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