ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF
SARATOGA, 30 FERRY ST.,
SCHUYLERVILLE,
NY
January 8,
2007
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, Margaret Ditch, Linda Macica, Chris Macica, Clarence Fosdick, Stephen Bodnar, Tax Collector Jim Gorham, Leigh Hornbeck, Geraldine Freedman, Roger Sherman, Jay Dickstein, Linda Dickstein, Sherry Doubleday, Hubert Miller, and other interested persons.
On a motion by Supervisor
Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm the following Resolutions #07-01 through 07-32 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 –
absent. Carried 4 – 0.
Resolution #07-01, 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 #07-02, 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 # 07-03, designating the Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company
as the official bank depository.
Resolution # 07-04, designating The Saratogian as the official newspaper for the Town.
Resolution # 07-05, authorizing the Supervisor to invest idle cash balances.
Resolution # 07-06, authorizing the Supervisor to submit claims for state aid for youth recreation programs.
Resolution # 07-07, authorizing the Supervisor to execute & pay contracts & annual appropriations as provided in the budget.
Resolution # 07-08, approving the salaries & highway scale of wages and additional
benefits as set forth in the 2007 budget.
Resolution # 07-09, authorizing the Highway Superintendent to spend/purchase up to $3,000 without prior notice to town board.
Resolution # 07-10, appointing the Supervisor as health insurance administrator.
Resolution # 07-11, 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 # 07-12 appointing Rick Sullivan & Ed Cross as Dog Control Officers.
Resolution # 07-13, authorizing the attendance of the following Town Officers at The Association of Town’s meeting, February 18 - 21, 2007: Supervisor Thomas Wood, Councilman Michael McLoughlin, Councilman Fred Drumm, Town Justice Jack Ditch, Town Justice David Mathis, Town Attorney William Reynolds, Assessor Catherine DeFelice, ZBA member Barbara Faraone, Councilwoman Betty Koval, and Town Clerk Ruth Drumm.
Resolution # 07-14, appointing Supervisor Thomas Wood as delegate and Councilman Fred Drumm as alternate to the Association of Towns’ meeting.
Resolution # 07-15, setting the mileage rate for actual town business at 48.5 cents.
Resolution # 07-16, authorizing the assessor to employ clerical help, Danielle Haas, within the budget.
Resolution # 07-17, setting the election inspector rates at $100 and machine custodians at $75 per machine for Special Elections.
Resolution # 07-18, appoints William Reynolds as the Town Attorney.
Resolution # 07-19, appoints the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officers as Robert Hathaway & Gilman Albert.
Resolution # 07-20, appoints Robert Hathaway & Gilman Albert as the Fire Code Officers.
Resolution # 07-21, appoints Ruth Drumm as the Registrar of Vital Statistics.
Resolution # 07-22, appoints Linda McCabe as the Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics.
Resolution # 07-23, appoints Catherine Cicero as the Clerk to the Planning Board & Zoning Board of Appeals.
Resolution # 07-24, appoints Dr. Bruce Harro as the Health Officer.
Resolution #07-25, appoints Kenneth Martin as the Town Engineer.
Resolution #07-26, appoints Bernie Wood as Uniform Court Officer. (This resolution was amended by a motion by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan to change title from Court Constable to Uniform Court Officer. 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 #07-27, 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 #S - 1679093 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) 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.
Resolution # 07-28, appoints Laurie Griffen to the Planning Board, term of 01/01/07 – 12/31/2013.
Resolution #07-29, appoints Jennifer Koval to the alternate position on the Planning Board to fulfill a remaining term of 1/1/07 – 12/31/08.
Resolution #07-30, appoints Stephen Bodnar to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the term of 1/1/07 – 12/31/11.
Resolution #07-31, appoints G. William Moreau to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the term from 1/1/07 – 12/31/11.
Resolution #07-32, appoints James Burke to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the term from 1/1/07 – 12/31/11.
Supervisor Thomas Wood made the following
appointments:
Highway Committee: Councilman Charles Hanehan and Councilman Fred Drumm
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 Dawn Knight and Bonnie Williams as Court Clerks.
Highway
Superintendent David Hall appoints Rick
Drew as Deputy Highway Superintendent.
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings: None
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilwoman Betty Koval and seconded by
Councilman Charles Hanehan to accept the minutes of the December 11th
regular meeting and the December 27th 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 – absent. Carried 4 – 0.
Town Clerk’s report for December 2006: Fees paid to the County Treasurer for Dog Licenses $38.77. Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the spay/neuter program $3.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $121.31. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $22.50. Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $121.23. Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $92.19. Total State, County, and Local Revenues received were $399.00.
Zoning Officer’s report: Bob Hathaway read his December 2006 report: 5 CO’s, 9 Building Permits, 2 appointments Gong property, 1 perc test, and 16 inspections were done. A check for $2,327.50 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.
Dog Control officer’s report for December 2006: The report was read by Supervisor Thomas Wood which stated Rick Sullivan answered 11 complaints, took 1 dog to the shelter, traveled 128 miles, issued 8 warnings and no summons’ were issued.
Town Court report for December 2006: 74 Vehicle & Traffic, 16 Criminal/Penal Law, 3 DEC/ENCON, 3 Dog cases, 5 DWI, 0 Town & Village Ordinance, 5 Small Claims/Civil, 0 Evictions, 0 Bench trials, (case transfer) Divestiture Form sent to County Court, 17 attended the Science of Speed School, 0 Defendants sentenced to probation, 140 hours of community service issued, 33 days of jail time issued, 5 Orders of Protection issued, and $4,281.00 in fees were paid to the NY State Comptroller.
Tax Collector’s report: Tax Collector Jim
Gorham reported for January 1, 2007 through January 6, 2007. He collected $167,213.21 on 257
parcels. He added that the new computer
software is working well.
Historian’s report:
Sean Kelleher reported that this past month, the Historian's office has been
slow. We continue to work on our Archives grant ($12,935 - awarded Local
Government Records Management Improvement Fund – NYS Archives) separating the
Village of Schuylerville records from the Town of Saratoga historical records
collection. We are also working on developing a finding aid for municipal
collections in Saratoga, Schuylerville and Stillwater.
Assessor’s report: Assessor Catherine DeFelice reported: We had 21 parcel transfers; 11 were valid sales and 10 were
invalid sales. There were 4 parcels
with revised information due to surveys filed. We are continuing to clean up
the files. We have sent out notices to property owners that are on the States
self-verification program for Enhanced STAR and those not verified have been
sent a renewal form and senior renewal forms have been sent out also. Total senior exemptions mailed were
317. We have also sent out 185 AG
exemption renewal forms.
Supervisor’s report: Supervisor Thomas Wood presented December 2006 balances in Town funds as follows: General A $772,612.77, General B $46,113.04, Highway Outside $297,163.95, Youth Recreation & Services $287.87, Highway Equipment Reserve $91,056.77, Building Reserve $1,003,443.93 and Fire Protection $0. December revenues were $139,607.56 and expenses were $301,908.19. The total December balance is $2,210,678.33.
Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that the Town Board has set the following goals for 2007: new town hall, The National Incident Management System (NIMS) in place, revised Zoning Regulations, and a Town Park Committee.
Public comments on
agenda items:
Russell Kirkwood inquired if there would be
a vote on the Brown Road PUD this evening and Supervisor Thomas Wood responded
no. Tonight the town board will declare
themselves the lead agency for the SEQR which is on the law only. The law addresses the rezoning of the parcel
for the proposed use as presented in the application. He added that MKN would present the proposed development and a
public hearing would follow at the February 12th meeting. The board
may or may not vote on the law that evening.
Linda Macica asked if they should go to
the agenda meeting and Supervisor Thomas Wood responded that the Local Law
should be drafted by then for review but no board actions will take place at
the agenda meeting.
Geraldine Freedman asked what the PUD
application proposes for the parcel.
Supervisor Thomas Wood responded that it is a 16 residence development
on about 70 acres on Brown Road. Some
of the homes would be clustered with the appearance of farmhouses.
Hubert Miller inquired what the town
board’s role is in the process. Town
Attorney William Reynolds responded that a PUD is a type of rezoning of an area
of the town for a particular use that otherwise doesn’t fit in the present
zoning parameters. The Town Board
decides whether to allow the rezoning for this particular use and then it is
sent back to the Planning Board for Site Plan Review.
Committee
reports:
Landfill: No report.
Insurance: No report.
Youth: No report.
The Schuylerville Senior
Citizens met at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs on December 14th
for their holiday dinner. Their next
meeting is tomorrow, January 9th.
Sean Kelleher reported that
there is little new to report from the Committee - we are planning a meeting on
the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. We are ordering a plaque for the
Supervisor's award. We are finishing a patch design and street
signs. In addition, we will be working on a web page to encourage
volunteers. We are also exploring working with area businesses to
encourage them to put signs in their windows to encourage volunteers. A
draft of the signs was presented at the meeting.
GSES, QSFD,
SLPID/SLA Reports:
Quaker
Springs Fire Department: Stephen
Bodnar addressed the board. He reported
that the fire department responded to 109 calls in 2006. Jay Bodnar was elected Fire Chief for
2007. He noted that he was reelected
Commissioner for five years and was reelected Chairman of the Board. Jay Bodnar is Vice-Chairman. He added that a new well has been driven at
the firehouse and a new rescue truck and the new jaws have been ordered. He reported that the Length of Service Award
Program (LOSAP) is working. Last year
18 people qualified and this year it is up to 29.
General
Schuyler Emergency Squad: Sherry
Doubleday reported that a meeting with the Industrial Development Agency (IDA)
was held on funding assistance for the issuance of tax-exempt bonds for the new
rescue squad building. A public hearing
will be held on February 14th at 9:00 a.m. here at the town
hall. She thanked Councilman Charles
Hanehan for the good word he put in for them with the IDA. They hope to break ground in April. She reported that there were 734 runs in
2006. She added that she will provide
Supervisor Thomas Wood with a list of the new officers.
Old
business:
Supervisor Thomas Wood reported on the ongoing attempts to get the Gong property at 1390 Rt. 9P cleaned up. Supervisor Thomas Wood made a motion to authorize Town Attorney William Reynolds to obtain an administrative warrant to gain access to the Gong property at 1390 Route 9P and to follow up with the necessary legal action. Councilman Charles Hanehan seconded it. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent. Carried 4 – 0.
New
business:
Supervisor
Thomas Wood announced that an audit of books of officials who receive public
money will begin in January by Richard Dinolfo, CPA, with Bollam, Sheedy,
Torani, & Co. LLP of Albany.
On a motion by Councilwoman
Betty Koval and seconded by Councilman
Fred Drumm the following Resolution # 07-33 – Amending Employee Handbook – Continuous Service
Credit was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm –
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and
Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent.
Carried 4 – 0.
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has agreed to
improve the Continuous Service Credit for those with at least 20 years service
from 5 year increments to 4 year increments, therefore be it
RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to amend
the Town of Saratoga’s Employee Handbook, Section 802 Vacation Leave –
Allowance – C. as follows:
C. Thereafter, vacation leave will be credited
each January 1 as follows:
CONTINUOUS
SERVICE COMPLETED |
VACATION
LEAVE CREDITED |
Less than 7 years |
10 days |
At least 7 years, but less than 15 years |
15 days |
At least 15 years, but less than 20 years |
20 days |
At least 20 years, but less than 24 years |
21 days |
At least 24 years, but less than 28 years |
22 days |
At least 28 years, but less than 32 years |
23 days |
At least 32 years, but less than 36 years |
24 days |
At least 36 years, but less than 40 years |
25 days |
40 or more years |
26 days |
Supervisor Thomas Wood made a
motion, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan to–accept the
Planning Board’s positive recommendation to the Town Board for approval of the
MKN Development, Brown Rd., PUD. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm –
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and
Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent.
Carried 4 – 0.
On a motion by Supervisor
Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm the following Resolution #07-34 – Lead
Agency – Brown Road PUD was
adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood -
aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye,
Councilwoman Betty Koval – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin –
absent. Carried 4 – 0.
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town
of Saratoga is proposing to amend the Zoning Ordinance with Local Law #1 of
2007, Brown Road PUD, and
WHEREAS, the approval of Local Law
#1 of 2007 is an Action subject to the provisions of the New York State
Environmental Quality Review Act (S.E.Q.R.) and the regulations promulgated to
implement said Environmental Quality Review Act, and
WHEREAS, the provisions of S.E.Q.R.
require the designation of a “Lead Agency” to determine the environmental
significance of the Action, and
WHEREAS, this agency has complied
with the provisions of S.E.Q.R. pertaining to “Lead Agency” designation, now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the
Town of Saratoga is hereby designated the “Lead Agency” for the purpose of
conducting the S.E.Q.R. review of referenced Local Law #1 of 2007.
Communications:
National
Grid sent a letter to Supervisor Thomas Wood providing
information regarding power outages and storm safety. They have a website that is available to town residents at www.nationalgridus.com. Storm Central gives information on
storm preparation, safety and recovery, and gives the ability to report an
outage. Know-How provides a
wealth of information on energy savings, payment options, and choosing an alternative
energy supplier.
Privilege
of the floor:
Geraldine
Freedman asked the board if any informational meetings
regarding the new town hall have been scheduled yet and she was told no
specific dates or locations just yet. She then
inquired as to the projected cost at each site. Supervisor Thomas Wood told her that at the Route 32 site the
building’s average cost determined using the high and low estimates, would be
$4 million and with soft costs (furnishings etc.) added in a total cost of $4.8
million. At the Ferry Street site the
building’s average cost would be $4.5 million and with soft costs added in $5.4
million. He added that the architect felt that the Ferry Street site was more
likely to get grants due to its location and that they would be close in cost
because of it. Supervisor Thomas Wood
noted that the models will be available for the public to view at the town hall
and a survey form is available there to gather feedback.
Roger
Sherman addressed the board. Supervisor Thomas Wood stated that Supervisor Art Johnson of the
Town of Wilton had an article in the paper regarding environmental cleanup of
hazardous materials, a subject that Roger Sherman has brought up before. The county has also had conversations about
it. Supervisor Thomas Wood stated that
he will contact Supervisor Art Johnson to see if the Town of Saratoga could
participate in their hazardous waste collection. Roger Sherman asked the board to include a room in the new town
hall for a food pantry as the Dutch Reformed Church needs the space for other
activities. He added that the food
pantry is still in need of help with the distribution of food from the pantry
throughout the town.
Upcoming
meetings:
v Building Committee meeting
–Wednesday, February 7, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.
v Agenda meeting – Thursday,
February 8, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
v
Regular town board meeting – Monday, February 12, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
Audit the Bills: On a motion by Councilman Fred Drumm and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Koval the following Resolution #07-35 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 – absent. Carried 4 – 0.
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to authorize
payment of the bills listed in Abstract 1G (01/08/2007) in the following
amounts: General A $10,135.14, and General B $126.26 for a total expense of
$10,261.40.
A motion to adjourn
at 8:42 p.m. was made 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.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ruth Drumm
Town Clerk