DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF
SARATOGA, 12 SPRING ST.,
August 13, 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, William Reynolds, Attorney for the Town, Tiffany Mosher, Lucinda
Barry, Kate Fields, Patrick McGloine, Thomas McGloine, Robert Dougal, Karen
Heggen, Kathleen Kemmet, Wendy Lukas, Alicia Farone and James Buono.
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings: Supervisor Thomas Wood introduced
District Attorney Karen Heggen and stated he invited our District Attorney to
speak to the Board tonight to update them on her office and her role therein.� District Attorney Karen Heggen addressed the
Board and explained how her office integrates with our community on a regular
basis and some of the things her office does on the county level.� First and foremost she has an Assistant
District Attorney (ADA) who comes here to appear before the court on a regular
basis, handling all misdemeanors and violation offenses.� Her office also focuses on handling vehicle
and traffic matters as well as more serious offenses.� Those that are felonies, although originally
screened in local court, are reviewed by the employees who handle felony
offenses in her office, and if appropriate, refers the case/s to the County
Court, to present it to a Grand Jury or to negotiate resolution and
dispositions with defense attorneys on those cases.� She is very proud of the team of men and
women she has assembled in her office, and combined, they represent over 300
years of service to Saratoga County.� Her
team is made up of people with longevity, people who live in our communities.� The new Chief of Crimes Bureau lives here in
the Town of Saratoga, and often appears in our court.� Her office tries to balance the interest of
the people who have been harmed by crime, along with the interest of public
safety and the interest of the defendants involved in the cases, to reach a
just resolution.� They seek justice and
they do that in many different ways, such as trying to divert young people into
programs that give them opportunities and a second chance; to learn from their
mistakes. �They divert people that are
committing offenses that are non-violent and have very little records, into
drug treatment court trying to help them resolve their issues.� Drug Treatment Court has been going on for
many years and they just had 7 people graduate 2 weeks ago, which represents
just shy of 350 people who have successfully completed the program and are back
in our communities.� Her office draws the
line if you are selling drugs and preying upon the vulnerable people in our
community who are suffering from addiction.�
People in our county who sell drugs are being incarcerated.� That is the line she draws and the men and
women who work for her see to that.� Her
office works collaboratively with law enforcement.� She is very proud of the relationships her
office has with Sheriff Zurlow and his team, who reach out to educate schools
and organizations during the seasons of prom and graduation.� They also work with the Prevention Council to
educate young people about the dangers of driving while impaired by alcohol and
drugs, to make sure they go through those seasons with celebrations of
happiness not sadness, due to someone being harmed.� They also reach out and speak to groups
within the communities.� Her office is
looking on a regular basis to make sure people who have been impacted by crimes
are supported.� She has three crime
victim specialists in her office, helping victims navigate the justice system
and with extenuating issues of the crime.�
They are not attorneys, so they are accessible to help them and can
interpret what is going on for them.� The
state also has programs to help with collateral damage, i.e.: if someone's car
is stolen and damaged in the process of the theft, and their insurance company
won't pay, her office works collaboratively with the state and helps with those
type of problems as well.� Unfortunately
there are victims of domestic violence and sex abuse crimes.� Her office works very closely with
not-for-profit organizations in our communities, such as Well Spring and the Mechanicville
Community Center, that have domestic violence programs that can help those people
with counseling services, among many other options.� Her office offers many different ways of
helping people in our community and she's very proud of the work they do to
achieve justice.� She thanked the Board
for inviting her to speak and update them on the workings of her office.
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman
Michael
McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, to accept the minutes of the July
5th
�agenda
meeting and the July 9th 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 July 2018: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $85.00.� Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $344.15. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $90.00. �Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $375.00. Miscellaneous Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $115.60.� Total State and Local Revenues received were $1009.75.
Zoning Officer�s report for July 2018: Gil Albert reported: 8 Building Permits Issued, 21 Building Inspections, 10 Certificate/s of Occupancy, 1 Junkyard Permit/s, 0 Complaint/s, 0 Fire inspection, 0 Order/s to Remedy, 0 misc., 7 Building Permit Renewals, 0 Property Maintenance Inspection.� A check for $2,206.25 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.�
Dog Control Officer's report for July 2018: The report was read by Supervisor Thomas Wood: �Dog
Control Officer Ed Cross answered 19 complaints, took 0 dogs to the shelter,
traveled 40 miles, issued 12 warnings, 6 summons were issued
and 0
bite case/s.�
Town Court report for July 2018: The following were closed: 46 Vehicle & Traffic, 4 Criminal/Penal Law, 3 DEC/ENCON, 3 Dog case/s, 1 DWIs, 1 Town & Village
Ordinance, 1 Small Claims/Civil, 2 Eviction/s, 1 Hearing/s, 3 (case transfer) Divestiture Forms sent to County Court, 2 Probation, 40 hours of Community Service was issued, 1 days of jail time issued, 0 Orders of Protection issued, and $5,374.00 in fees were paid to the NY State Comptroller.
Historian�s report for July 2018: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following report:� The Historian was a bit busy for the first
two weeks of July and now he has limited hours and is available by request
until school starts.� In July, he had 84
posts on his blog with 590 visitors and 937 views.
August 12, 2018 - 18th Century Day at
the Schuyler House.
Assessor�s
report for July 2018: Supervisor
Thomas Wood read the following report:� The
Assessor's office is preparing to send out Enhanced STAR Renewal applications.� Renewals should be sent out in early
September.� Due to a recent change in NYS
law all recipients of the Enhanced STAR program HAVE TO enroll in the Income
Verification Program aka IVP.� IVP allows
NYS to notify the Assessor whether or not an applicant is qualified for the
Enhanced STAR exemption and will remove the need to send out annual renewal
applications.� Please contact the Assessor with
any questions regarding this change.
Over
the past month he processed 29 sales.� 13
sales were valid and 16 were non-valid sales:�
11 valid residential sales, 1 valid commercial sale, 1 valid vacant land
sale, 10 non-valid sales and 6 non-valid vacant land sales.
Please
feel free to call, email, or stop by his office with any questions.
New Office Hours Beginning
September 4th:�
Tuesdays - 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thursdays
- 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Highway
Superintendent�s report for July 2018:�
v
Mowing ditches,
Rt. 4 Trail and Towpath Trail
v
Replaced old
signs on Wilbur Rd.
v
Ditching on
Wilbur Rd. has been hydro seeded by the county
v
Clearing of trees
and branches from storms in right of way
v
Replaced two road
culverts on Burke Rd. and one on Walsh Rd.
v
Addressed Truck 4
overheating and electrical issues
v
Grading on dirt
roads
v
Completed repairs
on deck mower, valve leaks and boom mower cradle
v
Pickup Truck 2 -
fuel pump module and switch replaced
v
Town Hall parking
lot stripes completed
Supervisor�s
report: �
SUPERVISOR�S REPORT JULY 2018
����������������� GENERAL FUND � TOWNWIDE (A FUND)
�
���������������� Balance on hand 07/01/2018������ ������ �$1,279,789.51
����������������� Revenues����������������������� �������� ����������� ��+� ��19,600.84
����������������� Disbursements�������������������� ��������������� ���-� 127,570.97
����������������� Balance 07/31/2018��������������� ������ ������$1,171,819.38
�����������������
����������������� GENERAL FUND � OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)
����������������� Balance on hand 07/01/2018���������� �� �$1,690,108.22
����������������� Revenues���������������������������� ��� ����������� �+� �����2,315.13
����������������� Disbursements�������������������� ��������������� �-� ������6,952.42
����������������� Balance 7/31/2018���������������� ����������� �$1,685,470.93
����������������� HIGHWAY FUND � OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)
����������������� Balance on hand 07/01/2018����������� ����$ ��854,313.27
����������������� Revenues������������������ ������������� ��������������+�
147,611.99
����������������� Disbursements���������������� ������������������� ���- �243,556.06
����������������� Balance 07/31/2018���������������������� ���� ��$ �758,369.20
�����������������
SCHUYLER
PARK CAPITAL PROJECT 07/31/2018������������ $189,780.11
YOUTH
RECREATION & SERVICE� 07/31/2018����������� ������ $� ��5,063.51
HIGHWAY
EQUIPMENT RESERVE� 07/31/2018 ���������������� $147,398.92
BUILDING
RESERVE� 07/31/2018�������������������� ��������������������� $305,313.24
�����������������
����� SCENIC BY WAYS QRTRLY� 07/31/2018�
��������������� ����������� $���
���311.37���
����� PARKS RESERVE� 07/31/2018� ��� ������� ����������������������������������� $ 226,956.55
������ TRUST
& AGENCY 07/31/2018����������� ���� ������������������� �����������$�
24,975.66
������ HOME
IMPROVEMENT GRANT 2 �07/31/2018������������������ $� 41,295.47
����������� (holding
checks until funds are deposited)
����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��� ������� �����������������������������������������������
���� � HISTORIC
HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER 07/31/2018������������ ��������$� 78,038.34
������ �PARTNERSHIP
������� PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 07/31/2018��������������� ������ $���
1,309.36
v
Sales Tax Received � July
2018 - $147,549.00
v Mortgage
Tax - June 2018 - $15,880.50
Public comments on agenda items: Wendy Lukas addressed the Board.
�
Committee
reports:
Landfill:
No report
�
Insurance: No report
Youth: No report
The next Schuyler Park
Committee meeting will be held September 25, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
Office of Emergency Management: Supervisor Thomas Wood stated Sherry Doubleday
attended a Strategy, Tactics and Techniques Training in Queensbury, NY.
QSFD,
WEMS Inc.: Don Ormsby, Quaker Springs Assistant Fire Chief,
stated they have had 53 calls this year to date.
Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following report from
Wilton EMS: Nashua Alexander, Chief Operating Officer at Wilton Emergency Squad,
reported the month of July, 2018, was their busiest month on record.� They answered 18 calls in Schuylerville, 1
call in Victory Mills, 7 calls in Northumberland and 21 calls for the Town
Saratoga.
Old
Business: The Town Attorney is working on a revised Commercial
Parking law for the Rural and Lake districts of the Town.
New
Business:
�On a motion made by
Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the
following Resolution #18-97- Standard Work Day and Reporting, 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
��������������� BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga hereby establishes the following as standard
work days for elected and appointed officials and will report the following
days worked to the New York State and Local Employees� Retirement System based
on the record of activities maintained and submitted by these officials to the
clerk of this body:
|
Title |
Name |
Social Security Number (Last 4 digits) |
Registration Number |
Standard Work Day (hrs/day) |
Term Begins/Ends |
Partici-pates In Employer�s Time Keeping System (Y/N) |
Days/ Month (based on Record of Activi-ties) |
Tier 1 (Check only if
mem-ber is in �Tier 1) |
Not Submitted (Check box if no record of
activities completed or timekeeping system) |
|
Elected Officials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Town Clerk |
Linda A. McCabe |
6475 |
41052796 |
6 |
01/01/2016- 12/31/2019 |
N |
30.74 |
|
|
|
Council- man |
Gary Squires |
1279 |
61334041 |
6 |
01/01/2016- 12/31/2019 |
N |
1.28 |
|
|
|
Justice |
Charles Sherman |
6675 |
50651751 |
6 |
01/01/2016- 12/31/2019 |
N |
2.89 |
|
|
|
Highway Supt. |
Donald� Ormsby Jr. |
0233 |
41094632 |
8 |
01/01/2016- 12/31/2019 |
N |
22.33 |
|
|
|
Council- man |
Charles Hanehan |
2207 |
41068487 |
6 |
01/01/2016- 12/31/2019 |
N |
1.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AppointedOfficials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zoning Officer |
Gilman Albert |
4744 |
42340364 |
6 |
01/01/2018-12/31/2018 |
N |
11.00 |
|
|
|
Deputy Town Clerk |
Michelle Conover |
2103 |
61323044 |
6 |
01/01/2018-12/31/2018 |
N |
18.31 |
|
|
|
Historian |
Sean Kelleher |
1060 |
38892964 |
6 |
01/01/2018-12/31/2018 |
N |
5.00 |
|
|
|
Assessor |
Michael McGuire |
8593 |
41544479 |
6 |
01/08/2018- 09/30/2019 |
N |
5.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On a motion made by Councilman
Gary Squires and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #18-98 - Accept Proposal & Authorization to
Enter into Contract-Adirondack Trust Insurance with New York Municipal
Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR), 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 Adirondack Trust Insurance Agency has been the
insurance agent for the Town�s property-casualty insurance for the past 30
years; and
WHEREAS, said agency has offered superior service and advice
to the Town and has marketed the insurance again this year for the Town�s
benefit; and
WHEREAS, this year, the agent has sought proposals from our
incumbent insurer, Houston Casualty Company, as well as NYMIR; and
WHEREAS, the analysis of the proposals by said agency has
shown that NYMIR has offered the lowest premium with improved coverage, now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga hereby accepts the
agency�s property-casualty proposal through NYMIR (Crime with Travelers) for
the upcoming year, 8/13/2018-8/13/2019, up to $40,750.47; and be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga expresses its intention to
make this award to the agency and NYMIR for a five year period as long as
premiums remain stable; and be it
RESOLVED,
that the Town of Saratoga
reserves the right to rescind this multi-year award at any time it is deemed
appropriate for the Town to do so, therefore, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Supervisor is authorized to sign the
Subscriber�s Agreement with NYMIR after review and approval by the Town
Attorney.
�On a motion made by
Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the
following Resolution #18-99 - Authorizing Fund Transfer of $73,339.90
from Highway Equipment Reserve Fund to Highway Equipment-DB5132.2 for the
purchase of a new 2018 Dodge Ram 5500 Crew Cab 60 C/A 4x4 Truck, 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 $73,399.90 from Highway Reserve Equipment fund
into Highway Equipment-DB5132.2, authorizing the Town of Saratoga Highway
Superintendent to purchase a new 2018 Dodge Ram 5500 Crew Cab 60 C/A 4 x 4
truck, with a stainless steel dump box and plow frame, in the amount of
$73,339.90, delivered.
On a motion made by
Councilman Gary Squires and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the
following Resolution #18-100, Authorization
directing Town Attorney to draft a revised Commercial Vehicle Parking law,
Event Venue law and an amendment to the Town of Saratoga Zoning Regulations'
Building Reference Point for Setbacks, 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 Board of the Town of Saratoga has been made
aware of the need to draft new zoning laws and amend our zoning codes; now,
therefore, be it
����������� RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, to direct Town
Attorney William Reynolds to draft a Revised Commercial Vehicle Parking Law,
Event Venue Law and to amend the Town of Saratoga Zoning Regulations Building
Reference Point for Setbacks.��
Privilege
of the floor: �The
following residents addressed the Board: Robert Dougal, Lucinda Barry and Wendy
Lukas.
Communications:
�Supervisor Thomas Wood requested
that Jim Buono return to speak to the Board concerning the lighting project
contract, as the contract says it is the Town's responsibility to remove the
light fixtures and lights.� When Jim
Buono last appeared before the Board, he had said they would remove the
fixtures and lights and dispose of them.�
Jim Buono addressed the Board's questions and concerns and stated there
will be an addendum to the contract stating they, Potential Management Group,
will take care of removing the fixtures and they will dispose of the lights and
fixtures off site, the Town need do nothing.�
Supervisor Thomas Wood said he was asked why this wasn't being bid
out.� Jim Buono responded under $30,000
doesn't have to be bid per Saratoga County Rule.� This is also a NYS Contract, so no need to
bid it out.� He added that incentives of
NYSERDA would be only $6,000 and the town would have to do it themselves.� He added that National Grid will replace
street lights with LEDs as the current lights die out.� Currently the Town pays for 400 watt bulbs,
so instead of paying $10.00 monthly, the fee will go down to $3.00 or $4.00
monthly.� He has run the gas numbers and
Direct Energy can charge what they want when they want now, as that contract is
up.� He said they looked into a fixed
rate for the Town and if the Town goes with National Grid it will be a fixed
rate of 4.74 PTH (per therum) for the next two years.� Supervisor Thomas Wood said our initial rate
was set for some time and has now increased.�
With this, we can get a fixed rate of 4.74 for the next two years.� We are now locked in at $.05 for
electric.� Jim Buono stated the gas
contract would be for 12 or 24 months and after that National Grid sets its own
rate.� Jim Buono stated he will send the
NYS Certificate to Supervisor Thomas Wood.�
He added that Lockheed Martin is the approved
contractor for the work for the Town.�
Hadley and Moreau have been approved but work has not yet begun and Northumberland
is now complete. He also added that Victory Mills is going forward with the
electric program.� Councilman Charles
Hanehan asked if this is only for municipalities and said no, also small
businesses.� Farms used to be under this
program, but not any longer.� They are
now in their large business program.�
Supervisor Thomas Wood stated the Board will think about the information
provided them.� Jim Buono stated he will
have everything sent to Supervisor Thomas Wood.
Upcoming
meetings:
v
Budget Workshop - Tuesday, August 21, 2018.
v
Agenda meeting � Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 7 p.m.
v Regular Town Board meeting �
Monday, September 10, 2018 at 7 p.m. �
Audit the Bills:
On a motion by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Michael
McLoughlin, the following Resolution #18-101,
Approving the Payment of Bills in Abstract 8G, 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 8G of 2018 in the following amounts:
General Fund DB ��������������� Voucher
No. 127 through 144����� ��� ����������� $�
11,445.31
General Fund A������������������� Voucher
No. 233 through 272��������������������� $� 82,563.59
General Fund B������� ����������� Voucher No. 41 through 44 ����������������������� $��� 2,910.23
Schuyler Park H������������������� Voucher
No. 20 through 23������������������������� $��� 2,449.47
Youth������������������������������������ Voucher
No. 2 through 3����������������������������� $��� 3,300.00�����
Home Improvement������������� Voucher
No. 7 through 9����������������������������� $� 16,713.00
Historic Hudson�������������������� Voucher
No. 36 through 40������������������������� $��� 2,779.63
� ��������� ����������������������� ����������� ���������Grand Total���� $ 121,389.08
A motion was made by Councilman James Jennings,
seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, to enter into Executive Session to discuss
Union Negotiations and Tenant Litigation at 9:01 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 Gary Squires, to exit Executive Session at 9:13 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
A motion to adjourn at 9:13 p.m. was made by
Councilman James Jennings, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires. �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