MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD

OF THE TOWN OF SARATOGA, 12 SPRING ST.,

SCHUYLERVILLE, NY

 

July 09, 2018

7:00 P.M.

 

Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance

at 7:00 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.

 

Also present: Deputy Clerk Michelle Conover, Building Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert, Highway Superintendent Don Ormsby, William Reynolds, Attorney for the Town, Sally Snowden, Louis & Alicia Farone, Edith Rubinson, Randall O'Dell, John Cashin, Susan Yerry, Robert Dougal,Terri Korb, K. Kemmet and Paul Murphy.

 

Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:

 

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, to accept the minutes of the June 7th

 agenda meeting and the June 11th 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 June 2018: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $64.00.  Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $446.91. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $67.50.  Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $303.00. Miscellaneous Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $159.09.  Total State and Local Revenues received were $1040.50.

 

Zoning Officer’s report for June 2018: Gil Albert reported: 9 Building Permits Issued, 25 Building Inspections, 5 Certificate/s of Occupancy, 1 Junkyard Permits, 2 Complaint/s, 0 Fire inspection, 0 Order/s to Remedy, 5 misc., 2 Building Permit Renewals, 0 Property Maintenance Inspection.  A check for $2,148.00 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood. 

 

Dog Control Officer’s report for June 2018: The report was read by Supervisor Thomas Wood:  Dog Control Officer Ed Cross answered 19 complaints, took 2 dogs to the shelter, traveled 102 miles, issued 10 warnings and 5 summons were issued and 1 bite case. 

 

Town Court report for June 2018: The following were closed: 45 Vehicle & Traffic, 13 Criminal/Penal Law, 4 DEC/ENCON, 2 Dog case/s, 5 DWIs, 0 Town & Village

 

Ordinance, 2 Small Claims/Civil, 2 Eviction/s, 1 Hearing/s, 2 (case transfer) Divestiture Forms sent to County Court, 2 Probation, 40 hours of Community Service was issued, 0 days of jail time issued, 0 Orders of Protection issued, and $8,845.00.00  in fees were paid to the NY State Comptroller.

 

Historian’s report for June 2018: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following Historian report:  The Historian's office continues to focus on  photo collections and making them available on-line.  In June, he had 93 posts on the blog with 572 visitors and 861 views. 

 

Heritage Hunters of Saratoga County will meet on Saturday, July 21st, at 1 pm at the Town Hall, focused on “Hauling the World,” a Schenectady County Historical Society outreach program, presented by Michael Diana. The first weekend in August is the Turning Point Parade followed by 18th Century Day at the Schuyler House on Sunday, August 12th. 

 

Assessor’s report for June 2018: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following Assessor's report:  The Final Assessment Roll has been available for public review online and in the Town Offices since July 1st. 

 

Over the past month the Assessor processed 14 sales.  8 sales were valid and 11 were non-valid sales.  He had 7 valid residential sales, 1 valid vacant land sales, 6 non-valid residential sales, and 4 non-valid vacant land sales, and 1 non-valid commercial sale.

 

He will be on vacation the week of July 9th and his office will be closed.  Please contact him via email with any pressing issues as he will be checking his email while on vacation.

 

Please feel free to call, email, or stop by his office with any questions.

 

New Summer Office Hours:  Thursdays - 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

 

Highway Superintendent’s report for June 2018: 

v  Mowing and removing limb debris in the ditches

v  Finished ditching and culvert patches on Wilbur Rd.

v  Used trucks from Wilton, Stillwater and Northumberland for shimming on Wilbur Rd. with Kubricky paver

v  Paved Wilbur Rd. and pad for salt shed

v  Sent 2 trucks to Wilton and 2 trucks to Providence for black topping

v  Hauled stone dust and scalping material for shoulders

v  Hauled sand for winter mix

v  Painted stop lines for DeGarmo, Hayes and Burgoyne Roads

v  Made lighting repairs on Truck 1 and air repair with inspection on Truck 3 

v  Used one person from Schuylerville DOT for traffic control during paving

v  Sent one person to Schuylerville with chipper and truck for storm cleanup

v  Sent Chris to D&W for fuel seminar

 

 

Supervisor’s report:  

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT JUNE 2018

 

                  GENERAL FUND – TOWNWIDE (A FUND)

 

                 Balance on hand 06/01/2018               $1,340,067.35

                  Revenues                                               +    20,346.13

                  Disbursements                                        -    80,623.97

                  Balance 06/30/2018                             $1,279,789.51

                 

                  GENERAL FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)

 

                  Balance on hand 06/01/2018               $1,675,284.36

                  Revenues                                              +     19,764.15

                  Disbursements                                      -        4,940.15

                  Balance 6/30/2018                              $1,690,108.22

 

                  HIGHWAY FUND – OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)

 

                  Balance on hand 06/01/2018                $   804,926.94

                  Revenues                                               +  106,389.14

                  Disbursements                                        -    57,002.81

                  Balance 06/30/2018                              $  845,313.27

                 

SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT 06/30/2018             $189,817.86

 

YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE  06/30/2018                   $   5,406.80

 

HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE  06/30/2018                  $147,386.40

 

BUILDING RESERVE  06/30/2018                                           $305,287.31

                 

      SCENIC BY WAYS QRTRLY  06/30/2018                              $       311.37   

 

      PARKS RESERVE  06/30/2018                                                  $226,956.55

 

       TRUST & AGENCY 06/30/2018                                                $  19,177.84

 

       HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT 2 06/30/2018                    $  63,291.29

            (holding checks until funds are deposited)

                                                                                                                                                                                   

       HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER 06/30/2018                     $  85,602.61

        PARTNERSHIP

 

        PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 06/30/2018                       $    1,309.36

 

v  Sales Tax Received – June 2018 - $106,324.00

v  Mortgage Tax - May 2018 - $19,461.00

 

Public comments on agenda items: No one spoke.

 

Committee reports:

 

Landfill: No Report

 

Insurance: No Report

 

Youth: Councilman Michael McLoughlin stated that 35 children have signed up for the  Swim Program to date.

 

Senior Citizens: Councilman James Jennings reported the following:  Quaker Springs Senior's had a luncheon picnic meeting at the Hudson Crossing Park, on June 11th with 22 in attendance.  Guest Speaker was Mike Belkwich, who spoke on the history of the park and walking trails.  They also walked across Dix Bridge.  They had a Banquet on the Bridge on June 28th at 6:30 p.m.

They are planning a Fall trip for a boat ride on Lake George; details are not yet finalized.  The Cardboard Boat Race will be held on August 11th.

 

There will be no meeting in July and August.  The next meeting will be a picnic at the National Park on September 10th .

 

Parks/Schuyler Park Committee: No report

 

Office of Emergency Management: No report

 

QSFD, WEMS Inc.: Don Ormsby, Quaker Springs Assistant Fire Chief, stated they have had 48 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 for the month of June, 2018, they answered 15 calls in Schuylerville, 1 call in Victory Mills, 6 calls in Northumberland and 27 calls for the Town Saratoga.

 

Old Business: none

 

New Business:

On a motion made by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #18-91 - Approving Entering into Agreement with Saratoga PLAN for all Administrative Services for the Hanehan Farm Easement, 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 (1 recusal )

            WHEREAS, Charles and Barbara Hanehan are the owners of certain real property (the "Property") consisting of approximately 117.7 acres of viable agricultural land in tax map parcel #168.-2-82, located on County Route 68 in the Town of Saratoga.  The landowner is interested in protecting the Property for agricultural purposes by conveying a permanent conservation easement on the land; now, therefore, be it

            RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga enter into agreement with Saratoga PLAN for all administrative services for said easement, at a cost of $37, 519.00 as follows:

Title Insurance, Surveys and Appraisal                                              $19,919.00

Project Partners' Staff Time                                                                $10,000.00

(contract admin., management, outside easement expertise)

Legal fees, Recording fees, Stewardship fee, Baseline report           $  5,700.00

Other transaction cost, other transaction cost-Title search                 $  1,900.00

Total Costs                                                                                         $37,519.00

 

 On a motion made by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #18-92- Approving Entering into Agreement for application with Saratoga PLAN for the Hanehan Farm Easement Project through closing and recording of the Easement application, 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 ( 1 recusal )

            WHEREAS, Charles and Barbara Hanehan are the owners of Hanehan Farm, certain real property (the "Property") consisting of approximately 117.7 acres in tax map parcel #168.-2-82, located on County Route 68 in the Town of Saratoga, County of Saratoga, New York.  The landowner is interested in protecting the Property for agricultural purposes by conveying a permanent conservation easement on the land; and

            WHEREAS, The Town of Saratoga, Saratoga County, New York is a municipal corporation and has the authority pursuant to Section 247 of the General Municipal Law and Article 49, Title 3 of the Environmental Conservation Law of the State of New York (together with any successor statute, the "ECL") to acquire conservation easements; and

            WHEREAS, Saratoga PLAN is a New York Not-for-Profit Corporation within the meaning of Article 49, Title 3 of the ECL, is organized for, among other purposes, conserving real property, is a tax exempt and qualified organization within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3), 509(a) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and is a 'qualified organization' to accept, purchase and hold conservation easements under Section 170(h) of the Code of Treasury Regulation Section 1.170A-14(c); and

            WHEREAS,  Article 14, Section 4 of the New York State Constitution states: 'The policy of this state shall be to conserve and protect its natural resources and scenic beauty and encourage the development and improvement of its agricultural lands for the production of food and other agricultural products"; and

            WHEREAS, Section 49-0301 of the ECL states:  "The legislature hereby finds and declares that in order to implement the state policy of conserving, preserving and protecting its environmental assets and natural and manmade resources, the preservation of open spaces, the preservation, development and improvement of agricultural and forest lands, is fundamental to maintenance, enhancement and improvement of balanced economic growth and quality of life in all areas of the state."; and

            WHEREAS, the Property is located within Saratoga County Consolidated Agricultural District #1, created pursuant to Article 25-AA of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law (the "AML").  Section 300 states:  "It is hereby found and declared that many of the agricultural lands in New York State are in jeopardy of being lost for any agricultural purposes.  When nonagricultural development extends into farm

areas, competition for limited resources result, it is, therefore, the declared policy of the State to conserve, protect and encourage the development and improvement of its

agricultural land for production of food and other agricultural products.  It is the purpose of this article to provide a locally initiated mechanism for the protection and

enhancement of New York State's agricultural lands as a viable segment of the local and state economies and as an economic and environmental resource of major importance"; and

            WHEREAS, Article 25-AAA.  Section 321 of the AML states: "It is hereby found declared that agricultural lands are irreplaceable state assets.  In an effort to maintain the economic viability, and environmental and landscape preservation values associated with agriculture," the Commissioner is authorized to administer landscape preservation values associated with agriculture," the Commissioner is authorized to administer programs to assist counties in developing agricultural and farmland protection plans to assist both county and municipal governments in the implementation of such plans.  The Commissioner gives priority to projects that will preserve viable agricultural land, are located in areas facing significant development pressures and serve and as a buffer for a significant natural public resources containing important ecosystem or habitat characteristics"; and

            WHEREAS, the Property is located within Saratoga County, the Saratoga County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board passed a resolution endorsing the conservation of this property and submission of a funding application to New York State for such purpose on April 25, 2018; and

             WHEREAS, the Property is located within Saratoga County, which adopted an Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan in December 1997 and a Green Infrastructure Plan in November 2006.  The Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan recommends:

            a.  Support Local PDR Projects:

                        i.  "Encourage partnerships between landowners, local governments,                            private organizations and the county to leverage access to existing                    state and federal funds for purchase of development rights (PDR).

            b.  Support Agricultural Conservation Easements:

                        i.  "Encourage landowners to learn more about private conservation                              options like conservation easements and promote public-private

                             partnerships to expand these efforts."

The Green Infrastructure Plan recommends:

            a.  "Help county municipalities and other partners create protection priorities,

                 goals and strategies for the conservation of natural heritage."

            b.  "Create greenway corridors between natural system hubs."

            WHEREAS, the Property is located within the Town of Saratoga, which adopted a Comprehensive Land Use Plan (the Plan) in 2002 that recognizes "the irreplaceability of the Town's "Prime" agricultural soils, the importance of actively farmed lands to the agricultural industry, the rural landscape character of the community, and the inherent susceptibility of farmland to development."  The Plan identifies a long-term goal of the Town to "preserve the "Prime" agricultural soils and actively-farmed land to the greatest extent possible."  Furthermore, the Comprehensive Land Use Plan recommends:

            a.  Preserve and encourage agricultural use within the Town

                        i.  "Encourage public, private and not for profit groups to purchase or

                             secure by other means development rights from farmland while                               allowing agricultural use to continue."

            b.  Preserve and protect the unique natural areas and plant and animal communities within the Town

                        i.  "Encourage private groups such as Saratoga PLAN to implement

                             conservation easements to protect the Town's unique environmental

                             areas."

            WHEREAS, the Property consists primarily of productive agricultural land.  The Property contains approximately 24% prime soils and 58% soils of statewide importance

as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services; and

            WHEREAS, the Town of Saratoga has determined that accepting a Conservation Easement on the Property will enhance the long-term agricultural values of the Property and promote the use of soil conservation practices, which will further the Town's charitable purposes of protecting the distinctive rural character of the Town of Saratoga and its lands and waters of significant historic and ecological value.  Furthermore, the Property is located within a high priority area for farmland and forestland conservation identified by the Town in the Comprehensive Plan, adopted January 2002; and

            WHEREAS, Hanehan Farm, Charles and Barbara Hanehan, the Town of Saratoga and Saratoga PLAN agree that the purpose of the agricultural conservation easement will be to conserve viable agriculture land by preventing the conversion of the property to non-farm uses.  In achieving such prevention, the property shall forever be reserved for continued agricultural use; now, therefore, be it

            RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga Town Board passed a Resolution on July 9, 2018, at a regular Town Board meeting, to endorse the submission of an application from the Town of Saratoga with Saratoga County PLAN as project manager, in cooperation with the Saratoga County Planning Department, to New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets for funding to a Purchase Development Rights of Hanehan Farm and for the Town of Saratoga to hold and uphold a perpetual conservation easement on the land.

 

On a motion made by Councilman Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #18-93 - Authorization to Enter into Contract with The LA Group-Surrender March South Trailhead 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 Supervisor Thomas N. Wood III to sign a contract with The LA Group for the plan preparation and design of the Surrender March South Trailhead.

 

 On a motion made by Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #18-94 - Approving Monthly Lease - L. Trevor Coulter, Attorney, 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 Tenant wishes to lease the 4E office, second 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 office, beginning July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, now, therefore, be it

            RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga Town Supervisor is authorized to enter into a lease agreement with L. Trevor Coulter, Attorney, for the 4E office, commencing on July 1, 2018.  The sum of $450.00 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 8% of the monthly utility bills of the 2nd floor, north wing.  Tenant agrees to pay this additional rent within five business days of receiving written notice by the Landlord of the amount due, as set forth under this lease agreement; 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.

 

On a motion made by Councilman Gary Squires and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #18-95, Authorization to Enter into Contract with Constellation Energy for Power Purchase Price of electricity, 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 Supervisor Thomas N. Wood III to sign a contract with Constellation Energy for a power purchase agreement for electricity at a cost of $.0527 per kilowatt, for the next 24 months, saving the Town Hall $.11 per kilowatt.

 

Privilege of the floor:  The following residents addressed the Board: Robert Dougal, Randy O'Dell, Sally Snowden and Paul Murphy.

 

Communications:  

 

Upcoming meetings:

v  Agenda meeting – Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

v  Regular Town Board meeting – Monday, August 13, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.  

 

Audit the Bills: On a motion by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #18-96, Approving the Payment of Bills in Abstract 7G, 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 7G of 2018 in the following amounts:

 

General Fund DB                 Voucher No. 104 through 126                      $212,024.30

General Fund A                    Voucher No. 194 through 232                      $  48,041.03

General Fund B                    Voucher No. 37 through 40                         $    2,910.23

Schuyler Park H                    Voucher No. 17 through 19                          $       220.84

Youth                                     Voucher No. 1                                               $         43.75

Home Improvement              Voucher No. 5 through 6                              $  22,000.00

Historic Hudson                     Voucher No. 30 through 35                          $    6,000.65

 

                                                         Grand Total     $291,240.80

 

A motion was made by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, to enter into Executive Session to discuss Union Negotiations at 8:32 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 8:40 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 8:41 p.m. was made by Councilman James Jennings, 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

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Linda A. McCabe

Town Clerk