The Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Village of Oriskany Falls was held on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 6:35PM in the Village Hall. In attendance were Mayor John Misiaszek and Trustees Thomas Kilts, Gerald Pedersen, Brian Bell and Benjamin Stuttard.

The following appointments were made for the 2015-2016 Village Year:

Deputy Mayor                                                                         Brian Bell

Village Attorney                                                                      William Getman

Village Official Bank                                                              NBT Bank

Official Newspaper                                                                 Waterville Times /

                                                                                    Utica Observer Dispatch

Registrar of Vital Statistics                                                       Sonya Furness

Internal Auditor                                                                      Benjamin Stuttard

Fire/Building Codes Enforcement Officer                             Robert Piersma

Liaison to Codes Officer                                                         Brian R. Bell  

Superintendent of Public Works                                             Robert C. Bowie

Clerk/Treasurer                                                                      Amber L. Bell

Finance/Budget Officer                                                          Amber L. Bell

Part Time Clerk                                                                      Linda Bikowsky

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator                                   Robert Galinski

Youth & Recreation Commissioner                                        Gerald Pedersen

Summer Youth Employment Training                                   Robert C. Bowie

Pride in the Community Chairman                                         Thomas Kilts

Community Service Organizations Liaison                             Brian R. Bell

Stone Church                                                                          Thomas Kilts

Liaison to Senior Citizens                                                        Gerald Pedersen         

Village Historian                                                                     Helen L. Alberding

Representative to the SWOCO Board                                    Brian Bell

Fair Housing Officer                                                              Benjamin Stuttard

Webmaster                                                                             Amber L. Bell

SOCCOG                                                                               Gerald Pedersen

Benjamin Stuttard made the resolution seconded by Brian Bell to accept the appointments of the Annual Meeting. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

John Misiaszek made the resolution seconded by  Benjamin Stuttard as follows:

    WHEREAS NBT Bank is designated as a depository for the funds for the Village of Oriskany Falls. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

John Misiaszek made the resolution seconded by Gerald Pedersen           to set the Monthly Board Meetings for the Third Monday of each Month at 6:30 PM, starting April 20, 2015, through March 31, 2016. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

Benjamin Stuttard made the resolution seconded by John Misiaszek  to hold the next Annual Meeting on the First Monday of April 2016 at 6:30 PM at the Village Hall. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

Brian Bell made the resolution seconded by Benjamin Stuttard       to following this procedure for calling Special Meetings. The Mayor or two Trustees acting together may call a Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees. The party calling the Special Meeting will contact the Clerk/Treasurer and the Clerk/Treasurer will be responsible for notifying all other members of the Board, posting the appropriate Public Notice and notifying the Media as to the time, place and reason for the Special Meeting. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

Brian Bell made the resolution seconded by Gerald Pedersen         for the advance approval of claims as follows:

     WHEREAS the Board of Trustees has determined to authorize payment in advance for the Audit of Claims for Public Utility Services, Bond Payments, other pre-approved contracts, Postage, Freight and Express Charges, and;

     WHEREAS all such claims shall be presented at the next Regular Meeting for Audit, and;

     WHEREAS the claimant and officer incurring or approving the same shall be jointly and severally liable for any amount disallowed by the Board of Trustees;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

     Section 1. That the Village of Oriskany Falls Board of Trustees authorizes payment in advance of audit of claims for public utility services, bond payments, other pre-approved contracts, postage, freight and express charges, and all such claims shall be presented to the internal auditor and at the next regular meeting for audit and the claimant and officer incurring or approving the same shall be jointly and severally liable for any amount disallowed by the board of trustees.

     Section 2. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

John Misiaszek made the resolution seconded by Gerald Pedersen   for mileage allowance as follows:

     WHEREAS the Board of Trustees has determined to pay a fixed rate for mileage as reimbursement to Officers and Employees of the Village who use their personal automobiles while performing their official duties on behalf of the Village;

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

     Section 1. That the Board of Trustees shall approve reimbursement to such officers and employees at the rate of $0.575 per mile (was $0.56). To follow the States mileage allowance and to adjust it when needed.

     Section 2. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Thomas Kilts nay, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 4-1.

Brian Bell made the resolution seconded by John Misiaszek for attendance at schools and conferences as follows:

     WHEREAS there is to be held during the coming official year a) the New York State Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting and Training School; b) the New York State Conference of Mayors Fall Training School for Fiscal Officers and Municipal Clerks; c) the New York State Conference for Mayors Main Street Conference and Training School; d) etc., and

     WHEREAS it is determined by the Board of Trustees, that attendance by certain Municipal Officials and Employees at one or more of these meetings, conferences or schools benefits the municipality;

     NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

     Section 1. That the following officers and employees are hereby authorized to attend all New York State Conference of Mayors schools: Mayor John Misiaszek and Clerk/Treasurer Amber L. Bell; that the trustees are hereby individually authorized to attend those New York State Conference of Mayors schools that are directly related to their specific areas of assigned responsibility. In addition, the following are authorized to attend specific schools: Mayor John Misiaszek and Robert C. Bowie Water and Sewer Schools and Seminars; Amber L. Bell, Office of the State Comptroller Accounting Schools and Seminars. Guests of authorized officers and employees are required to pay for their expenses in advance.

     Section 2. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

The Annual Review of the Village Procurement Policy was undertaken. Benjamin Stuttard made the resolution seconded by Thomas Kilts to adopt this policy. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell nay and John Misiaszek nay. Approved 3-2.

The Annual Review of the Village Personal Property/Fixed Assets/Accountability Policy was undertaken. John Misiaszek made the resolution seconded by Gerald Pedersen to adopt these policies. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

The Annual Review of the Village Investment Policies and Procedures, Purchase Order and Voucher Policy were undertaken. Brian Bell made the resolution seconded by Benjamin Stuttard to adopt these policies. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

The Annual Review of Local Law #1 "Code of Ethics" of 2005 was undertaken. Brian Bell made the resolution seconded by Gerald Pedersen to accept this Local Law. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

The Harassment in the Workplace Policy and the Sexual Harassment Policy were undertaken. John Misiaszek made the resolution seconded by Benjamin Stuttard           to approve Sexual Harassment Policy. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

Brian Bell made the resolution seconded by Gerald Pedersen         to approve the Workplace Policy. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

The Annual Review of the Drug-Free Workplace Policy and CDL Drug Free Policy were undertaken. John Misiaszek made the resolution seconded by Benjamin Stuttard to adopt these policies. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

Clerk/Treasurer Amber Bell is to contact Village Attorney William Getman regarding creating an Incident Policy; when a village employee gets in an accident then they would be required to get a drug test.

The Annual Review of the Cellular Phone Policy was undertaken. John Misiaszek made the resolution seconded by Gerald Pedersen to adopt this policy. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

The Personnel Hand Book Policy was reviewed. John Misiaszek made the motion seconded by Benjamin Stuttard to approve this policy. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

The Retirement Policy was reviewed. The Village Board would like for the Village Clerk to look into the expense of the Board Members being in the retirement system. Brian Bell made the resolution seconded by John Misiaszek to adopt this policy. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

The Employee Discipline Policy was reviewed. John Misiaszek made the resolution seconded by Brian Bell to adopt this policy. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

The Annual Review of the Website Policy was undertaken. John Misiaszek made the resolution seconded by Benjamin Stuttard to adopt the Website Policy and appointed Clerk/Treasurer Amber Bell as the Webmaster. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

The Annual Review of the Fair Housing Policy was undertaken. John Misiaszek made the resolution seconded by Brian Bell to adopt the Fair Housing Policy. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

The Annual review of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Employment Policy was undertaken. John Misiaszek made the resolution seconded by Gerald Pedersen to adopt the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Employment Policy. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

Clerk/Treasurer Amber Bell reviewed the 2015-2016 Proposed Budget with the Board of Trustees.          

The Village Board request that the Fire Commissioners provide a list of equipment that needs to be update for each year.

Clerk/Treasurer Amber Bell is to look into property tax for the village owned property in the Town of Madison.

Trustee Thomas Kilts request a report on water billed for the year versus water pumped for the year.

The Board Members suggest that Jennifer Furner and Kristen Spinella attend the next Village Board meeting to request a raise.

Thomas Kilts made the resolution seconded by Benjamin Stuttard to keep the Clerk/Treasurers raise for the 2015-2016 Budget at 3% and have a 2% Increase in salary for Robert Bowie and Matthew Bowie; to increase both part time employees up to $9 an hour for the upcoming budget year. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen abstain, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell abstain and John Misiaszek nay. Denied 2-1

Thomas Kilts made the resolution seconded by Benjamin Stuttard to increase the part time employees hourly wage up to $9 an hour for the proposed 2015-2016 Budget. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen abstain, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye.

Approved 4-0

Thomas Kilts made the resolution seconded by Benjamin Stuttard to keep the Clerk/Treasurers raise for the 2015-2016 Budget at 3% and have a 2% Increase in salary for Robert Bowie and Matthew Bowie.  Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell abstain and John Misiaszek nay. Approved 3-1

Brian Bell made the resolution seconded by John Misiaszek to set a Public Hearing for the Adoption of the Proposed 2015-2016 Budget for Monday, April 20, 2015 at 6:15PM. Thomas Kilts nay, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 4-1.

Brian Bell made the motion seconded by John Misiaszek to adjourn at 10:09PM. Thomas Kilts aye, Gerald Pedersen aye, Benjamin Stuttard aye, Brian Bell aye and John Misiaszek aye. Approved 5-0.

Respectfully submitted by Amber L. Bell, Clerk/Treasurer for the Village of Oriskany Falls.