Speculator
VB August 12 2019
Speculator
concerned about septic tanks
By
Pete Klein
SPECULATOR—When
the Speculator Village Board of Trustees met on August 12, Town of Lake
Pleasant Supervisor Dan Wilt and Mayor Jeannette Barrett presented a LPSA letter
received regarding Harmful Algae Bloom and Faulty Septic Tanks, and the
importance of being proactive in protecting our lakes. They provided an Inlet
Local Law regarding certification of preexisting septic systems
At
the last meeting of the Town of Lake Pleasant Board it was proposed the Town
adopt a similar local Law to Inlet that outlines the specifics for homeowner
upkeep and inspection of their septic systems as a preventative measure in
protecting our lakes.
Supervisor
Wilt came to the Village Board Meeting requesting the Village also adopt the
Law.
Trustee
Eric Craven stated it was his understanding the village is under the town and
those laws that are adopted by the town must also be enforced within the village
unless the village chooses to put in place a law stricter in scope.
Bob
Benkovich stated that in our zoning laws there is verbiage for septic systems,
and we should look at the zoning law as well.
Mayor
Barrett and Supervisor Wilt explained that in adopting a similar local law as
Lake Pleasant, this will allow us to take corrective and preventative actions
to protect our lakes.
WATER/WASTEWATER
DEPARTMENT
Edward
Scharpou, WWTP Chief Operator, submitted a written report as follows.
WASTEWATER
The
monthly reports for June are done. Correspondence with DEC regarding SPDES
technical review.
Flows
to the plant have begun to slow down. We will take the outside plant offline
shortly and prepare for construction.
We
have continued pumping biosolids to the bays with a borrowed polymer machine.
Once ours is built it will be installed however it will most likely not be used
until next year.
Mid-summer
plant smells have been questioned and we have done our best to eliminate the
problem.
The
biosolids have been applied to the Land Application site.
Sampling
for the SPDES technical review will occur the week of the 19th.
We
are on track for our September 9th deadline for bidding agreement. This is a
resolution that must be made at the meeting. Plant design is nearly finished
and will be sent to EFC for approval prior to bidding.
DASNY
has what has been asked from us for grant funds of $500,000 to be released. It
is being sent in for financial review currently.
WATER
DEPARTMENT
The
Monthly report has been sent out. August samples have been sent out.
Sampling
for Nitrate, Secondary Inorganic Chemicals, and Disinfection Byproducts/Stage 2
will occur on the week of the 19th as required by DOH.
All
R900s but two have been installed in the Village they should be done this week.
Meters
will begin to come out shortly some have to be checked for inaccurate readings.
Once they are removed, we will send them to be tested as they are still under
warranty.
Quotes
for the Pump to be replaced have come in slightly higher than anticipated. I
have budgeted 25,000 for replacement. Layne (27,995.00), Hawk (26,741.50).
Mayor
Barrett commented there is no interest on the current EFC sewer bond.
Scharpou
stated the pump presented by Slack is slightly more expensive than expected but
that it is of better quality and will be a better investment. With this company
you buy the polymer then they give you the machine. The projected date for
replacement of the well pump is the end of September.
BUSINESS
MANAGER-DEPUTY CLERK’S REPORT:
Claire
Craven submitted a written Transition Report and reviewed it with the Board.
Additional commentary was made as follows:
Craven
reviewed an excel spreadsheet comparing the written ledger accounts and the
former software program’s balance sheet in order to come up with approximations
for End of Year Closing discussions.
As
best as can be determined, funds for the 4th of July Parade Committee were held
within the Village General Fund account. An excel spreadsheet was found noting
$8,829 as the amount held.
Craven
asked for Board confirmation as to the accuracy of the amount and intent of
funds and then recommended a separate designated checking account for 4th of
July Parade Committee or explore the creation a 4th of July Parade Committee
under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce, separate from the Village.
Trustee Letty Rudes asked, and all agreed, to have the Office of General
Services or the New York State Accounting Services consulted prior to any
decision on transfer of funds to ensure correct processes and procedures be taken.
In
last year’s Audit, it states that no reserves have been designated for any
specific accounts.
It
was noted that the 2018 Audit report stated that the Village would make a
resolution for a minimum unrestricted fund balance of at 10% of the general fund
operating budget After looking back at previous years board meeting minutes,
there is no documentation that the decision to do so was agreed upon by the board.
In researching the validly of this statement, the Office of the State
Comptroller recommends two (2) months spending.
Trustee
Eric Craven made a motion to move the water bond interest funds presently in
the General Fund to the Water fund. Trustee Mark Donecker seconded, and the
motion was passed unanimously.
OLD
BUSINESS
Trustee
Craven presented a finalized draft for the new Vendor Law.
Trustee
Donecker made a motion to approve the vendor law as presented, pending a final
meeting with attorney Katie Smith confirming language.
Trustee
Rudes seconded and the motion was passed unanimously.
A
comment from the last meeting regarding the responsibility of the Kiosk was
retracted due to its inaccuracy.
Claire
Craven suggested we contact the Lake Pleasant School about the Kiosk being an
8th grade project.
Crystal
O’Brien, Clerk-Treasurer, will meet with the Chamber and school to work out a
plan.
Mayor
Barrett commented that she has applied for a Grant for a map with local points
of interest. If the Village is awarded the grant, the map will be added to one
side of the Kiosk, leaving the other side open for local news, events and
updates.
FIRE
DEPARTMENT APPLICATION
Trustee
Craven made a motion to approve the Firefighter Application for Mr. Eric
Knowlton-Page. Trustee Rudes seconded and the motion was passed unanimously.
BOARD
ROUND TABLE:
Mayor
Barrett reported that she received information on a grant for historical
markers. She has handed over the information to Mr. Hoffman as historical
markers should be investigated by the Historical Society. Therefore, the
Village itself will not be looking further into the grant but left it to the
discretion of the Historical Society.
Mayor
Barrett reported two grants the Village has applied for have been turned down;
however, there were others still in play and we would continue to apply for any
eligible grant possibilities that could benefit our Village and its residents.
PUBLIC
COMMENT:
Robert
Hoffman asked what other public events might be exempt from the new vendor
local law, as the Historical Society hosts the Apple Festival in the fall and
Scharpou mentioned Family Fun Day sponsored by Hamilton County. It was noted
the verbiage states public events approved by the board to allow for these and
other special events.
Mayor
Barrett publicly thanked all of those who stepped up and filled in for her in
her absence, in which she is extremely grateful.
Editor
Note: Story based on the minutes from Crystal O’Brien, Village Clerk -
Treasurer