RANDOLPH RACDC President Tonia McAllister informed Randolph board officials that Sen. Catherine Young will be in the holiday parade to take place during their annual Christmas Extravaganza on Dec. 5. Eagle Scout candidates will march in the parade alongside Sen. Young. The parade will take place at 11a.m. on Main Street. Local officials will participate in the parade.
Board members discussed in depth participating in the WARN program. Officials had moved last month to have their village attorney review the contract and report her findings to the board. Their attorney reported that everything must be in writing and there is no duty involved in the contract. She stated that if someone is asked to come to assist the village in the event of a catastrophic event, the village must pay their pay from where they come from. For example, she stated, if contractors come from Albany, they would pay their going rate, not the going rate for their area. The opposite is true for crews sent from the area; they would receive their going wage and not that of the area they are assisting. Another point she brought up was that if incoming crews experience equipment breakdown and must rent equipment, the village is responsible to pay the rent on the equipment. She explained that the board appoints one official to manage the program for their jurisdiction and what that official says, goes. If there isn't any money in the budget to pay for the expense of bringing in emergency crews, too bad, their attorney stated. The official in charge can say go. You have to be very careful about who you select as the official, she stated.
Norm Moon, Water Superintendent, told officials that this program is to cover the first three days of a catastrophe when there is nobody else available to help. It's for a catastrophe like what happened in Gowanda to get you back up in operation for repairs, and not major construction, Moon stated. WARN checks to see if there is anyone in our district who is willing to help us, he continued.
MacLaughlin stated that he wanted to wait until the next meeting to decide who they appoint to the position. He stated he didn't want to rush into it. Trustee Zollinger stated it sounded like a good idea when asked by the Mayor what his thoughts were on it. The Mayor agreed with Zollinger.
The contract is renewable yearly. "It's a mutual aid thing between communities," stated Moon. The board moved to table a decision until their next meeting.
Officials discussed the issue of sidewalk plowing. Village residents have enjoyed sidewalk plowing for many years and Highway Superintendent, Jay Smith, informed board members that with the separation of the department into two separate authorities, their past sidewalk plow operators are no longer with the streets department. Smith stated that with the extra plowing being done by the department, it's hard to pull one man out for sidewalks. Smith suggested contracting the sidewalks of both villages to be done by an individual. He suggested the board work out a contract for one year and after that time, review it for any necessary changes that may be needed. The board approved a motion to enter into a contract with Bill Sharp for $3,000 for 300 hours of sidewalk plowing to be paid in four equal payments during the months of December thru March.
The board moved to turn on the electric to the Dow building at the Village's expense for the historical society so they can continue work on the building in the winter. Officials commended members of the historical for the hard work they've put in to restoring the Dow building.
A motion was carried to join the New York State Mayors Association and pay the $600 dues.
The board approved a motion to send back unpaid taxes of $34,850.09 to the County.
The board will meet again on Dec. 21st at 7:30 p.m. at the municipal building.