MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF
SARATOGA, 12 SPRING ST.,
December 10,
2018
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.
Also
present: Deputy Clerk Michelle
Conover, Building Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert, Highway Superintendent
Don Ormsby, Attorney William Reynolds, Bookkeeper Patricia Temple, Terri Korb
and Mike Booth. (sign in sheet on file
in the Clerk's office)
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:
Supervisor
Thomas Wood introduced Paul Goetz, BST Auditing, to update the Board on the
Town's audit, as the audit was due many months ago.
Paul
Goetz reviewed the work they've completed to date on the annual audit and is
hopeful he will have our completed audit and final report by December 27, 2018.
Supervisor
Thomas Wood reviewed the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan and
summarized the previous meetings held for this plan. He noted the Board will vote on the plan with
a resolution later this evening.
Supervisor
Thomas Wood then reviewed amendments to proposed Local Law #3 of 2018, Commercial Event Venues. Proof of advertising in the Saratogian
on November 30, 2018 having been furnished, Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the
Public Hearing at 7:20 p.m. on proposed Local Law #3, 2018 - Commercial Event Venues Law, asking those
wishing to speak, to please stand and state their name and address and limit their
comments to 3 minutes. The following
addressed the Board:
Terri Korb, 17
Hill Rd.
had questions with noise, definitions and setbacks.
Councilman
Charles Hanehan stated he thought the setback was 150'. Supervisor Thomas Wood responded it was, but after discussing that
yesterday, a 100' setback is better; the150' is a bit overly restrictive, as it
would remove venue sites.
Zoning
Officer Gil Albert stated the 100' setback is doubled from any other setback in
our regulations. He also added he had
pushed to have 'permanent buildings' required for this law and to keep
bands/music inside the buildings to help mitigate any noise. He believes a 150' setback is too much; 100'
is more realistic.
After
further Board discussion concerning the setback, it was decided to continue the
public hearing at the special year end meeting on December 27, 2018.
Seeing
as no one further wished to speak, Supervisor
Thomas Wood adjourned the public hearing, at 7:30 p.m. until December 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman
Michael
McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, to accept the minutes of the November
8th regular meeting and the November 19th special 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 Clerks report for November 2018: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $57.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $187.08. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $22.50. Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $260.00. Miscellaneous Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $90.67. Total State and Local Revenues received were $617.25.
Zoning Officers report for November 2018: Gil Albert reported: 8 Building Permits Issued, 19 Building Inspections, 7 Certificate/s of Occupancy, 0 Junkyard Permit/s, 1 Complaint/s, 0 Fire inspection, 0 Order/s to Remedy, 1 misc., 85 Building Permit Renewals, 0 Property Maintenance Inspection. A check for $2,492.50 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.
Dog Control Officer's report for November 2018: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: Dog
Control Officer Ed Cross answered 10 complaints, took 0 dog/s to the shelter,
traveled 24 miles, issued 9 warnings, 0 summons were issued
and 0
bite case/s.
Town Court report for November 2018: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: Funds collected for the month of October was $5,590.00.
Historians report for November 2018: No report
Assessors
report for November 2018: No report
Highway
Superintendents report for November 2018:
v
Road checks,
Pothole patching and Tree limb cleanup
v
Hauled light rock
and crusher run for Casey road project
v
Addressed water
issue on Fitch road
v
Placed
delineators along winter routes
v
Feeder chain on
pickup 2
v
Boom mower is out
of service till spring with broken ram
v
Truck 9 radiator
replaced and coolant issue being addressed
v
Truck 6
antifreeze leak and 3 hydraulic lines replaced
v
Truck 3 marker
lights, hydraulic hose and airline fitting repaired
v
Hydraulic line on
truck 2 repaired
v
Prepped trucks
for sanding and plowing
v
Addressed fascia
repairs and roof screws on garage
v
Retro fit cover
for new truck box
v
Sanded for two and
plowed for one storm
v Received new 2018 5500 quad cab
with dump box
Supervisors
report:
SUPERVISORS REPORT November 2018
GENERAL FUND TOWNWIDE (A FUND)
Balance on hand 11/01/2018 $ 958,366.07
Revenues + 112,050.80
Disbursements - 90,878.21
Balance 11/30/2018 $ 979,538.66
GENERAL FUND OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)
Balance on hand 11/01/2018 $1,758,125.27
Revenues + 117,160.07
Disbursements - 18,245.92
Balance 11/30/2018 $1,857,039.42
HIGHWAY FUND OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)
Balance on hand 11/01/2018 $ 943,507.79
Revenues +
72.75
Disbursements - 117,464.23
Balance 11/30/2018 $ 826,116.31
SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT 11/30/2018 $154,356.78
YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE 11/30/2018 $
7,122.29
HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE 11/30/2018 $
75,367.93
BUILDING RESERVE 11/30/2018 $255,408.18
SCENIC BY WAYS QRTRLY 11/30/2018
$ 311.41
PARKS RESERVE 11/30/2018 $ 226,956.55
TRUST & AGENCY 11/30/2018 $ 20,482.24
HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT 2 11/30/2018
$ 41,901.87
(holding checks until funds are deposited)
HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER 11/30/2018 $ 50,163.22
PARTNERSHIP
PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 11/30/2018 $
1,309.53
v
Sales Tax Received November
2018 - $112,621.00
v Mortgage
Tax -October 2018 - $16,042.00
Public comments on agenda items: The following addressed the Board:
Mike Booth addressed the Board.
Committee
reports:
Landfill:
No report
Insurance: Supervisor Thomas Wood stated they are renewing
the MVP insurance for retirees, adding that the premium has gone down for the
same coverage.
Youth: No report
Pat Temple stated the Old
Saratoga Seniors will be holding their Christmas Party on December 12th at the
American Legion. Their next meeting will
be in January 2019.
Parks/Schuyler Park Committee: Councilman Gary Squires read the following report: The Schuyler Park Committee met on Tuesday, 11/27/18. He then read through the following updates since the September 27, 2018 meeting:
·
Field
maintenance, including aeration, has been completed.
·
Successful
soccer season was completed.
·
All
Porta Pots have been removed.
·
Concrete
floor installation was completed.
·
Website
was updated for winter rules.
·
Discussions
with the American Legion have occurred regarding the installation of a flag
pole, including what role they might play, rules regarding flag displays,
responsibilities, etc.
Next Steps Future Actions:
·
Finalize
and install plaque for west pavilion that illustrates the history of the park.
·
Design
proposed plaque to hang in one of the pavilions recognizing those that have
supported the park through various donations.
·
Continue
to work with American Legion to finalize and install flag pole.
·
Pick
up and assemble picnic tables for west pavilion ordered from Curtis Lumber
for year-end pricing.
The next Schuyler Park Committee Meeting is scheduled for 1/29/19 at 7:30 pm
Office of Emergency Management: No report
QSFD,
WEMS Inc.: Don Ormsby, Quaker Springs Assistant Fire Chief,
stated they have had 85 calls to date.
He added they had elections and elected officers are the same as last
year.
Old
Business: Supervisor Thomas Wood stated the new lights
installation has begun and they certainly are much brighter.
New
Business:
On a motion made by Councilman
Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #18-126, Acceptance
of Assessor's Resignation, 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,
Town Supervisor Thomas Wood is in
receipt of Assessor Michael McGuire's resignation due to accepting an Assessor
position near his home; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga, to accept the resignation of Assessor Michael McGuire and thank him
for his dedicated hard work as Assessor the Town of Saratoga, effective November
29, 2018.
On a motion made by Councilman James Jennings and
seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #18-127, Appointing New Assessor 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, Michael
McGuire has resigned his position of Sole Assessor for the Town of Saratoga,
and
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
WHEREAS,
Lorraine Fiorino has met all NY State
Qualification Standards for an appointed Assessor; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby
appoints Lorraine Fiorino as Sole Assessor, at an annual salary of $24,000.00,
to fulfill the vacancy created by the resignation of Michael McGuire, from 12/11/2018
to 9/30/2019.
On a motion made by
Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the
following Resolution #18-128, Release
of Lease - Lakes to Locks, 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 agreement, made the 11th day of February, 2017, between the Town of Saratoga, hereinafter referred to as the "Landlord", and Janet Kennedy, Lakes to Locks, hereinafter referred to as the "Tenant"; and
WHEREAS, the Tenant has previously leased from the Landlord real property premises known as 12 Spring Street, Suite 202, Schuylerville, New York, pursuant to a lease dated February 2010; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that it is the desire of the Tenant that the Tenant surrender the leased premises to the Landlord, and that the Landlord accept the surrender of the leased premises, beginning December 31, 2018, it is now, therefore, agreed as follows:
1. In consideration of the forfeiture by the Tenant, and a month's rental amount of $183.00, the Landlord releases the Tenant from any and all obligations of the aforesaid two year lease agreement, and the Tenant releases and relinquishes any and all right, title, claim or interest in and to the leased premises.
On
a motion by Councilman Gary Squires and seconded by Councilman James Jennings,
the following Resolution #18-129, Renewal
of MVP Retirees Insurance Policy, 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, on an annual basis the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga enters into an insurance contract to provide health insurance coverage
for eligible employees; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed proposals for a contract
to commence January 1, 2019 for Retirees over 65 years of age; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Supervisor
is authorized to sign a contract for health insurance benefits with MVP
Preferred Gold HMO-POS 2019 - HG170022/RHG0192X, at a monthly premium of
$299.63 per person, per month.
On
a motion by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Michael
McLoughlin, the following Resolution
#18-131, Adopting the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan, 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 Board, of the Town of Saratoga, has
conducted two public hearings and received additional written and verbal input,
and
WHEREAS,
the Town Board, of the Town of
Saratoga, has been working on this plan for the past two years with multiple
meetings and extensive community involvement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board, of the Town of Saratoga, adopt the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan.
On a motion by Councilman Gary
Squires and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #18-132, Fund Transfer - $1500.00 from A3650.4 Demolition of Unsafe Buildings to A1420.4
Attorney Contractual, 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
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga to transfer $1500.00 from
A3650.4 Demolition of Unsafe Buildings to A1420.48 Attorney Contractual to cover additional attorney
fees for court.
On a motion by Councilman
James Jennings, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #18-133, Fund Transfer - $460.00 from Demolition of Unsafe Buildings to A9010.8 State
Retirement Employee Benefits, 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
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga to transfer $460.00 from
A3650.4 Demolition of Unsafe Buildings to A9010.8 State Retirement Employee
Benefits, to cover annual payment to State Retirement.
On a motion by Councilman Charles
Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #18-134, Fund Transfer - $576.00 from A1355.1 Assessor to A1355.11 Assessor Clerk Personal
Services, 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
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga to transfer $576.00 from A1355.1
Assessor Personal Services to A1355.11 Assessor Clerk Personal Services to
cover additional hours until year end with new Assessor.
On a motion by Councilman
Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #18-135, Fund Transfer - $50.00 from A8810.4 Cemeteries Contractual to A8510.4 Community
Beautification, 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
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga to transfer $50.00 from A8810.4
Cemeteries Contractual to A8510.4 Community Beautification to cover year end
expenses.
On a motion by Councilman
Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #18-136, Fund Transfer - $890.00 from A1010.4 Town Board Contractual to A1010.1 Town Board
Personal Services, 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
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga to transfer $890.00 from A1010.4
Town Board Contractual to A1010.1 Town Board Personal Services to reclassify
appropriations.
On a motion by Councilman
Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #18-137, Fund Transfer - $600.00 from DB5110.1 Repairs Personal Services to DB9010.8 State Retirement
Employee Benefits, 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
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga to transfer $600.00 from DB5110.1
Repairs Personal Services to DB9010.8 State Retirement Employee Benefits, to
cover annual payment to State Retirement.
On a motion by Councilman
Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #18-138, Fund Transfer - $6500.00 from DB5110.1 Repairs Personal Services to DB9060.8 Medical
Insurance Employee Benefits, 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
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga to transfer $6500.00 from DB5110.1
Repairs Personal Services to DB9010.8 Medical Insurance Employee Benefits, to
cover year end expenses due to coverage increase.
On a motion by Councilman Charles
Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #18-139, Amending the Empire
Trail Grant, 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
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga authorizes the Town Supervisor to amend the Empire State Trail Grant to $205,000.00 and sign a contract with New York State to develop plans for and the construction of, the trail from the footbridge on the tow path over Fish Creek, to Red's Road and to Curtis Lumber.
Privilege
of the floor: Terri
Korb addressed the Board.
Communications:
v Tuesday,
December 11, 2018 - an emergency action drill will take place concerning
Winnie's Reef Dam
Upcoming
meetings:
v Year End Special meeting
Thursday, December 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.
v
Town Board Agenda Meeting - Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
v Regular Town Board meeting
Monday, January 14, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
A motion was made by Supervisor Thomas Wood, seconded
by Councilman Gary Squires, to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel
issues at 8:30 p.m. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin aye, Councilman James Jennings
aye, Councilman Gary Squires aye.
Carried 5 - 0
A motion was made by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded
by Councilman James Jennings, to exit Executive Session at 8:40 p.m. No
Board action was taken. Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin aye, Councilman James Jennings aye, Councilman Gary Squires
aye.
Carried 5 - 0
Audit the Bills:
On a motion by Councilman James Jennings, seconded by Councilman Michael
McLoughlin, the following Resolution #18-140
, Approving the Payment of Bills in Abstract 12G, 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
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga to authorize payment of the bills listed in Abstract 12G of 2018 in the following amounts:
General Fund DB Voucher
No. 205 through 230 $151,132.70
General Fund A Voucher
No. 365 through 396 $ 62,001.67
General Fund B Voucher No. 59 through 75 $ 15,623.57
(#68 missing due to
error with bookkeeper's computer system - renumbered as 75)
Schuyler Park H Voucher
No. 39 through 41 $ 840.84
Home Improvement#2 Voucher
No. 17 through 20 $ 93,630.00
Historic Hudson Hoosic Voucher
No. 52 through 62 $ 13,890.95
Farmland Protection Plan Voucher No. 01 $ 1,027.11
Grand Total $ 338,146.84
A motion to adjourn at 9:20 p.m. was made by
Councilman James Jennings, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires. Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin aye, Councilman James Jennings aye, Councilman Gary Squires aye.
Carried 5 - 0
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda A. McCabe
Town Clerk