DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF
SARATOGA
12 SPRING ST.,
March 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 - absent, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – absent
(arrived at 7:18 p.m.), Councilman James Jennings – present, Councilman Gary
Squires – present.
Also
present: Building
Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert, Highway Superintendent Don Ormsby, Deputy
Town Clerk Michelle Conover, Pat Temple, Michael Booth, Paul Goetz, Shannon
Burton, Jeremiah Burton, Jan Murphy, Terri Korb and Randy O'Dell. (sign in sheet on file in the Clerk's office)
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:
BST
& Co. CPAs, LLP Auditor, Paul Goetz, appeared before the Board and reviewed
the financial report of the 2017 Annual Audit for the Town, which is on file in
the Town Clerk’s office.
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman
Gary
Squires, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, to accept the minutes of
the February, 2019 regular meeting as written. Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – absent, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 4 – 0
Town Clerk’s report for February 2019: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $38.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $51.96. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $22.50. Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $178.00. Miscellaneous Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $190.54. Total State and Local Revenues received were $481.00.
Zoning Officer’s report for February 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 February 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: Funds collected for the month of January was $4,890.00.
Tax Collector report for February 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following
report: As of March 5, 2019 the Tax
Collector has collected 81% of the town taxes, totaling $3,025,938.16, although with penalties it
comes to $2,955,380.82. 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 may be paid at Glens Falls
National Bank in Schuylerville, Mon. - Fri.
Historian’s report for February 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following report:
In the month of February, the Historian
worked on researching and presenting a talk about World War II veterans in the
Pacific War. The talk was held on
February 28th and focused on Lawrence Ruff, June Launder, Madoc Irish, Raymond
Wood, and Ashley Pritchard. The
Historian is working on taking those histories and making them available
through the Town website and hopes to keep their memory alive for future
generations.
He is also working providing some
history and promotion of the Schuyler House through our website and
twitter. The National Park has funding
to expand the Schuyler House hours back to 5 days a week, which is good news as
the hours were cut back for a number of years.
It is exciting that the community’s top attraction will be open more
this summer.
March 7th: The Old Saratoga Historical
Association's 'Book Read' starts at 7 p.m., at the Schuylerville Public
Library. This reading is Joseph
Bruchac’s “Code Talkers, a novel about
the Navajo Marines of WW II.” If you
can't make the first meeting, you can still read the book and join the
discussion on April 4 at 7 p.m. at the library.
March 14th: Saratoga NHP is
hosting Schuyler Estate Re-Envisioned: A
Community Presentation at the Visitor Center in Stillwater at 6 p.m.
March 16th: Heritage Hunters will meet at 1
p.m. at the Town Hall. The speaker will
be David Lowry, Manager of Local Government Advisory Services at the New York
State Archives, who will discuss some of the lesser known records that can be
found in government resources in our area.
March 19th: Deputy Historian Pat Peck will
lead a Genealogy Group at the Schuylerville Public Library on Tuesday, at 10 a.m.
March 28th: The Old Saratoga Historical
Association meets on “Art for the People: Decorated Stoneware at the NY State Museum”
presented by Clifton Park Historian (and state museum retiree) John Scherer on
Thursday, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
Assessor’s
report for February 2019: No report
Highway
Superintendent’s report for February 2019:
Supervisor’s
report:
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT February 2019
GENERAL FUND – TOWNWIDE (A FUND)
Balance on hand 02/01/2019 $ 906,870.05
Revenues + 666,157.01
Disbursements - 132,619.15
Balance 02/28/2019 $1,440,407.91
GENERAL FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)
Balance on hand 02/01/2019 $1,886,674.51
Revenues + 2,676.60
Disbursements - 12,519.04
Balance 02/28/2019 $1,876,832.07
HIGHWAY FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)
Balance on hand 02/01/2019 $ 686,436.22
Revenues +
95,443.75
Disbursements - 82,024.59
Balance 02/28/2019 $ 699,855.38
SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT 02/28/2019 $152,803.88
YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE 02/28/2019 $
7,124.04
HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE 02/28/2019 $101,990.54
BUILDING RESERVE 02/28/2019 $292,476.83
SCENIC BY WAYS QRTRLY 02/28/2019
$ 311.45
PARKS RESERVE 02/28/2019 $ 226,956.55
TRUST & AGENCY 02/28/2019 $ 22,387.30
HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT 2 02/28/2019
$ 30,784.08
(holding checks until funds are deposited)
HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER 02/28/2019 $ 28,560.29
PARTNERSHIP
PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 02/28/2019 $
1,309.70
v Sales Tax Received – February 2019 - $95,391.00
v Mortgage
Tax - January 2018 - $12,515.50
Public comments on agenda items: No one addressed the Board.
Committee
reports:
Landfill:
No report
Insurance: No report
Youth: No report
April 16, 2019 - A trip to Vermont Country Store
September 10, 2019 - A trip to Lake George Steamboat
Parks/Schuyler Park Committee: No report
Office of Emergency Management: No report
QSFD,
WEMS Inc.: Don Ormsby, Quaker Springs Assistant Fire Chief,
stated they have had 9 calls to date for 2019.
He added the Fire Department has received their new firetruck and they
held their annual Corned Beef Dinner, which had the highest turnout to date -
222 dinners.
(p.s. Dorothy Lavazzo said she worked her tush off.)
Nashua Alexander, Wilton EMS, Inc., submitted their
report, which stated for the month of February, 2019, Wilton EMS had 26 calls
in the Town of Saratoga, 15 calls in the Village of Schuylerville and 1 call in
the Village of Victory.
Old
Business: None
New
Business:
On a motion made by Councilman
Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-46, Accept
Audit Findings, 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 had the
Town’s 2017 Financial Operations and Procedures audited by BST & Co., CPAs
LLP; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has reviewed
the findings with no exceptions noted in any department; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to accept
the findings as presented. (The audit is
on file in the Town Clerk’s office)
On
a motion by Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin,
the following Resolution #19-49, Authorization
to sign Undertaking Agreement with New York State Department of Transportation
concerning Empire State Trail work, was adopted
by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood -
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – absent, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman
James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 4 – 0
WHEREAS, the
Town of Saratoga has received a $205,000 grant for the Empire State Trail from
the Footbridge over Fish Creek to Saratoga St. in the Village of Schuylerville;
and
WHEREAS,
the Village of Schuylerville has
passed a resolution authorizing the Town of Saratoga to become the Lead Agency
in the project; and
WHEREAS, the trail will cross Ferry
Street (NYS Rt. 29) in the Village of Schuylerville; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga is
eligible to utilize a fully executed Undertaking Agreement as a substitute for
providing proof of insurance coverage; and
WHEREAS, the NYS DOT encourages the
Town of Saratoga to enter into an Undertaking Agreement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign the Undertaking Agreement with New York State Department of Transportation, concerning Empire State Trail work, crossing NYS RT 29 in the village of Schuylerville.
On a motion by Councilman Gary
Squires, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-50, Authorization to Perform
Work on the Empire State Trail, 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 has received a $205,000 grant for the Empire State Trail from
the Footbridge over Fish Creek to Saratoga St. in the Village of Schuylerville;
and
WHEREAS,
the LA Group, in consultation
with the Trail Committee, has developed a final plan for the project; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga
authorizes work to be performed on the Empire State Trail as designed by The LA
Group and approved by NYS.
On a motion by Councilman Michael
McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman, the following Resolution #19-51, Approving Monthly Lease for William Belcher, Word
Horse Strategies, 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
THIS AGREEMENT, made the 1st day of
March, 2019, between the TOWN OF SARATOGA, hereinafter referred to as the
“Landlord” and WORD HORSE STRATEGIES, hereinafter referred to as the “Tenant”;
WHEREAS, William Belcher, P.O. Box 85, Middle Falls NY, 12848,
Word Horse Strategies currently leases the 3E-2 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 also lease the 1W office on a three month
period, beginning March 1, 2019 through May 31, 2019, with a month to month
option through September 30, 2019; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the
Town of Saratoga Town Supervisor, is authorized to enter into a three month
lease agreement through May 31, 2019, with a month to month option through
September 30, 2019 with Word Horse Strategies, for the 1W office, commencing on
March 1, 2019, at a sum of $175.00 per month, and additionally, the Tenant will
pay 4% of the monthly gas and electric bill for the second floor, north wing.
On a motion by Councilman Michael
McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #19-52, Authorization to Enter
into Contract with Flatley Read for Mobile Homes & Manufactured Homes
Grants, 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 has
previously been in contract with Flatley Read for Mobile Homes &
Manufactured Homes Grants; and
WHEREAS,
the Town of Saratoga 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 Flatley Read, at a
cost of $1000.00, to apply for another Mobile Homes & Manufactured Homes
Grant.
On a motion by Councilman James
Jennings, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-53, Authorization to Enter
into Contract with Flatley Read for a Home Improvement, Affordable Housing
Corporation 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 of Saratoga has previously been in contract with Flatley Read for Home
Improvement, Affordable Housing Corporation Grants; and
WHEREAS,
the Town of Saratoga 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 Flatley Read, at a
cost of $500.00, to apply for another Home Improvement, Affordable Housing
Corporation Grant.
On a motion by Councilman Gary
Squires, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-54, Supporting the
Historical Mural for the Town Hall, 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,
Paul Anderson is a local
professional, experienced artist who has volunteered to paint a framed,
historical mural approximately 4' x 16'; and
WHEREAS,
the wall, behind the benches, in
the Schuyler Room is currently blank and could be enhanced by the addition of a
mural; and
WHEREAS, local organizations will raise funds for the cost of
the mural, which will be donated to the Town of Saratoga; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, supports
the creation of the mural and its initial placement being in the Schuyler Room
in the Town Hall, with future location of the mural to be at the discretion of
the Town Supervisor.
Privilege
of the floor: The following addressed the Board:
Mike Booth, 104 Condon Rd.
Communications:
v The
Wilton EMS 2018 Annual Report and Audit is on file in the Town Clerk's office.
v NexAmp,
a local shared solar farm, will hold an informational session for residents and
homeowners on March 20th at 6:30 p.m. at the Village Hall in the Village of
Schuylerville.
Upcoming
meetings:
v
Town Board Agenda Meeting - Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
v Regular Town Board meeting -
Monday, April 8, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
Audit the Bills:
On a motion by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman Gary
Squires, the following Resolution #19-55,
Approving the Payment of Bills in Abstract 3G 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 3G of 2019 in the following amounts:
General Fund DB Voucher
No. 27 through 51 $ 39,211.83
General Fund A Voucher
No. 56 through 85 $ 51,105.23
(No.
58 missing)
General Fund B Voucher No. 13 through 19 $ 11,386.56
Schuyler Park Voucher
No. 2 $ 69.04
Historic Hudson Hoosic Voucher
No. 9 through 11 $ 2,134.63
CDBG Voucher
No. 1 through $ 58,831.00
Home Improvement Voucher
No. 1 $ 17,650.00
Grand
Total $ 143,634.28
A motion to adjourn at 8:28 p.m. was made by
Councilman James Jennings, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires. Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – absent, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.
Carried 4 - 0
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda A. McCabe
Town Clerk