MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD

OF THE TOWN OF SARATOGA,

 30 FERRY ST., SCHUYLERVILLE, NY

 

February 13, 2006

7:00 P.M.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance

at 7:00 p.m.

 

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.

Also present: Highway Superintendent Dave Hall, Assessor/Bookkeeper Catherine DeFelice, Deputy Town Clerk Linda McCabe, Town Attorney William Reynolds, Zoning Officer Robert Hathaway, Justice Jack Ditch, Tax Collector James Gorham and additional townspeople on the sign-up sheet filed in the 2006 Minutes Appendix in the Town Clerk’s Office. 

 

Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:

Steve Gilman, 130 Ruckytuck Rd., addressed the board presenting his plans for a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) on 4.9 acres on Ruckytuck Road.  Lee Collins, RN, also approached the board.  She explained that the SNF would be small, 10 to 12 beds, family- like, with individualized care.  She would personally oversee the care of all residents.  She added that the rural setting is a peaceful setting for a person to live out their life.  The board explained that a Planned Unit Development (PUD) application would be needed or a Skilled Nursing Facility would need to be added as a Special Permitted Use in the rural district with a Zoning Law Amendment.  Board members expressed concerns about the rural, hilly, curvy road and if such a small facility would be feasible considering the degree of care that would be required.  Councilwoman Betty Koval, who has a public health background, suggested that they contact the Department of Health to check into all the regulations that they would need to follow for a Skilled Nursing Facility. 

 

General Schuyler Emergency Squad (GSES) - Building Project Update:  Dick Behrens addressed the board and stated that the new building is in a design phase with no cost estimate yet.  It will be located on 3 +/- acres on Route 29.  He stated that the location will be more centralized than their present location in Schuylerville, which is in the far eastern corner of their area.  The very functional building will provide needed space for training, administrative offices, living quarters for paramedics to stay overnight, storage, and a decontamination area.  He added that it should be ready for bidding in one or two months, then once the cost is known, grants will be sought and fundraising will go into full swing.  He added that their 2006 budget has provided for mortgage payments.  Dick Behrens then introduced Frank Yakubec, architect for the project.  Frank Yakubec provided the board with a poster display of the building as designed.  He noted that it was designed to fit into the residential character of the neighborhood.  He pointed out that only two of the four bays are visible from the road.  It will be just under 8,000 sq. ft. and includes an expansion area.  He added that it will be well built and will serve the community very well for 40 to 50 years or more.

 

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Koval to accept the minutes of the January 9th, 2006 organizational 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.  

 

Town Clerk’s report for January 2006: Fees paid to the County Treasurer for Dog Licenses $53.70. Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the spay/neuter program $18.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $15.16. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $45.00. Fees paid to the State Comptroller for Bell Jar Licenses $15.00. Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $138.30. Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $312.91. Total State, County, and Local Revenues received were $598.07.

 

Zoning Officer’s report: Bob Hathaway read his January 2006 report: 2 CO’s, 4 Building Permits, and 13 inspections were done.  A check for $ 395 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood. 

 

Dog Control officer’s report, January 2006: The report was read by Supervisor Thomas Wood which stated Rick Sullivan answered 16 complaints, took 3 dogs to the shelter, traveled 150 miles, issued 11 warnings and no summonses. 

 

Town Court report: Justice Jack Ditch read the court report and the following cases were closed in January 2006: 72 Vehicle & Traffic, 9 Criminal/Penal Law, 4 DEC/ENCON, 5 Dog cases, 1 DWI, 0 Town & Village Ordinance, 1 Small Claims/Civil, 2 Evictions, 2 Bench trials, 2 (case transfers) Divestiture Forms sent to County Court, 13 attended the Science of Speed School, 2 Defendants sentenced to probation, 155 hours of community service issued, 120 days of jail time issued and fees paid to the NY State Comptroller - $4,892.50. 

 

Tax Collector’s report: Tax Collector Jim Gorham reported that in January he collected $1,622,148.33 in town/county taxes on 2,268 parcels.

 

Historian’s report: Town Historian Sean Kelleher provided the board with his monthly report.  He stated that his office has been very busy with their advocacy project.  He reported that Deputy Historian Pat Peck is working with the Schuylerville Public Library on opening a new Genealogy Department.  The opening is planned for Friday, February 17th from 10 a.m. to noon. 

 

He noted that the Historian’s office has been advocating for historical preservation of the built environment.  He has presented the Zoning Amendment Advisory Committee (ZAAC) with a draft for a section on the Demolition of Significant Structures which they are reviewing for inclusion in the amendments.  He added that the preservation of cultural resources and archeological remains are also important in order to preserve history and respect our forbearers.  He thanked the Planning Board for their efforts with the SEQRA review with respect to preserving the history of the area.

 

Supervisor’s report: Supervisor Thomas Wood presented January 2006 balances in Town funds as follows: General A $549,050.68, General B $71,736.32, Highway Outside $125,205.50, Youth Recreation & Services $887.56, Highway Equipment Reserve $52,362.68, Building Reserve $964,200.73 and Fire Protection $0.  January revenues were $778.20 and expenses were $83,061.41.  The total January 2006 balance is $1,813,443.53.

 

Public comments on agenda items: name & subject

David Cummings, Hathaway Road, addressed the board regarding the speed limit request for Hathaway Road.  He noted that the speed limit needs to be reduced due to the physical characteristics of the road and the regular agricultural activities of the residents that occur on that road.  He added that Sergeant Tom Goodwin of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department surveyed traffic on at least six January mornings with radar.  He found that cars were clocked going in the high 40’s which seemed excessive for that road.  

 

Committee reports:

Highway: Highway Superintendent Dave Hall reported that the dirt roads in the town have been repaired after the heavy rains.  He stated that most of the dead trees marked for cutting have been cut and they are waiting for Donovan’s Tree Service to take down the seven trees that are near power lines. 

 

 He reported that the Gradall bucket has been rebuilt during rainy days.  All the equipment and tools at the Highway Garage are being inventoried and entered into the new computer along with service records and bills for better tracking.

 

Highway Superintendent Dave Hall noted that they are in the process of notifying residents who live on highways slated to be rebuilt this year of the possible tree trimming/removal and ditching that may be needed to be done so that the road could be widened if needed. 

 

He asked the board’s permission to advertise for bids for a new crawler/bulldozer that has been included in the 2006 budget and for a new pick-up truck to be purchased under state contract as budgeted for.

 

A motion to allow Highway Superintendent Dave Hall to put out for bid to purchase a new crawler/bulldozer and to order a new pickup under state contract within the 2006 budget was introduced by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm.  Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent.  Carried 4 – 0.  

           

Landfill:  No report.

 

Insurance:  No report.

  

Youth:  No report.

 

Buildings:  Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that motion lights will be installed at the rear of the building to improve the lighting of the rear parking area.  He also noted that Councilman Fred Drumm has been working on a contract with National Grid to provide two street lights for the front parking lot.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that there was no Building Committee meeting in February.  The new RFP’s for the town hall are due on February 15th.  Upon receipt of the RFP’s, they will be shared with the committee for review and a recommendation will be made to the Town Board.  The next Building committee meeting will be Wednesday, March 8th, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.

 

Senior Citizens:  Councilwoman Betty Koval reported that the Schuylerville Senior Citizens will meet tomorrow.  She added that the Quaker Springs Seniors met today with 39 attending.  Julia Hanehan is now the president following the resignation of George Cassier.  A National Park representative gave a slide presentation of birds that are present at the National Park.  Trips planned are:  Amsterdam on May 25th – dinner, theater, and a visit to a cider mill, June 21st – a mystery trip.  Literature was left for members regarding the official opening of the Genealogy Department at the Schuylerville Public Library on February 17th from 10 a.m. to noon.  

 

Park Committee:  No report.

 

Zoning Amendment Advisory Committee (ZAAC):  - A public meeting was held on Tuesday, February 7th, at 7:00 p.m. This was the first public presentation of the recommended zoning law revisions and was presented by Paul Griffen.  Additional written input and comments from the public on the proposals are encouraged.  Further modification and adjustments may be made and formal public hearings will be scheduled.  The proposals are on our web page and passage is realistically estimated to be in the fall.

                                                                                                  

GSES, QSFD, SLPID/SLA Reports: 

Quaker Springs Fire Department:  Stephen Bodnar presented the board with his monthly report.   Some of the highlights of the report were that they responded to five calls including three motor vehicle accidents.  He noted that seventeen firefighters just completed fire schools and two new members have joined the department. The committees are busy working on projects including the Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner on March 12, 2006 and the annual installation banquet.  Miller Associates has been hired to submit the plans for the substation on Rt. 9P to the Planning Board for final approval. 

 

Old business:

The board received a letter from Kurt Mausert which included a signed petition from most of the residents of Hathaway Rd. requesting that the speed limit be reduced to 40 miles per hour on Hathaway Rd. 

Resolution #06-41- Hathaway Road Speed Limit Request - was introduced by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Koval as follows:

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has received one or more complaints and a petition signed by Hathaway Road residents concerning the speed of motor vehicles on Hathaway Road in the Town of Saratoga; and

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga believes such complaints to be well-founded; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the New York State Department of Transportation is hereby requested to review and study the conditions on the entire length of Hathaway Road  in the Town of Saratoga; and , be it further  

RESOLVED, that based upon its findings and at the request of the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, the New York State Department of Transportation is requested to reduce the speed limit on said road. 

Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent.  Carried 4 – 0.  

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood reported on the N. Broad St. water line leak.  The water board sent a letter to the residents on N. Broad St. stating that if the water leak was not repaired their water would be shut off on February 15.   On Friday, February 10th, Supervisor Thomas Wood, Joe Drew, and Councilman Fred Drumm went to identify where the leak was located.  They could not find where the water was leaking, and it was determined that it could have been the result of an unusually rainy period. They also identified where the shut-off’s are located.  They spoke with the residents in the area and took pictures.  They spoke with Mark Dennison of the Water Board and he agreed that there currently is no leak and the pressure at the end of the line supports that finding.  It was agreed upon with David Mathis that if a water leak is found he will repair the leak on his property at his expense.  With the location of additional shut-offs no other users should be impacted when and if the repair is needed.  The water Board would inspect and approve the repair. 

 

New business:

Resolution #06-33 - Ambulance Contract – was introduced by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm as follows:

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga is authorized by virtue of Section 122 (B) of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York to provide general ambulance service for the town, and

WHEREAS, the GENERAL SCHUYLER EMERGENCY SQUAD has trained and experienced personnel and is certified by the Department of Health of the State of New York as an ambulance service, and

WHEREAS, the GSES is desirous of furnishing emergency medical services to the town under the terms and conditions set forth in the EMS agreement, now therefore be it,

RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to authorize entering into the EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) AGREEMENT with the GENERAL SCHUYLER EMERGENCY SQUAD, for a term of January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 and will provide consideration in the amount of $193,043.

Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent.  Carried 4 – 0.   (The contract is on file in the office of the Town Clerk.)    

 

Resolution #06-34 – Retirees Health Ins. Premium – was introduced by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm as follows:

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has agreed, as a cost saving measure, to reduce the Town’s portion of the medical insurance premiums paid for full-time employees and for full-time elected officials hired on or after January 1, 2006 to 85% of the premium for individual or family medical insurance coverage.  This cost saving measure is also for eligible retirees, therefore be it

RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to amend the Town of Saratoga’s Employee Handbook, Section 807 Medical Insurance for Retirees – Premium Payment Section– to add -The Town will pay 85% of the premium for individual or family medical insurance coverage, as the case may be, for each eligible retiree hired or elected on or after January 1, 2006.  Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent.  Carried 4 – 0.  

 

Resolution #06-35 - Adoption of NYS Deferred Compensation Plan – was introduced by Councilman Fred Drumm and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Koval as follows:

WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga wishes to adopt the Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees of the State of New York and Other Participating Public Jurisdictions (the “Plan”) for the voluntary participation of all eligible employees; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga is a local public employer eligible to adopt the Plan pursuant to Section 5 of the State Finance Law;* and

WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga has reviewed the Plan established in accordance with Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 5 of the State Finance Law of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the Plan is to encourage employees to make and continue careers with the Town of Saratoga by providing eligible employees with a convenient and tax favored method of saving on a regular and long-term basis and thereby provide for their retirement;

 

 

*A local public employer eligible to adopt the Plan pursuant to Section 5 of the State Finance Law includes:  a county, city, town, village or other political subdivision as defined in Section 131 of the retirement and Social Security law or civil division of the State; a school district or other governmental entity operating a public school, college, or university; a public improvement or special district, a public authority, commission, or public benefit corporation; or any other public corporation, agency or instrumentality or unit of government which exercises governmental powers under the laws or the State.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby:

RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga hereby adopts the Plan for the voluntary participation of all eligible employees; and it is further

RESOLVED, that the appropriate officials of the Town of Saratoga are hereby authorized to take such actions and enter such agreements as are required or necessary for the adoption, implementation, and maintenance of the Plan; and it is further

RESOLVED, that the Administrative Services Agency is hereby authorized to file copies of these resolutions and other required documents with the President of the State of New York Civil Service Commission.

Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent.  Carried 4 – 0.  

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that additional funds are available for Farmland Protection Grants.  Two prior grant applicants that have property in the vicinity of the National Cemetery wish to reapply.  If they are awarded the grants, a large block of land in the vicinity of the National Cemetery will remain undeveloped. 

Resolution #06-36 – Edwin Hanna – Farmland Protection Grant – was introduced by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan as follows:

WHEREAS, Edwin Hanna landowner in the Town of Saratoga, intends to participate in the Farmland Protection Grant program administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the Saratoga County Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program seeking to permanently preserve 192 acres of active farmland on Route 32 and Wilbur Road in the Town of Saratoga; and

WHEREAS, the Town Board views the preservation of agriculture as vital to the quality of life and economy of the town as evidenced by the Town of Saratoga Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga County Farmland Protection Plan, and Saratoga County Land Use plan which recommends the use of conservation easements purchase of development rights as a tool to preserve agriculture and recognizes the importance of protecting farmland and open spaces; and

WHEREAS, the Town Board finds that the grant application is worthy and will provide funding to permanently preserve the Hanna parcel for agricultural uses only; and

WHEREAS, the Town is an eligible applicant under the grant program and may hold and monitor the conservation easement; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga fully supports this application and shall act as the applicant, holding a conservation easement consisting of the development rights of the Hanna parcel, and shall periodically monitor conformance with the terms of the easement, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Supervisor is hereby authorized to contract with the State of New York and execute any documents necessary to accept and redistribute Farmland Protection Implementation Grant funds, should the grant application be successful.

Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent.  Carried 4 – 0.   

 

 

 

Resolution #06-37 - Paul & Sharon LaBarge – Farmland Protection Grant – was introduced by Councilman Fred Drumm and seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan as follows: 

WHEREAS, Paul and Sharon LaBarge landowners in the Town of Saratoga, intends to participate in the Farmland Protection Grant program administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the Saratoga County Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program seeking to permanently preserve 100 acres of active farmland on Wilbur Road in the Town of Saratoga; and

WHEREAS, the Town Board views the preservation of agriculture as vital to the quality of life and economy of the town as evidenced by the Town of Saratoga Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga County Farmland Protection Plan, and Saratoga County Land Use plan which recommends the use of conservation easements purchase of development rights as a tool to preserve agriculture and recognizes the importance of protection farmland and open spaces; and

WHEREAS, the Town Board finds that the grant application is worthy and will provide funding to permanently preserve the LaBarge parcel for agricultural uses only; and

WHEREAS, the Town is an eligible applicant under the grant program and may hold and monitor the conservation easement; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga fully supports this application and shall act as the applicant, holding a conservation easement consisting of the development rights of the LaBarge parcel, and shall periodically monitor conformance with the terms of the easement, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Supervisor is hereby authorized to contract with the State of New York and execute any documents necessary to accept and redistribute Farmland Protection implementation Grant funds, should the grant application be successful.

Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent.  Carried 4 – 0. 

 

Resolution #06-38 – Authorization to apply for Turning Point Parade Funding – was introduced by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Koval as follows: 

Whereas, the Eleventh annual Turning Point Parade took place on Sunday, August 7th in the Village of Schuylerville, and

Whereas, this parade’s mission has served as a reminder of the history and heritage of this special area where the battles at Saratoga were thought to be the turning point of the Revolutionary War, and

Whereas, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga supports the parade’s mission, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga authorizes Supervisor Thomas Wood to sign the legal documents needed to apply for a Grant for funding for the Turning Point Parade held on August 7th, 2005. 

Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent.  Carried 4 – 0. 

Resolution #06-39 – Amending the Rules of Order of the Town Board – was introduced by Councilman Fred Drumm and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Koval as follows:

WHEREAS, §63 of the Town Law provides that the Town Board may determine the rules of its procedures, and

WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that the rules adopted on January 9, 2006 need amending, and

WHEREAS, rule #4 should be amended to delete stating their address when addressing the board, and rule #5 should be amended to address persons speaking during Privilege of the Floor, now therefore be it 

RESOLVED to amend the Rules of Order and the amended rules are hereby adopted pursuant to §63 of the Town Law as follows:

RULES OF ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF SARATOGA

  1. The Supervisor shall preside at all meetings of the Board and shall preserve order and decorum in debate.
  2. The Board shall be called to order by the Supervisor.  A quorum must be present in order to conduct business of the town.  A quorum shall be defined as three members of the town board.
  3. The Supervisor, immediately following the opening of every regular meeting of the Board, shall proceed to the regular order of Town business as follows: Roll Call, Approval of Minutes, Town Clerk’s report, Zoning Officer’s Report, Dog Control Officer’s Report, Town Court Report, Supervisor’s Report, Public comments on agenda items, Committee reports, Old Business, New Business, Communications, Privilege of the Floor, Auditing Bills, Establishment of the Next Regular Meeting, Adjournment.
  4. Public Hearings:  It shall be the duty of the Supervisor to preside at all general or special business hearings, to instruct all persons addressing the Board to state their name and to state whether they are for or against the proposal. Those in favor of the proposal before the Board should speak first and those in opposition should speak last.  At such hearings the Board may have special rules and prescribe the time to be allotted as 3 minutes to each speaker.  Once all persons wishing to speak have spoken once, any person wishing to speak a second time may do so for a maximum of 2 minutes. 
  5. Privilege of the Floor: The Supervisor may grant any member of the general public in attendance at such meeting a reasonable opportunity to be heard on any question or subject in which the Town is concerned. All persons should state their name and the subject he or she will be addressing. 
  6. Every resolution or motion must be seconded before being put to a vote by the Supervisor and all resolutions or motions shall be recorded in their entirety in the official minutes of the Town Board.
  7. The Supervisor may offer or second a resolution or a motion and need not relinquish the chair for such purpose.
  8. No motion or resolution may be brought to a vote except by the majority consent of those present unless printed or typewritten copies thereof are presented to each member of the Board 48 hours prior to the opening of the meeting at which such motion or resolution is offered.

 

  1. No member shall speak more than once on any questions until every member choosing to speak shall have spoken, nor more than twice in any case without leave of the Board.
  2. When a question is under debate, no motion shall be entertained unless (a) for an adjournment or recess, (b) for the previous question to lay on the table, (c) to postpone to refer to a committee, or (d) to amend.
  3. A majority vote of all the members of the Board shall be required to suspend these rules of order.  A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
  4. If the above stated rules are or become at any time in conflict with the statutory law, the statutory law shall take precedence.
  5. No member of the public shall engage in any demonstration, booing, hand clapping or otherwise disrupt the formality of a town board meeting.
  6. Any persons speaking to the town board with the consent of the supervisor shall address their remarks to the town board, not to other members of the audience in the form of a debate.  Residents will be limited to speaking for three minutes unless extended by permission of the majority consent of the board.  All persons speaking will be given respect and courtesy and in return are expected to be respectful and courteous.  The use of profane and inappropriate language is not acceptable. 

Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent.  Carried 4 – 0. 

 

Resolution #06-40 – Transfer of County Properties to Town – introduced by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan as follows:

WHEREAS, Saratoga County currently owns parcels number 196.-3-2 and number 209.-1-6.1, and

WHEREAS, these two parcels were formerly a portion of the Old Champlain Canal, and

WHEREAS, these two parcels would make excellent recreational hiking and biking trails, and

WHEREAS, one of the parcels adjoins a developed hiking trail currently owned by the Saratoga National Historical Park, and

WHEREAS, acquisition of this parcel would make possible an extension of this hiking and biking trail thereby connecting the Saratoga National Historical park with easy access to the Saratoga National Cemetery, and

WHEREAS, acquisition of these two parcels of land would make it possible for the Town of Saratoga to preserve this historic section of the Old Champlain Canal, and

WHEREAS, Saratoga County is proposing to sell these two parcels at an upcoming tax sale, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga requests that Saratoga County convey the deeds of these two parcels to the Town of Saratoga.

Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent.  Carried 4 – 0. 

 

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that the town is in the process of acquiring a small parcel of land in Coveville that would supplement current holdings in the area.  A motion to direct Town Attorney William Reynolds to move forward with negotiations for the property was introduced by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm.  Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent.  Carried 4 – 0. 

 

Communications:

Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that he attended a meeting regarding the replacement of the Rt. 9P Bridge due to its deteriorating condition.  It is scheduled for replacement in 2009.  He reviewed the options for how it could be accomplished.  It is expected to cost $7 million.  The plans call for a wider bridge with walkways on each side and sidewalks extending beyond the bridge along Rt. 9P for a short distance.  Public Hearings will be held before they begin. 

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that the US Census Bureau will be conducting an American Community Survey that will replace the census long form. Because the American Community Survey is part of the decennial census, responding to the survey is required by law. 

 

Vincent C. Fay wrote a letter to Supervisor Thomas Wood commending the Town Crew for their outstanding job plowing, mowing and maintaining the town roads.  He especially wanted to thank them for the meticulous job they did removing a huge rotted tree in front of his house on Fitch Road and how they thoroughly cleaned up the debris. 

 

Joyce Shaver, Tax Collector for 13 years, thanked the board for the Retirement Party honoring her, Grant Seymour, Bruce Cornell and Marie Foster on January 27th.  

 

Privilege of the floor:

Clarence Fosdick inquired if the survey would be coming in the mail and Supervisor Thomas Wood responded that it would.

Anita and Pete Flanders asked the board if there was anything that could be done about the abandoned red house on the corner of Chestnut St. and Burgoyne St., as it is in increasingly poor condition.  Town Attorney William Reynolds added that it should be inspected by Town Engineer Kenneth Martin and Zoning Officer Robert Hathaway to determine the next step.  It was suggested that it be checked for historical value also. 

 

Upcoming meetings:

v     Building Committee meeting –Wednesday, March 8th, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.

v     Agenda meeting – Thursday, March 9th, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.

v     Regular town board meeting – Monday, March 13th, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.  

 

Audit the Bills: Per abstract for the period 2/13/2006 (2G): General A $18,398.10, General B $4,162.45, Highway Outside $17,111.04, for a total expense of $39,671.59.

 

A motion to adjourn at 9:16 p.m. was made by Councilman Fred Drumm and seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan.  Supervisor Thomas Wood – aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan - aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin - absent.  Carried 4 – 0.

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Ruth Drumm

Town Clerk

 

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