Town
of Saratoga
Supervisor
State of the Town Address
January
10, 2005
At
this time I would like to present my annual State of the Town address.� It is my intention to review the current
status of the town and identify the direction and some goals upon which we
would like to focus.
The
state of the town address provides an opportunity to reflect back on
developments in the town during the past year and to project forward to
identify areas and issues upon which we must focus our resources.� In a brief time I cannot cover every event,
activity, organization, individual or program so I apologize in advance to
anyone or group that I have not mentioned.
I
begin my second year as supervisor in a town that in most every respect
continues to be in excellent condition. Many of the issues that we will be
facing� in 2005 result from the fact
that we live in a town that is a very desirable place in which to live and do
business, and the fact that we have low taxes, and that economic conditions and
climate are healthy. Current town officials and employees are to be recognized
and commended for devoting their knowledge, energy, and expertise to serve the
town.� They do it with a passion,
commitment, and excellence.
Our
Town also continues to be blessed with a multitude of individuals that
generously donate their time and talents to serve the town through a countless
variety of organizations and committees. Through the General Schuyler Emergency
Squad the delivery of emergency services to the town residents continues to be
the best it has ever been.� The ALS
program has been well conducted and received by residents of the town. This
past summer the town board received a letter from an individual that suffered a
heart attack whose life was saved as a result of squad efforts. The squad has
out grown its facilities and is in the process of planning and building new
facilities. The three fire districts serving the town have well trained members
and excellent equipment.� Recruitment of
new members must be an ongoing, high priority activity.� Incentives to recruit and maintain members
needs to be investigated.� The� Quaker Springs Fire department� is in need of a satellite Fire station from
which they can better meet the needs of the residents of their fire
district.� The town is prepared to
support and assist this effort.� A
strong, cooperative working relationship between all departments must grow and
continue.� Review and refinement of some
of the 9-1-1 numbers must be done.
Organizations
like our churches, the Old Saratoga Historical Association, Lions, Rotary, the
Garden Club, Farm Bureau, our senior citizens organizations, the library board,
youth commission members, Old Saratoga Athletic Association, the American
Legion, Fish and Game Clubs, and the cemetery association, are recognized and
highly praised for all of the outstanding work that they do.� The Schuylerville Area Chamber of Commerce
is recognized and supported for sponsoring events and activities and for
promoting our area businesses and opportunities.� The Quaker Springs Park, the LWRP, the Lakes to Locks and The Old
Saratoga on the Hudson plan and all of its components will be supported as well
as events and activities such as the Turning Point Parade and Eighteenth
century events.� This past year the town
assisted local organizations in the creation of a law which made games of
chance and bell jars legal activities.�
This makes it possible for organizations in the town� to raise money by legally conducting these
activities.� A strong working
relationship with the National Park Service and the National Cemetery will be
supported and encouraged.
Town
spirit and pride will be stimulated and emphasized.� Cooperation and relations with our neighboring towns and Saratoga
and Washington Counties will be built upon and expanded.� Our town has great cooperation and relations
with our representatives such as our Congressman John Sweeney, our state
senator Joseph Bruno and our Assemblyman Roy McDonald.� A close working relationship with
Schuylerville Mayor John Sherman and Victory Mayor George Sullivan will be
continued.
The
Saratoga Lake Association is recognized for their efforts in protecting
Saratoga Lake.� As a result of their
efforts, the City of Saratoga Springs has recently voted to cooperate with
Saratoga County and pursue a regional approach to supplying safe drinking
water.�� The SLA has conducted a number
of studies and research activities relative to Saratoga Lake.� The results of these studies has and will
continue to improve the quality of the lake.�
The lake association is further recognized for their efforts in creating
a lake historical calendar and promoting efforts to protect and preserve
historical areas of the lake.�
Financial
the town is in good condition.� This has
resulted from sound financial management, strict adherence to state policies,
accurate record keeping, and frugal decision making emphasizing getting the
maximum benefit for every dollar spent.�
A prosperous county economy has generated sales tax revenue that
exceeded expectations and brisk property sales and refinancing of homes have
resulted in increased mortgage tax revenue.�
Extensive thought and research has gone into all town business
transactions.� You don't spend money
because you have it, you spend it because you need to and the expenditure meets
the needs and desires of the town residents.�
When compared to our neighboring similar towns we have a low tax
rate.� The� county� tax� rate�
to town residents was reduced by using some of the sales tax
revenue.��
������ Our assessor and her clerk have
maintained the assessment roles at an equalization rate of 100%.� Since the county distributes sales tax
revenue based on assessed property value, maintaining accurate assessment roles
will be critical.� This will insure a
fairness to all residents and result in maximum county sales tax distribution
to the town.� This past summer our
assessor, the county real property tax service director, representatives from
the state assessors, Mayor Sullivan and Myself worked with the Hydro company in
Victory to develop a plan which the assessment of the hydro company was fair
and changes in assessment would be phased in over a period of years rather than
abruptly.� Our Town tax collector is
efficient, organized, respectful and courteous when dealing with residents and
performing her duties.� When questions
arise she eagerly obtains answers.
The
Town board is experienced, broad based, and eager to conduct the business of
the town.� Our members are returning
with 33 years of total experience.� This
experience will prove very beneficial in our dealings with difficult issues
that have an extensive background. Our town board members also bring with them
a diverse background and broad based track record and experiences.
Our
Town clerk and her deputy continue their positions with increased and enhanced
working knowledge of the job responsibilities.�
Their computer skills, knowledge, and human relation skills are
superb.� Their goal is to serve all
residents in an efficient, prompt, and professional way.�
The
Town of Saratoga Highway department superintendent and the members of the town
highway crew continue to be second to none.�
They have years of experience with knowledge that is extensive in both
breadth and depth.� The crew is
experienced, dedicated, hard working, and professional They take their job
seriously and do the very best job possible.�
Again this year I have personally observed them on several occasions and
will attest to their high skills and professionalism.� Our roads are in great shape. They are well engineered,
maintained and cared for.� The recent
upgrades to Burgoyne Road illustrate the skills and knowledge of our highway
department employees. The town has adequate equipment with a maintenance and
replacement schedule that insures that it is up to date and operates at top
performance.� This past year new
equipment was acquired to replace worn out equipment.
The
planning board and zoning board of appeals are composed of members with years
of experience.� They are motivated to
promote the best interests of the town reflecting the comprehensive plan,
common sense, and good judgment.�
Members are regularly attending training sessions.
Our
town justices, court clerks, town attorney, and constable have experience,
training, and motivation to conduct the legal business of the town in a fair,
just, and responsible manner.� Expanded
computer systems, internships programs, new office equipment, and alternative
sentencing programs such as the science of speeding make for an efficient and
productive court.
Our
Animal control officer attended training conferences and is current on
regulations and procedures.
Our
Historian and deputy historian have been working hard to obtain record
management grants needed to organize and secure town materials.
Having
touted all of the strengths and assets of the town one would think that this is
utopia and no work remains to be done.�
If this was the case we could adjourn the meeting and go home.� The reality is that there is still much work
to be done.
The
town is under great development pressure.�
Last year the zoning ordinance was amended twice.� The amendments changed allowed uses,
increased the fees charged, and changed specific requirements for allowed
uses.� In addition, as recommended by
the 2002 comprehensive plan, a PUD regulation was established. This was done
with the involvement of several town and county representatives over a several
month period and was recognized by the Saratoga County Senior Planner as one of
the best PUD ordinances in the county.���
One of our priorities will be to continue review and update the zoning
ordinance.� Initial steps have already
been taken to establish an Individual Water Well Requirements and Regulations
section that will be added to the zoning ordinance.� We must protect the rights of residents without being unfair to
other property owners that wish to sell or develop their property.� We also will be making our zoning law and
forms more user friendly and more complete.�
We plan to codify all current laws and town documents ultimately making
all of them available on the internet by everyone.� This past year we have made serious attempts to see that the town
zoning ordinances were enforced.�
Violators were brought to town and county court and violations were
remediated.� These included operating
businesses without permits in unauthorized zones, bringing other businesses
into compliance, condemning unsafe properties, and cleaning up lots and
removing trailers and unlicensed cars.�
More remains to be done and will be done in this area.
A
cooperative working relationship between the Schuylerville-Victory joint water
commission and the town of Saratoga will be fostered.� We want to investigate ways in which the villages and town can
work together to service the water and sewage needs of residents of the town.
Last
year we initiated property tax relief for disabled residents and increased the
amount of allowable exemptions for eligible veterans.
We
have initiated the development of a town personnel manual.� This should be completed shortly.�
A
new cable TV Contract with Time Warner was negotiated.� The town hall now has three tv outlets.
The
phone system in the town hall has been expanded.� New computers have replaced older outdated computers.
Our
insurance policy has been amended to increase the liability protection for the
town.� A broker has been appointed to
represent the town and its employees when MVP Health Plan concerns arise.
Communication
and input by residents at town board meetings has been increased by adding an
opportunity prior to board action on agenda items.
Bryants
Bridge will be replaced this summer. A presentation will be made at the
February 14th meeting to share information with town residents.
Justice
clerk hours were increased to catch up on back work and meet the increased
court load.� New computers and software
were placed in service.� A court
internship program and alternative sentencing programs such as the science of
speeding were established.
Twelve
issues of a town newsletter and town calendar were printed and posted on the
internet.� In addition all town board,
planning board, and zoning board of appeals minutes were posted on the
internet.
We
want to preserve, protect, and foster the things that make the Town of Saratoga
a great place in which to live and work.�
We recognize that change is inevitable.�
It can not be stopped, but can be controlled and monitored.� Creating a strong economic base, increased
tax assessment, and creating jobs for town residents will be important. We want
development that does not place demands on our infrastructure including the
school district.�� Being a lifelong
resident and growing up and working on a farm has given me a strong
appreciation for the land and lifestyle of our community.� We need to focus on and protect our
environment.� We need to protect and
preserve open spaces.� Although at least
temporarily safe from the use as a reservoir by the city of Saratoga Springs,� Saratoga Lake will continue to be defended
from being a source of water for the City of Saratoga Springs.� I will work so that the voice of the Town of
Saratoga will be heard by working with the community leaders in both Saratoga
and Washington Counties.
A
committee to discuss a new town hall is being formed and will meet monthly
throughout the year.� The reality of the
current town hall is that the building has some serious structural problems
that are cost prohibitive to repair and that the current building is too small
to meet the growing needs of the town.�
A series of public forums will be sponsored to first of all gain input
from the residents regarding what they did not like about earlier town hall
propositions and what they would like to see in a new proposal.� Given this information the committee will
research best practices and develop some preliminary possibilities.� There will be several meetings to review the
action plan and exchange� ideas and
information with all town residents.�
Although the process will take time we will end up with a proposal that
will meet the needs and desires of the town residents.���
We
will continue to promote economic growth and development taking full advantage
of our Empire Zones. The two villages and the town must continue to work
cooperatively on community development and other issues of mutual concern.� Cooperation in the areas of water and sewage
systems must be continued.� The
cooperative efforts in areas such as highway work recreation, and water service
is recognized and appreciated
The
recently adopted town comprehensive plan has established the goals and
priorities of the Town.� These will
serve as the guide for the town. Promoting agriculture and maintaining open
spaces will be both a priority and a great challenge.� The development pressures within the town are great and will most
likely increase over time.
We
must recognize that we do not live in a microcosm, and that it is important to
have a strong, vibrant business community.���
We will promote economic growth and development taking advantage of our
empire zones and working with the villages to encourage development in our
downtown areas. The town will work together with the Schuylerville area chamber
of commerce in promoting our area businesses and opportunities.�
Staff
development for all town officials and employees will continue to be encouraged.� This training is an investment in our future
and will insure a town government that is current, efficient, and productive.
Communication
needs to be enhanced and expanded.�
Communication by everyone needs to be complete, accurate, truthful, and
not misleading.� Town government is the
level of government that is closest to the people and therefore must be the
most responsive.� We will Listen to the
residents to determine their needs and wishes.�
We Can't do all things for all people. I will continue to emphasize
research based, data driven Shared decision making. Shared decision making
takes longer but gives constituents ownership of the decision and results in
better decisions.�
The
internet and e government will be expanded.�
Minutes of all town board meetings, planning board and ZBA minutes will
continue to be� published monthly on the
internet. The monthly town calendar and news letter were published and will be
expanded this year.� E mail and voice
mail will be expanded and responded to in a timely manner.� Residents in all areas of the town will be
sought out for input.
As
openings become available for town boards and positions they will be filled by
appointing responsible qualified people to town positions.� I encourage anyone interested in being a
member of town committees and boards to notify myself, town board members, or
the town clerk.
Another
focus of the town will be to implement the goal set by the town comprehensive
plan to establish a town park.� We must
provide better town sponsored�
recreational facilities for all of our town residents.
I
want to encourage organizations within the town to report regularly to the town
board with regard to accomplishments, concerns, and needs.� With this information the town board can
become involved and help meet the needs of the organizations.�
In
summary I encourage all residents of the town to be informed, to participate,
and to work cooperatively with spirit and enthusiasm. We all want to see our
town be the best possible town that it can be.
We have great things happening and we are going to build on these successes.� Shared decision making is the process that we will use to make our successes.�� It is with enthusiasm and excitement that we will move forward and meet the challenges in 2005.
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