April 14, 2003

Supervisor Robert Hall opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 p.m.

Roll call: Jean Casey, Town Clerk, called the roll. Present: Supervisor Robert Hall- present, Councilman Bruce Cornell - absent, Councilman Michael McLoughlin - present, Councilman Fred Drumm- present, and Councilman Phil Griffen- present.

Also present: Town Clerk Jean Casey, Deputy Clerk Ruth Drumm, Assessor/Bookkeeper Catherine DeFelice, Town Attorney William Reynolds, Building Inspector Robert Hathaway and others – see attached sign-in sheet.

Approval of Minutes: All Board Members had read the minutes of the March 10^th, 2003 meeting. A motion was made by Councilman Philip Griffen and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm that the minutes of March 10, 2003 be accepted as read. Supervisor Robert Hall – aye, Councilman Philip Griffen – aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye. Carried 4 – 0.

Town Clerk’s report: Fees paid to the County treasurer for Dog licenses $194.00. Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the spay/neuter program $60.00. Fees paid to NY D.E.C. for hunting/fishing licenses $71.80. Fees paid to The State Health Dept. for marriage licenses $0.00. Dog license fees to Supervisor Robert Hall $512.00. Clerk fees to Supervisor Robert Hall $99.70. Total State, County, and Local Revenues received were $937.50.

Zoning Officer’s report: Robert Hathaway stated that in March, 2 Building permits were issued, 6 inspections were done, 2 Junkyard permits were issued and 2 Zoning Regulation books were sold. A check for $271.00 was given to Supervisor Robert Hall.

Councilman Philip Griffen inquired as to the status of the lawsuit with Louis Hotchkiss over a zoning violation. Attorney Bill Reynolds stated that it has been adjourned to May 27^th in the Supreme Court. The board entered into Executive Session at 7:35p.m. and reconvened the regular meeting at 7:52 p.m..

Ralph Pascucci addressed the board requesting permission for his son to put an Art Studio in his building at 156 Neilson Road. After some discussion, the board and Town Attorney Bill Reynolds concluded that as long as he is not operating a business/gallery it would be allowed since it is just personal use.

Supervisor Robert Hall read correspondence from John C. Barber regarding the continuation of the Eagles Roost II development and his request that the Town prevent further construction until the problems existing with the first phase are remedied. Some problems mentioned were no porch footings, no permanent set of stairs at the rear entry, no permanent set of concrete steps at the main entrance, improper grading of the front and back of the property causing major erosion problems. Maureen Backert and other Eagle’s Roost residents were present and they too communicated similar problems and provided the board with pictures of the areas of concern. They too would like the Town to prevent further construction until their contracts have been fulfilled and the first 7 lots are brought into compliance. The builder, Newcastle, went bankrupt. Maureen Backert, a resident of Eagle’s Roost II, stated that there was a variance agreement made with Wade Sjogren with stipulations in the Master Plan back in 1997 with McNeary Realty and why can’t the town block further development by enforcing the stipulations in the variance granted. Town Attorney Bill Reynolds will look over the Subdivision plans/map along with any Planning Board minutes that may contain the variance and its stipulations to see if the Town has any recourse for the Eagle’s Roost residents. Attorney Bill Reynolds explained the steps in the building process, (building permits, inspections, and finally the Certificate of Occupancy) with regard to the Town’s Building inspector’s responsibilities and that they were in order. It was noted that what is code is not necessarily the same as per contract. Robert Hathaway, building inspector, mentioned that C.O.’s were given because the properties were ready to live in and the ground was frozen making it difficult to put in permanent stairs etc.

The owner of C&S Construction, Chuck Waldron, who has the contract to build a road from one entrance to the other, including the swales and grass seedings, assured the townspeople that he is reputable and would only improve the development as it goes forward. He also offered to do grading etc. for the Eagle’s Roost residents at his cost and suggested that the residents go after whoever the liability insurance carrier was.

Supervisor’s report: Supervisor Hall presented balances in Town funds as follows: General A $593,751.81, General B $146,839.90, Highway Outside $380,771.61, Youth Recreation & Services $1,697.14, Highway Equipment Reserve $59,330.18, and Building Reserve $813,351.16. March revenues were $51,285.34 and expenses were $76,966.68, making the total March balance $1,995,741.83.

Highway: Supervisor Robert Hall reported that a truck and loader would be put out for bid. He also commended the town crew on the fine job they did during the last storm.

Landfill: No report.

Insurance: No report.

Youth Committee report: Councilman Michael McLoughlin reported that a committee is needed to look into a location for a park in the town. A park committee of Councilman Michael McLoughlin, Town Attorney Bill Reynolds, Historian Tom Wood, along with members from the Old Saratoga Athletic Association (OSAA) and both villages will be formed. Property at Lock 5 will be considered.

Councilman Philip Griffen introduced a Resolution # 03-14 to hire Jim Vianna, Land Surveyor, to do deed research on the Mineral Spring property in Quaker Springs to determine ownership and the canal property on Route 4 in Coveville to determine its boundaries. Councilman Michael McLoughlin seconded this. Supervisor Robert Hall – aye, Councilman Philip Griffen – aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye. Carried 4 – 0.

Buildings: Supervisor Robert Hall reported on Dente Engineering’s six test borings around the town hall foundation that were done in March. He explained that the results so far are not favorable and that it will be costly to fix. He also mentioned that they would be digging along the foundation at the front of the Town Hall this week. An engineer will review all test results and his recommendations will follow.

Senior Citizens report: No report.

Old Business: None.

New Business: Resolution #03-15 to adopt the Records Retention and Disposition Schedule MU-1, in order for the town officers to dispose of obsolete and valueless records was introduced by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Philip Griffen. Supervisor Robert Hall – aye, Councilman Philip Griffen – aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin Carried 4 – 0.

Resolution #03-16 was introduced by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm to call upon the EPA to immediately appoint an Advisory Committee of the elected officials who represent the communities bordering the EPA Hudson River Dredging Project and to meaningfully consult with the committee as a partner in all decision-making to insure there will be a quantified positive benefit. Supervisor Robert Hall – aye, Councilman Philip Griffen – aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye. Carried 4 – 0.

Resolution # 03-17 introduced by Councilman Philip Griffen and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin that for agricultural lands inside an agricultural district in the Town of Saratoga, the agricultural assessment to be used as a basis for special assessment of special ad valorem levy, shall apply to the Schuylerville Fire Protection District and the Victory Fire Protection District within the Town of Saratoga, as per Section 305.6, Article 25-AA, NYS Agricultural and Markets Law, and be it further resolved that for agricultural lands outside an agricultural district in the Town of Saratoga, the agricultural assessment to be used as a basis for special assessment or special ad valorem levy, shall apply to the Schuylerville Fire Protection District and the Victory Fire Protection District within the Town of Saratoga, as per Section 305.6, Article 25 –AA, NYS Agricultural and Markets Law; and be it further that this action shall take effect with the preparation of the 2004 Tax Roll for the Town of Saratoga.

Supervisor Robert Hall – aye, Councilman Philip Griffen – aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye. Carried 4 – 0.

Supervisor Robert Hall announced that Rick Sullivan, Animal Control Officer for the Town of Saratoga, is requesting an assistant to help with animal control in the Villages of Schuylerville and Victory. Supervisor Robert Hall asked if anyone is interested or knows of someone who may be interested to contact him at the Town Office.

Communications: Communications were read by Supervisor Robert Hall from the following: The State of New York, Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Permits modifying an existing Mined Land Reclamation plan to include a stump disposal area of .5 acres at the Saratoga County Gravel Bank on State Route 29; The American Legion, Old Saratoga Post #278 inviting the Town to participate in the Memorial Day Parade taking place on the 26^th of May, 2003 (contact Mike Tierney @ (518) 742-4392); The City of Saratoga Springs as they celebrate their 50^th Anniversary will be honoring Korean War Veterans therefore extending an invitation to the Korean War Veterans of our community to attend the Commemoration on Saturday, June 21, 2003 at the Saratoga Springs City Center from 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (contact Hank Kuczynski, 587-3550 ext. 414); The Hudson Crossing Steering Committee (518) 695-5294 requesting a $200 contribution to assist in the cost of printing and distribution of a brochure to aid in the promotion of the park. The Committee has been promoting the establishment of a Washington/Saratoga County Bi-County Park in the area of Champlain Canal Lock 5. A Resolution #03-18 was introduced by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm to contribute $200 to this cause. Supervisor Robert Hall – aye, Councilman Philip Griffen – aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye. Carried 4 – 0. Correspondence from the New York State Military Heritage Institute, 61 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 announcing a celebration of the Museum’s opening set for June 6, 2003 from 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., cost of the tickets will be $25.00. The contact person is Larry Arnold at 226-0991. The Schuylerville Area Chamber of Commerce Membership dues of $55 are due. A motion was made by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm to pay the membership dues of $55. Supervisor Robert Hall – aye, Councilman Philip Griffen – aye, Councilman Fred Drumm – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye. Carried 4 – 0.

Privilege of the floor: Richard Behrens of the General Schuyler Emergency Squad conveyed that the Advance Life Support (ALS) coverage is going very well and in the last 44 days there have been 60 calls and none were referred to other agencies. He also noted that the response time in March has improved from an average of 20 minutes previously to 13 minutes. Richard Behrens informed the board that the Village of Victory passed a resolution one week ago to be part of the ambulance district with stipulations and the Village of Schuylerville passed their resolution last Wednesday. Town Board action on May 12^th is the next step.

Supervisor Robert Hall announced that a Public Hearing on the new Zoning Regulation proposals will be set for Monday, May 5^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, 30 Ferry St., Schuylerville, NY 12871.

Audit the Bills: General A $19,659.44, General B $88,348.14, Highway Outside $12,077.39, Highway Equipment Reserve $80,394.00, Youth Recreation & Services $408.43 for a total expense of $200,887.40.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Town Board will be May 12, 2003 at 7:30 p.m.

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