Minutes of the Board of Trustees

Attorney Marcus asked the Clerk to put together a revised SEQR LEAF for the Board. Once the SEQR is deemed complete, the Board will vote a positive or negative declaration; a positive declaration will trigger an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Board does not typically perform the EIS. It is done by an outside entity. Atty. Marcus suggested contacting the same firm that did the EIS for the Town of Amherst. The Village is not required to bid out the job as an EIS is considered professional services, which are not legally necessary to bid. Trustee Andolina will contact the firm who performed the EIS for Amherst and obtain information from them. Atty. Marcus further explained that when the Board moves from the step of making a positive declaration to the next stage (EIS), there is an option called “Scoping”, which is identifying the issues that the EIS should include. “Scoping” is not required but is optional. Trustee Szekely said that she thought scoping would be redundant given the careful consideration given to the SEQR by the Board. Mayor Gilmore asked where the consultants performing the EIS would get their direction. Atty. Marcus stated that they get their direction from the SEQR form and the Board of Trustees. Marcus explained the EIS process. 1) Draft accepted by the Board and filed with the DEC; 2) 30 day comment period; 3) Final EIS – must take into consideration the public comment received.