DRAFT MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF
Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance
at
Roll call: Ruth Drumm, Town Clerk,
called the roll. Supervisor Thomas Wood-
present, Councilman Fred Drumm - present, Councilman Charles Hanehan- present,
Councilwoman Betty Koval - present, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent
(arrived at
Also present:
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:
Supervisor
Thomas Wood reviewed Local Law #4 of
2009 – Amending the Dog Ordinance.
Proof of advertisement in the Saratogian having been furnished, he
opened the public hearing at
Supervisor
Thomas Wood reviewed Local Law #5 of
2009 amending the Subdivision Regulations.
Proof of advertisement in the Saratogian having been furnished, he
opened the public hearing at
Supervisor
Thomas Wood reviewed the application for
a Mass Gathering Permit #1 of 2009 from the
Supervisor
Thomas Wood reviewed the application for
a Mass Gathering Permit #2 of 2009 from the
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilwoman Betty Koval and seconded by
Councilman Charles Hanehan to accept the minutes of the March 9th
regular meeting as written.
Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent. Carried 4 – 0.
Councilman Michael McLoughlin arrived at
Town Clerk’s report
for March 2009: Fees paid to the
Zoning Officer’s March 2009 report: Supervisor Thomas Wood read Gil Albert’s report: 5 Building Permits, 5 Building Inspections, 7 Certificates of Occupancy, 1 Fire inspection, 1 Junk Yard Permit, 1 Complaint, 4 misc., and 1 Building Permit Renewal. A check for $1,364.00 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.
Dog Control officer’s report for March 2009: The report was read by Supervisor Thomas Wood: answered 21 complaints, took 1 dog to the shelter, 0 bite cases, traveled 200 miles, issued 11 warnings and 3 summonses were issued.
Town Court report for March 2009: The following were closed: 153 Vehicle & Traffic, 13 Criminal/Penal Law, 3 DEC/ENCON, 2 Dog cases, 4 DWIs, 0 Town & Village Ordinance, 1 Small Claim/Civil, 0 Evictions, 0 Bench trials, 2 (case transfer) Divestiture Forms sent to County Court, 11 attended the Science of Speed School, 0 Defendants sentenced to probation, 200 hours of community service issued, 0 days of jail time issued, 2 Orders of Protection issued, and $12,182.50 in fees were paid to the NY State Comptroller.
Tax Collector’s report:
Tax Collector Jim Gorham
reported:
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APRIL 2009 |
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Number of bills collected |
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2,707 |
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Tax collected |
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2,716,087.16 |
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Fees collected |
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324.00 |
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Penalties collected |
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7,106.46 |
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Total collected |
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2,723,517.62 |
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Number of bills returned uncollected |
253 |
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Unpaid taxes returned to |
601,944.02 |
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Paid to Supervisor |
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1,273,150.11 |
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Paid to |
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1,387,618.94 |
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Corporation taxes paid to |
54,812.11 |
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School and Village taxes paid to
Co.Treas. |
63,485.17 |
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Corrections |
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3,609.79 |
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Unpaid taxes returned to |
601,944.02 |
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Fees, unpaid taxes |
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506.00 |
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Total Warrant |
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3,385,126.14 |
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Paid to Supervisor for |
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Fees, Penalties and Interest |
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8,591.95 |
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2009 Budget |
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5,000.00 |
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Favorable variance from budget |
3,591.95 |
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Monthly Report of the Town Historian: Sean
Kelleher submitted the following reports.
Monthly Report of the Town of
Assessor’s report: Victoria Hayner submitted the
following report.
March was a busy month in the
Assessor’s Office. We spent the month
“fine-tuning” our Assessment roll. The
various tasks required for update were adding exemptions, reviewing building
permits and making sure valuation on completed as well as partially completed
projects was updated. We also met with
property owners requesting a conference to discuss their concerns regarding
their property valuation.
The first two weeks in April
will be spent in getting all things ready for submitting the Tentative Roll for
2009 to the County for reproduction. We
anticipate receiving the 2009 roll by May 1st at which time it will
be available for public inspection. The public is invited to review their
property information and assessment Monday through Thursday between the hours
of
We have been out and around
the Town doing inspections of various parcels and updating pictures as
necessary and will continue the updating of property inventory.
Highway
Superintendent’s report: Highway
Superintendent Dave Hall reported that they are almost done sweeping the
roads. They are scraping the dirt roads
and busy chipping brush. On April 28th
the crews will be attending a Mining and OSHA Safety Course put on by Pallette
Stone at the Holiday Inn in
Supervisor’s report: MARCH 2009
GENERAL FUND – TOWNWIDE (A
FUND)
Balance on hand Mar.1 $ 1,226,706.07
Mar. Revenues + 14,698.88
Mar. Disbursements - 51,549.17
Balance Mar. 31 $
1,189,855.78
GENERAL FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE
(B FUND)
Balance on hand Mar. 1 $ 265,011.39
Mar. Revenues + 560.00
Mar. Disbursements - 5,692.48
Balance Mar. 31 $ 259,878.91
HIGHWAY FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE
(DB FUND)
Balance on hand Mar. 1 $ 631,872.23
Mar. Revenues +
69,053.00
Mar. Disbursements - 58,670.47
Balance Mar. 31 $ 642,254.76
YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE Mar. 31 $1,362.76
HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE Mar. 31 $ 908.00
BUILDING RESERVE Mar. 31 $ 148,636.20
PARKS Mar. 31
($50,000 for Schuyler Park)
$ 53,797.07
RISK Mar. 31 $ 29,179.09
SCENIC BY WAYS GRANT Mar. 31 $ 308.32
v Sales Tax Received – March
2009 - $69,053
v Mortgage Tax Received –
February 2009 - $14,088.80
v Member Item Grant of $50,000
received for new town hall.
v Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program Grant #2 – reimbursement of $8,404.75 received.
v
Tenant Update
– Supervisor Thomas Wood explained that there are 4 tenants in the new town
hall building. Three are excellent
tenants. The fourth tenant, Saratoga
Labs, has been delinquent with their payments and they filed Chapter 11. The town has filed paperwork in
Public comments on
agenda items: None.
Committee
reports:
Landfill: Town Engineer Kenneth Martin is analyzing the test results. He will submit his study to the NYS DEC to see if we can change from quarterly testing to semi-annual or annual testing.
Insurance: No report.
Youth: Supervisor
Thomas Wood reported that there are openings for a Director and a Red Cross
Certified Swimming instructor for the Youth Swim Program. An ad has been placed and applications are
being accepted through April 30th.
Councilwoman Betty Koval and Councilman Michael McLoughlin will be
interviewing the applicants.
The Quaker Springs Seniors met March 9th. They had their luncheon followed by a
business meeting. On April 20th
they will have their annual anniversary dinner which is provided by the Quaker
Springs Women’s Fire Auxiliary.
The Schuylerville Senior Citizens met March 10th. They had a speaker regarding Medicare. Future meetings will be continued the 2nd
and 4th Tuesdays of the month.
The 2nd Tuesday will be a business meeting with members
bringing a casserole dish. The 4th
Tuesday will be a sandwich gathering with entertainment but no business
meeting. Membership dues for the
upcoming year will be collected at the May meeting. Checks are to be made out to AARP. There will not be a July meeting. August will be a social meeting only. Members should bring their own food and
drink.
NIMS: No report.
GSES, QSFD,
SLPID/SLA, SCFB Reports:
General
Schuyler Emergency Squad: Sherry
Doubleday reported that the squad will be doing a program at the school during
Quaker
Springs Fire Department: Stephen
Bodnar reported that the fire department responded to 9 alarms in March. They will be attending Hazardous Materials
School in Victory Mills beginning April 21st and will be working the regattas on
April 25th and 26th.
The building is on hold pending agreement on a site work change order.
The department and
auxiliary are sponsoring a Family Fun Day on April 26th at Saratoga
Strikes in
Stephen Bodnar thanked
Supervisor Thomas Wood for swearing in their officers at the banquet.
Old
business:
Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that he contacted
the New York State Department of Transportation and they checked the
intersections from both directions at
v Upgrade intersection warning
signs – reflective material
v Advisory speed limit for
intersections to 30 mph
v Stop signs on
v Painting a stop bar line on
The board asked Highway Superintendent Dave Hall for
his help with the enhanced marking of the intersections.
New
business:
On a motion by Councilman
Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm the following Resolution #09-46 Adoption
of Local Law #4 of 2009 – Amending the Dog Ordinance was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm –
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and
Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye.
Carried 5 – 0.
WHEREAS, the Town Board has recognized the need to amend the
dog ordinance to add provisions regarding prohibited acts by persons who own or
harbor dogs; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of
(Local Law #4 of 2009 is
attached.)
Town of
Local Law No. 4 of the year 2009
A
local law amending
Chapter 158 of the Code of the Town of
Be it enacted by the Town Board
of the
(Name of Legislative Body)
Town
of
Chapter 158 of the Code of the Town of
SECTION 1 –
PROHIBITED ACTS:
Section 158-1(C) is amended to
read as follows:
C. Cause
damage or destruction to the property of, or commit a nuisance upon the
premises of a person other than the owner or person harboring such dog, such
nuisance to include, but not be limited to, the dumping, knocking over or
tearing open of garbage bags or receptacles, or the depositing of fecal matter
or urine on such property of another.
SECTION 2 – EFFECTIVE DATE:
This
local law shall take effect immediately.
On a motion by Councilman
Fred Drumm and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin the following Resolution #09-47 Adoption
of Local Law #5 of 2009 - Amending the Subdivision Regulations was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm –
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and
Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye.
Carried 5 – 0.
WHEREAS, the Town Board has recognized the need to amend the
Subdivision Regulations by clarifying
the requirements of engineering escrow deposits for subdivision applications;
and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of
Town of
Local Law No. 5 of the year 2009
A local law amending the Subdivision Regulations for the
Town of
Be it enacted by the Town Board
of the
(Name of Legislative Body)
Town of
The Subdivision Regulations of the Town of
SECTION 1 - FEES:
Application Fee (includes advertising fees) - $300.00
for 2 lots; $400.00 for 3 lots; $500.00 for 4 lots
Engineering Escrow Deposit - $500.00 shall be deposited in escrow with the Town to pay the costs of any reasonable and necessary engineering reviews, consultations and inspections on behalf of the Town. Funds will be withdrawn only for actual expenses incurred. Any unused portion will be refunded to the applicant. Upon notice to the applicant, additional funds required for such expenses must be paid prior to further consideration of the application.
2. Major
Subdivision
Application Fee (including advertising fees) - $1,000.00 plus $250.00 for each resulting lot.
Engineering Escrow Deposit - $2,000.00 shall be deposited in escrow with the Town to pay the costs of any reasonable and necessary engineering reviews, consultations and inspections on behalf of the Town. Funds will be withdrawn only for actual expenses incurred. Any unused portion will be refunded to the applicant. Upon notice to the applicant, additional funds required for such expenses must be paid prior to further consideration of the application.
SECTION 2 – EFFECTIVE DATE:
This local law shall take effect
immediately.
On a motion by Councilman
Fred Drumm and seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan the
following Resolution #09-48 Support for Local Government Records Management
Improvement Fund (LGRMIF) and the Office of Cultural Education Account was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm –
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and
Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye.
Carried 5 – 0.
WHEREAS, the Local Government Records Management Improvement
Fund (LGRMIF) was created in 1989 to provide technical assistance and grants to
establish, improve or enhance records management programs in New York’s 4400
local governments, and
WHEREAS, the LGRMIF has awarded 8,856 grants totaling over
$176 million to improve the management of records for over half of all local
governments in New York State, and
WHEREAS, the LGRMIF saves local governments at least $5.6
million annually in storage costs by funding grant projects to identify and
destroy non-permanent records, and
WHEREAS, the LGRMIF saves local governments at least $4.8
million annually in costs to search for records, and
WHEREAS, the LGRMIF has supported the preservation of over 3
million essential records, ensuring their continued availability for citizens,
teachers, genealogists, and other researchers, and
WHEREAS, the LGRMIF has vastly improved public access to
millions of records in thousands of local governments through projects to scan
paper records, make records available online, or arrange and index voluminous
older records, and
WHEREAS, the need for the LGRMIF grants program continues to
grow with requests for more money to fund increasingly complex and costly
records projects, and
WHEREAS, since 1989, State Archives staff have conducted 20,000
site visits to local governments to provide hands-on records management
guidance at no cost to local governments, and
WHEREAS, the LGRMIF has trained over 10,300 local government
officials to manage both paper and electronic records through 130 onsite
workshops and webinars given each year, and
WHEREAS, the LGRMIF has been at the forefront of
technological change in local government, bringing hundreds of local
governments into the Internet age in the 1990s, funding complex geographic
systems projects, and supporting grants to scan and make available millions of
images of local government records, and
WHEREAS, the LGRMIF and the program it supports continue to
be flexible and responsive, operate at a high standard of excellence, and
provide direct and significant benefit to local governments at no cost to the
taxpayers, and
WHEREAS, the records needs of local governments are growing
more complex and expensive, and greater support for the LGRMIF will make
possible critical electronic records and disaster planning projects, and
WHEREAS,
greater support for the LGRMIF will further make possible shared services
programs that will save money for local governments by helping them develop
cooperative and sustainable records management programs, and
WHEREAS, the LGRMIF fee has never been increased since its
inception in 1989, and
WHEREAS, the Town of
WHEREAS, the LGRMIF continues to be critically important in
the fulfillment of the many records and information related responsibilities of
the town clerk,
WHEREAS, the Cultural Education Account funds most of the
operations of the
WHEREAS, the Cultural Education Account balance is now fully
depleted as a result of the severe decline in revenue and the annual and
special transfers of funds to support other state purposes, and
WHEREAS, without the fee increase, the Office of Cultural
Education’s services to the public will be at risk, including access to the
Museum’s huge collection of natural history and historical artifacts, the
Library’s collection of genealogical books and free online access to
specialized databases and electronic journals, and the Archives historical
records of state and colonial government going back to the early 1600s,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga supports Assembly Bill
A-6783, which proposes modest increases in the fees supporting the Cultural
Education Account from $15.00 to $22.50 and the LGRMIF from $5.00 to $7.50 per
transaction to ensure the continuation of the programs of the Office of
Cultural Education and improvement of records management programs in New York’s
local governments through LGRMIF services and grants that increase citizen
access to records, build vital information infrastructures in local government,
stimulate local economies across the state, and allow our local leaders to
address twenty-first century realities.
Supervisor Thomas Wood reported on the requests for
speed limit reductions on County Road 68 and County Road 338. The board will take the requests under
consideration and continue to talk with residents.
On a motion by Councilman
Fred Drumm and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Koval the
following Resolution #09-49 Saratoga Country Inn PUD Extension Request
was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm –
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and
Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye.
Carried 5 – 0.
WHEREAS, on February 14, 2005, the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga granted final approval for the Saratoga Country Inn PUD, by amending
the Zoning Ordinance of the Town, and
WHEREAS, Article X, Section 3(J) of the Zoning Ordinance
provides that approval for a PUD development project shall become null and void
if construction has not begun within two years of the Town Board approval, and
WHEREAS, due to circumstances beyond control of the
owner and applicant, said construction work has not begun as planned, and for
good cause shown to the Town Board, it is therefore
RESOLVED, that there is hereby granted an extension
of time until May 12, 2011 within which construction work must begin for the
Saratoga Country Inn PUD and such construction must be completed on or before
eighteen (18) months of issuance of the first building permit, and it is
further
RESOLVED, that if the aforesaid time limitations are
not met, then the approval for this development project shall become null and
void.
On a motion by Councilman
Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan the following Resolution #09-50 Mass
Gathering Permit #1 of 2009 – Saratoga Rowing Association Regatta – Saratoga
Invitational, April 25th and 26th
was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm –
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and
Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye.
Carried 5 – 0.
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has received and
reviewed the application for a Mass
Gathering Permit by the Saratoga Rowing Association for a Rowing Regatta as
follows:
Permit #1:
Contact: Christopher Chase, Regatta Director
WHEREAS,
the required information has been submitted, as required by Local Law #2 of
2006, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has held a
public hearing on April 13, 2009 for input by interested persons, and
WHEREAS, the event is desirable for the town, therefore be
it,
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga that the
permit is granted conditional upon the Town of Saratoga receiving a Certificate
of Insurance for the above event naming the Town of Saratoga as additional
insured in the amount of $2 million, at least 5 business days prior to the
event; that the event is found to be in compliance with the NYS Department of
Health regulations of Chapter 1, Title 10, Part 18 by the NYS DOH when
required; and that the review of the information required by Local Law #2 of
2006, Section 3 is found to be adequate.
On a motion by Supervisor
Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm the
following Resolution #09-51 Mass Gathering Permit #2 of 2009 – Saratoga Rowing
Association Regatta – NYS Championships, May 9th and 10th
was
adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood -
aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye,
Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye. Carried 5 – 0.
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has received
and reviewed the application for a Mass
Gathering Permit by the Saratoga Rowing Association for a Rowing Regatta as
follows:
Permit #2:
Contact: Christopher Chase, Regatta Director
WHEREAS, the required information has been submitted, as
required by Local Law #2 of 2006, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has held a
public hearing on April 13, 2009 for input by interested persons, and
WHEREAS, the event is desirable for the town, therefore be
it,
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga that the
permit is granted conditional upon the Town of Saratoga receiving a Certificate
of Insurance for the above event naming the Town of Saratoga as additional
insured in the amount of $2 million, at least 5 business days prior to the
event; that the event is found to be in compliance with the NYS Department of
Health regulations of Chapter 1, Title 10, Part 18 by the NYS DOH when
required; and that the review of the information required by Local Law #2 of
2006, Section 3 is found to be adequate.
Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that SLPID will
continue the chemical weed control of
The Schuylerville Area Chamber of Commerce will be
hosting their Gardener’s Weekend this May 9th and 10th. In addition to many events they will be
planting “Historic Lilacs” in blues and reds around the village. They have offered to plant two lilacs on the
new town hall grounds. The board
accepted and appreciated their offer.
Supervisor Thomas Wood announced that an Open
House is being planned for the new town hall on Saturday, May 2, 2009,
10:00 am – noon. The public is
encouraged to tour the new town hall. A
ribbon cutting ceremony will be followed by tours of the building. Refreshments will be served.
An open house discussion of traffic diversion during
the Route 9P Bridge closure is scheduled for
Communications:
v Saratoga County Department of Employment & Training announces the
Summer Youth Employment Program – Application Priority Date is May 1, 2009-
Applications are available at the Town Clerk’s office. Call 884-4147 with any questions. The town is considering being a work site for
the program.
v Schuyler Hose Company - thank you to the town board for the use of the
meeting room for their annual OSHA training day.
v Notification by Alcove
Marina & Pub of Liquor License Renewal
Privilege
of the floor:
Clarence
Fosdick suggested that the wall behind the “bench” in the
meeting room would be great for a mural.
Supervisor Thomas Wood stated that it is being considered.
John
Deyoe asked the status of the sale of the old town
hall. Supervisor Thomas Wood stated that
it will be sold soon to the Saratoga/Washington on the Hudson Partnership. It will be used as their site to operate
from. The money is available for the
sale. The building was appraised for $85
to $115 thousand and the board is trying for $100,000, a midway figure.
Stephen
Bodnar asked questions about the Summer Youth Employment
Program.
Pete
Flanders suggested that we need a sound system for the
meeting room. Supervisor Thomas Wood
responded that a new sound system has been applied for through a grant.
Upcoming
meetings:
v Agenda meeting –
v Regular town board meeting –
Audit the Bills: On a motion by Councilman Fred Drumm and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Koval the following Resolution #09- 52 Approving the payment of bills in Abstract 4G was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye. Carried 5 – 0.
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to authorize
payment of the bills listed in Abstract 4G (04/13/2009) in the following
amounts: General A $26,981.31, General B
$657.60, Youth Y $367.17 and Highway Outside DB $13,074.88, for a total of
$41,080.96.
A motion to adjourn
at
Respectfully Submitted,
Ruth Drumm
Town Clerk