MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF
SARATOGA
12 SPRING ST.,
May 13, 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 - 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, Peter Schwartz, Nicholas
Schwartz, Robert & Peg Hall, Tom Carringi, Joseph Lewandowski, Shannon
& Jeremiah Burton, Walt Borisenok, Penny Hardenstine, Barbara Faraone, Mary
O'Brien, Michael & William Gale, Ian Murray, Bill Peck, Kathleen Heidsieck,
Patrick Gill, Lee Shapiro, Terri Korb, William Moreau, Chris & Jen Koval,
Sergei Nirenburg & Marge McShane, Kate & Hub Miller, Marci Dwyer, Paul
Murphy and Wendy Lukas. (sign in sheet
on file in the Clerk's office)
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:
Supervisor Thomas Wood recognized senior high school
student Peter Schwartz with the following Resolution:
On
a motion by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman Charles
Hanehan, the following Resolution
#19-67, Recognizing Peter Schwartz, 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,
Peter Schwartz is the son of Nicholas and Lisa Schwartz and lives on County
Route 68 in the Town of Saratoga; and
WHEREAS, Peter Schwartz is a senior at Schuylerville Central
School from where he will graduate in June 2019 as a third generation graduate
of the school; and
WHEREAS, Peter Schwartz has served in many leadership
capacities, including President of his class of 2019 for the past 3 years,
Secretary of his class for many years prior to that, President of his local 4-H
Club and Vice President of the Future Business Leaders of America; and
WHEREAS, Peter is a member of the National Honor Society where
he achieved high honor status, 95+ average every quarter during his entire 4
years of high school, where he also was a member of the Math League and
Envirothon Team; and
WHEREAS, Peter has been active in athletics, playing on the
Varsity Golf Team for 4 years, Varsity Basketball Team for 2 years, the J.V.
Basketball Team, J.V. Baseball Team and was a referee for OSAA Basketball,
umpire for OSAA Baseball and Softball and co-coaching a T-Ball Team for the
Saratoga City Rec Program; and
WHEREAS, Peter has been an active
member of the Saratoga County 4-H Program for the past 10 years, participating
in Public Speaking and Public Presentations, where he was chosen as the top 4-H
Presenter in NYS: and
WHEREAS, for the past 10 years he
has shown his Grandfather's Hereford Cows at the County Fair where he was
awarded Grand Champion and Reserved Grand Champion Showman over the years; and
WHEREAS, Peter is active in the
Notre Dame Visitation Parish where he was confirmed, in 2017, and he was a
lecturer on Youth Mass weekends and volunteered at chicken barbecues, spaghetti
dinners and delivered Valentine baskets to elderly shut ins; and
WHEREAS, in his spare time Peter
enjoys fishing, hunting, golfing and spending time with his family and friends;
and
WHEREAS, Peter was recently
nominated for the Post Star Teen Excellence Award; and
WHEREAS, he will enter Clarkson
University in the Fall of 2019, majoring in Civil Engineering; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga is proud to recognize
Peter for the many accomplishments he has achieved; and be it further
RESOLVED, we extend our best wishes
for his continued success and look forward to his future involvement in Town of
Saratoga functions and activities.
Public Hearing
on Local Law #1 of 2019 - Zoning
Amendment - Supervisor Thomas Wood explained the clarification being made
to the zoning regulations, amending Section 400-8.11 of the Town of Saratoga
Code. (A copy of Local Law #1 is
attached to Resolution #19-68, which will be voted on under New Business.) Proof of advertising in the Saratogian
on May 3, 2019 having been provided, Supervisor Thomas
Wood opened the Public Hearing on Local Law #1, 2019 at 7:12 p.m., asking
those wishing to speak to please stand, state their name and address and keep
their comments directed to the Board and limited to three minutes. The following addressed the Board:
Barbara
Faraone - 42 Spruce Ridge (Rt. 9P), Nicholas Schwartz - 316 Rt. 68, Kathleen
Heidsieck -112 Trask Lane, Paul Murphy - 36 Hill Rd., Marge McShane - 34 Hill
Rd., Patrick Gill -103 Trask Lane, Walt Borisenok -1136 Rt. 9P, Ian Murray - 188
Swamp Rd., Hub Miller - 97 Brown Rd., Terri Korb - 17 Hill Rd., Robert Hall -
104 Chapman Hill Rd., Lee Shapiro - 103 Trask Lane, Sean Kelleher - 501 Rt. 32
S., Jen Koval - 108 Sweet Rd.
Supervisor
Thomas Wood asked if anyone further wished to speak, seeing no one, a motion was made by Councilman Michael
McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, to close the Public Hearing
at 8:09 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
Gary
Squires, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, to accept the minutes of
the April 8, 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 April 2019: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $76.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $212.58. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $90.00. Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $313.00. Miscellaneous Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $222.42. Total State and Local Revenues received were $914.00.
Zoning Officer’s report for April 2019: 10 Building Permits were issued, 14 Building Inspections, 4 Certificate/s of Occupancy, 0 Junkyard Permit/s, 6 Complaint/s, 0 Fire inspection, 4 Order/s to Remedy, 6 misc., 7 Building Permit Renewals, 0 Property Maintenance Inspection. A check for $3,325.00 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.
Dog Control Officer's report for April 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following: Dog Control Officer Ed Cross answered 19 complaints, took 0
dog/s to the shelter, traveled 42 miles, issued 15 warnings, 0 summons were issued and 3
bite case/s.
Town Court report for April 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: Funds collected for the month of April, 2019 - $8,556.00.
Historian’s report for April 2019: The Historian's
Office received an inquiry and asked for rights to use a photo in the Empire
Trail kiosk (interpretive signs), at Fort Hardy. He had the image saved as high quality so it
could be used in the sign.
Thursday, May 16, at 7 p.m.: The Old Saratoga
Historical Association will meet at the Saratoga National Historical Park
Visitors Center at the Battlefield, discussion will be on Elizabeth Schuyler,
wife of Alexander Hamilton and daughter of Philip and Catharine Schuyler. “Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, American
Woman,” came into being when singer/storyteller, writer Eileen Egan Mack was
searching for a woman whose story needed telling.
Saturday, May 18, at 1 p.m.: Heritage Hunters
of Saratoga County will meet at the Town Hall.
The speaker will be County Historian, Lauren Roberts, talking about a
special collection of 600 original documents from the late 1700s and early
1800s, found in the historic LaRue family farmhouse in Charlton.
Tuesday, May 24, at 10 a.m.: Deputy Historian
Pat Peck leads a genealogy group at the Schuylerville Public Library.
Assessor’s
report for April 2019: Supervisor
Thomas Wood read the following: The
Assessor's office has entered 41 sales and 3 splits since January. March 1st was deadline for exemptions,
however, due to the workload the Assessor has had her deputy work additional
hours during March and April. The
Assessor is busy with field work and valuation at this time.
The
Town of Saratoga will keep its 100% equalization rate for 2019 assessment roll.
Highway
Superintendent’s report for April 2019:
v
Roads have been
swept
v
Addressing trees,
limbs and multiple washouts in ditches
v
Temporary fix of
large washout on Fitch Rd.
v
Removed plow
frames from trucks
v
Spring
maintenance has been done on Trucks 1, 2,3 and 6
v
Pickups 2 and 3
have new brakes and rotors
v
Repaired PTO
shaft and drive chain on tractor sweeper
v
Cut down trees on
corner of Louden Rd. and Rt. 29
v
Graded on Swamp &
Connors Rds. and Schuyler Park
v
Painted plywood
barrier on Salt shed
v
Sent employees to
Peckhams safety training day seminar
v
Worked with 4-H
on Earth day picking garbage off Wilbur and Duel
Supervisor’s
report:
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT APRIL 2019
GENERAL FUND – TOWNWIDE (A FUND)
Balance on hand 04/01/2019 $ 1,440,407.91
Revenues + 27,741.08
Disbursements - 115,577.20
Balance
04/30/2019 $1,352,571.79
GENERAL FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)
Balance on hand 04/01/2019 $1,876,832.07
Revenues + 1,235.62
Disbursements - 15,654.36
Balance 04/30/2019 $1,862,413.33
HIGHWAY FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)
Balance on hand 04/01/2019 $ 699,855.02
Revenues +
92,603.02
Disbursements - 71,673.62
Balance 04/30/2019 $ 720,784.78
SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT 04/30/2019 $152,666.14
YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE 04/30/2019 $
7,125.26
HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE 04/30/2019 $102,007.58
BUILDING RESERVE 04/30/2019 $292,525.71
SCENIC BY WAYS QRTRLY 04/30/2019
$ 311.49
PARKS RESERVE 04/30/2019 $ 226,956.55
TRUST & AGENCY 04/30/2019 $ 23,346.83
HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT 2 04/30/2019
$ 112.40
(holding checks until funds are deposited)
HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER 04/30/2019 $ 28,143.50
PARTNERSHIP
PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 04/30/2019 $
1,309.86
v Sales Tax Received – April 2019 - $105,333.00
v Mortgage
Tax - March 2019 - $18,271.85
Public comments on agenda items: Barbara
Faraone addressed the Board.
Committee
reports:
Landfill: No report
Insurance: No report
Youth: Councilman Michael McLoughlin stated he heard from Christ the King
Center and they are sending the swim program contract out and it is the same as
last year.
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 26 calls to date for 2019.
He added the new tanker will hopefully be in service by the end of
the month.
Nashua Alexander, Wilton EMS, Inc., submitted their
report which stated they had 29 calls in the Town of Saratoga for the month of April
2019.
Old
Business: No one spoke
New
Business:
On a motion made by Councilman
Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-68, Adoption
of Local Law #1 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
WHEREAS, the Town Board, of the Town of Saratoga, acknowledges
the need to amend Town Zoning Regulations to add provisions regarding mixed
uses of property; 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 #1 of 2019, amending the Town of Saratoga Town
Ordinance relating to Mixed Uses in the Rural, Rural Residential, Hamlet,
Conservancy and Lake Commercial districts, effective immediately.
Local Law Filing NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF STATE
41 STATE STREET, ALBANY, NY 12231
(Use this form to file a local law with the Secretary
of State.)
Text
of law should be given as amended. Do
not include matter being eliminated and do not use italics or underlining to
indicate new matter.
Town of Saratoga
Local Law No. 1 of the year 2019
A
local law amending the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Saratoga to add
provisions regarding mixed uses.
Be it enacted by the Town Board
of the (Name of Legislative Body)
Town of Saratoga as follows:
Section 1 – Legislative Findings
The Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga, in consultation with the Town Planning Board and Zoning Board of
Appeals, has determined that in certain zoning districts of the Town where
commercial use is permitted, there is a need to expand the scope of land use by
allowing a mixture of commercial and non-commercial purposes on a single lot,
so long as this can be accomplished through orderly development. The Board has determined that the current
prohibition of multiple uses on a single lot is inconsistent with this
objective. The Board also finds that allowing “mixed uses” (as defined),
subject to Planning Board site review, furthers one of the “high priority”
planning goals of the Town Comprehensive Plan to “incorporate flexible zoning
regulations to individualize specific development to specific sites”.
Section 1 – Mixed Uses
Section 400-8.11 of the
Saratoga Town Code is amended to read as follows:
400-8.11. Mixed Uses
Section 2 – Effective Date: This local law shall take effect immediately.
On a motion made by Councilman
James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-69, Approval
to move $155,000.00 from Parks Reserve to A7110.4-Parks, 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 has been
authorized by the Village of Schuylerville to act as Lead Agency for the
Schuylerville section of the Empire State Trail from the footbridge over Fish
Creek, to Saratoga Street in the Village of Schuylerville; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga authorizes $155,000.00 to be moved from Parks Reserve account into A7110.4 - Parks, for work to be conducted on the Schuylerville section of the Empire State Trail and following completion of the Trail work, the Town will be reimbursed through the Empire State Trail Grant, which the Town of Saratoga has been awarded.
On
a motion by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman James
Jennings, the following Resolution #19-70,
Request to Reduce Speed Limit on Hayes and Casey Roads, 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 Board of the Town
of Saratoga has received and acknowledges the numerous complaints of the
constant speeding on Hayes and Casey Roads; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board believes reducing the speed
will make the roadways much safer; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga requests
that the New York State Department of Transportation reduce and maintain a
speed limit of 45 mph on Hayes and Casey Roads, as they believe such request to
be well-founded.
On a motion by Councilman
Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-71, Authorizing Membership renewal
with Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership, 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 Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership is an
entity formed of local municipalities county, state, and
federal agencies and not-for-profit community organizations created by New York
State Legislation in 2006 and 2012; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers
Partnership is to preserve, enhance, and develop the historic, agricultural,
scenic, natural and recreational resources and the significant waterways within
the Partnership region; and
WHEREAS, the Partnership advances collaborative projects with
non-profit and governmental entities with an emphasis on both agricultural and
open space protection, economic and tourism development, and the protection and
interpretation of our natural and cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Saratoga shares the Partnership’s goals
and supports fostering collaborative approaches to preserve a landscape
supporting the historic, cultural and environmental assets of the upper Hudson
Valley watershed, to protect its traditional land uses and environmental
quality and to develop the economic potential of heritage and outdoor
recreational tourism; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership has
invited the Town of Saratoga to renew their membership; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga renew
its membership with the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership
On a motion by Councilman Gary
Squires, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan, the following Resolution #19-72, Authorizing Membership Fee
Payment of $200.00 to the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership, 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 is a partner of the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership;
and
WHEREAS, the Partnership is building
and equipping a new Regional Gateway Visitor Center that will stimulate
economic activity in the Town of Saratoga and the Village of Schuylerville; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Hudson-Hoosic
Rivers Partnership is requesting a $200.00 Membership Fee from its partners;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga agrees to pay the membership fee of $200.00 to the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership.
On a motion by Councilman James
Jennings, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-73, Authorization to Enter
into Contract with Flatley Read to write an RFP for two Rooftop Heating &
Air Conditioning 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 heat exchangers of two of the rooftop heating and
air conditioning units have rusted through; and
WHEREAS, these two units are over 20
years old and the air exchange fins are also dented and partially plugged; and
WHEREAS, the two units have been
shut down because by regulation it is illegal and dangerous, due to possible
carbon monoxide poisoning, to operate a unit with holes rusted through them;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga
authorizes Flatley Read to prepare an RFP and arrange purchase and installation
details for two new rooftop heating and air conditioning units; and be it
further
RESOLVED, that the RFP also include the removal and proper disposal of the old units.
On a motion by Councilman Charles
Hanehan, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #19-74, Agreement for the
Expenditure of Highway Moneys, 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.
GENERAL REPAIRS: The sum of $90,000.00 shall
be set aside to be expended for primary work and general repairs upon 60 miles
of town highways, including sluices, culverts and bridges having a span of less
than five feet and boardwalks or renewals thereof.
2.
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 NYS Rt. 4 and leading to Evans St.., a distance of 1.95 miles,
there shall be expended not over the sum of $140,000.00; using Asphalt, width
of traveled surface, 20', 1.5" type 6 thickness, subbase of gravel. (CHIPS)
b.
On the road
commencing at NYS Rt. 4 and leading to Town Line, a distance of 1.19 miles,
there shall be expended not over the sum of $84,000.00; using Asphalt, 20'
width of traveled surface, 1.5” type 6 thickness, subbase of grave. (Pave NY
Funds plus $52,000.00)
c.
On the road
commencing at NYS Rt. 29 and leading to Wilton Town Line, a distance of .73
miles, there shall be expended no over the sum of $104,000.00.
Privilege
of the floor: No one spoke.
Communications:
Supervisor Thomas Wood stated a
portion of Rt. 9P is closed as NYS DOT is finally working on that road. Barbara Faraone addressed the Board
concerning the deplorable conditions of NYS Rt. 9P and asked Supervisor Thomas
Wood to send a letter to NYS DOT to lower the speed limit and to ban large
trucks from that road, as they seriously damage it. Supervisor Thomas Wood said he will be happy
to do so.
Upcoming
meetings:
v
Town Board Agenda Meeting - Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
v Regular Town Board meeting -
Monday, June 10, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
Audit the Bills:
On a motion by Councilman Gary Squires, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the
following Resolution #19-75, Approving
the Payment of Bills in Abstract 5G 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 5G of 2019 in the following amounts:
General Fund DB Voucher
No. 75 through 99 $ 15,952.41
General Fund A Voucher
No. 125 through 163 $ 22,843.58
General Fund B Voucher No. 30 through 35 $ 6,710.27
Schuyler Park Voucher
No. 4 $ 69.07
Historic Hudson Hoosic Voucher
No. 14 through 15 $ 44.99
CDBG Voucher
No. 11 through 13 $ 4,450.00
Grand Total $ 50,070.32
A motion to adjourn at 9:16 p.m. was made by
Councilman James Jennings, 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
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda A. McCabe
Town Clerk