DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF
SARATOGA
12 SPRING ST., SCHUYLERVILLE,
August 12, 2019
Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance
at
Roll call: Town Clerk Linda McCabe, called
the roll: Supervisor Thomas Wood-
present, Councilman Charles Hanehan - present, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – present,
Councilman James Jennings – present, Councilman Gary Squires – present.
(Supervisor Thomas Wood noted
that Councilman Charles Hanehan would be leaving at
7:25 p.m. due to his presence
required at another meeting.)
Also
present: Building
Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert, Highway Superintendent Don Ormsby, Deputy
Clerk Michelle Conover, Attorney William Reynolds, Michael York, Pat Temple,
Jeremiah Burton and Shan Burton. (sign
in sheet on file in the Clerk's office)
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman
James
Jennings, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan, to accept the minutes of the July
8, 2019 regular meeting as written. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman
Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James
Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye. Carried
5 – 0
Town Clerk’s report for July 2019: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $59.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $425.17. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $135.00. Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $283.00. Miscellaneous Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $149.83. Total State and Local Revenues received were $1,052.00.00.
Zoning
Officer’s report for July 2019: 9 Building Permits were
issued, 23
Building Inspections, 12 Certificate/s of Occupancy, 0 Junkyard Permit/s, 1
Complaint/s, 0 Fire inspection, 1 Order/s to Remedy, 2 misc., 11 Building Permit Renewals, 0 Property Maintenance Inspection. A check for $3,825.00 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.
Dog Control Officer's report for July 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following report: Dog
Control Officer Ed Cross answered 15 complaints, took 2 dog/s to the shelter,
traveled 58 miles, issued 10 warnings, 4 summons were issued
and dealt with 0 bite case/s.
Town Court report for July 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: Funds collected for the month of June 2019 - $3,882.00.
Historian’s report for July
2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: The Historian's Office has been
working on “On This Day” postings from newspaper articles and has had a few
inquiries for photos and donations. He was
able to get a few research days in while he was in Boston. The Massachusetts Archives allowed some
research into the troops that served here in 1777. In addition, a trip to the Massachusetts
State Library allowed him to see an important letter from 1777 as well as a
keynote speech from the dedication of the Saratoga Monument in 1912.
In June and July, he had 242 posts on the blog,
1,480 visitors and 2,500 views. August
is always busy with the Turning Point Parade and 18th Century Day at the
Schuyler House. He used bunting on the town
hall for the first time. Our Town
Attorney Bill Reynolds arranged for a historic flag for the building; the
Historians office supported that effort, along with a great group of
individuals.
Assessor’s
report for July 2019: Supervisor
Thomas Wood read the following report: The Assessor's office completed the 2019
Final Assessment Roll. There have been
17 sales since the Assessor's last report; 8 in the Town, 7 in the Village of
Schuylerville and 2 in Victory. There has
been 3 split/merges. The research on
these sales have resulted in what the Assessor believes are at least 4
inventory discrepancies that have been passed onto the Building Dept. Building permits continue to come in and are
building up due to lack of time and staff.
Recent changes to the STAR program have caused extra work due to reports
that were not made available until after the final roll totals had been sent to
the County. This caused the Assessor to
have to research some exemptions which had been processed, as well as send
letters in a few cases, to try to ensure taxpayers were not losing out on an
exemption that was previously granted, just because the State may not have had
all pertinent information. Those changes
were reported to both Saratoga County Real Property and Dept. of Tax and
Finance. Having Clerk Dorothy Lavazzo
continue to work 3 hours a week during this time has been invaluable to
her. The Assessor asked the mappers at
Saratoga County Real Property to make a valuation neighborhood map for her
office as well as one depicting the Saratoga Lake Protection District within
the Town of Saratoga. Those are now in
the Assessor's office.
Grievance
Night went well and she anticipates only one small claim assessment review will
be filed.
Highway
Superintendent’s report for July 2019:
v
Culverts replaced,
1600 ft reclaimed and Casey Rd. reopened
v
Signs replaced on
Haas and River Rds.
v
Tree and limb
cleanup from storms, pothole patching
v
Beaver issue in
culvert addressed on Caldwell Rd.
v
Repaired an
electrical issue, hydraulic hose & cable break on boom mower
v
Truck 3 repairs:
brake cams and wheel seals; then inspected
v
Truck 5 repairs: replaced
Ac v-belt
v
Truck 2 repairs:
electrical wiring issue repaired
v
Mowed back on Rte.
4 trail and prepped south parking area for fill
v
Sent trucks to
Wilton, Stillwater and Providence for blacktopping
v
Pulled the Quaker
Spring pump and gave to Jim Jennings for repair
v
Sold the old wood
chipper
Supervisor’s
report:
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT JULY 2019
GENERAL FUND – TOWNWIDE (A FUND)
Balance on hand 07/01/2019 $ 1,297,190.12
Revenues + 20,968.44
Disbursements - 93,989.94
Balance 07/31/2019 $ 1,224,168.62
GENERAL FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)
Balance on hand 07/01/2019 $1,844,826.05
Revenues + 12,497.26
Disbursements - 8,110.69
Balance 07/31/2019 $1,849,212.62
HIGHWAY FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)
Balance on hand 07/01/2019 $ 904,844.67
Revenues + 136,983.92
Disbursements - 303,782.94
Balance 07/31/2019 $ 738,045.65
SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT 07/31/2019 $ 184,809.84
YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE 07/31/2019 $
3,826.77
HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE 07/31/2019 $ 102,033.29
BUILDING RESERVE 07/31/2019 $ 292,599.45
TRUST & AGENCY 07/31/2019 $ 46,223.18
HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT 2 07/31/2019
$ 112.50
(holding checks until funds are deposited)
HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER 07/31/2019 $ 21,338.54
PARTNERSHIP
PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 07/31/2019 $
1,310.02
CDBG PROJECT 07/31/2019 $
11,764.00
SCENIC BY WAYS QRTRLY 07/31/2019
$ 311.53
PARKS RESERVE 07/31/2019 $
181,956.55
PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE
07/31/2019 $ 1,310.02
v Sales Tax Received – July 2019 - $136,920.00
v Mortgage
Tax - June 2019 - $17,908.00
Public comments on agenda items: No
one addressed the Board
Committee
reports:
Landfill: No report
Insurance: See Resolution #19-94 under new business
Youth: No report
Parks/Schuyler Park Committee: Councilman Gary Squires read the following report: The
Schuyler Park Committee met on July 30, 2019.
He stated there will be significantly increased field use for
Schuylerville Central School athletic activities during late summer, into the
fall due to ongoing construction projects at the school, as well as track
surface replacement in September. As a
result of this increased activity, as of August 12, 2019, port-a-johns at the
park will be serviced twice per week rather than just once a week. Field care and maintenance will be increased
and monitored to ensure fields remain in top condition.
He added that both pavilions
are up and ready for reservations to be made and the next
regular meeting will be held
on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Town Attorney William
Reynolds noted the Town has a formal agreement for the use of those fields with
Schuylerville Central School for a certain amount of money, for a specific
period of time. As the School is
increasing their use due to the ongoing construction at the school, we need to
look into this in order to cover the costs of the additional services of the
port-a-johns and field use. Councilman
Gary Squires responded he will report that back to the Committee.
Office of Emergency Management: No report
QSFD,
WEMS Inc.: Don Ormsby, Quaker Springs Assistant Fire Chief,
stated they have had 56 calls to date for 2019.
Nashua Alexander, Wilton EMS, Inc., submitted their
report which stated they had 29 calls in the Town of Saratoga for the month of July
2019.
Old
Business: None
New
Business:
On a motion made by Councilman
Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-93, Authorization to Enter into Contract With New York
State Homes and Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal for a $500,000.00 Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG), was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings –
aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 5 – 0
WHEREAS, the
Town of Saratoga has previously been in contract with New York State Homes and
Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal for a Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG); and
WHEREAS,
the Town of Saratoga has
been awarded a $500,000.00 Community
Block grant, and continues to find the need for said Grants; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga
authorizes the Town Supervisor to enter into contract with New York State Homes
and Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal for the $500,000.00
Community Development Block Grant.
On a motion made by Councilman
James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-94, Accept Proposal & Authorization to Enter into
Contract with Amsure, formerly Adirondack Trust Insurance Agency, with New York
Municipal Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR), was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings –
aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 5 – 0
WHEREAS, the Adirondack Trust Insurance Agency has been the
insurance agent for the Town’s property-casualty insurance for the past 30
years; and
WHEREAS, said agency has offered superior service and advice
to the Town and has marketed the insurance again this year for the Town’s
benefit; and
WHEREAS, the analysis of the proposals by said agency has
shown that NYMIR has offered the lowest premium with improved coverage, now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga hereby accepts the
agency’s property-casualty proposal through NYMIR (Crime with Travelers) for
the upcoming year, 8/13/2019-8/13/2020, with a renewal premium of $43,469.05,
minus rebate of $778.01 for a final annual net cost of $42,691.04, which is an
increase of 1.8%; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Supervisor is authorized to sign the
Subscriber’s Agreement with NYMIR after review and approval by the Town
Attorney.
On
a motion by Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Michael
McLoughlin, the following Resolution
#19-95, Authorizing the Town Supervisor to Enter into A General Service
Contract with Flatley Read, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings –
aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 5 – 0
WHEREAS, the
Town of Saratoga regularly engages the services of Flatley Read, Inc.to assist
in clerical work, grant writing, grant administration and procurement, among
other general services; and
WHEREAS,
the Flatley Read, Inc. provides
said services at a regular rate with set not-to-exceed and time limitations for
each project; and
WHEREAS, both parties regularly
exert efforts to draft a contract for each and every instance where Flatley
Read's services are engaged ; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga
authorizes the Town Supervisor to enter into a General Services Contract with
Flatley Read, Inc., with non-exclusive rights to the defined scope of work and
an addendum made to said contract with set not-to-exceed limits or time
constraints listed for each project.
On a motion by Councilman Michael
McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #19-96, Authorizing Application
for a Mobile & Manufactured Home Replacement Grant, was adopted by vote: Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan – absent, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 4 – 0
WHEREAS,
the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, finds it in the best interest of the
Town to seek grant funding for community revitalization in the Town of
Saratoga; and
WHEREAS, the NYS Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) provides
funding for such projects to municipal applicants; and
WHEREAS, the Saratoga Town Board has determined a Mobile and
Manufactured Home Replacement Program to be in the best interest of supporting
community and economic revitalization in the target area; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Mobile and Manufactured Home Replacement
Program will help support continued sustainable economic growth in the
community by alleviating pockets of blight throughout the Town; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED,
that the Town of Saratoga has agreed to submit NYS Homes & Community
Renewal Funding applications, including but not limited to NYS AHC, prepared by
Flatley Read, Inc. at a cost not to exceed $500.00, and as such, the Supervisor
is hereby designated as the representative for the grants and is further
authorized to sign such documentation and provide such information as may be
required for timely completion of the applications.
On a motion by Councilman James
Jennings, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-97, Reappointing Lorraine
Fiorino as Sole Assessor, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – absent, Councilman James
Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 4 – 0
WHEREAS, Lorraine Fiorino has successfully completed the course
of training as prescribed by the laws of the State of New York and the rules of
the State Board of Real Property Services and has attained the designation of
State Certified Assessor and
has met all NY State
Qualification Standards for an appointed Assessor; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby reappoints Lorraine
Fiorino as Sole Assessor, from 10/01/2019 to 9/30/2025.
On a motion by Councilman Michael
McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-98, Authorizing Highway
Superintendent to sell the 2004 Dump Truck as Surplus Equipment for $14,000.00, was adopted by vote: Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan – absent, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 4 – 0
WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga Highway Superintendent has
stated that the 2004, International vT365 4200 Series Allison 3500 w/PTO Dump
Truck (115,800 miles), is no longer needed by the Highway Department and has
been declared surplus equipment, has an offer of $14,000.00 to purchase said
truck, as is, from Mr. Barry Ballard; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board, of the Town of Saratoga, has declared the old dump truck
as surplus equipment and authorizes the Town Highway Superintendent to sell
said surplus equipment for the amount of $14,000.00 to Mr. Barry Ballard.
On a motion by Councilman James
Jennings, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-99, Authorizing Town
Supervisor to Enter into an Agreement with Bette Cring (BC) Construction Group, was adopted by vote: Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan – absent, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 4 – 0
RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga Town Board authorizes the
Town Supervisor to enter into a License Agreement with BC Construction Group of
Latham, NY, to use town property located on the north end of Hayes Rd., easterly
of the bridge on Rt. 29, for the
purposes of a staging area and storing construction equipment for work to be
done on the adjacent Rt. 29 bridge. Such agreement is contingent upon review by
the Town's Attorney.
Privilege
of the floor: Councilman Michael McLoughlin stated the Greenwich
VFW invites all EMS & Firefighters, as well as the public, to attend the
9/11 Remembrance unveiling, on September 8, 2018.
Communications:
Upcoming
meetings:
v
Town Board Agenda Meeting - Thursday, September
5, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
v Regular
Town Board meeting - Monday, September 9, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
v Budget
Workshop - August 27, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
Audit the Bills:
On a motion by Councilman Gary Squires seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the
following Resolution #19-100, Approving
the Payment of Bills in Abstract 8G of 2019, was adopted by vote:
Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman
Charles Hanehan – absent, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary
Squires – aye.
Carried 4 – 0
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga to authorize payment of the bills listed in Abstract 8G of 2019 in the following amounts:
General Fund DB Voucher
No. 129 through 146 $
28,451.06
General Fund A Voucher
No. 234 through 268 $ 67,335.76
General Fund B Voucher No. 46 through 48 $ 1,805.71
Schuyler Park Voucher
No. 12 through 15 $ 1,203.03
Historic Hudson Hoosic Voucher
No. 25 through 31 $ 4,151.95
CDBG Voucher
No. 14 through 17 $
29,493.00
Grand Total $132,440.51
A motion to adjourn at 8:09 p.m. was made by
Councilman Gary Squires, seconded by Councilman James Jennings. Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – absent, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 4 - 0
Meeting Adjourned
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda A. McCabe
Town Clerk