MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF
SARATOGA, 12 SPRING ST.,
October 10, 2018
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: Deputy Clerk Michelle
Conover, Building Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert, Highway Superintendent
Don Ormsby, Attorney William Reynolds, Tracey Clothier, Jaime O'Neill, Lucinda
Barry, Susan Yerry, Terri Korb, Paul Murphy, Robert Dougal and Randall Odell. (sign in sheet on file in the Clerk's office)
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:
Supervisor
Thomas Wood stated the Town received a grant a year and a half ago from New
York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, to develop an Agriculture
and Farmland Protection Plan. The Town
hired the LA Group as consultants and worked closely with them for a number of
months, a number of meetings, number of surveys and with the community at
large. They've also had extensive
involvement of the Department of Agriculture & Markets (Ag & Markets)
and Ag & Markets has had 1 - 2 persons attend each meeting and did not
hesitate to give the Town feedback along the way. There were a number of experts and
specialists that made presentations to those in attendance at the meetings,
which aided in putting the Plan together.
The L A Group held a large public
forum with about 100 in attendance, and they reviewed SWOT (Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats).
SWOT is a useful framework for analyzing our Town's agricultural strengths
and weaknesses and the opportunities and threats that it may face. It'll help us focus on our strengths,
minimize threats and take the greatest possible advantage of opportunities
available to us. This information was
shared with the group and incorporated the into the Plan. We have a complete Comprehensive Plan and
Executive Summary, which summarizes the high points of the Plan. We have been looking for community input along the way. Before opening the first Public Hearing,
Supervisor Thomas Wood stated he wanted to share a couple of telephone conversations
he had with two active, large farmers in the area and the thoughts and
suggestions they had. Some of this has
been shared with the Town Board at agenda meetings and other meetings as we've
progressed. A point made by Joe McMahon,
McMahon's Thoroughbreds, is that the Equine Industry is an integral part of the
agriculture community, as well as the County of Saratoga and the State of
NY. We need to be sure to give complete
and adequate recognition of this in the Plan.
Another concern pointed out by Joe McMahon, relative to the section with
things the town could potentially implement, is the proposed 2% additional
mortgage tax. Supervisor Thomas Wood
stated that the proposed additional tax would be placed on properties selling
above a pre-set minimum number. They've
talked about the number being $500,000.00.
The first $500,000.00 would be exempt and the 2% additional mortgage tax
placed on anything beyond that. Of
concern is that this additional mortgage tax is a select tax and it is to
generate a pool of money that would be used to enhance the Purchase of
Development Rights of farms or keeping open space open, farmland as farmland
and would be controlled by the Town of Saratoga. The 2% tax could be a deterrent against
farmers, be it purchasing land or selling land, as it would escalate the
closing costs of property; if it's a million dollar property it is a
significant amount of money. It could
work against farmers; it could discourage a sale that was about to close or a
farmer may have to reduce the price of his property to sell it, in order to
offset that 2% additional tax. Supervisor
Thomas Wood stated keep in mind, this is not law. It is only a plan, suggestions to be
considered when making changes to the Comprehensive Plan or making other laws
reflecting these desires. The second
telephone conversation he had was with Chris Koval, Koval Brother's Dairy LLC.,
and Chris Koval emphasized the importance of equine farms and encouraged him to
support and encourage them. A study of
all residents in the town should be conducted to see if they'd want an
additional 2% tax increase on their mortgages.
Supervisor
Thomas Wood then asked for Board input.
Councilman Charles Hanehan suggested reaching out to other towns who
have added this tax and see how they're doing.
Councilman James Jennings stated Joe McMahon also wants to see a
clarification on the 100' setback; it'll take a big chunk of your land
away. Supervisor Thomas Wood responded
that Joe McMahon wants to know if the burden of the 100' setback is on the
farmer or the neighboring property owner.
Supervisor Thomas Wood felt it was on the neighboring property, not the
farmer. He added that Malta tried to
initiate a 10' - 25' setback and it didn't fly.
Councilman James Jennings asked if the Town has to put up $5,000.00 to
get the $15,000.00 grant money.
Supervisor Thomas Wood replied yes, it's a 75 - 25 match grant. Councilman James Jennings questioned why the
taxpayers should have to put up the money.
Supervisor Thomas Wood responded that the options are the Town can apply
for the Ag & Markets grant and Ag
& Markets would assist with their financial input or the Board can implement
pieces of it as they choose, just as we modify current zoning laws. For example, defining the term of
Agriculture, which our Town Attorney can easily work us through. We can do this or not do it.
Supervisor
Thomas Wood then introduced Tracey Clothier, the LA Group, and asked if she had
any other comments on the grant. She
replied she has worked with other town agencies who have used that and it
worked out well. You can leverage the
grant money if you're making changes to your zoning ordinance. Right now Ag & Markets are taking all the
money off the table and putting into the CFA Grants (Consolidated Funding
Applications), and they require a match by the Town. Supervisor Thomas Wood asked that one doesn't need to implement the
entire plan, correct? Tracey Clothier
replied correct, you can form a committee to implement some of it and it won't
cost the Town anything. These grants are
awarded once a year, typically in July.
She said the Town has plenty of time to think this through. She then reviewed the grant and how a town
can use it. Councilman James Jennings
said the financial low interest support for farmers, is that coming out of Town
taxpayers? Supervisor Wood replied that
is yet to be determined. If we choose to
place the additional 2% mortgage tax, there would be a pool of money to use, so
you'd have to set up criteria for the loans.
Supervisor Thomas Wood
opened the first Public Hearing of the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan
at 7:20 p.m.,
asking those wishing to speak to please stand, state their name and address and
limit their comments to 3 minutes:
Paul Murphy, 36 Hill Rd., stated the Comprehensive
Plan is to maintain rural character of the community. This feels like a protection plan that's
cloaking increased development. Reducing
farms 10 acres down to 5 acres seems opposite of maintaining the rural feel of
the town. That's a major, major change
and he'd like a referendum of the town so all residents understands that
change. It changes the complexion of the
town and he's very disturbed by that. He
is against this, the proposal is driving density and is opposite of the
Comprehensive Plan.
Supervisor
Thomas Wood reponded that it has to do with agriculture pursuits. If someone can't afford 10 acres they can
purchase 5 acres and pursue smaller agriculture enterprises. It is also for agriculture assessment
purposes; it'd make it feasable for agriculture exemptions for smaller
agriculture enterprises.
Robert Dougal, stated he's the only
organic farm in Saratoga County and he'd like to see more organic farms.
Supervisor
Thomas Wood encouraged everyone to review the Plan and stated we will continue
the Public Hearing next month. Supervisor
Thomas Wood asked if there were any other comments; seeing none, Supervisor Thomas Wood made a motion,
seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, to close the Public Hearing at 7:31 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
James
Jennings, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan, to accept the minutes of the September
6th agenda meeting and the September
10th 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 September 2018: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $63.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $2,065.45. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $22.50. Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $301.00. Miscellaneous Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $145.55. Total State and Local Revenues received were $2,597.50.
Zoning Officer’s report for September 2018: Gil Albert reported: 10 Building Permits Issued, 33 Building Inspections, 10 Certificate/s of Occupancy, 0 Junkyard Permit/s, 2 Complaint/s, 0 Fire inspection, 1 Order/s to Remedy, 2 misc., 5 Building Permit Renewals, 0 Property Maintenance Inspection. A check for $2,812.50 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.
Dog Control Officer's report for September 2018: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: Dog
Control Officer Ed Cross answered 13 complaints, took 1 dog/s to the shelter,
traveled 82 miles, issued 7 warnings, 5 summons were issued
and 1
bite case/s.
Town Court report for September 2018: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: Funds collected for the month of September was
$4,553.40.
Historian’s report for August 2018: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following report: The Historian had a slow month in
August. 18th Century Day at the Schuyler
House had 774 visitors on Sunday, August 12, 2018. He had 72 posts on his blog.
Assessor’s
report for September 2018: Supervisor
Thomas Wood read the following report: Enhanced
STAR and AGED exemption renewal applications have been sent out. Responses are starting to trickle in.
Over
the past month the Assessor has processed 17 sales. 8 sales were valid and 9 were non-valid
sales. He had 5 valid residential sales,
1 valid commercial sale, and 2 valid vacant land sales. There were 3 non-valid residential sales, and
6 non-valid vacant land sales.
The
Assessor's Clerk, Dorothy Lavazzo, will be coming back in November.
Please
feel free to call, email, or stop by his office with any questions.
Office Hours:
Tuesdays - 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thursdays
- 9:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m.
Highway
Superintendent’s report for September 2018:
v
Clearing debris
and mowing ditch lines
v
Repairs at canal
tow path
v
Addressed pot
holes at Schuyler park entrance area
v
Replaced rotten
culverts and shimmed on north end of River road
v
Addressed water
issue on Haas road
v
Replaced an air
bag spring on truck 5
v
Replaced a cut
tire and 2 rims on truck 2
v
New stainless
steel dump box has been installed on truck 2
v
Received our new
2018 721G Case loader
v
Had one after
hour call in for a down tree on Saratoga lake road
v Hauled blacktop with
Northumberland
Supervisor’s
report:
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT September 2018
GENERAL FUND – TOWNWIDE (A FUND)
Balance on hand 09/01/2018 $
885,600.51
Revenues + 84,408.50
Disbursements - 85,049.88
Balance 09/30/2018 $ 884,949.13
GENERAL FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)
Balance on hand 09/01/2018 $1,682,245.68
Revenues + 9,914.97
Disbursements - 5,479.26
Balance 9/30/2018 $1,686,681.39
HIGHWAY FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)
Balance on hand 09/01/2018 $ 828,302.08
Revenues +
270,212.49
Disbursements - 76,057.41
Balance 09/30/2018 $1,022,457.16
SCHUYLER
PARK CAPITAL PROJECT 09/30/2018 $188,341.56
YOUTH
RECREATION & SERVICE 09/30/2018 $
2,063.99
HIGHWAY
EQUIPMENT RESERVE 09/30/2018 $147,423.56
BUILDING
RESERVE 09/30/2018 $305,364.27
SCENIC BY WAYS QRTRLY 09/30/2018
$ 311.41
PARKS RESERVE 09/30/2018 $ 226,956.55
TRUST
& AGENCY 09/30/2018 $
28,609.58
HOME
IMPROVEMENT GRANT 2 09/30/2018 $ 74,393.21
(holding
checks until funds are deposited)
HISTORIC
HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER 09/30/2018 $ 66,112.15
PARTNERSHIP
PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 09/30/2018 $
1,309.53
v
Sales Tax Received – August
2018 - $122,037.00
v Mortgage
Tax - July 2018 - $14,521.82
Public comments on agenda items:
Committee
reports:
Landfill:
No report
Insurance: No report
Youth: No report
Parks/Schuyler
Park Committee: The
Schuyler Park Committee met on Thursday 9/28/18. Updates since last meeting held July 7/29/18:
In response to a water quality
and quantity concern expressed to Supervisor Wood by a resident living adjacent
to the Park on 9/13/18, two Schuyler Park committee members made an onsite
visit to the resident on 9/20/18. The resident was concerned that irrigation at
the Park had negatively impacted their water supply.
An informal inspection of the
home’s water flow at an interior faucet noted what appeared to be an adequate
flow rate as well as the absence of any turbidity. The water supply comes from
a point well extending about 25 feet below the surface. The Park’s irrigation
water comes from a drilled well over 150 feet below the surface. The
differences between the two sources was explained to the resident. Prior to the
site visit the Town of Saratoga engineer was consulted.
After the resident’s concerns were
expressed, the water flow observed, and the committee members’ explanations
provided, the meeting was concluded.
There has been no further action
by either party concerning this matter.
Field maintenance is on schedule
and the fields look good.
Soccer use is in full swing with
school and OSAA.
Christopher Daly Foundation sign
has been posted at the lacrosse netting acknowledging the donation for the
netting.
There has been public concern
expressed that the West End Pavilion is not yet completed – that is, the floor
in the open area has not yet been poured. At the last meeting, the committee
acknowledged that criticism and pledged that the floor will be installed this
fall. If the committee is unable to take action with volunteers supplying the
labor and thus realizing up to 8K in savings, the job will be contracted out.
Half of the floor was successfully poured on 10/3/18.
The
next Schuyler Park Committee Meeting is scheduled for 11/27/18 at 7:30 pm.
Office of Emergency Management: No report
QSFD,
WEMS Inc.: Don Ormsby, Quaker Springs Assistant Fire Chief,
stated they have had 75 calls this year to date.
Nashua Alexander, Wilton EMS Chief Operating Officer
at Wilton Emergency Squad,
submitted his report which stated they answered 28
calls in the Town of Saratoga during the month of September.
Old
Business: Town Highway
Superintendant Don Ormsby stated the striping of Louden Rd. will be completed
by month's end.
New
Business:
On a motion made by Supervisor
Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #18-111, Honoring the 100th Birthday of Marjorie Boyce, 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
WHEREAS, Marjorie White Boyce was
the daughter of Leo White and Beatrice Turcotte White, born on October 23,
1918, in Schuylerville, and
WHEREAS, Marjorie White Boyce was
one of four White family children, whose siblings names were Aletha White,
Eleanor White and Leona White, that lived on Chestnut Street in Schuylerville,
and
WHEREAS, Marjorie White Boyce upon
marriage, lived at 86 Green Street and 5 Crow Street in the Village of
Schuylerville, and
WHEREAS, Marjorie White Boyce was married to Spencer James
Boyce, Jr. on September 4, 1943 and was
married for 48 years until his death, in 1990, and
WHEREAS, Marjorie and Spencer Boyce
had two children, Spencer J. Boyce, III
and Bonnie Boyce Merrill, and
WHEREAS, Marjorie White Boyce graduated from Schuylerville
High School in June of 1936, and
WHEREAS, Marjorie White Boyce worked
and paid her way through the School of Nursing at Catholic University in
Washington, DC, graduating in 1943 as a Registered Nurse, and
WHEREAS, Marjorie White Boyce worked
as a School Nurse/Teacher at Stillwater Central School for 24 years, until her
retirement, and
WHEREAS, Marjorie White Boyce has three grandsons, Christopher
(Christina) Merrill, Seth Merrill, and Spencer J. Boyce IV, and
WHEREAS, Marjorie White Boyce has four great grandchildren,
Joshua Merrill age 13, Madelyn Merrill age 10, Abigayle Merrill age 8, and
Spencer J. Boyce V age 1 1/2 and
WHEREAS, Marjorie White Boyce is a lifelong member of the
Notre Dame - Visitation Church in Schuylerville, and
WHEREAS, Marjorie White Boyce was active in local
organizations, including Schuyler Hose Company Auxiliary, and Home Bureau, and
WHEREAS, Marjorie White Boyce is a talented crafter, making
many lovely knitting, ceramic, crochet, and stitching projects and has done rug
hooking for many years ... even to this day producing lovely rugs, chair pads,
wall hangings and more, and
WHEREAS, Marjorie White Boyce has demonstrated in her daily
life the qualities and attributes which are highly desired and valued by our
society, and
WHEREAS, Marjorie White Boyce is active in her Church and is a caring and giving
individual, and
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the
longevity and quality of the life of Marjorie Veronica White Boyce be honored,
recognized and remembered by the Town of Saratoga, now, therefore be it,
RESOLVED, that the day of October
23, 2018, is hereby dedicated to the life of Marjorie Veronica White Boyce in
grateful recognition by the Town Board of The Town of Saratoga on behalf of all
the residents of the town.
On a motion made by Councilman James Jennings and
seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #18-112, Authorization to approve the Collective
Bargaining Agreement with Teamster Local Union 294, 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 engaged in labor
contract negotiations with Teamsters Local Union 294, representing the Town of
Saratoga Highway Department employees; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town
of Saratoga has reviewed a proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement covering
calendar years 2019 - 2023, and is satisfied that approval of said agreement is
in the best interest of the Town; it is now, therefore,
RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga Town Supervisor, Thomas N. Wood, III, is authorized to enter into and sign a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Teamsters Local Union 294, covering Highway Department employees, having a duration of calendar years 2019 - 2023.
On a motion made by
Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the
following Resolution #18-113, Releasing
Cemetery Road to the Village of Victory, 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,
it has come to the attention of the Town that the official NYS Local Highway
Inventory Map shows Cemetery Road, located on the division line between the
Town of Saratoga and Village of Victory, as being a Town road; and
WHEREAS,
a modification to the Local Highway Inventory Report is needed to remove
Cemetery Road, it is now therefore,
RESOLVED,
that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga releases all responsibility for
Cemetery Road to the Village of Victory, starting at County Route 338 and
running south for its entire length and; be it further,
RESOLVED, that the Town Highway Superintendent is directed to
remove Cemetery Road from the Town’s Local Highway Inventory Report.
On
a motion by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Charles
Hanehan, the following Resolution #18-114,
Fund Transfer - $100.00 from Assessor Personal Services-A1355.1 to Assessor
Contractual-A1355.4, 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 $100.00 from A1355.1-Assessor
Personal Services to A1355.4-Assessor Contractual due to unexpected
expenditures.
On a motion by Councilman Gary
Squires and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #18-115, Fund Transfer - $1500.00
from Attorney Contractual-A1420.4 to Attorney Contractual-A1420.41,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 $1500.00 from A1420.4
Attorney Contractual to A1420.41 Attorney Contractual to cover additional court
appearances on behalf of the Town, in courts other than our town court.
Privilege
of the floor: The
following residents addressed the Board: Robert Dougal, 294 Wilbur Rd., Susan
Yerry, 294 Wilbur Rd., Lucinda Barry, 7 Corinne Ct., Randy O'dell, 99 Brown
Rd., Terri Korb, 17 Hill Rd. and Paul Murphy, 36 Hill Rd.
Communications:
Upcoming
meetings:
v
Budget Workshop - October 24, 2018.
v
Agenda meeting – Thursday, November 1, 2018
at 7 p.m.
v Regular
Town Board meeting – Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 7 p.m.
A motion was made by Supervisor Thomas Wood, seconded
by Councilman Gary Squires, to enter into Executive Session to discuss litigation
at 9:07 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
A motion was made by Councilman Charles Hanehan,
seconded by Councilman James Jennings,
to exit Executive Session at 9:40 p.m. No
Board action was taken. Supervisor
Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan – aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires –
aye.
Carried 5 - 0
Audit the Bills:
On a motion by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman James
Jennings, the following Resolution #18-116
, Approving the Payment of Bills in Abstract 9G, 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 9G of 2018 in the following amounts:
General Fund DB Voucher
No. 169 through 188 $122,470.89
General Fund A Voucher
No. 303 through 335 $
22,336.40
General Fund B Voucher No. 48 through 52 $ 716.41
Schuyler Park H Voucher
No. 27through 31 $ 9,070.57
Home Improvement Voucher
No. 12 through 16 $ 43,125.00
Historic Hudson Voucher
No. 44 through 46 $ 581.41
Grand Total $ 198,300.68
A motion to adjourn at 10:12 p.m. was made by
Councilman Gary Squires, seconded by Councilman James Jennings. 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