DRAFT MINUTES FOR THE

TOWN BOARD MEETING

OF THE TOWN OF SARATOGA,

30 FERRY ST.,

SCHUYLERVILLE, NY

 

March 12, 2007

7:00 P.M.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance

at 7:00 p.m.

 

Roll call: Ruth Drumm, Town Clerk, called the roll.� Supervisor Thomas Wood- present, Councilman Fred Drumm - present, Councilman Charles Hanehan- present, Councilwoman Betty Koval - present, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin � present.

Also present:� Highway Superintendent Dave Hall, Town Attorney William Reynolds, Deputy Town Clerk Linda McCabe, Assessor/Bookkeeper Catherine DeFelice, and other interested members of the public.

�

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

 

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilwoman Betty Koval and seconded

by Councilman Michael McLoughlin to accept the minutes of the February 12th regular meeting, and the February 22 and 27th special meetings as written. Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval � aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye.� Carried 5 � 0.��

 

Town Clerk�s report for February 2007: Fees paid to the County Treasurer for Dog Licenses $88.60. Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the spay/neuter program $21.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $22.67. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $67.50. Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $240.40. Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $84.58. Total State, County, and Local Revenues received were $524.75.

 

Zoning Officer�s report:� Supervisor Thomas Wood read the February 2007 report: 1 Building Permit, 6 Building Inspections, 0 CO�s, 0 Complaints, 2 ZBA appearances, 1 Zoning regulation book, and 0 Orders to Remedy were issued.� A check for $370 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.�

 

Dog Control officer�s report for February 2007: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the report for DCO�s Rick Sullivan and Ed Cross.� They answered 26 complaints, took 1 dog to the shelter, traveled 166 miles, issued 10 warnings, responded to 2 dog bites and 2 summons� were issued.�

 

Town Court report for February 2007: Justice Jack Ditch reported that the following were closed: 81 Vehicle & Traffic, 15 Criminal/Penal Law, 2 DEC/ENCON, 1Dog case, 2 DWI, 0 Town & Village Ordinance, 2 Small Claims/Civil, 4 Evictions, 2 Bench trials, 0 Divestiture Forms (case transfers) sent to County Court, 14 attended the Science of Speed School, 1 Defendant sentenced to probation, 115 hours of community service issued, 55 days of jail time issued, 0 Orders of Protection issued, and $6,713.00 in fees were paid to the NY State Comptroller.�

 

Tax Collector�s report:� Tax Collector Jim Gorham reported for February 2007.� He collected $610,020.82 on 715 parcels.� He stated that he sent out 362 second bills with $614,517.76 due.� Tax Collector Jim Gorham added that 87.5% of the bills are paid through February; 76.7% of the tax dollar amount has been collected.��

 

Historian�s report: �Supervisor Thomas Wood read Sean Kelleher�s report.� He reported that he worked with the National Park Service on interpretation of the Victory Woods property by providing a memo of comments.  The office is continuing to work with the Archeologist and the Battlefield Protection Program working on the Fort Hardy project.  The office also got a phone call from the Saratoga Lake Association to collaborate on new interpretive signs along Saratoga Lake.

 

Assessor�s report: Assessor Catherine DeFelice reported:� We had 20 parcel transfers; 5 were valid sales and 15 were non-valid sales with 3 going into Life Estate.� We have completed the renewals for Senior and Enhanced Star applications, and the Agricultural renewal forms. The only STAR applications that we will now process are for �new� property owners that we will be receiving in the next week or so.�

 

Assessor/Bookkeeper Catherine DeFelice reported about classes she attended at the Association of Towns� Training in NYC.� She explained that one of the main topics was the middle class STAR that Gov. Spitzer has introduced.� This new STAR will be for the benefit of the Basic STAR applicant (The Enhanced STAR will be increased also).� The middle class STAR will work on a sliding scale, depending on household income, much like Enhanced STAR.� It would increase the Basic STAR by up to 80% over the $30,000 exempt value.� As it is proposed, the State Dept. of Taxation & Finance will be responsible for receiving and processing applications based on 2005 Federal Adjusted Gross Income for the 2007-2008 school tax year.�

 

Supervisor�s report: Supervisor Thomas Wood presented February 2007 balances in Town funds as follows: General A $1,168,109.58, General B $126,690.63, Highway Outside $291,730.93, Youth Recreation & Services $287.95, Highway Equipment Reserve $91,057.44, Building Reserve $997,720.47 and Fire Protection $41,476.03.� February revenues were $583,748.87 and expenses were $144,355.07.� The February balance is $2,717,073.03.

 

The public commented on the following agenda items:� No one came forward.

 

Committee reports:

Highway: Highway Superintendent Dave Hall reported the new generator has been delivered and should be installed next week.� Patching of roads, culvert steaming and work on the new storage shed is continuing.� He added that work has started on the Southard Road project.�

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Landfill: �No report.

�

Insurance: �No report.

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Youth: �No report.�

 

Buildings:� Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that the last Building Committee meeting was held on March 7, 2007.� The committee reviewed the Pro�s and Con�s given by Don Davis regarding the sites studied.� A final report will be coming.� Additional work by S.D. Atelier would need to be contracted for.� It was reported by committee members, including the town board, that the cost for the new building, as designed, for approximately 5 million was too high.� Other options were discussed including scaling back the size of the new building, looking into modular construction, and relooking at the corner school.� The committee brainstormed on other options including reducing the size of the new building, and relooking at the corner school. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, April 4th at 6:00 p.m.����

 

Senior Citizens:�

The Schuylerville Senior Citizens met on February 13th.� A speaker from Lifeline discussed the Lifeline service and stressed the importance of health screening procedures for seniors.� On February 27th Dr. Leon Reed, Schuylerville Central School Superintendent, discussed the building plans for the school which will be voted on March 20th.� Supervisor Thomas Wood is scheduled to speak on March 13th and a Tea Cup Auction will be held on March 24th.��

 

Councilwoman Betty Koval reported that the Quaker Springs Senior Citizens had their regular luncheon meeting today.� Lifeline also presented to them.� Approximately thirty-six seniors attended.��

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood reported on the Senior Transportation Program that will be provided to Town of Saratoga residents by the Saratoga County Office of the Aging starting April 2nd.� It is funded by the state along with a minimal charge to the Town of Saratoga of $1,000.� It will be available to seniors who need rides to the Saratoga Springs and Wilton area for medical appointments, grocery shopping, senior centers etc.�� Reservations are required, call 884-4100.�� Information will also be posted on the Town Webpage.

 

Councilman Fred Drumm added that through the County Veterans� Service Agency rides for veterans to the Albany VA Hospital are available.��

 

Park Committee:� No report.

 

Zoning Amendment Advisory Committee (ZAAC):� No report.

 

Committee to Honor Volunteer Firefighters & Emergency Medical Service Workers: Sean Kelleher submitted the following report. The committee met once in February. We are finishing plans for distribution of the patches for the volunteers which will be given out at each banquet and the Supervisor's award.� We have the street signs and are working on sign locations with the Highway Superintendent and the departments.  We have asked for additional support from Stewart's Shops and the Schuylerville Area Chamber of Commerce.
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The only additional project planned is to purchase some memorial bricks at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmittsburg, Maryland.  We plan on doing this work via email and do not plan on having a meeting until the new location of the town hall is determined.

 

GSES, QSFD, SLPID/SLA Reports:

General Schuyler Emergency Squad � Sherry Doubleday reported that the IDA adopted a resolution to borrow 2.1 million for the new squad building.� The 2.1 million includes professional fees and costs from the start through to moving in.� The cost for the building is 1.6 million.� They will be shopping for bonds.

 

Quaker Springs Fire Department:� Stephen Bodnar addressed the board.� He reported that the fire department responded to 3 alarms in February.� They have been busy with schools and training.� An OSHA school will be offered at a cost of $550.� Stephen Bodnar presented a design of the new Fire House to the board.� He reported that next Monday they will meet with S.D. Atelier and will receive the projected cost.�

 

Old business:� None

 

New business:

Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that a Census 2010 � Local Update of Census Addresses Informational Workshop (LUCA) will be held from 9:00 a.m. to Noon on Wednesday, March 14, 2007.� The workshop will explain the options available for the update in order to verify addresses so that a complete and accurate count is taken.� Supervisor Thomas Wood, Councilman Fred Drumm, Councilwoman Betty Koval, and Assessor/Bookkeeper Catherine DeFelice will be attending.�

 

On a motion by Councilman Fred Drumm and seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan

the following Resolution #07-45 - Board of Assessment Review appointment � Frank Merrill, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval � aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye.� Carried 5 � 0.

WHEREAS, a vacancy exists on the Board of Assessment Review, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby appoints Frank Merrill to the Board of

Assessment Review from March 12, 2007 to September 30, 2011, the remainder of the vacant five year term.

Communications:

Supervisor Thomas Wood reported on the following:�

v     Time Warner Cable notification of an increase in the Basic with Standard level of service and the addition of new programming services.�

v     American Red Cross, Adirondack Saratoga Chapter, notification of upcoming training classes offered for: Supervision in Disaster (SID), Disaster Instructor Specialty Training (DIST) and Basic Disaster Volunteer Training � Shelter Ops, Mass Care, and Intro to Disaster Services. The classes are held at their Glens Falls office.� Call Cheryl Ann Murphy at 792-6545 for further information.�

v     Turning Point Parade Chairman Byron Peregrim requests a donation of $2,000 for the Thirteenth Annual Turning Point Parade to be held on August 5, 2007. The board agreed to support the parade and noted that was budgeted for.�

v     Memorial Day Parade � May 28, 2007- invitation to participate from American Legion Old Saratoga Post #278.

v     Sunshine Week Observance � Day 2 � Thursday, March 15, 2007 at the VFW Post 420, Excelsior Avenue at Veteran�s Way, Saratoga Springs � Opening Government to Citizen Participation � Interactive Panel Presentation

 

Privilege of the floor: The public commented to the board about the following topics:�

v     Southard Road Subdivision water concerns, concerns regarding the responsiveness of the Planning Board to residents� views, concerns regarding the adherence to the town�s code of ethics for public officials, requests for Town Board and Planning Board members to voluntarily file financial disclosure statements with the Town� two letters were given to the board.

v     Cable TV � complaints regarding the inability to choose only the programs that you want.� Requests that this problem be discussed at the Board of Supervisors� meeting and consideration given to proposing legislation to solve the problem.� Satellite TV�s were noted as having the same problem.

v     Daylight Savings Time � reminder to change the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

v     A compliment was given to the town board and the town attorney for their handling of the Calvin Gong property clean up.�

 

Upcoming meetings:

v     Building Committee meeting �Wednesday, April 4, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

v     Agenda meeting � Thursday, April 5, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

v     Regular town board meeting � Monday, April 9, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. �

 

Audit the Bills: On a motion by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Koval the following Resolution #07- 46� Approving the payment of bills in Abstract 3G was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval � aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye.� Carried 5 � 0.

RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to authorize payment of the bills listed in Abstract 3G (03/12/2007) in the following amounts: General A $23,669.23, and General B $1,129.54, Highway Outside $14,983.59, Highway Reserve $95,702 and Building Reserve $2,870 for a total expense of $138,354.36.

 

A motion to adjourn at 8:25 p.m. was made by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm.� Supervisor Thomas Wood � aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan - aye, Councilwoman Betty Koval � aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin - aye.� Carried 5 � 0.

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Ruth Drumm

Town Clerk

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