REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD

OF THE TOWN OF SARATOGA, 12 SPRING ST.

SCHUYLERVILLE, NY

 

March 13, 2017

7:00 P.M.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

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 – absent (arrived at 8:06 p.m.).

 

Also present: Zoning Officer/Building Inspector Gil Albert, Deputy Clerk Michelle Conover, Highway Superintendent Don Ormsby Jr., Town Attorney William Reynolds, John & Martha Sherman, Rose & Glen Decker, Anna Welfley, Jason Young, Whitney Colvin and Dan Carpenter.

 

Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:

Supervisor Thomas Wood invited Mayor John J. Sherman and his wife, Martha, to join him at the podium.  He then presented John J. Sherman with Resolution #17-43 - Recognition of John J. Sherman for his Dedicated Service to the Village of Schuylerville.

On a motion made by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #17-43, Recognition of Mayor John J. Sherman for his Dedicated Service to the Village of Schuylerville, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood –aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan –aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires –absent.  Carried 4 - 0

WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga wishes to recognize and honor John J. Sherman for his 28 years of Service as Mayor of the Village of Schuylerville, and

            WHEREAS, John J. Sherman is the son of Edward and Mary LaClair Sherman, born March 11, 1940, in Victory Mills, NY and

            WHEREAS, John J. Sherman is one of three children and   

WHEREAS, John J. Sherman grew up on Gates Avenue in the Village of Victory, and later moved to the Village of Schuylerville, living on Ranger Road, and

            WHEREAS, John J. Sherman was married to Martha Brownell on February 3, 1968 and had two sons, David and Joseph and two grandchildren, Tyler and Mikayla and

            WHEREAS, John J. Sherman graduated from Schuylerville High School in June of 1959, and

            WHEREAS, John J. Sherman attended Albany Business College graduating in 1961, with a major in accounting, and

WHEREAS, following college graduation, John J. Sherman worked for the Swift Meat Company, Terrant Manufacturing Company and 37 years at Hillman Brothers Trucking in South Glens Falls, NY and

WHEREAS, John J. Sherman became interested in politics, serving as Mayor of the Village of Schuylerville for 28 years and

WHEREAS, John J. Sherman served the community in numerous ways, including the Greater Schuylerville Youth Commission, the Town Republican Committee, Old Saratoga Athletic Association and

            WHEREAS, John J. Sherman is active in many local organizations, always serving the community by working Coin Drops, directing traffic and caring for Ft. Hardy Park, the beach and Visitors Center and

            WHEREAS, John J. Sherman enjoys many hobbies including bowling, collecting Hess Trucks and collecting Lionel Trains and

WHEREAS, John J. Sherman demonstrates in his daily life the qualities and attributes which are highly desired and valued by our society and

WHEREAS, John J. Sherman is active in the Notre Dame Visitation Church, and is a caring and giving individual, and

            WHEREAS, it is fitting that the Town of Saratoga honors and recognizes John J. Sherman for all his service to our community, now, therefore be it,

            RESOLVED, that the day of March 13, 2017, is hereby dedicated to John J. Sherman in grateful recognition by the Town Board of The Town of Saratoga on behalf of all the residents of the Town.

                       

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

Carried 4– 0  

 

Town Clerk’s report for February 2017: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $49.00.  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 $223.00. Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $152.88.  Total State and Local Revenues received were $448.50.

 

Zoning Officer’s report for February 2017: Gil Albert reported: 4 Building Permits, 4 Building Inspections, 4 Certificates of Occupancy, 0 Orders to Remedy, 0 Fire inspections, 0 Complaints, 3 Building Permit Renewals, 0 Property Maintenance Inspections, and 5 misc. appointments.  A check for $895.00 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood. 

 

Dog Control officer’s report for February 2017: The report was read by Supervisor Thomas Wood:  Answered 14 complaints, took 1 dog to the shelter, 1 bite case, traveled 73 miles, issued 11 warnings and 2 summons was issued. 

 

Town Court report for February 2017: The following were closed: 320 Vehicle & Traffic, 5 Criminal/Penal Law, 4 DEC/ENCON, 3 Dog case/s, 1 DWI/s, 0 Town & Village Ordinance, 0 Small Claims/Civil, 3 Evictions, 0 Bench trials, 1 (case transfer) Divestiture Forms sent to County Court, 1 Defendants sentenced to probation, 0 hours of community service issued, 0 days of jail time issued, 0 Orders of Protection issued, and $3,360.00  in fees were paid to the NY State Comptroller.

 

Tax Collector’s report:  Supervisor Thomas Wood read Tax Collector Marge Kirkpatrick’s report.  As of March 10th she has collected $2,874,021.40 on 2,839 parcels, which is 80% of taxes paid.  

 

Historian’s report for February 2017:  February was an exciting month as the Historian focused on the year 1917 (100 years ago).  He researched in the Greenwich Journal and in the Saratogian for the year of 1917, which provided great detail to supplement the 1917 Town Minutes, provided by our Town Clerk.  This period, just before the start of World War I, is of great interest with new technology, suffrage and prohibition issues, which were very active in the Town of Saratoga.  People can follow along on our history blog, on the Town’s web page: www.townofsaratoga.com.  The Historian stated he’s been fortunate to conduct research at the Gill Room of the Greenwich Library and at the Saratoga Springs Library. 

 

The Historian's office is trying to locate all existing copies of the Schuylerville Standard newspaper after 1903.  Please let the Historian know if you have any copies of the Schuylerville Standard.  Unfortunately, our community is missing some of our rich history because the Schuylerville Standard was not collected beyond 1903. 

 

In the month of February he had 108 posts on the website, with 1,638 visitors, which is a great start for 2017.  Deputy Historian Pat Peck’s Genealogy Help Group was very popular in February with many participants.  The Old Saratoga Historical Association meeting on suffragette attracted over 20 individuals and was very informative.   We also sang some nice songs under the leadership of Greenwich Town Historian, Trish Dalton.  

 

The Historian noted with regret the passing of Leneta E. Gamache (21 Nov 1928 - 24 Feb 2017).  She donated 14 scrapbooks covering the years 1986 to 2002, with a focus on her son Kim Gamache’s term as Mayor of Schuylerville.  Many of the photos were taken by Joseph Gamache and the collection covers 25 years ago.  The Historian has put up a small portion of the photos from the scrapbook on the History Blog and will highlight other photos throughout the year. 

 

On March 23rd the Historian is going to present a program on the Saratoga World War II Veterans, including Art Traver and Lawrence Ruff, for the Historical Association in the Schuyler Room at the Town Hall at 7:30 pm.  

March 18th - Heritage Hunters will meet at the Town Hall at 1 pm with novelist Gloria Waldron, on research. 

March 21st - The Schuylerville Public Library and the Historian's Office will hold the Genealogy Help Group at the library at 10 am. 

 

Assessor’s report for January 2017:

During February tax exemption applications, both renewal and new, were filed.  Letters were sent to property owners, of those who didn’t file, which indicated we did not receive their renewals.

 

This month we will update our file with building permit completion values and continue to review properties brought to our attention for a look at its value.

 

The Assessor’s office is now open on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

 

 

Highway Superintendent’s January 2017 report: 

v  Clearing branches from ditch lines and addressing potholes

v  Road checks for icing and snow drifting 

v  Removed snow from the Town Hall parking area

v  Added a roof cover over the maintenance door exit

v  Wash and grease trucks

v  Pickup 2 to Carmody for fuel pump and engine module

v  Muffler repair on truck 2, dump box repair on truck 4, radiator hoses

on truck 6 and repairs on deck mower

v  Removed dump box from truck 6 and sent out for replacement

v  Completed 100 hrs. of maintenance on loader and maintenance on gradall 

v  Sold old truck 10 for $1200. 00 dollars

v  Plowed for 9 storms and sanded for 3

v  Repaired dump gate on Victory Mills truck

 

Supervisor’s report:  

                         SUPERVISOR’S REPORT FEBRUARY 2017

 

                  GENERAL FUND – TOWNWIDE (A FUND)                                      

                  Balance on hand FEB. 1                  $   785,177.73

                  Revenues                                          +   693,008.12

                  Disbursements                                  -    129,021.47

                  Balance FEB. 28                              $  1,349,164.38

                 

                  GENERAL FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)

                  Balance on hand FEB. 1                  $ 1,542,085.96

                  Revenues                                         +    111,203.09

                  Disbursements                                 -         6,211.64               

                  Balance FEB. 28                             $  1,647,077.41

 

                  HIGHWAY FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)

                  Balance on hand FEB. 1                  $ 597,720.48

                  Revenues                                         + 331,278.51

                  Disbursements                                 -  276,358.86

                  Balance FEB. 28                             $  652,640.13

 

                  SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT  FEB. 28       $ 144,507.89

 

YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE  FEB. 28             $        211.21

                                                                             

HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE  FEB. 28             $  167,304.76

 

                  BUILDING RESERVE  FEB. 28                                     $  254,924.23                 

                        SCENIC BY WAYS GRANT  FEB. 28                          $          311.13     

 

                        PARK RESERVE  FEB. 28                                           $   151,956.55

 

                        TRUST & AGENCY  FEB. 28                                       $     55,838.07

 

                        MOBILE HOME GRANT FEB. 28                               $            24.31

 

                        HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT FEB. 28                 $            84.61

                        (holding checks until funds are deposited)

                                                                                                                                                                                               

                        CDBG GRANT FEB. 28                                                 $            20.14

 

                        HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSIC RIVER FEB. 28                              $   238,088.75

                        PARTNERSHIP

 

v  Sales Tax Received – February 2017 - $103,545.00

v  January 2017 Mortgage Tax - $10,232.27

           

Public comments on agenda items: No comments.

 

Committee reports:  

           

Landfill:  Supervisor Thomas Wood stated that Town Engineer Ken Martin has submitted his report to NYS DEC for the landfill.

 

Insurance:  No report.

  

Youth:  No report.

 

Senior Citizens:  Councilman James Jennings reported that the Old Saratoga Seniors met on March 1, 2017 with 50 members in attendance for a casserole luncheon.  Al and Cathy Bain were guest speakers. 

The next two meetings will be held on March 15th and April 5th.

The following trips are planned:

May 24th - Log Cabin, Holyoke, MA: contact Mary LaMora at 518-584-7986, by April 19, 2017 to make your reservation at a cost of $57.00. 

July 6th - Saturday Night Fever Musical at the Mac-Haydn Theatre, Chatham, NY: contact Mary LaMora at 518-584-7986, by June14, 2017 to make your reservation at a cost of $53.00.

 

Councilman James Jennings then reported that the Quaker Springs Sunshiners met on March 13th with 20 in attendance.  Sue Beebe, of Cornell Cooperative Extension, addressed the group on how to prune trees and shrubs and how to care for their yard tools. 

There will be a chicken & biscuit luncheon on March 15th.

 

Parks/Schuyler Park Committee: no report

 

Office of Emergency Management: no report

 

GSES, QSFD Reports: Fire Chief Don Ormsby stated that Quaker Springs Fire Department has had 21 calls to date in 2017.

 

Old Business: Supervisor Thomas Wood told the Board he has researched the Town’s liability concerning the Affordable Housing Grants and the financial liability if one should default on their contract and found it is extremely minimal.  He then questioned the Board if they wanted to move forward with the grant process; the Board agreed to move forward.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood stated the ceremonial frame raising of the Visitor Center will take place on June 16th and the completion of the frame raising will follow on June 17th & 18th . 

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood then stated the preliminary merging of General Schuyler Emergency Squad with Wilton EMS has occurred.  He said there have been financial difficulties with General Schuyler Emergency Squad and it was necessary for them to merge.  Wilton EMS will be managing and running the emergency services.  There will be no decrease of service or run times, although they will be hard billing for each run they make.  There is a memorandum of agreement and there are now two members on the Wilton EMS Board from General Schuyler Emergency Squad.  At budget time, the Town Board will meet with Wilton EMS, not General Schuyler.

Town Attorney William Reynolds stated that the Town has a contract with the General Schuyler Emergency Squad.  If they no longer exist, legal documents will need to be worked out and he will speak with Pat Temple concerning this.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood stated there will be another Agriculture & Farmland Protection Plan meeting on March 29th at 6:30 p.m., here at the Town Hall.  Everyone in the community is invited to attend.

 

He then stated that Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership and Partners will hold a Small Business Workshop on March 30th at 5:30 p.m., here at the Town Hall as well.  There will be a number of professionals to help and provide guidance on how to run a small business.  

 

New Business:

On a motion was made by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #17-42 - Standard Work Day and Reporting, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – absent.

Carried 4 – 0.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga hereby establishes the following as standard work days for elected and appointed officials and will report the following days worked to the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System based on the record of activities maintained and submitted by these officials to the clerk of this body:

 

Title

 

Name

Social

Security

Number

(Last

4 digits)

Registration

Number

Standard

Work Day

(hrs/day)

Term Begins/Ends

Partici-pates

In Employer’s

Time Keeping

System

(Y/N)

Days/

Month

(based on

Record of

Activi-ties)

Tier 1

(Check only if mem-ber is in

 Tier 1)

Not Submitted

(Check box if no

record of activities

completed or

timekeeping system)

Elected Officials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Town

Clerk

 

Linda A.

McCabe

6475

41052796

6

01/01/2016-

12/31/2019

N

30.74

 

 

 

Council-

man

 

Gary Squires

1279

61334041

6

01/01/2016-

12/31/2019

N

1.28

 

 

Justice

Charles

Sherman

6675

50651751

6

01/01/2016-

12/31/2019

N

2.89

 

 

Highway

Supt.

Donald  Ormsby Jr.

 

0233

41094632

8

01/01/2016-

12/31/2019

N

22.33

 

 

Council-

man

Charles

Hanehan

2207

41068487

6

01/01/2016-

12/31/2019

N

1.26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AppointedOfficials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zoning Officer

Gilman Albert

4744

42340364

6

01/01/2017-12/31/2017

N

11.00

 

 

Deputy Town Clerk

Michelle

Conover

2103

61323044

6

01/01/2017-12/31/2017

N

18.31

 

 

Historian

Sean Kelleher

1060

38892964

6

01/01/2017-12/31/2017

N

5.00

 

 

Assessor

Victoria Hayner

0813

40811622

6

10/01/2013-09/30/2019

N

5.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On a motion made by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #17-44 - Transfer of Funds - $611.00 to Youth Y7320.4, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – absent.

Carried 4 – 0

RESOLVED, by the Town Board, of the Town of Saratoga, to transfer $611.00 from Youth Program A7320.4 to Youth Y7320.4, for Youth Program costs.

 

On a motion made by Councilman James Jennings, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #17-45 - Transfer of Funds - $1,036.00 from  Recreational B7140.4 to Youth Y7320.4, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – absent. 

Carried 4– 0

RESOLVED, by the Town Board, of the Town of Saratoga, to transfer $1,036.00 from Recreational B7140.4 to Youth Y7320.4, for Swim Program costs.

 

On a motion made by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #17-46 - Board of Assessment (BAR) Appointment - Ruth Drumm, was adopted by vote:  Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye,

 

 

Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – absent. 

Carried 4 – 0

WHEREAS, the term of Frank Merrill on the Board of Assessment Review (BAR) expired on September 30, 2016; therefore be it

            RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga hereby appoints Ruth Drumm to the BAR for a 5-year term from 10/1/2016 – 09/30/2021.   

 

On a motion made by Councilman James Jennings, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan, the following Resolution #17-47- Authorization to purchase a new 2017 Dodge Ram 3500, 4 x 4, for the price of $46,511.00, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – absent. 

Carried 4 – 0

RESOLVED, by the Town Board, of the Town of Saratoga, to authorize the Town of Saratoga Highway Superintendent to purchase a new 2017 Dodge Ram 3500, 4 x 4, 8’ regular cab truck with a complete plow and lighting package, in the amount of $46,511.00, delivered.

 

On a motion made by Councilman James Jennings, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan, the following Resolution #17-48 - Transfer of Funds - $46,511.00 from Highway Equipment Reserve Fund to Highway Equipment DB5132.2 for the

purchase of a new 2017 Dodge Ram 3500 4 x 4 truck, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – absent.  Carried 4– 0

RESOLVED, by the Town Board, of the Town of Saratoga, to transfer $46,511.00 from Highway Equipment Reserve Fund, to Highway Equipment – DB5132.2, for the purchase of the 2017 Dodge Ram 3500 4 x 4, 8’ Regular Cab with complete plow and lighting package, delivered. 

 

(Councilman Gary Squires arrived at 8:06 p.m.)

 

On a motion made by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #17-49 - Authorization for Legal Action of Calvin Gong for Infraction of the Town Code 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 of Saratoga Town Board has been made aware of various violations of the Town Code by Calvin Gong, concerning property located at 1390 NYS Route 9P; and

            WHEREAS, the Zoning Officer has been unable to resolve the violations by administrative action, it is now, therefore

            RESOLVED, by the Town Board, of the Town of Saratoga, to authorize legal action by the Town Attorney in local court to enforce compliance.   

 

Privilege of the floor:  No one spoke.

 

 

A motion was made by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, to enter into Executive Session to discuss labor issues at 8:08 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 Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, to exit Executive Session at 8:39 p.m.; no action was taken.  Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires – aye.  Carried 5– 0

 

Upcoming meetings:

v  Agenda meeting – Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.

v  Regular Town Board meeting – Monday, April 10, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.  

 

Audit the Bills: On a motion by Councilman James Jennings, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #17-50 - Approving the Payment of Bills in Abstract 3G 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 3G in the following amounts:

 

General Fund DB                 Voucher No. 22 through 43                          $  20,562.16

General Fund A                    Voucher No. 53 through 82                          $  15,508.40

General Fund B                    Voucher No. 09 through 13                          $    3,299.29

Schuyler Park H                    Voucher No. 04 through 05                          $       146.68

Farmland Protection             Voucher No. 02                                             $    1,315.00

Hudson-Hoosic HH               Voucher No. 09 through 14                          $  98,491.76

                                                                                             

         Grand Total     $ 142,320.59

 

A motion to adjourn at 9:10 p.m. was made by Councilman Charles Hanehan and 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

Meeting Adjourned

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Linda A. McCabe

Town Clerk