MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF
SARATOGA
12 SPRING ST.,
February 11, 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 – absent
(arrived at 7:18 p.m.), Councilman James Jennings – absent, Councilman Gary
Squires – present.
Also
present: Building
Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert, Highway Superintendent Don Ormsby, Deputy
Town Clerk Michelle Conover, Shan Burton and Terri Korb. (sign in sheet on file in the Clerk's office)
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:
Supervisor
Thomas Wood stated he had hoped that Paul Goetz, BST & Co. CPAs, LLP, would
have had the audit report complete for tonight's meeting, but he didn't. He says he will 100% have it to us for the
March meeting. The Justice portion of
the report is complete and the Board will go forward with a resolution a bit
later in the meeting.
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman
Gary
Squires, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan, to accept the minutes of the January
14, 2019 regular meeting as written. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman
Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent, Councilman James
Jennings – absent, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 3 – 0
Town Clerk’s report for January 2019: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $60.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $23.62. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $0. Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $275.00. Miscellaneous Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $161.38. Total State and Local Revenues received were $520.00.
Zoning Officer’s report for January 2019: Gil Albert reported: 4 Building Permits Issued, 18 Building Inspections, 2 Certificate/s of Occupancy, 0 Junkyard Permit/s, 1 Complaint/s, 0 Fire inspection, 0 Order/s to Remedy, 4 misc., 3 Building Permit Renewals, 0 Property Maintenance Inspection. A check for $2,219.05 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.
Dog Control Officer's report for January 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following: Dog
Control Officer Ed Cross' Annual Report for 2018: He answered 229 complaints, took 12 dog/s to the shelter,
traveled 1,135 miles, issued 145 warnings, 38 summons were issued
and 8
bite case/s.
Supervisor Thomas
Wood then read the following 2019 monthly report: Dog Control Officer Ed Cross answered 8 complaints, took 0
dog/s to the shelter, traveled 36 miles, issued 7 warnings, 3 summons were issued and 0 bite case/s.
Town Court report for January 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: Funds collected for the month of January was $8,388.00.
Tax Collector report for January 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following
report: As of February 6, 2019 the Tax
Collector has collected 76% of the town taxes, totaling $2,824,929.65. Payments were made via various methods; U.S.
mail, on-line with credit card, money order, checks and cash, in office and at
the Glens Falls National Bank.
Please Note: The Tax
Collector collects only on Mondays during the months of February and
March. Taxes can be paid at Glens Falls
National Bank in Schuylerville, Mon. - Fri.
Historian’s report for January 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following report:
The
Historian had a request from Supervisor Thomas Wood to research the Memorial
Park in Schuylerville. The property was
owned by the American Manufacturing company, who deeded the property to the
Town of Saratoga in 1923. In 1926, the
Town Board of the Town of Saratoga voted at two different meetings for the
Memorial Park to be deeded to the Village of Schuylerville and everyone thought
the Town Board had done so. For 53 years
that property was operated as a Village property. In 1968, the Village was going to build a
library on the park property but discovered that they did not own the
property. The Village Mayor, Carey, said
that the Town was to have transferred the property, but it did not happen. Finally, in 1976, the Town Board passed the
final resolution and the Supervisor transferred the property to the
Village.
In January, the Historian collected dates of important events that took place
in our community during 2018.
Heritage
Hunters of Saratoga County will meet on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 1:00 pm
at the Saratoga Town Hall. They will
focus on “The Lonely Child”, the story of an adopted person's journey searching
for her biological family.
Deputy
Historian Pat Peck will lead a genealogy group at the Schuylerville Public
Library on Tuesday, February 19th, at 10 am.
The Old
Saratoga Historical Association will meet on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at
7:30 pm. at Town Hall. Discussion will
be centered on World War II soldiers, from Saratoga, who served in the Pacific
Theater. This meeting will be in the Gates
Room so arrive early.
Assessor’s
report for January 2019: No report
Highway
Superintendent’s report for January 2019:
v
Pothole patching
and addressed multiple water issues in roads
v
Tree and limb
clean-up @ ditches
v
Road checks for
drifting and icing
v
Replaced spinner
motor and plow cutting edge on truck 1
v
Hydraulic pump
cable, wing repair and 3 hydraulic lines on truck 2
v
Changed cutting
edge, air dryer and repaired feeder chain on truck 3
v
Replaced carrier
bearing and universals on truck 6
v
Sent truck 3 to Peterbuilt
for coolant smell and lack of power
v
Did 100 hr oil
and filter change on Case loader
v
Repaired the rear
universal joint on pick-up 2
v
Boom on our
bucket truck passed inspection
v
Striped and waxed
the office and break room floors
v
Cut and drilled
metal straps for salt shed barrier block
v
Sanded for 7
storms and plowed for 9
v
Did a garbage
route for Victory due to truck issues
v
Salt shed status
Supervisor’s
report:
Supervisor Thomas
Wood reviewed the following proposed 2019 Goals:
1. Keep Town Property Taxes as low as possible,
closely monitor all town expenses and strive to have no additional tax
increases in the upcoming year.
2. Complete construction of new salt storage
shed and finish Surrender March Trail.
3. Modify design, rebid and construct new boat
launch in the Hudson River on Rt. 4.
4. Study possible canoe launch and parking area
on Fish Creek near Bryant's Bridge or on DEC owned land near Mennan Rd.
5. Amend Zoning Ordinance to reflect
recommendations of the newly adopted Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan.
6. Increase rental occupancy to 100%.
7. Appoint a new Town Emergency Action Plan
coordinator and update current plan.
8. Work cooperatively with the Village of
Victory stimulate redevelopment of the Victory Mill site.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT January 2019
GENERAL FUND – TOWNWIDE (A FUND)
Balance on hand 01/01/2019 $ 961,313.58
Revenues + 15,314.60
Disbursements - 69,758.13
Balance 01/31/2019 $ 906,870.05
GENERAL FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)
Balance on hand 01/01/2019 $1,781,689.79
Revenues + 110,724.88
Disbursements - 5,740.16
Balance 01/31/2019 $1,886,674.51
HIGHWAY FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)
Balance on hand 01/01/2019 $ 751,246.18
Revenues +
136.79
Disbursements - 64,946.75
Balance 01/31/2019 $ 686,436.22
SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT 01/31/2019 $152,872.63
YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE 01/31/2019 $
7,123.49
HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE 01/31/2019 $101,982.72
BUILDING RESERVE 01/31/2019 $292,454.40
SCENIC BY WAYS QRTRLY 01/31/2019
$ 311.45
PARKS RESERVE 01/31/2019 $ 226,956.55
TRUST & AGENCY 01/31/2019 $ 21,316.70
HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT 2 01/31/2019
$ 30,781.72
(holding checks until funds are deposited)
HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER 01/31/2019 $ 32,779.27
PARTNERSHIP
PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 01/31/2019 $
1,309.70
v
Sales Tax Received – January
2019 - $108,476.00
v Mortgage
Tax - December 2018 - $8,799.00
Public comments on agenda items: No one addressed the Board.
Committee
reports:
Landfill:
No report
Insurance: No report
Youth: No report
2019 Future Trips - Turning Stone Casino, Bryant House, VT and Lake
George Steam Boat. Please contact Pat
Temple if interested.
Next Meeting: February 20, 2019 and
they will meet for a Soup Luncheon on March 6, 2019.
Parks/Schuyler Park Committee: Councilman Gary Squires stated due to a conflict of schedules the January meeting was cancelled. He said the park is open for sledding (at your own risk), but absolutely no snowmobiles are allowed on site and there is to be absolutely no driving on the fields.
Office of Emergency Management: No report
QSFD,
WEMS Inc.: Don Ormsby, Quaker Springs Assistant Fire Chief,
stated they have had 6 calls to date for 2019.
No report was submitted from WEMS, Inc., but the
following report was submitted on 2/13/2019:
For the month of January, 2019, Wilton EMS had 19 calls in the Town of
Saratoga, 6 calls in the Village of Schuylerville and 3 calls in the Village of
Victory.
Old
Business: Supervisor Thomas Wood stated the Town has received
County approval of our Agriculture & Farmland Protection Plan.
New
Business:
On a motion made by Councilman
Gary Squires and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-38, Acceptance
of 2017 Justice Audit Findings Report, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings –
absent,
Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 4 – 0
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga had the
Town’s 2017 Financial Operations and Procedures audited by BST & Co., CPAs
LLP; and
WHEREAS, BST & Co., CPAs LLP. has completed the Justice
Office portion of the audit, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to accept
the findings of the Justice Office portion of the audit, as presented.
(The audit is on file in the
Town Clerk’s office)
On
a motion by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires,
the following Resolution #19-39, Release
of Lease - 1W, was adopted by vote: Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – absent, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 4 – 0
WHEREAS, the agreement, made the 11th day of February, 2017, between the Town of Saratoga, hereinafter referred to as the "Landlord", and Linda Nadeau, Community Animal Action Project, 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, Office 1W, Schuylerville, New York, pursuant to a lease dated January 1, 2019; 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 March 1, 2019, it is now therefore agreed as follows:
1. In consideration of the forfeiture by the Tenant, the Landlord releases the Tenant from any and all obligations of the aforesaid 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 Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Michael
McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-40,
Approving Lease Agreement - 5W, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings –
absent, Councilman
Gary
Squires – aye.
Carried 4 – 0
THIS AGREEMENT, made the 11th day
of February, 2019 , between the TOWN OF
SARATOGA, hereinafter referred to as the “Landlord” and LINDA NADEAU, Community
Animal Action Project, hereinafter referred to as the “Tenant”;
WHEREAS, the Tenant wishes to lease the 5W office, second
floor, north wing, 12 Spring St., Schuylerville, New York; and
WHEREAS, it is the mutual desire of both the Landlord and
the Tenant that the Tenant lease said office, beginning March 1, 2019 through
December 31, 2019; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga Town Supervisor is authorized to
enter into a lease agreement with Linda Nadeau, for the 5W office, commencing
on March 1, 2019. The sum of $85.00 will
be due and payable on the first day of each and every month thereafter, until
the lease is terminated, and as additional rent, the Tenant will pay an amount
equal to 2% of the monthly utility bills of the 2nd floor, north wing. Tenant agrees to pay this additional rent
within five business days of receiving written notice by the Landlord of the
amount due, as set forth under this lease agreement; and be it further
RESOLVED,
that the Town
Supervisor is authorized to enter into a lease agreement to carry out this
resolution, subject to approval of the Town Attorney as to form.
On
a motion by Councilman Gary Squires and seconded by Councilman Michael
McLoughlin, the following Resolution
#19-41, Approving Lease Agreement - Kristin Renauld - 1W, was adopted by vote: Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – absent, Councilman Gary Squires –
aye.
Carried 4 – 0
THIS AGREEMENT, made the 11th day
of February, 2019 , between the TOWN OF
SARATOGA, hereinafter referred to as the “Landlord” and KRISTIN RENAULD,
hereinafter referred to as the “Tenant”;
WHEREAS, the Tenant wishes to lease the 1W office, second
floor, north wing, 12 Spring St., Schuylerville, New York; and
WHEREAS, it is the mutual desire of both the Landlord and the
Tenant that the Tenant lease said office, initially on a month to month basis,
beginning March 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga Town Supervisor is authorized to
enter into a month to month lease agreement with Kristin Renauld, for the 1W
office, commencing on March 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019. The sum of $175.00 will be due and payable on
the first day of each and every month thereafter, and as additional rent, the
Tenant will pay an amount equal to 4% of the monthly utility bills of the 2nd
floor, north wing. Tenant agrees to pay
this additional rent within five business days of receiving written notice by
the Landlord of the amount due, as set forth under this lease agreement; and be
it further
RESOLVED, that the Town Supervisor is authorized to enter into a month
to month lease agreement to carry out this resolution, subject to approval of
the Town Attorney as to form.
On a motion by Councilman Gary
Squires, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-42, Penalty Exemption on Local
Property Tax for Federal Employees in the Town of Saratoga, was adopted by vote: Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – absent, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 4 – 0
WHEREAS, the Federal Government was shut down for a number of days and certain Federal employees did not receive their pay checks during that period; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of New York State has signed legislation to extend the penalty free period for 90 days to those individuals, subject to the local taxing municipality; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of
the Town of Saratoga, agree that the Town of Saratoga Federal
employees who did not receive pay checks during the Federal Government Shutdown, are exempt from the
penalty on town taxes from January 2, 2019 through April 2, 2019.
On a motion by Councilman Charles
Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-43, Fund Transfer - $1,000
from DB5140.1-Brush & Weeds Personal Services to DB5130.4-Machinery
Contractual, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings –
absent, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 4 – 0
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of
the Town of Saratoga, to transfer $1,000.00 from DB5140.1-Brush & Weeds
Personal Services to DB5130.4-Machinery Contractual to cover year end expenses.
Privilege
of the floor: No one spoke.
Communications:
Upcoming
meetings:
v
Town Board Agenda Meeting - Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
v Regular Town Board meeting -
Monday, March 11, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
Audit the Bills:
On a motion by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires,
the following Resolution #19-44,
Approving the Payment of Bills in Abstract 15G of 2018, was adopted by vote:
Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman
Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – absent, 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 15G of 2018 in the following amounts:
General Fund DB Voucher
No. 256 through 257 $
837.86
General Fund A Voucher
No. 425 through 429 $ 4,810.89
General Fund B Voucher No. 91 through 92 $ 7,776.00
Grand Total $
13,424.75
Audit the Bills:
On a motion by Councilman Gary Squires, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan,
the following Resolution #19-45,
Approving the Payment of Bills in Abstract 2G of 2019, was adopted by vote:
Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman
Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – absent, 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 15G of 2018 in the following amounts:
General Fund DB Voucher
No. 8 through 26 $ 40,164.85
General Fund A Voucher
No. 19 through 55 $ 51,105.23
General Fund B Voucher No. 2 through 12 $ 1,155.70
Schuyler Park Voucher
No. 1 $ 68.75
Historic Hudson Hoosic Voucher
No. 4 through 8 $ 4,221.36
Grand Total $
96,715.89
A motion was made by Supervisor Thomas Wood, seconded
by Councilman Gary Squires, to enter into Executive Session to discuss litigation
and contractual issues at 8:23 p.m. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings –
absent, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 4 - 0
A motion was made by Councilman Charles Hanehan,
seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, to exit Executive Session at 8:47 p.m. No
Board action was taken. Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – absent, Councilman Gary Squires –
aye.
Carried 4 - 0
A motion to adjourn at 8:48 p.m. was made by
Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires. Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin
– aye, Councilman James Jennings – absent, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 4 - 0
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda A. McCabe
Town Clerk