DRAFT MINUTES OF THE TOWN OF SARATOGA

 TOWN BOARD MEETING

12 SPRING ST., SCHUYLERVILLE, NY

 

March 9, 2020

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 Michael McLoughlin – present, Councilman James Jennings – present, Councilman Gary Squires - present, Councilwoman Ruth Drumm - present.

 

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

 

Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/Public Hearings: None.

 

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilwoman Ruth Drumm and seconded by Councilman James Jennings, to accept the minutes of the February 10, 2020 meeting as written.  Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires - aye, Councilwoman Ruth Drumm - aye.

Carried  5 - 0

 

Town Clerk’s report for February 2020:  Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $53.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $47.24. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $0.  Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $228.00. Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $12.76.  Total State and Local Revenues received were $341.00.

 

Zoning Officer’s report for February 2020: 9 Building Permits, 18 Building Inspections, 4 Certificates of Occupancy, 0 Junkyard Permits, 0 Complaints, 0 Fire Inspections, 0 Orders to Remedy, 2 misc., 0 Building Permit Renewals and 0 Property Maintenance Inspections.  A check for $1,700.00 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood. 

 

Dog Control officer’s report for February 2020: The following report was read by Supervisor Thomas Wood:  Ed Cross, Dog Control Officer answered 20 complaints, took 0 dogs to the shelter, 2 bite cases, traveled 36 miles, issued 16 warnings and 0 summons was issued. 

 

Town Court report for February 2020: No report.

 

Tax Collector’s report for February 2020:  Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following report submitted by Tax Collector Marge Kirkpatrick:  As of March 6, 2020 the Tax Collector posted 2,778 payments, collected $3,081,848.91; 82% of the Town’s taxes have been paid. 

 

Please Note:  The Tax Collector collects taxes in March only on Mondays, from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm.  Taxes may also be paid at the Glens Falls National Bank in Schuylerville, Monday - Friday or you may pay your taxes by credit card on-line or in the Tax Collector's office on Mondays only.

 

Historian’s report for February 2020:  Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following report: Historian Sean Kelleher created a booklet on the life of World War II  Veteran Charles Drew and took photos during the Saratoga County’s monthly Honor Deceased Veterans Ceremony, which are on the Historian’s blog.  He also had 189 posts on his blog in February with 1251 visitors and 1955 views. 

 

March 17 - Deputy Historian Pat Peck will host a genealogy group, 10 a.m. at the Schuylerville Public Library.

March 21 - Heritage Hunters, 1 p.m. in the Schuyler Room at the Town Hall – Chris Martin, Saratoga National Historic Park, will present the results of a May 2019 dig which was to determine the location of troops that fought in the wheat field during the battles of Saratoga.

March 26 - Historical Association will meet at 7 p.m. in the Schuyler Room here at the Town Hall.  Greg Veitch will present his latest book, A Gangster’s Paradise, on the history of crime in Saratoga Springs.

 

Assessor’s report February 2020: No report.

 

Highway Superintendent’s report for February 2020:

v  Tree cutting and brush cleanup from the Feb 7th ice storm

v  Closed five roads due to that same storm, as they were not plowable or passable

v  Worked on pothole patching, mailbox repairs and unplugged culverts

v  Emptied and cleaned oil separator

v  Replaced the radiator and air dryer compressor on the Gradall

v  Sent Truck 1 to dealer for power loss issue

v  Installed a backup camera on Truck 1

v  Replaced the fan clutch assembly, radiator overflow tank and the window washer fluid tank on Truck 3, as it had a crack in it.

v  Repaired sand spinner on Truck 6

v  Replaced plow harness on Pickup 1

v  Salted roads in Victory for one storm and repaired their spreader chain

v  Sanded for five storms and plowed for six

 

Supervisor’s report:

                               SUPERVISOR’S REPORT FEBRUARY 2020

 

                  GENERAL FUND – TOWNWIDE (A FUND)                                       

                  Balance on hand 2/1/2020                   $1,076,637.84

                  Revenues                                               +  709,409.87

                  Disbursements                                        -  823,974.42

                  Balance 2/29/2020                               $   962,073.29

                 

                  GENERAL FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)

                  Balance on hand 2/1/2020                   $1,703,565.40

                  Revenues                                             +        1,934.45

                  Disbursements                                      -        9,016.09

                  Balance 2/29/2020                              $1,696,483.76

 

                  HIGHWAY FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)

                  Balance on hand 2/1/2020                    $   624,207.97

                  Revenues                                               +            47.23

                  Disbursements                                        -     63,598.50

                  Balance 2/29/2020                                $   560,656.70

 

SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT  2/29/2020                                $157,903.06

 

YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE  2/29/2020                                       $    8,673.29

                                                                             

HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE  2/29/2020                                      $202,108.79

 

BUILDING RESERVE  2/29/2020                                                               $367,781.39

                 

SCENIC BY WAYS QRTRLY 2/29/2020                                                   $       311.61   

PARKS RESERVE  2/29/2020                                                                      $ 356,956.55

 

TRUST & AGENCY  2/29/2020                                                                   $ 142,390.81

 

HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT 2 2/29/2020                                           $       113.52

(holding checks until funds are deposited)

                                             

HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER 2/29/2020                                                 $      7,536.78

PARTNERSHIP

 

PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 2/29/2020                                            $      1,310.36

 

February 2020 Sales Tax Received - $103,726.00

January 2020 Mortgage Tax Received - $9,222.50

 

Public comments on agenda items: No one spoke.

 

Committee reports:

Landfill: No report.

 

Insurance: No report.

 

 

 Youth: Councilman Michael McLoughlin stated the swim program will soon be upon us and he’s called Christ the King Center in hopes of getting specific dates for our swim program.  He’s not heard back at this time.  He also stated the after-school program is going great at the Youth Center.

 

Senior Citizens: No report.

 

Park Committee: The Town of Northumberland has reappointed John DeLisle to the Schuyler Park Committee.  Next meeting will be held on March 31st.  

 

Office of Emergency Management (OEM): Sherry Doubleday reported on the power outage in February due to the ice storm.  She thanked Supervisor Thomas Wood for opening the Town Hall as a warming station, as well as helping to set up transporting residents from Schuyler Manor to the Town Hall.  Many, many thanks to Terry for transporting so many of the residents.  She also thanked Helene Patterson, Barb Tierney, Dan Carpenter for their help, and a special thanks to Jason Young for providing a wonderful meal of pounds of spaghetti, meatballs & sauce and Italian bread, which was enjoyed by all.  She added that she will be conducting inventory in the next few weeks to be sure there are enough emergency supplies for any upcoming emergency.

Supervisor Thomas Wood responded he is grateful for her help and stepping back in as coordinator for the O.E.M.  He then stated there will be a meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 13th with Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, and invited Sherry to attend that meeting as well.  He also asked Councilman Michael McLoughlin to contact Congresswoman Elise Stefanik concerning emergency power being available for the residents of Schuyler Manor and to encourage the owners and/or management group to do something to rectify this issue. 

 

WEMS, QSFD Reports:

Assistant Fire Chief Don Ormsby reported that Quaker Springs Fire Department had a total of 24 calls to date. 

 

WEMS: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following report:  Nash Alexander's Wilton Emergency Squad report shows 15 calls for the Town of Saratoga, 12 calls for the Village of Schuylerville and 1 call for the Village of Victory for the month of February 2020.

 

Old business: None

 

New business:

On a motion by Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilwoman Ruth Drumm, the following Resolutions #20-46 – Appointment of Office of Emergency Management Coordinator – Sherry Doubleday, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires - aye, Councilwoman Ruth Drumm - aye. 

Carried  5 – 0

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga is in need of a coordinator for the Office of  Emergency Management; now, therefore, be it

            RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga appoints Sherry Doubleday as Coordinator for the Office of Emergency Management, with a monthly stipend of $100.00, for the balance of the 2020 year.

           

On a motion by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #20-47 – Extending Construction of Saratoga Country Inn PUD, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary

Squires - aye, Councilwoman Ruth Drumm - aye.

Carried  5 – 0.

            WHEREAS, on February 14, 2005, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga granted final approval for the Saratoga Country Inn PUD, by amending the Zoning Ordinance of the Town; and

            WHEREAS, Article X, Section 3(J) of the Zoning Ordinance provides that approval for a PUD development project shall become null and void if construction has not begun within two years of the Town Board approval; and

WHEREAS, due to circumstances beyond control of the owner and applicant, said construction work has not begun as planned, and for good cause shown to the Town Board; it is now therefore  

            RESOLVED, that there is hereby granted an extension of time until May 12, 2022, within which construction work must begin for the Saratoga Country Inn PUD and such construction must be completed on or before eighteen (18) months of issuance of the first building permit, and it is further

RESOLVED, that if the aforesaid time limitations are not met, then the approval for this development project shall become null and void.

 

On a motion by Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #20-48 – Town of Saratoga: A Purple Heart Community Proclamation, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires - aye, Councilwoman Ruth Drumm - aye. 

Carried  5 – 0.

            WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has great admiration and the utmost gratitude for all of the men and women who have selflessly served our country and this community by joining the military; and

            WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present use and was initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington in 1782; and

            WHEREAS, the Purple Heart was the first American service award or decoration made available to the common soldier and is specifically awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat with a declared enemy of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of goodwill among the combat-wounded veteran members and their families, promote patriotism, support legislative initiatives, and most importantly make sure we never forget; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga appreciates the sacrifices our Purple Heart

recipients made in defending our freedoms and believe it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show them the honor and support they have earned; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, that the Town of Saratoga is a Purple Heart Town and that the Town of Saratoga hereby recognizes the sacrifices that the Purple Heart recipients have made in defending our freedoms and acknowledges their service and courage while protecting our country.

 

On a motion by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilwoman Ruth Drumm, the following Resolution #20-49 – Authorizing the Town Supervisor

to Enter into an Elevator Maintenance Contract with Bay State, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires - aye, Councilwoman Ruth Drumm - aye. 

Carried  5 – 0.

WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga is in need of elevator maintenance and inspection services and; and

            WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has solicitated for proposals with six different companies; and

            WHEREAS, the Town Board has received three proposals; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga authorizes the Town Supervisor to enter into a 3-year, non-renewing contract for elevator maintenance and inspections with Bay State, in the amount of $200.00 monthly, subject to review and final approval of the Town Attorney.

 

Communications:  Supervisor Thomas Wood gave an update on the Corona Virus, stating there are two active cases in Northumberland which are under control.  Copies of information from Public Health are available on a table at the main doors here in the Town Hall and Public Health is updating their web page daily, so be sure to check it out.  A meeting will be held at the Ballston Spa High School for Town Supervisors and Village Mayors with Public Health on Tuesday, March 10th.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood also reminded everyone it is Census Time.  Mailings will be sent out, which have ID numbers on them, so one can complete a census on-line.  Census takers will be going door-to-door between March 12th and April 27th.

 

Privilege of the floor:

 

Upcoming meetings:

v  Agenda meeting – Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

v  Regular Town Board meeting – Monday, April 13, 2020

at 7:00 p.m.  

 

Audit the Bills: On a motion by Councilman Michael McLoughin and seconded by Councilwoman Ruth Drumm, the following Resolution #20-50 - Approving the

Payment of Bills in Abstract 2G of 2020 was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas

 

 

Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires - aye, Councilwoman Ruth Drumm - aye. 

Carried  5 - 0

RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to authorize payment of the bills listed in Abstract 3G of 2020 in the following amounts:

 

General Fund DB     No. 167 - 188                                                  $   42,384.17

General Fund A        No. 146, 189 – 217                                         $   21,110.58

General Fund B        No. 218 - 221                                                  $     4,423.32

Schuyler Park H        No. 154, 232                                                   $        139.95

HH (Hudson Hoosic)   No. 222 - 224                                                  $     1,827.65

DBG                           No. 225 - 228                                                  $   35,822.00

           

                                                Grand Total  $  105,707.67

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Gary Squires, seconded by Councilman James Jennings at 8:16 p.m.   Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires - aye, Councilwoman Ruth Drumm - aye.  

Carried   5 - 0

Meeting Adjourned

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Linda A. McCabe

Town Clerk