MINUTES OF THE TOWN OF SARATOGA

 REMOTE TOWN BOARD ZOOM MEETING

12 SPRING ST., SCHUYLERVILLE, NY

OCTOBER 14, 2020

7:00 P.M.

 

Deputy Supervisor (Councilman) Michael McLoughlin opened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the remote zoom meeting.

 

Roll call: Town Clerk, Linda McCabe, called the roll:  Supervisor Thomas Wood- absent, Deputy Supervisor (Councilman) Michael McLoughlin – present, Councilman James Jennings – present, Councilman Gary Squires - present, Councilwoman Ruth Drumm - present.

 

Also present: Zoning Officer Gil Albert, Deputy Clerk Michelle Conover, Attorney William Reynolds, Bookkeeper Pat Temple and Terri Korb.

 

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

 

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, to accept the September 14, 2020 Remote Zoom Meeting minutes as written.  Roll Call vote as follows: Supervisor Thomas Wood - absent, Deputy Supervisor (Councilman) Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires - aye, Councilwoman Ruth Drumm - aye.

Carried 4 - 0

 

Town Clerk’s report for September 2020:  Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $61.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $370.47. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $135.00.  Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $280.00. Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $236.53.  Total State and Local Revenues received were $1,083.00.

 

Zoning Officer’s report for September 2020: 10 Building Permits, 22 Building Inspections, 9 Certificates of Occupancy, 1 Junkyard Permits, 0 Complaints, 0 Fire Inspections, 21 Orders to Remedy, 3 misc., 12 Building Permit Renewals and 0 Property Maintenance Inspections.  A check for $4,622.00 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood. 

 

Dog Control Officer’s report for September 2020: The following report was read by Deputy Supervisor (Councilman) Michael McLoughlin:  Ed Cross, Dog Control Officer answered 5 complaints, took 1 dog to the shelter, 0 bite cases, traveled 80 miles, issued 2 warnings and 1 summons was issued. 

 

Highway Superintendent’s report for September 2020:

v  Mowing- Sign replacement- Culvert checks

v  Ditching on Fitch road

v  Replacing screws on building exterior

v  Hauled millings from 9P project to garage

v  Oil change, windshield replaced and rear seal on Pick-up 1

v  Truck 2 to Tracey for air issues

v  Truck 1 to KW for engine light, computer issue

v  Truck 6 fuel primer pump replaced

v  Oil and filters replaced on Truck 4

v  Hauled blacktop for Stillwater on Brickhouse Rd.

v  Painted speed bumps in Schuyler Park

v  Borrowed Greenfields Shoulder machine for Neilson and Chapman Hill Rds.

v  One worker out on Disability

 

The following is the Supervisor’s Financial report for the month of September:

 

                        SUPERVISOR’S REPORT SEPTEMBER 2020

 

                  GENERAL FUND – TOWNWIDE (A FUND)                                       

                  Balance on hand 9/1/2020                   $  568,413.56

                  Revenues                                              +    11,865.24

                  Disbursements                                      -     79,714.60

                  Balance 9/30/2020                               $  500,564.20

                 

                  GENERAL FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)

                  Balance on hand 9/1/2020                   $1,685,860.21

                  Revenues                                             +        4,640.19

                  Disbursements                                      -        7,918.23

                  Balance 9/30/2020                              $1,682,582.17

 

                  HIGHWAY FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)

                  Balance on hand 9/1/2020                    $1,015,803.02

                  Revenues                                               +   110,824.07

                  Disbursements                                       -    139,588.27

                  Balance 9/30/2020                               $    987,038.82

 

SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT  9/30/2020                    $190,295.83

 

YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE  9/30/2020                           $    8,673.85

                                                                             

HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE 9/30/2020                           $ 202,272.81

 

BUILDING RESERVE  9/30/2020                                                   $ 368,098.61

                 

SCENIC BY WAYS QRTRLY 9/30/2020                                       $        311.73  

 

PARKS RESERVE  9/30/2020                                                          $ 356,956.55

 

TRUST & AGENCY  9/30/2020                                                      $    33,151.29

 

HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT II  9/30/2020                            $         113.53

(holding checks until funds are deposited)

                                             

HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER 9/30/2020                                   $    13,755.43

 

CDBG PROJECT  9/30/2020                                                           $    26,838.85

 

PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 9/30/2020                                 $      1,310.84

 

GFNB Certificate of Deposit 9/30/2020                                           $  502,780.74

 

NYCLASS 9/30/2020                                                                          $  701,838.77

 

Sales Tax received for September 2020- $110,720.00

Mortgage Tax received for August 2020- $31,521.00

 

Committee Reports:

 

Senior Citizens:  Bookkeeper Pat Temple stated the Schuylerville Seniors will hold a Veteran’s Day Luncheon on November 4, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. noon at the American Legion.  To date, there will be 30 – 35 people attending and local Veterans have also been invited.  Masks and 6 feet Social Distancing will be maintained.

 

Park Committee: Councilman Gary Squires submitted the following report:

Schuyler Park Update – 10/14/20

v  The Schuyler Park Committee met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, 9/29/20.

Topics Discussed:

v  End of the year maintenance actions were discussed and planned. Softball infield will have additional material added prior to next season’s start.

v  Need for a blacktop sealer application on paved areas that have used a semi porous binder material to prevent water intrusion and subsequent freeze /thaw problems, as well as the possibility of using the Town of Saratoga paver and crew to pave additional areas to reduce dust and associated maintenance.

v  There had been irrigation issues due to equipment problems.  That in conjunction with the extended dry season put stress on the fields.  Those issues appear to be resolved.

v  Resolved to address two questions with the Saratoga Town Board:

-          Will playground remain closed or can it be opened as many other playgrounds are opened and under parental supervision?

-          Would it be possible to employ Tim Blanchard once again on a case by case basis to help out with some maintenance tasks?

Additional Item since the 9/29/20 Meeting:

v  The Schuyler Park Website and Facebook page were modified to include an additional reminder that NO DOGS are allowed at the park. Coaches and parents have been reminded to leave their dogs at home, and if anyone sees a violation while at the park, to remind the offender that it is a NO DOG PARK. There have been numerous instances of dog waste left behind and its subsequent consequences on park grounds – and feet of those using the park.

Next regular meeting: Tuesday, 11/24/20 @ 7:30pm

 

Deputy Supervisor (Councilman) Michael McLoughlin then stated that Northumberland Highway Department spread calcium chloride to resolve the dust issues at Schuyler Park and they picked up all the trash there as well.

 

Councilman Gary Squires noted that, as in his report, the Park Committee is wondering if it is okay to open the playground portion of Schuyler Park.  The Board thought it may be permitted and solely at the risk of the parents.  Deputy Supervisor (Councilman) Michael McLoughlin will check with Supervisor Thomas Wood, as he’s had concerns in the past of who would disinfect and clean the equipment each day.

 

New business:  

Deputy Supervisor (Councilman) Michael McLoughlin and the Board discussed the need for purchasing and installing a ductless hvac system in office #102, first floor, north wing.  That office is at the very end of the heat/cooling line and this will correct that issue.  One quote has been received and we are awaiting two others. 

 

Audit the Bills: On a motion by Councilwoman Ruth Drumm and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #20-74 - Approving the

Payment of Bills in Abstract 10G of 2020 was adopted by roll call vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - absent, Deputy Supervisor (Councilman) Michael McLoughlin – aye,

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

Carried  4 - 0

RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to authorize payment of the bills listed in Abstract 10G of 2020 in the following amounts:

 

            General Fund DB     No. 665, 694 – 709                             $    8,367.62

            General Fund A        No. 667, 668, 670, 681,690 – 692,     $  17,541.13

                                                711 - 733

            General Fund B        No. 735 - 736                                      $       424.13

            Schuyler Park H        No. 693, 734                                       $       633.67

            Hudson Hoosic           No. 682 – 683                                     $       164.98

            CDBG                                    No. 687 - 689                                      $  24,405.00

           

                                                Grand Total  $   51,536.53

 

Upcoming meetings:

v  Zoom Town Board Meeting – Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 6 p.m.  

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Ruth Drumm, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, at 6:38 p.m.   Roll Call vote: Supervisor Thomas

Wood - absent, Deputy Supervisor (Councilman) Michael McLoughlin – aye, Councilman James Jennings – aye, Councilman Gary Squires - aye, Councilwoman Ruth Drumm - aye. 

Carried   4 - 0

Meeting Adjourned

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Linda A. McCabe

Town Clerk