DRAFT MINUTES OF THE

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD

OF THE TOWN OF SARATOGA, 30 FERRY ST.,

SCHUYLERVILLE, NY

Friday, October 28, 2005

12:30 P.M.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance

at 12:37 p.m.

 

Roll call: Town Clerk Ruth Drumm called the roll.  Supervisor Thomas Wood- present, Councilman Bruce Cornell - present, Councilman Charles Hanehan- present, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – present, and Councilman Fred Drumm- absent (arrived at 12:40 p.m.)

Also present: Betty Koval, David and Lisa Lord, Barbara Faraone, Ed Dweck, Assessor/Bookkeeper Catherine DeFelice, and Marian Bigelow. 

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood made a motion at 12:37 p.m. to enter into an executive session to discuss proposed litigation and Councilman Charles Hanehan seconded it. 

Supervisor Thomas Wood – aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – absent (arrived at 12:40 p.m.), Councilman Bruce Cornell – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye.   Carried 4 – 0.

 

Councilman Fred Drumm arrived at 12:40 p.m. and joined the executive session.  Ed Dweck was invited into the executive session.

 

The executive session ended at 1:00 p.m. and Supervisor Thomas Wood resumed the public meeting.  Supervisor Thomas Wood – aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Bruce Cornell – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye.  Carried 5 – 0.

 

Public Comments on Agenda Items:

Catherine DeFelice pointed out that on November 2, 2005 from 6 – 10 p.m. there will be the Veterans Assistance Night and Job Fair Expo at the Saratoga Springs City Center and that the Building Committee and  Town Board Agenda meeting is also scheduled for that evening.  Supervisor Thomas Wood responded that he is aware of the County Veterans program and that he will try to check with the board members to see if rescheduling is possible.  He added that on Thursday, the regular agenda meeting night, the board is planning to attend the presentation at the Elementary School on the Green Infrastructure Plan for Saratoga County which is a community based open space planning project. 

 

David Lord, 1241 Rt. 9P, spoke about the City of Saratoga Springs’ plan to use Saratoga Lake as a water supply source. He expressed concern over how the other towns were not given a chance to be heard on the issue.  He thanked the board for their support in opposing the Lake’s use as a water supply source.  

 

Lisa Lord, 1241 Rt. 9P, expressed appreciation for the interest that the board is taking in the plan to use Saratoga Lake as a water supply source and their opposition to it. She expressed concerns over its conflict with the weed control efforts, the lack of definition on the Watershed Management Plan, and the funding of it.  She added concerns about the broad impact on the Lake’s homeowners and other residents of the town further out, yet in the watershed. 

 

New business:

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood spoke on the negative impacts to the town residents if Saratoga Lake was used as a water supply source and introduced Resolution #05-95, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin seconded it as follows:  

WHEREAS, it appears that the City of Saratoga Springs has adopted a resolution and findings authorizing the use of Saratoga Lake as a water supply source for the City of Saratoga Springs; and

WHEREAS, approximately one-quarter of Saratoga Lake is located in the Town of Saratoga and the residents of the Town of Saratoga live and recreate on Saratoga Lake; and

WHEREAS, a substantial portion of the Saratoga Lake Watershed is located within the boundaries of the Town of Saratoga; and

WHEREAS, it appears that the City of Saratoga Springs’ use of Saratoga Lake for a drinking water supply could restrict the Town of Saratoga’s ability and obligation to protect its watershed as well as jeopardize its ability to enforce existing land use regulations under its jurisdiction and within its geographic boundaries; and

WHEREAS, it appears that the City of Saratoga Springs’ use of Saratoga Lake for a drinking water supply could limit Town residents’ ability to use the Lake for recreational purposes, minimize land values and increase the tax burden; and

WHEREAS, it appears to be in the best interest of the Town of Saratoga to take such action as lawful and necessary, including litigation, to prevent the City of Saratoga Springs from using Saratoga Lake as a source of drinking water, it is therefor

RESOLVED that the Supervisor of the Town of Saratoga, Thomas N. Wood III, is hereby authorized and directed to retain Michele L. Anderson Esq., as Attorney for the Town in the matter, upon such terms as the Supervisor deems proper and advisable, and the Supervisor shall authorize Michele L. Anderson, Esq. on behalf of the Town to take such action as may be deemed advisable to join as Petitioner in an Article 78 proceeding proposed to be commenced by the Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District against the City of Saratoga Springs.

Supervisor Thomas Wood – aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Bruce Cornell – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye.  Carried 5 – 0.

 

Announcements:

The workshop for the Green Infrastructure Plan for Saratoga County would be held on Thursday, November 3, 2005 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Schuylerville Elementary School.

 

The regular meeting of the town board would be held on Thursday, November 10th at 7:00 p.m. and a public hearing will be held on the Zoning Amendments included in Local Law # 3 & 4 of 2005. 

 

The board reviewed the Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) line by line associated with the Zoning Amendments contained in Local Law #3 & 4 of 2005.  It was determined that no significant adverse environmental impacts would result from the amendments and that a Negative Declaration should be drafted. 

 

Barbara Faraone reported that the Head of the Fish Regatta would be held next weekend at Saratoga Lake and suggested that the board members come by to see it and the number of people attending along with the traffic and parking problems that result from it.  She added that a Triathlon would be held in September at Brown’s Beach. 

 

Ed Dwek noted that he has met with State Park officials regarding the parking problems at the State Boat Launch and ways to alleviate the problems.  He hopes that they follow through with the suggestions. 

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Supervisor Thomas Wood at 1:25 p.m. and Councilman Bruce Cornell seconded it.  Supervisor Thomas Wood – aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Bruce Cornell – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye.  Carried 5– 0.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Ruth Drumm

Town Clerk

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