DRAFT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR
TOWN BOARD MEETING
OF THE TOWN OF SARATOGA
12 SPRING ST., SCHUYLERVILLE, NY 12871
November 10,
2016
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 - absent, Councilman Michael McLoughlin � present,
Councilman James Jennings � present, Councilman Gary Squires � present.
Also
present: Town Attorney William Reynolds, Deputy Clerk Michelle Conover, Highway Superintendent Don Ormsby, Building Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert and Ed Stomski.
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings: �
Public Hearing - 2017
Budget: Supervisor Thomas Wood reported that the Board has been working on the
budget since August. �He explained that the budget is our best
estimate of appropriations and receipts for the coming year. He then reviewed
some basic information concerning the proposed 2017 budget.� He noted that a cost of living salary
increase for employees of 2% is
included. Spending was cut from many departments and he is budgeting closer to
actual costs.� He noted that it is a lean
and responsible budget.� The total town
budget is $2,414,738, which is down 1.47%.�
The budget reflects an increase of
$.0004 cents per thousand of assessed value which is a modest increase and
doesn�t exceed the property tax cap.� It
brings the tax rate to $1.1329 per thousand for 2017 up from $1.1325 in
2016.�
Proof of advertising in the Saratogian on October 31, 2016 having
been furnished, Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the Public Hearing at 7:11 p.m.
on the 2017 Budget, asking those residents wishing to speak, to please stand and state
their name and address before addressing the Board.���
Seeing
as no one spoke, Supervisor Thomas Wood
made a motion, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, to close the Public
Hearing at 7:12 p.m.� Supervisor
Thomas Wood �� aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan - absent, Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye, Councilman James
Jennings � aye, Councilman Gary Squires � aye.� �
Carried� 4 - 0
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman
James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires to accept the minutes of
the October 10, 2016 regular meeting as written. �Supervisor Thomas Wood� � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan - absent,
Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye, Councilman James Jennings � aye,
Councilman Gary Squires � aye.�� �Carried
�4 - 0
Town
Clerk�s report for October 2016: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal
Population Control Program $46.00.
�Fees paid to New York State D.E.C. for
hunting and fishing licenses $730.36.�� Fees paid to the New York
State Health Department for Marriage licenses $0. �Dog license
fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $195.00.�
Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $207.14; fee paid to bank for deposit book $73.57.� Total State and Local Revenues received were $1,178.50.
Zoning
Officer�s report for October 2016: 7 Building Permits, 16 Building Inspections, 8 Certificates of Occupancy, 0 Junk Yard Permits, 2
Complaint/s, 0 Fire inspections, 0 Orders to Remedy, 5 miscellaneous, 8 Building Permit Renewal/s, 0 Property Maintenance Inspections. ���
A check for $1,747.50 was given to
Supervisor Thomas Wood.�
Dog Control Officer�s report for October 2016: The report was read by Supervisor Thomas Wood: �the Dog Control Officer answered 16 complaints, took 2 dog/s to the shelter, 0 bite cases, traveled 320 miles, issued 8 warnings and 11summons were issued.�
Town Court report for October 2016: The following were closed: 34 Vehicle & Traffic, 4 Criminal/Penal Law, 1 DEC/ENCON, 1 Dog case/s, �1 DWI, 0 Town & Village Ordinance, 2 Small Claims/Civil, 0 Evictions, 1 Hearing/s, 1 (case transfer) Divestiture Forms sent to County Court, 0 Defendant/s sentenced to probation, 0 hours of community service issued, 0 days of jail time issued, 0 Orders of Protection issued, and $5,063.00 in fees were paid to the NY State Comptroller.
Historian�s report:
�October 2016: �In October, the Historian stated he
had 45 posts and 398 visitors on his website and that October was a busy month
with the focus being on the Battles of Saratoga.�
The Historical Association hosted a very successful Candlelight Tour
of the Schuyler House.� The Surrender
Ceremony keeps improving, thanks to the many partners that make the event
possible, especially the school children from Schuylerville and Salem.�
Heritage Hunters had a full house for their annual conference on
genealogy, which was held at the Town of Saratoga Town Hall.
The Pomeroy Foundation agreed to fund two markers for the
Town.� The Blue and Gold marker will go
on Route 4 at the Trailhead for the canal towpath and the purpose of the sign
is to assist in an ongoing project to develop a section of the old Champlain
Canal Towpath into a multi-use trail.�
The second marker, a Legends and Lore marker, will be located at the
Mineral Springs in Quaker Springs and will focus on the Indians use of the
springs for medicinal purposes.� The
markers will call attention to the sites and encourage visitors to explore
those areas.�
Assessor�s report for October 2016: The Assessor stated she continues to update the files
as sales are completed.� She had 22 sales
in Sept., of which 16 were residential properties, 4 for vacant land and 2
represent a commercial property (the Dollar General purchase).��
14 of those sales were valid
sales and 8 were non-valid transactions.
The Assessor is preparing for
the tax exemption renewal season; renewal applications will be mailed in
mid-December.�
*Exemptions must be filed with the Assessor by March
1, 2017; please call the Assessor to set up an appointment, if necessary.
If you have questions
regarding exemptions, please call the Assessor�s office during her office hours,
Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM.�
Highway Superintendent�s report: October 2016
v
Back to 8 hr.
work days
v
Black top
shimming on Brown Rd.
v
Relined culvert
on Blodgett Rd. with Town and County
v
Driveway culvert
added on Fitch Rd. with ditching
v
Culverts replaced
and added on Fitch and Burgoyne Rds.
v
Hauled winter
sand from Lucarellis
v
Full maintenance
on Pickup� 2 &� 3
v
Installed plow
frames and filter maintenance on Trucks #1, 2, 3, 5 & 6
v
Replaced air-line
on Truck 3 and a fuel pump primer on Truck 9 with filters
v
Hydro-seeded with
soil and water at newly ditched areas
v
Loaned the small
roller to Schuylerville for one day
v
Set up platform
at Fort Hardy beach for the Sword Surrender Ceremony
Supervisor�s
report: �
����������������������� �SUPERVISOR�S REPORT OCTOBER 2016
����������������� GENERAL FUND � TOWNWIDE (A FUND)��������������������������������������
����������������� Balance on hand� 10/01/2016��������� ����$ ���844,600.96
����������������� OCTOBER Revenues������������������� ���� �+� ���67,623.00
���� �������������OCTOBER Disbursements����� ������������- �����59,061.28
����������������� Balance �10/31/2016�� ����������� �����
�������$ ���853,162.68
�����������������
����������������� GENERAL FUND � OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)
����������������� Balance on hand �10/01/2016���������� ���$ 1,364,219.92
����������������� OCTOBER Revenues������������� ���������� +
������86,126.01
����� ����������� OCTOBER
Disbursements��������� ������ �-�� ������3,179.64
����������������� Balance �10/31/2016� �������������������������$ �1,364,219.92
����������������� HIGHWAY FUND � OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)
����������������� Balance on hand �10/01/2016����������� ��$ ����891,693.31
����������������� OCTOBER Revenues����������� ������������ + �������15,482.12
����������������� OCTOBER Disbursements����� ���������� -
��������56,716.79
����������������� Balance �10/31/2016������������������� ��������$
����850,458.64
����������������� SCHUYLER PARK CAPITAL PROJECT
OCTOBER 31����� $
�149,986.37
YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE OCTOBER 31����������� ����������� $�
����1,917.47
����������������� ���������������������������������������� ������������������
HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE OCTOBER 31�������������� ����������� $ �117,257.77
����������������� BUILDING RESERVE OCTOBER
31��������������� ����������� ����������������������� $ ��204,848.48
�����
����������������������� SCENIC BY WAYS GRANT OCTOBER
31� ����������� ����������� $� ��������311.09
����������������������� PARK RESERVE OCTOBER 31�������� ����������������������������������� $ ����76,956.55
����������������������� TRUST & AGENCY OCTOBER 31 (TA & CDPHP)�������
����� $���� 58,356.72
����������������������� MOBILE
HOME GRANT OCTOBER 31������������������������ ����� $���
���������24.31
����������������������� HOME
IMPROVEMENT GRANT OCTOBER 31����������� �����$�� �����4,967.29
����������������������� (holding
checks until funds are deposited)
����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �����������������������������������
����������������������� CDBG
GRANT OCTOBER 31 ��� ������������������������������������� ������$���� ����� ���20.14
����������������������� HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSICK RIVER SEPTEMBER 30� ������$� �-168,726.73
����������������������� PARTNERSHIP
v Sales
Tax Received � �October 2016 - $136,959.00
v Mortgage
Tax - September 2016 - $23,126.50
�����������
Public comments on agenda items: no comments
Committee
reports: �no report
�����������
Landfill:
�Supervisor Thomas Wood stated he spoke with
Town Engineer Ken Martin and was told that he is reaching out to other
companies for estimates to get the work done on test well #1.
�
Insurance: �no report
Youth:� Councilman Michael McLoughlin stated that on
October 30th there was a Pumpkin Carving & Catapult event held
at Hudson Crossing Park; a great time was had by all.
��
Senior Citizens:� The Old Saratoga Seniors met on
Oct. 19th for a Tea Cup Auction Luncheon with 40 in attendance.� The November 2nd luncheon honored
Veterans with entertainment by Don Young.��
Future Trips Planned:�
December 14th -
Christmas Party at Fairways in Halfmoon
December 20th -
Christmas Show
March 17th -
Turning Point Casino
The Quaker Springs�
Sunshiners met on October 10th with 21 members in attendance.� Dave DeMarco, from the Office of the Aging,
presented information about Medicare.�
They also had a trip to Williams Town Inn for the German Festival on
November 2nd.
*November 18, 2016:� Friends of Schuyler Park will
be hosting a �Trivia Night� at the American ��������Legion, 6 Clancy St., Schuylerville, NY,
6 p.m. - 8 p.m., with the Meehan Road Band playing from 9 p.m. - 11 p.m.� Further details can be found on the Schuyler
Park website at www.schuylerpark.com.�
Office of Emergency Management:� no report
GSES,
QSFD, SLPID/SLA Reports:
Highway Superintendent Don Ormsby stated that Quaker
Springs Fire Department has had 86 calls to date.
Old
Business: �none
New
Business:
Gong Property:� Supervisor Thomas Wood stated that he has had
complaints concerning the Calvin Gong property on Rt. 9P and allowed Ed
Stomski, 20 Saratoga Lake Rd., to address his concerns with the Gong property.
Supervisor
Thomas Wood told the Board that Building Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert is
aware of the issues.� He then had Building
Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert hand the Board members photos he�d taken of
the property.� Building Inspector/Zoning
Officer Gil Albert stated that both buildings on the property are filled right
up and there is a boat as well as non- registered vehicles on the property.� Due to the law, the Town can have him remove
those vehicles; the new law concerning non-registered vehicles took effect
October 3rd of this year.� �He then stated there is no law on how one
should live on their own land - the NYS Health Department can be called, but one
must have proof for them.� He is open to
doing something about the situation, but there has to be something specific -
something actionable.� He added that NYS
Code only goes so far concerning property; the disaster on the Gong property is
quadrupled behind the fence and in the backyard than the front yard.� He then stated he has an outstanding Order to
Remedy on Mr. Gong, but nothing has been done since the spring.�
Town
Attorney William Reynolds said the Order to Remedy is outstanding, so court
action is the next step.� He questioned
if the Order was for rubbish in the yard and Building Inspector/Zoning Officer
Gil Albert responded yes, adding he will send another Order to Remedy to remove
the non-registered vehicles.�
Supervisor
Thomas Wood directed Town Attorney William Reynolds to work with Building
Inspector/Zoning Officer Gil Albert and bring Mr. Gong into court for the
rubbish and to follow through on removing the non-registered vehicles from his
property.�
Highway
Superintendent Don Ormsby added that Mr. Gong started a stump fire yesterday,
which went out of control and the Quaker Springs Fire Department had to put it
out; Mr. Gong has no water there.� Mr.
Gong said he started the fire because the stumps were full of ants.
NYS Audit: Supervisor Thomas Wood
stated the NYS Audit for the Youth Recreation Program, 2014 - May 2016, was
completed and came back with no findings - all is well with the Youth
Program.�
Insurance Renewal &
Insurance Deductible Management: Thomas Wood stated that the Board needs to review
the options for the medical insurance for our retirees.� They currently have MVP-Gold, but due to
rising costs, they need to look at competitive options, including
BlueCross/Blue Shield.� He also stated
the Town now needs to maintain two separate accounts for deductible
contributions due to the Highway bringing in the Union.
NYS Ag & Markets
Farmland Protection Grant: Supervisor Thomas Wood stated the Town has been awarded a $25,000.00
Farmland Protection Grant through NYS Ag & Markets.
On
a motion by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Gary
Squires, the following Resolution
#16-144 - Adoption of the 2017 Annual Town Budget,� was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood -
aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent, Councilman
James Jennings � aye, Councilman Gary Squires - aye.� Carried
4 � 0
����������� WHEREAS, this Board having on
November 10, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. duly held a public hearing on the preliminary
budget approved by this Board and filed with the Town Clerk for the fiscal year
commencing January 1, 2017, and having heard all persons desiring to be heard
in the matter, and the matter of the budget for this Town for such fiscal year
having been fully discussed and considered, it is therefore
RESOLVED, that said preliminary budget approved and filed as
aforesaid, is hereby adopted and established as the annual budget for this Town
for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2017, and that such annual budget as
so adopted is detailed in the minutes of the proceedings of this Town Board,
and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk of this Town shall prepare and
certify as provided by law, duplicate copies of said annual budget hereby
adopted, and deliver one of such copies to the Supervisor of the Town, and that
he shall present such copy to the Board of Legislators of the County as
required by law.
The 2017 annual budget, in
its entirety, is in the official minute book at the Town Clerk�s office and on
the website, townofsaratoga.com.
On a motion made by Councilman Michael McLoughlin
and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #16-145 � Approving
Lease for Lori Solomon, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood �
aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent,
Councilman James Jennings � aye, Councilman Gary Squires � aye.�
Carried �4 � 0.
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has excess
space in the Town Hall at 12 Spring Street, Schuylerville, NY which is unneeded
for Town purposes, and which has been leased previously; and
����������� WHEREAS, the Town Board desires to
lease such excess space for fair and adequate consideration; it is now, hereby
����������� RESOLVED, that in the north wing,
second floor of the Town Hall, Suite 203, Office 2W, be leased to Lori Solomon
on an annual basis for a monthly rental amount of $119.00 plus 2% of the
monthly utilities set forth under a form of lease agreement presently in use
for other business tenants in the Town Hall, and it is 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 James Jennings and
seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #16-146 � Fund Transfer - $500.00 from Contingency- B1990.4
to Demolition of Unsafe Buildings- B3650.4, was adopted by vote: Supervisor
Thomas Wood � aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan � absent, Councilman James Jennings � aye, Councilman Gary Squires � aye.�
Carried 4 - 0
� �RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, to transfer $500.00 from
Contingency-B1990.4, to Demolition of Unsafe Buildings-B3650.4, to cover the
cost of Town Engineer Ken Martin�s work for the demolition of the Casey house
in Smithville.
�����������
On a
motion made by Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Gary
Squires, the following Resolution #16-147 - Fund Transfer - $900.00 from
Demolition of Unsafe Buildings A3650.4 to Refuse & Garbage A8160.4, was
adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood � aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin �
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent, Councilman James Jennings � aye,
Councilman Gary Squires � aye.�
Carried 4 � 0
����������� RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, to
transfer $900.00 from Demolition of Unsafe Buildings-B3650.4, to Refuse &
Garbage-A8160.4, to cover the cost of the Phoenix Landfill Testing.
On a
motion made by Councilman Gary Squires, seconded by Councilman James Jennings,
the following Resolution #16-148 � Declaring the Highway Department�s old
utility truck as surplus equipment and authorizing Highway Superintendent to
advertise said surplus equipment for sale, was adopted by vote: Supervisor
Thomas Wood � aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan � absent, Councilman James Jennings � aye, Councilman Gary Squires �
aye.�
Carried 4� 0
WHEREAS,
the Town of Saratoga Highway Superintendent has stated the old utility truck
failed inspection and it will cost $8,000.00+ to pass inspection, and seeing as
the Town Highway Superintendent has no need of the truck, now, therefore, be
it�
����������� RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the
Town of Saratoga now declares the old utility truck as surplus equipment and
the Town Supervisor authorizes the Town Highway Superintendent to advertise the
sale of said surplus equipment.
On a
motion made by Councilman Michael McLoughlin and seconded by Councilman Gary
Squires, the following Resolution #16-149 - Fund Transfer - $950.00 from
Contingency-A1990.4 to Street Lighting-A5182.4, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood � aye,
Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent,
Councilman
James
Jennings � aye, Councilman Gary Squires � aye.�
Carried 4 � 0
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, to transfer
$950.00 from Contingency-A1990.4, to Street Lighting-A5182.4, to cover expenses
through year end.�
On a motion made
by Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the
following Resolution #16-150 � Fund
Transfer - $100.00 from Contingency- A1990.4 to Refuse & Garbage-A8160.4, was
adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood � aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin �
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent, Councilman James Jennings � aye,
Councilman Gary Squires � aye.�
Carried 4 � 0.
RESOLVED, by the
Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, to transfer $100.00 from Contingency-
A1990.4, to Refuse & Garbage-A8160.4 to cover expenses through year end.
On a
motion made by Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Michael
McLoughlin, the following Resolution #16-151 � Fund
Transfer - $22,500.00 from General Repairs Personal Services -DB5110.1, to
Medical Incurance-DB9060.8, was adopted by vote:
Supervisor Thomas Wood � aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye, Councilman
Charles Hanehan � absent, Councilman James Jennings � aye, Councilman Gary
Squires � aye.�
Carried 4 � 0
����������� RESOLVED, by
the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, to transfer $22,500.00 from General
Repairs Personal Services-DB5110.1, to Medical Insurance - DB9060.8, to cover
expenses through year end.
On a motion made by Councilman James
Jennings and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following
Resolution #16-152 � Authorization to purchase a new box -
Everest SDS10SS3039 All Season Body with stainless steel folding ladder for
Highway Truck #6, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood � aye,
Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent,
Councilman James Jennings � aye, Councilman Gary Squires � aye.�
Carried 4� 0
����������� WHEREAS, Highway Superintendent Don
Ormsby Jr. has requested to purchase a new Everest SDS10SS3039 all season box
body for Truck #6, with stainless steel folding ladder, (3 coal doors), new hinge,
new hoist, pioneer EDD1500 ASP Tarp with anti-sail bar, stainless steel
hydraulic lines to rear of body, DOT lights, LED/DOT rear lights, spinner
light, dual mud flaps, complete installation of rear body and accessories,
blast frame and paint with PPG epoxy primer and top coat, in the amount of
$35,236.00, now, therefore, be it
����������� RESOLVED,
that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, authorizes Town Highway
Superintendent Don Ormsby Jr. to purchase said All Season Box for Highway Truck
#6 in the amount of $35,236.00.
On a motion made
by Councilman Gary Squires and seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the
following Resolution #16-153 � Fund
Transfer - $1,142.79 from Contingency-A1990.4, to Refuse & Garbage-A8160.4,
was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood � aye, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent, Councilman James
Jennings � aye, Councilman Gary Squires � aye.�
Carried 4 � 0.
RESOLVED, that
the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga,
to transfer $1,142.79 from Contingency-A1990.4 to Refuse & Garbage-A8160.4,
due to charges incurred by the Town for landfill work.����
On a motion made by Councilman James Jennings and
seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #16-154 � Approving
the Payment of Bills � Abstract 11G, was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas
Wood � aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye,
Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent, Councilman
James Jennings � aye, Councilman Gary Squires � aye.� Carried 4 � 0
RESOLVED,
by the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga to authorize payment of the bills listed in Abstract 11G in the following amounts:
General Fund A������������������� Voucher No. 337 through 380������� ������������� $
��31,806.63
General Fund B ������������������ Voucher
No. 51 through 57���� �������� ����������� $� ������967.91�
Schuyler Park H������������������� Voucher
No. 36 through 39� ����������������������� $� ���1,543.21
Highway DB������������������������� Voucher
No. 207 through 230��� ����������������� $�� 36,183.43
HI ������������������������������������������ Voucher
No. 29�������������������������������������������� $���� 4,883.00
HH����������������������������������������� Voucher
No. 60 through 67� ����������� ������������$ ��37,328.06
����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������� Grand Total�� ��$ �112,712.24��
Communication:�
Privilege
of the floor:�
Upcoming
meetings:
v
Agenda meeting � December 8, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
v Regular Town Board meeting �
Thursday, December 12, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
v Special End of Year Audit
meeting - Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. ��
A motion to adjourn at 9:18 p.m. was made by
Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Gary Squires. �Supervisor
Thomas Wood � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent, Councilman Michael
McLoughlin � aye, Councilman James Jennings � aye, Councilman Gary Squires � aye.�
Carried �4 - 0
Meeting Adjourned
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda A. McCabe
Town Clerk