DRAFT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR

TOWN BOARD MEETING OF THE TOWN OF SARATOGA

12 SPRING ST., SCHUYLERVILLE, NY

 

July 11, 2016

7:00 P.M.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance

at 7:00 p.m.

 

Roll call: Town Clerk Linda McCabe, called the roll.  Supervisor Thomas Wood – present, Councilman Charles Hanehan - present, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent (arrived 7:03 p.m.), Councilman James Jennings – present, Councilman Gary Squires – present.

 

Also present: Deputy Clerk Michelle Conover, Zoning Officer/Building Inspector Gil Albert, Highway Superintendent Don Ormsby Jr. and Town Attorney William Reynolds.

 

Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:  none

 

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman James Jennings to accept the minutes of the June 13, 2016 regular meeting as written.   Supervisor Thomas Wood – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.  Carried  4 – 0  

 

Town Clerk’s report for June 2016: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $75.00.  Fees paid to New York State D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $657.58.   Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $67.50.  Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $350.00. Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $107.04.  Total State and Local Revenues received were $1,257.12.

 

Zoning Officer’s report for June 2016: 8 Building Permits, 19 Building Inspections, 9 Certificates of Occupancy, 0 Junk Yard Permits, 0 Orders to Remedy, 0 Fire inspections, 1 Complaint, 6 Building Permit Renewal/s, 0 Property Maintenance Inspections, and 5 miscellaneous appointments.  A check for $4,457.50 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood. 

 

Dog Control Officer’s report for June 2016: The report was read by Supervisor Thomas Wood:  the Dog Control Officer answered 29 complaints, took 0 dogs to the shelter, 0 bite case, traveled 42 miles, issued 25 warnings and 7 summons were issued and one bite case. 

 

Town Court report for June 2016: The following were closed: 48 Vehicle & Traffic, 7 Criminal/Penal Law, 4 DEC/ENCON, 5 Dog cases,  0 DWI’s, 0 Town & Village Ordinance, 0 Small Claims/Civil, 1 Evictions, 2 Hearings, 1 (case transfer) Divestiture Forms sent to County Court, 2 Defendant/s sentenced to probation, 0 hours of community service issued, 0 days of jail time issued, 0 Orders of Protection issued, and $6353.00  in fees were paid to the NY State Comptroller.

 

 

Historian’s report:  June 2016:

We are focused on the upcoming events in early August. The Turning Point Parade weekend will be August 6th and 7th.  The Old Saratoga Historical Association is going to be hosting their

annual 18th Century Day at the Schuyler House, on Sunday, August 14th.  

The National Park has once again opened the Monument and the Schuyler House, Fridays – Sundays; it’s important to try to increase visits to these sites, so that they can restore staffing to have those sites open 5 days a week.

 

Assessor’s report for June 2016:

The Final Assessment Roll is available for public inspection as of July 1st, 2016. 

During the past few months we have processed several sales – 21 valid sales and 31 non-valid sales which were 39 residential properties, 17 vacant land and 2 commercial sales.

 

The Assessor’s Office will be open from June 1 – December 1st on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM. 

 

Highway Superintendent’s report:  June 2016  

v  Mowing with both mowers & replacing road signs

v  Addressed shoulder washouts on various roads

v  Removed a beaver dam from a Swamp Rd. culvert

v  Ditching on DeGarmo Rd. and Hathaway Rd.

v  Black top from Rt. 29 – Rt. 32 on DeGarmo Rd, Rt. 32 to Minnie Bennett on Hathaway Rd. and Wilbur Rd.  to the National Cemetery on Duell Rd.

v  Used 1 person each from Schuylerville and Victory for traffic control and 1 truck from Northumberland for one day

v  Replaced brakes and rotors on Pick-up #1, put new rear tires and rims on the excavator

v  Fuel tanks have been repainted and remarked per DEC inspection

v  Tested out radio system from Capital Digitronics for 3 days

v  Mowed towpath and canal banks for Schuylerville

v  Completed a welding repair on the Village of Victory’s Kubota tractor

v  Schuylerville borrowed our small roller for 1 day for asphalt repairs

v  Highway Superintendent attended highway training at Cornell University

v  Andy O’Kosky has returned to work

 

Supervisor’s report:  

 

                         SUPERVISOR’S REPORT JUNE 2016

 

                  GENERAL FUND – TOWNWIDE (A FUND)                                      

                  Balance on hand JUNE 1                    $ 1,189,410.50

                  JUNE Revenues                                  +      13,373.91

                  JUNE Disbursements                          -       80,931.34

                  Balance JUNE 30                               $  1,121,853.07

                 

                  GENERAL FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)

                  Balance on hand JUNE 1                    $ 1,373,740.70

                  JUNE Revenues                                  +         4,158.13

                  JUNE Disbursements                          -          5,882.71

                  Balance  JUNE 30                               $  1,372,016.12

 

                  HIGHWAY FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)

                  Balance on hand JUNE 1                    $    892,715.91

                  MAY Revenues                                  +    202,378.80

                  MAY Disbursements                          -     154,644.12

                  MAY Balance MAY31                   $        940,450.59

 

                  SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT JUNE 1             $ 183,415.94

 

YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE  JUNE 1                  $      3,318.38

                                                                             

HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE  JUNE 1                 $  103,029.31

 

                  BUILDING RESERVE  JUNE 1                                          $   204,779.64

     

                        SCENIC BY WAYS GRANT  JUNE 1                                $          311.05

 

                        PARK RESERVE JUNE 1                                                                $   101,956.55

 

                        TRUST & AGENCY  JUNE 1  (TA & CDPHP)                  $     54,052.35

 

                        MOBILE HOME GRANT  JUNE 1                                      $             24.31

 

                        HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT  JUNE 1                        $        4,965.62

                        (holding checks until funds are deposited)

                                                                                                                                                                                               

                        CDBG GRANT  JUNE 1                                                       $             20.14

 

                        HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER  JUNE 1                       $   238,428,.36

                        PARTNERSHIP

 

v  Sales Tax Received – June 2016 - $104,098.00

v  Mortgage Tax - May 2016 - $10,047.50

           

Public comments on agenda items: no comments

 

Committee reports:  no report

           

Landfill:  no report

 

Insurance:  Supervisor Thomas Wood stated that Dave Meeger will review the Town’s property and liability insurance next month.

  

Youth: Councilman Michael McLoughlin stated that students continue to enroll to participate in the swimming classes at Christ the King Spiritual Center.  To date there are over 24 students enrolled.

 

Senior Citizens:  no report

 

 

Parks/Schuyler Park Committee:   Councilman Gary Squires stated that they have received one quote for the west side pavilion to date and he also stated that the irrigation rate has doubled  during this extended dry spell, to help maintain the health of the fields.  

 

Office of Emergency Management:  no report

 

GSES, QSFD, SLPID/SLA Reports: Quaker Springs Fire Department have answered 46 calls to date.

 

Old Business:  none

 

New Business:

On a motion made by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #16-100 – Authorization to Enter into a Swim Program Contract, 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 Board has determined that it can no longer operate its own summer swim lesson program due to the lack of pool facilities which will satisfy the NYS Department of Health's requirements; and

WHEREAS, Christ the King Spiritual Life Center has offered to provide a swim lesson program for Town residents at its facility located at 575 Burton Road, Greenwich NY; it is now therefore

            RESOLVED, that the Supervisor is authorized to sign a contract with Christ the King Spiritual Life Center to provide swimming lessons to Town residents for the 2016 summer season; and it is further

            RESOLVED, that the form of such contract shall be subject to prior review and approval by the Attorney for the town.

 

On a motion made by Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan, the following Resolution #16-101 – Transfer of Funds - $10,000 from Parks- A7110.4, to Parks Personal Services -A7110.1 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 $10,000.00 from Parks-A7110.4, to Parks Personal Services-A7110.1, for the creation of trails.

 

On a motion made by Councilman  Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #16-102– Agreement between the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga and the Town of Saratoga Highway Superintendent for the Expenditure of Highway Moneys, Pursuant to the Provisions of Section 284 of the Highway Law, 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, Pursuant to the provisions of Section 284 of the Highway Law, the Town

                        Board and the Town Highway Superintendent agree that moneys levied and collected in the Town

                        for the repair and improvement of highways, and received from the State for State Aid for the

                        repair and improvement of highways, shall be expended as follows:

1.      PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS:  The following sums shall be set aside to be

expended for the permanent improvement of Town Highways:

a.       On the road commencing at Co. Rt. 69 and leading to Russell Rd., a distance

 of approximately .75 miles, there shall be expended  not over the sum of

$32,000.00; using Fiber mat Type A, width of traveled surface 20’, .5” thickness,

 subbase of 3” binder and 8” gravel.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood asked Highway Superintendent Don Ormsby to review the proposed purchase of radios for the highway department with the Board.  Superintendent Don Ormsby went through the estimated costs involved with the proposed purchase; the three different companies, types of radios, extended costs and warranties.  Supervisor Thomas Wood asked where the money was coming from for the proposed purchase.  Superintendent Don Ormsby stated it will come from the Highway Equipment account.  Supervisor Thomas Wood questioned if he had enough money in that account since this wasn’t in the budget.  Superintendent Don Ormsby responded he misspoke; it will come out of the Equipment Reserve Fund.   Supervisor Thomas Wood questioned if that will cause him to be too lean, especially in an emergency?  Superintendent Don Ormsby replied, no it won’t.  He then stated the company will install the radios. 

 

On a motion made by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman              Charles Hanehan, the following Resolution #16-103 – Authorization to Purchase Radios for the Highway Department Trucks and Equipment, 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 approve the purchase of 18 Harris HDM 150 45 watt, with future GPS and 5 watt portable radios for the highway department trucks and equipment, from Capital Digitronics, at a cost of $15,408.00 with an additional monthly fee of $90.00 or $1080.00 annually. 

 

On a motion made by Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #16-104 – Authorization to transfer $15,408.00 from Highway Equipment Reserve Fund-DB5031 to Highway Equipment-DB5132.2 for the Purchase of Radios for the Highway Department Trucks and Equipment, subject to a 30 Day Permissive Referendum, 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 $15,408.00 from Highway Equipment Reserve, DB5031 to Highway Equipment, DB 5130.2 for the purchase of 18 Harris HDM 150 45 watt, with future GPS and 5 watt portable radios for the Highway Department trucks and equipment, from Capital Digitronics, at a cost of $15,408.00, subject to a 30 Day Permissive Referendum. 

 

A motion was made by Charles Hanehan, seconded by Michael McLoughlin, to enter into Executive Session to discuss Union Negotiations at 7:51 p.m.  Supervisor Thomas Wood – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.

Carried 5 – 0

 

A motion was made by Charles Hanehan, seconded by James Jennings, to come out of Executive Session at 8:21 p.m.; no action was taken by the Board.  Supervisor Thomas Wood – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.

Carried 5 – 0

 

On a motion made by Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires,             the following Resolution #16-105 – Approving the Payment of Bills – Abstract 7G, 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 7G in the following amounts:

 

General Fund A                    Voucher No. 199 through 228                      $   15,107.07

Youth                                     Voucher No. 1                                               $        300.00

General Fund B                    Voucher No. 32 through 37                          $        945.26

Schuyler Park H                    Voucher No. 17 through 21                          $     2,667.66

Highway DB                          Voucher No. 109 through 135                      $ 185,070.22

HH                                          Voucher No. 14 through 24                          $   93,237.76

 

                                                                                             Grand Total     $ 297,327.76   

 

Communication: 

 

Privilege of the floor: 

 

Upcoming meetings:

v  Agenda meeting – August 4, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

v  Regular town board meeting – Monday, August 8, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.  

 

A motion to adjourn at 9:07 p.m. was made by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman James Jennings.  Supervisor Thomas Wood – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye. 

Carried   5 - 0

Meeting Adjourned

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Linda A. McCabe

Town Clerk