Town of Vienna

Town Board Meeting Minutes

July 2, 2025

 

ATTENDANCE:

Supervisor Michael Davis-Absent

Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen

Councilman Darrin Smith

Councilman Jason Spellicy

Councilman Jason Lamb

Town Clerk Carol Huber

 

CALL TO ORDER:

Deputy Supervisor Spellicy called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Supervisor Davis is still currently in Rochester receiving medical treatment.

 

NOCCOG: Joe Rowlands

Tug Hill Commission released, Understanding the new Regulatory Standards for Animal Shelters and a Municipal Guide for Writing Requests for Professional Services. Oneida County Tourism released their 2025 Destination Guide. New York Planning Federation is offering 3, one-day conferences with different topics such as affordable housing, and working with state agencies for funded local projects. There is a cost and 4.5 training hours available. Grants are available for Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors. A remote training session July 24th from 6-7 on solar and battery storage and the local review process.

 

COUNTY LEGISLATURE: Norman Leach

The County has an approved template for road striping. Mortgage Tax went from 1.2 to 1.6 million, those checks have been sent out. There is a million-dollar grant for lead prevention. Utica has a grant for a noise sensor system. Indian Reservation tax money is 5.6 % which went up $14,000 totaling 2.5 million in taxes.

 

SEALED BIDS FOR TREE REMOVAL:

NOTICE

2 TREE REMOVAL BIDS

FOR

TOWN OF VIENNA HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

 

The Vienna Town Board and the Vienna Highway Superintendent, request 2 separate sealed bids for; the removal of 12 trees at least 3 feet below the adjacent wire, located on multiple Town roads and, also for the removal of 20 dead trees on Orchard Drive.

 

Bid specifications are available at the Vienna Town Clerks Office, Town Hall, 2083 NYS Route 49, North Bay, New York during regular business hours. Specifications can also be found on the town website at townofviennany.org or emailed at your request.

 

Bids will be accepted from responsible bidders up to and no later than 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday July 2, 2025, in person or by mail to the Vienna Town Clerk PO Box 250 North Bay, NY 13123. Sealed bids will be publicly opened at the regular meeting of the Town Board on Wednesday July 2, 2025 at 7:05 P.M.

 

All bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope labeled “SEALED BID – TREES”.

 

The Town Board reserves the right to consider bids for a period of 45 days after their opening, during which time no bidder may withdraw his or her bid, and the right is reserved to the Town Board to accept or to reject any or all bids.

 

BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD

OF THE TOWN OF VIENNA

 

Carol L Huber

Carol L Huber, Vienna Town Clerk

 

7:10 PM Deputy Supervisor Spellicy was handed 5 sealed bids that were all turned into the Town Clerk on time. The following bids were read and results as follows:

 

Company Trees Bid

Lovenguth Logging and Tree Service 12 trees 3 feet below wires $18,000 plus tax totaling $19,575

20 dead ash tree removal $10,000 plus tax totaling $10,875

Helmers Complete Tree Service, LLC 16 trees topped $21,900

20 dead ash tree removal $6,000

Rick Turk Tree Service 16 trees topped $39,200

20 dead ash tree removal $9,000

 

Helmers and Rick Turk both sent workers compensation and liability insurance information. Lovenguth estimated only 12 trees to be topped.

 

Deputy Supervisor Spellicy made a motion to accept Helmers Complete Tree Service, LLC Bids for the removal of 20 dead ash trees at 170 Orchard Drive for $6,000. Councilman Lamb seconded the motion.

Voting Record: Motion Carried

Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye

Councilman Darrin Smith Aye

Deputy Supervisor Jason Spellicy Aye

Councilman Jason Lamb Aye

Supervisor Michael Davis Absent

 

Councilman Lamb made a motion to accept Helmers Complete Tree Service, LLC Bids for topping 16 trees at various locations for $21,900. Councilwoman McEwen seconded the motion.

Voting Record: Motion Carried

Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye

Councilman Darrin Smith Aye

Deputy Supervisor Jason Spellicy Aye

Councilman Jason Lamb Aye

Supervisor Michael Davis Absent

 

CONSTABULARY PRESENTATION:

Constable James Hite presented his last power point presentation. The start up budget will remain at $150,000. Which would be $87.94 per year per $100,000 assessed value. If a grant for a vehicle was granted, the cost would still have to be included in the budget. Speed cameras costs are all over from $7,000 to $100,000 and can be marked on google and can’t move, but Constables can and have the discretion on tickets which cameras do not.

Involvement with Sylvan Beach would be nothing if they do not contribute unless something big happens and assistance is needed immediately. I would need help with grant writing. Any questions?

 

Rich Sullivan, Sylvan Beach Mayor, asked to take the slide back to Sylvan Beach and explained that the residents are very happy with what they currently have. Mike Davis only spoke with us briefly. Vienna has to decide what they are going to do first. It is yet to be determined if Vienna has to respond to Sylvan Beach. We are not saying no.

 

Rick Mansfield asked if the speed cameras would need calibrated and how much would it cost. James could not find any cost of calibration and will need to contact manufacturer.

 

Mike Piper asked if the rate per $100,000 excluded Sylvan Beach? And the answer was yes.

 

Councilman Smith will ask Jeff Fortino, CNY Emergency Vehicle Salesmen, the cost of a new and used vehicle.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A motion was made by Deputy Supervisor Spellicy and seconded by Councilman Lamb to approve the June 4, 2025 Town Board Minutes.

Voting Record: Motion Carried

Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye

Councilman Darrin Smith Aye

Deputy Supervisor Jason Spellicy Aye

Councilman Jason Lamb Aye

Supervisor Michael Davis Absent

 

A motion was made by Councilman Lamb and seconded by Councilman Smith to approve the June 26, 2025 Town Board Minutes.

Voting Record: Motion Carried

Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye

Councilman Darrin Smith Aye

Deputy Supervisor Jason Spellicy Aye

Councilman Jason Lamb Aye

Supervisor Michael Davis Absent

 

AUDITED VOUCHERS:

A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Lamb to approve Abstract 07 of 2025 vouchers to be paid in the amount of $82,393.81

Voting Record: Motion Carried

Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye

Councilman Darrin Smith Aye

Deputy Supervisor Jason Spellicy Aye

Councilman Jason Lamb Aye

Supervisor Michael Davis Absent

 

SUPERVISOR'S REPORT:

Supervisor's Report is filed in the Town Clerk's office and will be posted on the Web Site.

 

TOWN CLERK'S REPORT:

Town Clerk read her report. Monies received for the month totaled $4006.96

 

A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilwoman McEwen to approve the Town Clerk report.

Voting Record: Motion Carried

Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye

Councilman Darrin Smith Aye

Deputy Supervisor Jason Spellicy Aye

Councilman Jason Lamb Aye

Supervisor Michael Davis Absent

 

ASSESSOR’S REPORT:

Assessor’s Report is filed in the Clerk’s office and will be posted on the Web Site.

 

CODE’S REPORT:

Codes Report for May & June have not yet been filed with the Clerk due to Demo and Building Permits from storm damage and vacations.

 

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: Superintendent Clayton Conover

Generator is now running at the Garage. The crew has been cleaning up trees. July 14 there will be a rabies clinic from 5:00 to 6:30 pm at the Highway Garage.

 

Rick Roberts thanked Alan Brown and Ron Turk for helping Fire Department take care of down trees last month at the camp ground.

 

COUNCIL REPORTS:

Councilman Smith:

Attended the ZBA hearings on June 30. Next Public Hearing is on July 21 at 6:30 pm. Old Homes Days is August 2nd and a blood drive at the Town Hall.

 

Councilman Lamb:

The Sea Lamprey letter was emailed to all Council Members to look over. I would like to approve the letter at the next meeting.

 

Deputy Supervisor Spellicy:

Sylvan Beach Mayor, Rich Sullivan, had a meeting for the sewer and Phil Amway, Assessor for the Town of Vienna, attended the meeting to represent Vienna. The State is very happy with the project and they are on Budget and on time. There will be an increase of $200 per unit with the grant $ per year which will happen for the 2026-2027 tax year. We should get our information by August 2025 for the town of Vienna taxes. Phil will need to come up with how many units we have. The $200 is an average across the entire project, could be more or less per unit per year.

 

As for the Post Office, we have received the rent check and the Town has still not paid a dollar for the post office toilette repair.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Preston Hill Road:

A Public Hearing was held by the County last week on whether it will be a qualified abandonment and they will make a determination by the 8th of July. The Public had 10 days to submit any opinions to the County.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Due to the fact that Supervisor Davis is in Rochester receiving treatment, A motion was made by Councilman Lamb to have Deputy Supervisor Spellicy sign all paperwork pertaining to the Far East Water District until further notice. Councilman Smith seconded the motion.

Voting Record: Motion Carried

Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye

Councilman Darrin Smith Aye

Deputy Supervisor Jason Spellicy Aye

Councilman Jason Lamb Aye

Supervisor Michael Davis Absent

 

Resolution 29 of 2025-to schedule a Public Hearing Regarding the Town of Vienna’s intent to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for Vienna Far East Water District.

A motion was made by Deputy Supervisor Spellicy to approve Resolution 29 to schedule a Public Hearing on July 23rd at 5:00 PM to apply for the CDBG funding. Councilman Lamb seconded the motion.

Voting Record: Motion Carried

Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye

Councilman Darrin Smith Aye

Deputy Supervisor Jason Spellicy Aye

Councilman Jason Lamb Aye

Supervisor Michael Davis Absent

 

The legal notice will be sent to be published in the Rome Sentinel on Thursday, then in the Queen Central.

 

Resolution 30 of 2025 to appoint a fair Housing Officer of the Town of Vienna will be put on hold until the Public Hearing because Evan Rossi, Town Attorney, nor the Town Board, understand the responsibility of this position.

 

Town Handbook will need to go to a specialized HR Company to be reviewed before adopting by the Town Board. Councilman Lamb and Councilwoman McEwen will reach out and try to find a company.

 

Possible Local Law 3 & 4 dealing with Peddlers Licensing and Permit Fees will be tabled again until Codes Office Reay Walker can attend meeting and discuss the $25 fees for Operating Permits. Councilman Lamb is against changing laws by resolution. Spellicy agrees that fees should be changed by Local Law.

 

Attorney Evan Rossi explained a letter from National Grid/Verizon wanting Easement Rights for a small corner piece of land in the Town of Lee that the Town of Vienna owns to add power lines for snowmobilers.

 

A motion was made by Councilman Lamb to sign the agreement and seconded by Deputy Supervisor Spellicy.

Voting Record: Motion Carried

Councilwoman Mary Beth McEwen Aye

Councilman Darrin Smith Aye

Deputy Supervisor Jason Spellicy Aye

Councilman Jason Lamb Aye

Supervisor Michael Davis Absent

­­­­­­­

PUBLIC CONCERNS/COMMENTS:

 

Mike Piper- The new Dollar General had to perform a camera study of about 80 feet of the NE sewer pipe on Monday with no problems. You should be receiving a letter stating inspection is ready to go. I did notice that the connection is a duplex station but there is only one pump in operation. I strongly recommend getting the other pump in operation. Also, how is the speed limit study on 49 coming along?

 

Clayton Conover said it is totally up to the state and he will call and check, now that Dollar General is there it would be better to see the traffic pattern after it is open.

 

Councilwoman McEwen suggested a new traffic study after Dollar General is in operation and Deputy Supervisor Spellicy agreed.

 

Steve Carpenter added that we need to look at all the driveways, the curve and the Dollar General to the Church which will create issues.

 

Mayor Sullivan-There was a meeting at the Village Hall for the traffic circle on 13 & 31. The report was, there maybe more accidents at that intersection, but not life threatening and there maybe a target for the top of Y-Hill for a circle. Contact Utica DOT to see if it is their radar.

 

Steve Carpenter- I would like to talk to someone about the Brick Grant to help kids. My passion is kids and Community. Steve gave us his phone number to reach out to him.

 

Councilman Smith suggested to contact Billy Shaughnessy because he is interested in getting something started for the kids because of suicide rates and bullying. He does a lot with the youth and community.

 

Rick Mansfield- I would like to address Councilman Lamb about the June 23rd article in the Queen Central from a Board Member regarding the franchise fees with Charter Communication/Spectrum and the key contact and recouping the $7,000 from Spectrum. I think there was an error in that paragraph with the franchise fees going to Cleveland not Vienna. I contacted Bill Graham several times and he did take care of the issue.

 

Councilman Lamb- That went back quite a while ago, you could check with the writer or the paper. We can look at it after the meeting.

 

Mayor Sullivan- Regarding the land in Lee, the Village received the same letter, to me it is a liability. Also, a reminder that Pirates Parade is coming up and we have chosen two Grand Marshalls, Betty Homes and Wanda Durant. We would like to invite the Town of Vienna to join our parade.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Not Entered

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Councilman Lamb made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm and Councilwoman McEwen seconded and all were in favor.

 

Respectfully,

Carol L Huber

Carol L Huber

Town Clerk