DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD

OF THE TOWN OF SARATOGA

 12 SPRING ST., SCHUYLERVILLE, NY

 

July 8, 2019

 

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 – present, Councilman James Jennings – present, Councilman Gary Squires – present.

 

Also present: Building Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert, Highway Superintendent Don Ormsby, Deputy Clerk Michelle Conover, Attorney William Reynolds, Wendy Lukas, Shan Burton, Jeremiah Burton, Susan Yerry & Robert Dougal, Terri Korb, Jim Sullivan.  (sign in sheet on file in the Clerk's office)

 

Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:

Public Hearing - Local Law #2 of 2019 - Local Law Authorizing a Partial Tax Exemption for Real Property Taxes for Real Property Owned by Persons who Rendered Military Service for the United States during the Cold War Period September 2, 1945 - December 26, 1991 - Supervisor Thomas Wood explained this is amending Local Law #2 of 2009, in regard to the time limit; there will now be no expiration.  After proof of advertising in the Saratogian on June 26, 2019, Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m.  Seeing as no one spoke, Supervisor Thomas Wood made a motion, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, to close the public hearing at 7:05 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  

 

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan, to accept the minutes of the June 10, 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 June 2019: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $61.00.  Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $245.64. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $67.50.  Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $273.00. Miscellaneous Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $176.86.  Total State and Local Revenues received were $824.00.

 

Zoning Officer’s report for June 2019: 9 Building Permits were issued, 15 Building Inspections, 9 Certificate/s of Occupancy, 0 Junkyard Permit/s, 0 Complaint/s, 0 Fire inspection, 3 Order/s to Remedy, 2 misc., 2 Building Permit Renewals, 0 Property Maintenance Inspection.  A check for $2,002.50 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood. 

Dog Control Officer's report for June 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following:    Dog Control Officer Ed Cross answered 12 complaints, took 0 dog/s to the shelter, traveled 34 miles, issued 9 warnings, 4 summons were issued and dealt with 1 bite case/s. 

 

Town Court report for June 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following report: Funds collected for the month of May 2019 -  $4,048.00.

 

Historian’s report for June 2019: No report 

 

Assessor’s report for June 2019: No report

 

Highway Superintendent’s report for June 2019: 

v  Mowing ditches

v  Replaced a storm structure on Trask Ln.

v  Repaired electrical issue on boom mower and exhaust gasket on truck 3

v  Placed detour signs for Casey Rd. shut down

v  Sent truck 2 out for broken spring repair

v  Removed beaver dam in culvert on Caldwell Rd.

v  Blacktopped on Haas, River, Mennen and Wilbur Rds. ext.

v  Used trucks from Wilton, Stillwater and Northumberland

v  Traffic control from Victory and Schuylerville

v  Rented a track Excavator and trench vibrator for Casey Rd. project

v  Closed the Rt. 32 end of Casey Rd., replaced one culvert and working on the second one

v  Sent two trucks to blacktop with Wilton and two with Stillwater

v  Hauled millings off Morgan's Run for Schuylerville then used three trucks hauling to re-blacktop

 

Supervisor’s report:  

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT JUNE 2019

 

                  GENERAL FUND – TOWNWIDE (A FUND)

 

                 Balance on hand 06/01/2019               $ 1,481,180.77

                  Revenues                                               +     11,444.81

                  Disbursements                                        -   214,185.46

                  Balance 06/30/2019                             $ 1,278,440.12

                 

                  GENERAL FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)

 

                  Balance on hand 06/01/2019               $1,844,987.65

                  Revenues                                              +       4,204.58

                  Disbursements                                      -        4,366.18

                  Balance 06/30/2019                             $1,844,826.05

 

                  HIGHWAY FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)

 

                  Balance on hand 06/01/2019                $   840,188.67

                  Revenues                                               +   111,630.91

                  Disbursements                                        -     45,974.91

                  Balance 06/30/2019                              $   904,844.67

                 

 

SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT 06/30/2019                   $169,399.11

 

YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE  06/30/2019                        $    3,826.44

 

HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE  06/30/2019                                    $102,024.62

 

BUILDING RESERVE  06/30/2019                                                 $292,574.60

                 

SCENIC BY WAYS QRTRLY  06/30/2019                                    $       311.53   

 

PARKS RESERVE  06/30/2019                                                        $ 181,956.55

 

TRUST & AGENCY 06/30/2019                                                      $   24,536.42

 

HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT 2  06/30/2019                          $        112.49

(holding checks until funds are deposited)

                                                                                                                                                                                   

HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER 06/30/2019                       $   23,863.78

PARTNERSHIP

 

PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 06/30/2019                               $     1,310.02

 

CDBG PROJECT 06/30/2019                                                           $   11,764.00

 

v  Sales Tax ReceivedJune 2019 - $110,562.00

v  Mortgage Tax - May 2019 - $15,833.50

 

Public comments on agenda items: No comments

 

Committee reports:

 

Landfill: No report

 

Insurance: Supervisor Thomas Wood and the Board reviewed the current and new policies, which has new premiums up only 2.2% for active employees and .4% for retirees (compared to last year's premiums that had gone up by 12%).  Supervisor Thomas Wood added this is due, according to our insurance broker, to less claims having been filed throughout the past year.

 

Youth: Councilman Michael McLoughlin stated 37 children are signed up for swimming lessons, which began today. 

 

Senior Citizens: Councilman James Jennings reported the following: The Quaker Springs Seniors met on June 10, 2019 for a pot luck luncheon, with 22 members in attendance.  Town Historian Sean Kelleher was their speaker and presented a slide program.

 

The next meeting will be on September 9, 2019.

 

Parks/Schuyler Park Committee: Councilman Gary Squires stated although they didn't have a meeting in June, he wanted to give the Board the latest updates.  He said the flag poles, flags and flag solar lighting have been donated and installed by the American Legion.  He then added that

the Park Committee has had to amend the Park Rules, adding NO DIGGING ON THE FIELDS, as a couple of people were observed using a metal detector and digging in the athletic fields.  When questioned by the observer, they replied there were no postings that prohibited them from doing so.  Police were called, but when the observer took photos, the diggers left, which is why the online posted Park Rules have been modified.

 

The next Schuyler Park meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.

 

Office of Emergency Management: No report

 

QSFD, WEMS Inc.: Don Ormsby, Quaker Springs Assistant Fire Chief, stated they have had 49 calls to date for 2019 and added that 9 members took a low angle rescue course.

 

Nashua Alexander, Wilton EMS, Inc., submitted their report which stated they had 22 calls in the Town of Saratoga for the month of June 2019.

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business:

On a motion made by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-85, Fund Transfer - $20,000.00 from Capital Project-A9950.9 to Schuyler Park-H5031, 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 $20,000.00 from Capital Project, A9950.9 to Schuyler Park, H5031, as budgeted.

 

On a motion made by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #19-86, Adoption of Local Law #2 of 2019 - Amending Local Law #2 of 2009-Partial Tax Exemption For Cold War Veterans, 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 of the Town of Saratoga, acknowledges the need to amend Local Law #2 of 2009, without regard to the ten year limitation; and

WHEREAS, a public hearing was held and input received from the townspeople; now therefore, be it,

RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, to adopt Local Law #2 of 2019, amending Local Law #2 of 2009, authorizing a partial tax exemption for real property taxes, for real property owned by persons who rendered military service to the United States, during the Cold War period, September 2, 1945 through December 26, 1991, effective immediately.  (Complete copy of Local Law #2, 2019 is on file in the Clerk’s office.)

               

On a motion by Councilman Gary Squires and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-87, Authorization to Enter into Contract with the LA Group, 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 completed a master plan for the Town of Saratoga Hudson River Boat Launch; and

            WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga is interested in implementing the construction phase of the boat launch on lands leased from the Canal Corp by the Town of Saratoga; and

            WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga acknowledges the opportunity to apply to New York State for a grant under the NYSDOS Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) in the (CFA) 2019 funding round, to complete the construction of the Boat Launch; now, therefore, be it

            RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, to authorize Supervisor Thomas Wood III to enter into contract with the LA Group, at a cost not to exceed $1,500.00, to prepare and submit a LWRP grant application as indicated above, subject to review of current plans by Town Engineer Ken Martin.

 

Resolution #19-88, Supporting the LWRP Application for the Boat Launch; after a lengthy discussion, the Board decided to hold this until the next meeting.

         

On a motion by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-89, Bid Acceptance for the Purchase of New HVAC Units, 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 of the Town of Saratoga, received bids via solicitation of bids by public advertising, for New and Installed HVAC Units and as Northern Mechanical Services, Inc. was the lowest bidder that met specifications at $22,967.59; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, to accept the bid from Northern Mechanical Services, Inc., in the amount of $22,967.59 for new and installed HVAC units, providing the specifications of Bryant Model 582J and Bryant Model 580J meet or exceed current units. 

           

On a motion by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #19-90, Bid Acceptance for the Sale of Surplus Highway Equipment - 1994 Bandit Chipper with Cummins Engine, 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 of the Town of Saratoga received bids via solicitation of bids by public advertising for the surplus highway equipment of a1994 Bandit Chipper with cummins engine and 1660 hours on it, and Auctions International was the highest bidder at $4,800.00; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, to authorize Supervisor Thomas N. Wood to accept the bid and to sign a contract of sale with Auctions International, accepting the price of $4,800.00 for the purchase of the 1994 Bandit Chipper with cummins engine.

  

On a motion by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-91, Authorization for Health Insurance Plan, 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 enters into insurance contracts to provide health insurance coverage for eligible employees; and

WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed proposals for contracts to commence August 1, 2019; now, therefore, be it 

            RESOLVED, that the Town Supervisor is authorized to sign a contract for health insurance benefits for eligible retired employees with Capital District Physicians Health Plan for their CDPHP SILVER 320 HDEPO Qualified Agg/Emb effective August 1, 2019 for a one year term. The deductible will be reimbursed by the town through a special account that CDPHP can withdraw deductibles from as needed.  Due to the increase of premium, the town will pay the first $1500.00 of deductibles for single plans and the first $3,000.00 for family plans as currently being done.  Since the deductibles have increased beyond the $1,500.00/$3,000.00, the employee and the town will each pay 50% of the increased $250.00 deductible($125.00 each); and be it further

            RESOLVED, that the Town Supervisor is authorized to sign a contract for health

insurance benefits, for fulltime active employees, with Capital District Physicians Health Plan for their CDPHP GOLD 221 EPO Copayment Plan, with the Town and employee splitting the $500 deductible 50/50; $250 town, $250 insured employee for the employee and spouse plan.                                                        

 

Privilege of the floor: Susan Yerry, Wendy Lukas and Jim Sullivan addressed the Board.

 

Communications: The Turning Point Parade will be held on August 4th at 1:00 p.m.

 

Upcoming meetings:

v  Town Board Agenda Meeting - Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

v  Regular Town Board meeting - Monday, August 12 2019 at 7:00 p.m.  

 

Audit the Bills: On a motion by Councilman Michael McLoughlin seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #19-92, Approving the Payment of Bills in Abstract 7G of 2019, 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 of 2019 in the following amounts:

 

General Fund DB                 Voucher No. 111 through 128                      $260,330.81

General Fund A                    Voucher No. 204 through 233                      $  38,829.20

General Fund B                    Voucher No. 42 through 45                          $    2,521.40

Schuyler Park                        Voucher No. 8 through 11                            $    4,589.27

Historic Hudson Hoosic        Voucher No. 19 through 24                          $    3,407.31

Youth                                     Voucher No. 2                                               $    3,000.00

 

                                                         Grand Total     $ 312,677.99

 

A motion to adjourn at 9:53 p.m. was made by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin.  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