DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF
SARATOGA
�12 SPRING ST.,
June 10, 2019
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: Building
Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert, Highway Superintendent Don Ormsby, Deputy
Clerk Michelle Conover, Attorney William Reynolds, Michael Booth, Allan Weils,
Michael Phillips, Terri Korb, Shan Burton, Jeremiah Burton, Jim Sullivan, Jan
& Paul Murphy.� (sign in sheet on
file in the Clerk's office)
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman
James
Jennings, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, to accept the minutes of the May
13, 2019 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 May 2019: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $71.00.� Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $733.01. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $67.50. �Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $315.00. Miscellaneous Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $201.49.� Total State and Local Revenues received were $1,388.00.
Zoning Officer�s report for May 2019: 9 Building Permits were issued, 24 Building Inspections, 6 Certificate/s of Occupancy, 2 Junkyard Permit/s, 4 Complaint/s, 0 Fire inspection, 0 Order/s to Remedy, 5 misc., 4 Building Permit Renewals, 0 Property Maintenance Inspection.� A check for $4,025.00 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.�
Dog Control Officer's report for May 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following: ���Dog Control Officer Ed Cross answered 13 complaints, took 4
dog/s to the shelter, traveled 141 miles, issued 9 warnings, 11
summons were issued and dealt with 2 bite case/s.�
Town Court report for May 2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following report: Funds collected for the month of May 2019 - �$3,952.00.
Historian�s report for May
2019: Supervisor Thomas Wood
read the following:� The
Historian has been busy this month documenting the following: the first Congressional
'town meeting' in Schuylerville, the Empire State Trail construction and ribbon
cutting, the completion of a recent
phase of the March to Surrender trail, the
construction of the Sword Surrender site and in addition, he's worked on two
property history projects in the town. �He visited and supported the American Veterans
Archaeological Recovery (AVAR) program with their work detecting the remains
from the second Battle of Saratoga.� They've
been doing cutting edge work in our region and he hopes to do more to support
their efforts in future years.
In May, he had 117 posts on his blog, 751 visitors
and 1,332 views.
June
10 - He will be speaking to the Quaker Springs
Sunshiners Club on Schuyler�s Saw Mill.�
June
13 - He will be welcoming and sharing local history and
guiding over 500 Volkswalkers visiting our community.
June
18 - Deputy Historian Pat Peck leads a genealogy group,
10:00 a.m., at the Schuylerville Public Library .
June
15 - Heritage
Hunters will meet at 1 p.m. on Saturday, at Town Hall.� The speaker will be Greg Veitch, a fifth
generation Saratogian and recently retired Saratoga Springs Chief of Police. He
will speak about the darker side of early Spa history. Greg has spent years
researching the history of Saratoga Springs and he details the stories of
gamblers, gangsters, crime and corruption from the founding of the village
through prohibition. It is chronicled in his book: �All the Law in the World
Won�t Stop Them.�
June
27 - The
Old Saratoga Historical Association will meet at the Prospect Hill Cemetery on
Thursday, at 7 pm with Schuylerville Historian Krissy Saddlemire to talk about
some of the interesting people in the cemetery.�
�
Assessor�s
report for May 2019: No report
Highway
Superintendent�s report for May 2019:�
v
Repair or
replacing signs
v
Clearing plugged
culverts and tree debris in ditches
v
Started mowing
roadsides
v
Done ditching,
patching and shimming, culvert replacements on Haas road
v
Prep work on Haas
rd for blacktop
v
Addressed storm
drain on roadside of Sleepy Hollow farm on Fitch rd
v
New brakes on
pickup 3
v
JD dozer
maintenance done
v
Mounted tool box
and water trailer hitch on truck 4
v
Mowed picnic area
at Wilbur rd trail
v
Town hall parking
lot striping
v
Grade towpath for
Schuylerville
v
Two trucks to
Providence for blacktop
Supervisor�s
report: �
SUPERVISOR�S REPORT MAY 2019
����������������� GENERAL FUND � TOWNWIDE (A FUND)
�
���������������� Balance on hand 05/01/2019������ ������ �$ 1,375,666.34
����������������� Revenues����������������������� �������� ����������� ��+� �164,764.85
����������������� Disbursements�������������������� ��������������� ���-� ���59,250.42
����������������� Balance 05/31/2019��������������� ������ ������$ 1,481,180.77
�����������������
����������������� GENERAL FUND � OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)
����������������� Balance on hand 05/01/2019���������� �� �$1,851,648.34
����������������� Revenues���������������������������� ��� ����������� �+� �����3,795.75
����������������� Disbursements������������ ����������������������� �-�� ���10,456.44
����������������� Balance 05/31/2019���������������� ���������� �$1,844,987.65
����������������� HIGHWAY FUND � OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)
����������������� Balance on hand 05/01/2019����������� ����$�� 782,208.12
����������������� Revenues������������������ ������������� ��������������+ ��111,088.82
����������������� Disbursements���������������� ������������������� ���- ����53,108.27
����������������� Balance 05/31/2019���������������������� ���� ��$ ��840,188.67
�����������������
SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT 05/31/2019������������������ $152,597.07
YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE� 05/31/2019����������� ������������$�
��7,125.87
HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE� 05/31/2019 ���������������������� ������������$102,016.24
BUILDING RESERVE� 05/31/2019�������������������� ��������������� ������������$292,550.55
�����������������
SCENIC BY WAYS QRTRLY� 05/31/2019�
��������������������������������� $��� ���311.49���
PARKS RESERVE� 05/31/2019������� ��� ������� ����������������������������������� $ 226,956.55
TRUST & AGENCY 05/31/2019����� ���� ������ ������������������������ �����������$� �22,965.12
HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT 2 �05/31/2019�������������������������
$� ������112.48
(holding checks until funds are deposited)
����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��� ������� �����������������������������������������������
HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER 05/31/2019�������������� ��������$� �28,700.92
PARTNERSHIP
PROPERTY TAX CAP RESERVE 05/31/2019����������������������� ������ $��
��1,309.86
CDBG PROJECT 05/31/2019��������������������������������������������������� ������ $��
11,764.00
v Sales Tax Received � May 2019 - $110,517.00
v Mortgage
Tax - April 2019 - $14,390.00
v Mortgage
Tax October 1, 2018 - March 31, 2019 - $71,495.59
Supervisor Thomas Wood told the Board he received
communication from Vertical Bridge concerning their cell tower at the Hayes Rd.
landfill.� Vertical Bridge offered a one-time
buyout of their annual easement rent for $315,000.00, as they say it will be
easier to get other carriers on the tower without being under a rental
agreement and "owning" it outright.�
They are under contract with the town until 2053, although they have the
right to drop us at anytime.� The amount
they pay increases 15% each year and additional carriers will have to pay as
well.� The Board discussed this and will
counter back, but this is only at a discussion point to date.
Public comments on agenda items: No
one spoke.
Committee
reports:
Landfill: No report
�
Insurance: No report
Youth: Councilman Michael McLoughlin stated seven children are signed up for
swimming lessons to date.�
There will be no meetings
during the summer; meetings will begin again in September.
They held Election of
Officers: President is Donna Haney, Vice President is Joanne Hanna, Secretary
is Dale Baldwin and Treasurer is Pat Temple.
A trip is planned to Lake
George for a Lake George Steamboat Luncheon on September 10, 2019.� Contact Pat Temple for further information.
Quaker Springs Seniors met on
May 10, 2019 for a Pot Luck Luncheon with 27 members in attendance.� Town Attorney William Reynolds was their
Speaker and presented a slide show about Myths of Laws concerning Wills, Trusts
and General Rules related to the best ways to prepare one's self and family for
handling a person's estate.� He gave a
short biography of his education and how he came to be appointed to his present
position.� His program was very well received
and he answered many questions from those in attendance.
They also met on June 10,
2019 with Town Historian Sean Kelleher, speaking on General Phillip Schuyler's
Saw Mill.
Parks/Schuyler Park Committee: Councilman Gary Squires reported they met on May 28,
2019.� The Park is up and running with normal
activities and no issues to date.� They've
updated their website and the West End Pavilion is finished and can now be
reserved for use.� Plans for installing a
flag pole, funded by the American Legion, near the Park entrance is nearing
completion.� As there is no electrical
service in that location, part of the plan involves the use of solar powered
lighting for the flag.� The Park
Committee will assume maintenance responsibility of the flag and flag pole.
Next meeting will be held on
July 30, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Office of Emergency Management: No report
QSFD,
WEMS Inc.: Don Ormsby, Quaker Springs Assistant Fire Chief,
stated they have had 42 calls to date for 2019.�
Nashua Alexander, Wilton EMS, Inc., submitted their
report which stated they had 26 calls in the Town of Saratoga for the month of May
2019.
Old
Business: None
New
Business:
On a motion made by Councilman
James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-76, Request
to Reduce Speed Limit - County Route 70 & Brown Road, 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 received and acknowledges the numerous complaints of
speeding on County Route 70 (from the intersection of County Routes 70 &
71, going south to the Town of Stillwater town line), and on Brown Road; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board believes
reducing the speed will make the roadways much safer; now, therefore, be it
����������� RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga requests
that the New York State Department of Transportation reduce and maintain a
speed limit of 40 mph on County Route 70 and on Brown Road, as they believe
such request to be well-founded
On a motion made by Councilman
Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan, the following Resolution #19-77, Approving the Donation of $2500.00 for the Turning Point Parade, 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 Twenty Fifth Annual Turning Point Parade will take place on Sunday, August
4th in the Village of Schuylerville; and
����������� WHEREAS, this parade�s mission has served as a reminder of the
history and heritage of this special area where the battles at Saratoga were
thought to be the turning point of the Revolutionary War; and
����������� WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga supports the
parade�s mission, now, therefore, be it
����������� RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga contribute $2,500.00 to the
Turning Point Parade, c/o Byron Peregrim, Chairman, 18 Broad St.,
On a motion made by Councilman
Charles Hanehan and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-78, Authorizing
Town Attorney to Amend Local Law #2 of 2009, Without Time Limitation, 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, wishes to
continue to provide the partial tax exemption, without� time limitation, for residential real
property owned by certain persons who rendered Military Service to the United
States during the Cold War Period - September 2, 1945 through December 26,
1991; now, therefore, be it
����������� RESOLVED, by the Town Board, of the Town of Saratoga, to
authorize Town Attorney William Reynolds to draft a local law amending Local
Law 2, 2009.
On
a motion by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Charles
Hanehan, the following Resolution #19-79,
Declaring Surplus Highway Equipment & Authorizing Highway Superintendent to
Advertise said equipment for sale, was adopted
by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood -
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye, Councilman
James Jennings � aye, Councilman Gary Squires � aye.�
Carried 5 � 0
��������������� WHEREAS,
the Town of Saratoga Highway Superintendent has stated that the 2004,
International vT365 4200 Series Allison 3500 w/PTO Dump Truck (115,800 miles),
and the 1994 Bandit Chipper with cummins engine (1660 hours), are no longer
needed by the Highway Department, now, therefore, be it
����������� RESOLVED,
that the Town Board, of the Town of Saratoga, now declares the old dump truck
and chipper as surplus equipment and authorizes the Town Highway Superintendent
to advertise the sale of said surplus equipment.
On a motion by Councilman Michael
McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #19-80, Approving Lease
Agreement with Carolina-Eastern Vail, Inc, 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 2E, 3E and 3E2
offices, 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 offices, beginning July 1, 2019
through June 30, 2020; now, therefore, be it
����������� RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga
Town Supervisor is authorized to enter into a lease agreement with
Carolina-Eastern Vail, Inc. for the 2E,
3E and 3E2 offices, second floor, north wing, commencing on July 1, 2019.� The total sum of $895.00 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 a
total of 16% of the monthly utility bills of the 2nd floor, north wing; 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 by Councilman James
Jennings, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #19-81, Surrender of Leased
Premises, 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 has previously leased from� the Landlord real property premises known as
12 Spring Street, Room 3E2, second floor, north wing, Schuylerville, New York,
pursuant to a lease dated December 6, 2018; now, therefore, be it
����������� RESOLVED,
that it is the mutual desire of both the
Landlord and the Tenant that the Tenant surrender the leased premises to the
Landlord, and that the Landlord accepts the surrender of the leased premises,
agreed as follows:
1.
The Landlord
releases the Tenant from any and all obligations of the aforesaid lease
agreement and the Tenant releases and relinquishes any and all rights, title,
claim or interest in and to the leased premises.
�����������
On a motion by Councilman Charles
Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #19-82, Authorization to Enter
into Contract for Professional Services for new Accounting Program, 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 acknowledges the
accounting software (1990's) is extremely outdated and in need of updating; and
����������� WHEREAS, the Town's Supervisor and
Bookkeeper, after thorough research and speaking with
our auditor and other municipalities, found Edmunds & Associates (BAS)
Finance & Payroll System to be the most cost effective and user friendly
system at a total cost of $32,580.00, payable over a two year period; now,
therefore, be it
����������� RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga approves
and authorizes the Town Supervisor to enter into contract with Edmunds &
Associates for the purchase and maintenance of the Finance & Payroll
Accounting System.
�
On a motion by Councilman Gary
Squires, seconded by Councilman James Jennings, the following Resolution #19-83, Authorization to enter
into contract with Twin Bridges Solutions for Telecommunication Services, 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 Twin Bridges Solution for telecommunications services.
Privilege
of the floor: Allan Weils, Michael Phillips and Paul
Murphy addressed the Board.� Mr. Murphy
submitted letters to the Clerk.
Communications:
Supervisor Thomas Wood noted the Empire Trail Ribbon Cutting took place
on June 4th and New York State Senator Daphne Jordan and Assemblywoman Carrie
Woerner were present.� The $205,000.00
grant the Town obtained paid for the trail, which goes from the Footbridge over
Fish Creek to Saratoga Street in the Village of Schuylerville.
Supervisor Thomas Wood also noted that the Saratoga
County Board of Supervisors are sponsoring "Year of the Senior"
Celebration for Saratoga County residents age 60 and over, at the Canfield
Casino in Saratoga Springs, June 26, 2019.�
(This is a free event and seniors can obtain an admission pin at their
local senior center or town hall.� People
are encouraged to get their pins as soon as possible so organizers can get an
accurate number of expected attendance.�
Homebound seniors will be able to get a pin delivered through the
county's home-delivered meals program.�
Seniors who are in need of assistance are welcome to bring a caregiver
to the event.� The event will start at
11:00 a.m. with a recognition ceremony for senior groups and support
organizations from across the county.�
This event is to celebrate� the
backbone of our communities, which are our seniors.� We hope they will enjoy this show of
appreciation for all they've contributed over the years.)
Upcoming
meetings:
v
Town Board Agenda Meeting - Tuesday, July 2,
2019 at 7:00 p.m.
v Regular Town Board meeting -
Monday, July 8, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. �
A motion to enter into Executive Session was made by Councilman
Michael McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan at 8:08 p.m., to
review contract with Vertical Bridge at the request of Attorney William
Reynolds.� Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye, Councilman James Jennings �
aye, Councilman Gary Squires � aye.�
Carried 5 � 0
A motion to exit Executive Session was made by
Councilman Michael McLoughlin, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan at 8:20
p.m.; no Board action taken.� Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye, Councilman James Jennings �
aye, Councilman Gary Squires � aye.�
Carried 5 � 0
Audit the Bills:
On a motion by Councilman James Jennings, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the
following Resolution #19-84, Approving
the Payment of Bills in Abstract 6G of 2019, 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 6G of 2019 in the following amounts:
General Fund DB ��������������� Voucher
No. 100 through 110����� ��� ����������� $�
15,256.42
General Fund A������������������� Voucher
No. 164 through 202��������������������� $162,636.02
General Fund B������� ����������� Voucher No. 36 through 41������������������������� $��� ���957.72
Schuyler Park����������������������� Voucher
No. 5 through 6����������������������������� $��� 3,247.96
Historic Hudson Hoosic������� Voucher
No. 16 through 18������������������������� $��� 2,334.96
Youth������������������������������������ Voucher
No. 1���������������������������������������������� $������ 300.00
� ��������� ����������������������� ����������� ���������Grand Total���� $184,733.08
A motion to adjourn at 8:44 p.m. was made by
Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin. �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