DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF
SARATOGA
12 SPRING ST., SCHUYLERVILLE,
September 9, 2019
6:30 P.M.
Supervisor Thomas
Wood had stated at the September 5th Agenda meeting, that the Town Board meeting
would be opening at 6:30 p.m. this month, due to the final interviews for the
Alternate Member position of the Planning Board.
Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6:30 p.m.
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.
A motion was made by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin,
to Enter into Executive Session to continue interviews of candidates for the
Alternate Member position of the Planning Board, at 6:31 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
A motion was made by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan, to Exit Executive Session at 6:59 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
Supervisor Thomas
Wood reconvened the meeting at 7:01 p.m. asking for a Moment of Silence in
honor of Stephen Bodnar. He then led the flag salute and asked for the
Roll to be called again.
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, Pat Temple, Shan Burton, Wendy Lukas, Byron Peregrim,
John Sherman, Clifford Hanehan and Paul Goetz.
(sign in sheet on
file in the Clerk's office)
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:
Supervisor
Thomas Wood invited all members of the Turning Point Parade Committee, who were
in attendance, to join him at the podium and presented Resolution #19-102 -
Honoring the Turning Point Parade Committee, to Byron Peregrim,
as well as a copy for each committee member.
On a motion made by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman
Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-102, Honoring the Turning Point Parade Committee, 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 Turning Point Parade Committee is composed of
numerous hard working, highly motivated, dedicated, community spirited
individuals from the Village of Schuylerville and the Town of Saratoga, and
WHEREAS, they devote countless hours all year long, planning
for the annual Turning Point Parade Weekend, and
WHEREAS, they have worked together, coordinating 25
consecutive, highly successful parades, and
WHEREAS, this year the parade and weekend events were
conducted on August 3 - 4, 2019, and
WHEREAS, the Turning Point Parade activities, over the years,
have been expanded to include activities such as musical entertainment, Drum
Corps exhibition, a carnival, and fireworks, and
WHEREAS, Dan Hewitt, Bonnie Greenfeld,
John Sherman, Mike McLoughlin and Byron Peregrim were instrumental in the
concept of a Turning Point Parade; and
WHEREAS, Byron Peregrim
has served as Chairman of the Turning Point Parade Committee for 25 consecutive
years, and
WHEREAS, Byron Peregrim
has been the dedicated, driving force and catalyst for the parade, and
WHEREAS,
the parade and related activities brought thousands of people to the Village of
Schuylerville, and
WHEREAS, the Parade focused attention and reminded residents
of the historical importance of the Schuylerville area in the American fight
for freedom and independence, and
WHEREAS,
the Turning Point Parade is an integral component of the renewal and
revitalization efforts taking place in Schuylerville, and
WHEREAS,
the parade activities bring residents of the area together, promoting a spirit
of community and hometown pride; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga does
hereby recognize and honor to the highest degree possible all of the members of
the Turning Point Parade Committee for their service to the Village of
Schuylerville and the Town of Saratoga, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga continues to encourage and
vigorously supports the Turning Point Parade Committee and their efforts.
Supervisor
Thomas Wood invited Pastor John Iseman, Donna Dodd
Thomas and Councilman Michael McLoughlin of the
Quaker Springs United Methodist Church, to join him at the podium and presented
Resolution #19-104 - Honoring and Celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the
Methodist Church of Quaker Springs. On
a motion made by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-104, Honoring and Celebrating the 175th Anniversary of
the Methodist Church of Quaker Springs, 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, in November 1843,
the Methodist Church of Quaker Springs was incorporated; and
WHEREAS, the Methodist Church was built in 1844, using the
frame of a big barn, and
WHEREAS,
the Church was dedicated in 1845;
and
WHEREAS, in 1864 the Church belonged to the Stillwater
Circuit, and in 1866 it joined the Ketchum's Corners Circuit, and later joined
the Schuylerville Charge; and
WHEREAS, in 1875 an 8 foot tall hall was added to the front
of the Church, and
WHEREAS, the Church was incorporated
under the Laws of New York State in 1880 and was then called the United
Episcopal Church; and
WHEREAS, in 1890, the Papers of
Satisfaction of Mortgage were drawn up and soon after the mortgage was burned;
and
WHEREAS,
a belfry was built over the hall and the
bell was given by Church Trustee Morgan L. Holmes; and
WHEREAS, at a later date, the steps were removed and a large
porch and patio were built on; and
WHEREAS,
in the early days the choir was on three tiers in the rear of the Church and
later moved to the front; and
WHEREAS,
in September, 1927, the kerosene lamps were replaced with electric lights; and
WHEREAS, on October
20, 1940, the name of the Church was changed to Methodist Church of Quaker
Springs; and
WHEREAS, the Methodist Church of Quaker Springs has served
the greater Quaker Springs area for 175 years; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga
is honored to join in the 175th Anniversary Celebration of the Methodist Church
of Quaker Springs; and be it furthered
RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga
is proud to recognize, thank and honor the Methodist Church of Quaker Springs
for their continuous service to the Quaker Springs community and extend our
best wishes for many more years in the future.
Paul Goetz, BST & CO,
addressed the Board with a draft of the 2018 Annual Audit. The formal audit will be adopted at the
October 2019 meeting.
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman
James
Jennings, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, to accept the minutes of the
August 12, 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
Clerks report for August 2019: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the
Animal Population Control Program $44.00. Fees paid to New York
D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $688.75. Fees paid to the New York State Health
Department for Marriage licenses $67.50. Dog license fees to
Supervisor Thomas Wood $215.00. Miscellaneous Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $248.75. Total State and Local Revenues received were
$1,264.00.
Zoning
Officers report for August 2019: 15 Building Permits were issued, 26 Building
Inspections, 13 Certificate/s of Occupancy, 0 Junkyard Permit/s, 0 Complaint/s, 0 Fire inspection, 0 Order/s to Remedy, 4 misc., 11 Building Permit Renewals, 0 Property Maintenance Inspection. A check for $3,857.00 was given to Supervisor Thomas
Wood.
Dog Control Officer's report
for August 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: Dog Control Officer Ed Cross answered 24 complaints, took 3 dog/s to the shelter, traveled 134 miles, issued 15 warnings, 1
summons was issued and dealt with
0 bite case/s.
Town Court report for August 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: Funds collected for the month of August 2019
- $6,095.00.
Historians report for August
2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: The Historian had a slow month in
August. He had 99 posts on the blog with
738 visitors and 1,803 views, which is a 45% growth over last year, as well as
932 views on his Facebook page.
18th Century Day at the Schuyler House on Sunday,
August 11 had 535 visitors. This is a
drop in visitor, however, the National Park has removed a fence so visitors
have much easier access to the site, which makes the counting more
difficult. There were some very positive
comments about the new Empire Trail section from visitors to the site, and the
NPS staff. The community and visitors
seem to enjoy the new trail.
Assessors
report for August 2019: No report
Highway
Superintendents report for August 2019:
v Removing brush, trees and mowing ditches
v Storm drains inspected
v Re-grade on dirt roads
v Maintenance on the building generator and road saws
have been done
v John Deere tractors oil and filters have been changed
v Truck 5 brake cams and truck 2 rear air bags replaced
v Truck 1 tire repaired , deck mower front shaft
replaced
v New brakes on pickup 1 and JD dozer computer was
replaced
v Paved Casey road with help from neighboring
departments
v Removed stumps, sod, rough graded and ditched on Louden rd intersection
v Removed a down tree on Minnie Bennett Rd.
v Hauled blacktop for Northumberland and
v Did culvert change for Victory on Cemetery Rd.
v Hauled and leveled sand fill and crusher run at south
trail head
Supervisors
report:
SUPERVISORS REPORT AUGUST 2019
GENERAL FUND TOWNWIDE (A FUND)
Balance on hand
08/01/2019 $ 1,224,168.62
Revenues +
219,107.84
Disbursements - 448,053.56
Balance 08/31/2019 $ 995,222.90
GENERAL FUND OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)
Balance on hand 08/01/2019 $1,849,212.62
Revenues +
3,990.43
Disbursements - 5,067.84
Balance 08/31/2019 $1,848,135.21
HIGHWAY FUND OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)
Balance on hand
08/01/2019 $ 738,045.65
Revenues + 143,065.95
Disbursements - 58,351.32
Balance 08/31/2019 $ 822,760.28
SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT 08/31/2019 $ 183,426.86
YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE 08/31/2019 $ 3,827.10
HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE 08/31/2019 $ 102,041.96
BUILDING RESERVE 08/31/2019 $ 292,624.30
TRUST & AGENCY 08/31/2019 $
17,166.88
HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT 2 08/31/2019
$ 112.92
(holding checks until funds are deposited)
HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER 08/31/2019 $ 19,112.58
PARTNERSHIP
PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 08/31/2019 $
1,310.02
CDBG PROJECT 08/31/2019 $
12,114.00
SCENIC BY WAYS QRTRLY 08/31/2019
$ 311.53
PARKS RESERVE 08/31/2019 $
356,956.55
PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE
08/31/2019 $ 1,310.02
v
Sales Tax Received August 2019
- $124,201.00
v Mortgage
Tax - July 2019 - $13,111.00
Public comments on agenda items: Wendy
Lukas addressed the Board.
Committee reports:
Landfill: No report
Insurance: No report
Youth: No report
Parks/Schuyler Park Committee: Councilman Gary Squires reported the following: At the last regular Town Board meeting in
August, the question of whether or not the school should be asked to shoulder
any additional costs, associated with the increased use of the park by school
athletic activities over the next 2.5 months, due to school campus construction
projects was raised. As a result of that request, the question was shared with
the Schuyler Park Committee members via email.
The conclusion reached was
that the School should not be asked for additional funding for the following
reasons:
v The park represents a great symbiotic relationship
between the school and the towns of Saratoga and Northumberland. The main
objective of the park is to serve the youth, families, and individuals living
in the two towns. Adjusting to the increased utilization of the parks
resources continues to meet that objective.
v Actual increased cost is relatively minimal in
comparison to the normal baseline cost.
v This topic was actually addressed two years ago when
the renewal of the schools current five year agreement was discussed. At that
time the committee was aware that the school construction was eventually going to
happen and it was going to be temporary, but plans were in place to handle the
increased load on the park.
v The Town of Northumberland Highway Superintendent is
scheduling for a biweekly park trash pickup through the fall to address any
trash concerns related to the activity level. No other concerns have been
expressed by the Northumberland Town Board.
v As expressed two years ago at the time of the renewed
school agreement, any increase in park funding should be shared by all three
parties. Even with the temporary increase in use, along with normal
inflationary costs increases, current funding levels are sufficient.
Next regular meeting:
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 @ 7:30pm
Office of Emergency Management: No report
QSFD,
WEMS Inc.: Don Ormsby, Quaker Springs
Assistant Fire Chief, stated they have had 66 calls to date for 2019.
Nashua Alexander, Wilton EMS, Inc. submitted a
report on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, which showed they had 22 calls during
the month of August 2019, for the Town of Saratoga.
Old
Business: None
New
Business:
(Councilman
Charles Hanehan recused
himself from Resolution #19-101, as he is related to a recipient of a portion
of the abandoned road.)
On a motion made by
Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the
following Resolution #19-101, Abandonment for a portion
of Old Stafford's Bridge Road, was adopted
by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood -
aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin aye, Councilman
Charles Hanehan recused,
Councilman James Jennings aye, Councilman Gary Squires aye. Carried 4 0
WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga Highway Superintendent has
caused to be filed with the Saratoga Town Board, a Certificate of Abandonment
for a portion of a certain highway known and described as Old Stafford's Bridge
Road, as shown on the attached sketch map prepared by James M. Vianna, PLS, and
WHEREAS, the members of the Saratoga
Town Board have signed such certificate, agreeing to the proposed abandonment;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the aforesaid highway,
in the town of Saratoga, has not been traveled or used as a highway for six or
more years prior to the date hereof, and said highway shall terminate and is
hereby declared abandoned, pursuant to Section 205 of the Highway Law, as a
highway and a public right-of-way.
On
a motion by Councilman Gary Squires and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-103, Approving Lease Agreement with Schuylerville
Central School District, 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 Tenant wishes to lease office #102, first 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 lease said offices, beginning September 9, 2019 through June 30, 2020;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga
Town Supervisor is authorized to enter into a lease agreement with
Schuylerville Central School for office #102, first floor, north wing, commencing on September 9, 2019. The total sum of $550.00 will be due and
payable on the first day of each and every month thereafter, until the lease is
terminated, and as additional rent, the Tenant will pay an amount equal to a
total of 10% of the monthly utility bills of the 1st floor, north wing; and be
it further
RESOLVED,
that the Town
Supervisor is authorized to enter into a lease agreement to carry out this
resolution, subject to approval of the Town Attorney as to form.
(Resolution 19-105 has been postponed
until the October 2019 regular Town Board meeting.)
On
a motion by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and
seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-106, Authorization for Legal Action - Zoning
Infraction-Joanne Rohrig: 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 been made
aware of violations of the Town of Saratoga Zoning Code by Joanne Rohrig, for constructing a gazebo at 113 River Road, in the
Town of Saratoga's Right-of-Way and without a building permit; and
WHEREAS,
Town of Saratoga Zoning Officer Gilman Albert
has been unable to resolve the zoning infractions and has issued Orders to Remedy;
now therefore, be it
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga, that should any violation of these Orders to Remedy occur, the Town
Board authorizes Town Attorney William Reynolds to take legal action against
this individual.
On
a motion by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded
by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution
#19-107, Agreement between the Town of Saratoga Town Board and the Town of
Saratoga Highway Superintendent for the Expenditure of the State Fiscal Year 2019-2020
Extreme Weather Reimbursements Highway Moneys, Pursuant to the provisions of Secdtion 284 of the Highway Law: Supervisor Thomas Wood -
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan aye, Councilman
Michael McLoughlin 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.
PERMANENT
IMPROVEMENTS: The following sum shall be set aside to be expended for the
permanent improvement of Town Highways:
a.
On the road
commencing at NYS Rt. 29 and leading to Louden Rd., a
distance of .5 miles, there shall be expended not over the sum of $30,000.00;
using Asphalt, width of traveled surface, 22' with culvert, 3" thickness
binder and 12" subbase of crusher. (CHIPS)
Extreme Weather Reimbursement - total of
$26,099.94.
Privilege
of the floor: Wendy Lukas addressed the Board.
Communications:
v Saratoga County Office for the Aging - Senior
BBQ, September 18, 2019, 12:00 noon
v September 14 & 15, 2019 - Town Wide Garage
Sale
v September 27, 2019 - Empire College Senior
Education Program, 10:00 a.m.
v September 29, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. - Celebration
of Quaker Springs Methodist Church
v October 17, 2019 - Surrender Site Dedication,
12:00 p.m.
v October 20, 2019 - Schuylerville Fall Festival
v
October 29, 2019 - 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Tire
Recycling Program - behind Malta Town Court office. Registration & proof of residency is
required by October 25th. Passenger and
Passenger Truck tires only, fees: $3.00 per tire without rims, $5.00 per tire
with rims. Payment must be made in cash
only, small bills requested.
Upcoming
meetings:
v
Town Board Agenda Meeting - Thursday, October
10, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
v
Regular Town Board meeting - Wednesday,
October 16, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
v
Budget Workshop - September 18, 2019 at 6:30
p.m.
Audit the Bills:
On a motion by Councilman James Jennings seconded by Councilman Gary Squires,
the following Resolution #19-108,
Approving the Payment of Bills in Abstract 9G 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 9G of 2019 in the following amounts:
General Fund DB Voucher
No. 147 through 161 $
43,301.45
General Fund A Voucher
No. 269 through 301 $ 67,335.84
General Fund B Voucher No. 49 through 52 $ 3,744.60
Schuyler Park Voucher
No. 16 $ 179.95
Historic Hudson Hoosic Voucher No. 32 through 33 $ 806.34
Grand Total $115,368.18
A motion to adjourn at 8:39 p.m. was made by Councilman
Michael McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan. 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