ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF
SARATOGA, 30 FERRY ST.,
SCHUYLERVILLE,
NY
January 14,
2008
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
– present.
Also present: Deputy Town Clerk Linda McCabe, Town Attorney William Reynolds, Zoning Officer Gil Albert, Justice Jack Ditch, Tax Collector Jim Gorham, and other interested persons.
On a motion by Supervisor
Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm the following Resolutions #08-01 through #08-31 - Organizational
Appointments were 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.
Resolution #08-01, setting the “Rules of the Board”.
WHEREAS
§63 of the Town Law provides that the Town Board may determine the rules of its
procedures;
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following Rules of Order be and the same are
hereby adopted pursuant to §63 of the Town Law:
RULES OF ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE
TOWN OF SARATOGA
Resolution #08-02, setting the meeting time and place for Town Board meetings as the 2nd Monday of the month, at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, 30 Ferry Street, Schuylerville.
Resolution #08-03, designating the Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company
as the official bank depository.
Resolution #08-04, designating The Saratogian as the official newspaper for the Town.
Resolution #08-05, authorizing the Supervisor to invest idle cash balances.
Resolution #08-06, authorizing the Supervisor to submit claims for state aid for youth recreation programs.
Resolution #08-07, authorizing the Supervisor to execute & pay contracts & annual appropriations as provided in the budget.
Resolution #08-08, approving the salaries & highway scale of wages and additional
benefits as set forth in the 2008 budget.
Resolution #08-09, appointing the Supervisor as health insurance administrator.
Resolution #08-10, authorizing the Supervisor to pay bills of utility, fuel, gas, oil, credit card & any discounted bills without prior audit and providing that bills are presented at first available meeting for audit.
Resolution #08-11, authorizing the Highway Superintendent to spend/purchase up to $3,000 without prior notice to town board.
Resolution #08-12 appointing Ed Cross as Dog Control Officer.
Resolution #08-13, authorizing the attendance of the following Town Officers at The Association of Towns’ meeting, February 17 - 20, 2008: Supervisor Thomas Wood, Councilman Charles Hanehan, Councilman Fred Drumm, Councilwoman Betty Koval, Councilman Michael McLoughlin, Town Justice Jack Ditch, Town Justice David Mathis, Town Attorney William Reynolds, and Bookkeeper Marge Wilbur.
Resolution #08-14, appointing Supervisor Thomas Wood as delegate and Councilman Fred Drumm as alternate to the Association of Towns’ meeting.
Resolution #08-15, setting the mileage rate for actual town business at 50.5 cents.
Resolution #08-16, setting the election inspector rates at $100 and machine custodians at $75 per machine for Special Elections.
Resolution #08-17, appointing William Reynolds as the Town Attorney.
Resolution #08-18, appointing the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer as Gilman Albert.
Resolution #08-19, appointing Gilman Albert as the Fire Code Officer.
Resolution #08-20, appointing Ruth Drumm as the Registrar of Vital Statistics.
Resolution #08-21, appointing Linda McCabe as the Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics.
Resolution #08-22, appointing Linda McCabe as the Clerk to the Planning Board & Zoning Board of Appeals.
Resolution #08-23, appointing Dr. Bruce Harro as the Health Officer.
Resolution #08-24, appointing Kenneth Martin as the Town Engineer.
Resolution #08-25, appointing Bernie Wood as Uniform Court Officer.
Resolution #08-26, appointing Susan Hughes as Clerk part-time.
Resolution #08-27, authorizing Blanket Official Undertaking for Town Officers as follows:
WHEREAS, certain Town Officers are required to execute and
file undertakings by reason of certain provisions of the Town Law, and
WHEREAS, Public Officers Law §11 allows for the substitution
of a blanket undertaking for such individual undertakings; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga has in effect a blanket
undertaking for all Town Officers required by law to execute and file
undertakings, and
WHEREAS, said blanket undertaking provides coverage for the
failure of said officers to faithfully perform their duties or to account for
all moneys or property received by them by virtue of their positions, and for
their fraudulent or dishonest acts; and
WHEREAS, Public Officers Law §11 requires this Board to
approve blanket undertaking as to form and sufficiency of coverage, now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board hereby
approves Employee Dishonesty Policy #B - 6010916 issued by Selective Ins. Co.
of New York to the Town of Saratoga as a blanket undertaking for all Town
Officers required to execute and file undertakings including but not limited to
the Supervisor, Town Clerk, Tax Collector, Justices, and Superintendent of
Highways, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the blanket undertaking shall have $20,000.00
(Twenty Thousand) coverage per officer with excess indemnity on the Tax
Collector in the amount of $1,000,000.00 (one million), the Supervisor in the
amount of $50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand) and shall provide employee dishonesty
coverage and faithful performance of duty coverage for said officers as
required by Public Officers Law § 11, with an appropriate deductible
established at the time of the purchase of the policy in accordance with the
usual practice of the Town, and be it further
RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this Resolution be attached
to said blanket undertaking and a copy thereof be filed in the Office of the
Town Clerk.
Zoning Board
of Appeals – (5 – year terms - appointed)
Resolution #08-28 appointing Thomas J. Carringi to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the term of 1/1/08 – 12/31/12.
Resolution #08-29 appointing Barbara A. Faraone to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the term of 1/1/08 – 12/31/12.
Resolution #08-30 appointing Clifford L. Hanehan to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the term of 1/1/08 – 12/31/12.
Resolution #08-31 appointing Clarence R. Fosdick to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the term of 1/1/08 – 12/31/12.
Supervisor Thomas Wood made the following
appointments:
Building Committee: Councilwoman Betty Koval, Councilman Michael McLoughlin, Councilman Fred Drumm, Councilman Charles Hanehan, and Supervisor Thomas Wood
Insurance Committee: Supervisor Thomas Wood and
Councilwoman Betty Koval
The following appointments were made by
elected officials and read by Supervisor Thomas Wood:
Town
Clerk Ruth Drumm appoints Linda McCabe
as Deputy Town Clerk.
Town
Justice David Mathis and Town Justice Jack Ditch appoint Teri Meidenbauer and Bonnie Williams as Court Clerks.
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:
Bid Opening: Asbestos
Testing & Report on Old Highway Garage
Alpine Environmental
Services, Inc., 1146 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12205 - $2,200.00.
Adirondack Environmental
Services, Inc.,
314 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12207 - $4,010.00.
Atlantic Testing
Laboratories, Limited, P.O. Box 29, 6431 US Highway 11, Canton, NY 13617 - $2,951.00
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by
Councilwoman Betty Koval to accept the minutes of the December 10th
regular meeting and the December 28th special year-end meeting as
written.
Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye. Carried 5 – 0.
Town Clerk’s report for December 2007: Fees paid to the County Treasurer for Dog Licenses $44.30. Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the spay/neuter program $6.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $71.80. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $0. Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $127.70. Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $43.70. Total State, County, and Local Revenues received were $293.50.
Zoning Officer’s report: Gil Albert read his December 2007 report: 4 Building Permits, 6 Building Inspections, 10 Certificates of Occupancy, 1 Fire inspection, and 3 misc. appointments. A check for $580.00 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.
Dog Control officer’s report for December 2007: The report was read by Supervisor Thomas Wood: answered 11 complaints, took 1 dog to the shelter, 1 bite case, traveled 137 miles, issued 7 warnings and 4 summonses were issued.
The board discussed if Ed Cross should pick up unidentified dead dogs from State or County Roads and bring them to the Saratoga County Animal Shelter. It was decided that since they are in our town he should. The issue of unidentified injured dogs was then discussed. According to Ag & Market Law the town is responsible for vet bills on an unidentified injured dog. Supervisor Thomas Wood will call Veterinarian Patti Jolie to see if an agreement could be made with her to care for the injured dogs.
Town Court report for December 2007: The report was read by Justice Jack Ditch. The following were closed: 82 Vehicle & Traffic, 12 Criminal/Penal Law, 1 DEC/ENCON, 4 Dog cases, 1 DWI, 0 Town & Village Ordinance, 1 Small Claim/Civil, 1 Eviction, 0 Bench trials, 1 (case transfer) Divestiture Form sent to County Court, 0 attended the Science of Speed School, 3 Defendants sentenced to probation, 60 hours of community service issued, 25 days of jail time issued, 1 Order of Protection issued, and $6,270.00 in fees were paid to the NY State Comptroller.
Tax Collector’s report: Tax Collector Jim
Gorham reported for January 1, 2008 through January 8, 2008. He collected $238,759.58 on 313 parcels of a
total of 2,896 parcels in the town.
Historian’s report:
Deputy Historian Pat Peck read Sean
Kelleher’s report stating that the
Historians’ office worked with our partners at the National Park Service and
the Historic Saratoga-Washington on the Hudson Partnership on a cultural
landscape report on the Sword Surrender/old Germaine property. This is the first step of sprucing up the
property – we need to identify the historic/cultural and natural resources on
the property so that they are not damaged and then a proper plan can be made
for the property. The National Park is
of course using the resources of Saratoga National Historical Park; in
addition, they are bringing in the Olmstead Center for Landscape
Preservation. The Olmstead Center is
the primer organization in the country working on stewardship of historic
landscapes and we are blessed as a community to have them working on this project. The Historians’ office is working with the
Saratoga staff on identifying resources on the history of this site. As the project works forward, we will be
reviewing the report. The report will
take between 6 and 10 months to complete.
Assessor’s report: Supervisor Thomas Wood read Assessor Victoria Hayner’s report:
The Assessor’s Office
remained steadily busy during the past month.
The renewal forms for Senior Exemptions and Agricultural exemptions were
mailed and have begun coming in.
Sales continue to be
processed for the town. During the past
month, we had (4) non-valid sales; (5) valid sales. Of these sales, (7) properties were residential homes and (2)
involved vacant land. A total of (8)
properties have been deeded to Saratoga County Acquisition for possible auction
in the spring.
Building permits are being
reviewed to be ready to figure valuation by taxable status date (March 1st). The Assessor will be doing drive-by
evaluations at the end of February and be in consultation with the Town’s
Building Inspector for progress valuations as necessary.
Supervisor’s report:
Philosophy and Goals for
2008
At the start of each New
Year it is fitting and appropriate that we stop for a minute, step back and
reflect on the previous year. Following
this review of the previous year we should set goals and make plans for the
coming year. We must remember our roots
and the fundamental principles which guided us and enabled us to get to our
present position. These same basic
principles of government and personnel should continue to guide us as we enter
2008.
2008 Goals
1. Present the voters with a town hall building
plan and schedule a public referendum
2. Begin constructing Schuyler Park
3. Complete phase I of the Wilbur Road and
Coveville Towpath Trail
4. Finish plans for the Route 4 Boat Launch and
begin construction
5. Complete General Code Zoning Updates
6. Protect more farmland and open space through
purchase of development rights and open space grants
7. Obtain grant assistance from multiple
sources to fund town projects
8. Complete the NIMS Emergency Plan
Highway
Superintendent’s report: No
report. Supervisor Thomas Wood noted
that they have been busy maintaining and keeping the roads clear.
Public comments on
agenda items:
Roger Sherman, 91 Pearl St., inquired if the
new assessor has been checking into some of the assessment inequities in the
town. Supervisor Thomas Wood responded
that residents with specific concerns have been in to see Assessor Victoria
Hayner and some assessments have been adjusted.
Committee
reports:
Landfill: No report.
Insurance: No report.
Youth: No report.
The Schuylerville Senior
Citizens met for lunch January 8th and their next meeting is set for
January 22nd.
Supervisor Thomas Wood read
Sean Kelleher’s report which stated that they are working to facilitate the
2008 Supervisor’s Award for the 3 fire departments and General Schuyler
Emergency Squad.
GSES, QSFD,
SLPID/SLA Reports:
General
Schuyler Emergency Squad: Sherry
Doubleday reported they hope to break ground for the new building at the end of
March. Councilman Charles Hanehan noted
that at a meeting of the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) a positive vote
was given on the bonding for the building.
Quaker
Springs Fire Department: Stephen
Bodnar addressed the board. He reported
that the fire department responded to 8 calls in December 2007. They responded to 85 calls in 2007. The following were approved by the Board of
Commissioners: Sean Dooley-Fire Chief, Don Ormsby Jr. - 1st
Assistant Chief, Mark Connolly – 2nd Assistant Chief. There is one new Class A firefighter. Stephen Bodnar reported that 31 firefighters
made 50 points or more for the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) in
2007. Jim burke was re-elected to the
board for 5 years and per new requirements, Jim will attend training in March. The resolution to allow bonding for the new
firehouse substation was approved 56 to 2.
He added that they have had 1 community service placement from town
court and she worked out well.
Old
business: None.
New
business:
On a motion by Councilman Fred
Drumm and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin the following Resolution #08- 32 Bid
acceptance for Asbestos Testing and Report, old Highway Garage 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 received bids
via solicitation of bids by public advertising for testing of suspected
asbestos from the old town highway garage; therefore be it
RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to accept
the bid from Alpine Environmental Services, Inc., 1146 Central Avenue, Albany,
NY 12205, for $2,200.00,
subject to review by Town Engineer Kenneth Martin and providing the bid
specifications are met.
On a motion by Councilman
Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Koval the following Resolution #08-33 Intermunicipal Agreement with the Town of Hadley for
Bus Transportation to 2008 Association of Towns’ Conference in NY City,
February 17 – 20th 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, a proposal has been made that the Town of Hadley and
the Town of Saratoga enter into an intermunicipal agreement providing for bus
transportation to the 2008 Association of Towns’ Meeting, which is being held
in New York City, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Hadley and the Town of Saratoga
enter into an intermunicipal agreement which provides that:
On a motion by Councilman
Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Koval the following Resolution #08-34 Accepting Lowest Proposal for Traffic Engineering
Services for Schuyler Park 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 accept
the lowest proposal of $2,900.00 from Creighton Manning Engineering, LLP (CME),
100 Glen Street, Suite 3B, Glens Falls, NY 12801 for Traffic Engineering Services
for Schuyler Park, Route 29 and Louden Road in the Town of Saratoga.
Communications:
None
Privilege
of the floor:
Sherry
Doubleday, 20 Chestnut Street, inquired about the traffic study
for the entrance to Schuyler Park from Rt. 29.
Supervisor Thomas Wood replied that they will look at the site distances
to both the east and west and will also look at the need for a turning lane.
Supervisor Thomas Wood added that they are investigating a second entrance from
Rt. 29 as suggested by the Town of Northumberland. Sherry Doubleday stated that signs will be needed to warn of
exiting ambulances down the road at their new squad building. Town Attorney William Reynolds suggested
that Creighton Manning should be made aware of the General Schuyler Emergency Squad’s
entrance while doing the study.
Roger
Sherman, 91 Pearl Street, stated that he hopes the people
pass the referendum for the corner school building if it comes up for
vote. He added that it would be
wonderful if the town could rent space, with the first year free, to a
pharmacist so that there would be a pharmacy in town. He also added that a common room is needed for such organizations
as Head Start, Extra Helpings and Christmas Community Fund etc.
Stephen
Bodnar reported that the Quaker Springs Fire Department
has not received the deed from Saratoga Builders for the acre donated to them
for a fire station. This lot could also help with the traffic study. Stephen Bodnar noted that the County Rd. 69
standpipe is working very well. He then
inquired who is responsible for keeping a clear access to a standpipe on
private property. Supervisor Thomas
Wood stated he will check with Jeb Hamilton at the County. Town Attorney William Reynolds stated that
there should be a legal document between the landowner and the fire
department.
Upcoming
meetings:
v
Building Committee meeting –Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
v Agenda meeting – Thursday,
February 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
v
Regular town board meeting – Monday, February 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Audit the Bills: On a motion by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm the following Resolution #08-35 Approving the payment of bills in Abstract 1G 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 1G (01/14/2008) in the following
amounts: General A $28,452.19, General B $2,631.49, Highway Outside DB
$11,837.87 and Youth $346.60 for a total expense of $43,268.15.
A motion to adjourn
at 9:10 p.m. was made 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 -
aye. Carried 5 – 0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ruth Drumm
Town Clerk