DRAFT COPY

REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD

OF THE TOWN OF SARATOGA, 30 FERRY ST.,

SCHUYLERVILLE, NY

October 13, 2004

7:00 P.M.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance

at 7:00 p.m.

 

Roll call: Town Clerk Ruth Drumm called the roll.  Supervisor Thomas Wood- present, Councilman Bruce Cornell - present, Councilman Charles Hanehan- absent, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – present, and Councilman Fred Drumm- present

Also present: Highway Superintendent Grant Seymour, Town Attorney William Reynolds, Zoning Officer Robert Hathaway, Deputy Clerk Linda McCabe, Assessor/Bookkeeper Catherine DeFelice, Lynda Teitelbaum, David Teitelbaum, Becky DeWitt, JoAnn Goldblatt, Stephen Goldblatt, Gene Derby, Lisa & David Lord, James Bulgey, Anthony Holland, Kristy Carara, Meghan Phalen, Sherry Doubleday, Dan Craine, and Geraldine Friedman.

 

Proof of Notice having been furnished – the following sealed bids were opened:

v     Winter Sand:

Jointa Galusha             $5.50/ton

BJ Farms               $5.25/ton

Tracy Materials            $5.00/ton

v     Item # 4 Gravel:

Jointa Galusha                        $5.25/ton

 BJ Farms               $5.25/ton

Tracy Materials            $5.00/ton

v     # 2 Fuel Oil:

Suburban Propane/Agway             $1.624/gal. (.18 differential /gal.)

v     Diesel Fuel:

Suburban Propane/Agway            $1.78/gal. (.24 differential /gal.)

 

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Bruce Cornell to accept the minutes of the September 13th, 2004 meeting as written. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Bruce Cornell – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin - aye, and Councilman Charles Hanehan - absent.  Carried 4– 0.

 

Town Clerk’s report for September 2004: Fees paid to the County Treasurer for Dog Licenses $44.65. Dog license fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets $6.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $3,905.60. Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $135.35. Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $456.15. Total State, County, and Local Revenues received were $4,547.75.

 

Zoning Officer’s report: September 2004: 11 Building Permits, 5 C.O.’s, and 16 Building inspections were done.   A check for $1,363.40 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.

 

Supervisor’s report: Supervisor Thomas Wood presented September 2004 balances in Town funds as follows: General A $538,904.47, General B $84,555.99, Highway Outside $151,646.55, Youth Recreation & Services $1,548.88, Highway Equipment Reserve $108,879.25, Building Reserve $816,473.80, and Fire Protection $0.00.  September revenues were $179,805.91 and expenses were $433,943.50.  The total September balance is $1,702,008.94.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that a letter was sent to the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets in support of the four Town of Saratoga applicant’s for the Purchase of their Development Rights (PDR).  The next step is that the state will rank them among the many other requests they have received and some will be chosen.  It is very competitive as there are many requests and limited funds.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood stated he has received a letter from the City of Saratoga Springs regarding the City of Saratoga Springs Water Source Development Project, which is seeking a long-term emergency water supply for the City with the primary alternative being Saratoga Lake.  They informed the town that the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) has been completed and is available for public review.  Supervisor Thomas Wood learned that the document is over 600 pages long and that it is available at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, City Hall, and on the Internet.   

 

The Hudson River Improvement Fund grant of the year 2000 has been concluded and closed. The final payment of $400 has been received.  This $2,400 grant was used for the stage that is now on the Schuylerville beach.  The net cost to the Town for the stage was only about $150.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that a project update on the replacement of Bryant’s Bridge was received from Joe Ritchey, County Commissioner of Public Works.  He stated that an engineering study on the estimated cost of the removal and relocation of the old bridge is $535,000 and if removed for relocation, would most likely cause a delay in the scheduled start of the new bridge’s construction.  The Town of Saratoga supports the relocation of the bridge to the Town of Ballston as a pedestrian bridge along the Zim-Smith Trail over the Morningkill Stream.  

 

Highway: Highway Superintendent Grant Seymour reported that the winter sand is in (purchased on last year’s contract), the road projects are done, and the crews are busy cleaning ditches and culverts. He explained to the board that a 10’ snowplow is needed for the new truck for use as a backup.  Three price quotes were obtained and Arrowhead Equipment was the lowest at $5,150.  The board agreed that he should go ahead and order the plow from Arrowhead Equipment.  

 

Landfill: No report.

 

Insurance: Supervisor Thomas Wood explained that an insurance rebate of $784 was received after removing the tractor, backhoe and dump truck that were sold from the policy. Supervisor Thomas Wood noted that after reviewing our insurance coverages with our agent last summer, it was suggested that there were some areas that were in need of increased coverages.  The board agreed that our Umbrella Liability limit should increase from $3 million to $4 million, Mutual Aid should increase from $300,000 to $1 million, adding excess coverage to the bond in the amount of $100,000 for the Supervisor’s position and to increase the Supplemental Uninsured Motorist limit from $500,000 to $1 million for an increase of $764.

  

Youth Committee report: No report.

 

Buildings: Supervisor Thomas Wood stated that he is continuing to investigate the property that is immediately to the north of the town hall to determine if it is an acceptable site for a new town hall.  He is working with our Town Engineer Ken Martin to determine the necessary steps needed to have test borings done. 

 

Senior Citizens report: No report.

 

Park Committee report: No report.

 

Cable TV Committee: Talks on the Cable TV Franchise agreement are ongoing.  There will be a meeting with George Smede of Time Warner on Friday to discuss the cable height over driveways. 

 

Old Business: Supervisor Thomas Wood announced that the increased water rate proposed to be charged to town residents on village water by the Water Commission has been rescinded for at least one year.  Supervisor Thomas Wood noted that we must continue to research the issue and to work with the Water Commission so that we will be treated fairly in the future.

 

 Supervisor Thomas Wood spoke regarding the 6-month moratorium on mining that is in place in the town.  He introduced a motion to direct Town Attorney William Reynolds to draft a Local Law zoning amendment to remove mining as a Special Permitted Use in the Rural Residential District of the town and to advertise the public hearing for the November 4th meeting.  Councilman Michael McLoughlin seconded the motion. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – no, Councilman Bruce Cornell – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin - aye, and Councilman Charles Hanehan - absent.  Carried 3– 1.  David Reulet presented the board with petitions in support of the removal of mining in the Rural Residential District.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood commented on the illegal operation of a Granite Countertop Fabrication business by Stephen Mitchell on Fire Lane 3 off Route 29. The board felt that if the business is still operating, as of October 15, 2004, he should be taken to the Saratoga County Supreme Court for further action.  Supervisor Thomas Wood made a motion to direct Town Attorney William Reynolds to take the necessary steps to take the case to the Saratoga County Supreme Court if the operation of the business does not cease by October 15, 2004.  Councilman Fred Drumm seconded this. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Bruce Cornell – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin - aye, and Councilman Charles Hanehan - absent.  Carried 4 - 0.  Town Attorney William Reynolds asked that Zoning Officer Robert Hathaway do an inspection of the business over the weekend.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood scheduled a budget workshop for Thursday, October 21, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.  A public hearing on the budget is planned for the November 4th town board meeting. 

 

New Business: The following resolutions accepting the highest bids for the Highway Department materials were adopted:

Resolution #04-119 was introduced by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm:

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga received bids via solicitation of bids by public advertising for item 4 Gravel per Specification TS 05-04, and Tracy Materials, 301 Windy Hill Rd., Greenwich, NY 12834 was the lowest bidder for the Item 4 Gravel; therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to accept the bid from Tracy Materials, 301 Windy Hill Rd., Greenwich, NY 12834 of $ 5.00 per ton for Item 4 Gravel providing the specifications in TS 05-04 are met.     

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

Resolution # 04-120 was introduced by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Bruce Cornell:

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga received bids via solicitation of bids by public advertising for screened Winter Sand per Specification TS 05-04, and Tracy Materials, 301 Windy Hill Rd., Greenwich, NY 12834 was the lowest bidder for the screened Winter Sand; therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to accept the bid from Tracy Materials, 301 Windy Hill Rd., Greenwich, NY 12834 of $5.00 per ton for screened Winter Sand providing the specifications in TS 05-04 are met. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Bruce Cornell – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin - aye, and Councilman Charles Hanehan - absent.  Carried 4 - 0. 

Resolution # 04-121 was introduced by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Bruce Cornell:

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga received bids via solicitation of bids by public advertising for #2 Fuel Oil per Specification TS 04-04, and Suburban Propane/Agway, 1123 State Route 29, Greenwich, NY 12834, was the low bidder at $1.624/gal. (.18/gal. differential); therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to accept the bid from Suburban Propane/Agway, 1123 State Route 29, Greenwich, NY 12834, for $1.624/gal. (.18/gal. differential) for  #2 Fuel Oil, providing the specifications in TS 04-04 are met.     

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

Resolution # 04-122 was introduced by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm:

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga received bids via solicitation of bids by public advertising for Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel per Specification TS 04-04, and Suburban Propane/Agway, 1123 State Route 29, Greenwich, NY 12834, was the low bidder at $1.78/gal. (.24/gal. differential); therefore, be it

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to accept the bid from Suburban Propane/Agway, 1123 State Route 29, Greenwich, NY 12834, for  $1.78/gal. (.24/gal. differential) for Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel, providing the specifications in TS 04-04 are met.  Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Bruce Cornell – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin - aye, and Councilman Charles Hanehan - absent.  Carried 4 - 0. 

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood explained that two appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals are needed.  Long time member William Schutz resigned due to other commitments and James Burke resigned as alternate to the board in order to fill William Schutz’ vacancy.  After some board discussion on available candidates for the positions, Supervisor Thomas Wood introduced Resolution # 04-124 and Councilman Bruce Cornell seconded it:

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has accepted, with regret, the resignation of William Schutz as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, therefore be it

RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga appointing James Burke, who has resigned as alternate, to the remaining term of William Schutz, from October 13, 2004 to December 31, 2006. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Bruce Cornell – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin - aye, and Councilman Charles Hanehan - absent.  Carried 4 - 0. 

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood introduced Resolution #04-125 and Councilman Fred Drumm seconded it:

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has accepted the resignation of James Burke as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, therefore be it

RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga appointing Robert McConnell, to the remaining term of Alternate James Burke, from October 13, 2004 to December 31, 2008. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Bruce Cornell – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin - aye, and Councilman Charles Hanehan - absent.  Carried 4 - 0. 

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood explained that a personnel handbook is needed for town employees.  After speaking with other supervisors, Amtek, Human Resource Consultants, were thought to be very experienced in the field and Supervisor Thomas Wood met with them to discuss the resources available.  They discussed a personnel handbook - $2,800, a list of job descriptions and job application forms. Further discussion regarding the benefits and costs will take place at the budget workshop on October 21st. 

 

Another area that has room for improvement is the organization, accessibility, and ease of use of our local laws, zoning regulations, and minutes.  Supervisor Thomas Wood and Town Clerk Ruth Drumm met with Bruce Cadman of General Code, a company who specializes in the Codification of municipal records.  Once codified our records would also be available on a website and very easily searchable along with the records of other municipalities, which will help us to research different subjects.  A cost estimate will be provided and further discussion will be conducted at the budget workshop.  

 

 Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that Dottie Soderberg, who cleans the town hall and town garage, was injured while crossing the street a couple of weeks ago.  She is unable to work and has been placed on unpaid sick leave.  Tammy Mitchell, a former cleaner for the town, has agreed to fill the position temporarily.  

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that the justice department is in need of funds to cover costs for training and supplies.  Councilman Michael McLoughlin introduced Resolution #04-123 and Councilman Fred Drumm seconded it:

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga recognizes the need for a fund transfer to cover additional expenses incurred by the justice department, therefore be it

RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to transfer $437.61 from the Contingency Account # A1990.4 to Account # A1110.4 Justices, to cover the additional expenses incurred for training and supplies. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Bruce Cornell – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin - aye, and Councilman Charles Hanehan - absent.  Carried 4 - 0. 

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that the next item is a request from Sean Kelleher, Town Historian, in association with the Battlefield Protection Grant.  He is asking for an advertisement to be placed for Request for Proposals (RFP’s) for Professional Consultant Services for Archaeological Investigation and Assessment of Selected Areas of potential National Register Battlefield Sites.  As part of the Battlefield Protection Grant, they are trying to determine as precisely as possible the location of and the details surrounding the Fort Hardy area and of the Fort itself.   A motion was introduced by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm to authorize the advertisement for the RFP’s for Professional Consultant Services for Archaeological Investigation and Assessment of Selected Areas of potential National Register Battlefield Sites.  The proposals will be accepted through business hours on November 4th and will be opened on November 5th at 9:00 a.m. at the town hall. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Bruce Cornell – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin - aye, and Councilman Charles Hanehan - absent.  Carried 4 - 0. 

 

Communications: Supervisor Thomas Wood read a letter from Village of Schuylerville Mayor John Sherman thanking the town’s highway department, especially Grant Seymour and Rick Drew, for their help in the rebuilding of Green Street, University Street and Hessian Drive in the Village of Schuylerville. 

 

Privilege of the floor:

Geraldine Friedman requested and received clarification on the replacement and possible relocation of the Bryant’s Bridge, the Steve Mitchell action, and the status of the Saratoga Country Inn PUD.

 

Dave Teitlebaum, 118 Chelsea Dr., and Anthony Holland, 112 Chelsea Dr., both thanked the board for their help in starting the process to remove mining as a Special Permitted Use in the Rural Residential District. 

 

Gene Derby, 8 Chestnut St., thanked the board for taking up the plight of the people who had their water rates increased.  He also suggested that depositions be taken from people that remember the water project at its start and the details thereof.  

 

Lisa Lord, 1241 Rt. 9P, spoke on the proposed water withdrawal from Saratoga Lake by the City of Saratoga Springs. She noted that the City has approved the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).  She also spoke on the possible impacts to the residents of the Town of Saratoga and the costs involved with the Watershed Management.

 

David Lord stated that he felt that the town would not receive any help with the costs involved in the Watershed Management from SLIPID as they primarily use their funds for weed control.

 

Sherry Doubleday, Captain of the General Schuyler Emergency Squad (GSES), thanked Supervisor Thomas Wood for his idea for the property on Route 29 for their new building.  She stated that the 3 +/- acre parcel cost them $10,084.84.  They will have the property surveyed and they have an application in to the Planning Board for the Special Use Permit required.  Supervisor Thomas Wood thanked the GSES for their prompt responses to emergency calls in the town.  Sherry Doubleday noted that the ALS squad is one of the state of the art agencies around.  She said they are on schedule to have over 700 emergency runs in 2004. 

 

The next agenda meeting will be Thursday, October 28, 2004 and the regular board meeting will be Thursday, November 4, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Audit the Bills: Per abstract 10/13/2004 (10G): General A $10,314.08, General B $1,672.11, Youth $429.75, (10H): Highway Outside $21,364.36, for a total expense of $33,780.30.

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Bruce Cornell at 8:57 p.m. and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin. Supervisor Thomas Wood – aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Bruce Cornell – aye, and Councilman Charles Hanehan - absent.  Carried 4– 0.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Ruth Drumm, Town Clerk

 

Return to Home Page