DRAFT MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF
SARATOGA, 30 FERRY ST.,
SCHUYLERVILLE,
NY
Monday,
December 12, 2005
7:00 P.M.
Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance
at 7:00 p.m.
Roll call: Town Clerk Ruth Drumm
called the roll.� Supervisor Thomas
Wood- present, Councilman Bruce Cornell - present, Councilman Charles Hanehan-
present, Councilman Michael McLoughlin � present, and Councilman Fred Drumm-
present.
Also present: Town Attorney William Reynolds, Deputy Town Clerk Linda McCabe, Zoning Officer Robert Hathaway, Assessor/Bookkeeper Catherine DeFelice, Elizabeth Koval, Clarence Fosdick, Sam Palazzole, Dan Barber, Gene Derby, Frank Merrill, Geraldine Freedman, Leigh Hornbeck, Lawrence Mitchell, Barbara Bussing, Jim Gorham, Douglas Root, Joyce Shaver, Paul Shaver, Art Thivierge, and Marilyn Zaborek.�
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:
Resolution #05-107 � Recognition of Councilman Bruce
Cornell, was introduced by
Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm as follows:
WHEREAS, A. Bruce Cornell has been a resident of the Town of
Saratoga for over 60 years, and
WHEREAS, A. Bruce Cornell has given generously of his time
and talents to public service for over thirty years, and
WHEREAS, A. Bruce Cornell is a life member of the David
Nevins Fire Department, and
WHEREAS, A. Bruce Cornell served as a member of the General
Schuyler Emergency Squad for 15 years and as a member of the Easton/Greenwich
and Ft. Edward Rescue Squads for another 17 years, and
WHEREAS, A. Bruce Cornell served as a member of the Rescue
Squad Crisis Intervention Team and as an EMT at the Saratoga Race Course, and
WHEREAS, A. Bruce Cornell served as a member and president of
the Friends of the Saratoga Battlefield, and
WHEREAS, A. Bruce Cornell served as manager for the Meals on
Wheels Site, and
WHEREAS, A. Bruce Cornell served as a trustee of the Quaker
Springs United Methodist Church and was identified as Member of the Year for
the church, and
WHEREAS, A. Bruce Cornell served as Mayor of the Village of
Victory from 1991 to 1994, and
WHEREAS, A. Bruce Cornell served as Town Councilman of the
Town of Saratoga for a total of 15 years serving from 1980 to 1983 and from
1995 to 2005, and
WHEREAS, A. Bruce Cornell served as Deputy Supervisor of the
Town of Saratoga from January 1, 2004 until December 31, 2005, now therefore be
it
RESOLVED, that
we the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga express our sincere thanks and
appreciation to A. Bruce Cornell for his loyal and devoted dedication as a
Public Officer, and be it
RESOLVED that we extend our best wishes to A. Bruce Cornell
and his family for a long, healthy, and happy future, and be it further
RESOLVED that these expressions of gratitude be made a
permanent record of the minutes of this meeting.
Roll
Call:� Supervisor Thomas Wood III � aye,
Councilman Bruce Cornell � aye,
Councilman
Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye
Councilman
Michael McLoughlin � aye�� Carried 5 � 0
Resolution #05-108 � Recognition of Highway
Superintendent Grant Seymour was
introduced by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan
as follows:
WHEREAS, Grant Seymour has been a resident of the Town of
Saratoga for nearly 60 years, and
WHEREAS, Grant Seymour has given generously of his time and
talents to public service for forty years, and
WHEREAS, Grant Seymour served as Town of Saratoga Highway
Department Employee from January 1, 1966 until June 30, 1979, and
WHEREAS, Grant Seymour served the Town of Saratoga as Town
Highway Superintendent from July 1, 1979 to December 31, 2005, and
WHEREAS, Grant Seymour was elected as Highway Superintendent
13 times and never once had any competition, and
WHEREAS, as Highway Superintendent Grant Seymour did an
excellent job of maintaining the town roads and town equipment, now therefore
be it
RESOLVED, that we the Board of
the Town of Saratoga express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Grant
Seymour for his loyal and devoted dedication as a Public Officer, and be it
RESOLVED that we extend our best wishes to Grant Seymour and
his family for a long, healthy, and happy future, and be it further
RESOLVED that these expressions of gratitude be made a
permanent record of the minutes of this meeting.
Roll
Call:� Supervisor Thomas Wood III � aye,
Councilman Bruce Cornell � aye,
Councilman
Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye
Councilman
Michael McLoughlin � aye�� Carried 5 - 0
Resolution #05-109 � Recognition of Tax Collector
Joyce Shaver was introduced by
Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin as
follows:
WHEREAS, Joyce F. Shaver has been a long time resident of the
Town of Saratoga, and
WHEREAS, Joyce Shaver has given generously of her time and
talents to public service for over thirteen years, and
WHEREAS, Joyce Shaver is a member of the B.P.O.E. #2223
Greenwich Auxiliary and the General Schuyler Emergency Squad and
WHEREAS, Joyce Shaver is an E.M.T. Instructor and an American
Red Cross Instructor, and
WHEREAS, Joyce Shaver served as Town of Saratoga as Tax
Collector from December 1, 1992 until December 31, 2005, and
WHEREAS, as Tax Collector Joyce Shaver performed her duties
with excellence, and
WHEREAS, Joyce Shaver has been an active member of Tax
Collector Professional organizations and kept current on tax collecting
regulations and procedures by attending numerous training sessions now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, that we the Board of
the Town of Saratoga express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Joyce Shaver
for her loyal and devoted dedication as a Public Officer, and be it
RESOLVED that we extend our best wishes to Joyce Shaver and
her family for a long, healthy, and happy future, and be it further
RESOLVED that these expressions of gratitude be made a permanent
record of the minutes of this meeting.
Roll
Call:� Supervisor Thomas Wood III � aye,
Councilman Bruce Cornell � aye,
Councilman
Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye
Councilman
Michael McLoughlin � aye�� Carried 5 - 0
Supervisor Thomas Wood
read a letter of thanks that will be sent to George DeMers for
his generous gift of a bronze plaque of the Saratoga County Seal.
Supervisor Thomas Wood noted that the plaque is very unique and helps remind us
of the history of Saratoga.
Approval of Minutes: All board members had received and read the minutes
of the November 10th, 2005 regular meeting and the November 16th,
2005 special meeting.� A motion was made by Supervisor Thomas Wood
and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm to accept the minutes of the November 10th,
2005 regular meeting and the November 16th, 2005 special meetings as
written. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye,
Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye, Councilman Bruce Cornell � aye, and
Councilman Michael McLoughlin - aye.�
Carried 5� 0.�
Town Clerk�s report, November 2005: Town Clerk Ruth Drumm stated the following: Fees paid to the County Treasurer for Dog Licenses - $35.25. Dog license fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets - $15.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses - $689.83. Fees paid to NYS Health Dept. for Marriage Licenses - $22.50. Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood - $89.75. Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood - $88.42. Total State, County, and Local Revenues received were $940.75.
Zoning Officer�s report, November 2005: Zoning Officer Robert Hathaway stated that 16 Building Permits, 4 C.O.�s, 17 Building inspections, and 5 complaints were answered. A check for $1,460.00 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.�
Dog Control Officer�s report, November 2005: The report was read by Supervisor Thomas Wood which stated Rick Sullivan answered 14 complaints including 2 dog bites, took 2 dogs to the shelter, traveled 100 miles, and issued 14 warnings and 11 summonses.�
Town Court report: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the court report and the following cases were closed in November: 73 Vehicle & Traffic, 18 Criminal/Penal Law, 6 DEC/ENCON, 0 Dog cases, 3 DWI, 1 Town & Village Ordinance, 4 Small Claims/Civil, 3 Evictions, 2 Bench trials, 0 Divestiture Forms sent to County Court, 11 attended the Science of Speed School, 3 Defendants sentenced to probation, 200 hours of community service issued, 10 days of jail time issued and fees paid to the NY State Comptroller - $5,615.� Third quarter court revenue from State Comptroller to the Town of Saratoga $9,717.00.��
It was announced that a Grant applied for by Justice David Mathis in the amount of $4,570. for a PA/Sound System has been awarded to the Town of Saratoga through the Justice Court Assistance Program.�
Supervisor�s report: Supervisor
Thomas Wood presented November 2005 balances in Town funds as follows:
General A $837,355.33, General B $100,836.96, Highway Outside $134,010.53,
Youth Recreation & Services $1,188.80, Highway Equipment Reserve
$39,828.86, Building Reserve $866,108.35, and Fire Protection $0.00.� November revenues were $268,224.43 and
expenses were $167,867.77.� The total
November 2005 balance is $1,979,328.83.
Public comments on agenda items:
Lawrence Mitchell, 115 Schuyler St., stated that the fire district boundaries were
established in 1948 and they are inadequate by today�s standards.� He added that the Town Board should take the
lead in trying to solve the differences between the Quaker Springs Fire
Department and the David Nevins Fire Companies.�� A contract between the two companies to compensate Victory for
help with mutual aid was turned down.�
He stated that the merging of Victory with the Quaker Springs District,
resulting in the consolidation of services makes sense but was rejected. He
noted that things can be changed without the Fire Commissioners approval
through petitions.� Lawrence Mitchell
stated that he felt the town board should push the issue for further
negotiation for either redistricting or consolidation for the good of all the
people.�
Committee reports:
Highway:� Highway Superintendent Grant Seymour reported that things were quiet last month.� The crew has been busy repairing culverts, ditching, and dealing with minor storms.�
Landfill: No report.
Insurance: Supervisor Thomas Wood announced that the Town�s Liability Coverage has been increased from $4 million to $5 million.���
Youth Committee report: Councilman Michael McLoughlin congratulated the local High School Football Team on becoming semi-finalists.� He also noted that Zack Kozersky was picked for the Team of the Year by The Post Star.� He added that many of the Schuylerville Central School students participated in the Leadership Forum at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
Buildings: Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that the RFP�s (Request for Proposals)
received for the architectural and engineering services were initially
presented at the November 2nd meeting and the firms gave
presentations to the committee on November 16th.� The last meeting took place on December 7th
with a consensus that further review is needed.� A Special Meeting of the town board will be held on December 22nd
and a possible decision whether to readvertise or choose a firm for Phase 1 at
the Special End-of-Year meeting on December 28th.����
�
Senior Citizens
report: Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that the Quaker Springs� Seniors met
for lunch with approximately 80 people attending.� A celebration of Julia Clemans� 103rd birthday took place
with the Town Board providing the cake. Everyone had a wonderful time.� A guest speaker explained the Quaker Springs
Fire Department�s Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) that is being
put to a vote by the Board of Elections for Quaker Springs Fire District
#1.������
����
Park Committee report: No report.
Zoning Amendment Advisory Committee (ZAAC):� Councilman Charles Hanehan reported that two full committee meetings have taken place and the proposed changes were reviewed.� The next meeting will be held in early February for public input.� Paul Griffen will do the presentation.� Supervisor Thomas Wood added that he will work on getting the regulations with the changes up on the website.�����
General Schuyler Emergency Squad (GSES),
the Quaker Springs Fire Department (QSFD), the Saratoga Lake Protection and
Improvement District (SLPID), and the Saratoga Lake Association (SLA) Reports:
No report.
Old business:
Supervisor Thomas Wood read a letter of reply to
Lawrence Mitchell�s letter presented to the board last month.� He stated that the Town of Saratoga is
blessed to have experienced fire fighters providing high quality service to all
the town residents.� He noted that the
town has no authority over the issues being presented since by state law the
district�s elected fire commissioners are charged and directed to manage the
fire districts.� Supervisor Thomas Wood
stated that the town board encourages further communication and cooperation
between all the fire departments.��
����
PUD (Planned Unit
Development):�
Applicant: Saratoga
Builders, 8 Campion Lane, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Owner: Valente Realty
Partners & Sophie Offenberg
SBL # 155.-1-27.1 & 3
Rural Residential�
Sam
Palazzole, partner with Dan Barber of Saratoga Builders, presented the mixed
unit development to the board at the November 10th meeting.� He proposed 31 single family residences, 4
two family residences and a 36 acre horse farm with boarding facilities and a
walking/riding trail on the 82 +/- parcel at the corner of Rt. 29 & Louden
Rd.�����
�
After
board discussion, Resolution #05-110
was introduced by Councilman Fred Drumm and seconded by Councilman Bruce
Cornell as follows:�
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has reviewed
the application for a Planned Unit Development on parcel # 155-1-27.1 and
155-1-3, at Rt. 29 and Louden Road, and
WHEREAS, the board has determined that the mixed use of single
family and multi-family homes is not desirable in that location; now therefore
be it
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to deny the
application.���
Supervisor Thomas Wood -
aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye, Councilman
Bruce Cornell � aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin - aye.� Carried 5� 0.� DENIED
New business:
Resolution #05-106 Payment
for Professional Engineering Services was introduced by Councilman Charles Hanehan and
seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin as follows:�
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga recognizes the
need for professional engineering services for the development and review of
the Request for Proposal for the new town hall project, and
WHEREAS, the service has been provided by Town Engineer Kenneth
Martin; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to authorize
payment to Town Engineer Kenneth Martin for services rendered in the amount of
$674.10 from the Building Reserve Account # H 1620.4 following the 30 day
requirement of Permissive Referendum rules and procedures.�
Supervisor Thomas Wood -
aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye, Councilman
Bruce Cornell � aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin - aye.� Carried 5� 0.�
Resolution #05-111 �
Transfer of Funds to Retirement A9010.8 was introduced by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and
seconded by Councilman Bruce Cornell as follows:
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga recognizes the
need for a fund transfer to cover additional expenses, therefore be it
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to transfer
$5,568 from Contingency Account # A1990.4 to Account # A 9010.8
Retirement.�
Supervisor Thomas Wood -
aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye, Councilman
Bruce Cornell � aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin - aye.� Carried 5� 0.�
Communications:
The
board received a letter from Marilyn
Zaborek, which also
contained a petition with 7 signatures supporting a moratorium on
development.�
Supervisor
Thomas Wood received E-mail from Barbara Faraone regarding sales tax
reporting of Town of Saratoga residents with 12866 zip codes.� The concern is that the sales tax collected
on utility bills of town residents with 12866 zip codes is going to the City of
Saratoga Springs instead of Saratoga County where it would eventually be distributed
back to the town.� Supervisor Thomas
Wood encouraged residents to check with their utility suppliers to be sure
Saratoga County is receiving the sales tax collected from town residents with a
12866 zip code.�� Online purchases
should also be checked for the correct distribution of the sales tax paid.
�
Mark
J. Kennedy, Acting Regional Traffic Engineer for the State of New York
Department of Transportation, has notified the town that the speed limit request
for County Rd. 69 is being studied.� They
will advise the town of the results once it has been completed.�
�
Privilege of the Floor:
Paul Shaver, Hessian Dr., supplemented
Councilman Michael McLoughlin�s Youth report adding that the Adirondack Chapter
of the New York State Certified Football Officials awarded their annual
Sportsmanship trophy to the Schuylerville Central School�s Football team for
the exemplary sportsmanship shown throughout the season.�� �
Lawrence
Mitchell, 115
Schuyler St., responded to the board�s response to the fire departments�
problems.� He stated that the Quaker
Spring�s Fire Department still hasn�t broken ground on a substation at Saratoga
Lake in part because of a lack of manpower to man it.� The second area being considered for a proposed substation is
closer to Victory and Schuylerville�s Fire Companies and it could be covered by
them either under contract or by changing the boundaries for less cost to the
people, if left as is, it would be a waste of taxpayer�s money.� He added that the Fire Departments are here
for the protection of the people.�
�
Councilman
Michael McLoughlin spoke regarding the Fire Department issues.� He reiterated that the town has no control over the
boundaries.� He suggested that Schuyler
Hose, David Nevins and the Quaker Springs District consolidate and work as
one.� He added that the town board
couldn�t tell the Fire Commissioners what to do.� He noted that it is important to voice your opinions to the Fire
Commissioners and to vote for the Fire Commissioners tomorrow.
Art Thivierge, 223 Hayes Rd., stated that
he is running for Quaker Springs Fire District Commissioner.� He encouraged town residents to voice their
opinions and get involved to try to change things for the better. He added that
in order to vote tomorrow from 6:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. you must be in the Quaker
Springs Fire District and be a registered voter.�
Art Thivierge added that the LA Group did a study of
the districts three or four years ago and their recommendation was that the
boundaries should be changed.�
�
Councilman
Charles Hanehan suggested that the fire companies check with
the NYS Association of Fire Fighters to see if similar problems have been
experienced in other districts around the state and how they were solved.� He suggested that a mediator could be used
to come help solve the issues.
Doug Root,
20 Herkimer St., stated that he is a member of the David Nevins Fire Company
and has been a member of the Schuyler Hose Fire Company.� He noted that his concern is that it will
take losing a life before something is done.�
He added that the three departments need to work together for a solution
and that in order to improve response times boundaries need to be changed.
Marilyn
Zaborek, voiced concerns about the need for a moratorium on
development and she will continue to gather signatures on the petition.� She stated that projects are going through
the Planning Board without careful review and the moratorium is needed to get
zoning changes in place.� She asked that
the board pursue a State of the Art �Green� Facility for the new town hall,
which could help attract interest in this community.� She also asked for better painting of lines at the crosswalks in
the village.� Councilman Charles Hanehan responded that a �Green�
option is being considered among the price comparisons being sought.��
��
Upcoming meetings:
v
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
� 4:00 p.m. � Town Board Special Meeting - Year End Audit of Bills
v
Wednesday, January 4, 2006
at 6:00 p.m. � Building Committee Meeting
v
Thursday, January 5, 2006 at
7:00 p.m. - Town Board Agenda Meeting
v
Monday, January 9, 2006 at
7:00 p.m. � Town Board Organizational Meeting
Councilman Michael
McLoughlin left at 8:20 p.m.
Audit the Bills: Per abstract 12/12/2005 (12G): General A $17,738.36, General B $2,456.58, (12H): Highway Outside $19,074.96, for a total expense of $39,269.90.
�
A motion to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. was made by Councilman Fred Drumm and seconded by Councilman Bruce Cornell.� Supervisor Thomas Wood � aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye, Councilman Bruce Cornell � aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin � absent (left at 8:20 p.m.)
Carried 4 � 0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ruth Drumm
Town Clerk