baskets this Fall/Winter.
-- Newsletter needs to be completed

ADJOURNED
Motion to adjourn at 8:51pm made by Trustee Pierce, seconded by DM Decker.

The following are the minutes of the Odessa Village Board's regular meeting held on Sept. 12, 2007, in the Municipal Building Community Room.

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustee was held on September 12, 2007 at 7:30PM in the Village Community Room.

Resolution 23-2007
Motion to accept the minutes of the August 22, 2007 Regular Board meeting made by Trustee Pierce seconded by Deputy-Mayor Decker.
Voted” YES” by ALL
Motion Carried.

DPW REPORT:
Supt. Jaynes reported:
-- Working on finding and cleaning out all Drain Inlets and Storm Sewers. One area found where sewage was leaking from a property and the Board suggested contacting Soil and Water

-- Traks that were ordered for the Bobcat will not work due to our Bobcat not having enough power. These have never been used and we will be contacting Bobcat to see if they can be returned.

-- Requested permission to paint the hoods of the DPW trucks to flat black to prevent glare during plowing and to set the Village vehicles apart from the Town’s and other trucks that are similar.

-- Walk Thru by NYSIF found:
o Insulation would need to be removed
o Overhead storage needs to be secured
o Ladders need to be secured

-- Requested Board's approval to change the locks on the DPW Garage – after discussion this was approved.

-- Informed the Board of a sign-out sheet that is now kept for any “borrowed” equipment, that must now be signed out and in by a DPW employee.

-- Board requested DPW's Jaynes to write up a policy regarding the use of the DPW trucks.

1st Assistant Chief Tomassi Reported:
As of August 27, balances were as followed:
• Regular Checking $9,219.54
• Recap Memorial Fund $1,520.33
• Operating Fund $7,699.21
• Foreign Tax Account $1,387.24

-- Special Elections were held and are as follows:
o Chief – John Jelliff, 1st Asst. – Michael Tomassi, 2nd Asst. -- Jeremy Hoffman, 3rd Asst. -- Jamie Gerdes.
o Appointments made: Rick Churches as Deputy Fire Chief, Chip Seager as Safety Officer and Ron Hoffman as Rescue Captain.
o Patrick Tomassi was elected as a Junior Firefighter.

-- Repairs to HE-23 issues with fender cost $450 by Priority Fire. There was a service discrepancy that the gate valve was found in good condition, but still did not work upon return from Priority. HE-23 will be out of service for two weeks to have the insta-chains and Exhaust Brake installed.

-- NYSIF Walk Thru – Found issues the FD is already addressing (floor drains and ice machine). Also found that shelves in Chief's office need to be enclosed due to falling hazard and ladders in bay area need to be properly secured.

-- Discussed the new SOG for the Tahoe and noted that it is now on a two-week rotation and Chief Jelliff has established a special log book to note gas and where and what the truck is being used for.

-- Discussed removal of “Incident Command Vehicle” lettering due to confusion on mutual aid calls. Trustee Pierce commented that lettering to mark the Tahoe as a Fire Department Vehicle was at the Board's request, to not get it confused with a personal vehicle.

-- West Property Taxes have been paid!
-- Auditors will be here the week of September 24th.
-- Presented NYMIR Deductible information supplied by Senka Agency.

Resolution 24-2007
Motion to approve August 2007 Justice Report as submitted made by Trustee Tomassi and seconded by Trustee Pierce.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

-- Parking Tickets have been issued to Schuyler Sheriff’s department.
-- Review of Resumes for Village Justice position tabled until next meeting. Resumes received from Ronald Goossen and Jeremy Hoffman.

-- Pedestrian Bridge:
o Clerk Pierce reported that the Village owns the bridge and that the Burdett Pedestrian Bridge was funded by Schuyler County.
-- Board requested looking into grants and possible historical monies.

-- Planning Board will be holding a Public Hearing to discuss the potential impact on changing the Manufactured Housing zoning in the Village. The Public Hearing is scheduled for September 17th at 7pm.

-- Sydney Place PILOT taxes from Town of Catharine
-- Letter from Jeff Greuber regarding Manufactured Housing Zoning Changes
-- NYCOM State Legislative Update – August 8, 2007
-- NYCOM Albany Action Letter – September 7, 2007
-- NYCOM Across the Table – July/August 2007
-- Environmental Management Council Minutes
-- SCOPED Meeting Minutes
-- Joint Landfill Commission Minutes
-- Red Cross – Thank you.
-- RP Transfer Report 204 Owens Place HUD to Irina Schmidt
-- RP Transfer Report 129 Coddington Place West Estate to John Laughlin
-- RP Transfer Report 202 MacDowell Place P. Butler to G. Lisk

-- Mayor Ketchum and Trustee Pierce spoke to State Senator Winner and Assemblyman O’Mara regarding funding for the Village DPW garage and the water system. They asked for a plan to be drawn up and they would see what they could do.
-- Mayor Ketchum discussed conversations with Trustee Thoman regarding her absence due to her work schedule. The Board all agreed to see if her new work schedule in October would improve her schedule.

Odessa Village Board members (from left) Keith Pierce, Mayor Rob Ketchum, Peggy Tomassi and Rita Decker at Wednesday night's meeting

ODESSA, Aug. 23 -- The Odessa Village Board Wednesday night dealt with fire department policy, insurance, complaints and a shift of town elections to the Municipal Building in a session that lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours.

The meeting was preceded by a party for retiring Department of Public Works Chief Dick Palmer, who is stepping down on Aug. 31 after 10 years on the job. Pizza, cheese, chips and cake were provided by the village at the celebration, which was attended by friends and co-workers of Palmer's.

Also on hand was Tim Jaynes, who will succeed Palmer in the DPW post. Jaynes, a local handyman with 10 years experience in such areas as water and sewer lines and blacktop while employed by Chemung Construction Company, will start Monday -- working with Palmer during the latter's final week on the job.

The meeting that followed the party featured the village's insurance agent, John Senka, explaining the current insurance policy to board members, and Acting Fire Chief John Jelliff discussing a number of fire issues with the board. A special election will be held by the department next week to select a new chief to succeed Bobby Franklin, who recently resigned the post. Franklin remains with the department as a volunteer firefighter.

Jelliff -- present with second assistant chief Mike Tomassi and with fire department board members Bill Bulkley and Lauri McCoon -- explained that the department raised $4,229 in its Hit the Boot campaign that culminated on NASCAR race day, Aug. 12, and earned another $1,000 through a chicken barbecue the day before. The money will go toward department programs.

The firefighters also recently received a $21,000 FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) grant that will be used for hose replacement and the purchase of three new defibrillators, Jelliff said.

The board approved a couple of fire truck expenditures, for brakes and for the installation of insta-chains on a truck often used in Mutual Aid.

And it received a rough draft for the proposed use of the department's Incident Command Vehicle -- normally used by the chief in the past but now scheduled for a two-week rotation among the chief and three assistant chiefs.

-- Village residents Bill and Susan Hyer complained about vehicles racing on the recently chip-sealed Owens Place; about rain runoff on their driveway; and about the need for more fencing to block off the pedestrian bridge from foot traffic.

-- Heard that a fuel tank believed buried near the DPW building on First Street does not exist. Pipe was found leading to a spot where the tank once rested, but a dig by town workers showed it is no longer there. It had been of concern from an environmental standpoint.

-- Agreed to hold Town of Catharine elections in September, November and early next year in the Municipal Building. Space is inadequate for election procedures in the town facility on Grant Road, the board was told.

-- Decided to advertise in an attempt to find people interested in succeeding Mike Donnelly as village and town justice. He retires Aug. 31, and will be succeeded on a temporary basis by John Norman, a justice from Reading Center.

-- Heard that the old West property on the village's east side was being cleaned up by its new owner, John Laughlin of Stone Ridge Contracting.

Photos in text: Trustee Keith Pierce (top) at Wednesday's meeting, and Code Enforcement Officer Chip Seager as he presented his monthly report to the board.

ODESSA, July 19 -- Tim Jaynes has been selected by the Odessa Village Board to succeed Dick Palmer as the village's Department of Public Works chief upon Palmer's retirement at the end of August.

Jaynes, a self-employed handyman from Alpine, will join the department on Aug. 27, the board decided at its meeting Wednesday night. Palmer will retire on Aug. 31.

Meanwhile, the village has received a retirement letter from Mike Donnelly, who plans to leave the village justice post he has held for 19 years. His retirement date is also Aug. 31.

With Donnelly's departure looming, the village will ask its acting justice, John Norman of Reading Center, to serve as justice until a special election can be held in March to fill the final year of Donnelly's latest four-year term.

Jaynes will succeed a man who has held the DPW's top job for 10 years. Palmer took over the post upon the death of his predecessor, Mitch Terry, in 1997. Palmer had worked as a department employee for a short time before that.

Before becoming self-employed, Jaynes worked for 10 years for Chemung Construction Company, with experience in blacktop and with water and sewer lines.

-- Heard that Catholic Charities, through a grant, is providing a summer employee, Paul Cummings, to the village's DPW. His salary is being paid by Catholic Charities.

The following are the minutes of the Odessa Village Board's regular meeting held on July 18, 2007, in the Municipal Building Community Room.

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustee was held on July 18, 2007 at 7:30PM in the Village Community Room.

Mayor Ketchum - Present; Deputy Mayor Decker – Present
Trustee Pierce- Absent; Trustee Thoman – Absent
Trustee Tomassi – Present; Supt. Palmer – Present
Fire Chief Franklin – Present (8.42); Deputy Supt. Walp – Present (8.35)
Clerk-Treasurer Pierce – Present; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Collins- Absent
Code Enforcement Officer Seager – Present

Resolution 8-2007
Motion to accept the minutes of the July 9, 2007 Regular Board meeting made by Deputy Mayor Decker seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted” YES” by ALL
Motion Carried.

DPW REPORT:
Supt. Palmer reported:
-- Cutting up brush at pit site from trees being taken down.
-- Catholic Charities worker Paul Cummings working out very well.
-- Owens & Mitchell Hollow was chip sealed. Save $1000 for using Town of Catharine’s roller.
-- Crusher run being used to fill holes on Speedway and will be placing cold patch on water break area on Brooklyn Terrace.
-- Only salt will need to be purchased this year for the winter due to the slow winter season last year. DPW has plenty of sand remaining.

BUILDING INSPECTOR:
CE Seager submitted his report:
-- Submitted June’s report, Mayor Ketchum requested May’s also. CE Seager will e-mail to Clerk.

MAYOR:
Reported:
-- Meeting with Town of Cayuta went well; Mayor Ketchum answered their questions ranging from Workers Compensation insurance to vehicle replacement schedules. The Village of Odessa is Cayuta’s largest contract.
-- Will be meeting with SCOPED and Hunt Engineers regarding the county-wide water and sewer project. This is an informational meeting and Loren Walp will also be attending.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
Chief Franklin Reported:
-- HT-23 & 28 have gone for yearly servicing and both were in need of brakes.
-- FEMA Grant has been approved and will be purchasing replacement hose so that there will be 1500 feet on each truck and they will have tack line stock. The grant will also purchase three new defibrillators.
-- Received the Environmental Conservation Grant.
-- State Route 224 will be closed for a period of three to four weeks to replace a box culvert and the Odessa Fire Department will be covering extra territory on the Cayuta side of the closure. The closure date has not been set as of yet.

Resolution 9-2007
Motion to approve additional vouchers for the month of July 2007, totaling $24,729.24 made by Trustee Tomassi, seconded by Deputy Mayor (DM) Decker.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

Year-End Adjustments: Most of which are adjusting the budget journal to balance account that are over or under budget.

Resolution 10-2007
Motion to approve year-end adjustments totaling $914,077.13 made by DM Decker and seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

Resolution 11-2007
Motion to write off $591.95 from account A320 and officially resolve that as of today there are no longer any outstanding tax sale certificates, made by DM Decker and seconded by Mayor Ketchum.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

Resolution 12-2007
Motion to approve year-end fixed asset write-offs of $ 87,968.72 made by Trustee Tomassi and seconded by Mayor Ketchum.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

Resolution 13-2007
Motion to approve June 2007 Justice Report as submitted made by Trustee Tomassi and seconded by DM Decker.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

Resolution 14-2007
Motion to approve Timothy Jaynes as the new Department of Public Works Superintendent made by DM Decker and seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.
NEW BUSINESS:

-- Letter from New York Land Quest regarding water access to a parcel located on Mitchell Hollow Road outside the Village – owners are currently Betty and Norman Underdown. Supt. Palmer suggested that the Board speak to Tom Klaseus with DOH. Clerk Pierce will follow up.
-- Permission given to add a special payroll on August 10th for Summer Recreation workers.

Resolution 15-2007
Motion to roll CD 3701441 for 10 months at 4.55% made by Trustee Tomassi and seconded by DM Decker.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

-- Clerk Pierce informed the Board that Judge Donnelly has submitted his resignation effective 8/31/07.

CORRESPONDENCE:
-- Corrpro15 Point Tank Review
-- Insight Arc Summer 2007 Newsletter
-- Rural Futures July/August 2007 Newsletter
-- NYCOM Across the Table May/June 2007
-- Time Warner Cable programming changes
-- Joint Landfill Commission Minutes 7/5/07
-- The Portal Newsletter July 2007
-- Real Property Transfer 108 Merchant Avenue from Thurman to Daley
-- NYCOM Albany Action Newsletter June 28, 2007
-- Community Room App. -- Schuyler County Democratic Committee 8/20/07, 7pm. Approved
-- Community Room Application – Lisa Gardner 8/11/07, 1pm –till for Bridal Shower. Approved
-- Information on USDA Section 504 Loan and Grant Program

ADJOURNED
Motion to adjourn at 9:19pm made by Trustee Tomassi, seconded by DM Decker.

The following are the minutes of the Odessa Village Board's special meeting held on July 9, 2007, in the Municipal Building Community Room.

The Special Meeting of the Board of Trustee was held on July 9, 2007 at 6:30PM in the Village Community Room.

Mayor Ketchum - Present; Deputy Mayor Decker – Present
Trustee Pierce- Present; Trustee Thoman – Absent
Trustee Tomassi – Present; Supt. Palmer – Absent
Fire Chief Franklin – Absent; Deputy Supt. Walp – Absent
Clerk-Treasurer Pierce – Present; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Collins- Absent
Code Enforcement Officer Seager – Absent

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: None

• Mayor Ketchum presented board with a rough draft of Superintendent duties, Board reviewed.
• Board agreed to interview Tim Jaynes at next Board meeting at 6:45pm.
• Board discussed salary of position
• Agreed to a six-month probation period.

Trustee Pierce asked that DPW place loose stone signs where they have chip sealed to warn drivers.

ADJOURNED
Motion to adjourn at 7:22pm made by Deputy Mayor Decker, seconded by Trustee Pierce.

The following are the minutes of the Odessa Village Board's regular meeting held on June 27, 2007, in the Municipal Building Community Room.

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustee was held on June 27, 2007 at 7:30PM in the Village Community Room.

Deputy Mayor (DM) Decker opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 p.m.

Mayor Ketchum - Absent; Deputy Mayor Decker – Present
Trustee Pierce- Present; Trustee Thoman – Present
Trustee Tomassi – Present; Supt. Palmer – Absent
Fire Chief Franklin – Present; Deputy Supt. Walp – Absent
Clerk-Treasurer Pierce – Present; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Collins- Present
Code Enforcement Officer Seager – Absent

Resolution 3-2007
Motion to accept the minutes of the June 13, 2007 Regular Board meeting made by Trustee Pierce seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted” YES” by Trustees Tomassi, Pierce & DM Decker, Trustee Thoman abstained
Motion Carried.

BUILDING INSPECTOR:
Clerk Pierce informed the board of the following:
-- 217 Main Street Incident – Ernie Pischel is still in contact with Village and looking to get the electrical inspection completed.

DPW REPORT:
Clerk Pierce reported:
-- Possible resolution that could be passed to prevent trees from being planted on Village right of way. Trustee Thoman asked that Clerk Pierce contact Painted Post and obtain a copy of their local law.

-- Presented a quote from Twin Tier Landscaping and Tree Service for the removal of seven trees in the Village for a total of $3,500.

Resolution 4-2007
Motion to approve the bid made by Twin Tier Landscaping and Tree Service for the removal of a specific seven trees located in the Village for a cost of $3,500 once proof of insurance has been given to Clerk Pierce made by Trustee Thoman, seconded by Trustee Pierce.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
Chief Franklin Reported:
-- Town of Cayuta has requested Chief Franklin's presence at the July 11, 2007 Town Board meeting to discuss the Fire Protection contract. Mayor Ketchum will attend with Chief Franklin along with the Fire Department's Board of Directors.
-- Fire Department outing is August 18 at Catharine Park.
-- State Route 224 will be closed for a period of three to four weeks to replace a box culvert and the Odessa Fire Department will be covering extra territory on the Cayuta side of the closure. The closure date has not been set as of yet.

Clerk Pierce reported:

-- NYCOM Fire Department Workshop with John Galligan is set for Thursday, July 12th. – Rebecca Franklin and Lauri McCoon will be attending from the OFD side.

Resolution 5-2007
Motion to approve additional vouchers for the month of June 2007, totaling $61,748.06 made by Trustee Thoman, seconded by Trustee Pierce.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

-- Village Logo – Having problems finding someone that can do the signs for the trucks. Trustees suggested Tony Vickio in Watkins Glen.
-- Parking Fine – Clerk Pierce report that we did not need to have a public hearing to amend the parking ordinance. Clerk Pierce asked for a resolution to add parking fines

Resolution 6-2007
Motion made by Trustee Tomassi to add parking fines of $50 for handicap violation and $25 for all other parking violations, seconded by Trustee Pierce.
Voted” YES” by Trustees Tomassi, Pierce & DM Decker, Trustee Thoman opposed. Motion Carried.

-- DPW Supt. Job – One approved application, Tim Jaynes – DM Decker set a meeting for July 9th at 6:30pm to discuss further.

CORRESPONDENCE:
-- NYS Safety Group Newsletter
-- Mortgage Tax Distribution 10/06-3/07
-- Sales Tax Distribution 1st Quarter
-- Schuyler County Soil & Water Conservation District
-- USDA Funding for Home Repairs
-- Community Room Application – Kay Collins July 15, 2007, Noon – 5pm
-- Community Room Application – Karen Rounds August 12, 2007, 2-4pm

TRUSTEE COMMENTS:
-- Trustee Tomassi presented Violence in the Workplace documents that were presented at a recent Council of Governments meeting. The Board will review and plan to integrate when Village Employee handbook is put together
.
-- Trustee Tomassi asked that the Board approve Bill Kennedy as a single point of contact for NIMS.
-- Trustee Thoman would like to have someone come from USDA to speak about the Home Repairs Loan and Grants available

Resolution 7-2007
Motion to make Bill Kennedy the single point of contact for NIMS made by Trustee Tomassi and seconded by Trustee Thoman.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

ADJOURNED
Motion to adjourn at 8:18pm made by Trustee Tomassi, seconded by Trustee Pierce.

The following are the minutes of the Odessa Village Board's regular meeting held on June 13, 2007, in the Municipal Building Community Room.

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustee was held on June 13, 2007 at 7:30PM in the Village Community Room.

Mayor Ketchum – Present; Deputy Mayor Decker – Present
Trustee Pierce- Present; Trustee Thoman – Absent
Trustee Tomassi – Present; Supt. Palmer – Present
Fire Chief Franklin – Absent; Deputy Supt. Walp – Absent
Clerk-Treasurer Pierce – Present; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Collins- Absent
Code Enforcement Officer Seager – Absent

Resolution 1-2007
Motion to accept the minutes of the May 23, 2007 Regular Board meeting made by Trustee Pierce seconded by Deputy Mayor (DM) Decker.
Voted” YES” by ALL
Carried

BUILDING INSPECTOR:
Clerk Pierce informed the board of the following:
-- Bauman property – Chip spoke to Mrs. Bauman; the tree will be removed.
-- 217 Main Street Incident – Ernie Pischel has been living in the old Evans property while fixing it; CE Seager told him he could not stay there since a Certificate of Occupancy was not issued.
-- Attorney Mattison is working on a Property Maintenance law for us to look over.
-- Trustee Tomassi asked for an update on CE Seager’s job moving back to the area.

DPW REPORT:
DPW Supt. Palmer reported:
-- Tank will be removed from DPW Garage after paving is completed.
-- Picking up brush
-- Reported that the local Girl Scouts asked about planting a pine tree in the Village.
-- Spoke about no peddlers in the Village.

CLERK-TREASURER:
Clerk Pierce reported:
-- Jolene Horton at 203 Merchant Avenue – Mrs. Horton was a no-show, so the judge automatically files in the Village’s favor. Need to file a Transcript with the County so that the amount of the claim will be a lien against the property.

-- NYCOM Fire Department Workshop with John Galligan is set for Thursday, July 12th. – Rita Decker and Clerk Pierce will be attending from Village side, will ask Chief Franklin about the attendees on the Fire Department side.

Resolution 2-2007
Motion to approve additional vouchers for the month of May 2007, totaling $32,688.01 made by Trustee Pierce, seconded by DM Decker.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

-- Received approval to move forward with getting a credit card for the Village office. Trustee Tomassi would like a policy created for using the credit card.

-- Contacted the Sheriff’s department regarding speeding on Brooklyn Terrace/Foots Hill and they will bring the sign up; our name is on the list.

MAYOR:
Mayor Ketchum reported:
-- Summer Meeting in July and August; the meetings will take place the 4th Wednesday at 7:30pm.

-- Parking Fine to amend current ordinance, approved by board to move forward with public hearing.
-- Mayor Ketchum will meet with DPW Palmer to go over and set up a job description.

-- Clerk Pierce brought to the boards attention the small balance that the Water Fund currently has, due to the large repair and surge that needed to be completed on the Pump house on Merchant Avenue. Clerk Pierce will keep an eye on the account, the next water fund CD does not roll until the end of July.

CORRESPONDENCE:
-- SCOPED Minutes and Meeting Notice
-- Schuyler County Environmental Management Council
-- NYCOM Albany Action Policy Update
-- Thoma’s Developments Newsletter
-- The Portal June 2007
-- Real Property Transfer 104 Merchant Wells Fargo to CornerStone Homes Inc.
-- Joint Landfill Commission Minutes

TRUSTEE COMMENTS:
-- Trustee Tomassi asked that we consider more Shared Services with the local municipalities.
-- Trustee Pierce stated he spoke with Randy Kuhl regarding funding issues for the DPW Garage and the water system.
-- Trustee Pierce also stated he would like to look into a possible Nature walk around the Village for residents to walk/run.
-- Trustee Tomassi wants the Board/Village to be more active in search for Grants for the Village.

ADJOURNED
Motion to adjourn at 8:43pm made by Trustee Pierce, seconded by Trustee Tomassi.

The following are the minutes of the Odessa Village Board's regular meeting held on May 23, 2007, in the Municipal Building Community Room.

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustee was held on May 23, 2007 at 7:30PM in the Village Community Room.

Mayor Ketchum – Present; Deputy Mayor Decker – Present
Trustee Pierce- Present; Trustee Thoman – Present
Trustee Tomassi – Present; Supt. Palmer – Absent
Fire Chief Franklin – Present; Deputy Supt. Walp – Absent
Clerk-Treasurer Pierce – Present; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Collins- Absent
Code Enforcement Officer Seager – Absent

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Georgie Taylor for Humane Society of Schuyler County; Eleanor Thompson, Ruth Thompson, Mary Crainey, Terry Gardner, Nancy Williams and Scott Salzer.

Residents from the Village stated that there are several cats in the Village fighting all hours of the night, spraying porches and pool decks, and getting into garages. Georgie Taylor from the Schuyler Humane Society offered suggestions of possibly trapping the cats that are causing problems and spaying/neutering the cats and checking for disease. However, if these cats have owners, they did not want to remove them, but suggested educating the residents on low cost/free programs available. Trustee Thoman suggested it may be a Code Enforcement issue. Trustee Pierce stated that the residents need to speak to their neighbors to find out if they own the cats and then the Humane Society can trap the cats if they are not pets. Mrs. Taylor offered assistance in providing the Village with flyers regarding services offered and assistance programs. Trustee Tomassi questioned if the Village could host a clinic, Mrs. Taylor will look into it. The residents will work with neighbors and find out who owns the cats and let the Village know.

Terry Gardner came in to let the board know that there is a lot of speeding on Foots Hill Road and Brooklyn Terrace. Mr. Gardner is not a Village resident, but his daughter/granddaughter resides in the Village. The Board asked if it was the same vehicles; he stated it varied from trucks from Village and Town to delivery trucks coming down from Parmenter’s. The Board stated they would contact the Town of Catharine and Parmenter’s to see if they could slow down traffic. The Clerk will also contact the Sheriff’s department to see about putting a speeding sign up on the road.

Resolution 64-2006
Motion to accept the minutes of the May 9, 2007 Regular Board meeting made by Trustee Pierce seconded by Deputy Mayor (DM) Decker.
Voted” YES” by ALL with the exception of Trustee Thoman who abstained.
Carried

BUILDING INSPECTOR:
Clerk Pierce informed the board of the following:
-- Bauman property, Mrs. Bauman has not responded as of yet.
-- Spoke to Attorney Mattison, we can not go onto a property and take care of it; such as in the case of the Bauman property; we need to pass a local property maintenance law that would allow us to go in and clean up a property and charge the costs on the residents taxes. Attorney Mattison is working on this.
-- Caldwell Property, water will be shut off next week.
-- West Property – Mayor Ketchum reported that a deposit was made on property and requested Clerk Pierce to contact Attorney Mattison to stop Supreme Court proceedings.

Mayor Ketchum went over with the Board the problems with the pump house on Merchant. Summary: Pump motor is burnt out and needs to be replaced, and the well needs to be surged to clean it out due to all the debris that was found when a camera was put down the well. This is due to years of buildup and may help with the “dirty” water that some residents get.

Mayor Ketchum also let the Board know there was a water break on Brooklyn Terrace. It was a vertical break in the pipe that had most likely been leaking since February.

-- S.W.E.A.P Program – workers have put mulch down and have been handling the brush on Coddington Place. Trustee Tomassi suggested cleaning and painting the Community Room.

-- Removal of tanks at DPW Building Site: Clerk Pierce report that this would most likely take place late summer when paving slows down.

-- Clerk Pierce submitted quotes received from Suit-Kote for Chip sealing Mitchell Hollow and Owens Place. These will be covered by the CHIPS money received by the state.

-- Chief Franklin submitted the mileage and gas report for the Tahoe and also submitted the requested Financial Report from the Fire Department. The Tahoe has used 700 gallons of gas from 6/06 to present.
o Chief Franklin stated he will be more conducive in the use of the Tahoe and will submit Quarterly reports for the mileage and gas usage and a monthly financial report.

-- Discussion regarding making a policy for Tahoe and Village DPW Vehicles -- use and expectations while using Village/FD vehicles.

-- Fire Department will be participating in the Relay for Life; over $900 has been raised so far from the department.

Resolution 65-2006
Motion to approve vouchers for the month of May 2007, totaling $99,423.48 made by Trustee Thoman, seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried.

-- Jolene Horton at 203 Merchant Avenue – Small Claims appearance issued for May 30, 2007 at 4PM.

-- NYCOM Fire Department Workshop with John Galligan is set for Thursday, July 12th.

-- NYS Archives Training Workshop will be held at the Village Community Room on September 11. The workshop will be on Inactive Records – Village will be hosting.

-- Approval received from Board to adjust monies for end of year balancing; entries will be provided at June 13th meeting.

-- Approval to proceed with two weekly payrolls to keep the end of the Village’s fiscal year all together without accruals.

-- Approval received from Board to open a Super Savings account with Tompkins Trust Company to earn a 2.82% interest rate instead of .76%. Approval was given to move $200,000 out of the General Fund.

-- Brought forward the need for a Village credit card to handle small purchases and certain purchases over the Internet when available to save money. Board requested information from the bank and will table until next meeting.

Mayor Ketchum went over DPW Job opening:
-- Need to place an ad for two weeks, both in Watkins Review and Hi-Lites.

-- GO M.A.D. Day: Everything went well, all bills are not in, and so final expense number is not available.

-- Village Logo – DPW has shirts, still working on stickers for trucks; need to contact a different company.

-- The Board requested that Clerk Pierce contact Attorney Mattison to write up an amendment including parking fines and a possible towing provision. Board also requested when this is put in place that larger no-parking signs be ordered.

-- Summer Recreation – Clerk Pierce contacted Town of Veteran Supervisor to see if they would financially support the program due to children coming from their area; they will discuss at the next board meeting.

-- Board agreed to send a letter of support in setting up a Schuyler County Habitat for Humanity.

Resolution 66-2006
Motion made by Trustee Pierce, seconded by DM Decker to allow the Village of Odessa Court to install and put into service the Government Payment Service, Inc. payment processing system which will allow the court to take credit card/debit card payments for fines.
Voted “YES” by ALL. Carried

CORRESPONDENCE
-- Journal Schuyler County Historical Society April 2007
-- Time Warner Cable 1st Quarter Franchise Fee report
-- The Portal – May 2007
-- NYCOM Across the Table March/April 2007
-- Letter from OMCS Announcing Board members
-- NYMIR Statement of Account for 2006
-- Red Cross Support letter

TRUSTEE COMMENTS
-- DM Decker will be buying flowers for the Memorial point.

ADJOURNED
Motion to adjourn at 9:58 pm made by Trustee Thoman, seconded by DM Decker.

The following are the minutes of the Odessa Village Board's regular meeting held on May 9, 2007, in the Municipal Building Community Room.

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustee was held on May 9, 2007 at 7:30PM in the Village Community Room.

Deputy Mayor Decker opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 p.m.

Mayor Ketchum – Absent; Deputy Mayor Decker – Present
Trustee Pierce- Present; Trustee Thoman – Absent
Trustee Tomassi – Present; Supt. Palmer – Absent
Fire Chief Franklin – Absent; Deputy Supt. Walp – Absent
Clerk-Treasurer Pierce – Present; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Collins- Absent
Code Enforcement Officer Seager – Present

Resolution 62-2006
Motion to accept the minutes of the April 25, 2007 Regular Board meeting made by Trustee Pierce seconded by Trustee Tomassi.
Voted” YES” by ALL. Carried

BUILDING INSPECTOR reported:
-- Read April Monthly Report – There has been no response from Mr. Caldwell, next step is to take him to court to comply.
-- Attorney Mattison contacted Chip to ask if anything had been done with the West Property. Attorney Mattison will be going forward with formal complaint.
-- BI Seager asked Clerk Pierce to check with Attorney Mattison to see if the Village could have someone remove the cars and trees behind the Bauman property.

DPW REPORT:
-- Clerk Pierce stated that DPW Palmer submitted his retirement date in writing and it will be 8/31/07.

Need approval on a PO for Parmenter Automotive for tire on the Brush Truck totaling $561.84. - Approved

CLERK-TREASURER:
Clerk Pierce reported:
-- Jolene Horton at 203 Merchant Avenue – Attorney Mattison suggested the next action should be for the Village to go to Small Claims Court to obtain the past due taxes on the property.

Resolution 63-2006
Motion to approve the 2007 Code of Ethics made by
Trustee Tomassi seconded by Trustee Pierce.
Voted” YES” by ALL. Carried

CORRESPONDENCE:
-- SCOPED Minutes and Meeting Notice
-- NYCOM Albany Action 5/1/07
-- Joint Landfill Commission Minutes
-- Erie Canal way National Heritage Corridor 06 Annual Report
-- OMCS News Notes May 2007
-- USDA 06 Progress Report – New York
-- NYMIR Rate Adjustment Letter
-- Real Property Transfer 204 MacDowell – Covert to FHLMC Foreclosure
-- Real Property Transfer 519 MacDowell – Fitzpatrick to Fitzpatrick
-- Real Property Transfer Church Street – Newtown Assoc. to S. Bannister VacLand

TRUSTEE COMMENTS:
-- Trustee Tomassi made the request of the following be made to the Odessa Fire Department:
o Gas Usage since 2005 Tahoe was placed in service.
o 2005 Tahoe Mileage log

-- DM Decker made the request that the Treasurers report for the Odessa Fire Department (in future to be submitted at least quarterly, if monthly is not available.)
-- DM Decker asked that the request be put in writing instead of verbally.

ADJOURNED
Motion to adjourn at 8:19pm made by Trustee Tomassi, seconded by Trustee Pierce.

Village Board Members

Back in charge: Austin runs board meeting