March 24, 2006
To reach a port we must sail, sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it. But we must not drift or lie at anchor." --Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., American jurist
Greetings from Wayne Central. Below are a few items of interest.
Board Letter:
| 1.
| Budget: Thank you for your direction (around 2%) regarding the budget. It appears to put us in a very favorable position compared to other schools reporting today: |
SCHOOL
|
BUDGET
|
LEVY
|
RATE
|
Penn Yan
|
5.2
|
3.67
|
3.67
|
| Manchester/Shortsville
|
1.2
|
4
|
3.79
|
| Naples
|
5.8
|
4.11
|
4.11
|
| Marion
|
4.5
|
4
|
3
|
| Gananda
|
3
|
2 (?)
|
7
|
| Canandaigua
|
7.8
|
5.9
|
3.5
|
| Honeoye
|
4.97
|
9.2
|
?
|
| Seneca Falls
|
.5
|
9
|
9
|
| N. Rose
|
?
|
5
|
5
|
| Williamson
|
3.8
|
4
|
4
|
| Red Creek
|
5
|
11-12
|
11-12
|
| Clyde-Savannah
|
?
|
15.58
|
?
|
| Wayne
|
3
|
2
|
1.9
|
| Dundee
|
4.8
|
6.2
|
6.2 (or higher)
|
| Victor
|
5.8
|
5.8
|
1.5
|
| Bloomfield
|
5.6
|
6
|
-5%
|
| Gorham-Middlesex
|
6
|
8
|
?
|
| Midlakes
|
4
|
4.9
|
5
|
| Waterloo
|
5.3
|
|
4-7 or 4.7
|
2. High School Programs: As you have seen through the last few board presentations, we have been concentrating on excellence at our high school. Project Lead the Way, International Baccalaureate, and TV Production are some examples of the district’s efforts. We believe our college bound rate will hit our district’s goal of 90% for the first time in your school’s history. Included in the budget is conducting an annual survey of graduates to see both how they did in college and career. They will also be giving feedback on how high school helped them or could be improved. I know this was an important goal with the Board.
We are also looking at increasing the number of students pursuing AP (advanced placement) high school courses. This spring we have offered our 11th grade students the option of taking the AP history exam. We have offered the same option to our Spanish 4 and 5 students. We want to see if there are many more students interested in this who could handle our AP program. We believed there were more students, but want to see the data. We estimate the study will cost $4,900 which is the cost of underwriting those AP exams. I believe it is well worth the high cost. As you know, each year Newsweek publishes the top 1,000 high schools in the United States. Within the next 3 years, I would like your high school to be among those schools. Adding the IB program and shoring up the AP program are two critical components toward achieving this goal.
3. CFE: The appellate Division Justices issued their decision in the state’s appeal of Justice DeGrasse’s order in the CFE Case. By a 3-2 they decided Justice DeGrasse has over stepped his authority in ordering 5.6 billion more money to NYC. Instead they settled on a compromise between the state’s 4.7 billion and the 5.6 billion. It seems certain there will be an appeal to the state’s highest court, the court of appeals which will have the final say. I expect when it finally happens, more money will go to the city and less to Wayne Central.
4. Four County Fiscal Workshop: Four County is offering the NYS mandated fiscal workshops on April 29 from 9:00 – 4:00 p.m. at DiPacific’s in Farmington if anyone still needs to take the training. This is the program that Board members not yet trained are planning to attend. Greg and I will also participate. Please let Lori know if you are planning to attend and she will register you.
5. State Budget: Although a week ago our Senator was optimistic about an on-time budget, there is now growing pessimism in Albany that it will happen. Little progress appears to be made in resolving school aid, property tax relief and construction help for NYC schools. They must have the bills in print by Tuesday in order to pass by Friday (April 31). I doubt it will happen.
6. Foundation Update: The naming rights committee is going to start working on bidding for naming the science wing. We are working on developing a web site that we will link to the Wayne page. We just got a PO Box #541, Ontario. We are setting up an account at Lyons National. Amy is creating marketing material. The Foundation has been officially granted non-profit status by NYS and are working on getting the tax exempt status. As you can see, we are off to a great start. Our own CSEA has pledged a $500.00 annual contribution through the length of their contract.
7. Elementary Principalship: I have interviewed the three finalists and checked references. I will narrow the three to two next week and will visit their schools to gather more information. I expect to bring the finalist to our next meeting.
8. NYSCOSS: Next Thursday and Friday I will be in Albany at the NYS Council of School Superintendent’s Spring Conference. If you need to reach me at that time, call my cell phone, or contact Lori for additional information.
9. Scott Freischlag: Thank you for our discussion last night about Scott. Also thank you for your unanimous agreement that the Board as a whole and as individuals will stay out of the issue unless and until Scott and I are unable to resolve it.
10. The Edison Project: Ed Currier sent information to me on legislation that is the NYS Assembly that supports math and science education. It is worthwhile reading, and supports what we have been preaching and supporting through our model schools initiatives and higher standards. You will notice “Project Lead the Way” is listed as one of the initiatives. We should consider some letter writing to support the Assemblyman and his efforts for education.
11. BOCES Annual Meeting: The BOCES 35th Annual Meeting will be held on April 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Wayne Education Center at 4440 Ridge Road, Williamson. Tours of the new Special Education Center will begin at 6:00 – 6:45 p.m. As part of the program, students will be speaking about their experiences with the career and tech programs. Did I mention that Lori’s 1972 Buick Riveria “Boat Tail” is one of the year long Auto Body project cars that is undergoing a full body on-frame restoration. Please let Lori know if you plan on attending so we can RSVP.
12. HS Art Show: Just a reminder that the HS Art Show is this Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to see wonderful art work by our students.
13. HS Musical: I would also like to remind you that that HS musical “Cinderella” is next weekend with performances Friday and Saturday evening at 7:00 and Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. I hope you get a chance to catch a performance. Our students always put on a wonderful show.
14. NYC Trip Information: The senior trip itinerary is attached. They held their mandatory parent meeting this week to let parents and students know of behavior requirements and consequences particularly as well as to hand out the itinerary, discuss appropriate clothing and shoes, money needs, safety, etc.
15. NYSSBA 2006 Resolutions Kit: Attached is the 2006 resolutions booklet for your review. This is information on the resolution development process. If you have an issue(s) that you want to discuss for this purpose please let me or your legislative representative, Joyce Lyke know and we will discuss our position.
16. Upcoming Events:
March 28 –HS Art Show @ HS – 7:00 p.m.
March 29 – Freewill Parent Group Meeting @ FE Media Center – 6:45 p.m.
March 30-31 – NYSCOSS Meeting at Turf Inn, Albany
March 31, April 1 – HS Musical, Cinderella; 7:00 p.m. Saturday 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.
March 31 – Freewill’s 35th Birthday Party @ Carey Lake
17. Attachments:
a. Student Accomplishment – Erik Larson
b. Ontario Town Board Meeting Minutes – March 13
c. Four County Fiscal Responsibility Workshop Info – April 29
d. “The New Edison Project” Legislative Paper
e. Senior Trip Information
f. Red Ribbon Week Minutes – March 15
g. NYSSBA 2006 Resolutions Kit
h. WTA Wayne’s World - March
i. Directory Sheet - March 8 Update
-----Original Message-----
From: Currier, Ed
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 9:14 AM
To: Muir, Kim
Cc: Smith, Lori
Subject: RE: Student/HS Achievements
Hi Kim:
Erik Larson competed in the Regional Science Congress last weekend and earned several honors for his ongoing water research project. This is the seventh consecutive year he has entered continually pursuing research on Mill Creek. Erik is the only science student in the region to successfully compete each year throughout his middle school and high school years. His work has been published in the Crescent Trail Environmental newsletter. It has been used by the Wayne County Watershed committee and cited by the NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation. The stream study he did over the years is providing benchmark data for recent disruptions to the stream through careless dredging undertaken last year.
In addition to his Honors award from the Science Teachers Assn of NYS, Erik earned the following awards:
Genesee Valley New York Water Education Award -
Genesee Conservation Foundation Award
Bronze Medallion for Research Excellence -- US Army
Air Force Research Award
Kodak Award for Excellence in the use of photography in a project
Erik is being interviewed by the Wayne County Mail -- Ann Metz - this Thursday at 3:30 at the HS. Will the district contact the D&C for a regional article? The reporter is Diaz - 585.258.2264. This is a significant accomplishment and needs to be publicized. Erik has a long history of awards and did compete at the State Science congress a few years ago. Here is a student who needs to be highlighted not only in terms of his perseverance and dedication, but as an example of Wayne's finest -- one of our few true research science scholars. It is a shame that a regional basketball player can shoot baskets, get to meet the President, appear on national news..... Wouldn't that be a turnabout??
Thanks, Ed
MARCH 13, 2006
ONTARIO TOWN BOARD MEETING
A regular meeting of the Ontario Town Board was called to order by Supervisor Molino at 7:00 PM in the Ontario Town Hall. Present were Supervisor Joseph Molino, Council members: Lori Eaton-Smith, Jason Ruffell, Donald Shears and James Switzer, Superintendent of Water Utilities Robert Wykle, Highway Forman Robert Fenn, Accounting Supervisor Lois Buckalew, Sole Assessor Eileen Perkins, Library Director Karina Churchill, Dog Control Officer Mark Plyter and Town Clerk Cathy Herzog.
Absent: Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Edward Collins, Director of Recreation & Parks William Riddell and Town Attorney Patricia Crippen
Twenty residents and visitors were present at portions of the meeting.
Mr. Shears led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Hearing – Mr. Molino opened a public hearing to consider proposed Local Law # 2 of 2006 to increase the membership on the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board from five (5) members to seven (7) members. The legal notice of Public Hearing was published in the Wayne County Mail and posted on the Town Clerk’s bulletin board on March 2, 2006. Mr. Molino asked if anyone would like to make a comment on the proposal.
Mrs. Smith stated she would like to amend the proposal. She stated the Advisory Board asked to increase the membership as proposed but did not want the terms of office changed. She explained the differences in duties of a commission versus an advisory board and she stated she felt a seven year commitment to an advisory board was too long.
Mr. Switzer agreed and he stated the terms need to be staggered and a term cycle be established.
Mr. Ruffell asked the Recreation Advisory Board to advertise the positions and establish a timeframe for interviews for prospective members.
Chairman of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, Bert Sanchez, stated the board supports the change in membership. He added the board will be discussing filling the new positions at the next meeting.
A motion was made by Mr. Shears, seconded by Mr. Switzer, to close the public hearing at 7:07 PM.
5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Revisions to the Agenda – Mr. Switzer noted a procedural change needs to be done to remove a motion from the table prior to action on agenda item #5 (authorize the purchase of a truck). He also asked for an executive session at the end of the meeting for pending litigation.
Comments from the Public – None
Approval of Minutes - Mr. Molino asked for approval of the minutes of the February 27, 2006, Town Board meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Shears, seconded by Mr. Switzer, to approve the minutes as presented. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Correspondence – The Town Clerk received information from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that a series of pubic information meetings will be held regarding availability of funds for environmental projects funded under the Environmental Protection Fund. A local meeting will be held March 30th in the Penfield Community Center, 1985 Baird Road from 1:00 – 3:00 PM. Information is available in the Town Clerk’s office.
Town Attorney Report – None
Department Head Reports -
Superintendent of Water Utilities – A motion was made by Mr. Switzer, seconded by Mr. Ruffell, to accept the February 2006 report as presented. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Mr. Switzer asked Mr. Wykle what the test results were from T. Wilson Associates annual test of all backflow units noted in the monthly report. Mr. Wykle stated the test results were successful and some repairs were needed and have been made.
Superintendent of Highways – A motion was made by Mr. Molino, seconded by Mr. Ruffell, to accept the February 2006 report as presented. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer – A motion was made by Mr. Ruffell, seconded by Mr. Switzer, to accept the February 2006 report as presented. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Director of Recreation & Parks – Mrs. Smith announced that Mr. Riddell and his wife have a new baby boy, Joseph Robert Riddell, born on March 7, 2006. She stated the family is doing very well and she congratulated Mr. Riddell.
Mrs. Smith gave a verbal report for the Recreation Department as follows:
·
Recreation Advisory Board meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM at Casey Park and are open to the public.
·
Reported on the proposed Community Center meeting that was held February 21st. She thanked Mr. Riddell and the Advisory Board for the presentation and added she thinks that the Town Board is making good progress on this proposal.
·
Announced Easter egg hunt April 8th.
·
Report on program registration.
·
Invited all residents to participate in an evening at Red Wing Stadium on June 2nd, advance sale of tickets available at the Recreation Department.
·
The Recreation Department is looking for aquatic staff for anyone who is qualified.
A motion was made by Mr. Switzer, seconded by Mr. Ruffell, to accept the verbal report as presented. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Sole Assessor – A motion was made by Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mr. Ruffell, to accept the February 2006 report as presented. 5Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Mrs. Perkins stated the good weather made the task of completing field work for the March 1st taxable status date very pleasant this winter.
Ontario Public Library - A motion was made by Mr. Shears, seconded by Mr. Switzer, to accept the 2006 Library report as presented. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Mr. Shears noted circulation is up 10% from February 2005.
Ms. Churchill stated the Library has been very busy and there are new programs planned for youth and adults. She stated she will be going to Albany to request more state funding.
Mr. Switzer congratulated the Library on the $5,000.00 grant from the Bullis Advised Fund.
Ontario Town Court – A motion was made by Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mr. Shears, to receive the February 2006 report as presented. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Dog Control Officer – A motion was made by Mr. Shears, seconded by Mr. Switzer, to accept the 2006 report as presented. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Watershed Management Advisory Council – A motion was made by Mr. Molino, seconded by Mr. Shears, to accept the February 2006 report as presented. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Economic Development Report – No report.
Old Business - None
New Business – A motion was made by Mr. Switzer, seconded by Mr. Shears, to accept and file the Receiver of Taxes summary of taxes collected in February, as presented. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mr. Shears, to adopt a
RESOLUTION TO ADOPT LOCAL LAW #2 OF 2006
BE IT ENACTED BY THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF ONTARIO as follows:
Section 111-6 of the Town Code of the Town of Ontario is hereby adopted to read:
Establishment of Recreation and Parks Advisory Board.
A. The Board shall consist of seven (7) persons who shall be residents of the Town of Ontario. They shall be appointed by the Town Board for a term of seven (7) years. All vacancies which may occur shall be filled by the Town Board.
B. A member’s term expires upon the expiration of five (5) years on the Board or when such person no longer is a resident of the Town of Ontario. Adopted 3/13/06
5 Ayes 0 Nays RESOLUTION ADOPTED
,
A motion was made by Mr. Ruffell, seconded by Mr. Switzer, to authorize Christine Luteyn to attend Assessor training program G-1 held in Ithaca, March 27-31, 2006, with all actual and necessary expenses to be a town charge, as requested by the Assessor in a memo dated 3/2/06. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
A motion was made by Mr. Switzer, seconded by Mr. Shears, to authorize the Supervisor to execute the Newport Alliance updated contact agreement for services with pricing to remain the same.
5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
A motion was made by Mr. Switzer, seconded by Mr. Shears, to remove from the table a motion to authorize the Superintendent of Highways to purchase a pickup truck. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
A motion was made by Mr. Molino, seconded by Mr. Ruffell, to authorize the Superintendent of Highways to purchase a 2006 Dodge pickup truck from Albany Dodge, at NYS Contract #PC60922 and to further authorize the sale of the 1995 Dodge pickup truck and a 1995 International 6 wheel dump truck at the Municipal Auction in Palmyra on May 20, 2006, as requested by the Superintendent of Highways in Memorandum #06-03. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Mr. Ruffell thanked Serena Michels and Marilee Stollery for all of their work on the proposal to purchase the truck.
A motion was made by Mr. Switzer, seconded by Mr. Shears, to authorize the Town Clerk to attend the 2006 New York State Town Clerk’s Association 24th Annual Training Conference in Saratoga on April 23-26, 2006 with all actual and necessary charges to be a town charge, as requested by the Town Clerk in a memo dated 3/6/06. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
The legal notice to bidders for the 2006 Spring Cleanup was published in the Wayne County Mail on February 16, 2006 and posted on the Town Clerk’s bulletin board. Three bids were properly presented and opened on March 7, 2006 from Waste Management, Alpco Recycling and Heberle Disposal.
A motion was made by Mr. Switzer, seconded by Mr. Shears, to award the bid for the 2006 Spring Cleanup to the lowest responsible bidder, Waste Management of NY – Rochester, for an amount not to exceed $56.00/ton solid materials, $130.00/ton for tires and $35.00 per Freon units, as recommended by the Superintendent of Highways in Memorandum #06-05. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Policy Items - None
Budget Transfers/Adjustments - A motion was made by Mr. Switzer, seconded by Mr. Ruffell, to approve the following Highway budget transfer and adjustment:
Transfer $200,000.00 from DA 9901.9 to DA 5130.2
Increase 960/expense DA 5130.2 $164,500.00 from 599/appropriated fund balance
5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Reports by Town Board Members –
Mr. Ruffell reported on the following:
Updated progress on the proposed Comprehensive Plan (CP).
He was pleased to attend a tour of Photon Gear with Congressmen Walsh.
Working on a proposal for a fence ordinance.
Noted the next step after adopting a CP is appointing an ad hoc committee to revise Zoning.
Mr. Switzer reported on the following:
Congressmen Walsh’s visit to Ontario, March 6th. He stated he was very impressed with the tour of Optical businesses in Beh Industrial Park and the products they produce.
Approval from the State for the Business Improvement District is moving ahead and he thanked all involved in providing information to the state.
Assisted with a problem at the Lodge at Casey Park and he thanked Mrs. Jesse and Mr. Corwin for their assistance.
Agreed that the joint meeting with the Planning and Zoning Boards on the CP was very beneficial and he thanked Mr. Ruffell for planning that meeting.
Mrs. Smith reported she met with the Ontario Fire Commissioners as she is their liaison. She had a tour of their facility and she added the meeting was very informative. She announced the school’s Art group will fill the Town Hall display case in November.
Approval of Claims - A motion was made by Mr. Switzer, seconded by Mr. Ruffell, to approve the abstract of claims for the month of March 2006, including vouchers # 472 through # 601 with a grand total of $247,623.97 and to authorize the Supervisor to issue payments for same. 5 Ayes
0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Comments from the Public –
Executive Session - A motion was made by Mr. Switzer, seconded by Mr. Ruffell, to move into an executive session at 8:02 PM for pending litigation. 5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Mrs. Smith left the meeting at 8:46 PM.
Reconvene – 9:00 PM
Adjourn - A motion was made by Mr. Switzer, seconded by Mr. Ruffell, to adjourn at 9:02 PM.
5 Ayes 0 Nays MOTION CARRIED
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Herzog
Ontario Town Clerk
The above minutes will become official upon approval of the town board.
Back to top
Letter to the Board
