TOWN OF STAFFORD PUBLIC HEARING
MAY 20, 2024
Supervisor Clement opened the Town of Stafford Public Hearing by leading the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:13 pm. In attendance were, Councilman Young, Councilman Duyssen, and Town Clerk Radley, Councilman Panek and Councilman Pacer were absent
Also in attendance were Daniel Ratka, Ed Schramm, Bev Walthew, Jeremy DeLyser from Clark, Patterson, Lee, and Andrew Darling.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to accept Resolution 35 Classifying the Town of Stafford Water District No. 14, second by Councilman Young and approved on a 3-0-2 vote, Councilman Panek and Councilman Pacer were absent. There were a few questions asked by Bev Walthew; why is Fargo Rd. included, and not just Clapsaddle Rd.? It was explained that the more units for the project the less the debt service is, six on Clapsaddle and six on Fargo Rd. The water district must be in the Town of Stafford for Stafford residents, Bethany for Bethany residents; and the State Comptroller dictates that since the roads are connecting, they must be combined.
RESOLUTION NO. 35 DATED: MAY 20, 2024
CLASSIFYING THE TOWN OF STAFFORD WATER DISTRICT NUMBER 14
IN GENESEE COUNTY A TYPE I ACTION, ESTABLISHING LEAD AGENCY AND DETERMINING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SUCH ACTION, AND DIRECTING THE NEGATIVE DECLARATION BE PUBLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SEQRA.
Board Member Duyssen presented the following resolution and moved that it be adopted, and it was seconded by Board Member Young.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF THE TOWN OF STAFFORD AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, The Town of Stafford (“Town”) has proposed the formation of Town of Stafford Water District No. 14 including installation of approximately 2,500 linear feet of 8-inch water mains along portions of Fargo and Clapsaddle Road to serve approximately 12 properties; and
WHEREAS, to aid the Board in determining whether such Project and financing and other actions of the Board in connection therewith (the “action”) might have a significant effect on the environment, the Board caused to be prepared an environmental assessment form or similar information (“EAF”), a copy of which it attached hereto; and
WHEREAS, the Board duly reviewed the EAF and related documents with respect to the above-referenced project and duly considered the impacts which may be expected to result from the proposed action with the criteria set forth in the State Environmental Quality Review Act and the applicable regulations promulgated thereunder (“SEQRA”); and
WHEREAS, the Board determined that the project was an “Type I Action” pursuant to SEQRA; and
WHEREAS, the Board determined that the project included one or more involved agencies, mandating a coordinated review; and
WHEREAS, the Board duly notified the other involved agencies pursuant to 6 NYCRR 617.6(3)(i) and indicated its willingness to be designated Lead Agency status; and
WHEREAS, all of the involved agencies have consented to the Board’s request to be designated Lead Agency status;
now therefore, be it resolved by the BOARD OF THE TOWN OF STAFFORD declares to be Lead Agency for the project for the proposed action and therefore responsible for determining whether an environmental impact statement is required in connection therewith and otherwise complying with the procedural and substantive requirements of SEQRA;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF THE TOWN OF STAFFORD AS FOLLOWS:
- Based upon the review by the Board of the EAF and other necessary criteria, the Board hereby finds and determines that the proposed action is an “Type I Action” under SEQRA and will result in no significant impacts and therefore, such action is not one which “may include the potential for at least one significant adverse environmental impact,” (b) “there will be no significant adverse environmental impacts,” and (c) no “environmental impact statement” need be prepared, as such quoted terms are defined in SEQRA. Reasons supporting this determination are included in the EAF and hereby made a part of this resolution for the purposes of SEQRA. This determination constitutes a negative declaration for purposes of SEQRA and it has been prepared in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law.
- A copy of this resolution shall be placed on file in the office of the Town of Stafford, where the same shall be available for public inspection during business hours and such notice of negative declaration shall be filed in such offices, posted in such places and published in such manner as shall be necessary to conform to the requirements of SEQRA.
This resolution shall take effect immediately.
Duly put to a vote as follows:
AYES NAYS ABSENT
Councilman Young Councilman Panek
Councilman Duyssen Councilman Pacer
Supervisor Clement
She also asked what the $61,000 cost overrun in Water District #12 was and should the Water District No. 14 be concerned about this. That cost overrun was because of the CSX delays and the Thruway having boulders that the construction company could not get through easily; this cost was in the contingency and did not raise the cost of the debt service to the residents. It is not expected to occur in this project. Should the cost go over the estimated figures before it starts, the project will go to a vote of the residents involved and could be withdrawn by vote.
The schedule for the project is to get in line for the WIIA Grant, in November or December; this gives time to get the paperwork in order. After that it will go out to Bid for the contractors and we are looking at a finishing time to be late fall of 2025.
Should there be new housing on those roads in the Town of Stafford, it will reduce the cost of the debt service because the debt service is determined by the number of units in the district.
Supervisor Clement then read the Notice of the Public Hearing, this was posted and published as well as sent to all residents in the proposed district.
Councilman Young made a motion to close the Public Hearing at 7:50 pm second by Councilman Duyssen and approved on a 3-0-2 vote; Councilman Panek and Councilman Pacer were absent.
Councilman Young made a motion to open the Regular meeting at 7:50 pm with Councilman Duyssen second the motion, passed with at 3-0-2 vote, Councilman Panek and Councilman Pacer were absent.
The Grant Writing Proposals were discussed; it was explained that the County has offered this program to defer the costs of an Income Survey for the towns. It was suggested that the Town of Stafford apply for the grants and ask Municipal Solutions and G & G to assist with the costs of Water Districts 14 and 15.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to allow Supervisor Clement to fill out the Grant Application from the County for Grant Writing purposes, Councilman Young second and the motion passed on a 3-0-2 vote, Councilman Panek and Councilman Pacer was absent.
Councilman Young made a motion to accept the G & G Grant Proposal for the Income Survey, Councilman Duyssen second the motion and it passed 3-0-2, Councilman Panek and Councilman Pacer were absent.
Councilman Young made a motion to hold a Public Hearing on June 10 at 7:00 pm for the purpose of a Bond Resolution for Water District No. 14, Councilman Duyssen second the motion and it passed 3-0-2, Councilman Panek and Councilman Pacer were absent.
Town Clerk Radley reported that the Garden Club is requesting assistance with financing for the plants to be placed in the planters in front of the Town Hall. They were purchased last year by the Town and plants were planted as well. This year the Club has little money; the plant sale did not go well, and the Scholarship money is low; they are looking for assistance to get the planters filled this year.
Councilman Panek arrived at 8:10 pm.
After a discussion Councilman Young made a motion to give the Garden Club $100.00 ($25.00 per planter) for flowers, Councilman Panek second the motion and it passed 4-0-1, Councilman Pacer was absent.
Councilman Young made a motion to enter into Executive Session at 8:15 pm and invited Town Clerk Radley to attend, second by Councilman Duyssen, the motion passed on a 4-0-1 vote, Councilman Pacer was absent.
The Regular session resumed at 8:25 pm.
Councilman Panek made a motion to accept the lowest Painting Bid by Jeremy Green Painting with the cooperation of the Post Office and extend the painting time until the end of June, second by Councilman Duyssen, the motion passed on a 4-0-1 vote with Councilman Pacer absent.
Councilman Duyssen made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 pm, second by Councilman Panek and approved on a 4-0-1 vote with Councilman Pacer absent.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara Radley
Town Clerk/Tax Collector